National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Senate: Active Legislation

Published December 18th, 2025

Detected February 26th, 2026

Summary

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 has become Public Law No: 119-60. This act establishes policies and authorities for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy national security programs, Department of State, Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community for FY2026. It covers a wide range of areas including procurement, personnel, acquisitions, cyber operations, and international relations.

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What changed

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (S.1071) has officially become law, designated as Public Law No: 119-60, effective December 18, 2025. This comprehensive legislation sets forth the policies and funding authorizations for various US federal agencies, primarily the Department of Defense (DOD), for the upcoming fiscal year. Key provisions include authorizations for procurement of aircraft, ships, and missiles; establishment of personnel strength levels; policies on military healthcare and compensation; DOD acquisition and contracting authorities; cyber operations and artificial intelligence; and international defense cooperation. It also addresses military construction projects and policies for the Department of Energy's national security programs, the Department of State, the Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community.

This new law imposes binding requirements and establishes new policies across multiple operational domains, including defense, energy, state, and intelligence. Regulated entities, particularly those involved in government contracting, defense manufacturing, and technology sectors supporting national security, must review the detailed provisions to ensure compliance with new acquisition rules, sourcing requirements, and operational mandates. While specific compliance deadlines for all provisions are not detailed in this summary, the act's enactment signifies immediate policy changes that will impact agency operations and contractor obligations. Failure to comply with the directives within this act could lead to significant contractual and legal ramifications.

What to do next

Review S.1071 for specific provisions impacting defense procurement and contracting.
Assess impact of new policies on military personnel, healthcare, and compensation structures.
Evaluate changes related to cyber operations, artificial intelligence, and domestic sourcing requirements.

Source document (simplified)

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S.1071 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 119th Congress (2025-2026) |

Law

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| Sponsor: | Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (Introduced 03/14/2025) |
| --- | --- |
| Committees: | Senate - Veterans' Affairs |
| Committee Meetings: | 12/09/25 4:00PM |
| Committee Prints: | H.Prt. 119-16 |
| Latest Action: | 12/18/2025 Became Public Law No: 119-60. (All Actions) |
| Roll Call Votes: | There have been 5 roll call votes |
| Tracker: Tip | This bill has the status Became Law

Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed House
Resolving Differences
To President
Became Law |

Subject — Policy Area:

Armed Forces and National Security
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Summary: S.1071 — 119th Congress (2025-2026) All Information (Except Text)

Listen There are 2 summaries for S.1071. Passed House (12/10/2025) Introduced in Senate (03/14/2025) Bill summaries are authored by CRS.

Shown Here:

Passed House (12/10/2025)

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
In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA, and
In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process.