{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3043", "Chairman Pfluger and Senator Hickenlooper Lead Charge for Service Academy Investment in Final NDAA", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "TX", "August Pfluger", "P000048", "pfluger.house.gov", "pfluger", "https://pfluger.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors, and Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter calling for a generational investment in the nation's Military Service Academies.\n\nThe letter, signed by members of the West Point, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, was addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The members urge the Chairmen to include several provisions in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to equip future warfighters with the resources to defend our country.\n\nIn the letter, the members advocated for a dedicated funding stream to the Military Service Academies, ensuring consistent and predictable investment in their infrastructure and mission readiness. They also call for strengthening the public-private investment relationship at the Academies by allowing superintendents to contract directly with affiliated nonprofit organizations on campus modernization projects, enabling Academies to use private philanthropic support alongside federal funding.\n\n\"My experiences at the U.S. Air Force Academy shaped who I am and how I serve today. That's why I'm committed to giving our Service Academies the resources, facilities, faculty, and training they need to develop the finest military leaders in the world. I'm proud to stand with Board of Visitors members from West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy in this effort. Our national defense starts with how well we prepare those who will lead it,\" said USAFA Board of Visitors Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).\n\n\u201cColorado is proud to be the home of the U.S. Air Force Academy, the premier training institution for the next generation of Airmen and Guardian leaders,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cInvesting in these national assets is a no-brainer. It\u2019s an investment in America\u2019s security and future,\" said Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO).\n\n\u201cI went to West Point, and I\u2019ve seen firsthand what these academies demand of the young men and women we\u2019re asking to lead our military,\u201d said Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10). \u201cWe\u2019re preparing them for a battlefield that is changing faster than ever, while too much of the infrastructure behind their training is aging and the process to modernize it is unnecessarily slow. These NDAA provisions give every service academy dedicated resources to upgrade its facilities and make it easier to put private dollars to work on campus instead of letting them sit behind federal red tape. If we expect our future officers to be ready for the next war, we need to make sure the academies training them are ready for it too.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur service academies are responsible for developing the next generation of American warfighters and leaders, and they deserve the resources and infrastructure necessary to meet that mission. We cannot expect our cadets and midshipmen to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow in facilities that fall behind today. These provisions are critical for helping to modernize our academies, accelerating critical construction projects, and ensuring they have the flexibility they need to make the investments necessary to produce the strongest military force in the world,\" said Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13).\n\n\"It is an honor to serve on the Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy. I take this role seriously because we have an obligation to do more than just thank our Midshipmen \u2013 and all our service members and veterans \u2013 for their service. It is my duty and my privilege to fight for them in Congress, for their benefits, and for their protection. That is why I am proud to join a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to urge that all our Military Service Academies have the necessary resources they need in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. We must continue to invest in our next generation of service members so they can continue to serve our country with courage, integrity, and distinction,\" said Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MA).\n\n\"As a Member of the Air Force Academy\u2019s Board of Visitors, it is critical that our service academies across the nation receive investments to modernize facilities. Our future Airmen and Guardians at USAFA deserve facilities that will help train them for the war-fighting environment, which is why we are calling on leadership to invest in cutting-edge enhancements to our academies,\u201d said Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05).\n\n\u201cOur military service academies (MSAs) shape the next generation of American warfighters and military leaders \u2013 something I experienced firsthand during my time at the U.S. Naval Academy, where I learned the true meaning of service to one\u2019s country. Investing in these academies means investing in the future defense of our nation. That\u2019s why it\u2019s essential we ensure MSAs have the resources, modern facilities, and programming they need to equip tomorrow\u2019s heroes,\" saidSenator Tim Sheehy (R-MT).\n\n\u201cOur Service Academies play a critical role in developing the next generation of military leaders, ensuring that our armed forces remain at the forefront of innovation and military capability,\u201d said Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV). \u201cThat is why I have joined my fellow Board of Visitors members for our Academies to ensure that they have the funding and support they need to equip our future military officers with the skills needed to defend our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur military service academies instill discipline, build character, and prepare future military leaders to pursue excellence,\u201d said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). \u201cWe need to make sure they have the resources and tools they need to succeed and defend our country. I join my colleagues in requesting a generational investment in our military service academies to properly equip our cadets and midshipmen for today\u2019s warfighting environment.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur service members sign on the dotted line to protect our safety and freedom, and they deserve the best resources and preparation in return,\u201d said Senator Coons. \u201cAs a new member of the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors and the lead Senate Democrat for defense funding, I know our academies need significant investment in order to be prepared for the combat of the future. We have the best military in the world, and I\u2019m committed to keeping it that way,\" said Senator Chris Coons (D-DE).\n\n\u201cThe education provided to young Patriots at our United States Service Academies is invaluable, and must always be safeguarded and protected for the sake of our national security and armed forces. Representing West Point in Congress, sitting on the USMA Board of Visitors, and working on the Armed Services Committee keeps me connected to the vitality of these unique, essential institutions. I\u2019m proud to join this bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators in fighting for the resources that every cadet and midshipman deserves,\u201d said Rep. Pat Ryan (NY-18).", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3043"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9536910802125931, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}