Sponsors (2)
Last progress May 22, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on May 22, 2025 by Jeanne Shaheen
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Updated 1 week ago
Last progress September 10, 2025 (4 months ago)
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Updated 1 day ago
Last progress December 18, 2025 (1 month ago)
Provides a U.S. government roadmap to strengthen democracy, economic ties, security, and cyber resilience in the Western Balkans. It directs interagency reports and assessments on cyber threats and foreign malign influence, keeps certain Western Balkans–related sanctions in place (with waiver and sunset rules), and authorizes a set of regional programs: a 5-year strategy, anti-corruption and trade initiatives, university partnerships, Peace Corps expansion analysis, and a new Young Balkan Leaders exchange program.
It is the sense of Congress that U.S. support for cybersecurity, cyber resilience, and secure ICT infrastructure in Western Balkans countries will strengthen the region’s ability to defend itself from and respond to malicious cyber activity by nonstate and foreign actors, including foreign governments, that seek to influence the region.
It is the sense of Congress that insecure ICT networks that are vulnerable to manipulation can increase opportunities for the compromise of cyber infrastructure (including data networks, electronic infrastructure, and software systems).
It is the sense of Congress that insecure ICT networks can increase opportunities for the use of online information operations by adversaries and malign actors to undermine U.S. allies and interests.
It is the sense of Congress that supporting the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of Western Balkans countries is in the national security interest of the United States.
Not later than 1 year after enactment, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, must submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on cybersecurity and the digital information environment in Western Balkans countries (report deadline and coordinating agencies specified) .
Who is affected and how:
Western Balkans governments and publics: The law pushes increased U.S. engagement on security, economic development, civic reform, and cybersecurity. Governments may receive offers of technical assistance, new development finance opportunities, and more intensive diplomacy tied to EU/NATO accession support. Citizens may see expanded exchange opportunities, academic partnerships, and public diplomacy programs.
U.S. agencies and programs: State, Defense, DHS, DNI, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Peace Corps, and other agencies must produce reports, coordinate a regional strategy, and stand up programs and exchanges. This increases interagency workload, planning responsibilities, and potential demand for budget requests.
Universities and students (U.S. and Western Balkans): The law encourages and can fund university partnerships, research collaboration, curriculum reform, faculty training, and student exchanges — creating opportunities and demand for joint programs.
Young professionals and civic leaders in the Western Balkans: A new Young Balkan Leaders Initiative will create fellowships, training, and a public engagement center that may expand leadership development and professional ties with the U.S.
Businesses and ICT/cybersecurity firms: Emphasis on secure ICT and cyber resilience may open markets for cybersecurity vendors and technical assistance providers; trade and development initiatives aim to boost investment and cross-border commercial ties.
Adversary actors and networks (Russia/China influence operations): The bill mandates naming and assessing malign influence and recommending countermeasures, likely increasing scrutiny and counter-efforts targeting those networks.
Congress and oversight bodies: Required unclassified reports, briefings, and periodic assessments increase congressional visibility into regional activities and may prompt follow-on funding or oversight.
Practical effects and limitations:
Overall, the legislation boosts U.S. diplomatic, development, and security engagement in the Western Balkans with a heavy emphasis on cyber resilience, countering malign influence, and people-to-people exchanges, but its implementation depends on agency capacity and future funding decisions.