H. Rpt. 119-231 accompanies authorization legislation. Authorization bills establish or extend the legal basis and policy framework for federal programs — they set the rules for how programs operate but do not themselves provide funding. The Armed Services Committee prepared this report to document the program's purpose, explain any changes being made, describe the committee's findings from hearings and investigations, and outline the expected outcomes. Authorization reports frequently include CBO cost estimates and views from both majority and minority committee members.
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House Report 119-231 - STREAMLINING PROCUREMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY AND NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026
[House Report 119-231]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-231
_______________________________________________________________________
STREAMLINING PROCUREMENT FOR
EFFECTIVE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY AND
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026
__________
R E P O R T
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ON
H.R. 3838
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
August 19, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
61-413 WASHINGTON : 2025
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
One Hundred Nineteenth Congress
MIKE ROGERS, Alabama, Chairman
JOE WILSON, South Carolina ADAM SMITH, Washington
MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut
ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia, Vice JOHN GARAMENDI, California
Chair DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey
AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts
SAM GRAVES, Missouri SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California
ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York RO KHANNA, California
SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts
TRENT KELLY, Mississippi CHRISSY HOULAHAN, Pennsylvania
DON BACON, Nebraska JASON CROW, Colorado
JACK BERGMAN, Michigan MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey
RONNY JACKSON, Texas JARED F. GOLDEN, Maine
PAT FALLON, Texas SARA JACOBS, California
CARLOS A. GIMENEZ, Florida MARILYN STRICKLAND, Washington
NANCY MACE, South Carolina PATRICK RYAN, New York
BRAD FINSTAD, Minnesota GABE VASQUEZ, New Mexico
MORGAN LUTTRELL, Texas CHRISTOPHER R. DELUZIO,
JENNIFER A. KIGGANS, Virginia Pennsylvania
JAMES C. MOYLAN, Guam JILL N. TOKUDA, Hawaii
CORY MILLS, Florida DONALD G. DAVIS, North Carolina
RICHARD McCORMICK, Georgia GILBERT RAY CISNEROS Jr.,
LANCE GOODEN, Texas California
CLAY HIGGINS, Louisiana ERIC SORENSEN, Illinois
DERRICK VAN ORDEN, Wisconsin MAGGIE GOODLANDER, New Hampshire
JOHN J. McGUIRE III, Virginia SARAH ELFRETH, Maryland
PAT HARRIGAN, North Carolina GEORGE WHITESIDES, California
MARK B. MESSMER, Indiana DEREK TRAN, California
DEREK SCHMIDT, Kansas EUGENE SIMON VINDMAN, Virginia
JEFF CRANK, Colorado WESLEY BELL, Missouri
ABRAHAM J. HAMADEH, Arizona
Geoff Gosselin, Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Purpose of the Legislation....................................... 1
Rationale for the Committee Bill................................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 2
Committee Position............................................... 3
Explanation of the Committee Amendments.......................... 3
Relationship of Authorization to Appropriations.................. 3
Summary of Discretionary Authorizations in the Bill.............. 4
Budget Authority Implication..................................... 4
STREAMLINING PROCUREMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY AND
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026........ 4
Section 1--Short Title..................................... 4
Section 2--Organization of Act Into Divisions; Table of
Contents................................................. 5
Section 3--Congressional Defense Committees................ 5
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS................. 5
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT............................................. 5
Aircraft Procurement, Army................................... 5
Items of Special Interest.................................. 5
Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Systems... 5
Army Modernization Plan for Airborne Reconnaissance,
Surveillance, Targeting, and Acquisition (RSTA)........ 5
Feasibility and Advisability of Combining CH-47F and MH-
47G Contracts.......................................... 6
Fixed Wing Requirement................................... 6
Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Medical Evacuation
Capability for Army National Guard..................... 7
Improved Secondary Rotorcraft Turbine Lubrication........ 7
Missile Procurement, Army.................................... 8
Items of Special Interest.................................. 8
Army Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power
Microwave Program...................................... 8
Competitive Demonstration of Low-Cost, Highly Scalable
Air Interceptors....................................... 8
Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 Enduring
Shield................................................. 8
Production Capacity and Deployment Plans for the
Precision Strike Missile............................... 9
Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wireless-Guided Anti-
Tank Weapon System..................................... 9
Typhon Mid-Range Capability Battery Industrial Base...... 9
Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army..... 10
Items of Special Interest.................................. 10
