Critical Defense Priorities for the FY26 NDAA

Below is FDD Action’s comprehensive analysis of the must-pass provisions we support in the House and Senate annual defense bills for Fiscal Year 2026.



Bottom Line Up Front

FDD Action strongly supports multiple provisions of H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, and S.2296, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

FDD Action supports the Senate’s topline authorization of approximately $925 billion for national defense spending, compared to the House topline of roughly $895 billion in total authorized defense funding.

Below is a comprehensive overview of provisions FDD Action has endorsed, organized by issue. While FDD Action supports all of the provisions identified below, we’ve noted where especially critical provisions have our strong support.

Click here to see the final passed versions:
House (H.R. 3838) | Senate (S. 2296)

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Support for Israel Countering Iran China & Taiwan Ukraine & Russia Technology & Cyber Military Readiness Economic Security Foreign Influence

Support for Israel

Israel’s security is central to U.S. national security interests in the Middle East. These provisions strengthen military cooperation, advance joint technology development, and ensure Israel maintains its qualitative military edge against evolving threats from Iran and its terrorist proxies. By supporting Israel’s defense capabilities, the United States reinforces regional stability and protects shared democratic values in a volatile region.

Strongly Support
House § 870A Prohibition on Contracts with Boycotters of Israel
This provision prohibits entering into contracts with individuals and entities that engage in the boycott of the State of Israel, reinforcing U.S. commitment to supporting Israel’s sovereignty and business interests.
Strongly Support
House § 1212 / Senate § 1255 U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation Extension
This critical provision extends and strengthens U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation. The Senate provision increases the authorized amount from $50 million to $80 million annually, which is critical given Iran’s attempts to resuscitate support for hostile non-state actors.
Strongly Support
House § 1213 / Senate § 1256 Counter-UAS Cooperation Extension
This provision promotes joint U.S.-Israel efforts to develop counter-UAS capabilities, ensuring that Israel can defend against emerging drone threats, while the U.S. benefits from technological innovation through strategic partnerships. The Senate increases the authorization from $55 million to $70 million, and the House language expands the range of authorized activities.
Strongly Support
House § 1211 War Reserve Stockpile Authority for Israel
This authorization ensures Israel maintains critical stockpiles of defense materials, which is fundamental for sustaining its military readiness. Congress’s reauthorization of this authority through 2029 demonstrates the United States’ long-term commitment to Israel’s security.
Strongly Support
House § 1215 Study on Gaza-Egypt Border Security
This provision will inform U.S. policymakers about the effectiveness of border security strategies and areas to enhance weapon smuggling and infiltration prevention.
Strongly Support
House § 1216 Defense Innovation Unit Office in Israel
Establishing a defense innovation office fosters collaboration on emerging military technologies, bridging U.S. and Israeli defense industries, and is consistent with prior efforts to support technological advancement and strategic partnership such as the US-Israel Operations Technology Working Group.
Strongly Support
House § 1218 Report on US-Israel Military Exercises
The report aims to ensure transparency and evaluate the effectiveness of joint exercises, which are critical for interoperability and readiness.
Strongly Support
House § 1725 Briefing on Expediting Arms Transfers to Israel
Expedited arms transfers are vital for maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge and resupply amidst continued threats from Hezbollah and Iran’s efforts to rearm. This provision promotes the establishment of swift logistical and administrative processes to reinforce security commitments to Israel.
Strongly Support
House § 1653 Sense of Congress on Arrow Interceptor Production
This provision emphasizes the importance of Arrow missile production capacity and how it reinforces Israel’s missile defense robustness, which is crucial given the proliferation of ballistic missile threats from Iran and its proxies.
Strongly Support
Senate § 1534 Iron Dome and Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense
Co-developing and co-producing missile defense systems like Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow-3 signifies a shared strategic investment in defending against short-range threats. This provision authorizes $60 million for Iron Dome, $40 million for David’s Sling, and $100 million for the Arrow-3 interceptor in the aftermath of the largest ballistic missile assault in Israel’s history emanating from Iran, Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza.
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Countering the Regime in Iran

Iran poses the most urgent threat to U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East through its nuclear program, ballistic missile arsenal, support for terrorist proxies, human rights abuses, and attempts to assassinate Americans on U.S. soil. These provisions strengthen regional missile defense, cut off support to Iranian proxies, empower the Iranian people, and impose severe penalties for Iran-directed assassination attempts. Degrading Iran’s capabilities and bolstering deterrence is essential to Middle East stability and American security.

Middle East Integrated Air and Missile Defense

Advancing a shared regional defense network linking U.S., Israeli, and Arab partners to counter the missile and drone threats is critical to addressing the regional threat that Iran and its proxies’ missile and drone forces present. Developing integrated systems ensures early warning and rapid cooperative interception, strengthening collective deterrence.

