S. 1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

119th Congress · introduced 2025-03-14 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Became Public Law No: 119-60.

AI-relatedfederal

Official title

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Plain summary

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 .

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] · 1 cosponsors

Money: CBO cost estimate: Estimated Changes in Direct Spending Under S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (2025-12-09) No linked contracts or vendors yet.

Recorded votes

House roll call 319 (2025): On Motion to Commit, S 1071 (2025-12-10): Failed
House roll call 320 (2025): On Passage, S 1071 (2025-12-10): Passed
Senate vote 646 (2025): On the Motion to Proceed, S1071 (2025-12-11): Motion to Proceed Agreed to
Senate vote 647 (2025): On the Cloture Motion, S1071 (2025-12-15): Cloture Motion Agreed to
Senate vote 648 (2025): On the Motion, S1071 (2025-12-17): Motion Agreed to

Words on this page, explained (3)

Artificial intelligence (AI): Computer systems that do tasks that usually need human judgment, such as recognizing images, understanding language or making predictions. Laws about AI often cover how it is used, tested, disclosed or limited.
Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-119s1071.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119/s>

Record fed-us-cong119-s1071 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills