U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Brandon) announced that eight of his amendments were included in the House-passed Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The measures are aimed at improving military readiness, addressing health concerns among servicemembers, and countering foreign threats.
“The FY26 NDAA delivers on President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda by ensuring our military remains the most lethal fighting force in the world,” said Buchanan. “As part of this effort, I was proud to secure eight of my proposals in the bill, including my FORCE-FIT Act to combat obesity and chronic disease in the military. By improving servicemember health, we are strengthening our forces, lowering long-term health costs and upholding the warrior ethos of being fully ready to fight and win.”
Among Buchanan’s amendments is a pilot program that will provide continuous glucose monitoring technology to servicemembers. This initiative is designed to address obesity and chronic disease within the armed forces by giving personnel access to modern health tools.
Other provisions require federal agencies to report on U.S. technologies acquired by companies linked to China’s Communist Party and recommend strategies for protecting American innovation. There is also an amendment ending live-fire trauma training on animals, requiring instead the use of simulators or mannequins.
Additional amendments include banning foreign social media apps from government devices at military bases, ordering a Department of Defense study into fiber optic–controlled drones as potential security threats, reviewing supply chains for critical defense minerals such as rare earth elements and lithium, developing a strategy for increasing exports of U.S.-made defense components, and mandating prescription drug drop boxes at all military bases.
Earlier this year, Buchanan saw eight legislative proposals signed into law at the end of the 118th Congress as part of the FY25 NDAA. These measures focused on enhancing military readiness and expanding healthcare options for servicemembers.
Buchanan has represented Florida’s 16th district in Congress since 2007 after replacing Katherine Harris. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives [source]. Born in Detroit in 1951, he lives in Sarasota [source]. He holds degrees from Cleary University and University of Detroit Mercy.
