Rogers emphasizes building up the defense industry

June 4, 2026 – WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers (R-Saks) recently spoke about the importance of strengthening America's defense industrial capacity.

"Throughout our budget hearings this year, we've heard a consistent theme: the defense industrial base – the foundation of our military power – is in trouble," Chairman Rogers stated.

"Over the last 30 years, the defense industrial base has atrophied significantly," Rogers continued. "We are no longer capable of manufacturing for our warfighters at scale or speed. In the 1990s, America had 51 prime defense contractors. Today, only six remain.."

"Our global munitions stockpiles are low, and we no longer have the surge capacity to rapidly replenish them," warned Rogers. "We also have fragile supply chains that make us reliant on our adversaries. We have very little industrial capacity to mine, refine, or process critical minerals, making us dependent on other countries – including our adversaries – for access to them. Our skilled workforce has shrunk, further reducing our production capacity. And we've fallen dangerously behind when it comes to shipbuilding and maritime readiness."

Rogers has been a vocal advocate for expansion of the defense industrial base. To do that and increase the size of the armed forces while building the weaponry of the futures – particularly hypersonics and space-based systems – Rogers has advocated for increasing the size of the defense budget from $1 trillion a year to $1.15 trillion with an intention to take it to $1.5 trillion..

"When it comes to revitalizing our industrial base, the choice is clear," said Rogers. "We can act now, or we can allow our deterrence to erode, undermining our national security, and failing the men and women in uniform who so bravely serve our country. The good news is that these are not problems beyond our ability to solve-but they do require action."

The Trump administration has been very supportive of Rogers' vision for a more robust, more lethal military, with the industrial base to fight an extended war on multiple fronts. To that end, Rogers has brought a record National Defense Authorization Act for the 2027 fiscal year that begins on October 1.

"In the FY27 NDAA, we are taking that action," continued Rogers. "We're revitalizing the defense industrial base and rebuilding our capacity to produce the capabilities our military needs We're breaking down the barriers that prevent small and agile businesses from working with the Pentagon. We're creating new jobs and helping Americans build advanced technical skills. And we're giving industry the certainty it needs to invest, expand, and produce faster."

The NDAA includes another pay increase for military personnel as the military seeks to both increase its ranks and improve the aptitude of the men and women it recruits. Increasing pay to where the military has advantages over the civilian sector in recruiting and retention is a key part of that strategy.

"We are raising pay for servicemembers and improving housing, education, and childcare for military families," said Roges.

The NDAA also strengthens other sectors of the military – especially the U.S.'s nuclear deterrent.

"We're strengthening our nuclear deterrence and missile defense, while maintaining a strong posture to deter adversaries," stated Rogers. "And we're prioritizing the development of innovative technologies that will give our warfighters the edge today and in future conflicts."

"To support these policies, we're authorizing $1.15 trillion in discretionary funds to match President Trump's historic budget request," said Rogers. "For the first time in 40 years, we've been presented a budget that accounts for the true cost of American deterrence. This topline begins to reverse the damage caused by decades of underinvestment in the U.S. military. With this historic investment comes an even more urgent need to guard against waste, fraud, and abuse. The bill does so by standing up a new audit task force and providing the resources necessary for the Pentagon to achieve a full and clean audit in the next two years. Peace through strength doesn't begin on the battlefield-it begins in our factories, depots, and shipyards. And this bill reflects our commitment to that cause."

The committee markup of the NDAA took hours as Republicans and Democrats both brought a staggering 900 amendments that the committee had to work through.

The Committee approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this morning. The sweeping defense policy package sets military priorities, authorizes spending levels, and outlines national security directives for the upcoming fiscal year. The committee's passage of the bill marks the first major step in Congress' annual defense process, sending the measure to the full House for debate. Lawmakers adopted provisions addressing troop readiness, modernization of weapons systems, support for service members and their families, and strategic competition with China, while also navigating a series of partisan amendments that will likely be brought back during the partisan floor fight ahead. As always, final details will depend on negotiations with the Senate, which is preparing its own version of the NDAA.

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