S 1071 — Congress 119
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1071
Congress.gov subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations; Cemeteries and funerals; Computer security and identity theft; Computers and information technology; Data collection, sharing, protection; Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information; Space flight and exploration; Spacecraft and satellites; Texas; Veterans' organizations and recognition; Armed Forces and National Security
Issues impacted: Taxes & Government Spending (ai, medium), Energy & Climate (ai, medium), Healthcare (ai, medium), Defense & National Security (ai, medium), Veterans Affairs (ai, medium)
Official bill text (stored)
Plain-text extraction from Congress.gov text formats. Canonical source remains the official URL above. Full text is prioritized for bills with roll-call votes.
Public Law 119–60: To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. Public Law 60 Public Law 119–60 139 Stat. 718 2025-12-18 2025-12-18 United States Government Publishing Office National Archives and Records Administration Office of the Federal Register text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. GPO Locator to USLM Converter 4.15.98;Stage2.20260514 2026-06-24 119 public ?717 PUBLIC LAW 119–60—DEC. 18, 2025 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 139 STAT. 718 Public Law 119–60 119th Congress An Act To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. Dec. 18, 2025 [ S. 1071 ] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the “ National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 ”. SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF ACT INTO DIVISIONS; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Divisions .— This Act is organized into 8 divisions as follows: (1) Division A—Department of Defense Authorizations. (2) Division B—Military Construction Authorizations. (3) Division C—Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations. (4) Division D—Funding Tables. (5) Division E—Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. (6) Division F—Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. (7) Division G—Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. (8) Division H—Other Matters. (b) Table of Contents .— The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Organization of Act into divisions; table of contents. Sec. 3. Definitions. Sec. 4. Budgetary effects of this Act. Sec. 5. Joint explanatory statement. DIVISION A— DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS TITLE I— PROCUREMENT Subtitle A— Authorization of Appropriations Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations. Subtitle B— Army Programs Sec. 111. Strategy for Army tactical wheeled vehicle program. Sec. 112. Multiyear procurement authority for UH–60 Blackhawk aircraft. Sec. 113. Authorization to initiate early production of future long-range assault aircraft. Sec. 114. Limitation on availability of funds for the Next Generation Command and Control portfolio of capabilities of the Army. 139 STAT. 719 Subtitle C— Navy Programs Sec. 121. Modification to requirements for recapitalization of tactical fighter aircraft of the Navy Reserve. Sec. 122. Modification to limitations on Navy medium and large unmanned surface vessels. Sec. 123. Recapitalization of Navy waterborne security barriers; modification of prohibition on availability of funds for legacy waterborne security barriers. Sec. 124. Contract authority for Ford-class aircraft carrier program. Sec. 125. Contract authority for Columbia-class submarine program. Sec. 126. Authority for advance procurement of certain components to support continuous production of Virginia-class submarines. Sec. 127. Procurement authorities for Medium Landing Ships. Sec. 128. Multiyear procurement authority for Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing Barges. Sec. 129. Vessel construction managers for the construction of certain Navy vessels. Sec. 130. Limitation on construction of Modular Attack Surface Craft. Sec. 131. Limitation on availability of funds for TAGOS ship program. Sec. 132. Inclusion of information on amphibious warfare ship spares and repair parts in Navy budget justification materials. Subtitle D— Air Force Programs Sec. 141. Modification of minimum inventory requirements for air refueling tanker aircraft. Sec. 142. Modification of prohibition on retirement of F–15E aircraft. Sec. 143. Extension of limitations and minimum inventory requirement relating to RQ–4 aircraft. Sec. 144. Modification to annual report on Air Force tactical fighter aircraft force structure. Sec. 145. Extension of requirements relating to C–130 aircraft. Sec. 146. Extension of prohibition on certain reductions to B–1 bomber aircraft squadrons. Sec. 147. Modification to minimum inventory requirement for A–10 aircraft. Sec. 148. Preservation of retired KC–10 aircraft. Sec. 149. Prohibition on certain reductions to inventory of E–3 airborne warning and control system aircraft. Sec. 150. B–21 bomber aircraft program accountability matrices. Sec. 151. Bomber aircraft force structure and transition roadmap. Sec. 152. Requirement for an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roadmap for the Air Force. Sec. 153. Report on the F–47 advanced fighter aircraft program. Sec. 154. Limitation on availability of funds pending report on acquisition strategy for Airborne Command Post Capability. Subtitle E— Defense-wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters Sec. 161. Requirements relating to executive airlift aircraft. Sec. 162. Amendments to prohibition on operation, procurement, and contracting related to foreign-made light detection and ranging. Sec. 163. Prohibition on availability of funds for contract termination or production line shutdown for E–7A Wedgetail aircraft. Sec. 164. Limitation on procurement of KC–46 aircraft pending certification on correction of deficiencies. Sec. 165. Plan for open mission systems of F–35 aircraft. Sec. 166. Annual GAO reviews of the F–35 aircraft program. TITLE II— RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION Subtitle A— Authorization of Appropriations Sec. 201. Authorization of appropriations. Subtitle B— Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Sec. 211. Modification to authority to award prizes for advanced technology achievements. Sec. 212. Modification to mechanisms to provide funds to defense laboratories and other entities for research and development of technologies for military missions. Sec. 213. Program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense. Sec. 214. Modification to authority for acquisition, construction, or furnishing of test facilities and equipment. 