The Aerospace Industries Association has called for stable federal funding, acquisition reform, space investment and reauthorization of key programs across government.
In a letter to Congress published Wednesday, AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning, a Wash100 winner, urged lawmakers to advance key authorizations to support the aerospace and defense industrial base, which employs 2.2 million workers nationwide.
“As lawmakers return from recess, we are focused on advancing key legislative priorities for 2026: securing stable, predictable federal funding; modernizing defense and commercial systems; and reauthorizing the critical agencies that underpin our industry,” Fanning wrote.
“Congress must move these priorities forward to provide the certainty and direction our industry — and the nation — depend on,” he added.
Leaders from across the Department of War, the Air Force and the Space Force will take the stage at the 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. The event will feature insightful keynote speeches and panel discussions where defense leaders will identify strategies and advanced technologies that warfighter need to remain ahead of adversaries. Get your tickets here.
What Are AIA’s 2026 Priorities?
In the letter, Fanning and the AIA urged Congress to avoid long-term continuing resolutions and instead pass appropriations for fiscal year 2027.
Although the group commended changes enacted in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act to reduce bureaucracy, accelerate acquisition and lower barriers for doing business with the government, it also called for further defense acquisition reform that “would provide even greater benefit.”
AIA also called for the timely reauthorization of programs such as the Export-Import Bank, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, and the Defense Production Act to sustain growth in the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Additionally, the associated urged Congress to reauthorize NASA and the passage of an FY2027 NDAA with expanded mission requirements for the U.S. Space Force and provides funding for the Golden Dome.
What Is AIA?
Founded in 1919, AIA has served as the voice of the aircraft, space and defense industries. The organization represents over 300 member companies and advocates for policies that strengthen national security, promote aviation safety and support a competitive industrial base.
In January, AIA outlined its 2026 space priorities focused on sustained funding for civil, commercial and national security space programs, regulatory modernization, and investment in resilient space infrastructure.
The association also recently expressed support for President Donald Trump’s executive order to accelerate defense contracting practices.
