Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. CALVERT. 4016, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026.

I start by thanking Chairman Cole for his leadership in this process. I thank the Defense Subcommittee ranking member, Ms. McCollum, for her partnership and friendship. Finally, I thank the Defense Subcommittee staff for their tireless work on this year's bill.

Mr. Chair, H.R. 4016 provides $831.5 billion for the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. While this is relatively flat discretionary funds enacted in fiscal year 2025, coupled with the recently enacted Reconciliation Act, it provides nearly $1 trillion to modernize and sustain our Armed Forces.

Today's threat environment continues to grow more complex. Russia remains an aggressive actor. China's values continue to clash with ours as they advance their military capability. Now more than ever, the United States requires strategic investments to defend and protect the American people. Preventing harmful actors' aggression amplifies the need to develop and field the capability that provides America the military advantage we need.

First, this bill champions America's military superiority in a variety of ways. It enhances investments in fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft, such as F-35s, F-47s, and F/A-XXs.

The bill prioritizes modernization of the nuclear triad through investments in the B-21 Raider, the Columbia-class submarine, and Sentinel.

This bill also provides approximately $13 billion for missile defense and space programs in support of the Golden Dome effort. Innovation in our Defense Industrial Base and workforce remain cornerstones to providing America a competitive edge. This bill builds on successful prior initiatives through combined funding of $1.3 billion spread across DIU, the Office of Strategic Capital, and APFIT.

Furthermore, $1.5 billion is provided to support the Maritime Industrial Base by investing in critical supply chain and workforce training.

Drug trafficking, including fentanyl, remains a very serious crisis across America and throughout the United States and poses a national security threat. This bill protects the homeland with this in mind.

It combats international actors who facilitate drug trafficking and manufacturing by investing $1.15 billion to counter drug programs, including increasing funding for the National Guard efforts.

Following the administration's lead, this bill leans forward on shaping a more efficient and effective Department of Defense by reducing $6.5 billion, almost 45,000 civilian employees.

Mr. Chair, altogether, this bill is a good bill.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum) for the purpose of a colloquy.

Would the ranking member like to enter into a colloquy?

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman for the purpose of a colloquy.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman to enter into a colloquy.

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Mr. CALVERT. Yes, please.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks.

As the gentlewoman points out so powerfully, for over two decades, Afghan interpreters, translators, and contractors stood side by side with U.S. servicemembers in some of the most dangerous circumstances imaginable. They knew they were risking their lives and the lives of their loved ones to support the United States in our mission to bring justice to those who attempted to harm our way of life on September 11, 2001.

The Biden administration's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2021 was, quite simply, a failure. It is heartbreaking that we needlessly lost 13 servicemembers at the hands of terrorists during the chaotic evacuation of Kabul Airport.

Following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, we promised not to leave those Afghans who supported us behind. Many left their home country to come to America under Special Immigrant Visas in order to escape the possibility of death as reprisal for their actions.

Some applications for Special Immigrant Visas are still waiting to be approved. Further, many fled repressive Taliban rule and have been afforded temporary protected status given the unstable situation that still exists in Afghanistan today.

We should be clear that the Special Immigrant Visa background check process is robust, but that diligent process can take time, which is why it is critical that those Afghans who still have Special Immigrant Visa applications pending should be given protection to remain in the United States until the applications are adjudicated.

As the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I can tell you, Mr. Chair, that this is not just about keeping a promise, it is also a matter of national security.

Future partners and allies around the world are watching how we treat those who helped us in Afghanistan. For every Afghan ally left behind, there is a broken promise and a stain on our credibility.

I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to fulfill our duty and ensure that our Afghan partners receive the justice and safety they have earned.

Would the distinguished ranking member agree that we have a moral obligation to ensure that every qualified Special Immigrant Visa applicant receives the protection they deserve?

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Minnesota.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I have no speakers presently, so I would be prepared to yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 580, I offer amendments en bloc, as the designee of Chairman Cole, en bloc No. 1.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, these are noncontroversial messaging amendments and were supported by both sides. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I have no additional speakers. I yield back the balance of my time on en bloc number 1.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 580, I offer amendments en bloc, as the designee of Chairman Cole.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, these are noncontroversial messaging amendments and are supported by both sides.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn).

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time on en bloc No. 2.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 580, I offer amendments en bloc, as the designee of Chairman Cole.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, these are noncontroversial messaging amendments and are supported by both sides.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ellzey).

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time on en bloc No. 3.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 580, I offer amendments en bloc, as the designee to Chairman Cole.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, these are noncontroversial amendments and supported by both sides.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I support en bloc No. 4, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 580, as the designee of Mr. Cole, I offer amendments en bloc.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, these are noncontroversial amendments that are supported by both sides.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk).

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I encourage Members to support en bloc No. 5, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 580, as the designee of Mr. Cole, I offer amendments en bloc.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, these are noncontroversial amendments supported by both sides.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Harris).

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, we must ensure that our Army Black Hawk helicopters endure as a hallmark of our country's fighting force. That is why I have sponsored the amendment before us to reallocate $15 million within the bill to the Black Hawk Improvement Program, the account that invests in the blade improvement erosion protection system development.

Right in the heart of Locust, North Carolina, United Protective Technologies, in collaboration with researchers at UNC Charlotte, have developed materials to fortify the motor blades of the helicopters against wear and tear.

UPT is leading the way to ensure that when we put money into these helicopters, they will last for years to come. As Black Hawk helicopters take on increased weight, the fleet ages quicker than anticipated. UPT's work will extend their lifespan and reduce the need for full motor blade replacement. This saves the Army precious time and money.

Our brave fighters should have the best equipment in the world to respond to growing threats, and my amendment ensures this will happen in a fiscally responsible manner.

Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I encourage Members to vote ``yes'' on en bloc No. 6, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 580, I offer amendments en bloc as the designee of Mr. Cole.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, these are noncontroversial amendments, and they are supported by both sides.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

The motion was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Harris of North Carolina) having assumed the chair, Mr. Fine, Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4016) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.

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