Strongly Support
House § 1646 / Senate § 1251 Middle East Integrated Air and Missile Defense
Both the House and Senate provisions formalize a U.S.-led command and control structure connecting allied sensors and interceptors into a unified missile defense architecture. This integration both enhances operational coverage across the Middle East and signals enduring U.S. leadership amid growing regional threats.

Countering Iranian Proxies

Countering Iran’s proxies is essential to disrupting Tehran’s regional strategy of exerting influence through militias and non-state actors such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Ansar Allah, the Badr Organization, and other affiliated groups. While many of these organizations have seen their capabilities degraded since October 2023, allowing these proxies to rearm will permit Iran to again project power, conduct asymmetric warfare, and destabilize U.S. allies and partners across the Middle East and beyond.

House § 1236 Prohibition on Funding to Badr Organization
The Badr Organization operates as Iran’s oldest and most powerful proxy militia in Iraq, directly coordinated with the IRGC and Hezbollah to expand Tehran’s influence in the region. This provision continues to prohibit U.S. funding to entities associated with Badr to block American resources from bolstering Iran-backed militias hostile to U.S. and allied personnel.
House § 1238 Extension of Annual Report on Military Power of Iran
This provision renews and updates the requirement for the Department of Defense to produce an annual report on Iran’s military capabilities, strategy, and regional influence operations. The modification expands the reporting scope to include Iran’s cooperation with Russia, China, and North Korea in developing UAVs, missiles, naval power, and influence and cyber capabilities.
House § 1733D Strategy to Counter Iranian and Hezbollah Influence in Latin America
This provision mandates the development of a unified interagency strategy to counter Iranian and Hezbollah propaganda, financial networks, and criminal activities across Latin America to include intelligence cooperation with regional allies, disruption of transnational financial flows, and enhanced law enforcement coordination.

Maximum Support to the Iranian People

Maximum support to the Iranian people is vital in countering the regime’s efforts to isolate its population through severe censorship and repression. Expanding access to uncensored information and encouraging defections from the government help empower Iranians seeking freedom and undermine the regime’s control over the nation.

Strongly Support
House § 237 Internet Access Technologies by Defense Innovation Unit
This provision tasks the Defense Innovation Unit with advancing technologies to circumvent the regime’s extensive internet censorship, providing the Iranian people with essential access to global information and communication.
Strongly Support
House § 1733E Strategy to Encourage Defections from Iranian Government
This provision requires the development of a comprehensive strategy to encourage defections, with an aim toward weakening the regime from within by incentivizing dissident Iranian officials and security personnel.

Countering Iran-Sponsored Assassinations

Developing effective legislation to combat Iran-sponsored assassinations is critical to protecting U.S. officials, dissidents, and allies from Tehran’s transnational repression and terror operations. Recent foiled plots, including attempts directed by the IRGC to kill high-profile targets on American soil, including former U.S. officials, underscore the urgency of imposing enhanced penalties and bolstering deterrence.

Senate Subtitle G of Title LX Sentencing Enhancements for Foreign Government-Directed Crimes
These provisions include sentencing enhancements that target individuals involved in assassination schemes orchestrated or supported by foreign governments like Iran, signaling a robust U.S. legal response to such malign activities. Amplified punishments serve as a critical deterrent against future attempts to threaten U.S. officials and residents through foreign-directed violence.
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Countering China, Defending Taiwan and U.S. Allies in the Pacific

The People’s Republic of China represents the most significant long-term strategic challenge to U.S. national security and the rules-based international order. These provisions secure U.S. defense supply chains from Chinese infiltration, strengthen Taiwan’s ability to defend itself, and enhance deterrence across the Indo-Pacific. Denying Beijing’s ambitions to dominate the region is critical to American security, prosperity, and the defense of our democratic allies.

Strongly Support
House § 868 Modifications to Procurements from Chinese Entities
This provision modifies procurement rules to strengthen defenses against acquiring materials or services linked to Chinese military firms, thereby securing U.S. defense requirements. The amendment builds upon earlier prohibitions in procurement statutes by expanding the applicability of restrictions on Chinese Military Companies to biotechnology firms, and expanding the applicability of procurement restrictions to grants or loans.
Senate § 880 Prohibition on Foreign-Made Additive Manufacturing
This provision prohibits the Department of Defense from procuring additive manufacturing machines from China, Russia and other foreign adversaries of the United States. It prevents U.S. defense systems from depending on potentially compromised Chinese or other foreign adversary additive manufacturing technology to protect national security.
Senate § 1242 Strategic Partnership on Defense Industrial Priorities with Taiwan
Enhancing U.S.-Taiwan collaboration safeguards vital defense supply chains is vital to supporting a key partner in the Indo-Pacific. This provision tasks the Defense Innovation Unit with coordinating U.S. and Taiwanese priorities for strengthening their respective defense industrial bases to counter Chinese influence over critical technologies and broaden cooperative industrial capacity.
Strongly Support
Senate § 1245 Expanded List of Chinese Military Companies
This provision mandates that the Department of Defense review other lists maintained by the United States Government when reviewing the list of companies that are designated as military companies. Expanding the Chinese military company list improves transparency and supports congressional efforts to constrain the ability of Chinese military-linked companies to take advantage of U.S. capital markets.
Strongly Support
Senate § 1246 Preventing Circumvention by Chinese Military Companies
This provision amends existing law requiring the Department of Defense to maintain a public list of “Chinese military companies” operating directly or indirectly in the United States and prohibits future defense contracts or procurement involving such companies or their majority-owned affiliates. This measure addresses attempts by Chinese military companies to evade U.S. restrictions by operating through subsidiaries or partners in other countries, closing a major loophole.
Strongly Support
Senate Subtitle H of Title LVIII Export Controls for Advanced AI Chips (GAIN AI Act)
This provision establishes new export controls to ensure that foreign adversaries like the People’s Republic of China do not gain an advantage in acquiring artificial intelligence chips.

