Pay raises, millions for NC installations in defense bill

(The Center Square) – An estimated 91,000 active service members in North Carolina are set for 3.8% raises, and major military installations have ongoing funding toward $740.48 million in projects. The $900.6 billion National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 passed the Senate 77-20 on Wednesday and heads to the desk of second-term Republican President Donald Trump. The bill is for Department of Defense authorizations, military construction, energy security, military pay raises, border security and strategic competition. North Carolina is home to five major military bases plus a Coast Guard station and Army military ocean terminal on the coast. The annual appropriation has been passed 65 consecutive years. Trump has indicated he’ll sign, and that was possible later Wednesday. For the Tarheel State installations: • At Seymour Johnson, there is a $54 million authorization for a child development center; $41 million for the Combat Arms Training Complex; and required reports related to F-1