Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026

Last progress July 31, 2025 (6 months ago)

Introduced on July 31, 2025 by Addison Mitchell McConnell

This bill funds the U.S. military for fiscal year 2026. It puts money into day‑to‑day readiness, including nearly $1.93 billion for training, maintenance, and supplies across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and the Guard/Reserve, with a required spending plan before the money is used . It helps key partners by setting aside $1.5 billion to provide defense equipment and training for Taiwan, with regular reports to Congress on how the funds are used, and $500 million for Israel’s missile defense programs like Iron Dome and Arrow systems . It also pushes more defense buying to American factories by enforcing “Buy American” rules and requiring certain ship parts to be made in the U.S. or Canada, with limited waivers if supplies aren’t available in time . Some costs are trimmed to reflect lower fuel prices and excess cash in working funds, reducing parts of the budget accordingly .

The bill sets guardrails on how money can be used. For example, it bans spending on nuclear‑armed missile‑defense interceptors, blocks government networks from accessing pornography sites, and bars using funds to lobby Congress, while still allowing normal communications with lawmakers when asked . It keeps the Air Force’s hurricane‑hunter mission at current levels, and requires quick reports (usually within 45–60 days) on certain funding moves, including CHIPS Act defense allocations and intelligence budget baselines. Some Navy shipbuilding transfer powers run through 2030 to handle inflation‑related cost changes, with notice to Congress before shifting funds .

• Who is affected | What changes | When
• Service members and DoD workers | More funding for readiness; limits on certain spending (e.g., networks blocking porn; no lobbying with DoD funds) | Fiscal year 2026; some actions need plans or reports before funds flow
• U.S. manufacturers | Stronger “Buy American” purchasing and U.S.-made ship components | Ongoing during the funded year, with case‑by‑case waivers if needed
• Allies (Taiwan, Israel) | Direct funding for training, gear, and missile defense systems | Funds available now; reports and notifications required before or shortly after use
• Intelligence community | Tight rules on shifting funds; 60‑day baseline report due | Within 60 days of enactment for reports; some funds time‑limited to 2027
• Navy shipbuilding programs | Ability to shift limited funds to cover inflation and cost changes | Authority runs through September 30, 2030, with 30‑day notice to Congress