Effectiveness of Humvee Rollover Prevention Kits......... 10
M240 and M249 Operationally Ready Inventory.............. 10
Next Generation Squad Weapon Magazine Testing............ 11
Rifle Accessory Control Unit............................. 11
Stryker Family of Vehicles............................... 12
Procurement of Ammunition, Army.............................. 12
Items of Special Interest.................................. 12
Ammunition Supply Chain.................................. 12
Army Ammunitions Industrial Base......................... 12
Directive to Brief on the Department of the Army's Medium
Caliber Counter UAS (c-UAS) and Ground Munition
Capabilities........................................... 13
Execution Plan for Munitions-Industrial-Base Supplemental
Funding................................................ 13
Novel Artillery Systems.................................. 14
Organic Industrial Base Transformation Initiative........ 14
Precision Artillery Munitions Modernization.............. 15
Other Procurement, Army...................................... 15
Items of Special Interest.................................. 15
Analyzing Commercial Off-the-Shelf Optics to Meet Weapon
Sight Requirements..................................... 15
Army Electronic Warfare Roadmap.......................... 16
Army Tactical Intelligence Targeting Node................ 16
Army Watercraft.......................................... 17
Commercially Available Small Arms Marksmanship Training
Technologies........................................... 17
Diversifying the Army's Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Inventory.............................................. 18
Domestic Sourcing of Imaging Sensors for Small Unmanned
Aircraft Systems....................................... 19
Enhanced Mobility and Dispersion of Army Command Posts... 19
Hyper-Enabled Awareness Kit and Assured Command and
Control in Contested Environments...................... 20
Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System......................... 20
Load-Carrying Technological Advancements................. 20
Modern Air Combat Emulation.............................. 21
Modernization of Army Landmine Detection and Breaching... 22
Next Generation Counter-UAS Missile (NGCM) Acquisition
Strategy............................................... 22
Support for Army Agile Funding Pilot Program............. 22
Surrogate Training Weapons............................... 23
Aircraft Procurement, Navy................................... 24
Items of Special Interest.................................. 24
Propeller Blade Comparison Briefing...................... 24
V-22 Osprey Fleet Modernization Strategy................. 24
Weapons Procurement, Navy.................................... 25
Items of Special Interest.................................. 25
Accelerating Solid Rocket Motor Advanced Manufacturing... 25
Alternative Manufacturer Qualification for SM-6 Solid
Rocket Motors.......................................... 25
Ballistic Shielding for Crew Served Weapon Stations...... 26
Enhancing MK-48 Torpedo Readiness........................ 26
Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy............................ 26
Items of Special Interest.................................. 26
Assessment of High-Speed, Survivable Naval Craft......... 26
Auxiliary Oceanographic Research Vessel Procurement...... 27
Briefing on Skilled Technical Workforce Readiness to
Support Navy Shipbuilding.............................. 27
Efforts to Reduce Burdens on Maritime Industrial Base
Shipyards.............................................. 28
Enhancements to Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Design.. 28
Need for Expeditionary Medical Ship Class................ 29
Submarine Industrial Base Digital Engineering Strategy... 30
Submarine Safety Program Contracting..................... 30
Other Procurement, Navy...................................... 31
Items of Special Interest.................................. 31
Attritable Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels........... 31
Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Transition and
Fielding............................................... 31
Fielding Defensive Cyber Operations Capability Across
Afloat Assets.......................................... 32
Intumescent Coatings for Shipboard Fire Prevention....... 32
Investing in Distributed Sensing Technologies to Scale
Detection and Tracking................................. 33
Multi-Mission Capabilities of Unmanned Surface Vessels
for the Navy and Marine Corps.......................... 33
Navy Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture and Platform
Autonomy............................................... 34
Nuclear Propulsion Plant Training........................ 34
Report on Navy Investments in Unmanned Surface Vessels... 34
Tethered Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Navy Force
Protection............................................. 35
Procurement, Marine Corps.................................... 35
Items of Special Interest.................................. 35
H-1 Structural Improvement and Electrical Power Upgrade.. 35
Aircraft Procurement, Air Force.............................. 36
Items of Special Interest.................................. 36
Air Force F-16 Electronic Warfare........................ 36
Air National Guard Recapitalization...................... 36
Bomber Bases............................................. 37
C-130J Simulator Training................................ 37
F-15E Propulsion Modernization........................... 38
F-15EX Total Force Mission Capability Prioritization
Considerations......................................... 38
Increasing Bomber Production............................. 39
