On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (S. 1071) into law. This marks the 65^th consecutive year legislators and the administration have come together to pass the bill. The FY26 NDAA authorizes $900.6 billion for the military and the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons programs. It includes a 3.8 percent boost in spending for servicemembers.

While the NDAA authorizes federal funding, Congress must also appropriate spending through an FY2026 funding bill. Defense appropriations are currently operating under a continuing resolution scheduled to expire on January 30.

The Senate approved the final conference report by a vote of 77-20 and the House of Representatives passed it by a vote of 312-112.

“In this NDAA, my colleagues and I have prioritized the structural rebuilding of the arsenal of democracy and returning the department to its warfighting mission,” wrote Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) in a statement upon Senate passage of the bill. “Crucially, it also contains the most sweeping upgrades to the Pentagon's business practices in 60 years—a watershed moment for our military. The bill sets us on a path to modernize our defense capabilities and augment our drone manufacturing, shipbuilding efforts, and the development of innovative low-cost weapons. Thanks to the partnership and bipartisan support from Ranking Member Reed, and that of all members who worked to improve this bill, our military will be better prepared to meet the challenges ahead.”

“This bill strengthens military readiness, revitalizes our industrial base, and provides our troops with a pay raise and the tools to deter and defeat adversaries,” agreed Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “The bill bolsters America’s posture toward China, reinforces our support for NATO and Ukraine, and ensures sustained support for key partners around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Indeed, with strong bipartisan backing it firmly pushes back against the executive branch’s retreat to uphold U.S. security commitments. And it positions the Department of Defense to adapt to evolving threats while maintaining robust Congressional oversight.”