H.R. 8800
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Sponsor: Mike Rogers
1 cosponsor
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE).
Among other elements, the bill
- authorizes the procurement of various items, including aircraft and ships;
- sets active duty and reserve component personnel strength levels;
- sets policy regarding various aspects of military health care and military compensation;
- sets policy regarding DOD acquisitions and acquisition management, including contracting authorities and the acquisition workforce;
- sets policy for various matters related to DOD interactions with foreign nations, including matters concerning Israel, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific;
- sets policy for various matters related to DOD cybersecurity and artificial intelligence;
- requires DOD to include projected demand for foreign military sales in certain contexts, including munitions production planning, sustainment planning for major defense acquisition programs, and decisions regarding production rate increases of defense articles;
- requires DOD to establish an expedited qualification process for new domestic and allied sources of certain strategic materials, including specified metals, alloys, oxides, and magnets;
- authorizes specified military construction projects and extends the authorization of certain projects from previous fiscal years; and
- authorizes the National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Naval Petroleum Reserves, and Maritime Administration.
For additional information on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) see
- In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA, and
- In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process.
Text of the bill
A Department of Defense Authorizations
I Procurement
A Authorization of Appropriations
B Army Programs
C Navy Programs
D Air Force Programs
E Defense-wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters
II RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION
A Authorization of Appropriations
B Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations
C Plans, Reports, and Other Matters
III Operation and Maintenance
A Authorization of Appropriations
B Energy and Environment
C Logistics and Sustainment
D Reports
E Other Matters
IV MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS
A Active Forces
B Reserve Forces
C Authorization of Appropriations
V MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
A Officer Policy and Reserve Component Management
B Recruitment, General Service Authorities and Prohibitions, and Military Records
C Member Training
D Member Education
E Military Justice
F Investigations and Other Legal Matters
G Career Transition
H Family Programs, Child Care, and Dependent Education
I Decorations and Awards
J Other Matters and Miscellaneous Reports
K Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026
Where this section came from
Not in the first version (Introduced in House, May 13).
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Jul 22, 2026 · Engrossed in House H.Amdt. 256: An amendment numbered 20 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to prohibit male participation in female sports at DoDEA schools. Official page › H.Amdt. 255: An amendment numbered 19 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to prohibit gender related medical care under TRICARE and to prevent TRICARE from covering certain gender related medical procedures and treatments. Official page › H.Amdt. 253: An amendment numbered 17 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to establish a presumption of approval for qualified DoD servicemembers and civilian employees seeking authorization from their facility commander to carry personal firearms on military installations. Official page › H.Amdt. 248: An amendment numbered 7 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to amend the NDAA to protect a critical component of California 's defense fuel supply chain by ensuring the continued operation of the Santa Ynez Pipeline System, which transports domestically produced crude oil to refineries that supply Department of Defense installations. Official page › H.Amdt. 246: An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 as en bloc No. 1: Nos. 10, 11, 13, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, and 104. Official page › H.Amdt. 245: An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to strike section 518, relating to the pilot program on modernization of drug testing using voice-based risk assessment technology to identify servicemembers for drug testing. Official page › H.Amdt. 265: An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 as en bloc No. 5: Nos. 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 319, and 320. Official page › H.Amdt. 264: An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 as en bloc No. 4: Nos. 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, and 265. Official page › H.Amdt. 263: An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 as en bloc No. 3: Nos. 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, and 212. Official page › H.Amdt. 262: An amendment comprised of the following amendments printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 as en bloc No. 2: Nos. 