Ted Budd (R-NC)
Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to enter multiyear contracts for F-35 and F-15EX aircraft. It allows for the advance procurement of key aircraft components in economic order quantities. The bill also modifies inventory requirements for Air Force fighter aircraft to maintain specific totals through 2035. Additionally, it provides authority to increase the F-15EX aircraft fleet. Any aircraft procured beyond the initial 129 must be used for recapiatizing the F-15E fleet.
Yes
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill supports the defense industrial base, which benefits aircraft manufacturers, subcontractors, and vendors.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill's focus on supercharging the defense industrial base through multiyear contracts and advance procurement is intended to support subcontractors and suppliers.
- Scored +4
Would union members be better off under this?
Increased defense procurement and industrial base support typically benefits workers within those industrial sectors.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes increased procurement of aircraft and components, which increases government expenditures.
- Scored -1
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Increased military spending on aircraft procurement does not directly increase pay or pensions for veterans.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Defense Industrial Base Support: The bill's "Sense of Congress" suggests that implementing certain sections is important to ensure subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers receive funds promptly to "supercharge the defense industrial base" (Section 2(d)).
-
Aircraft Fleet Expansion: The Secretary of the Air Force is granted authority to increase the size of the F-15EX aircraft fleet from 129 to 329 aircraft (Section 4(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports the defense industrial base, which benefits aircraft manufacturers, subcontractors, and vendors. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased defense procurement and industrial base support typically benefits workers within those industrial sectors.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill's focus on supercharging the defense industrial base through multiyear contracts and advance procurement is intended to support subcontractors and suppliers. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes increased procurement of aircraft and components, which increases government expenditures.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Increased military spending on aircraft procurement does not directly increase pay or pensions for veterans.
- 4/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana