By Ethan Faverino |

Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has delivered a landmark victory for Arizona’s military community, bases, and defense industry through the passage of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

During an intense 13-hour amendment process, Congressman Hamadeh delivered over 30 bipartisan provisions, securing critical investments and reforms for Arizona’s servicemembers, veterans, and defense sector.

“I am grateful to my fellow Arizonans and members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation for their input and support of these monumental achievements for our state. They range from investing in cutting edge technology for our warfighters, to preserving our rich military history, to making sure service members are not financially burdened when they want to bring family pets home from abroad,” said Congressman Hamadeh. “My constituents and American voices are being heard on the issues that these amendments address to make sure that we are spending the taxpayers’ money carefully and in a way that addresses the critical national defense and quality of life issues of today and tomorrow.”

Key wins for Arizona’s 8th District include:

• Suicide Prevention Oversight: mandates a Department of Defense report on suicide prevention resources under The Brandon Act, honoring AZ-08 servicemember Brandon Caserta, who was sadly, a victim of suicide. Co-led with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
• Protecting Luke Airforce Base Leadership: This requires a report on the operational and cost impacts of downgrading leadership at Luke Airforce Base.
• Next-Generation Body Armor: Directs a report on innovative body armor development by Peoria based company, TYR Tactical, to counter advanced threats form adversaries like China and Russia.
• Improving Industry Regulations: Eliminates burdensome red tape for machine gun testing, benefiting AZ-08’s savings and national defense industry. Co-led with Rep. Ron Davis (D-NC).
• U.S.–Mexico Airspace Cooperation: Explores unprecedented collaboration with Mexico to enhance training capabilities at Luke Airforce Base, MCAS Yuma, and Ft. Huachuca while addressing border drone threats.
• Reliable Air Conditioning at Luke Airforce Base: Addresses critical HVAC failures to improve conditions for servicemembers, especially during the hot summers of Arizona.
• Submarine Air Recycling Innovation: Supports AZ-08 innovators developing cleaner, more reliable air recycling systems for submarines.
• Advanced Satellite Technology: Promotes AZ-08’s production of cutting-edge gyroscopes to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

Statewide Impact for Arizona:

• Protecting Ft. Huachuca’s Electronic Proving Ground: Prevents 44% staff cuts with a required review before reductions are finalized. Co-led with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
• Saving Mesa’s Apache Helicopter Jobs: Secures orders for three additional AH-64D to AH-64E conversions, preserving jobs. Co-led by with Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ).
• Preserving Aviation History: Frees five T-37 jets from Tucson’s boneyard for restoration by the Arizona Aviation Historical Group to promote STEM and recruitment. Co-led with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
• Western Training Range Complex: Directs the Department of Defense to link Arizona bases for joining warfare simulations. Co-led with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
• Securing Ft. Huachuca’s Water Access: Ensures water availability for the base and surrounding communities against environmental lawfare.
• Improving Safety at Barry M. Goldwater Range: Distributes $1.1 million for network coverage to prevent accidents and curb smuggling.
• Commending Davis-Monthan’s New Special Operations Wing: Reinforces Congressional support for the new Air Force Special Operations Wing.
• Advancing Autonomous Robotics: Recognizes Arizona’s leadership in developing swarm-capable autonomous ground vehicles.
• Strengthening Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs: Requires a briefing on integrating units like Buckeye’s 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion into Army initiatives.
• Expanding Air National Guard Refueling Fleet: Raises the floor for refueling tankers, supporting Phoenix’s 161st Air Refueling Wing.
• Countering Cross-Border Tunnel Threats: Extends partnerships with Israel to address Arizona’s emerging tunnel threats.
• Standard Missile-6 Production: Supports Tucson’s missile production with a report and investment to reduce bottlenecks.
• Collaborative Combat Aircraft Propulsion: Fast-tracks jet engine production in Phoenix for autonomous aircraft.
• Increased Dump Truck Investment: Boosts acquisition of safer, reliable dump trucks for Arizona’s Army National Guard.
• Directed Energy Weapon Development: Sends demand signals for counter-drone directed energy weapons developed in Arizona.
• Regenerative Space-Based Solar Production: Requires a briefing on space solar manufacturing, where Tempe is the center of technology innovation.
• Irregular Warfare Consortium: Commends Arizona State University’s Department of Defense Irregular Warfare Center and requires a briefing on its long-term strategy.
• Addressing Missile Inventory Shortfalls: Applauds the Enterprise Test Vehicle program and directs a briefing on innovative air vehicle production processes.

National Security Advancements:

• Pets Are Family: Extends Fly America Act exemptions to allow Department of Defense personnel to travel with up to three pets on foreign airlines, aligning with State Department policies and supporting military families’ quality of life.
• Security Clearance Reform: Requires a report to address delays, improve transparency, and ensure a robust pipeline of cleared personnel to meet future defense needs.
• Global Threat Response: Authorizes a one-year extension of the counter-ISIS train and equip program in Iraq and Syria, reducing U.S. boots on the ground while preventing the resurgence of the Islamic State.
• High-Altitude Balloons and Platforms: Requires a report from the Secretary of Defense on current efforts and future potential of high-altitude platforms, ensuring the U.S. maintains a competitive edge in advanced surveillance capabilities.
• U.S. Leadership in Space-Based LiDAR: Directs the Air Force and Space Force to provide a briefing on strategies to sustain U.S. dominance in space-based LiDAR for high-resolution observation, targeting, and object identification, countering China’s advancements.
• Oversight on Military “Titling” Practices: Requires a review of unjust “titling” practices, recommendations to protect servicemember privacy from adverse consequences, and exploration of expungement and redress mechanisms. Coordinated with Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL).

Congressman Hamadeh’s unanimously passed amendments reflect collaboration with Arizona’s congressional delegation. He looks forward to partnering with Senate colleagues to deliver these provisions to President Donald Trump’s desk, advancing Peace Through Strength.

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.