S. 1071

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Sponsor: John Cornyn

1 cosponsor
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). The bill also sets forth policies and authorities for the Department of State, the Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community (IC).

Among other elements, the bill

  • authorizes the procurement of various items, including aircraft, ships, and missiles;
  • 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 domestic sourcing;
  • sets policy for various matters related to DOD interactions with foreign nations, including matters concerning Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific;
  • sets policy for various matters related to DOD cyber operations, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence;
  • authorizes specified military construction projects and extends the authorization of certain projects from previous fiscal years;
  • authorizes the National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Naval Petroleum Reserves, and Maritime Administration;
  • sets policy regarding the organization and workforce of the State Department;
  • sets acquisition and personnel policy for the Coast Guard; 
  • sets policy for merchant mariner credentials, vessel safety, and oil pollution response; and
  • sets policy for the IC regarding artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

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

Expand all

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 Biotechnology Matters

D Plans, Reports, and Other Matters

III Operation and Maintenance

A Authorization of Appropriations

B Energy and Environment

C Logistics and Sustainment

D Matters Relating to Munitions

E Other Matters

IV Military Personnel Authorizations

A Active Forces

B Reserve Forces

C Authorization of Appropriations; Reports

V Military Personnel Policy

A Officer Policy

B Reserve Component Management

C General Service Authorities and Military Records

D Recruitment and Accession

E Member Training

F Member Education

G Military Justice and Other Legal Matters

H Career Transition

I Family Programs, Child Care, and Dependent Education

J Decorations and Awards, Reports, and Other Matters

VI Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits

A Basic Pay and Retired Pay

B Bonus, Incentive, and Separation Pays

C Allowances

D Leave

E Family and Survivor Benefits

F Defense Resale Matters

G Other Benefits, Administrative Matters, 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 Workforce Development

D Provisions Relating to Supply Chains and Domestic Sourcing

E Prohibitions and Limitations on Procurement

F Industrial Base Matters

G Other Matters

IX Department of Defense Organization and Management

A Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related Matters

B Other Department of Defense Organization and Management Matters

X General Provisions

A Financial Matters

B Counterdrug Activities

C Naval Vessels and Shipyards

D Counterterrorism

E Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations

F Studies and Reports

G Other Matters

XI Civilian Personnel

XII Matters relating to foreign nations

A Assistance and training

B Foreign military sales and related processes

C Matters relating to the Middle East

D Matters relating to Israel

E Matters relating to Europe, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation

F Matters relating to the Indo-Pacific region

G Matters relating to Asia

H Other matters

XIV Other Authorizations

A Military Programs

B National Defense Stockpile

C Other Matters

XV Cyberspace-related Matters

A Cyber Operations

B Cybersecurity

C Information Technology and Data Management

D Artificial Intelligence

E 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 Matters Relating to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena

F Matters Relating to Electromagnetic Warfare

G Other Matters

XVII Other Defense Matters

XVIII Acquisition Reform

A Alignment of the Defense Acquisition System

B Requirements Process Reform

C Matters Relating to Commercial Products and Commercial Services

D Improvements to Acquisition Programs

E Modifications to Strengthen the Industrial Base

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

E Modifications to Unspecified Minor Military Construction

F 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

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 Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

I Organization and operations

A Management and consular affairs

B Human resources

C Political affairs

D Other matters

II Workforce matters

III Information security and cyber diplomacy

IV Public diplomacy

V Diplomatic security

VI Miscellaneous

F Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

LXI Intelligence Activities

LXII Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System

LXIII Intelligence Community Matters

LXIV Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness

LXV Matters Relating to Elements of the Intelligence Community

A Central Intelligence Agency

B Elements of Department of Defense

C Federal Bureau of Investigation

LXVI Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies

A Artificial Intelligence

B Biotechnology

C Other matters

LXVII Matters Relating to Foreign Countries

A Matters Relating to China

B Other Matters

LXVIII Reports and Other Matters

G Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

LXXI Coast Guard

A Authorization of appropriations

B Accountability

LXXII Organization, Authorities, Acquisition, and Personnel of the Coast Guard

A Authorities

B Acquisition

C Personnel

D Coast Guard Academy

E Reports and Policies

Sec. 7264. Aids to navigation

(a) Discontinuance of aid to navigation

(1) In general. Subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(A) by redesignating the second section 548 as section 551; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

552. Discontinuance of aid to navigation

(a) In general. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a process for the discontinuance of an aid to navigation (other than a seasonal or temporary aid) established, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard.

(b) Requirement. The process established under subsection (a) shall include procedures—

(1) to notify the public of any discontinuance of an aid to navigation described in that subsection; and

(2) to safeguard against any discontinuation that may compromise the safety of mariners or the public or hinder maritime operational readiness, including with respect to food security and maritime transportation.

(c) Consultation. In establishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with and consider any recommendations of—

(1) the Navigation Safety Advisory Council; and

(2) with respect to aids to navigation established, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard and located in the coastal or inland waterways of a State, the public of such State and relevant stakeholders, including—

(A) State agencies;

(B) State, local, and Tribal law enforcement, fire, and emergency response agencies;

(C) Indian Tribes;

(D) port;

(E) pilots;

(F) harbormasters;

(G) commercial and recreational fishermen, including fishing associations;

(H) ferry operators;

(I) marina operators;

(J) recreational boaters;

(K) passenger vessel operators; and

(L) coastal residents.

