S. 1071

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

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

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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

Sec. 6001. Short title; table of contents

(a) Short title. This division may be cited as the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

(b) Table of contents. The table of contents for this division is as follows: Sec. 6001. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 6002. Definitions. Sec. 6003. Explanatory statement. Title LXI—Intelligence Activities Sec. 6101. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 6102. Classified schedule of authorizations. Sec. 6103. Intelligence Community Management Account. Title LXII—Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Sec. 6201. Authorization of appropriations. Title LXIII—Intelligence Community Matters Sec. 6301. Restriction on conduct of intelligence activities. Sec. 6302. Increase in employee compensation and benefits authorized by law. Sec. 6303. Notice of impact of diplomatic and consular post closings on intelligence community. Sec. 6304. Unauthorized access to intelligence community property. Sec. 6305. Annual survey of analytic objectivity among officers and employees of elements of the intelligence community. Sec. 6306. Annual training requirement and report regarding analytic standards. Sec. 6307. Prohibiting discrimination in the intelligence community. Sec. 6308. Estimate of cost to ensure compliance with Intelligence Community Directive 705. Sec. 6309. Plan for implementing an integrated system spanning the intelligence community for accreditation of sensitive compartmented information facilities. Sec. 6310. Reforms relating to inactive security clearances. Title LXIV—Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness Sec. 6401. Short title. Sec. 6402. Modification of responsibilities and authorities of the Director of National Intelligence. Sec. 6403. Plan for optimized staffing of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Sec. 6404. National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center. Sec. 6405. Termination of Office of Engagement. Title LXV—Matters Relating to Elements of the Intelligence Community Subtitle A—Central Intelligence Agency Sec. 6501. Guidance on novel and significant expenditures for purposes of notification under the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949. Sec. 6502. Improvements to security of Central Intelligence Agency installations. Sec. 6503. Annual Central Intelligence Agency workplace climate assessment. Sec. 6504. Chaplain Corps and Chief of Chaplains of the Central Intelligence Agency. Sec. 6505. Technical amendment to procurement authorities of Central Intelligence Agency. Subtitle B—Elements of Department of Defense Sec. 6511. Counterintelligence briefings for members of the Armed Forces. Subtitle C—Federal Bureau of Investigation Sec. 6521. Notice of counterintelligence assessments and investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of candidates for or holders of Federal office. Sec. 6522. Notification of material changes to policies or procedures governing terrorist watchlist and transnational organized crime watchlist. Sec. 6523. Annual report on United States persons on the terrorist watch list. Sec. 6524. Annual report on Federal Bureau of Investigation case data. Title LXVI—Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies Subtitle A—Artificial Intelligence Sec. 6601. Artificial Intelligence security guidance. Sec. 6602. Artificial intelligence development and usage by intelligence community. Sec. 6603. Application of artificial intelligence policies of the intelligence community to publicly available models hosted in classified environments. Sec. 6604. Prohibition on use of DeepSeek on intelligence community systems. Subtitle B—Biotechnology Sec. 6611. Senior officials for biotechnology. Sec. 6612. Plan on enhanced intelligence sharing relating to foreign adversary biotechnological threats. Sec. 6613. Enhancing biotechnology talent within the intelligence community. Sec. 6614. Enhanced intelligence community support to secure United States biological data. Sec. 6615. Ensuring intelligence community procurement of domestic United States production of synthetic DNA and RNA. Sec. 6616. Strategy for addressing intelligence gaps relating to China’s investment in United States-origin biotechnology. Subtitle C—Other matters Sec. 6621. Enhancing intelligence community technology adoption metrics. Sec. 6622. Report on identification of intelligence community sites for advanced nuclear technologies. Sec. 6623. Strategy on intelligence coordination and sharing relating to critical and emerging technologies. Title LXVII—Matters Relating to Foreign Countries Subtitle A—Matters Relating to China Sec. 6701. Modification of annual reports on influence operations and campaigns in the United States by the Chinese Communist Party. Sec. 6702. Intelligence sharing with allies on Chinese Communist Party efforts in Europe. Sec. 6703. Prohibition on intelligence community contracting with Chinese military companies engaged in biotechnology research, development, or manufacturing. Sec. 6704. Report on the wealth of the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. Sec. 6705. Assessment and report on investments by the People’s Republic of China in the agriculture sector of Brazil. Sec. 6706. Identification of entities that provide support to the People’s Liberation Army. Sec. 6707. Mission manager for the People’s Republic of China. Sec. 6708. National Intelligence Estimate of advancements in biotechnology by the People’s Republic of China. Subtitle B—Other Matters Sec. 6711. Improvements to requirement for monitoring of Iranian enrichment of uranium-235. Sec. 6712. Policy toward certain agents of foreign governments. Sec. 6713. Extension of intelligence community coordinator for Russian atrocities accountability. Sec. 6714. Plan to enhance intelligence support to counter foreign influence intended to continue or expand the conflict in Sudan. Sec. 6715. Review of information relating to actions by foreign governments to assist persons evading justice. Sec. 6716. National Intelligence Estimate on the Western Hemisphere. Sec. 6717. Plan to enhance counternarcotics collaboration, coordination, and cooperation with the Government of Mexico. Sec. 6718. Requirements with respect to duty to warn former senior officials and other United States persons. Title LXVIII—Reports and Other Matters Sec. 6801. Modification and repeal of reporting requirements. Sec. 6802. Revisions to congressional notification of intelligence collection adjustments. Sec. 6803. Declassification of intelligence and additional transparency measures relating to the COVID–19 pandemic. Sec. 6804. Classified intelligence budget justification materials and submission of intelligence community drug control resource summary. Sec. 6805. Requiring penetration testing as part of the testing and certification of voting systems. Sec. 6806. Standard guidelines for intelligence community to report and document anomalous health incidents.

(c) Automatic execution of clerical changes. Except as otherwise expressly provided, when an amendment made by this division amends an Act to add a section or larger organizational unit to that Act, repeals or transfers a section or larger organizational unit in that Act, or amends the designation or heading of a section or larger organizational unit in that Act, that amendment also shall have the effect of amending any table of contents of that Act to alter the table to conform to the changes made by the amendment.

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