Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Wednesday voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), landmark legislation that strengthens America’s national defense, advances President Trump’s peace through strength agenda, and secures critical investments for Upstate New York’s service members, bases, and defense workers.

“This year’s NDAA strengthens our military at a critical moment as threats from China, Iran, Russia, and terrorist groups rise,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “It restores accountability and merit, dismantles wasteful DEI bureaucracies, and ensures promotions are based on performance. The bill protects taxpayers by cutting nearly $20 billion in ineffective programs while supporting President Trump’s 3.8 percent pay raise for our service members. It rebuilds readiness, revitalizes our industrial base, secures the southern border, and gives our troops the tools to deter any adversary.”

“Just as important, this legislation delivers real results for Upstate New York such as beginning the recapitalization of the New York Air National Guard’s LC-130 fleet, building the new Combined Operations Facility at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, design funds for upgrades at Fort Drum, and investing in the New York National Guard. The NDAA will bring critical resources home to our region. These investments support local jobs, enhance our national defense capabilities, and reaffirm the indispensable role our communities play in keeping America safe. This is a strong step forward for our servicemembers, our state, and our nation.”

Key Upstate New York Defense Priorities Secured by Rep. Tenney in the FY26 NDAA:
• $200 million for the LC-130 polar aircraft recapitalization project to modernize the unique fleet flown by the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing and sustain critical Arctic and Antarctic missions.
• $54 million for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to construct a new Combined Operations Facility that will improve mission readiness and support our airmen.
• $20.3 million for Fort Drum, including: $9.5 million for aircraft maintenance hanger addition design, $8.3 million for design of Operational Readiness Transient Training Barracks design, and $2.5 million for Range 41C automated record fire and range design to improve training capabilities for the 10th Mountain Division.
• $90 million for the New York National Guard to construct a new readiness center and headquarters for the 42nd Infantry Division, enhancing readiness and resilience for New York’s Guard soldiers.

Highlights of the FY26 NDAA:
• Strengthens America’s national defense by authorizing $900.6 billion to counter threats from China, Iran, Russia, and terrorist organizations.
• Codifies core elements of President Trump’s national security agenda, rebuilding a lethal, merit-based military and eliminating wasteful DEI bureaucracies.
• Supports a 3.8% pay raise for all service members and improves housing, childcare, healthcare, and overall quality of life for military families.
• Saves taxpayers nearly $20 billion by cutting ineffective climate programs, rolling back DEI spending, reducing bureaucracy, and retiring outdated systems.
• Strengthens border security by fully funding National Guard and active-duty deployments to assist Border Patrol and enforce National Defense Areas.
• Expands counter-narcotics operations with over $1 billion to disrupt drug trafficking networks and support National Guard missions.
• Revitalizes the defense industrial base, strengthens domestic manufacturing, and accelerates delivery of cutting-edge warfighting technologies.
• Protects essential airpower by preventing unnecessary retirement of key aircraft, including C-130s, A-10s, F-15Es, E-3s, RQ-4s, and Grey Eagles.
• Advances missile defense and nuclear modernization under President Trump’s Golden Dome initiative, ensuring unmatched U.S. deterrence.
• Accelerates shipbuilding, space modernization, and programs needed to counter China and deter authoritarian aggression.
• Provides unprecedented support for Israel, reinforcing America’s commitment to its most vital ally in the Middle East.

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference on Wednesday to demand that her Republican colleagues vote to extend the subsidies that help millions of Americans afford health care.

Democrats today will force a vote on a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. This is Republicans’ last chance to stop health care premiums from doubling and even tripling at the end of 2025. Gillibrand demanded that her Republican colleagues support this legislation.

“New Yorkers are already struggling with rising costs in Trump’s America. The last thing they need is skyrocketing health insurance premiums putting further strain on their bank accounts,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Those who benefit the most from ACA tax credits are working-class individuals who are the very backbone of our economy — the families who own mom-and-pop corner stores, New Yorkers who run farms that have been in their families for generations, and the single parents who work long hours to put food on the table for their kids. We owe it to them to extend the lifesaving tax credits that help them afford health care. That’s why I’m demanding that my Republican colleagues vote yes on a three-year extension of the ACA tax credits when Democrats bring this proposal to the floor tomorrow.”

Without an extension, ACA enhanced premium tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing 20 million Americans—including as many as 1.7 million New Yorkers—to see a drastic increase in their health insurance costs. In New York, a family of four with a household income of $125,000 per year will see an average increase of over $14,000 in their annual health insurance costs if these tax credits are allowed to expire. Gillibrand emphasized the impossible choices that this will force upon working New Yorkers.

Senator Gillibrand has been sounding the alarm about the necessity of extending the ACA tax credits for months. Earlier this year, she released a county-by-county breakdown of expected ACA premium increases for individuals and families across New York.

Editor’s Note: For Orleans County, a policy for a single person making $65,000 would increase 31.7 percent or by $104.30 a month (from $329.46 to $433.76), which would be an additional $1,251.60 a year. For a family of four making $130,000, the premium cost would go up 20.7 percent or by $212.26 a month (from $1,023.96 to $1,236.22) or $2,547.12 a year.