Senator Ted Budd

05/08/2026

We cannot afford to fall behind China's growing next-gen fighter aircraft fleet; that is why Senator Jeanne Shaheen & I introduced a robust package that will accelerate our airpower capabilities, while also retaining our nation’s most elite pilots. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-bill-usaf-fighter-procurement-inventory-requirements/

05/08/2026

From the F-35 to next-gen drones, Lockheed Martin delivers cutting-edge capabilities to our warfighters & bolsters the American arsenal. Proud to sign an F-35 for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to support our Marine pilots in North Carolina. Strong industry-government partnerships are needed to accelerate U.S. airpower.

05/08/2026

Another $58.8+ million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs have been approved by for Hurricane Helene recovery. Ensuring families who suffered loss of property can rebuild or relocate is critical to help our mountain communities protect themselves against future disasters.

05/08/2026

During Military Appreciation Month, we honor and thank the brave men and women in uniform, including so many proud North Carolinians, for their service to our nation. To all our service members, veterans, and military families—thank you for the sacrifices you make every day.

05/07/2026

This Small Business Week, we celebrate nearly 1M small businesses powering North Carolina’s economy. From Main Street shops to farms, they create jobs & expand opportunity statewide. Thanks to pro-growth policies, entrepreneurs are keeping more of what they earn & strengthening our communities.

05/07/2026

The future of American military dominance relies on preserving our air superiority & keeping our top pilots. The RETAIN Act & the Fighter Aircrew Career Flexibility Act address this need promptly by providing incentives for our pilots to stay in service.

05/07/2026

Appreciated meeting with Ambassador Ilyassov to discuss Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Abraham Accords—a meaningful step toward peace and expanded economic partnerships. We also had a productive conversation on strengthening trade ties and expanding critical minerals partnerships.

05/06/2026

For nearly a decade, the Special Operations budget has remained virtually flat. Even as our most elite units have answered the call at an increasing rate. Our nation’s best deserve more support.

05/05/2026

ICYMI: Check out my recent op-ed in Wall Street Journal Opinion with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, detailing our bipartisan efforts to strengthen American military airpower.

The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed co-authored by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where they made a bipartisan case for urgently strengthening American military airpower, as China increasingly outpaces the U.S. Air....

05/05/2026

For years, Iran has attacked and killed Americans and our allies. Our country and the world are undoubtedly safer now because POTUS is crippling the regime’s nuclear ambitions and their ability to wage war.

05/04/2026

For too long, U.S. air dominance has been taken for granted—but it isn’t an American birthright. Given China’s advances, it is time for a renewed bipartisan focus on the skies.

China, focused on beating the U.S., is on pace to build the first sixth-generation stealth fighters.