139 STAT. 720 Sec. 215. Extension of limitation on availability of funds for fundamental research collaboration with certain academic institutions. Sec. 216. Modification of requirement for Department of Defense policies for management and certification of Link 16 military tactical data link network. Sec. 217. Extension of authority for assignment to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of private sector personnel with critical research and development expertise. Sec. 218. Alternative test and evaluation pathway for designated defense acquisition programs. Sec. 219. Congressionally directed programs for test and evaluation oversight. Sec. 220. Application of software innovation to modernize test and evaluation infrastructure. Sec. 221. Review and alignment of standards, guidance, and policies relating to digital engineering. Sec. 222. Catalyst Pathfinder Program. Sec. 223. Modifications to defense research capacity building program. Sec. 224. National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institute. Sec. 225. Advanced robotic automation for munitions manufacturing. Sec. 226. Evaluation of additional test corridors for hypersonic and long-range weapons. Sec. 227. Western regional range complex demonstration. Sec. 228. Demonstration of near real-time monitoring capabilities to enhance weapon system platforms. Sec. 229. Pilot program on modernized health and usage monitoring systems to address obsolescence in rotary-wing and tiltrotor aircraft. Sec. 230. Prohibition on modification of indirect cost rates for institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations. Sec. 231. Limitation on availability of funds pending compliance with requirements relating to the Joint Energetics Transition Office. Sec. 232. Limitation on availability of funds for realignment of research, development, test, and evaluation functions of Joint conventional armaments and ammunition. Sec. 233. Limitation on use of funds for certain Navy software. Sec. 234. Limitation on availability of funds for Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering pending report on study results. Subtitle C— Biotechnology Matters Sec. 241. Support for research and development of bioindustrial manufacturing processes. Sec. 242. Biotechnology Management Office. Sec. 243. Bioindustrial commercialization program. Sec. 244. Biotechnology supply chain resiliency program. Sec. 245. Biological data for artificial intelligence. Sec. 246. Department of Defense biotechnology strategy. Sec. 247. Ethical and responsible development and deployment of biotechnology within the Department of Defense. Sec. 248. Establishing biobased product merit guidance. Subtitle D— Plans, Reports, and Other Matters Sec. 251. Modification of energetic materials strategic plan and investment strategy of Joint Energetics Transition Office. Sec. 252. Extension of period for annual reports on critical technology areas supportive of the National Defense Strategy. Sec. 253. Quarterly briefings on research, development, test, and evaluation laboratories and facilities. TITLE III— OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Subtitle A— Authorization of Appropriations Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations. Subtitle B— Energy and Environment Sec. 311. Inclusion of information about PFAS investigation and remediation in annual report on defense environmental programs. Sec. 312. Elimination of preference for motor vehicles using electric or hybrid propulsion systems and related requirements of the Department of Defense. Sec. 313. Modification of availability and use of energy cost savings. Sec. 314. Requirement to support National Guard training on wildfire prevention and response. Sec. 315. Modification of requirements relating to replacement of fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam. 139 STAT. 721 Sec. 316. Modification to restriction on procurement or purchasing of personal protective equipment for firefighters containing perfluoroalkyl substances or polyfluoroalkyl substances. Sec. 317. Provision of alternative drinking water to households whose private drinking water is contaminated with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid substances from Department of Defense activities. Sec. 318. Responsibilities of executive agent for installation and operational nuclear energy. Sec. 319. Establishment of Advanced Nuclear Transition Working Group. Sec. 320. Department of Air Force program of record for commercial weather data. Sec. 321. Pilot program on Navy installation nuclear energy. Sec. 322. Strategy to accelerate remediation of contamination from perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Sec. 323. Notification requirement with respect to nuclear power in Guam. Sec. 324. Authority to use certain technologies to destroy or dispose of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. Subtitle C— Logistics and Sustainment Sec. 331. Modification of readiness report to include summary count of certain mishaps. Sec. 332. Authority to provide supplies incidental to support and services for eligible non-Department of Defense organizations. Sec. 333. Extension of authorization of depot working capital funds for unspecified minor military construction. Sec. 334. Designation of senior officials responsible for integration of global contested logistics posture management. Sec. 335. Modification of prohibition on contracts for performance of firefighting or security-guard functions. Sec. 336. Responsibilities for oversight of certain defense personal property matters. Sec. 337. Roles and responsibilities relating to sustainment and readiness of certain naval surface vessels. Sec. 338. Strategy to improve infrastructure of certain depots of Department of Defense. Sec. 339. Modification of report on improved oversight for implementation of Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program of the Navy. Sec. 340. Extension and modification of semiannual briefings on operational status of amphibious warship fleet. Sec. 341. Maintenance inspection capabilities and requirements. Sec. 342. Joint Strike Fighter sustainment. Sec. 343. Depot-level