Congressman Keith Self Introduces Eight Amendments to FY26 NDAA Focused on U.S. Strategic Defense, Innovation, and Global Competitiveness

Congressman Keith Self (TX-03) has introduced eight amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), each designed to reinforce American leadership, modernize national security policy, and close operational gaps across critical domains.

“These amendments are grounded in principle, rooted in reality, and focused on national strength,” said Congressman Self. “They prepare us for tomorrow’s threats, fix today’s gaps, and prove that when America leads, the world follows.”

Amendments introduced by Rep. Self include:

1.    An amendment directing the Department of War to develop a comprehensive space-based missile defense strategy to counter Chinese and Russian hypersonic and long-range missile threats. The plan would integrate space and ground systems, update critical asset lists, and require a report to Congress within 270 days detailing deployment timelines, cybersecurity risks, and infrastructure needs. This initiative aims to create an “Iron Dome for America” with space-based defense capabilities.

2.    An amendment reinforcing U.S. nuclear competitiveness by aligning national security with President Trump’s Executive Order 14299. It directs the State Department to negotiate no fewer than 20 new Section 123 nuclear cooperation agreements by 2029 and renew expiring ones. It also establishes an interagency initiative to remove barriers to U.S. nuclear exports, promote international standards, and secure new markets for American nuclear technology and suppliers.

3.    An amendment to accelerate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across key defense mission areas, including logistics, intelligence, maintenance, and cyber defense. The amendment expresses Congress’s support for expanding pilot programs and deploying AI-enabled systems that improve decision-making, lower operational costs, and enhance warfighter effectiveness.

4.    An amendment enhancing force protection by authorizing the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, to set interception distances around sensitive military sites. Within these zones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) may be seized, disabled, or destroyed to prevent security breaches.

5.    An amendment requiring all unmanned aircraft systems produced by Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. to include geofencing features. These systems must prevent DJI drones from approaching restricted military airspace, using GPS-based restrictions defined by the Secretary of War.

6.    An amendment guaranteeing an immediate pay raise for all Department of War blue-collar workers, aligned with prior congressional appropriations. It directs the Secretary of War to submit a report within 120 days detailing steps to resolve wage delays and prevent future breakdowns.

7.    An amendment raising the congressional notification threshold for firearms exports under Category I of the U.S. Munitions List from $1 million to $4 million. This change to the Arms Export Control Act ensures that only higher-value and more sensitive transactions trigger review—streamlining smaller commercial sales while maintaining oversight.

8.    A ceremonial amendment designating Runway 5L/23R at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point as the “Lieutenant General Carey Runway.” The measure honors Lt. Gen. Frank E. Carey’s transformative contributions to Marine Corps aviation and his leadership in tactical airpower development, including the F/A-18 program.

“This is a systems-level recalibration of how we think about defense readiness,” added Congressman Self. “From emerging domains like space to foundational issues like workforce compensation, we’re making policy meet threat reality.”

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