S. 2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

119th Congress · introduced 2025-07-15 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Held at the desk.

federal

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). It also authorizes the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for FY2026. The bill authorizes appropriations but it does not provide budget authority, which is provided by appropriations legislation. Among other elements, the bill authorizes the procurement of various items, including aircraft, ships, and missiles; authorizes active duty and reserve component personnel strength levels; authorizes specified military construction projects and extends the authorization of certain projects from previous fiscal years; requires DOD to develop a strategy on the national security implications of emerging biotechnologies; requires the Navy to implement certain processes to improve the material condition and combat readiness of Navy surface ships maintained and repaired at private shipyards; extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (an initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense posture, assure allies and partners, and increase capability and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region) through FY2026; and repeals various statutory provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within DOD, including a provision establishing the position of Chief Diversity Officer of DOD. 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 (Reported to Senate), 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 (Reported to Senate)

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. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] · 0 cosponsors

Money: CBO cost estimate: Estimated Changes in Direct Spending Under S. 2296, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (2025-09-03); CBO cost estimate: Budgetary Determination for Section 1564 of S. 2296, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, as Passed by the Senate on October 9, 2025 (2025-12-05) No linked contracts or vendors yet.

Recorded votes

Senate vote 500 (2025): On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed, S2296 (2025-09-02): Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to
Senate vote 503 (2025): On the Motion to Proceed, S2296 (2025-09-04): Motion to Proceed Agreed to
Senate vote 512 (2025): On the Motion to Table, S2296 (2025-09-10): Motion to Table Agreed to
Senate vote 569 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 564 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 568 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 565 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 562 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 563 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 570 (2025): On Passage of the Bill, S2296 (2025-10-09): Bill Passed
Senate vote 566 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 567 (2025): On the Amendment, S2296 (2025-10-09): Amendment Rejected

Words on this page, explained (4)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
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.
Statute: A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-119s2296.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119/s>

Record fed-us-cong119-s2296 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills