WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Chris Coons (D-Del.) celebrated the passage of the fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations bill out of the Appropriations Committee. The bill provides over $852 billion in support for our nation’s armed services, defense, and military readiness, including support for programs with significant impacts in Delaware and the region. Funding for programs with high impacts up and down the state include:
- $1.5 billion to support C-130J aircraft procurement by the National Guard, including the Delaware Air Guard.
- Nearly $619 million to support the continued production of CH-47 helicopters at the Boeing Ridley Park Facility.
- $350 million to support the National Guard Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA), which provides critical equipment to the National Guard and Reserve forces operating in Delaware.
- $30 million to support the United Service Organizations (USO), which plays a vital role in supporting military families and assisting the families of fallen troops, including at Dover Air Force Base.
- Nearly $408 million to support PFAS remediation projects, which protect the environment and critical infrastructure like drinking water from dangerous PFAS chemicals in Delaware.
- $50 million to support the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, which supports at-risk high school students in developing life skills, leadership, and discipline through a rigorous, months-long mentorship and education program.
- $42.5 million to support the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), which has nearly 400 volunteers across Delaware who support state agencies and local populations, including during natural disasters.
- $130 million to support the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which strengthens civilian infrastructure used by military installations or operations.
- $31 million to support the APEX Accelerators Program, which supports Delaware’s small businesses in navigating the contracting process with the Department of Defense.
