S. 1071

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Sponsor: John Cornyn

1 cosponsor
Follow this bill

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

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

Sec. 8205. Honoring our fallen heroes

(a) Cancer-Related deaths and disabilities

(1) In general. Section 1201 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10281), as amended by section 8204, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(q) Exposure-Related cancers

(1) Definitions. In this subsection:

(A) Carcinogen. The term carcinogen means an agent that is—

(i) classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer under Group 1 or Group 2A; and

(ii) reasonably linked to an exposure-related cancer.

(B) Director. The term Director means the Director of the Bureau.

(C) Exposure-related cancer. As updated from time to time in accordance with paragraph (3), the term exposure-related cancer means—

(i) bladder cancer;

(ii) brain cancer;

(iii) breast cancer;

(iv) cervical cancer;

(v) colon cancer;

(vi) colorectal cancer;

(vii) esophageal cancer;

(viii) kidney cancer;

(ix) leukemia;

(x) lung cancer;

(xi) malignant melanoma;

(xii) mesothelioma;

(xiii) multiple myeloma;

(xiv) non-Hodgkins lymphoma;

(xv) ovarian cancer;

(xvi) prostate cancer;

(xvii) skin cancer;

(xviii) stomach cancer;

(xix) testicular cancer;

(xx) thyroid cancer;

(xxi) any form of cancer that is considered a WTC-related health condition under section 3312(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300mm–22(a)); and

(xxii) any form of cancer added to this definition pursuant to an update in accordance with paragraph (3).

(2) Personal injury sustained in the line of duty

(A) In general. Subject to subparagraph (B), as determined by the Bureau, the exposure of a public safety officer to a carcinogen shall be presumed to constitute a personal injury within the meaning of subsection (a) or (b) sustained in the line of duty by the officer and directly and proximately resulting in death or permanent and total disability, if—

(i) the exposure occurred while the public safety officer was engaged in line of duty action or activity;

(ii) the public safety officer began serving as a public safety officer not fewer than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis of the public safety officer with an exposure-related cancer;

(iii) the public safety officer was diagnosed with the exposure-related cancer not more than 15 years after the public safety officer’s last date of active service as a public safety officer; and

(iv) the exposure-related cancer directly and proximately results in the death or permanent and total disability of the public safety officer.

(B) Exception. The presumption under subparagraph (A) shall not apply if competent medical evidence establishes that the exposure of the public safety officer to the carcinogen was not a substantial contributing factor in the death or disability of the public safety officer.

(3) Additional exposure-related cancers

(A) In general. From time to time but not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Director shall—

(i) review the definition of exposure-related cancer under paragraph (1); and

(ii) if appropriate, update the definition, in accordance with this paragraph—

(I) by rule; or

(II) by publication in the Federal Register or on the public website of the Bureau.

(B) Basis for updates

(i) In general. The Director shall make an update under subparagraph (A)(ii) in any case in which the Director finds such an update to be appropriate based on competent medical evidence of significant risk to public safety officers of developing the form of exposure-related cancer that is the subject of the update from engagement in their public safety activities.

(ii) Evidence. The competent medical evidence described in clause (i) may include recommendations, risk assessments, and scientific studies by—

(I) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health;

(II) the National Toxicology Program;

(III) the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; or

(IV) the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

(C) Petitions to add to the list of exposure-related cancers

(i) In general. Any person may petition the Director to add a form of cancer to the definition of exposure-related cancer under paragraph (1).

(ii) Content of petition. A petition under clause (i) shall provide information to show that there is sufficient competent medical evidence of significant risk to public safety officers of developing the cancer from engagement in their public safety activities.

(iii) Timely and substantive decisions

(I) Referral. Not later than 180 days after receipt of a petition satisfying clause (ii), the Director shall refer the petition to appropriate medical experts for review, analysis (including risk assessment and scientific study), and recommendation.

(II) Consideration. The Director shall consider each recommendation under subclause (I) and promptly take appropriate action in connection with the recommendation pursuant to subparagraph (B).

(iv) Notification to congress. Not later than 30 days after taking any substantive action in connection with a recommendation under clause (iii)(II), the Director shall notify the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives of the substantive action.

(2) Applicability. The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to any claim under—

(A) section 1201(a) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10281(a)) that is predicated upon the death of a public safety officer on or after January 1, 2020, that is the direct and proximate result of an exposure-related cancer; or

(B) section 1201(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10281(b)) that is filed on or after January 1, 2020, and predicated upon a disability that is the direct and proximate result of an exposure-related cancer.

(3) Time for filing claim. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual who desires to file a claim that is predicated upon the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not be precluded from filing such a claim within 3 years of the date of enactment of this Act.

(b) Confidentiality of information

(1) In general. Section 812(a) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10231(a)) is amended—

(A) in the first sentence, by striking furnished under this title by any person and identifiable to any specific private person and inserting furnished under any law to any component of the Office of Justice Programs, or furnished otherwise under this title, by any entity or person, including any information identifiable to any specific private person,; and

(B) in the second sentence, by striking person furnishing such information and inserting entity or person furnishing such information or to whom such information pertains.

(2) Effective date; applicability. The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall—

(A) shall take effect for all purposes as if enacted on December 27, 1979; and

(B) apply to any matter pending, before the Department of Justice or otherwise, as of the date of enactment of this Act.

(c) Technical amendments

(1) In general. Section 1201(o)(2) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10281(o)(2)) is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting or (b) after subsection (a);

(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting or (b) after subsection (a); and

(C) in subparagraph (C), by inserting or (b) after subsection (a).

(2) Applicability. The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply to any matter pending before the Department of Justice as of the date of enactment of this Act.

(d) Technical amendments

(1) In general. Section 3 of the Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020 (34 U.S.C. 10281 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(d) Definition. In this section, the term line of duty action includes any action—

(1) in which a public safety officer engaged at the direction of the agency served by the public safety officer; or

(2) the public safety officer is authorized or obligated to perform.

(2) Applicability

(A) In general. The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to any claim under section 3 of the Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020 (34 U.S.C. 10281 note)—

(i) that is predicated upon the death of a public safety officer on or after January 1, 2020; or

(ii) that is—

(I) predicated upon the disability of a public safety officer; and

(II) filed on or after January 1, 2020.

(B) Time for filing claim. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual who desires to file a claim that is predicated upon the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not be precluded from filing such a claim within 3 years of the date of enactment of this Act.

(e) Rescission. Of the unobligated balances available in the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund (as established under section 524(c) of title 28, United States Code), $255,000,000 is hereby permanently rescinded.

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