Chinese-Made Devices

Chinese-made devices and components pose significant security and operational risks to U.S. defense and healthcare systems due to vulnerabilities in supply chains, cybersecurity threats, and potential interference. The U.S. government has initiated investigations and implemented restrictions to mitigate these risks, emphasizing the importance of reducing reliance on Chinese technology in critical sectors.

House § 755 DOD Medical Supply Chain Risk Identification
This section underscores the urgent need to identify vulnerabilities within the medical supply chain, particularly concerning Chinese manufacturing, to prevent supply disruptions, safeguard patient safety, and increase transparency and resilience to counter the infiltration of compromised Chinese devices and components.
Strongly Support
Senate § 879 Phase-Out of Chinese Computer and Printer Acquisitions
This provision aims to eliminate procurement of sensitive hardware from Chinese companies that may embed security backdoors or malicious software, thereby protecting military and government networks from espionage and sabotage. It highlights the critical role of diversified, secure supply sources for national security.
Strongly Support
Senate § 1072 Study of Risks from Routers and Modems
This vital study assesses vulnerabilities in networking equipment often imported from China and other U.S. foreign adversaries, which could be exploited for cyberattacks or information theft against military and critical infrastructure. Stricter controls and alternative sourcing can reduce dependence on potentially compromised Chinese technology.
House § 1723 Evaluation of Risks from Foreign Communications Equipment
This reporting requirement aims to expose and mitigate risks associated with Chinese communications equipment, which could serve as vectors for cyber espionage or sabotage, threatening U.S. national security and military operations.

LiDAR / Photovoltaic Modules

The integrity of critical technology supply chains such as LiDAR and photovoltaic modules is essential for U.S. national security and energy resilience. Preventing procurement from foreign entities of concern, especially those linked to adversarial states, safeguards sensitive infrastructure from compromise and supports domestic innovation.

Strongly Support
House § 869 / Senate § 848 Prohibition on Photovoltaic Modules from Foreign Entities
This provision curtails reliance on solar power components from foreign entities tied to U.S. adversaries, mitigating risks of supply chain sabotage or espionage. There is a narrower waiver authority contained in House section 869.
Strongly Support
House § 151 Amendments to Foreign-Made LiDAR Prohibition
This provision strengthens and updates restrictions to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting U.S. dependency on imported advanced sensing equipment (including LiDAR technology), which is crucial for military and autonomous applications.

PRC Global Basing and Ports

Understanding the strategic implications of China’s expanding global military presence, particularly its development of overseas bases and port infrastructure, is crucial to preserving U.S. and allied security interests. Addressing these developments requires comprehensive mapping, reporting, and responsive strategies to counter Beijing’s ambitions for global influence.

House § 1705 Mapping and Report on Strategic Ports
This provision mandates increased transparency and assessment of Chinese-owned or controlled port facilities worldwide to guide more effective countermeasures.
Strongly Support
House § 3511 Clarification on Port Infrastructure Funds
This section authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to remove or replace Chinese-origin infrastructure components in ports to reduce vulnerabilities and dependence on potentially hostile technology.
Senate § 6232 Strategy to Respond to PRC’s Global Basing
The strategy aims to coordinate U.S. defense and diplomatic efforts to confront and mitigate China’s establishment of overseas military bases and dual-use infrastructure.

Pacific Deterrence Initiative

The Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) is a critical U.S. Department of Defense framework designed to bolster deterrence capabilities against China’s growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. By enhancing U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, and allied cooperation, PDI aims to maintain regional stability and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

House § 1311 / Senate § 1231 Extension and Modification of Pacific Deterrence Initiative
This provision extends and optimizes PDI’s efforts to prioritize investments in combat-ready forces, infrastructure resilience, and enhanced allied interoperability to deter China’s military advances. The multiyear authorization in Senate Section 123, which is critical to reassuring regional partners amid increasing Chinese provocations.

