Bill · S. 4615· Senate(119-S-4615)
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- Introduced
- 5/20/2026
- Last activity
- 8/5/2026 — By Senator Cotton from Select Committee on Intelligence filed written report. Report No. 119-133. Additional and Minority views filed.
- Sponsored by
- Tom Cotton
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill authorizes funding for fiscal year 2027 for United States Government intelligence activities, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. It restructures several leadership positions and offices within the intelligence community, transferring the National Intelligence University to the National Defense University and repealing certain advisory councils and programs. The legislation sets strict rules regarding artificial intelligence use, unmasking requests for United States persons, and intelligence sharing with specific foreign allies and adversaries. Furthermore, it establishes technology fellowship programs, limits the use of adversary-produced technology and unmanned vehicles, and updates criminal penalties for espionage and the theft of trade secrets.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+6
The bill prioritizes and strengthens intelligence cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific and Israel.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+5
The bill establishes a pilot program to share intelligence regarding threats to artificial intelligence systems.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+4
The bill funds a research campaign via the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity on artificial intelligence risks.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-1
The bill's restrictions on entities controlled by certain nations may disrupt supply chains for small businesses.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 306: This provision requires the Director to provide security direction to intelligence community whistleblowers within seven calendar days after an employee furnishes a required statement. This benefits workers by ensuring timely administrative responses and preventing bureaucratic delays when reporting concerns.
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Section 602: This section establishes formal procedures and strict requirements for handling unmasking requests involving nonpublic information concerning United States persons, including mandatory fact-based justifications and retention of records for at least 10 years. This protects individual privacy rights by adding oversight and accountability to how American citizens' identities are revealed in intelligence reports.
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Section 809: This provision amends parental bereavement leave rules under title 5 of the United States Code to explicitly include any instance of natural or spontaneous loss of an unborn child, such as through miscarriage or stillbirth. This provides supportive leave benefits for federal employees experiencing pregnancy-related losses.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 610: This section prohibits the intelligence community from procuring or operating covered unmanned ground vehicle systems manufactured or assembled by covered foreign countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. While intended for national security, this restriction could potentially increase operational costs or delay the acquisition of specialized robotic tools needed by agencies.
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Section 711: This provision prohibits the acquisition or use of certain artificial intelligence models on national security systems if they fail to comply with specific safety frameworks regarding obscene content or the generation of non-consensual intimate depictions. While this safeguards agency systems from inappropriate material, it may restrict access to advanced AI technologies unless strict and cumbersome waivers or safeguards are successfully implemented.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+6Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Children+1Good For Union Workers+1Good For Veterans+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3Improves Small Business Support-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1Improves Social Security+1
- 8/5/2026
- By Senator Cotton from Select Committee on Intelligence filed written report. Report No. 119-133. Additional and Minority views filed.
- 5/20/2026
- Select Committee on Intelligence. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Cotton. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 420.
- Bill introduced.
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.