U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) on Wednesday voted along with the majority of her House colleagues to narrowly pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027, H.R. 8800, in a 216-212 vote.
“Today’s passage of the NDAA is a massive win for Missouri and our national security,” the congresswoman said in a July 22 statement. “The greater St. Louis region is critical to the defense of our nation and to our military strength, and I successfully led initiatives to make sure our Missouri-made programs receive over $12 billion in support.”
Such initiatives include more than $4.9 billion for the new F-47 stealth fighter, $3.6 billion for F-15s, $1.9 billion for F/A-18s, $1.3 billion for the MQ-25 drone, and more than $360 million for Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Small Diameter Bombs, according to Rep. Wagner.
“I was also proud to lead the effort to invest millions of dollars in Mizzou’s MANTIS program, which will support our small businesses and the local defense industrial base in building the F-47,” she added. “All of these efforts together account for thousands of jobs across our community.”
Rep. Wagner led the appropriations request that secured $5 million for Mizzou’s Manufacturing Advancement for Novel Technology Innovation and Sustainment (MANTIS) program, which will expand the existing network of Missouri-based manufacturers to help local businesses work together and with Boeing to create a resilient Missouri supply chain for the production of the F-47.
MANTIS will be executed at Missouri S&T’s Protoplex, which houses more than 50 state-of-the art advanced manufacturing systems, allowing local businesses to develop and mature emerging manufacturing technologies necessary to support the F-47.
Additionally, MANTIS will provide modern, hands-on training to ensure local businesses have a skilled workforce capable of reinforcing Missouri’s defense industrial base, according to the lawmaker’s office.
“Our American warfighters put their lives on the line for our freedoms every day, and they deserve to have our full support on the battlefield and here at home,” said Rep. Wagner. “Today’s NDAA invests in the men and women of our Armed Forces by modernizing our military, expanding defense production capacity, and providing a crucial pay raise for our troops while improving housing, education, and childcare for military families.”
The congresswoman noted that she “will always stand with and support investments in our military and our state,” pointing out that H.R. 8800 would ensure the nation’s adversaries can never gain a competitive edge on the battlefield, thanks in part to “our Missouri-made capabilities.”
H.R. 8800, which Democrats introduced in May, would set forth policies and authorities for fiscal year 2027 for U.S. Department of Defense programs, activities, and military construction, as well as the national security programs of the U.S. Department of Energy.
The bill now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.