Opening Statements

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), Chairman of the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks on the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Print at the full committee markup of the FY26 NDAA. 

Rep. Bacon's opening statement as prepared for delivery:

I want to begin by thanking all of the members of the subcommittee for their dedication and thoughtful work on creating a strong, bipartisan Cyber, IT, and Innovation subcommittee print.

The subcommittee’s package advances the Department’s cyber and innovation ecosystems and conducts critical oversight.

This subcommittee’s mission is to ensure that warfighters are armed with the most innovative technologies that improve lethality and increase US capabilities.

Modern technology is fast-paced, so ensuring the Department of Defense is at the leading edge of technology is imperative to deterring adversaries.

Warfighters must have the tools to fight across all domains, on the battlefield and cyberspace, now and in the future.

I am looking forward to continuing to optimize these efforts as the committee considers the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act.

The FY26 CITI subcommittee print prioritizes the continued improvement of testing and evaluation through digital processes, supports the research and development of novel technologies, and improves the Department’s cyber practices.

This package brings flexibility for research and development across the Department to ensure rapid innovation.

The print achieves this through the empowering USD(R&E) and improving the ability to do developmental prototyping, creating a bridge over the valley of death.

It also directs the use of digital engineering and modern software practices to create a more agile and accurate testing and evaluation process.

Additionally, the subcommittee print directs the Department to use modern technology to improve processes and cyber practices.

Provisions leverage AI to bolster cybersecurity skills, create new lines of efforts for using generative AI, and continue to lay the framework for the Department’s adoption of AI.

The subcommittee print supports the continued research and development of hypersonic programs and modernization and expansion of hypersonic testing and evaluation.

Finally, the print includes several recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology.

These provisions give the Department tools to optimize the military-use of biotechnology to guarantee the U.S. remains the world leader of biotechnology innovation.   

Overall, the subcommittee print ensures the U.S. retains its status as the most lethal fighting force in the world.

Lastly, I want to thank Ranking Member Khanna for his bipartisanship and dedication to producing this subcommittee print.

We believe this package will continue to give the Department the flexibility and tools needed to deliver the most modern technology to the hands of the warfighters.