Ask AI
Public Law119th CongressArmed Forces and National Security
S. 1071Became Law

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

This bill became law

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed house (Dec 10, 2025)

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

What just happenedDec 18, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-60.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX](R-TX)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 R
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors2committees45actions17amendments114related bills331subjects
  1. Dec 18, 2025PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 119-60.

  2. Dec 18, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 119-60.

  3. Dec 18, 2025PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 18, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 18, 2025FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 18, 2025President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 18, 2025Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Dec 17, 2025ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1071 by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 648.

  9. Dec 17, 2025NotUsed20500

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1071 by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 648.

  10. Dec 17, 2025Floor

    Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 with an amendment (SA 3961) withdrawn in Senate.

  11. Dec 17, 2025Floor

    Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered).

  12. Dec 16, 2025Floor

    Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S8749)

  13. Dec 15, 2025Floor

    Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S8707-8708)

  14. Dec 15, 2025Floor

    Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Armed Services the House message to accompany S. 1071 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3963) fell when cloture was invoked on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 in Senate.

    Armed Services Committee
  15. Dec 15, 2025Floor

    Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 76 - 20. Record Vote Number: 647. (CR S8707)

  16. Dec 11, 2025Floor

    Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Armed Services the House message to accompany S. 1071 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3963) made in Senate. (CR S8656)

    Armed Services Committee
  17. Dec 11, 2025Floor

    Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 with an amendment (SA 3961) made in Senate. (CR S8656)

  18. Dec 11, 2025Floor

    Cloture motion on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 presented in Senate. (CR S8655-8656)

  19. Dec 11, 2025Floor

    Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 made in Senate. (CR S8655)

  20. Dec 11, 2025Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S8655-8656)

  21. Dec 11, 2025Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of the House message to accompany S. 1071 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 75 - 22. Record Vote Number: 646. (CR S8655)

  22. Dec 10, 2025Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

  23. Dec 10, 2025FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  24. Dec 10, 2025FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 112 (Roll no. 320). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5136-5510)

  25. Dec 10, 2025Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 112 (Roll no. 320). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5136-5510)

  26. Dec 10, 2025FloorH36210

    On motion to commit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 216 (Roll no. 319).

    Armed Services Committee
  27. Dec 10, 2025FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5519-5520)

  28. Dec 10, 2025FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 1071, the Chair put the question on motion to commit and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Norcross demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  29. Dec 10, 2025FloorH8A000

    The previous question on the motion to commit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

  30. Dec 10, 2025FloorH36200

    Mr. Norcross moved to commit to the Committee on Armed Services. (text: CR H5518)

    Armed Services Committee
  31. Dec 10, 2025FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  32. Dec 10, 2025FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 1071.

  33. Dec 10, 2025FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.

  34. Dec 10, 2025FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 936. (consideration: CR H5136-5518)

  35. Dec 10, 2025FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 936 passed House.

  36. Dec 9, 2025FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 936 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.

  37. Aug 8, 2025FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  38. Aug 8, 2025FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  39. Aug 8, 2025Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  40. Aug 1, 2025Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5475; text: CR S5475)

  41. Aug 1, 2025Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  42. Aug 1, 2025Discharge

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  43. Aug 1, 2025Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  44. Mar 14, 2025IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  45. Mar 14, 2025IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed HouseDec 10, 202553

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

Introduced in SenateMar 14, 2025

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, after notifying his next of kin. The VA must relinquish the remains to the next of kin or, if no next of kin responds to the notification, arrange for the disposition of the remains. Cota was interred prior to the enactment of regulations that would have barred his interment due to a 1975 rape conviction.