Summary

Authorizes major national security programs for fiscal year 2026 across the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Energy’s nuclear security work, and the Coast Guard, while setting many policy rules and reporting requirements tied to readiness, acquisition, and oversight. It includes major procurement authorities (including multiyear contracting for UH–60 Blackhawk helicopters and early procurement for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft), extends counter-ISIS support authorities, and directs multiple studies and modernization efforts (such as speeding commercial SCIF approvals and expanding cyber education activities). It also makes several notable policy changes: it requires automatic Selective Service registration for most males ages 18–26 living in the U.S.; adds protections and pilots affecting service members and families (including in-home child care support and a TRICARE pregnancy/postpartum blood-pressure monitoring pilot); increases supply-chain restrictions on certain foreign-adversary technologies (cloud access, blockchain/distributed ledger systems, advanced batteries, and OLED displays); creates recurring budget penalties if DoD fails audit/financial-statement standards; requires safe drinking water for households with PFAS-contaminated private wells from DoD activities; and bars the Federal Reserve from issuing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC).

Key Points

• Authorizes FY2026 national security programs and policies across DoD, military construction, DOE nuclear security, and the Coast Guard.
• Allows multiyear procurement for UH–60 Blackhawks (starting FY2027) and advance procurement starting FY2026, plus early purchases for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.
• Requires automatic Selective Service registration for most males ages 18–26 living in the United States, with notice and correction procedures.
• Creates multiple foreign-adversary tech restrictions (cloud system access bans for citizens of countries of concern; limits on foreign-adversary blockchain/distributed ledger tech; OLED bans starting June 30, 2027; battery sourcing limits starting 2027).
• Imposes recurring 0.5% DoD budget cuts if required financial statements/audit opinions fall short, while shielding military personnel and Defense Health Program accounts and allowing presidential waivers.
• Extends military family supports, including in-home child care assistance through December 31, 2029, and launches a TRICARE pregnancy/postpartum blood-pressure monitoring pilot.
• Requires DoD to provide safe drinking water to households with PFAS-contaminated private wells linked to DoD activities until cleanup or permanent fixes occur.
• Directs major acquisition and workforce reforms, including KPI-based acquisition workforce evaluation, open requirements-management tools to reduce vendor lock-in, and skills-based civil service hiring flexibilities.
• Extends authorities for assistance to vetted Syrian groups and counter-ISIS efforts into late 2026 and includes Indo-Pacific measures such as inviting Taiwan’s navy to RIMPAC.
• Bars the Federal Reserve from issuing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) and from using a CBDC for monetary policy.

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