Stefanik Advances Historic Wins for Fort Drum, Rome Labs, Upstate New York, the North Country, and America in the FY27 National Defense Bill

This press release from Representative Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY) was published on 2026-06-05 and titled "Stefanik Advances Historic Wins for Fort Drum, Rome Labs, Upstate New York, the North Country, and America in the FY27 N".

Stefanik Advances Historic Wins for Fort Drum, Rome Labs, Upstate New York, the North Country, and America in the FY27 National Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 out of Committee. "Today, as a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to help lead and shape this year's national defense bill to strengthen our military in the face of rapidly evolving threats. This legislation restores peace through strength by rebuilding our defense industrial base, modernizing our military acquisition system, accelerating emerging technologies, and increasing the readiness and lethality of America's fighting force," said Chairwoman Stefanik. "As the leading advocate for Fort Drum, the 10th Mountain Division, Rome Labs, and Upstate New York, I am proud to announce that I secured critical provisions and funding priorities that will strengthen our national security, support military families, expand cutting-edge defense innovation, and reinforce New York's 21st Congressional District as a cornerstone of America's defense and technological superiority. These provisions directly support President Trump's America First national security agenda and ensure the United States remains the strongest military power in the world." The FY27 NDAA authorizes $1.15 trillion in investment in national defense modernization, emerging technologies, military readiness, missile defense, and servicemember quality of life - areas that I have led on throughout my tenure in Congress. The House version of the NDAA will next be considered by the full House of Representatives. Chairwoman Stefanik secured numerous provisions to support Fort Drum, the 10th Mountain Division, Rome Labs, Upstate New York, military families, America's defense industrial base, and our strategic allies, including the following: Strengthening Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division Directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services regarding next-generation weapons systems and Army modernization efforts. Supports continued multi-domain operational modernization and experimentation activities benefiting Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division. Requires the Secretary of the Army to establish a plan to diversify counter-unmanned aircraft systems to better protect American forces from evolving drone threats. Supports operational experimentation and advanced lethality modernization initiatives benefiting close combat formations. Supports continued investments in multi-domain operational readiness and contested environment modernization. Delivering Major Wins for Rome Labs, Upstate New York, and the North Country Secured more than $38 million in committee-approved funding and authorizations supporting quantum computing, quantum networking, defense innovation, operational experimentation, and next-generation military technologies. Secured $10 million to support quantum entanglement distribution research, advancing next-generation secure military communications and resilient networking capabilities. Secured $10 million to demonstrate a Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Quantum System, strengthening America's ability to operate in contested environments where GPS may be degraded or denied. Secured $5 million for Ion-Trap Quantum Computer research supporting next-generation Air Force applications and operational capabilities. Secured $3 million to expand Defense Innovation Unit ONRAMP activities that accelerate the transition of innovative technologies from startups and nontraditional defense contractors to warfighters. Authorizes $2.5 million for the Future Flag Operational Experimentation Testbed supporting Air Force Research Laboratory Rome and operational experimentation activities conducted in Lewis, New York. Authorizes $2.5 million for Photonic Quantum Computing research and operational transition activities associated with Air Force Research Laboratory Rome. Authorizes $2.5 million for Distributed Quantum Networking Testbed and Quantum Cloud Computing Environment activities supporting secure military communications and operational resilience. Authorizes $2.5 million for Autonomous Battle Management Across the Full Spectrum of Conflict (ABaMASC) supporting next-generation operational command and control capabilities. Supports continued Air Force Research Laboratory quantum modernization initiatives and operational experimentation efforts. Supports advanced LiDAR-enabled Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technologies to improve force protection against emerging drone threats. Directs the Department of Defense to provide a report on the use of rare earth magnets and recognizes the importance of establishing a secure domestic supply chain for critical materials and permanent magnets. Directs the Department of Defense to provide a report regarding domestic producti