Congressman Tony Gonzales, representing Texas’s 23rd district, voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The NDAA is an annual policy measure that determines funding for defense priorities and initiatives to improve the quality of life for military personnel.
“As a 20-year Navy veteran, taking care of the men and women in our armed services is a top priority for me. Our servicemembers’ quality of life goes hand in hand with military readiness,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “In the NDAA, I worked to ensure the Pentagon implements a pay raise from $250 to $400 for military families who qualify for the Family Separation Allowance, that child development centers for military families are adequately staffed, and conditions at military housing, dining, and medical facilities across our services are evaluated and improved. The passage of this legislation is a win for our national security priorities and a win for our troops.”
Gonzales led a bipartisan amendment directing the Department of Defense to consider San Antonio’s existing military infrastructure during ongoing discussions about merging United States Army North and United States Army South into a Western Hemisphere Command. This amendment was supported by all members of San Antonio’s congressional delegation.
“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,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “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 FY26 NDAA.”
The legislation also includes amendments secured by Gonzales such as awarding an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to those who participated in Operation Midnight Hammer in Iran earlier this year. Additional measures address improvements at commissaries and dining facilities, increased staffing at child development centers, support for housing near the southern border, and reducing delays with classified briefing room accreditations.
Funding provisions included $500 million for acquiring a permanent facility for NSA Texas in San Antonio; $79 million allocated toward new classrooms and dining facilities at JBSA-Lackland; $18 million designated for maintenance facilities supporting Air Force Reserve operations; and $5 million dedicated to designing an Army Reserve Center Building at Camp Bullis.
Key quality-of-life initiatives passed include:
– A 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers.
– Increasing Family Separation Allowance from $250 to $400 per month.
– Changes affecting how Basic Allowance for Housing impacts eligibility calculations.
– Measures ensuring adequate healthcare staffing at Military Treatment Facilities.
– Waiving TRICARE Dental Program fees for reservists.
– Expanded access to specialty care through reduced travel reimbursement thresholds.
– Enhanced leave policies covering bereavement due to pregnancy loss or stillbirth.
– Evaluations focused on improving housing conditions and meal access on base.
– Extended pilot programs offering financial assistance with childcare costs.
– Expanded mental health services tailored especially toward cyber units.
– Initiatives easing transition from military service into civilian workforce roles.
The NDAA also provides additional authorities supporting Department of Homeland Security border security efforts; reforms acquisition processes based on previous executive orders; funds major defense projects such as fighter aircrafts and submarines; invests in domestic defense manufacturing jobs; introduces savings through reforms; supports Indo-Pacific preparedness efforts; and codifies energy independence measures involving nuclear power technologies.
Tony Gonzales has consistently won his seat since first elected: In 2024 he defeated Santos Limon with over 62 percent of votes cast; he previously prevailed against John Lira in 2022 with nearly 56 percent support; and narrowly won over Gina Ortiz Jones in 2020 with just above half of total votes counted.
