Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA10), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee passed H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA).
“I am proud to lead innovative and impactful provisions in the current version of this year’s defense policy bill that will improve readiness, and enhance the quality of life for servicemembers and their families. From housing, food access and healthcare, to direct funds for JBLM — this bill reflects our bipartisan commitment to supporting those who defend and serve our nation,” said Strickland.
Under Strickland’s leadership, the bill includes key provisions to boost the quality of life for servicemembers and their families:
Naming Commission for Military Assets
- Prohibits the use of federal funds to revert recommendations from the Congressionally established Confederate Naming Commission for military bases and honor Confederate leaders.
Housing
- Mandates methods to ensure that Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are accurate reflections of regional market trends.
- Allows the use of cost-effective materials in housing renovations, and delays historic preservation requirements until the housing structure is 100 years old.
- Requires a detailed report on the acquisition and the implementation of the Global Household Goods contract following the cancellation of HomeSafe Alliance LLC.
Nutrition
- Removes BAH from total household income calculations used to determine Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) eligibility.
- Requires an annual report, for five years, on how subsistence allowances and food programs are utilized.
Healthcare
- Includes Strickland’s bipartisan MIDWIVES bill.
- Creates a pilot program, allowing beneficiaries to select an OB/GYN provider and receive care without a referral.
- Extends free TRICARE dental coverage to Reserve Component servicemembers.
- Secures a report on the TRICARE contract acquisition and implementation, healthcare delivery, and learned lessons that can be applied to the East and West regions.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Allocates nearly $125 million — $25 million more than the President’s request — for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- Authorizes $68 million for an Airfield Fire & Rescue Station, replacing the over 70-year-old Fire Station 105.
- Authorizes $70 million for a Command & Control Facility.
- Mandates a report studying the creation of a public database on non-combat military plane crashes, including details in response to Strickland’s Flight 293 bill.
Army Museums
- Establishes closure criteria for the Secretary of the Army’s management of the museum system, preventing the Secretary from closing local museums – including the Lewis Army Museum — without Congressional input.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
###