Wittman, Rob RSS Articles

Wittman Announces 2026 Congressional App Challenge

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) announced that submissions for the 2026 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) are open.

“I look forward to seeing the creativity and ingenuity of students in the First District,” said. Rep Wittman. “Every year, I am amazed by each submission. The talent in our district is unmatched, and I encourage every qualifying student to submit a project in this year’s Congressional App Challenge.”

The Congressional App Challenge is designed to encourage students’ participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education fields. This nationwide event allows middle and high school students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software application, or "app," for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.

The winning students’ apps will be eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website, House.gov. Furthermore, winning students will be invited to attend the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. Additional prizes will also be announced in the future.

Qualification Details:

Participants must be middle or high school students at the time of app submission.
Students may compete if they reside in or attend school in the First District.
Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four (4) students. At least half of the teammates on any team must live or attend school in the First District.
All competing students must be U.S. residents at the time of submission. There is no citizen requirement for students.
All entries must be original in concept, design, and execution. More information about the CAC's rules can be found here.

The 2026 competition deadline is October 26th. Applicants can register for the competition and submit their apps on the Congressional App Challenge website. Winners will be announced in December.

If you have any questions, you can contact Congressman Wittman’s office by calling (202) 225-4261 or emailing reese.jaso@mail.house.gov. The student support email for the CAC is studentsupport@congressionalappchallenge.us.

Wittman Congratulates Congressional Gold Medal Award Recipient

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) met with a winner of the 2026 Congressional Gold Medal Award, Sanaya Bothra. Ms. Bothra is a student from Glen Allen.

“It was my privilege to meet and congratulate Sanaya Bothra on her outstanding achievement,” said Rep. Wittman. “Ms. Bothra spent over four hundred hours teaching science, technology, engineering, and math to underprivileged children and those with autism, over two hundred hours conducting scientific research — resulting in two published papers, over two hundred hours doing physical fitness activities, and twelve days on a trip she organized to Norway, Austria, Prague, and Budapest. Her commitment to giving back to our community is truly remarkable, and I was honored to celebrate this achievement with her.”

“Participating in The Congressional Award broadened my perspective beyond academics and school activities. It encouraged me to be a strong leader and pursue work that meaningfully impacts my community, fostering a stronger sense of pride and connection to the place where I live. The program also taught me how to set clear goals and work toward them with discipline & purpose. By dedicating consistent time to these goals, I have grown in self-development, learning to take ownership & accountability.” - Sanaya Bothra

The Congressional Award is the highest award for America’s youth presented by the United States Congress. Participants can earn bronze, silver, or gold Congressional Award Medals. The award is designed to acknowledge set and completed goals in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. The Congressional Award recognizes initiative in fulfilling these obligations in local communities — encouraging young Americans to become active and responsible citizens. This program is run by the Congressional Award Foundation.

Wittman Releases Statement on Voting to Strengthen Public Safety and Border Security

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released a statement on voting in support of the Senate amended reconciliation package:

“Public safety and the rule of law are fundamental in our communities, and our law enforcement officers work diligently to uphold these values,” said Rep. Wittman. “Recent reports of increased violence in cities across Virginia and the nation are deeply disturbing, particularly when the violence is perpetrated by repeat offenders residing in the country illegally. I believe we must uphold the rule of law and ensure that immigration enforcement is carried out in a humane and professional manner that is consistent with constitutional protections and due process.

Today, I voted for this legislation because it provides critical resources and strengthens capabilities for the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement personnel who are charged with securing our borders and protecting our communities. Americans deserve the confidence that our borders are secure, the law is being enforced, and threats to public safety are addressed. This legislation takes responsible steps to restore that confidence while protecting taxpayers.”

Wittman Supports Advancement of Legislation to Strengthen Our National Defense and Revitalize the Defense Industrial Base

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), vice chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services and chairman of the subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL), voted in favor of the committee’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27).

