House Defense Modernization Caucus pushes authority and acquisition reforms for fiscal 2026
The caucus secured multiple provisions in the HASC draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2026.
By
Brandi Vincent
July 28, 2025
The U.S. Capitol Building is seen at dusk after the National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the region on June 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
The House Defense Modernization Caucus secured multiple provisions in the House Armed Services Committee’s draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2026, including legislation that would expand the military’s AI integration, advance counter-drone operations, and update test and evaluation infrastructure — among other proposals.
Reps. Pat Ryan (D-NY), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) set up the caucus in early 2024 to strategically inform legislation to improve the Defense Department’s adoption of modern software and warfighting capabilities.
“This is what happens when you get industry, academia, and members of Congress who refuse to maintain the status quo together in a room. We’re going to keep pushing as hard as we can,” a senior member on Ryan’s team told DefenseScoop on Friday.
Early this year, Ryan and Wittman formally solicited policy proposals and focus areas from stakeholders across industry and academia to puzzle out the reforms. The caucus also set up a unique portal for modernization-related recommendations.
https://defensescoop.com/2025/07/28/ndaa-fiscal-2026-house-defense-modernization-caucus-reforms-fy26/