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, and 158. Official page › H.Amdt. 261: An amendment numbered 44 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to prohibit the use of automated speed enforcement cameras on military installations. Official page › H.Amdt. 260: An amendment numbered 34 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to prohibit certain foreign nationals from designated countries of concern to access non-public areas of any National Laboratory. The restriction applies to visitors seeking access to laboratory facilities, information, or technology, while exempting lawful permanent residents and authorized laboratory personnel. Official page › H.Amdt. 258: An amendment numbered 28 printed in Part A of House Report 119-755 to codify protections and responsibilities for chaplains and subject such protections to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Official page › H.Res. 1398: On Ordering the Previous Question — Passed, 215–210 · Roll Call 230 H.Res. 1398: On Agreeing to the Resolution — Failed, 198–224 · Roll Call 231 H.Res. 1438: On Ordering the Previous Question — Passed, 213–209 · Roll Call 253 H.Res. 1438: On Agreeing to the Resolution — Passed, 214–211 · Roll Call 254 On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 65–361 · Roll Call 255On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 61–360 · Roll Call 256On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 65–359 · Roll Call 257On Agreeing to the Amendment — Agreed to, 265–161 · Roll Call 258On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 208–219 · Roll Call 259On Agreeing to the Amendment — Agreed to, 215–214 · Roll Call 260On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 212–216 · Roll Call 261On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 201–224 · Roll Call 262On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 61–365 · Roll Call 263On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 76–350 · Roll Call 264On Agreeing to the Amendment — Agreed to, 215–214 · Roll Call 265On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 212–217 · Roll Call 266On Agreeing to the Amendment — Agreed to, 219–208 · Roll Call 267On Agreeing to the Amendment — Agreed to, 221–203 · Roll Call 268On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 214–216 · Roll Call 269On Agreeing to the Amendment — Agreed to, 221–210 · Roll Call 273On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 207–224 · Roll Call 274On Agreeing to the Amendment — Agreed to, 232–199 · Roll Call 275On Agreeing to the Amendment — Failed, 175–254 · Roll Call 276On Motion to Recommit — Failed, 213–216 · Roll Call 277On Passage — Passed, 216–212 · Roll Call 278
(a) Chaplains. Section 7073 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:
(2) the Deputy Chief of Chaplains;
(3) the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army Reserve;
(4) the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army National Guard;
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (f);
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsections:
(b) The Chief of Chaplains shall serve as a principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army.
(c) The Deputy Chief of Chaplains shall serve under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains.
(d) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains, the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army Reserve shall serve as a principal advisor to the Chief of the Army Reserve.
(e) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains, the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army National Guard shall serve as a principal advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
; and
(4) adding at the end the following new subsection:
(g) The Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains, while so serving, hold the grade of brigadier general.
(b) Chiefs of branches: appointment; duties. Section 7036 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):
(g) The Chief of Chaplains serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army on chaplaincy matters and the provision of religious support in the Army, including strategic planning and the development of policies that affect religious support or have a nexus with the chaplaincy.
(c) Chaplains. Section 7217 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
7217. Duties, responsibilities, requirements, and protections for Army chaplains
(a) Duties, responsibilities, and requirements
(1) The Army Chaplaincy shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Chaplains of the Army.
(2) The Army Chaplaincy shall be overseen by the Chief of Chaplains and shall—
(A) serve as principal advisers to commanders on all issues concerning religious practices, spiritual readiness, spiritual care, religious provisions, and religion’s influence on military operations, which shall include, but not be limited to—
(i) advising and assisting commanders in discharging their responsibilities to provide for the free exercise of religion in military service, pursuant to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1), and related statutes and policies;
(ii) assisting commanders in managing religious affairs, including the accommodation of religious practices and the development of policies and procedures related to the free exercise of religion;
(iii) assisting commanders by serving as advisers with respect to all religious accommodation requests and by providing advice on spiritual readiness and matters concerning religion, morals, ethics, well-being, and morale; and
(iv) overseeing education and training programs concerning the accommodation of religious practices for members of the armed forces;
(B) meet the religious requirements and care for the spiritual needs of members of the armed forces, other authorized persons, and dependents of members, potentially in isolated or combat environments;
(C) have a primary role in providing for the free exercise of religion and other religious requirements associated with the free exercise of religion;
(D) facilitate meeting the religious needs and requirements for members of the armed forces to whom an assigned chaplain cannot directly minister; and
(E) maintain confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications, including those recognized under applicable laws and policies.