“This year’s NDAA strengthens our national defense by revitalizing our defense industrial base, restoring the lethality of our military, improving servicemembers’ quality of life, and strengthening our ability to deter our adversaries. At a time when adversaries such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia continue to accelerate the production of advanced technologies and threaten the ideals that define America, we must ensure our military has the resources and capabilities they need to remain the most prepared and technologically advanced fighting force in the world.

“Over the last thirty years, the defense industrial base has atrophied severely due to declining investment and bureaucratic red tape. For Virginia, where the defense sector generates tens of billions of dollars in economic activity annually and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, these challenges have real consequences for our communities and national security. Shipbuilders, manufacturers, research institutions, and military installations across the Commonwealth play a critical role in equipping our servicemembers with the resources they need to do their jobs safely while maintaining a competitive edge against our adversaries. This NDAA delivers important wins for Virginia by investing in shipbuilding and military construction projects, advancing nuclear technology development, and strengthening workforce recruitment and retention – ensuring Virginia remains at the forefront of defense innovation.

“I am pleased to see that many of my priorities were included in this year’s NDDA, and I look forward to supporting its passage on the House Floor.” - Rep. Rob Wittman

“Chairman Wittman is well aware that our national security is built on a solid industrial base, and the people who power it, like the men and women in Virginia who are producing the ammunition, vehicles, and ships our military needs. His work on the NDAA is critical to revitalizing defense manufacturing, expanding our skilled workforce, and expediting cutting-edge capabilities to our warfighters. With his leadership, we’ll rebuild the Arsenal of Freedom and strengthen American deterrence.” - Chairman Rogers

This legislation includes dozens of Congressman Wittman’s priorities:

Shipbuilding

Fully funds Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarine production.
- Specifically for two Virginia-class submarines and one Columbia-class submarine.
Authorizes incremental funding for long-lead time components for Virginia-class submarines.
Fully funds Ford-class aircraft carrier production.
Authorizes funding for two amphibious warships and authorizes the Navy to buy multiple amphibious ships at a time, save taxpayers millions of dollars
Requires the Navy to enter into multi-year, multi-ship maintenance and repair contracts to provide additional certainty to the ship repair industrial base.

Quality of Life and Military Workforce

Gives service members a 5%–7% pay raise
Establishes demonstration projects to increase recruitment and retention at public naval shipyards, regional maintenance centers, and Trident refit facilities.
Establishes a project to ensure that ICBM operational wings and sustainment facilities maintain the workforce necessary to continue ongoing modernization efforts.
Requires a briefing on how the credit for prior learning policies can be aligned to promote the translation of military experience into academic credit.

Defense Innovation and Acquisition Reform

Establishes a new transfer authority allowing military acquisition executives to rapidly move successful prototype technologies from research and development into procurement, accelerating the delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter.
Strengthens the Defense Innovation Unit's ability to transition emerging commercial technologies into military programs by codifying coordination between DIU and the military service acquisition organizations.
Expands Modular Open Systems Architecture requirements across Department of Defense acquisition programs to improve interoperability, increase competition, reduce vendor lock-in, and accelerate technology modernization.
Requires the Department to prioritize rules that will expedite and streamline the acquisition of commercial products and services.

Unmanned Systems and Tactical Aircraft

Requires the Department of Defense to establish a common operating system framework for unmanned aircraft systems to enable interoperability across platforms, accelerate software integration, and rapidly deploy new capabilities.
Requires the Navy to incorporate denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited communications operations into the development and acquisition of unmanned surface vessels, improving their effectiveness in contested environments.
Directs the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive strategy for sustaining and maintaining F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in contested logistics environments, including supply chain resilience, spare parts availability, and allied coordination.
Establishes an Autonomy Integration Account to accelerate the resourcing and integration of autonomous capabilities, including navigation, targeting, communications, and battle management.
Extends the prohibition on retiring E-3 Sentry aircraft and requires the Air Force to provide Congress with an acquisition plan and budget needs for the E-7 Wedgetail program.

Advanced Nuclear Development

Fully funds advanced nuclear capabilities development, including TRISO fuel for Project Pele.
Restores funding for the Navy Energy Program, which supports the small modular reactor (SMR) pilot program established in the FY26 NDAA.
Requires a report detailing progress and milestones towards implementation of the SMR pilot program.

Congressman Wittman also secured wins for Virginia:

Funds a hybrid robotic demonstration program in Virginia to support increased submarine production capacity.

Authorizes $843.282 million in military construction projects across Virginia, including $130.662 million for projects at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Virginia’s First District.
Directs a report on expanding successful childcare programs established at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Authorizes funding to construct four child development centers across Virginia.
Includes funding for a counter-UAS testing and research center at Virginia Tech.
Expands eligibility for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to allow Virginia’s Indian tribes, and tribes around the country, to apply for and receive DCIP grants.

Wittman, Ryan Deliver Key Defense Modernization Caucus Wins in FY27 NDAA

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Congressman Pat Ryan (D-NY), founding co-chairs of the House Defense Modernization Caucus, announced several key wins they secured to bolster the defense innovation ecosystem in the House Armed Services Committee’s draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. Early this year, Wittman and Ryan released a form to solicit policy proposals and focus areas from industry and academia in an effort to help inform their submissions and give a voice to the defense innovation community.

“As our adversaries continue to rapidly evolve their military technologies, it is imperative that we provide our service members with the tools they need to accomplish their missions safely and effectively, while ensuring they can keep pace with emerging threats,” said Rep. Wittman. “Too often, bureaucratic red tape and outdated acquisition practices create barriers that slow the adoption of new technologies and discourage innovation across the defense industrial base. The provisions included in this year’s NDAA will remove these barriers to innovation, strengthen competition, and ensure that the Department can more quickly identify and acquire emerging technologies. I am proud to work alongside Congressman Ryan and our House Defense Modernization Caucus members to advance reforms that will help ensure America continues to be a global leader in defense innovation.”

“This year’s NDAA builds on the strides we made last year – to break down bureaucratic barriers, overhaul cumbersome acquisition processes, and ensure the Department can rapidly adopt the technologies that will define the future fight. From fast tracking prototype to production timelines, opening flexible funding for the PAEs, and strengthening collaboration between DIU and the Services, this bill pushes the Department to innovate, iterate, and scale. It will drive the cultural and institutional change necessary to ensure America remains the most innovative and capable military force in the world,” said Rep. Ryan. “I’m grateful to Congressman Wittman for his continued partnership and to our HDMC members for their vision and support – the work continues.”

Co-chairs Wittman and Ryan successfully fought for initiatives that will:

Transfer Authority for Rapid Transition of Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Prototypes
- Allows PAEs to transfer research and development funds to procurement to scale the production and adoption of new defense technologies
Modifications to the Responsibilities of the Defense Innovation Unit
- Codifies coordination between DIU and PAEs to identify and transfer new platforms, capabilities, and solutions that fill capability gaps
Modernization of Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) Requirements
- Expands adoption of MOSA during the design and development of defense capabilities to increase interoperability and enable more iterative updates to systems
SCIF Accreditation and Pilot Program Delays
- Requires reports on delayed accreditation for SCIFs and an update on the shared SCIF pilot program
Military Doctrine for Autonomous Systems
- Requires the DAWG to develop US military doctrine for the use of unmanned autonomous systems and autonomous formations.
Low-Cost Munitions
- Requires DoD to consider alternative, lower-cost munitions designs when meeting requirements for major weapons programs that could complement existing munitions.
Quantum Acquisition Strategy
- Requires the DOD to use DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative to inform the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems.
Software Accountability for Sustainment
- Incorporates software sustainment frameworks into the responsibilities of product support managers and incentivizes PAEs to incentivize the use of software-enabled solutions for sustainment.
Prioritizing Commercial Acquisition Regulations
- Requires the Department to prioritize the issuance of acquisition guidance from the FY26 NDAA related to commercial products and services.
PAE Contract Management Authorities
- Grants PAEs additional authorities to address underperforming contractors and requires the DOD to establish contractor performance metrics.
Pre-Award Guidance
- Requires the Department to establish pre-award guidance for small businesses and non-traditional defense companies to facilitate better communication and prevent the disclosure of sensitive and classified information.