(d) Notification. Not later than 30 days after the date on which the process is established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of such process.

(2) Clerical amendment. The analysis for chapter 5 of title 14, United States Code, is amended—

(A) by striking the item relating to the second section 548; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

551. Marking anchorage grounds by Commandant of the Coast Guard. 552. Discontinuance of aid to navigation.

(b) Report on condition of aids to navigation on the Missouri River

(1) Report to Congress. Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the condition of dayboards and the placement of buoys on the Missouri River.

(2) Elements. The report under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a list of the most recent date on which each dayboard and buoy was serviced by the Coast Guard;

(B) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard to systematically service each dayboard and buoy on the Missouri River; and

(C) assigned points of contact.

(c) Report on condition of aids to navigation

(1) Report to Congress. Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Executive Director of the Committee on Marine Transportation System shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the condition of dayboards and the placement of buoys in Coast Guard Northeast District, and Coast Guard Northwest District.

(2) Elements. The report under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a list of the most recent date on which each dayboard and buoy was serviced by the Coast Guard;

(B) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard to systematically service each buoy located in the Coast Guard Northeast District;

(C) an overview of the plan of the Coast Guard to systematically service each buoy located in the Coast Guard Northwest District; and

(D) assigned points of contact.

(3) Limitation. Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant may not remove the aids to navigation covered in paragraph (1), unless there is an imminent threat to life or safety, until a period of 180 days has elapsed following the date on which the Commandant submits the report required under paragraph (1).

(4) Study on reliance on aids to navigation

(A) In general. The Executive Director of the Committee of Marine Transportation System Commandant shall conduct a study on the extent to which physical aids to navigation, including buoys and dayboards, are relied upon by maritime users in the Missouri River, Coast Guard Northeast District, and Coast Guard Northwest District.

(B) Requirements. In the study conducted under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall include the following:

(i) An analysis of the extent to which physical aids to navigation serve as primary navigational references for operators of vessels that lack electronic or satellite-based systems, including small commercial vessels, recreational boats, sailboats, and skiffs.

(ii) An assessment of the role physical aids to navigation play in supporting safe vessel operation during outages, disruptions, or inaccuracies in electronic or satellite-based navigation systems.

(iii) An assessment of mariner perspectives on the availability, visibility, and reliability of physical aids to navigation, based on input from recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, pilot associations, port authorities, and other relevant waterway users.

(iv) A summary of reported incidents or near-miss events from the past five years in which the presence or absence of physical aids to navigation played a contributory role in navigational outcomes, including collisions, groundings, or deviations from intended routes.

(v) Recommendations for enhancing navigational safety for mariners who rely exclusively on, or supplement electronic systems with, traditional visual aids to navigation.

(vi) A cost–benefit analysis of the continued maintenance of physical aids to navigation, and the projected consequences of their removal, including—

(I) an estimate of the potential increase in maritime accidents, search and rescue operations, environmental incidents, and Coast Guard response missions that could result from the reduction or removal of physical aids to navigation;

(II) a comparison of the anticipated costs associated with such increased Coast Guard response operations to the ongoing costs of maintaining and servicing buoys and dayboards, particularly in high-traffic areas or locations with limited access to electronic navigation systems;

(III) an assessment of the role physical aids to navigation play in preventing incidents involving vessels with limited or no reliance on GPS or electronic systems; and

(IV) an assessment of the indirect costs and operational impacts associated with the removal of physical aids to navigation, including increased risk of vessel groundings, prolonged Coast Guard response times, and diminished mariner trust in navigational infrastructure.

(C) Submission to congress. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Executive Director of the Committee on Marine Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A).

(d) Repeal. Section 210 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (14 U.S.C. 541 note) is repealed.

LXXIII Shipping and Navigation

A Merchant Mariner Credentials

B Vessel Safety

C Ports

D Matters Involving Uncrewed Systems

E Other Matters

LXXIV Oil Pollution Response

LXXV Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Response

A Accountability Implementation

B Misconduct

C Other matters

LXXVI Comptroller General Reports

LXXVII Amendments

H Other Matters

LXXXI Financial Services Matters

LXXXII Judiciary Matters

LXXXIII Foreign Affairs Matters

A Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2025

B BUST Fentanyl Act

C Western Balkans democracy and prosperity

D Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025

E Other Matters

LXXXIV National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps

B South Pacific Tuna Treaty matters

C Other Matters

LXXXV Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act of 2025

A General Matters

B Imposition of Sanctions

C Prohibition and notification on investments relating to covered national security transactions

D Securities and Related Matters

LXXXVI Securing the Airspace, Facilitating Emergency Response, and Safeguarding Key Infrastructure, Entertainment Venues, and Stadiums

LXXXVII DFC Modernization and Reauthorization Act of 2025

A Definitions and Less Developed Country Focus

B Management of Corporation

C Authorities Relating to the Provision of Support

D Other Matters

LXXXVIII Other Matters