Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) has secured approval for a bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment, which is supported by all members of the San Antonio congressional delegation, instructs the Department of Defense to consider San Antonio’s military infrastructure and geographic advantages as it weighs a potential consolidation of United States Army North and United States Army South into a new Western Hemisphere Command.
The directive requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress. This report must assess San Antonio’s fiscal, operational, and strategic benefits in relation to the proposed command. The evaluation will take into account established assets such as NSA Texas, Air Forces Cyber, Joint Base San Antonio, and Brooke Army Medical Center.
According to Congressman Gonzales, “San Antonio, which is widely known as Military City USA, is a critical arm to our national security interests. From the mission sets underway at Joint Base San Antonio, to our proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, to the cyber capabilities employed at 16th Air Force and NSA Texas, the existing military infrastructure in San Antonio is second to none, and should continue playing a key role in the consolidation of Army North and South into one Western Hemisphere Command. Thank you to the entire San Antonio delegation for joining me on this effort. The House took a critical step forward on this matter today by including my proposal in the NDAA.”
Congressman Joaquin Castro added: “It’s an honor to represent Military USA, home to the largest joint base in the DOD. I am glad to partner with the San Antonio delegation to support this bipartisan amendment to bring transparency to the Army’s proposed force structure changes. I continue to urge Secretary Hegseth and Army Secretary Driscoll to host the proposed Western Hemisphere Command at Fort Sam Houston.”
Congressman Henry Cuellar also voiced his support: “San Antonio has always been at the center of our nation’s defense, home to vital missions, the men and women who carry them out, and their families. Army North in particular supports DHS on the southern border with surveillance, logistics, engineering, and medical assistance, and moving it would weaken those efforts right when they matter most. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue ensuring that national security decisions strengthen, not weaken, border readiness and Texas communities. This bipartisan amendment makes sure the Pentagon thoroughly reviews the tremendous benefits and strategic advantages of San Antonio before making any decision on these commands, and I’ll keep working with my colleagues across the aisle to serve our troops and South Texas. I want to especially thank Congressman Tony Gonzales for his leadership and partnership on this critical issue.”
Gonzales introduced this amendment alongside Representatives Castro, Casar, Cuellar, and Roy.
Tony Gonzales has won several recent elections in his district: In 2024 he defeated Santos Limon with 62.3% of votes; in 2022 he defeated John Lira with 55.9%; and in 2020 he defeated Gina Ortiz Jones with 50.6%.