Taiwan Security Cooperation

Taiwan Security Cooperation is a vital component of the U.S. strategy to deter Chinese aggression and enhance the island’s defense capabilities. Strengthening bilateral defense ties and supporting Taiwan’s military readiness contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

House § 1313 / Senate § 1236 Modification of Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative
These provisions update and expand funding and programs to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capacity, including advanced training, equipment, and bilateral operational cooperation. The House provision allocates increased resources toward Taiwan’s defense readiness where the Senate provision authorizes combat-casualty care, reinforcing long-standing bipartisan congressional support.
Senate § 1237 Joint Program for Uncrewed Systems with Taiwan
This joint program strengthens Taiwan’s ability to produce, deploy and counter drone and autonomous systems, critical for asymmetric defense against potential regional aggression. This provision includes authorizing the co-development and co-production of such systems with the U.S.
Senate § 1238 Report on Critical Digital Infrastructure of Taiwan
This provision requires a comprehensive report on Taiwan’s vital digital assets highlights vulnerabilities and resilience efforts, including satellite communications and undersea cables.
House § 1243 Extension of China Military Power Report
The extension of the China Military Power Report ensures continued, detailed assessment of China’s military modernization and strategic posture to inform U.S. defense policy. This provision extends the reporting requirements to cover China’s cyber capabilities, and analyze China’s options for an economic warfare campaign, cross-strait invasion or blockade against Taiwan.
House § 1320 Annual Report on Taiwan Capabilities
This provision extends annual reporting on Taiwan’s defense status and intelligence needs and expands reporting to include contingency planning for Chinese blockades and other actions targeting Taiwan.
House § 1321 Defense Industrial Partnership with Taiwan
This partnership focuses on aligning industrial and technological development to bolster Taiwan’s defense production and technological edge.
Strongly Support
House § 1324 Support for Taiwan’s Energy Infrastructure Resilience
Enhancing Taiwan’s energy infrastructure security is crucial for sustaining civilian and military operations during crises. This provision reflects the findings FDD’s “Simulated Attacks on Taiwan’s Energy Sector”, which concluded that the Chinese Communist Party is likely to use cyber-enabled economic warfare and energy coercion as key tools to destabilize Taiwan.
House § 1616 Prohibition on DOD Cloud Access by Non-Allied Citizens
This provision restricts DOD cloud access and protects sensitive defense data from foreign espionage and cyber threats posed by adversarial non-allied actors by restricting any access by citizens of countries such as China and Russia to DOD cloud computing systems. This step is critical for safeguarding national security technologies and information.
Senate § 513 (Intel Auth) Report on CCP Leadership Wealth
This report mandates detailed transparency regarding the financial holdings of China’s ruling elite, which can help unmask illicit wealth and corruption.
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Supporting Ukraine and Opposing Russia’s Malign Activities

Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine threatens European security and the international order. These provisions sustain critical military assistance to Ukraine, strengthen the defense capabilities of NATO’s eastern flank, and counter Russian malign influence in the Western Balkans. Supporting Ukraine’s defense and bolstering European allies is essential to deterring further Russian aggression and defending democratic values.

Ukraine Security Assistance

The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative continues to be a vital U.S. program aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense amid ongoing aggression, with both House and Senate proposing extensions and modifications.

Strongly Support
House § 1302 / Senate § 1223 Extension of Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative
FDD Action supports the Senate proposed funding level of approximately $500 million, including extending the initiative through 2028 to provide sustained military assistance and expand capabilities for Ukrainian forces. The Senate’s approach provides longer-term commitment, with enhanced flexibility in funding mechanisms and emphasis on regional security cooperation. The House’s focus on timely aid delivery and Congressional oversight is also important.

Countering Russia

The Senate approach represents a multi-pronged approach to countering Russian malign influence by strengthening democratic governance, addressing humanitarian issues, and enhancing military cooperation and security in Eastern Europe and the Baltics.

Senate Subtitle F of Title XII Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act
This provision seeks to strengthen democratic institutions, promote economic development, and counter malign influences, including those from Russia, in the Western Balkans. It codifies sanctions against actors threatening the region’s peace and security and supports initiatives such as youth leadership programs and cybersecurity enhancements.
Senate § 1266 Supporting Recovery of Abducted Ukrainian Children
Focused on humanitarian concerns, this provision mandates programs and support mechanisms to identify, locate, and facilitate the recovery of Ukrainian children abducted during the conflict with Russia.
Senate § 1230B Modification for Defense Transfers Among Baltic States
This provision streamlines and modifies procedures for the transfer of U.S. defense equipment and services among the Baltic States, enhancing their collective defense posture and facilitating interoperability to counter Russian threats more effectively.
Senate § 1230C Baltic Security Initiative
Establishing the Baltic Security Initiative, this measure provides dedicated funding and strategic programs to bolster the defense capabilities and resilience of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The initiative targets infrastructure improvements, training, and regional cooperation to deter and respond to Russian aggression.
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Technology and Cybersecurity

America’s adversaries are waging sophisticated cyberattacks against our military, critical infrastructure, and defense industrial base. These provisions strengthen cyber defenses, build a skilled cyber workforce, and protect emerging technologies like artificial intelligence from exploitation. Securing U.S. technological superiority is fundamental to maintaining military dominance and protecting the homeland from 21st-century threats.