maintenance coordination in multinational exercises. Sec. 344. Proposed actions with respect to causes and effects of declining aircraft readiness rates. Sec. 345. Technology enhancement for surface ship maintenance. Sec. 346. Oversight requirements for contracts relating to relocation logistics for household goods. Sec. 347. Integration of commercially available artificial intelligence capabilities into logistics operations. Sec. 348. Pilot program on Army depot and arsenal workload sustainment. Sec. 349. Limitation on use of funds to establish or expand Space Force Special Operations Component Command. Sec. 350. Pilot program for data-enabled ground vehicle maintenance. Sec. 351. Modernization of the organic industrial base of the Army. Subtitle D— Matters Relating to Munitions Sec. 361. Reporting requirements for Out-Year Unconstrained Total Munitions Requirements and Out-Year inventory numbers. Sec. 362. Inclusion of air and missile defense in Out-Year Unconstrained Total Munitions Requirement and Out-Year inventory numbers. Sec. 363. Reports on munitions response projects at sites formerly used by the Department of Defense. Sec. 364. Report on critical munitions required for simultaneous conflicts. Subtitle E— Other Matters Sec. 371. Adjustment and diversification assistance for State and local governments affected by depot reductions. Sec. 372. Authority to evacuate family pets and contract working dogs during noncombatant evacuations of foreign countries. Sec. 373. Manned rotary wing aircraft safety. Sec. 374. Establishment of Army museum system. Sec. 375. Establishment of United States Navy Museum System. 139 STAT. 722 Sec. 376. Establishment of Air Force and Space Force Museum System. Sec. 377. Transportation of certain domestic animals by foreign air carriers. Sec. 378. Minimum standards for military working dog kennels and facilities. Sec. 379. Restroom access at military installations for certain transportation service providers. Sec. 380. Use of expeditionary solid waste disposal systems by Department of Defense. Sec. 381. Pilot program for contracted amphibious air resources for the area of responsibility of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. Sec. 382. Initiative to control spread of greater banded hornet in Guam. Sec. 383. Reserve mobilization exercise to assess the capability of the Armed Forces to respond to a high-intensity contingency in the Indo-Pacific region. Sec. 384. Limitation on transformation by the Army of primary helicopter training program at Fort Rucker, Alabama. TITLE IV— MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS Subtitle A— Active Forces Sec. 401. End strengths for active forces. Subtitle B— Reserve Forces Sec. 411. End strengths for Selected Reserve. Sec. 412. End strengths for Reserves on active duty in support of the Reserves. Sec. 413. End strengths for military technicians (dual status). Sec. 414. Maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty for operational support. Subtitle C— Authorization of Appropriations; Reports Sec. 421. Military personnel. Sec. 422. Streamlining of total force reporting requirements. TITLE V— MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY Subtitle A— Officer Policy Sec. 501. Space Force general officer management. Sec. 502. Redistribution of general officers on active duty from the Air Force to the Space Force. Sec. 503. Notification of removal of officers from selection board reports and promotion lists. Sec. 504. Chaplains: career flexibility; detail as students at schools for education required for appointment. Sec. 505. Temporary increase in fiscal year percentage limitation for reduction or waiver of service-in-grade requirement for general and flag officers to be retired in pay grades O-7 and O-8. Sec. 506. Notice of removal of Judge Advocates General. Sec. 507. Authority to waive prohibition on officers serving on successive selection boards for boards to consider officers for promotion to major general or rear admiral. Sec. 508. Establishment of blast safety officer positions. Subtitle B— Reserve Component Management Sec. 511. Active and inactive transfers of officers of the Army National Guard and Air Force National Guard. Sec. 512. National Guard: Active Guard and Reserve duty in response to a State disaster. Sec. 513. Report on effect of equipment shortfalls on ability of National Guard to perform homeland defense activities. Sec. 514. Report on National Guard sexual assault prevention and response training. Sec. 515. Study and report on members of the reserve components: consideration of amount of time of service in activation; authority to waive limitation on release from active duty. Subtitle C— General Service Authorities and Military Records Sec. 521. Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record: codification; expansion. Sec. 522. Women’s initiative teams. Sec. 523. Honorary promotions on the initiative of the Department of Defense. Sec. 524. Enhanced efficiency and service discretion for Disability Evaluation System reviews. Sec. 525. Requirement of equal opportunity, racial neutrality, and exclusive use of merit in military personnel actions. 139 STAT. 723 Sec. 526. Report on adequacy of reimbursement for costs of permanent change of station. Subtitle D— Recruitment and Accession Sec. 531. Recruiter access to secondary schools. Sec. 532. Alternative service in areas of national interest by individuals denied enlistment. Sec. 533. Medical accession standards for members of the Armed Forces. Sec. 534. Clarifying the calculation of enlistments for persons whose score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test is below a prescribed level for the future servicemember preparatory course. Sec. 535. Selective Service System: automatic registration. Subtitle E— Member Training Sec. 541. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instructor qualifications. Sec. 542. Number of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units. Sec. 543. Requirements with respect to motorcycle safety training. Sec. 544. Repeal of annual certifications related to the Ready, Relevant Learning initiative of the Navy. Sec. 545. Mandatory training on government ethics and national security law. Sec. 546. Temporary authority to provide bonuses to Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instructors. Sec. 547. Pilot program for generative artificial intelligence and spatial computing for performance training and proficiency assessment. Sec. 548. Limitation on authority to reorganize the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of the Army. Sec. 549. Accreditation of National Guard Marksmanship Training Center. Subtitle F— Member Education Sec. 551. Modification to maximum years of service for eligibility detail as a student at a law school. Sec. 552. Inclusion of Space Force education programs in definitions regarding professional military education. Sec. 553. Asynchronous instruction in distance education option for professional military education. Sec. 554. Center for Strategic Deterrence and Weapons of Mass Destruction Studies. Sec. 555. Military service academy nominations. Sec. 556. Modifications to alternative obligation for cadets and midshipmen. Sec. 557. Modification to the designation of Members of the House of Representatives to the Boards of Visitors of Service Academies. Sec. 558. Director of Admissions of the United States Naval Academy. Sec. 559. Detail of members of the Space Force as instructors at Air Force Institute of Technology. Sec. 559A. Prohibition on participation of males in athletic programs or activities at the military service academies that are designated for women or girls. Sec. 559B. Organization of Army War College. Subtitle G— Military Justice and Other Legal Matters Sec. 561. Qualifications for judge advocates. Sec. 562. Ensuring the availability of legal advice to commanders. Sec. 563. Analysis of potential modifications to the offense of wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate visual images under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Sec. 564. Revision to sexual assault prevention and response training guidance. Sec. 565. Notification of military sex offenders at military installations. Sec. 566. Analysis of the advisability of modifying the definition of abusive sexual contact under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Sec. 567. Analysis of the advisability of establishing a punitive article for child pornography-related offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Subtitle H— Career Transition Sec. 571. Transition Assistance Program: amendments; pilot program; reports. Sec. 572. Amendments to pathways for counseling in Transition Assistance Program. Sec. 573. Improvements to information-sharing to support individuals retiring or separating from the Armed Forces. Subtitle I— Family Programs, Child Care, and Dependent Education Sec. 581. Notification of suspected child abuse that occurs at a military child development center. 139 STAT. 724 Sec. 582. Enrollment of children of certain American Red Cross employees in schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity. Sec. 583. Ensuring access to DODEA schools for certain members of the reserve components. Sec. 584. Authorization of dual or concurrent enrollment programs for students of Defense Dependent Schools. Sec. 585. Restrictions on certain actions relating to DODEA schools and military child development centers. Sec. 586. Extension of pilot program to provide financial assistance to members of the Armed Forces for in-home child care. Sec. 587. Military OneSource: information regarding maternal health care. Sec. 588. Assistance for deployment-related support of members of the Armed Forces undergoing deployment and their families beyond the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. Sec. 589. Certain assistance to local educational agencies that benefit dependents of military and civilian personnel. Sec. 589A. Verification of reporting of eligible federally connected children for purposes of Federal impact aid programs. Sec. 589B. Regulations on the use of portable electronic mobile devices in Department of Defense Education Activity schools. Sec. 589V. Management of special education in schools operated by Department of Defense Education Activity. Sec. 589D. Pilot program to increase payments for child care services in high-cost areas. Subtitle J— Decorations and Awards, Reports, and Other Matters Sec. 591. Authorization for award of Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams for acts of valor during the Korean War. Sec. 592. Authorization for posthumous award of the distinguished-service cross to Isaac “Ike” Camacho for acts of valor in Vietnam. Sec. 593. Compliance with travel charge card deactivation requirements. TITLE VI— COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS Subtitle A— Basic Pay and Retired Pay Sec. 601. Codification of applicability to Space Force of certain pay and allowance authorities. Sec. 602. Extension of enhanced authority for selective early retirement and early discharges. Sec. 603. Extension of temporary early retirement authority. Subtitle B— Bonus, Incentive, and Separation Pays Sec. 611. One-year extension of certain expiring bonus and special pay authorities. Sec. 612. Extension of authority to provide voluntary separation pay and benefits. Sec. 613. Implementation of aviation incentive pay for members of reserve components. Sec. 614. Reviews of designations of imminent danger pay areas. Subtitle C— Allowances Sec. 621. Modifications to calculation of basic allowance for subsistence for enlisted members. Sec. 622. Family separation allowance: increase. Sec. 623. Extending certain travel allowance for members of the Armed Forces assigned to Alaska. Sec. 624. Improvements to basic allowance for housing. Subtitle D— Leave Sec. 631. Improved parental leave for members of the armed forces. Sec. 632. Convalescent leave for cadets and midshipmen. Subtitle E— Family and Survivor Benefits Sec. 641. Annual review of financial assistance limits for child care and youth program services providers. Sec. 642. Waiver of requirements for air transportation of deceased members of the Armed Forces when necessary to meet mission requirements. Subtitle F— Defense Resale Matters Sec. 651. Use of commissary stores: civilian employees of Military Sealift Command. Sec. 652. Defense commissary system and exchange system: patronage; privatization. 