CVA Applauds House Passage of FY2026 NDAA with Historic War Powers Reform

ARLINGTON, Va. ― Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) applauds the House of Representatives for passing the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with significant reforms that strengthen constitutional accountability, modernize defense infrastructure, and deliver long-overdue transparency at the Department of War.

The bill includes multiple provisions strongly supported by CVA – most notably, the repeal of obsolete war powers that have been allowed to stand for more than two decades and no longer reflect America’s strategic interests.

Key wins in the FY2026 NDAA include:

• Repealing long-outdated war powers: Sec. 8370 eliminates the 1991 and 2002 Iraq Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs), reasserting Congress’s proper constitutional role in authorizing military force and ensuring that decisions of war and peace are not based on authorities disconnected from today’s threats.
• Strengthening defense accountability: The bill advances long-needed oversight through improved audit requirements, fraud- and waste-reporting mechanisms, and measures to modernize and streamline acquisition systems―supporting better stewardship of taxpayer dollars and improving readiness.
• Modernizing defense infrastructure: Sec. 319 enhances U.S. defense resiliency by establishing a working group to expand the use of advanced nuclear energy at military installations, improving energy reliability and reducing logistical burdens.

John Vick, Executive Director of CVA, said:

“Today’s House vote is a long-awaited step toward restoring constitutional war powers and strengthening government accountability. Repealing the outdated Iraq AUMFs reasserts Congress’s duty over decisions of war and peace and ensures our military is focused on the challenges of the present – not the conflicts of decades past. The NDAA also advances meaningful oversight and modernization efforts that will make our force more resilient and better aligned with the needs of service members, veterans, and American taxpayers.”

“At the same time, we remain concerned that restrictive troop-level mandates in Europe undermine strategic agility and run counter to the administration’s own priorities in the National Security Strategy. America is strongest when its military posture can adapt to changing conditions, not when Congress enshrines outdated deployments into statute.”

CVA looks forward to working with lawmakers as the FY2026 NDAA is signed into law by President Trump to ensure the United States remains secure, accountable, and firmly committed to constitutional governance.

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