Strongly Support
House § 517 Study on National Guard Cyber Incident Response
This provision requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating the National Guard’s current capabilities and authorities in cyber incident response. It includes reviewing existing regulations and guidance, assessing training and preparedness, and identifying gaps for improvement in state and federal cyber incident responses.
House § 549D Report on Cyber Training Interoperability
This provision focuses on assessing how well different military branches coordinate and integrate cyber training programs. The goal is to identify overlapping efforts or gaps and recommend ways to standardize training protocols to maximize effective collaboration in joint cyber operations across the Armed Forces.
House § 613 Standardization of Cyber Assignment Incentive Pay
Proposes a uniform pay incentive for cyber workforce personnel in the military, aiming to improve recruitment and retention of highly skilled cyber operators by offering consistent financial incentives across branches.
House § 876 Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Contracts
This provision addresses the need to promote secure, competitive environments for artificial intelligence and cloud-related procurements. It seeks to prevent monopolistic practices and ensure defense contractors adhere to cybersecurity best practices while encouraging innovation.
Strongly Support
House § 1070 Cybersecurity Annex for Strategic Rail Network
This provision expands existing infrastructure assessments to include cybersecurity risks and resilience strategies for the Strategic Rail Corridor Network, which is vital for military logistics and national security.
Strongly Support
House § 1205 RDT&E of Emerging Technologies
This provision authorizes funding for emerging cyber-related technologies that enhance warfighting capabilities of the U.S. and selected partner nations, ensuring technological superiority against evolving threats.
House § 1501 Accountability of Authorization to Operate Processes
This provision expands oversight of cybersecurity authorizations, ensuring systems are adequately evaluated before deployment to maintain secure operational environments.
House § 1502 Codification of Cybersecurity Centers of Academic Excellence
This provision formally authorizes the designation of academic institutions as Centers of Academic Excellence, fostering the long-term development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce to meet DOD needs.
House § 1503 Assessment of Cyber Operational Support to Combatant Commands
This provision requires a report on how effectively cyber operations are integrated and supported within Geographic Combatant Commands, identifying improvements for operational synergy.
House § 1505 Incentivization Plan for Critical Cyber Skills
This provision required the development of a plan to incentivize service members with critical cyber skills, ensuring retention and motivation of personnel essential for DOD cyber mission success.
House § 1506 Evaluation of Joint Task Force-Cyber for Indo-Pacific
This provision assesses capabilities and operational effectiveness of this regional cyber task force, crucial for countering threats in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific.
House § 1511 Annual Report on Weapon Systems Data Security
This provision requires reporting on how to develop more robust cybersecurity protections for weapon system data to prevent exploitation or disruption by adversaries.
House § 1513 Updates to Cybersecurity for Telecommunications Contracts
This provision mandates regulatory updates to security standards for telecom contracts to address vulnerabilities from foreign adversaries embedding malicious hardware or software.
House § 1531 AI and Machine Learning Security in DOD
This provision requires the development and implementation on DOD-wide policy that focuses on protecting AI/ML systems from cyber threats and adversarial exploitation, ensuring their integrity within defense applications.
Senate § 1605 Report on Reserve Component Integration
This provision requires a report on how reserve forces augment the active cyber mission force, enhancing operational capacity and flexibility.
Senate § 1610D Designation of Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy
This provision establishes a senior leadership role responsible for coordinating DOD cyber policy across all domains and components.
Senate § 1612 Assessment of Real-Time Weapons Platform Monitoring
This provision mandates an assessment that evaluates capabilities to detect cyber threats targeting weapons platforms to improve response readiness.
Senate § 1613 Feasibility Study for OT Cybersecurity Training Center
This provision requires an assessment from DOD with respect to establishing a dedicated center to develop specialized cyber defensive skills for industrial control and operational technologies critical to DOD missions.
Senate § 1620C DOD Working Group on Undersea Cables Security
This provision requires DOD to convene a working group on undersea cables security to develop strategic approaches to protect undersea cable infrastructure vital for defense and commercial communications from physical and cyber threats.
Senate § 1627 Procurement Requirements for AI Systems
This provision sets physical and cybersecurity standards for AI system acquisitions to ensure resilience and integrity under potential cyber-attacks.

Cyber Workforce

The cyber workforce provisions in the NDAA focus on strengthening recruitment, retention, and strategic workforce planning to address critical shortages in skilled cyber personnel across DOD. These provisions seek to modernize hiring and training practices to build a resilient, capable cybersecurity talent pipeline.

Senate § 1107 Cyber Workforce Recruitment and Retention
This provision authorizes the establishment of a Federal Cyber Excepted Service, modeled after existing specialized hiring authorities in the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, allowing for streamlined recruitment and improved retention by removing bureaucratic hurdles and enabling flexible pay scales.
Senate § 1601 Comprehensive Cyber Workforce Strategy
This provision directs the National Cyber Director to develop an integrated, government-wide strategy for cyber workforce development.
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Strengthening the U.S. Military and Defense Industrial Base

A strong defense industrial base and resilient military force are essential to American security. These provisions enhance supply chain security, protect critical infrastructure, streamline arms transfers to allies, and improve missile defense capabilities. Building a more agile and robust defense enterprise ensures the U.S. military can deter and defeat threats while maintaining technological superiority.

Supply Chain Illumination

Both the House and Senate NDAA work to enhance visibility into defense supply chains by incentivizing and expediting the adoption of advanced supply chain illumination tools, which help identify vulnerabilities such as dependencies on critical suppliers and potential cybersecurity risks.

House § 852 / Senate § 863 Supply Chain Illumination Incentives
This provision directs the Secretary of Defense to establish incentives encouraging defense contractors to adopt advanced supply chain illumination tools, mapping multi-tier suppliers to detect risks such as single-source dependencies, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and compliance issues. By accelerating contractor adoption of approved tools, this provision seeks to enhance supply chain risk visibility and resilience across critical defense components more efficiently and uniformly.

Defending Critical Infrastructure

Multiple provisions in both bills emphasize a comprehensive approach to defending defense-critical infrastructure against cyber and physical threats by developing deterrence strategies, expanding cyber operation authorities, and conducting assessments on reliance on foreign materials. They also establish interagency reviews and enhance the National Security Agency’s role in supporting cybersecurity efforts across the defense industrial base and critical infrastructure sectors.

Strongly Support
House § 860D Assessment of Critical Infrastructure Foreign Dependencies
This provision requires an assessment by DOD identifying infrastructure reliant on foreign materials, components, or technologies that could pose supply chain or security risks. The outcomes guide mitigation efforts and policy to fortify critical infrastructure dependence.
Strongly Support
House § 1094 Defense Critical Infrastructure Interagency Review
This provision mandates an interagency review of critical infrastructure protection efforts, aiming to ensure integrated policy and operational approaches across multiple government agencies responsible for safeguarding defense-related facilities and systems.
Strongly Support
Senate § 1603 Strategy for Deterrence Against Cyberattacks
This provision requires DOD to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to deter and respond to cyberattacks targeting U.S. defense critical infrastructure, including facilities and networks essential to military readiness and operations.
Strongly Support
Senate § 1609 Expansion of Cyber Operations Authority
This provision expands the legal scope for offensive and defensive cyber operations to allow proactive measures defending DOD critical infrastructure against cyber threats.
Strongly Support
House § 1617 NSA Support for Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity
This provision formalizes and expands the NSA’s role in providing cybersecurity assistance and operational support to defense industrial base entities and critical infrastructure, enhancing threat intelligence sharing, incident response, and security assessments.

Arms Transfers

Senate and House provisions aim to streamline and coordinate international arms transfers by updating guidance, expanding country prioritization, and accelerating sales processes. A focus on expediting direct commercial sales of U.S.-made defense articles reflects efforts to strengthen the domestic defense industrial base while quickly equipping allies with American technology.

Senate § 1257 Guidance for Coordination of Arms Transfers
This provision provides directives to improve interagency coordination concerning international arms transfers to ensure alignment with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, maximizing the efficacy and security of such transfers.
Senate § 1260 Expansion of Country Prioritization
This provision expands the list or criteria for prioritizing countries eligible for arms transfers and security cooperation, aiming to more precisely align transfers with strategic defense relationships.
Senate § 1261 Streamlining Defense Sales
This provision directs reforms to accelerate procedures and reduce administrative burdens in foreign military sales to approved partners, thereby improving responsiveness and partnership support.
House § 1703 Made-in-America Defense Articles Expedited Sales
This provision mandates a report on expedited processing of direct commercial sales for U.S.-made defense products, reinforcing the domestic industrial base while enhancing allied force opportunities to access American technology.

Military Enhancements

The House and Senate defense bills contain provisions assessing the U.S. deterrence posture in Europe and evaluating the stockpiling of critical munitions to prepare for simultaneous conflicts. These reporting requirements promotes U.S. military readiness and modernization to counter global threats effectively.

