CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · S. 1071· Senate(119-S-1071)

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Rep. Cornyn
Age: 74 years
Texas
Introduced
3/14/2025
Last activity
12/18/2025 — Became Public Law No: 119-60.
Sponsored by
John Cornyn
Cosponsors
Republican - 1Democrat - 0
Armed Forces and National Security
  1. Introduced
  2. Passed Senate
  3. Passed House
  4. To President
  5. Became Law

What this bill would do

This Act authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Defense, military construction, and Department of Energy defense activities. It establishes military personnel end strengths for active and reserve forces and outlines general provisions and authorities for the Armed Forces. The legislation includes intelligence authorizations for fiscal year 2026 and provides the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. Additionally, the Act addresses various foreign affairs matters, financial services policies, and judiciary matters.

Yes· 3 of 78

  • Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+9

    Strongly emphasizes multilateral coordination with NATO, AUKUS, and Indo-Pacific partners.

  • Does this put more money into medical research?+9

    Authorizes massive R&D spending in AI, biotechnology, nuclear physics, and infectious diseases.

  • Does this put more money into scientific research?+9

    Authorizes massive R&D spending in AI, biotechnology, nuclear physics, and hypersonics.

The opposite· 3 of 12

  • Does this reduce what is spent on the military?-10

    Massively increases spending across all military branches, nuclear modernization, and intelligence procurement.

  • Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-8

    Substantially increases spending for defense platforms, intelligence, infrastructure, and international development.

  • Would LGBTQ people be better off under this?-6

    Prohibits employee resource groups based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

What Congress actually voted on

5 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. 2 of them decided something; the rest moved it along.

  • The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 312–112

    This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.

    12/10/2025 · Roll call 320 · recorded as “On Passage”

  • The Senate: a vote to accept the other chamber's changesMotion Agreed to 77–20

    The House and Senate passed different versions. This votes on accepting the other chamber's wording, which is the last step before the bill goes to the President.

    12/17/2025 · Roll call 648 · recorded as “On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1071)”