NDAA26 blurs defense plans for Guam

By Jayvee Vallejera

Guam-based think tank Pacific Center for Island Security takes exception to the $900-billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 that passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, saying it appears to signal the use of nuclear reactors for Guam and provides no new funds for housing military personnel.

The think tank noted that many notable trends in the bill “may portend future trends” as it relates to Guam.

The newly passed NDAA allocates over $2.7 billion for essential military construction projects and expands logistics capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

The PCIS, however, noted that funding for missile defense-related work came in at just over $570 million, about 20 percent below the $700 million in the bill’s earlier versions.

It also noted that funding for the submarine pier redevelopment at Polaris Point was not included in the bill, indicating a possible shift from the Navy’s earlier plans and change in the status of future submarine homeporting in Guam.

The bill requires the Department of War to develop additive manufacturing facilities closer to the point of use to support Indo-Pacific deployments. This provision supports the ongoing development of a 3D-printing factory in Dededo, spearheaded by ASTRO America.

A PCIS news release said the version of the FY26 NDAA that passed the House still contains language that PCIS had been concerned about. These include the possible use of nuclear reactors on Guam and the lack of new funding for military housing despite the ongoing local housing crisis.

PCIS chairman Robert Underwood said these points send contradictory signals to Guam.

Robert Underwood

“On one hand, we see the possible scaling back of some activities, like the Polaris Point development and even the slight reduction in expected funds for the so-called ‘Defense of Guam’ project," Underwood said.

"On the other hand, the NDAA appears to plow ahead on framing the use of nuclear reactors for Guam, which would support an expanded operation,” he said.

At the same time, he added, the role of Guam’s civilian community continues to be displaced.

“There are no new funds for housing military personnel, and this measure adds all Department of War civilians to the list of people eligible for subsidized off-base housing,” he added.

This means Guam residents will continue to compete with military personnel and DoW civilian personnel for the increasingly limited number of available homes in Guam.

Critics point out that the rental cost of military personnel and DoW civilian personnel is subsidized by the U.S. military, so Guam residents are being priced out of these homes.

Overall, the FY26 NDAA is dominated by funding for ongoing projects, with 63.5 percent allocated to previously approved projects and only 36.5 percent to new projects.

PCIS said the largest focus of funds authorized for Guam are projects related to the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, a missile defense network that is meant to protect Guam from missile threats. This authorization represents 41.8 percent of the funding for Guam, PCIS said.

The bill also does not contain Guam-specific language that requires reporting requirements and timelines about the use of small modular reactors, or SMRs, in Guam, nor about the U.S. military’s housing plans for its personnel.

The bill also does not require the creation of a comprehensive Economic Adjustment Committee for Guam.

The FY26 NDAA was passed on a 312-112 vote on Wednesday. It now heads to the U.S. Senate for similar passage.

Senate leaders are working to pass the bill before lawmakers leave for the holiday break. 

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