National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Plain English Summary
AI-generated# National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — Plain-English Summary
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 is the annual bill that Congress passes to set the budget, policies, and priorities for the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security programs for the upcoming fiscal year. It authorizes how much money can be spent on military operations, weapons systems, troop pay and benefits, equipment maintenance, research and development of new technologies, and construction of military facilities. It also typically addresses personnel matters such as military pay raises, housing allowances, healthcare for service members and their families, and the overall size of the armed forces. This bill has been signed into law by the President.
Beyond setting spending levels, the NDAA usually includes a wide range of policy provisions that shape how the military and defense agencies operate. These can cover topics like cybersecurity strategy, countering foreign threats, military readiness, support for allies and partners abroad, rules governing defense contracts, and oversight of how the Pentagon manages its resources. It may also address quality-of-life issues for military families, update the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and set guidelines for emerging areas like artificial intelligence or space operations.
The bill affects a broad cross-section of Americans. Active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard troops, military retirees, veterans, and their families are most directly impacted through changes to pay, benefits, and working conditions. Defense contractors and their employees are affected by decisions about which programs receive funding. Taxpayers more broadly have a stake because the NDAA typically authorizes hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending, making it one of the largest annual pieces of legislation. Communities near military bases may also feel effects from decisions about construction projects or base operations.
This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 119-60.
December 18, 2025
Sponsor
Legislative History
Became Public Law No: 119-60.
Dec 18, 2025Became Public Law No: 119-60.
Dec 18, 2025Signed by President.
Dec 18, 2025Signed by President.
Dec 18, 2025Presented to President.
Dec 18, 2025Presented to President.
Dec 18, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 18, 2025Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1071 by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 648.
Dec 17, 2025Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1071 by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 648.
Dec 17, 2025Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 with an amendment (SA 3961) withdrawn in Senate.
Dec 17, 2025Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered).
Dec 17, 2025Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S8749)
Dec 16, 2025Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S8707-8708)
Dec 15, 2025Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Armed Services the House message to accompany S. 1071 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3963) fell when cloture was invoked on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 in Senate.
Dec 15, 2025Cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 76 - 20. Record Vote Number: 647. (CR S8707)
Dec 15, 2025Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Armed Services the House message to accompany S. 1071 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3963) made in Senate. (CR S8656)
Dec 11, 2025Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 with an amendment (SA 3961) made in Senate. (CR S8656)
Dec 11, 2025Cloture motion on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 presented in Senate. (CR S8655-8656)
Dec 11, 2025Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071 made in Senate. (CR S8655)
Dec 11, 2025Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S8655-8656)
Dec 11, 2025Motion to proceed to consideration of the House message to accompany S. 1071 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 75 - 22. Record Vote Number: 646. (CR S8655)
Dec 11, 2025Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Dec 10, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 10, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 112 (Roll no. 320). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5136-5510)
Dec 10, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 112 (Roll no. 320). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5136-5510)
Dec 10, 2025On motion to commit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 216 (Roll no. 319).
Dec 10, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5519-5520)
Dec 10, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 1071, the Chair put the question on motion to commit and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Norcross demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Dec 10, 2025The previous question on the motion to commit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Dec 10, 2025Mr. Norcross moved to commit to the Committee on Armed Services. (text: CR H5518)
Dec 10, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Dec 10, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 1071.
Dec 10, 2025Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.
Dec 10, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 936. (consideration: CR H5136-5518)
Dec 10, 2025Rule H. Res. 936 passed House.
Dec 10, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 936 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.
Dec 9, 2025Held at the desk.
Aug 8, 2025Received in the House.
Aug 8, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Aug 8, 2025Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5475; text: CR S5475)
Aug 1, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Aug 1, 2025Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Aug 1, 2025Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Aug 1, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 14, 2025Introduced in Senate
Mar 14, 2025