(3) The tasks of chaplains in the Army shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Performing religious rites, rituals, services, ordinances, ceremonies, and observances (such as memorials, weddings, retirements, sermons, worship, and burials).
(B) Counseling, meeting, advising, and praying with individuals or groups.
(C) Providing crisis prevention and response.
(D) Providing pastoral and spiritual care, guidance, support, and activities.
(E) Advising on religious accommodation requests.
(F) Providing religious training and education.
(b) Protections
(1) A chaplain’s duties, responsibilities, and requirements, as set forth in subsection (a), shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the chaplain’s sincerely held religious beliefs and the manner, form, and tenets of the chaplain’s religious-endorsing organization.
(2) A chaplain shall have the right to conduct public worship, provide counseling, teach, deliver sermons, advise, minister, and offer prayer in accordance with the chaplain’s sincerely held religious beliefs and the manner, form, and tenets of the chaplain's religious-endorsing organization. Those activities shall be free from censorship, undue restriction, or fear of retribution.
(3) A chaplain shall uphold the chaplain's duty to protect confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications, including communications recognized under applicable laws and policies.
(4) No member of the Armed Forces may—
(A) require or assign a chaplain to perform any rite, ritual, ceremony, sermon, or speech contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the chaplain or contrary to the manner, form, or tenets of the chaplain’s religious-endorsing organization;
(B) require or assign a chaplain to perform any task or action contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the chaplain or contrary to the manner, form, or tenets of the religious-endorsing organization of the chaplain, consistent with section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1);
(C) retaliate or discriminate against a chaplain based on the chaplain’s refusal to comply with a requirement prohibited under this subsection, or take, with respect to such a chaplain, any adverse personnel action including—
(i) denial of promotion, schooling, training, assignment, or financial recoupment;
(ii) issuance of letters of reprimand; or
(iii) any other adverse action or entry in the chaplain's record; or
(D) preclude a chaplain from conducting an activity described in paragraph (2).
(5) A member of the Armed Forces who violates paragraph (4) shall be subject to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
(c) Assistance by commanding officers. Each officer shall furnish facilities, including necessary transportation, to any chaplain assigned to the command of the officer, to assist the chaplain in performing the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the chaplain under subsection (a).
(d) Definitions. In this section:
(1) Administrative endorser. The term administrative endorser means an organization that was approved to endorse chaplains for service in the armed forces under the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which those chaplains will serve, as in effect at the time the organization initially began endorsing chaplains, not on its own behalf, but on behalf of one or more external religious organizations that—
(A) are religious-endorsing organizations;
(B) at the time the organization initially began endorsing chaplains, did not possess the organizational capacity to endorse chaplains directly; and
(C) were not members of, nor otherwise affiliated with, a fellowship or other organizational structure meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (5)(A)(iii) that possessed authority to endorse chaplains.
(2) Adverse personnel action. The term adverse personnel action means any action taken against a member of the Armed Forces that affects or has the potential to adversely affect the member's current position or career, including—
(A) a disciplinary action, transfer, negative performance evaluation, removal, separation, discharge, or mental health evaluation; and
(B) a decision not to give the member a promotion, an increase in pay or benefits, an award, training, or relief.
(3) Censorship. The term censorship means any governmental action taken to suppress or restrict information, ideas, or expression.
(4) Confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications. The term confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications means any private communication made to a chaplain acting in the chaplain’s capacity as a spiritual advisor.
(5) Religious-endorsing organization
(A) The term religious-endorsing organization means an entity that—
(i)
(I) is organized and functions primarily to perform religious ministries to nonmilitary lay members and meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the entity will serve; and
(II) possesses ecclesiastical authority to endorse and withdraw endorsements for chaplains serving under the authority of the entity to conduct religious observances or ceremonies in a military context; or
(ii)
(I) meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the entity will serve;
(II) is organized and functions primarily to support member religious organizations and religious ministry professionals that function primarily to perform religious ministries to nonmilitary lay members; and
(III) performs the function described in clause (i)(II) on behalf of its member religious organizations and religious ministry professionals.