139 STAT. 725 Subtitle G— Other Benefits, Administrative Matters, Reports, and Briefings Sec. 661. Inclusion of descriptions of types of pay on pay statements. Sec. 662. Provision of information regarding relocation assistance programs for members receiving orders for a change of permanent station. Sec. 663. Expansion of pilot program to increase access to food on military installations. Sec. 664. Military compensation educational campaign. Sec. 665. Designation of United States Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll as remote and isolated military installation. TITLE VII— HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS Subtitle A— TRICARE and Other Health Benefits Sec. 701. Reimbursement for travel expenses relating to specialty care for certain members of the Armed Forces and dependents. Sec. 702. Authority to provide sexual assault medical forensic examinations on a nonreimbursable basis to certain otherwise ineligible individuals. Subtitle B— Health Care Administration Sec. 711. Codification of position of Director of the Defense Health Agency. Sec. 712. Military-civilian medical surge program. Sec. 713. Modification of limitation on reduction of military medical manning end strength. Sec. 714. Inclusion of additional requirements in notifications to modify scope of services provided at military medical treatment facilities. Sec. 715. Military medical cooperation arrangements among Five Eyes countries. Sec. 716. Licensure requirement for health-care professionals of partner countries. Sec. 717. Plan for priority assignment of medical personnel of Department of Defense. Sec. 718. Plan and report by Defense Health Agency relating to chiropractic clinics at military installations. Sec. 719. Strategic infectious disease medical research plan. Sec. 720. Review of disclosure requirements under processes and forms relating to health care provider credentialing and privileging of Department of Defense. Subtitle C— Studies, Reports, and Other Matters Sec. 731. Improvement of availability of care for veterans from facilities and providers of the Department of Defense. Sec. 732. Prohibition on painful research on domestic cats and dogs. Sec. 733. Pilot program on wastewater surveillance system of Department of Defense. Sec. 734. Pilot program to assist certain members of the Armed Forces and dependents with additional supplemental coverage relating to cancer. Sec. 735. Study on accreditation of military dental treatment facilities. Sec. 736. Study on prevalence and mortality of cancer among military rotary-wing pilots and aviation support personnel. Sec. 737. Study on psychological effects of and mental health effects of unmanned aircraft systems in combat operations. TITLE VIII— ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED MATTERS Subtitle A— Acquisition Policy and Management Sec. 801. Assumption of uninsurable risk on certain contracts. Sec. 802. Changes to certain documents. Sec. 803. Pilot program for financing for covered activities. Sec. 804. Multiyear procurement authority for covered systems and certain munitions. Sec. 805. Addressing insufficiencies in technical data. Subtitle B— Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations Sec. 811. Repeals of existing law to streamline the defense acquisition process. Sec. 812. Modifications to current defense acquisition requirements. Sec. 813. Modification to award amount for program to accelerate the procurement and fielding of innovative technologies. Sec. 814. Additional amendments related to undefinitized contractual actions. Sec. 815. Amendment to procurement of services data analysis and requirements validation. 139 STAT. 726 Sec. 816. Modification of program and processes relating to foreign acquisition. Sec. 817. Review of Department of Defense Instruction relating to conventional ammunition management. Subtitle C— Provisions Relating to Workforce Development Sec. 821. Improvements to public-private talent exchange. Sec. 822. Modifications to requirements for the President of the Defense Acquisition University. Sec. 823. Hiring authorities for Defense Civilian Training Corps. Sec. 824. Increasing competition in defense contracting. Sec. 825. Report on strengthening the Defense Acquisition University. Sec. 826. Restructuring of performance evaluation metrics for the acquisition workforce. Subtitle D— Provisions Relating to Supply Chains and Domestic Sourcing Sec. 831. Applicability of Berry Amendment to procurement of certain seafood. Sec. 832. Enhancement of defense supply chain resilience and secondary source qualification. Sec. 833. Interim national security waivers for supply chain illumination efforts. Sec. 834. Strategy to eliminate acquisition of optical glass from certain nations. Sec. 835. Strategy to eliminate sourcing of computer displays from certain nations. Sec. 836. Voluntary registration of compliance with covered sourcing requirements for covered products. Sec. 837. Acceleration of qualification of compliant sources. Sec. 838. Assessment of critical infrastructure owned by the Department of Defense dependent on foreign materials or components. Subtitle E— Prohibitions and Limitations on Procurement Sec. 841. Requirements relating to long-term concessions agreements with certain retailers. Sec. 842. Prohibition on acquisition of advanced batteries from certain foreign sources. Sec. 843. Application of national security waiver for strategic materials sourcing requirement to sensitive materials. Sec. 844. Prohibition of procurement of molybdenum, gallium, or germanium from non-allied foreign nations and authorization for production from recovered material. Sec. 845. Modifications to certain procurements from certain Chinese entities. Sec. 846. Modifications to prohibition on contracting with persons that have fossil fuel operations with the Government of the Russian Federation or the Russian energy sector. Sec. 847. Prohibiting the purchase of photovoltaic modules or inverters from foreign entities of concern. Sec. 848. Clarification of procurement prohibition related to acquisition of materials mined, refined, and separated in certain countries. Sec. 849. Prohibition on procurement related to certain additive manufacturing machines. Sec. 850. Phase-out of computer and printer acquisitions involving entities owned or controlled by China. Sec. 851. Prohibition on contracting with certain biotechnology providers. Subtitle F— Industrial Base Matters Sec. 861. Amendments to the procurement technical assistance program. Sec. 862. Repeal of limitations on certain Department of Defense Executive Agent authority. Sec. 863. Special Operations Command Urgent Innovative Technologies and Capabilities Initiative. Sec. 864. United States-Israel Defense Industrial Base Working Group. Sec. 865. Improving the domestic textile and industrial base. Sec. 866. Cybersecurity regulatory harmonization. Sec. 867. Modifications to defense industrial base fund. Subtitle G— Other Matters Sec. 871. Modification to demonstration and prototyping program to advance international product support capabilities in a contested logistics environment. Sec. 872. Contested logistics exercise requirement. Sec. 873. Combatant command experimentation authority. Sec. 874. Annual report on contract cancellations and terminations. Sec. 875. Ability to withhold contract payments during period of pendancy of a bid protest. 139 STAT. 727 Sec. 876. Indemnification of contractors against nuclear and unusually hazardous risks. Sec. 877. Enhanced security strategy for procurement of private fifth-generation wireless technology. TITLE IX— DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT Subtitle A— Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related Matters Sec. 901. Prohibition of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs of the Department of Defense. Sec. 902. Directive authority for matters for which the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering has responsibility. Sec. 903. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Armaments Cooperation. Sec. 904. Modification to authorities of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. Sec. 905. Modification of covered technology categories for Office of Strategic Capital. Sec. 906. Additional authorities for Office of Strategic Capital. Sec. 907. Defense Science Board study on optimal organizational structure for digital solution and software delivery. Subtitle B— Other Department of Defense Organization and Management Matters Sec. 911. Removal of members of Joint Chiefs of Staff and combatant commanders. Sec. 912. Joint Interagency Task Force 401. Sec. 913. Authority to establish regional outreach centers for the Defense Innovation Unit. Sec. 914. Small-UAS Industrial Base Working Group. Sec. 915. Temporary prohibition on disestablishment of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Pacific. Sec. 916. Limitation on availability of funds for modification or consolidation of geographic combatant commands. Sec. 917. Limitation on availability of funds for the Army pending submittal of plan on the proposed integration of the Joint Munitions Command and the Army Sustainment Command. TITLE X— GENERAL PROVISIONS Subtitle A— Financial Matters Sec. 1001. General transfer authority. Sec. 1002. Consolidation of reporting requirements relating to Department of Defense financial improvement and audit remediation plan. Sec. 1003. Concurrent reporting date for annual update to Defense Business Systems Audit Remediation Plan and Department of Defense annual financial statements. Sec. 1004. Amendments and repeals to budgetary display requirements. Sec. 1005. Extension of audit requirement for Department of Defense components. Sec. 1006. Reporting requirements for amounts made available pursuant to title II of Public Law 119–21 . Sec. 1007. Use of technology using artificial intelligence to facilitate audit of the financial statements of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2026. Subtitle B— Counterdrug Activities Sec. 1010. Support for counterdrug activities and activities to counter transnational organized crime. Subtitle C— Naval Vessels and Shipyards Sec. 1011. Requirements for amphibious warfare ship force structure. Sec. 1012. Definition of short-term work for purposes of Navy construction of combatant and escort vessels and assignment of vessel projects. Sec. 1013. Navy Senior Technical Authority. Sec. 1014. Overhaul, repair, and maintenance of vessels in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Sec. 1015. Allocation of certain operation and maintenance funds for Navy amphibious ship maintenance. Sec. 1016. Metrics for basic and functional design for ship construction. Sec. 1017. Authority for single award indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract for destroyer maintenance. Sec. 1018. Limitation on availability of funds to retire or decommission oceanographic research vessels of the Navy. Sec. 1019. Strategy for Navy investment in and support for the maritime industrial base. 139 STAT. 728 Sec. 1020. Exemption of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles from certain technical authority requirements. Sec. 1021. Pilot program on use of automated shipbuilding technologies and capabilities. Sec. 1022. Modification of authority to purchase used vessels under the National Defense Sealift Fund. Subtitle D— Counterterrorism Sec. 1031. Extension of authority for joint task forces to support law enforcement agencies conducting counter-terrorism activities. Sec. 1032. Extension of prohibition on use of funds for transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States. Sec. 1033. Extension of prohibition on use of funds to construct or modify facilities in the United States to house detainees transferred from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Sec. 1034. Extension of prohibition on use of funds for transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to certain countries. Sec. 1035. Extension of prohibition on use of funds to close or relinquish control of United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Subtitle E— Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations Sec. 1041. Modification of authority to provide assistance in support of Department of Defense accounting for missing United States Government personnel. Sec. 1042. Senior leaders of the Department of Defense and other specified persons: authority to provide protection. Sec. 1043. Modification of requirements relating to support of civil authorities by Armed Forces. Sec. 1044. Authority of Secretary of Defense to enter into contracts to provide certain assistance to secure the southern land border of the United States. Sec. 1045. Limitation on use of funds to relocate or otherwise remove the Maritime Industrial Base Program. Sec. 1046. Limitation on retirement of Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft systems. Sec. 1047. Authority to transfer T–37 aircraft to Arizona Aviation Historical Group. Sec. 1048. Authorization of Eastern Regional Range Complex for multi-domain operations and robotic autonomous systems training, testing, and experimentation. Sec. 1049. Limitation on use of funds for deactivation of Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigades. Sec. 