Reps. Wittman and Ryan founded the House Defense Modernization Caucus to accelerate innovation across the Department of Defense and deliver capabilities to the warfighter at speed and at scale. Wittman’s deep ties to Virginia’s shipbuilding ecosystem and leadership on the Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee, along with Ryan’s experience as a military intelligence officer and tenure in the startup world, bring two uniquely valuable perspectives, each keenly aware of the importance of modernization and apt to collaborate on the HDMC goals:

Software-Centric Pentagon

Leveraging Private Capital to Accelerate Technology Adoption

Strengthening DoD’s Role as a Commercial Buyer and Industry Partner

Reforming Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) & Acquisition Processes

Other members of the House Defense Modernization Caucus who serve on HASC and helped champion these and additional efforts include: Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Rep. Ed Case (D-HI), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Rep. John McGuire (R-VA), Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA), Rep. John James (R-MI), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN), Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO), Rep. John Carter (R-TX), and Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA).

Wittman, Virginia Republican Delegation Support Disaster Designation Request For Virginia’s Agricultural Industry

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) was joined by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Congressman John McGuire (VA-05), Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06), and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09) in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins in support of Virginia’s request for the USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation following severe freeze events in April of 2026 that caused significant crop damage across the state.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Virginia, supporting jobs across the Commonwealth, providing food and commodities to the nation, and serving as a key driver of economic growth,” said Rep. Wittman. “Virginia’s farmers are resilient, but these severe freeze events resulted in millions of dollars in crop losses and placed a significant strain on farm families and rural communities. I was proud to lead this letter in support of Virginia’s request for disaster designation so that producers can access the resources and relief they need to recover.”

Read the letter here.

Wittman Applauds House Passage of Community Project Funding for Essex County

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) highlighted the House passage of his $1,288,608 million funding request for Essex County, Virginia’s construction of a Joint Maintenance Facility (JMF) and to install a short access road to improve connectivity to nearby thoroughfares. The funds, submitted through Community Project Funding (CPF) in the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act, await final passage in the Senate.

“I am proud to announce that the House of Representatives has passed my $1.2 million CPF request for Essex County, Virginia,” said Rep. Wittman. “This funding will help modernize critical infrastructure in the community — keeping Virginians safer and improving the efficiency of emergency services and government operations. I look forward to seeing this legislation advance to the Senate and become law.”

The funds will be used by Essex County to modernize and centralize critical fleet operations for public schools, emergency services, law enforcement, and county operations — improving efficiency, safety, and reliability across essential government services. The current undersized and deteriorating facility from the 1940s no longer meets operational or safety standards, creating delays and maintenance challenges that can hinder emergency response and service delivery. Federal investment will enhance response times, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and ensure the County can effectively support essential public services for its residents.

Community Project Funding (CPF) allows Members of Congress to bring tax dollars back home for district-specific priorities. Members have firsthand knowledge of their district’s needs and can prioritize federal funding for the most critical local projects—rather than leaving those decisions to unelected bureaucrats in Washington who lack a direct connection to the community. For Congressman Wittman, these projects address clear and present needs in communities across Virginia and enjoy broad support. The federal dollars designated for CPF projects exist within existing budget limits, reinforcing Congress’s control over the power of the purse. Rather than allowing that money to fund projects in different states, Community Project Funding gives Congressman Wittman the ability to empower Virginians by ensuring they have a critical voice in determining where funding goes.

Wittman and Acting Secretary of Labor, Keith Sonderling, Visit Rappahannock Community College

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Warsaw, VA – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) visited Rappahannock Community College with Acting Secretary of Labor, Keith Sonderling. The visit allowed Congressman Wittman and Secretary Sonderling to see how Rappahannock Community College (RCC) is helping meet workforce demands, strengthen apprenticeship pathways, and create economic opportunity in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula communities.

