Washington, D.C. — Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 4016, the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act. This is the annual spending bill to fund the Department of Defense and our men and women in uniform.  
 
“Today, I voted to put the safety of America first and ensure that America’s service members and military remain the best in the world,” said Rep. Webster. “This legislation invests in the readiness and modernization of our Armed forces. It supports the brave men and women who serve our country with the pay, resources, and services they deserve, while strengthening America’s military superiority.
 
The Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill:

• Provides a 3.8% pay increase for all servicemembers effective January 1, 2026.
• Invests in 5^th and 6^th generation aircraft, including the F-35, F-47, and F/A-XX.
• Supports space superiority with $13 billion to integrate missile defense and space programs under the Golden Dome initiative. 
• Allocates $36.9 billion for shipbuilding, funding Columbia-class submarines and Virginia-class fast attack submarines and destroyers.
• Codifies President Trumps executive actions to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Critical Race Theory programs.
• Prohibits the DoD from spending taxpayer dollars to cover abortion-related costs.
• Increases funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.
• Moves Mexico from U.S. Northern Command to U.S. Southern Command thus enabling better coordination and prioritization.