S. 1071
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Sponsor: John Cornyn
1 cosponsor
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
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
(a) Definitions. Section 101 of title 37, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (22), by inserting , or for members of the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty, after reserve component each place it appears; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
(27) The term space force active status has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10.
(28) The term sustained duty has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10.
(b) Basic pay
(1) References to officer grades. Section 201(a) of such title is amended—
(A) by striking (1) Subject to paragraph (2), for the and inserting For the;
(B) by striking and Marine Corps in the heading of the second column of the table and inserting Marine Corps, and Space Force; and
(C) by striking paragraph (2).
(2) Applicable pay and allowances for certain space force members who are physically disabled or incur loss of earned income when not on sustained duty. Subsections (g)(1) and (h)(1) of section 204 of such title are amended by inserting , or a member of the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty, after of a reserve component of a uniformed service each place it appears.
(3) Service creditable for computation. Section 205(a)(2) of such title is amended—
(A) by transferring subparagraph (F) so as to appear after subparagraph (A);
(B) by striking subparagraph (C);
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (F), (B), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B), (D), (E), and (F), respectively; and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (B), as transferred and redesignated by subparagraphs (A) and (C) of this paragraph, the following new subparagraph:
(C) the Space Force;
(4) Inactive-duty training pay. Section 206 of such title is amended—
(A) in the section heading, by inserting ; members of the Space Force before the colon;
(B) in subsection (a) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(i) by striking Guard or a and inserting Guard, a; and
(ii) by inserting , or a member of the Space Force after uniformed service the first place it appears;
(C) in subsection (d)—
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting , by a member of the Space Force, after reserve component; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting or the Space Force, after Ready Reserve; and
(D) in subsection (e)—
(i) by striking Guard or of a and inserting Guard, a; and
(ii) by inserting , or the Space Force after uniformed services.
(5) Participation in thrift savings plan. Section 211(a)(2) of such title is amended by inserting or the Space Force after member of the Ready Reserve.
(c) Special pay, incentive pay, and bonus authorities
(1) General bonus authority for enlisted members. Section 331 of such title is amended—
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) in paragraph (4), by striking or at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(6) transfers from a regular component or reserve component of an armed force to the Space Force or from the Space Force to a regular component or reserve component of another armed force, subject to the approval of the Secretary with jurisdiction over the armed force to which the member is transferring.
; and
(B) in subsection (c)(1)—
(i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting , or in the Space Force on sustained duty under section 20105 of title 10, after in a regular component;
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting , or in the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty under section 20105 of title 10, after in a reserve component; and
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking paragraph (4) or (5) and inserting paragraph (4), (5), or (6).
(2) General bonus authority for officers. Section 332 of such title is amended—
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) in paragraph (4), by striking or at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(6) transfers from a regular component or reserve component of a uniformed service to the Space Force or from the Space Force to a regular component or reserve component of another uniformed service, subject to the approval of the Secretary with jurisdiction over the uniformed service to which the member is transferring.
; and
(B) in subsection (c)(1)—
(i) in subparagraph (C), by inserting , or in the Space Force on sustained duty under section 20105 of title 10, after in a regular component;
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting , or in the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty under section 20105 of title 10, after in a reserve component; and
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking paragraph (4) or (5) and inserting paragraph (4), (5), or (6).
(3) Special aviation incentive pay or bonus for officers. Section 334 of such title is amended—
(A) in subsections (a)(1), (b), and (h)(1), by striking in a regular or reserve component each place it appears;
(B) in subsection (b)(3), by inserting , or, in the case of an officer of the Space Force, to remain in space force active status, after in a reserve component;
(C) in subsection (e)—
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking reserve component; and
(ii) by striking A reserve component officer and inserting An officer; and
(D) in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (h), by striking regular or reserve component each place it appears.
(4) Special pays. Sections 351(a), 352(a), 353(a), and 353(b) of such title are amended by striking of a regular or reserve component each place it appears.
(5) Retention incentives for members qualified in critical military skills or assigned to high priority units. Section 355 of such title is amended—
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(I) by striking An officer or enlisted member and inserting A member; and
(II) by inserting , or a member the Space Force who is serving in space force active status, after in a reserve component; and
(ii) in paragraph (1)—
(I) by striking or to remain and inserting , to remain; and
(II) by inserting , or to remain in space force active status for at least one year before the semicolon at the end;
(B) in subsection (d)(1) in the second sentence, by inserting or a member of the Space Force not on sustained duty after reserve component member; and
(C) in subsection (e)—
(i) in paragraph (1) in the place it appears in subparagraph (A) and in the first place it appears in subparagraph (B), by striking active duty or service in an active status in a reserve component and inserting a specified form of service (or combination thereof);
(ii) in paragraphs (1)(B), (2), (3), and (4), by striking active duty or service in an active status in a reserve component for which each place it appearsand inserting service for which; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(5) In this subsection, the term specified form of service means—
(A) service on active duty;
(B) service in an active status in a reserve component; or
(C) service in the Space Force in space force active status.
(6) Continuation pay for full TSP members with 7 to 12 years of service. Section 356(b) of such title is amended—
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(i) in the second sentence, by striking or a reserve component and inserting , a member of the Space Force on sustained duty, or a member of a reserve component; and
(ii) in the third sentence, by inserting or a member of the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty after (as so defined);
(B) in paragraph (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or a member of the Space Force on sustained duty after of a regular component; and
(C) in paragraph (2)—
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or a member of the Space Force in space force active status and not on sustained duty after of a reserve component; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting or a member of the Space Force on sustained duty, respectively, after of a regular component.
(d) Administration of special pay, incentive pay, and bonus authorities
(1) Continuation of pay and allowances during certain hospitalization and rehabilitation. Section 372(a) of such title is amended by striking of a regular or reserve component.
(2) Repayment of unearned portion of bonus or special or incentive pay. Section 373(d)(2)(A) of such title is amended by striking in a regular or reserve component who remains on active duty or in an active status and inserting who remains on active duty, in an active status in a reserve component, or in space force active status.
(e) Allowances other than travel and transportation allowances. Section 416(a) of such title is amended by inserting an officer of the Space Force not on sustained duty, after of component,.
(f) Leave. Section 501 of such title is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraphs (4) and (5), by inserting , or of the Space Force, after of a reserve component each place it appears; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting , or from the Space Force, after from the reserve component; and
(2) in subsection (b)(5)—
(A) in subparagraphs (A) and (D), by inserting , or a member of the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty, after of a reserve component each place it appears; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking Regular before Space Force.
(g) Miscellaneous rights and benefits
(1) Acceptance of employment, payments, and awards from foreign governments. Section 908(a)(2) of such title is amended by inserting and members of the Space Force in space force active status not on sustained duty after of the armed forces.
(2) Involuntarily mobilized reserve component members subject to extended and frequent active duty service. Section 910 of such title is amended—
(A) in the heading, by inserting and members of the Space Force after reserve component members;
(B) in subsection (a), by inserting or of the Space Force after of the armed forces; and
(C) in subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), and (e)(1), by inserting or the Space Force after a reserve component each place it appears.
(h) Administration. Section 1002 of such title is amended—
(1) in the heading, by striking and members of National Guard and inserting ; members of the National Guard; members of the Space Force;
(2) in subsection (a)—
(A) by striking of the National Guard, or of a reserve component of a uniformed service, and inserting of a reserve component of a uniformed service, or of the Space Force; and
(B) by striking his consent and inserting the consent of the member; and
(3) in subsection (c), by inserting or the Space Force after of a reserve component.
(i) Conforming amendment to reflect change of name of Space and Missile Systems Center to Space Systems Command. Section 2273a(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and inserting Space Force Space Systems Command.
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
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