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
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
(a) Application of authorities. Chapter 3061 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
IV Application of authorities and standards to historic military housing and associated properties
306141. Application of certain authorities and standards to historic military housing and associated historic properties of the Department of the Army
(a) Application of certain authority to Capehart and Wherry era Army military family housing. The Secretary of the Army, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled Program Comment for Capehart and Wherry Era Army Family Housing and Associated Structures and Landscape Features (1949–1962) (published on June 7, 2002) (67 Fed. Reg. 39332) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed during the period beginning on January 1, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1948, located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army.
(b) Temporary application of certain authority to vietnam war era army military housing. During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Military Construction Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (division B of Public Law 118–159) and ending on December 31, 2045, the Secretary of the Army, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled Program Comment for Vietnam War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1963–1975) (published on May 4, 2023) (88 Fed. Reg. 28573) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed after 1975 located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army.
(c) Report. As part of each report of the Army required under section 3(c) of Executive Order 13287 (54 U.S.C. 306101 note), the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a report on the implementation of this section.
(d) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude or require the amendment of the documents of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment described in subsection (a) and (b) by the Secretary of the Army or the chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
306142. Application of certain authorities and standards to historic military housing and associated historic properties of the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Air Force
(a) Application of certain authority to Navy and Air Force military family housing. The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the documents titled Department of the Army Program Comment for the Preservation of Pre-1919 Historic Army Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (published on June 13, 2024) (89 Fed. Reg. 50350), Department of the Army Program Comment for Inter-War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1919–1940) (published on October 13, 2020) (85 Fed. Reg. 64491), and Department of the Army Program Comment for Vietnam War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1963–1975) (published on May 4, 2023) (88 Fed. Reg. 28573) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed during the applicable periods.
(b) Application of certain authority to inter-war era historic housing. The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled Department of the Army Program Comment for Inter-War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1919–1940) (published on October 13, 2020) (85 Fed. Reg. 64491) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed during the period beginning on January 1, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1948, located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy or the Secretary of the Air Force.
(c) Temporary application of certain authority to Vietnam War era Navy and Air Force military housing. During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 and ending on December 31, 2045, the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled Department of the Army Program Comment for Vietnam War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1963–1975) (published on May 4, 2023) (88 Fed. Reg. 28573) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed after 1975 located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy or the Secretary of the Air Force.
(b) Revision of authorities and standards
(1) Revision of authority relating to Navy and Air Force military family housing. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation shall revise the authorities and standards contained in the documents specified in section 306142(a) of title 54, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), if determined to be necessary, to provide the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force authority and standards for the treatment of military housing under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned, including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, constructed during the applicable periods of such documents that are equivalent to the authority and standards applicable to housing, associated buildings and structures, and landscape features contained in such documents as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Revision of authority relating to inter-war era historic housing. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation shall revise the authorities and standards contained in the document specified in section 306142(b) of title 54, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), if determined to be necessary, to include military housing, including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, constructed during the period beginning on January 1, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1948, located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy or the Secretary of the Air Force.
(3) Revision of authority relating to Vietnam War era Navy and Air Force military housing. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation shall revise the authorities and standards contained in the document specified in section 306142(c) of title 54, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), if determined to be necessary, to provide the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force authority and standards for the treatment of military housing under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned, including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, constructed after 1975 that are equivalent to the standards applicable to housing, associated buildings and structures, and landscape features contained in that document as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Reports. The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force shall adhere to any reporting requirements contained in any program comments revised under subsection (b).
(d) Conforming repeal. Section 2839 of title 10, United States Code, is repealed.
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