Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Summary

Authorizes fiscal year 2026 funding and policy changes for the U.S. intelligence community, using a classified schedule to set aggregate amounts while specifying public authorizations for certain accounts. Creates a new National Counterintelligence Center, tightens counterintelligence and intelligence management authorities, sets up OSINT (open‑source intelligence) definitions and governance, expands CIA authorities to mitigate drone threats over designated property, protects intelligence personnel from personnel actions based on political or ideological activism (with narrow operational exceptions), and requires DNI-led net assessments comparing the United States and the People’s Republic of China with a new National Intelligence Manager for PRC matters.

• Authorizes FY2026 intelligence funding with most totals set in a classified Schedule of Authorizations; publicly lists $674.5M for ICMA and $514M for the CIA retirement fund.
• Creates a National Counterintelligence Center and adds its Director to the National Security Council.
• Requires DNI leadership and new statutory definitions and governance for open‑source intelligence (OSINT) and designates OSINT functional responsibilities across the IC.
• Gives the CIA specific authorities to mitigate threats from unmanned aircraft over designated property, with required FAA coordination and annual guidance.
• Requires senior IC officials for biotechnology activities and a verification process for certain high officials' access to Restricted Data.
• Prohibits conditioning positive personnel actions on political or ideological activism for covered IC individuals, with narrow exceptions to preserve operational cover.
• Directs periodic, public‑accessible net assessments comparing the PRC and U.S. across multiple domains and creates a temporary National Intelligence Manager for PRC matters.
• Orders the CIA to define and report 'novel and significant expenditures' and tightens reporting and notification requirements for large intelligence agreements and collection adjustments.
• Includes numerous statutory reorganizations, cross‑reference fixes, and deadlines for implementation and reporting to congressional intelligence committees.