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Authorizes funding for U.S. intelligence activities for FY2026, sets classified funding levels and limits on transfers, and provides $514 million for the CIA retirement and disability fund. It creates new criminal penalties for trespass at marked intelligence facilities, tightens classification and declassification rules, expands reporting and oversight requirements, strengthens whistleblower protections for intelligence community personnel, and restricts certain contracts with Chinese military‑linked biotech firms.
Requires multiple organizational changes across the intelligence community: a DNI-led plan to reduce ODNI staff while protecting employees from involuntary termination in most cases; transfers of certain counterproliferation duties to the CIA; new standards and reporting on anomalous health incidents; and creation of a DNI-run Technology Bridge Fund to accelerate prototype and acquisition transitions with up to $75 million authorized annually. The bill also imposes numerous deadlines for reports, Inspector General reviews, and agency policy changes to be completed after enactment.
Adds new notification and reporting requirements to Title VIII (procedures governing access to classified information) by inserting a new section (806) requiring immediate written notification to the congressional intelligence committees and the Archivist of the United States upon certain declassifications or downgrades under Executive Order 13526, and by adding reporting requirements on approvals of interim security clearances or other non-standard access.
Amends provisions in 50 U.S.C. 3341(j)(4) to (1) remove the cap on compensatory damages for retaliatory revocation of security clearances and access determinations, and (2) replace subparagraph (C) to establish a 'contributing factor' standard allowing circumstantial evidence and specifying that an agency can avoid a finding of violation only by demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that it would have made the same determination absent the disclosure.
Adds 31 U.S.C. section 1127, 'Protection of classified information relating to budget functions,' which requires covered officials to ensure agencies use secure systems that meet requirements to protect classified information for specified budget and financial management activities under the National Intelligence Program by September 30, 2028; authorizes the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with specified officials, to issue waivers under certain conditions; permits modification or omission of classified budget information in public reports; and defines key terms including 'covered official' and 'Federal financial management service functions.'
Amends section 7 of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (31 U.S.C. 6101) by adding a new paragraph (3) excluding from public reporting information that the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, determines would result in the exposure of classified programs or activities, including information that could reveal classified programs or activities when combined with other publicly available information.
Strikes paragraph (3) of subsection (d) and inserts a new definition of 'foreign malign influence' in 50 U.S.C. 3241(d).
Strikes section 120 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3060), repealing the statutory provision establishing the Climate Security Advisory Council.
Strikes section 122 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3062), repealing the Office of Engagement statutory provision.
Strikes section 1002 of subtitle A of title X of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3192), removing the statutory framework requirement for cross-disciplinary education and training.
Amends the provision added by section 331 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 by striking paragraph (2) and inserting a new definition of 'climate security'.
Amends 50 U.S.C. 3024(c)(1)(B) by striking the clause requiring consultation with the Joint Intelligence Community Council in the development of the National Intelligence Program budget.
And 26 more affected sections...
Counternarcotics Enhancement Act
Select Committee on Intelligence. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Cotton. Without written report.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by Thomas Bryant Cotton · Last progress July 17, 2025
SPIES Act
By Senator Cotton from Select Committee on Intelligence filed written report. Report No. 119-51. Minority views filed.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 120.
Select Committee on Intelligence. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Cotton. Without written report.
Introduced in Senate