National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
July 15, 2025
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Where This Stands
Currently passed_chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Signed.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
This legislation dictates the annual budget and operational mandates for the U.S. military, directly impacting defense spending levels, the development of new weapons systems, and the cleanup of PFAS chemicals in communities near military sites.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Military personnel
The bill prescribes military personnel strengths and authorizes funding for their activities and equipment.
Communities near military installations
Residents with private water sources contaminated by military-related PFAS may receive bottled water under new requirements.
Institutions of higher education
Universities conducting Department of Defense-funded research face new prohibitions on contracts with certain foreign entities.
Defense contractors
Companies involved in procurement and research programs are subject to new limitations, reporting requirements, and funding authorizations.
Current stage: passed_chamber.
Signed.
Summary
Key Facts
- Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Defense, military construction, and Department of Energy national security activities.
- Mandates specific procurement strategies for Army tactical vehicles, Columbia-class submarines, and Medium Landing Ships.
- Prohibits the retirement of A-10 aircraft and modifies restrictions on retiring F-15E aircraft.
- Establishes a Biotechnology Management Office and a new Department of Defense biotechnology strategy.
- Requires the Department of Defense to provide bottled water to communities with private drinking water contaminated by PFAS chemicals resulting from military activities.
- Repeals the temporary moratorium on the incineration of PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl substances, and aqueous film-forming foam by the Department of Defense.
- Authorizes the Department of Defense to destroy or dispose of PFAS and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
- Requires the Department of Defense to support training on wildfire prevention and response.
- Prohibits contracts between certain foreign entities and institutions of higher education that conduct Department of Defense-funded research.
- Directs the creation of a roadmap for Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
- Establishes accountability matrices for the B-21 bomber aircraft program.
Why It Matters
This legislation dictates the annual budget and operational mandates for the U.S. military, directly impacting defense spending levels, the development of new weapons systems, and the cleanup of PFAS chemicals in communities near military sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bill affect local water quality?
What happens to the A-10 aircraft under this bill?
How is the bill organized?
News Coverage
Lobbying Activity
A16Z Capital Management LLC (f/k/a AH Capital Management L.L.C., d/b/a Andreessen Horowitz)
on behalf of A16Z Capital Management LLC (f/k/a AH Capital Management L.L.C.)
2026
“Digital assets and anti-money laundering proposals”
1607 STRATEGIES, LLC
on behalf of BMO Financial Corp.
2026
“Issues relating to capital requirements under Basel III. Issues related to capital requirements for global systemically important banks. Issues related to foreign banks and banking. Registration requirements for foreign companies in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (PL-118-31). ”
1607 STRATEGIES, LLC
on behalf of BMO Financial Corp.
2026
“Issues relating to capital requirements under Basel III. Issues related to capital requirements for global systemically important banks. Issues related to foreign banks and banking. Registration requirements for foreign companies in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (PL-118-31). ”
TANAGRA ENTERPRISES LLC
on behalf of STAR CATCHER INDUSTRIES
LIZ WILLIAMS AND COMPANY
on behalf of OLIN WINCHESTER
KOUNTOUPES DENHAM CARR & REID, LLC
on behalf of ECKERD CONNECTS
VENABLE LLP
on behalf of INFOBLOX
LIBERTY GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
on behalf of DJI TECHNOLOGY, INC.
WESTMORELAND160, LLC
on behalf of RAVIAN
Voting Record
Total
97
Yes
77
No
20
Present
0
Not Voting
0
Abstain
0
How they voted (97)
Lisa Murkowski
R · yes
Bill Hagerty
R · yes
John Boozman
R · yes
Ron Wyden
D · no
Mark Kelly
D · yes
Kirsten Gillibrand
D · yes
Tammy Baldwin
D · no
Sheldon Whitehouse
D · yes
Richard Blumenthal
D · yes
Jeff Merkley
D · no
Ashley Moody
R · yes
Mark Warner
D · yes
Tina Smith
D · no
Cindy Hyde-Smith
R · yes
Tommy Tuberville
R · yes
Christopher Coons
D · yes
Christopher Murphy
D · no
Edward Markey
D · no
James Lankford
R · yes
Michael Bennet
D · yes
Kevin Cramer
R · yes
James Justice
R · yes
Patty Murray
D · no
John Hoeven
R · yes
+ 73 more
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
PFAS Management Shift
The bill marks a significant policy shift by repealing the moratorium on PFAS incineration while simultaneously mandating bottled water provision for affected communities.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance95How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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