Authorization

The Senate has passed the fiscal 2026 defense authorization bill, which authorizes $900.6 billion in defense funds and includes major acquisition reform provisions. The bill was passed on a bipartisan basis and is expected to be signed by President Trump.

Congressional leaders are poised to increase the fiscal 2026 defense budget by approximately $8 billion above the president's Pentagon request as they finalize the National Defense Authorization Act. House Armed Services Committee ranking Democrat Adam Smith indicated only "three or four issues" remain before compromise language is completed.