“It was a pleasure to join Secretary Sonderling on this tour of Rappahannock Community College,” said Rep. Wittman. “Rappahannock Community College is doing tremendous work to expand workforce development and apprenticeship initiatives, helping prepare Virginia’s workforce to meet 21st-century needs and be equipped for skilled trade careers that are in high demand. Last year, I was proud to see my legislation, the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, signed into law. This legislation provides students with the flexibility to pursue pathways that suit their needs by allowing them to use their 529 savings accounts for workforce development training, such as those offered at Rappahannock Community College. I want to thank Dr. Shannon Kennedy, President of Rappahannock Community College, and RCC faculty and staff for showing us the great work being done to prepare Virginians to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workforce.”

RCC recently received GO Virginia funding to construct a new 4,240-square-foot workforce training center on its Glenns campus in support of its rapidly growing Welding and Diesel Mechanics programs. The $674,000 project will be funded by the GO Virginia grant, RCC Educational Foundation, and nearby localities, and represents a significant investment in workforce readiness and hands-on technical education.

The new facility will feature 16 welding booths, expanded diesel mechanics training space, and updated infrastructure specifically designed for industry-driven workforce preparation. In addition to technical instruction, the initiative supports internships, job shadowing opportunities, industry-recognized credentials, and upskilling opportunities for current workers across the region.

Background:

Congressman Wittman’s legislation, the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, was signed into law in July 2025. This legislation allows individuals to use their 529 savings account funds to pay for post-secondary professional training and credentialing programs — expanding access to alternative education pathways and high-paying jobs. With the Commonwealth being home to the largest 529 program in the country, Congressman Wittman championed the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act to broaden education and career opportunities for both young Americans who are just getting on their feet and workers of every career stage seeking professional growth.

Virginia Delegation Invites Virginians to Submit Photos for a Congressional Time Capsule Celebrating America 250

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Virginia congressional delegation invites individuals across the Commonwealth to submit photographs to be considered for the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule. The delegation is collecting photographs that represent the many treasures Virginia has to offer in 2026 – whether they capture everyday life, natural landscapes, historic places, community events, local traditions, work, or recreation. Selected photographs will be included in Virginia’s submission to the time capsule.

“From foundational ideas of freedom and opportunity born in our cities to the sacrifices made on our battlefields, Virginia has played a central role in America’s history,” said the delegation. “This time capsule is a wonderful opportunity for Virginians to show off the Commonwealth 250 years into our nation’s journey, and to offer those in the year 2276 a glimpse of Virginia and America during the nation’s semiquincentennial.”

Photographs can be digitally submitted here.

Photographs must be submitted by Friday, June 12, 2026, to be considered.

As part of Congress’s efforts to celebrate the United States of America’s 250th birthday, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act directs the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to create and prepare a congressional time capsule to be sealed in the Capitol Visitor Center. The capsule will serve as a snapshot in time and will be buried after preparations are complete. Each state and territory delegation is allowed one jointly decided submission. The capsule will be opened on the nation's 500th anniversary, July 4, 2276.

The photographs representing Virginia in 2026 will be jointly selected and submitted to the time capsule by U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA-02), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), John McGuire (R-VA-05), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), and James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11).

Wittman Receives Champion of Science Award

Tue, 19 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) received the 2026 Champion of Science award from the Science Coalition. Congressman Wittman was jointly nominated for this honor by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Old Dominion University (ODU). The award recognizes his advocacy for scientific research over the course of his career.

“I am honored to receive the Champion of Science award this year,” said Rep Wittman. “Before coming to Congress, I spent over 20 years working in public health for the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Shellfish Sanitation monitoring water quality and environmental health issues in the watershed. I am a scientist first, which is why I have dedicated my career to supporting environmental research. I remain committed to advancing federal investments that empower researchers, strengthening the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce, and ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of discovery.”

Background:
Before coming to Congress, Congressman Wittman earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy and Administration from the University of North Carolina, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Virginia Tech. He spent 26 years as a health specialist for the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Shellfish Sanitation and as an environmental health specialist for local health departments in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions. He has remained focused on protecting and conserving the environment through his work in Congress by supporting legislation like the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act and the Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act. Congressman Wittman also serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources.