Ranking Member Courtney’s Bipartisan Amendment to Authorize Funding for Two Virginia-Class Submarines Is Adopted in the FY26 NDAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act, the committee unanimously adopted the Courtney amendment, which he offered as Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, to authorize $1 billion in additional funding for the Virgina-class submarine program. Additional funding is needed after the Trump Administration’s chaotic budget process left a significant shortfall in funding for two FY26 Virgina-class submarines. The Navy communicated this shortfall to Congress last week.
“This year’s defense budget has been the most chaotic process in recent history. Today’s defense bill markup in the House Armed Services Committee is an opportunity to solidify Virginia-class submarine funding which came over from the administration with a glaring shortfall,” Ranking Member Courtney said. “My paid-for amendment backfills $1 billion to close a funding gap for the two Virgina-class submarines in the FY26 Navy spending plan. We are at a critical moment for the submarine industrial base, with a persistent demand signal for the undersea fleet from combatant commanders across the globe as well as the need to execute on AUKUS Pillar One. The unanimous adoption of this amendment shows bipartisan support and real progress toward procurement stability for this critical program. More work is going to be needed as we complete the budget process in the coming months.”