A provision authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to investigate whether the U.S. military weaponized ticks with Lyme disease has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA). The bill, which cleared both chambers of Congress, is now awaiting the President’s signature.
The amendment, now Section 1068 of the bill, instructs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine Cold War-era Department of Defense bioweapons programs and determine if ticks were used as hosts or delivery mechanisms for biological warfare agents.
“New Jersey has one of the highest Lyme rates in the United States—the disease is present in all 21 counties,” said Smith, who serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus. “The pervasive presence of Lyme disease in New Jersey not only carries concerns for civilians, but also for the military personnel stationed in the state—especially and including those serving at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, part of which is located within my congressional district.”
Smith’s amendment requires a comprehensive review by the Comptroller General into research conducted by various federal agencies between January 1, 1945 and December 31, 1972. This includes studies involving Spirochaetales and Rickettsiales—two types of tick-borne bacteria.
“Now that this vital provision has advanced out of both chambers of Congress, we are one step closer to finally determining whether the U.S. government’s bioweapons program contributed to the proliferation of Lyme disease,” Smith stated. “If the GAO investigation concludes that our government’s bioweapons program was not involved, we turn the page.
“The hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans suffering from Lyme disease—in addition to the millions across the United States—deserve to know the truth about the origins of their illness. An enhanced understanding of how Lyme came to be will only assist in finding a cure for this debilitating disease,” he added.
Smith previously introduced similar amendments in 2019 and 2021; both passed in the House but did not advance in the Senate.
His efforts have been partly inspired by an increase in Lyme disease cases in New Jersey and Kris Newby’s book “Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons.” The book features interviews with Dr. Willy Burgdorfer, who discovered Lyme disease and later disclosed involvement with injecting ticks with pathogens during his work on bioweapons programs.
Beyond Smith’s section on Lyme disease, FY26 NDAA introduces reforms aimed at strengthening national defense capabilities and supporting service members.
“The FY26 NDAA authorizes $900.6 billion for national defense discretionary programs—proving that Congress is capable of properly funding our military’s operations and supporting our servicemembers, all while ensuring greater fiscal accountability for American taxpayers,” said Smith, former Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“This bill supports President Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ agenda by investing in enhanced defense technologies and activities to more effectively protect America’s lands, seas, and skies.”
Key provisions include a pay raise for service members, funding for border security initiatives, measures against drug trafficking, investment in new military technologies such as drones and counter-drone systems, shipbuilding funds, support for missile defense programs including those protecting Israel, efforts to counter China’s influence by removing Chinese products from supply chains and supporting allies in Asia-Pacific regions, as well as reforms to accelerate acquisition processes for new war technologies.
Rep. Chris Smith has represented New Jersey’s 4th District since 1981 after succeeding Frank Thompson. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953 and currently resides in Manchester Township. Smith graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975.
