Real bill currently in Congress c/o HR/119/9153

To amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 to exempt certain military installations from guidance regarding the maintenance of the aggregate square footage of facilities of the Department of Defense.

Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security ▲ 92 days since action Sponsor: Frank D. Lucas, OK-03, R → Congress.gov

Latest action (2026-06-04): Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

What should pass

“AI Consensus Solution”

Military Installation Facility Flexibility and Accountability Act of 2025

To allow certain military installations to be exempt from Department of Defense guidance that limits the total square footage of facilities, in order to accommodate mission-specific needs without being constrained by aggregate caps.

Bipartisan rationale: Honors Democratic priorities of oversight and fiscal responsibility through mandatory annual reporting, a sunset clause, and a requirement that exemptions not increase total square footage without offsetting reductions. Honors Republican priorities of military readiness and reducing bureaucratic red tape by allowing installation commanders to seek exemptions for operational needs without requiring new legislation for each case.

Funding: Existing Department of Defense appropriati $0 (no new funding authorized) Sunset 5y Oversight: House and Senate Committees on Enforcement: Annual reporting requirement; Govern

Vote-count path: ~400 House votes: 210 Democrats + 190 Republicans; ~85 Senate votes: 48 Democrats + 37 Republicans, with strong support from both defense hawks and oversight-minded members.

→ Article I, Section 8, Clause 12 (power to raise and support Armies) → Article I, Section 8, Clause 13 (power to provide and maintain a Navy) → Article I, Section 8, Clause 14 (power to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces)

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