Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026

This bill provides appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, allocating funds across various critical areas to support national security. It details funding for military personnel, including pay, allowances, travel, and retirement contributions for active duty members, reservists, and National Guard personnel across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.

Significant portions of the budget are dedicated to Operation and Maintenance, covering expenses for each military department, defense-wide activities, and specific initiatives. These include funds for emergencies, extraordinary expenses, the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund, APEX Accelerators, and risk reduction for National Security Systems. The bill also establishes a Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund to provide assistance to foreign security forces involved in counter-terrorism efforts, with strict vetting and notification requirements.

The legislation allocates substantial amounts for Environmental Restoration across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense-Wide, and Formerly Used Defense Sites, with provisions for fund transfers to facilitate cleanup efforts. Other operational funds support Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid, the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, and the Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account.

For Procurement, the bill funds the acquisition and modernization of aircraft, missiles, weapons, ammunition, and other equipment for all service branches. Notably, it includes significant appropriations for Navy shipbuilding and conversion projects, such as Columbia Class Submarines, Carrier Replacement Programs, and DDG-51 Destroyers, with specific restrictions on foreign construction of major components. Additional procurement funds are provided for Defense Production Act Purchases and the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account.

Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) receives considerable funding for basic and applied scientific research, development, and testing across all military departments and defense-wide. This includes specific allocations for programs like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Defense Innovation Unit, with detailed reporting requirements for end-item procurement in RDT&E accounts.

Further appropriations are made for Revolving and Management Funds, including the Defense Working Capital Funds and the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund. The bill also funds other Department of Defense programs such as the Defense Health Program, covering operation and maintenance, procurement, and RDT&E for medical and healthcare services, including congressionally directed medical research and HIV prevention activities.

Additional allocations support Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, and the Office of the Inspector General. Related agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund and the Intelligence Community Management Account also receive funding. General provisions govern the transfer of funds, with a general transfer authority of up to $6 billion for unforeseen military requirements, and mandate specific reporting to congressional defense committees.

Key general provisions include various "Buy American" requirements for defense procurements, restrictions on multiyear contracts, and limitations on the sale of tobacco products in military resale outlets. The bill also addresses personnel policies, such as prohibiting the reduction of military technician positions due to civilian personnel ceilings and regulating the conversion of activities to contractor performance.

Several provisions impose restrictions on specific military assets, including prohibiting the retirement of certain C-40 aircraft and decommissioning Littoral Combat Ships or Army Prepositioned Stocks-Afloat vessels. It also includes funding for Israeli Cooperative Programs and the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, alongside restrictions on assistance to certain foreign entities or countries.

The bill contains numerous social and cultural policy provisions, prohibiting the use of funds for COVID-19 mask mandates, mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, gender-affirming care procedures, and activities promoting Critical Race Theory or certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It also restricts funding for events like drag queen story hours on military installations and limits the transfer of administrative responsibilities without congressional approval.

Finally, the bill includes several overall reductions to reflect anticipated savings and efficiencies across the Department of Defense, totaling billions of dollars, but explicitly exempts the National Intelligence Program and Military Intelligence Program from these reductions. It also mandates detailed reporting on the allocation and status of funds from the CHIPS for America Defense Fund.