WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today unveiled legislative text of the reconciliation bill’s defense portion. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees developed this legislation in close coordination with the White House and Department of Defense to modernize America’s military, secure the border, and strengthen national security.

Chairman Wicker released the following statement after the release of the bill text:

“This bill is a landmark down payment toward the modernization of our military and our defense capabilities. It represents a generational upgrade for our national security with historic funding for Golden Dome, American manufacturing, innovative unmanned technology, and new shipbuilding efforts,” Chairman Wicker said. “It would not have been possible without the peace-through-strength leadership of President Trump, Chairman Rogers, and Secretary Hegseth. This is about building the future of American defense, and ultimately deterring war. In combination with significant legislative reforms through the NDAA process, this bill will fundamentally change the Pentagon and help us maintain peace and prosperity for Americans.” 

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL.) released the following statement alongside Chairman Wicker:

“The House and Senate Armed Services Committees are committed to implementing President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda with a generational investment in our national defense. Chairman Wicker and I have worked closely together to identify how we can best modernize our military, regrow our defense industrial base, and build a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force. Now that the Senate will soon take up the One Big, Beautiful Bill, I’m eager to continue our forward momentum and get this to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”

The full text is available here. 

A legislative overview is available here.

Legislation Highlights:

$9B to improve servicemember quality of life, including housing modernization, childcare and education improvements, and health care.

$29B for shipbuilding to expand the maritime industrial base, build 13 Battle Force ships, and rapidly grow an unmanned fleet.

$25B for Golden Dome to maintain space superiority, develop space-based missile intercept, and accelerate existing missile defense efforts.

$23B to re-stock crucial munitions, rebuild U.S. supply chains for critical minerals, and expand advanced manufacturing capacity.

$16B to scale production of innovative low-cost and next-gen weapons like drones, counter-drone tech, cheap munitions, and artificial intelligence.

$400M to accelerate the DOD audit through artificial intelligence and improve cybersecurity.

$9B to expand the fighter fleet and accelerate next-gen air superiority programs.

$15B to accelerate nuclear modernization programs and fix infrastructure.

$12B to equip INDOPACOM commander with neccesary capabilities and rebuild our Pacific infrastructure.

$16B to improve readiness, including through modernization of depots, additional spare parts for aircraft, and expanded naval maintenance.

$3.3B to expand military border support mission through Trump term.

Background:

In December 2024, Chairman Wicker introduced the FORGED Act, a comprehensive legislative proposal to reform Pentagon efficiency. The bill is designed to fundamentally change the way the Pentagon does business by getting better weapons to our troops faster and maximizing taxpayer dollars.

Since taking the gavel as Chairman, Senator Wicker has laid out a significant defense investment plan aimed at rebuilding our military for generations to come. The plan encompasses several critical areas including rebuilding the arsenal of democracy, proliferating integrated air and missile defense, modernizing infrastructure, and more.