National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

This law establishes policies and authorities for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Defense, the Department of State, the Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community. It authorizes the procurement of military equipment such as aircraft and ships, sets personnel strength levels for active duty and reserve components, and dictates policy for military health care and compensation. Additionally, the act manages defense acquisitions, cyber operations, and national security programs within the Department of Energy.

This bill affects active duty and reserve component military personnel through established strength levels and policies regarding compensation and health care. It impacts federal agencies including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of State, the Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community. Additionally, the legislation affects merchant mariners, defense contractors involved in the procurement of military equipment, and entities involved in the National Nuclear Security Administration and Maritime Administration.

• Authorization of military procurement and personnel levels. The bill authorizes the procurement of aircraft, ships, and missiles while establishing active duty and reserve component personnel strength levels for the fiscal year.
• Defense acquisition and domestic sourcing policies. The legislation sets policies for Department of Defense acquisitions and management, including specific regulations for contracting authorities and domestic sourcing requirements.
• National security and nuclear energy programs. The bill authorizes activities for the National Nuclear Security Administration and Department of Energy national security programs, alongside authorizations for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and Naval Petroleum Reserves.
• Foreign relations and cyber operations. The bill establishes policies for Department of Defense interactions with foreign nations, including Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific, and addresses cyber operations, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
• Military construction and infrastructure. The act authorizes specific military construction projects and extends the authorization for certain projects previously approved in prior fiscal years.
• Interagency policies for State, Coast Guard, and Intelligence. The bill sets organizational and workforce policies for the State Department, acquisition and personnel policies for the Coast Guard, and artificial intelligence and biotechnology policies for the Intelligence Community.

• Estimated Changes in Direct Spending Under S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
  Dec 9, 2025 · Rules Committee Print 119-16, As Posted on the Website of the House Committee on Rules on December 7, 2025

The bill establishes policies and authorities for fiscal year 2026. It also includes extensions for the authorization of certain military construction projects from previous fiscal years.

The bill extends authorizations for certain military construction projects from previous fiscal years and sets policies for established federal entities, including the Department of Defense, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Maritime Administration. It also modifies existing acquisition, personnel, and safety policies for the Coast Guard, the Department of State, and the Intelligence Community.

This bill establishes policies and authorities for fiscal year 2026 regarding Department of Defense programs, military construction, and national security initiatives within the Department of Energy. It aims to manage military personnel levels, procurement of defense equipment, and various operations related to cybersecurity, intelligence, and international relations.