Q: Why is the national defense bill an annual priority?

A: National security is the No. 1 responsibility of the federal government.

For 65 years in a row, Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act that shapes defense policies, from nuclear weapons to cybersecurity, drones, troop pay and military construction. As customary, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees conducted a series of hearings throughout the year to dig into the details of the massive legislative package that forms the blueprint for America’s national defense. The $900 billion, 3,086-page bipartisan bill outlines defense priorities for the coming fiscal year to ramp up military readiness and beef up support for our nation’s men and women in uniform, including a 3.8 percent pay raise, better housing, child care and health benefits. For example, the defense bill on its way to the president’s desk paves the way for improved access to specialty care for service members by lowering the mileage for travel reimbursement for medical appointments from 100 to 75 miles.

It allows members of the National Guard and reserves called up to active duty to enroll their children in Defense Department schools and bumps up the family separation allowance for deployed service members. These improvements signal to members of the armed forces that Uncle Sam stands shoulder to shoulder with our troops for the service and sacrifice they make for freedom and liberty.

On Dec. 13, 2025, two Iowans made the ultimate sacrifice while serving overseas in Syria. Sgt. William N. “Nate” Howard, of Marshalltown, and Sgt. Edgar B. Torres-Tovar, of Des Moines, were members of the Iowa National Guard 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. I attended the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base to pay tribute to these fallen heroes on their solemn homecoming in flag-draped cases and introduced a Senate resolution with Sen. Joni Ernst honoring their service and sacrifice. The ambush attack also killed a civilian interpreter and injured three service members from the Iowa National Guard. The terrorist attack is a stark reminder of the courage, patriotism and sacrifice these fallen heroes gave to their country and affirms why it’s imperative to ensure the full measure of the federal government supports the needs of our troops. That’s why I work every year to strengthen the annual defense authorization bill, including my efforts to protect defense dollars from waste, fraud and abuse. Every dollar lost to fraud is one less dollar for military readiness and our troops.

Q: What measures did you work to secure in the defense bill before final passage?

A: I pushed successfully for authorizing funds for Iowa’s military installations, including $220 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing at the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City and $13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory.

As a longtime advocate for the Rock Island Arsenal, I also supported bipartisan measures to beef up its minimum workload and encourage a public-private partnership to help ensure the nation’s domestic arsenals stand ready long term to supply our nation’s munitions needs.

In addition, I worked with Sen. Dick Durbin to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltic States. Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine calls for a united front to deter Vladimir Putin’s aggression to resurrect the Soviet empire.

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I held two hearings this year to examine the threat drones pose to public safety, from smuggling weapons and drugs across our borders to spying on sensitive facilities or committing acts of terror in a crowded stadium or other public space. My bipartisan bill called the SAFER SKIES Act was included in the defense bill and expands the authority of state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement entities, as well as correctional agencies, to use counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies to stop malicious drone activity.

The NDAA also includes four bipartisan law enforcement bills I steered through the Senate Judiciary Committee during Police Week in May. I’m pleased to help get these pro-law enforcement bills across the finish line. Americans owe a debt of gratitude to our men and women in uniform who wake up each day to serve and protect. When members of law enforcement walk out the door to go to work, they don’t know if they’ll return home safely. They run towards danger – not away from it – to keep our communities safe. From members of the armed forces to local first responders, I stand in strong support of our troops and Back the Blue with passage of the annual defense bill.

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican, represents Iowa.