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
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
Where this section came from
Not in the first version (Introduced in Senate, Mar 14, 2025).
-
Dec 10, 2025 · Engrossed Amendment House H.Amdt. 116: Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 936, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 119-16 is considered adopted. Official page › H.Res. 936: On Ordering the Previous Question — Passed, 216–210 · Roll Call 317 H.Res. 936: On Agreeing to the Resolution — Passed, 215–211 · Roll Call 318 On Motion to Commit — Failed, 209–216 · Roll Call 319On Passage — Passed, 312–112 · Roll Call 320
What does "considered adopted" mean?
When a chamber approves a rule that says a change is "considered adopted", the change becomes part of the bill as soon as the rule passes, without a separate vote on the change itself.
(a) Establishment
(1) In general. Not later than April 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a steering committee on advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
(2) Designation. The steering committee established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the Artificial Intelligence Futures Steering Committee (in this section the Steering Committee).
(b) Membership. The Steering Committee shall be composed of the following:
(1) The Deputy Secretary of Defense.
(2) The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
(3) The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.
(4) The Vice Chief of Staff of Naval Operations.
(5) The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
(6) The Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
(7) The Vice Chief of Space Operations.
(8) The Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
(9) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
(10) The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
(11) The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.
(12) The Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer.
(13) Such representatives from the military departments as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(14) The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the Department of Defense.
(15) Representatives of such innovation centers within the defense innovation ecosystem as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate.
(16) Representatives of such other organizations and elements of the Department of Defense as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(c) Co-chairpersons. The Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall serve as the co-chairs of the Steering Committee.
(d) Responsibilities. The Steering Committee shall be responsible for—
(1) formulating a proactive policy for the evaluation, adoption, governance, and risk mitigation of advanced artificial intelligence systems by the Department of Defense that are more advanced than any existing advanced artificial intelligence systems, including advanced artificial intelligence systems that approach or achieve artificial general intelligence;
(2) analyzing the forecasted trajectory of advanced and emerging artificial intelligence models and enabling technologies across multiple time horizons that could enable artificial general intelligence, including—
(A) current and emerging artificial intelligence models, including frontier and world models;
(B) agentic algorithms;
(C) neuromorphic computing;
(D) cognitive science applications for the development of artificial intelligence algorithms or models;
(E) infrastructure needs for infrastructure required to support the deployment of new or emerging artificial intelligence systems at a scale projected necessary for future capacity;
(F) new or emerging microelectronics designs or architectures; and
(G) such other technologies as the Steering Committee determines appropriate;
(3) assess the possible technological, operational, and doctrinal trajectories of adversaries of the United States with respect to the uses of artificial intelligence capabilities by such adversaries across various time horizons, including any pursuit or development by such adversaries of artificial general intelligence;
(4) analyzing the potential operational effects of integrating advanced or general purpose artificial intelligence into networks and systems of the Department of Defense from a technical, doctrinal, training, and resourcing perspective to better understand and assess how use of such networks and systems by the Department of Defense may affect future commanders of operational commands;
(5) developing a strategy for the risk-informed adoption, governance, and oversight of advanced or general purpose artificial intelligence by the Department, including—
(A) articulation of ethical, policy, and technical guardrails to maintain, to the extent practical, appropriate human decision making in and prevent the misuse of such advanced or general purpose artificial intelligence;
(B) an assessment of potential effects on commanders of operational commands, including effects related to maintaining oversight of mission command when using artificial intelligence and the capability for humans to override artificial intelligence through technical, policy, or other operational controls;
(C) broad resource requirements for artificial intelligence, including funding, personnel, and infrastructure; and
(D) measurable goals to support Department-level decision making on resourcing, programming and budgeting; and
(6) analyzing the threat landscape associated with the use of advanced artificial intelligence, including artificial general intelligence, by adversaries of the United States and developing options and counter-artificial intelligence strategies to defend against such use.
(e) Meeting frequency. The Steering Committee shall meet not less frequently than once every three months.
(f) Report
(1) In general. Not later than January 31, 2027, the Deputy Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the findings of the Steering Committee with respect to the matters described in subsection (d).
(2) Form of report. The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
(3) Public availability. The Deputy Secretary of Defense shall make available to the public the unclassified portion of the report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).
(g) Sunset. The requirements and authorities of this section shall terminate on December 31, 2027.
(h) Definitions. In this section:
(1) The term artificial intelligence has the meaning given such term in 238(g) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. note prec. 4061).
(2) The term innovation ecosystem means a regionally based network of private sector, academic, and government institutions in a network of formal and informal institutional relationships that contribute to technological and economic development in a defined technology sector or sectors.
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