WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the House of Representatives. The legislation included several key national defense priorities for South Jersey that Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) fought for.  

Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA Priorities Secured by Rep. Norcross:

• Over $618 million for CH-47 helicopters, which will be manufactured by South Jersey workers. 

• Over $2.5 billion for the KC-46 refueler aircraft, which flies out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst.  

• $5 million to Rowan University for research, development, and engineering to enable rapid entry and sustainment in the Arctic and other cold regions being conducted. 

• Required an Army study to on the consequences of ammunition research and development away from Picatinny Arsenal in Wharton, New Jersey.  

• Protected collective bargaining rights for Department of Defense Employees.  

• Protected Buy American principles, American jobs and manufacturing by making sure defense programs continue using U.S.-made parts and materials, keeping our industrial base strong 

• Protected the E-7 Wedgetail program from cancellation, ensuring $800 million in continued investment in this critical airborne warning and control capability. 

• $9.9 million investment to enhance Army command and control for unmanned systems and their defense which will be developed by South Jersey workers.  

• $10 million for research and development of man-portable doppler radars for Army Network Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence (C3I) Technology. 

• $50 million to support U.S.-Israel anti-tunneling cooperation.