Walkinshaw, Moylan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard Military Bases from Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Congressman James Moylan (Guam) introduced the bipartisan Military Installation Readiness and Resilience Act of 2026 to safeguard military bases from natural hazards and ensure America’s Armed Forces remain ready to respond when called. Over the past decade, extreme weather and natural hazards caused more than $15 billion in damage at military installations, disrupting critical missions and resources that support service members and their families . A February 2026 Government Accountability Office report found that the Department of Defense (DOD) does not fully track the costs across every type of hazard, including earthquakes. Although DOD agreed that it should collect this information, it has not yet made the necessary changes. “America’s military must be ready for every threat, including earthquakes, wildfires, and floods that can damage bases and disrupt critical missions ,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “After more than $15 billion in damage over the past decade, the Department of Defense needs a complete picture of which installations are most vulnerable. Our bipartisan bill will help protect service members, strengthen critical infrastructure, and ensure taxpayer dollars are invested where they are needed most.” The Military Installation Readiness and Resilience Act directs the Secretary of Defense to expand DOD’s regular data collection to include the costs and effects of all natural disasters affecting military installations. Without complete information, DOD cannot fully determine which installations face the greatest risks or where improvements are most urgently needed. By closing this critical information gap, the legislation will help protect military infrastructure, strengthen resilience, and keep America’s Armed Forces ready to carry out their mission. Read the full bill text here . ###