(B) An administrative endorser that endorses chaplains before the date of the enactment of this section may continue to endorse chaplains on and after such date of enactment if administrative endorser meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the administrative endorser will serve to provide documentation verifying that the religious organizations the administrative endorser represents meet the requirements of subclause (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(i).
VI MILITARY COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS
A Bonus and Incentive Pays
B Allowances
C Leave
D Family and Survivor Benefits
E Defense Resale Matters
F Other Benefits, Reports, and Briefings
VII Health Care Provisions
A TRICARE and Other Health Benefits
B Health Care Administration
C Studies, Reports, and Other Matters
VIII Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters
A Acquisition Policy and Management
B Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations
C Provisions Relating to Acquisition Workforce Development
D Intellectual Property Matters
E Other Matters
IX Department of Defense Organization and Management
X General Provisions
A Financial Matters
B Naval Vessels and Shipyards
C Counterterrorism
D Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations
E Studies and Reports
F Other Matters
XI Civilian Personnel
XII Matters relating to Foreign Nations
A Assistance and Training
B Matters relating to the Near and Middle East
C Matters relating to Israel
D Matters relating to Europe
E Matters relating to the Indo-Pacific
F Reports
G Other matters
XIV Other Authorizations
A Military Programs
B Other Matters
XV Cyberspace-related Matters
A Cybersecurity
B Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence
C Reports and Other Matters
XVI Space Activities, Strategic Programs, and Intelligence Matters
A Space Activities
B Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-Related Activities
C Nuclear Forces
D Missile Defense Programs
E Other Matters
F Matters Relating to Adversary Supply Chains
XVII Other Defense Matters
A Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations
B Other Matters
C Initiating biomedical outcomes to garner advancements into innovative efficacy
D Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection At the National Archives and Records Administration
XVIII Revitalization of the Defense Industrial Base
A Provisions to Protect and Strengthen Supply Chains
B Provisions Relating to Defense Industrial Base Manufacturing
C Organic Industrial Base
D Small Business Matters
E Defense Industrial Base Workforce Matters
F Other Matters
B Military Construction Authorizations
XXI Army Military Construction
XXII Navy Military Construction
XXIII Air Force Military Construction
XXIV Defense Agencies Military Construction
XXV International Programs
A North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program
B Host Country In-Kind Contributions
XXVI Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities
XXVII Base Realignment and Closure Activities
XXVIII Military Construction General Provisions
A Military Construction Programs
B Military Housing Reforms
C Real Property and Facilities Administration
D Land Conveyances and Withdrawals
E Pilot Programs
F Miscellaneous Authorities
G Reports and Other Matters
C Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations
XXXI Department of Energy National Security Programs
A National Security Programs and Authorizations
B Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations
C Reports and Other Matters
XXXII Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
XXXIV Naval Petroleum Reserves
XXXV Maritime Administration
A Authorization of Appropriations
A Maritime Administration
B Merchant Marine Academy
C Other Matters
D Coast Guard
E Maritime Workforce and Education
XXXVI SHIPs for America
A Oversight and Accountability
B Maritime Security Trust Fund
C Sealift capability
D Vessels of the United States in international commerce
1 Strategic sealift programs
2 Cargo preference
3 Regulatory reform
E Shipbuilding
1 Shipbuilding financial incentives
2 Department of Defense Programs
3 Shipbuilding innovation and infrastructure
F Workforce Development
1 Workforce incentives
2 Workforce Pipeline
3 United States Merchant Marine Academy and State maritime academies
4 Maritime Credentialing Modernization
D Funding Tables
XLI Procurement
XLII Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
XLIII Operation and Maintenance
XLIV Military Personnel
XLV Other Authorizations
XLVI Military Construction
XLVII Department of Energy National Security Programs
E SAVE America Act