The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week and now awaits action by the U.S. Senate, includes several pieces of legislation led or supported by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA).
The U.S. Senate in October voted 77-20 to approve S. 2296, which advanced to the House earlier this month.
“America remains the land of the free because of the brave men and women who serve in uniform,” Rep. Nunn said. “As a 21-year combat veteran and current colonel in the Air Force Reserve, I will never waver in defending our national security.
“That means securing the southern border, confronting the Chinese Communist Party, strengthening Iowa’s defense industry, and ensuring every servicemember, veteran, and first responder receives the care and support they’ve earned,” said the congressman.
Key wins led or backed by Rep. Nunn secured in S. 2296 includes language from the bipartisan Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025, S. 237/H.R. 1269, to ensure firefighters who die from job-related cancers are eligible for federal survivor benefits. Rep. Nunn cosponsored H.R. 1269 on March 6. The measure currently has 175 cosponsors.
The NDAA also includes language from Rep. Nunn’s amendment to establish a new U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) program to modernize defense contracting and expand access to private investment. The proposed reform would help scale production, strengthen supply chains, and boost readiness across critical national security programs.
Additionally, S. 2296 includes language from the bipartisan U.S.-Taiwan Defense Innovation Partnership Act, H.R. 4860, which Rep. Nunn sponsored alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) to support joint development of emerging technologies, enhance deterrence, and reinforce the U.S.–Taiwan partnership in the Indo-Pacific.
Likewise, the larger S. 2296 includes language from the bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Practices, Logistics, Actions, and Necessities Act, H.R. 2152, also known as the AI PLAN Act, which Rep. Nunn sponsored on March 14 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. James Himes (D-CT).
If enacted in the NDAA, H.R. 2152 would update AI and cybersecurity policy at the DOD to defend U.S. systems from digital threats and preserve America’s competitive edge in the cyber domain, according to a summary provided by Rep. Nunn’s staff.
Lastly, the larger measure also would help expand defense innovation unit (DIU) outreach centers via language modeled on Rep. Nunn’s amendment to open a DIU office in Israel.
The Pentagon would be authorized to open DIU offices in strategic regions worldwide to accelerate tech collaboration with key allies and field advanced capabilities, the summary says.