1050. Prohibition on use of live animals in Department of Defense live fire trauma training. Sec. 1051. Prohibition on destruction or scrapping of World War II–era aircraft. Sec. 1052. Limitation on availability of funds for travel expenses of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Sec. 1053. Congressional notification of support for immigration enforcement operations. Subtitle F— Studies and Reports Sec. 1061. Notification of waivers under Department of Defense Directive 3000.09. Sec. 1062. Modifications to authority for transfer and sale of certain surplus firearms, ammunition, and parts. Sec. 1063. Extension of mobility capability requirements study. Sec. 1064. Extension of briefing requirement regarding civil authorities at the Southwest border. Sec. 1065. Extension of biennial assessments of Air Force Test Center. Sec. 1066. Reports on installation of certain collision avoidance systems in military rotary-wing aircraft. Sec. 1067. Cybersecurity and resilience annex in Strategic Rail Corridor Network assessments. Sec. 1068. GAO review and report on biological weapons experiments on and in relation to ticks, tick-borne disease. Sec. 1069. Briefings on expenditures or planned expenditures of funds allocated for exploration and development of existing Arctic infrastructure. Sec. 1070. Semiannual report on Department of Defense operations at the southern land border. Sec. 1071. Assessment on potential establishment of incubator programs for secure facilities and networks at universities. Subtitle G— Other Matters Sec. 1081. Extension of the National Commission on the Future of the Navy. 139 STAT. 729 Sec. 1082. Federal agency support for Afghanistan War Commission. Sec. 1083. Provision of contract authority to Afghanistan War Commission. Sec. 1084. Reauthorization of Servicewomen’s Commemorative Partnership. Sec. 1085. AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025. Sec. 1086. Framework for reforming technology transfer and foreign disclosure policies. Sec. 1087. Procurement and distribution of sports foods and dietary supplements to members of the Armed Forces assigned to the United States Special Operations Command. Sec. 1088. Pilot program on enhanced use of advanced sensor networks to improve Air Force counter-unmanned aircraft system capabilities for base defense. Sec. 1089. Pilot program and other requirements for accelerating protection of certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft. Sec. 1090. Process for complaints and investigations of transportation service providers and transportation officers. Sec. 1091. Declassification of certain records relating to Tower 22 attack. Sec. 1092. Updates and preservation of memorials to chaplains at Arlington National Cemetery. Sec. 1093. Critical infrastructure compatibility tabletop exercise. Sec. 1094. Irregular Warfare Exercise Laboratory. Sec. 1095. Commission on the National Defense Strategy. TITLE XI— CIVILIAN PERSONNEL Sec. 1101. Prohibition on the use of funds from carrying out a hiring freeze, reduction in force, or hiring delay without cause at a public shipyard. Sec. 1102. Living quarter allowance for Department of Defense civilian employees with permanent duty station in Guam. Sec. 1103. Modification of temporary authority to appoint retired members of the armed forces to positions in the Department of Defense. Sec. 1104. Revisions to limitations on pay for officers and crews of maritime vessels operated by or for the United States. Sec. 1105. One-year extension of authority to waive annual limitation on premium pay and aggregate limitation on pay for Federal civilian employees working overseas. Sec. 1106. One-year extension of temporary authority to grant allowances, benefits, and gratuities to civilian personnel on official duty in a combat zone. Sec. 1107. Modifications to total force management requirements. Sec. 1108. Definition of defense industrial base facility for purposes of direct hire authority. Sec. 1109. Payment of retention bonuses to DOD civilian employees in Guam. Sec. 1110. Amendments to title 5, United States Code . Sec. 1111. Educational travel authority for dependents of certain employees. Sec. 1112. Modification of direct hire authority for domestic defense industrial base facilities. Sec. 1113. Cyber workforce recruitment and retention. Sec. 1114. Public shipyard apprentice program. Sec. 1115. Personnel management. TITLE XII— MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS Subtitle A— Assistance and Training Sec. 1201. Modification of authorities. Sec. 1202. Modification of authority to build capacity of foreign security forces. Sec. 1203. Modification of payment of costs for Regional Centers for Security Studies. Sec. 1204. Modification to Irregular Warfare Center and Regional Defense Fellowship Program. Sec. 1205. Modification of authority for Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School. Sec. 1206. State partnership program selection analysis. Sec. 1207. Enhancement of international biodefense capacity. Subtitle B— Foreign Military Sales and Related Processes Sec. 1211. Improvements to security cooperation workforce and defense acquisition workforce. Sec. 1212. Modifications to foreign military sales processes. Sec. 1213. Periodic review of FMS-only list. Sec. 1214. Assessment and establishment of office to support the acquisition of specified non-program of record systems by foreign allies and partners. Sec. 1215. Guidance for coordination of international arms transfers. 139 STAT. 730 Subtitle C— Matters Relating to the Middle East Sec. 1221. Extension of authority for reimbursement of certain coalition nations for support provided to United States military operations. Sec. 1222. Extension and modification of annual report on military power of Iran. Sec. 1223. Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to vetted Syrian groups and individuals. Sec. 1224. Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Sec. 1225. Counter-terrorism support. Sec. 1226. Enhancing security partnership with Jordan and Lebanon. Sec. 1227. Prohibition on funding to the Badr Organization. Sec. 1228. Limitation on availability of funds for the Iraqi security forces. Sec. 1229. Report on strategy for increasing membership in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement. Sec. 1229A. Report on ISIS detention facilities in Syria. Sec. 1229B. Report on United States force posture and activities in Syria. Subtitle D— Matters Relating to Israel Sec. 1231. Extension and modification of United States-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation. Sec. 1232. Extension and modification of United States-Israel cooperation to counter unmanned systems in all warfighting domains. Sec. 1233. Modification of certain temporary authorizations related to munitions replacement. Sec. 1234. Research, development, test, and evaluation of emerging technologies to further the warfighting capabilities of the United States and certain partner countries. Sec. 1235. Report on United States-Israel military exercises. Subtitle E— Matters Relating to Europe, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation Sec. 1241. Modification and extension of annual report on military and security developments involving the Russian Federation. Sec. 1242. Extension of prohibition on availability of funds relating to sovereignty of the Russian Federation over internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Sec. 1243. Extension and modification of Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Sec. 1244. Military intelligence support for Ukraine. Sec. 1245. Report relating to allied and partner support to Ukraine. Sec. 1246. Allied contributions to United States force posture on NATO’s eastern flank. Sec. 1247. Baltic Security Initiative. Sec. 1248. Modification of United States basing and training, and exercises in North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries. Sec. 1249. Oversight of United States military posture in Europe. Sec. 1250. Report on United States deterrence and defense posture in the European region. Subtitle F— Matters Relating to the Indo-Pacific Region Sec. 1251. Extension of Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Sec. 1252. Extension of Indo-Pacific extended deterrence education pilot program. Sec. 1253. Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience. Sec. 1254. Strategy to strengthen multilateral defense in the Indo-Pacific. Sec. 1255. Sense of Congress on defense alliances and partners … [truncated for display; full text stored]
Plain-English summary
Confidence: high · Complexity: complex · Model: grok-4.5
This is the big yearly defense bill for 2026. It’s already law. It green-lights the money and rules for the military, military building projects, and the Department of Energy’s national-security work. It also sets how many people can serve in uniform.
The bill is huge—eight big chunks. The main one covers the Department of Defense: buying gear (planes, ships, subs), research and testing (including biotech and AI), day-to-day operations, troops’ pay and benefits, health care, and how the Pentagon buys stuff. Other chunks handle military construction, energy-security programs, funding tables, plus separate authorizations for the State Department, intelligence agencies, and the Coast Guard.
On the ground, it means multi-year buys for things like Black Hawk helicopters and certain Navy ships and subs. It puts limits on retiring some aircraft. It deals with PFAS cleanup and drinking water near bases, drops a preference for electric or hybrid DoD vehicles, and tightens rules on buying certain goods from foreign sources. It also tweaks troop end-strength numbers, family and child-care help, transition programs for people leaving the service, and TRICARE-related benefits.
Service members, military families, veterans who use DoD care, base communities dealing with cleanup, and defense contractors are the folks most likely to feel the changes. The rest of us mainly see it as the yearly blueprint for what the armed forces can spend and do.
Related issues
How a vote maps to positions
Impartial mapping: which issue position a Yea vs Nay advances. When a bill has multiple floor votes, each roll can have its own mapping. Bill-level entries (no roll listed) apply as a default when a roll has no specific map. Used for legislator alignment.
All rolls (bill default)
| Issue | Yea advances | Nay advances | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defense & National Security | Force structure and readiness funding | Reduce defense outlays or scope | The Act authorizes FY2026 DoD military activities, procurement, military construction, personnel end strengths, munitions and readiness-related reporting, and related operational authorities; a yea vote advances that force-structure and readiness authorization package. The catalog has no clear position for rejecting overall defense authorization levels, so nay is unset. |
| Taxes & Government Spending | Budget process and fiscal rules | Lower taxes and constrain spending growth | The law centers on authorization of appropriations, funding tables, and stated budgetary effects for defense and related accounts rather than tax-rate redesign. Support aligns with the authorization and budget-display process; opposition can align with constraining the growth of authorized federal spending. |
| Healthcare | Public health and system capacity | Status quo / reject this change | Title VII addresses Defense Health Agency structure, military medical manning and treatment-facility scope, TRICARE-related travel and exam authorities, surge and cooperation arrangements, and system studies—capacity and administration of the military health system rather than civilian coverage expansion or market redesign. No catalog position cleanly captures a nay on those military-health provisions. |
| Energy & Climate | Expand domestic fossil and all-of-the-above production | Accelerate clean-energy transition | Energy-environment provisions eliminate a DoD preference for electric or hybrid propulsion vehicles and establish nuclear-energy installation responsibilities, an Advanced Nuclear Transition Working Group, and related nuclear pilot and notification authorities, consistent with domestic and nuclear production emphasis. A clean-transition framing would conflict with removing the electric/hybrid preference and elevating installation nuclear options. |
| Veterans Affairs | Expand benefits and access | Constrain benefits scope or cost | The excerpt includes improvement of availability of care for veterans from Department of Defense facilities and providers and amendments to Transition Assistance Program pathways and information-sharing for separating members. Those provisions expand access pathways; the catalog lacks a matching nay position for rejecting them. |