The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the annual bill that authorizes spending for defense in the United States. The 2026 version is a 3,086-page document spanning virtually every aspect of U.S. national security. How does the NDAA affect Puerto Rico?
Military construction
A section of the NDAA talks about “military installation resistance projects,” meaning additional construction and improvements at U.S. military facilities. An amendment to this section specifically said that Puerto Rico is included in the definition of “state” for this law. That makes Puerto Rican facilities eligible for resilience, climate, and infrastructure projects when they are significantly used by the armed forces.
Since Roosevelt Roads has been reopened and is now hosting U.S. forces, Puerto Rico’s inclusion in the definition of a “state” could lead to major investments in the former naval base, potentially benefiting the infrastructure of the community around it. Fort Buchanan is also allotted $10,200,000.
The bill also includes funding for a variety of projects in Puerto Rico, including $66.519 million for the replacement of the Ramey Unit School in Punta Borinquen, Aguadilla. A spokeswoman for Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon explained that this most recent allocation “support[s] and build[s] upon the efforts of Governor [Jenniffer] González Colón, who championed this military construction project throughout her time in Congress, initially securing its authorization in the Fiscal Year 2018 NDAA and an extension in the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA.”
Caribbean security
The new NDAA reauthorizes the Coast Guard and includes the governor’s plans to harden maritime security around Puerto Rico. It calls on the Coast Guard command to draw up a plan for defense in the Caribbean, with assessments of personnel, infrastructure, logistics, and technology needs.
There are also plans to acquire new, high-tech maritime surveillance equipment for the Coast Guard with a view to improving security in the Caribbean.
Along with the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is one of two U.S. jurisdictions in the Caribbean.
National Guard
Puerto Rico is once again listed as a “state” in the section of the NDAA referring to the National Guard. Puerto Rico’s National Guard grew out of the fabled Borinqueneers, and is of great importance for defense and security on the Island. The specific inclusion of Puerto Rico in the discussion of the National Guard overall could improve the U.S. territory’s position in terms of funding and projects.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. military
Many other parts of the NDAA include Puerto Rico, even when the Island is not singled out. Puerto Rico, as a territory of the United States, is part of the U.S. military’s plans and functioning.
States receive far more economic benefit from military spending than territories do. As the Foundation for State Legislatures puts it, “This spending helps sustain local communities by creating employment opportunities across a wide range of sectors, both directly and indirectly. Active duty and civilian employees spend their military wages on goods and services produced locally, while pensions and other benefits provide retirees and dependents a reliable source of income. States and communities also benefit from defense contracts with private companies for equipment, supplies, construction and various services such as health care and information technology.”
If Puerto Rico were to become independent, it could reject both U.S. military involvement and the associated outside resources to protect itself. Puerto Rico would have to take on responsibility for its own defense, a significant expense for a new nation as it contends with security issues.
If a new nation of Puerto Rico negotiated a Compact of Free Association with the United States, it could keep U.S. defense support, but in doing so would lose sovereignty over its own national security and defense.
