National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov