National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Where it stands
- Introduced7/15/25
- Passed SenatePassed 10/9/25
- House
- President
- Law
Passed the Senate with an amendment 77–20 on October 9, 2025 (Roll Call 570 →). Received in the House on November 12, 2025.
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Roll calls on this bill
- Democratic26 Yea · 18 Nay · 1 Not voting
- Republican50 Yea · 1 Nay · 2 Not voting
- Independent / Other1 Yea · 1 Nay · 0 Not voting
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.
0
7/15/25
What happens next
The House must pass the same text, then it goes to the President.
If it isn't enacted by Jan 3, 2027, it expires when the 119th Congress ends.
All actions (34)
- 3/5/25Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-75, pt. 3.
- 4/8/25Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-75, pt. 5.
- 4/9/25Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-75, pt. 8.
- 4/9/25Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-75, pt. 6.
- 7/15/25Introduced in Senate
- 7/15/25Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Wicker. With written report No. 119-39.
- 7/15/25Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 115.
- 7/15/25An errata sheet on written report No. 119-39 was printed.
- 8/2/25Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S5522)
- 8/2/25Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S5522)
- 9/2/25Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S5539)
- 9/2/25Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 14. Record Vote Number: 500. (CR S5544)
- 9/3/25Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S5989)
- 9/4/25Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S6050)
- 9/4/25Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 83 - 13. Record Vote Number: 503. (CR S6054)
- 9/4/25Measure laid before Senate by motion.
- 9/10/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6512)
- 9/10/25Motion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3866) made in Senate. (text: CR S6512)
- 9/11/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6561)
- 9/16/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6625)
- 9/17/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6667)
- 9/19/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6781-6784)
- 9/29/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6805-6813)
- 9/30/25Considered by Senate.
- 10/1/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6889-6893)
- 10/6/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6943-6944)
- 10/8/25Considered by Senate.
- 10/9/25Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7062-7087)
- 10/9/25Motion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3866) withdrawn in Senate.
- 10/9/25Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate under the order of 10/9/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 570.
- 10/9/25Passed Senate under the order of 10/9/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 570.
- 11/10/25Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 11/12/25Received in the House.
- 11/12/25Held at the desk.