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

Sec. 836. Voluntary registration of compliance with covered sourcing requirements for covered products

(a) In general. Not later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall establish and maintain a publicly available online repository of information provided by an offeror related to the compliance of a covered product with covered sourcing requirements.

(b) Registration and attestation process. In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall establish a process under which an offeror may voluntarily submit to the Secretary an attestation relating to the compliance of a covered product with a covered sourcing requirement. Such attestation shall—

(1) require an offeror to acknowledge liability for making a false attestation in accordance with section 3729 of title 31, United States Code; and

(2) enable an offeror to register a covered product with the Secretary of Defense by providing—

(A) a unique product identifier sufficient to distinguish the covered product to be registered from a similar covered product;

(B) a national stock number (if available), a description of the covered product, or other information related to the form, fit, or function of the covered product; and

(C) an attestation, including relevant documentation, of the compliance of a covered product with one or more covered sourcing requirements.

(c) Proof of registration. The Secretary of Defense shall issue to an offeror that registers a covered product in accordance with the process established under subsection (b) a proof of registration associated with a unique product identifier of the covered product.

(d) Availability of Information

(1) Compliance information. The Secretary of Defense shall make available the information necessary to enable offerors to assess the compliance of a covered product with a covered sourcing requirement.

(2) Resources. The Secretary shall ensure that an eligible entity has adequate resources to train offerors about the requirements of this section and to assist an offeror with the registration and attestation process established under subsection (b).

(e) Encouraging Registration of Products. The Secretary of Defense shall establish policies and procedures to encourage offerors to register covered products. These policies and procedures shall ensure that—

(1) offerors are incentivized to disclose any noncompliance with the requirements of this section, with the goal of expanding the number of vendors with products qualified for use by the Department of Defense;

(2) with respect to any disclosure made under paragraph (1), that such offeror is provided with information and assistance to determine the actions required to remedy such noncompliance in order to meet the criteria to register the product concerned; and

(3) an offeror making such a disclosure will receive a referral to the appropriate programs or offices of the Department of Defense that are responsible for strengthening the defense industrial base, promoting domestic industry, and accelerating private investment in supply chain technologies that are critical for national security.

(f) Briefings

(1) Initial briefing. Not later than May 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing on—

(A) the process established under subsection (b) to allow an offeror to voluntarily submit an attestation of compliance of a covered product in the repository; and

(B) the progress made in establishing the repository required by subsection (a).

(2) Interim briefing

(A) In general. Not later than May 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives an interim briefing on the establishment of the repository required by subsection (a), the number and types of the contractors seeking to register covered products in such repository and volunteering to submit attestations for compliance with sourcing requirements under the process established under subsection (b).

(B) Contents. The briefing required by subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment of the feasibility of using the repository required by subsection (a) to also serve as a common platform for information routinely required for supplier onboarding, qualification, or due diligence review by the Department of Defense or a prime contractor of the Department, including—

(i) business registration, Data Universal Numbering System number, Commercial and Government Entity code and federal tax identification number;

(ii) ownership and corporate structure, including any parent company or subsidiaries;

(iii) country of ownership;

(iv) small business size classification and North American Industry Classification System code, if applicable; and

(v) compliance certifications, including certifications for cybersecurity, trade and export controls, anti-corruption policy, and traceability practices.

(3) Final briefing. Not later than April 1, 2029, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a final briefing on the success of the repository required under subsection (a) and the process established under subsection (b), including participation statistics and whether or not the Secretary will continue to maintain the repository.

(g) Definitions. In this section:

(1) The term covered product means a good offered for purchase to the Secretary of Defense or as an item of supply for a contractor performing on a contract with the Department of Defense—

(A) by—

(i) a small business concern (as defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)); or

(ii) a manufacturer of critical readiness items of supply (as defined in section 1733 of title 10, United States Code); and

(B) that is subject to a covered sourcing requirement.

(2) The term covered sourcing requirement means a requirement under any of the following:

(A) Section 4863 of title 10, United States Code.

(B) Section 4862 of title 10, United States Code.

(C) Section 4864 of title 10, United States Code.

(D) Chapter 83 of title 41, United States Code.

(3) The term eligible entity means an eligible entity carrying out activities pursuant to a procurement technical assistance program funded under chapter 388 of title 10, United States Code.

(4) The term item of supply has the meaning given such term in section 108 of title 41, United States Code.

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