House § 1242 Report on U.S. Deterrence Posture in Europe
This provision requires a comprehensive report assessing U.S. deterrence strategies, military presence, and operational posture across Europe, including threat assessments and resource allocation.
Strongly Support
Senate § 350 Protection of Certain Facilities and Assets from Incursions (COUNTER Act)
This provision modifies and strengthens protective measures for certain Department of Defense facilities and assets against unauthorized incursions or hostile activities. The provision directs DoD to implement additional security protocols particularly with respect to UAS, update response strategies, and coordinate with partner agencies to address risks posed by evolving technologies and adversarial tactics targeting critical sites.
Senate § 864 Simultaneous Conflicts Critical Munitions Report
This provision mandates an evaluation of critical munitions stockpiles and production capabilities to support multiple simultaneous conflict scenarios, ensuring readiness and sustainment capacity.

Missile Defense

The Senate NDAA provides for improvements in missile defense through the development and deployment of systems like the Golden Dome, inclusion of air and missile defense in total munitions calculations, and broad efforts to advance technological capabilities and integrative defense networks.

Senate § 1531 Golden Dome Missile Defense System
This provision amends existing law to provide for developmental and deployment aspects of the Golden Dome missile defense system, focusing on improving capabilities to counter ballistic and cruise missile threats effectively.
Senate § 1533 Inclusion of Air and Missile Defense in Munitions Requirements
This provision ensures that air and missile defense systems are comprehensively included in assessments of overall munitions requirements.
Senate § 1544 Improving U.S. Missile Defense Capabilities
This provision calls for a set of measures to enhance U.S. missile defense effectiveness, including technological advancements, joint force integration, and expanded sensor and interceptor networks.
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Increasing U.S. Economic Security

America’s economic security is inseparable from national security. These provisions combat deadly fentanyl trafficking fueled by Chinese precursors, secure critical supply chains from foreign adversaries, protect biotechnology and genomic data, and strengthen investment screening mechanisms. Defending American economic interests from exploitation by adversaries is vital to prosperity and security at home.

Drug Trafficking

These provisions collectively strengthen U.S. efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, enhance understanding of cartel capabilities, and bolster security cooperation with Mexico to reduce the impact of drug-related violence and opioid supply on American communities.

Strongly Support
House § 1067 Annual Report on Drug Cartel Military Power
This provision mandates an annual assessment linking the military strength of specific drug cartels with their illicit activities, providing policymakers with comprehensive analysis to inform strategic security and law enforcement responses to cartel threats.
Strongly Support
Senate § 1265 Strategy for Security Assistance to Mexico
This provision outlines a comprehensive strategy to enhance U.S. security assistance to Mexico, focusing on countering drug trafficking networks and organized crime. It emphasizes cooperation in intelligence sharing, law enforcement training, and capacity building to strengthen Mexico’s ability to combat drug cartels and reduce illicit flows into the U.S.
Strongly Support
Senate Title LXI BUST Fentanyl Act
The BUST Fentanyl Act targets the critical source of fentanyl and its precursors, emphasizing China’s role in supplying Mexican cartels that funnel deadly opioids into the United States. The Act seeks to leverage U.S. economic power to disrupt these illicit supply chains and hold accountable Chinese entities complicit in trafficking activities.

Supply Chain

Multiple House NDAA provisions collectively push for greater supply chain self-reliance, enhanced interagency collaboration, and improved awareness of dependencies and risks, aiming to safeguard U.S. national security interests amid complex global supply challenges.

Strongly Support
House § 864 Prohibition on Advanced Batteries from Foreign Sources
This provision strengthens the DOD prohibition on procuring batteries from six Chinese companies closely linked to the Chinese Communist Party. It aims to reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese-produced batteries, addressing national security concerns related to supply chain vulnerabilities and potential exploitation by adversarial actors.
House § 1726 Feasibility Study on Critical Minerals Procurement
This section requires a study on the feasibility of expanding current critical minerals procurement authorities—currently used by the Department of Defense—to other federal agencies. The goal is to improve interagency coordination and ensure stable, secure access to minerals vital for national security and industrial purposes.
House § 1728 GAO Study on DOD Reliance on Chinese Materials
This section mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report evaluating the extent and risks of DOD dependence on materials sourced from China. The study will inform strategies to mitigate supply chain risks and enhance resilience against disruptions or adversarial control.
House § 1732 Briefing on Supply Chain Exposure
This provision requires regular briefings to Congress detailing vulnerabilities and exposure within U.S. defense supply chains, promoting transparency and enabling legislative oversight to strengthen defenses against foreign and other supply disruptions.

Biotechnology

Multiple Senate provisions work to secure biotechnology-related intelligence, limit foreign involvement in key sectors, and protect sensitive genomic data from exploitation by adversarial nations.

