U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) got backing from the majority of his colleagues in the U.S. House Wednesday on a provision that makes sure foreign adversaries are unable to join the U.S. military.
The Targeted Restrictions Upholding Service Trustworthiness (TRUST) Act was included as an amendment to the $1.1 5 trillion Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House by a vote of 213 to 207.
Strong believes it addresses longstanding vulnerabilities in the Department of War’s vetting process for screening foreign nationals from adversary nations seeking to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Foreign nationals from adversary countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea serving in our military pose a serious risk to our armed forces, including espionage, sabotage, and the compromise of sensitive military technologies,” Strong said. “The TRUST Act closes these gaps, puts national security first, and ensures that the U.S. military, defense capabilities, and sensitive technologies are secure.”
The legislation bans the enlistment of foreign nationals from covered nations, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea; imposes stricter appointment criteria by requiring that candidates for officer commissions have not held citizenship in a covered nation for at least five years; and directs a new report to identify existing service members who are foreign nationals from covered nations.
“Our adversaries are actively targeting our military technologies and capabilities,” Strong continued. “This measure will ensure our Armed Forces are secure, trusted, and committed to defending the United States.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, praised the passage of the NDAA, which he says promotes President Donald Trump’s “Peace through strength” agenda.
“Our national security depends on a ready, capable, and well-equipped fighting force backed by a robust and innovative defense industrial base. The FY27 NDAA delivers that. This is a strong bill that builds on President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda, supports servicemembers and military families, and gives our warfighters the resources they need to fight and win,” Rogers said. “Peace Through Strength begins long before the battlefield—it is forged in America’s factories, depots, and shipyards. After years of underinvestment, the FY27 NDAA revitalizes America’s defense industrial base and gives our military the capacity to deter our adversaries and carry out President Trump’s Peace Through Strength Agenda.”
The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
