U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) voted in favor of advancing the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill through the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee approved the measure with a 26-3 vote, moving it forward to the full Senate for consideration.
The bill increases funding for Department of Defense activities and provides support for service members, their families, and the defense industrial base. Hyde-Smith emphasized the importance of adapting to new security challenges. “Our national defense is our primary responsibility and this legislation represents a refocusing of our national security on new threats and military tactics that could put us and our interests in peril. Adjusting to these new realities will require a sustained, years-long investment,” Hyde-Smith said.
Mississippi plays a role in national security efforts supported by this legislation, including work in drone technology, artificial intelligence, and composite systems conducted by local industries and universities. “A lot of dynamic and exciting work is being conducted in Mississippi to support our national security interests, from drone and AI technologies to composite systems. I appreciate the committee’s support by approving funding for this work by industries and our universities, and remain proud to support funding that bolsters this defense ecosystem and ensures Mississippi remains a leader in meeting our national security needs,” Hyde-Smith added.
Key elements in the FY2026 Defense Appropriations Bill include $29.3 billion for shipbuilding—an increase of $8.7 billion over previous levels—which funds an additional DDG-51 destroyer, investments in surface combatant infrastructure, full funding for Virginia-class submarines, additional money for Columbia-class submarines, as well as increased resources for Special Operations vessels built on the Gulf Coast.
The bill also allocates resources to research and development activities at several Mississippi institutions such as the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi, and Jackson State University.
For service members and their families, $193.1 billion is designated for pay and benefits—including a 3.8 percent pay raise for all service members and a 10 percent raise for junior enlisted personnel—and $24 million is provided for the United Service Organization.
Other provisions include $350 million for National Guard modernization efforts; $27.5 million toward state partnership programs; increased funds for Armed Forces Trauma training; resources for Multi-Domain Operation training; and $10 million specifically earmarked for National Guard Counter-Drug School activities in states like Mississippi.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has now passed eight out of twelve annual spending bills required before fiscal year 2026 begins on October 1.