Senate § 502 (Intel Auth) Enhanced Intelligence Sharing on Biotech Threats
This provision mandates improved intelligence-sharing protocols across federal agencies to detect and counter biotechnological threats from foreign adversaries. It emphasizes coordination to identify emerging risks in biotechnology that could impact national security, including bioengineering and synthetic biology used for malicious purposes.
Strongly Support
Senate § 512 (Intel Auth) Prohibition on Contracting with Chinese Biotech Companies
This provision prohibits intelligence community agencies from contracting with Chinese military-affiliated companies involved in biotechnology to prevent exploitation of sensitive research and protect U.S. biotechnological advancements from foreign control or sabotage.
Strongly Support
Senate § 603 (Intel Auth) Enhanced Support to Secure U.S. Genomic Data
This provision directs resources for intelligence agencies to better protect domestic genomic data against foreign cyber espionage, emphasizing safeguarding the privacy and security of individuals’ genetic information critical to national security and medical research.
Strongly Support
Senate § 881 Prohibition on Contracting with Biotechnology Providers
This provision expands restrictions on government contracts to exclude entities identified as posing risks due to potential connections with foreign adversaries in biotechnology research and development. This measure aims to secure U.S. biotechnological infrastructure and supply chains against foreign influence and espionage.

International Finance / Foreign Investment

The House and Senate defense bills contain provisions that fortify U.S. international finance and foreign investment policies against adversarial threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure and technology transfer, and bolstering the national security review processes.

Strongly Support
House § 905 Modifications to Office of Strategic Capital
This provision broadens the authorities of the Capital Assistance Program which invests in innovative defense technologies and industrial capabilities to strengthen the defense industrial base, supporting modernization and surge capacity.
Senate § 1067 Review of National Security Sensitive Sites for CFIUS
This provision requires the comprehensive identification and reporting of real estate sites sensitive to national security, ensuring the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has up-to-date information to effectively evaluate foreign real estate transactions that may pose security risks.
Senate § 1075 CFIUS Review of Agricultural Transactions
This section provides for enhanced scrutiny and potential prohibition of foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural sector that pose risks to national security. CFIUS is tasked with reviewing these transactions to prevent adversarial influence on critical food and agricultural supply chains.
Strongly Support
Senate Subtitle G of Title XII DFC Modernization and Reauthorization Act
This provision reauthorizes and modernizes the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), increasing its lending capacity and expanding its investment authority to better compete with foreign state-backed entities. It aims to enhance the DFC’s ability to support U.S. foreign policy and economic development objectives by streamlining investment processes and broadening its geographic and financial reach.
Strongly Support
Senate Title XVII Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart China Act
This provision establishes stricter screening and outbound investment restrictions to prevent U.S. capital from inadvertently supporting China’s military and technological advancements. It creates robust guardrails to protect national security by limiting investments in sensitive Chinese technology sectors like AI, semiconductors, and hypersonic.
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Combating Malign Foreign Influence in the U.S.

Foreign adversaries are actively seeking to infiltrate American institutions, steal sensitive research, and exploit our open society. These provisions close loopholes that allow foreign entities to access U.S. defense funding, restrict employment of individuals who worked on sensitive projects, and strengthen foreign agent registration requirements. Protecting American research, technology, and institutions from foreign exploitation is critical to safeguarding national security.

Higher Education, Lobbying, and Employment Restrictions

The House and Senate NDAAs attempt to reinforce the U.S. government’s campaign against malign foreign influence by tightening restrictions on foreign academic and financial entanglements, strengthening transparency under FARA, and protecting sensitive research and national security from exploitation by adversarial nations.

Strongly Support
Senate § 216 Prohibition on Contracts Between Foreign Entities and Universities
This provision prohibits universities from receiving Department of Defense funding if they maintain research or financial agreements with foreign entities of concern, including those from China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. The provision requires institutions to terminate such contracts within 120 days of notification and to obtain waivers only if justified as being in the national security interest of the United States.
House § 214 Limitation on Availability of Funds for Fundamental Research Collaboration with Certain Academic Institutions
This provision extends Department of Defense restrictions on funding fundamental research collaborations with certain foreign academic institutions identified as national security risks, requiring continued oversight and disclosure for joint research partnerships.
House § 218 Post-Employment Restrictions for Defense Research
This provision establishes a cooling-off period for researchers and personnel who participated in Defense Department-funded projects involving sensitive or export-controlled technologies. The rule prevents individuals from immediately joining foreign-affiliated institutions or firms that could exploit U.S. defense research for adversarial gain.
Strongly Support
Senate § 220C Limitation on Fundamental Research with Foreign Institutions
This provision restricts Defense Department funding for U.S. researchers engaged in joint fundamental research with foreign universities or entities listed as national security concerns.
Strongly Support
House § 1055 Revocation of Security Clearances
This provision authorizes the revocation or suspension of security clearances for individuals found to have lobbied on behalf of Chinese military companies.
House §§ 1736-1740 SAFE Research Act
This measure expands research security oversight by instituting new disclosure, certification, and foreign relationship reporting requirements for federally funded researchers.
Senate § 6030 Treatment of Exemptions Under FARA
This provision tightens exemptions under FARA by clarifying that entities engaged in activities serving foreign political or public interests—directly or indirectly—cannot claim exemption from registration.
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