Leveraging Aircraft Autonomy............................. 39
Multi-Role Collaborative Combat Aircraft................. 39
Next Generation Advanced Munitions Lift Modernization.... 40
Oversize Cargo Airlift................................... 40
Procure Commercial Derivative Aircraft................... 40
RC-135 Data Transmission Resiliency...................... 41
Recapitalization Plan for the A-10s in the Air Force
Reserve................................................ 41
Report on Multi-Year Procurement Contract for C-130J
Recapitalization....................................... 42
Supersonic Aircraft for Airlift Missions................. 42
T-7 Procurement and Engine Designation................... 43
Total Force Integration in Operation Midnight Hammer..... 43
Missile Procurement, Air Force............................... 43
Items of Special Interest.................................. 43
Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile......................... 43
Procurement of Ammunition, Air Force......................... 44
Items of Special Interest.................................. 44
Air Force Weapons Capacity Task Force.................... 44
Other Procurement, Air Force................................. 45
Items of Special Interest.................................. 45
Improving Training Against Advanced Integrated Air
Defense Systems Using Low-Cost, Mobile, and Expendable
Emitters............................................... 45
Recovery of Air Bases Denied by Ordnance Vehicle
Transition............................................. 45
Procurement, Defense-Wide.................................... 46
Items of Special Interest.................................. 46
Airborne Fire Control Radar.............................. 46
Directive for Autonomous Counter-UxS Systems for Layered
Defense Integration.................................... 46
Domestic Engine Production for Tactical Ground Vertical
Take-Off (VTO) Missile Systems......................... 47
Electronic Warfare Testing and Requirements for Group 1-3
Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions........ 47
Expendable Active Decoys on Fixed-Wing Aircraft.......... 48
Exploring Modern Approaches to Missile Inventory
Shortfalls............................................. 48
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program........................ 49
Hybrid Electric Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for
Disaster Response and Tactical Contested Logistics
Operations............................................. 49
Integration of First-Person View (FPV) Drones in the
Joint Force............................................ 50
Omnidirectional Passive Surveillance System Capabilities. 52
Perimeter Security Docking Stations...................... 52
Platform Agnostic Weapon System for Solider-Operated
Small Unmanned Aerial Systems.......................... 53
Small Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Indo-Pacific........ 53
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 53
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 53
Section 101--Authorization of Appropriations............... 53
Subtitle B--Army Programs.................................... 53
Section 111--Multiyear Procurement Authority for UH-60
Blackhawk Aircraft....................................... 53
Section 112--Authorization to Initiate Early Production of
Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft....................... 53
Section 113--Limitation on Reductions to Army Prepositioned
Stocks--Afloat Program Sealift Capability................ 54
Subtitle C--Navy Programs.................................... 54
Section 121--Contract Authority for Ford Class Aircraft
Carrier Program.......................................... 54
Section 122--Contract Authority for Columbia Class
Submarine Program........................................ 54
Section 123--Authority for Advance Procurement of Certain
Components to Support Continuous Production of Virginia
Class Submarines......................................... 54
Section 124--Authority to Use Incremental Funding to Enter
into a Contract for the Construction of a Guided Missile
Destroyer (DDG).......................................... 54
Section 125--Multiyear Procurement Authority for Yard,
Repair, Berthing, and Messing Barges..................... 54
Section 126--Vessel Construction Manager for Follow-On
Ships of the Landing Ship Medium Program................. 54
Section 127--Limitation on Construction of Modular Attack
Surface Craft............................................ 54
Section 128--Inclusion of Amphibious Warfare Ship Spares
and Repair Parts as a Separate Line Item in Navy Budget
Justification Materials.................................. 55
Section 129--Strategy for Navy Investment in and Support
for the Maritime Industrial Base......................... 55
Section 130--Modification to Requirements for
Recapitalization of Tactical Fighter Aircraft of the Navy
Reserve.................................................. 55
Subtitle D--Air Force Programs............................... 55
Section 141--Modification of Minimum Inventory Requirements
for Air Refueling Tanker Aircraft........................ 55
Section 142--Extension of Requirements Relating to C-130
Aircraft................................................. 55
Section 143--Modification to Minimum Inventory Requirement
for A-10 Aircraft........................................ 55
Section 144--Preservation of Certain Retired KC-10 Aircraft 56
Section 145--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for
Contract Termination or Production Line Shutdown for E-7A
Wedgetail Aircraft....................................... 56
Section 146--Limitation on Procurement of KC-46 Aircraft
Pending Certification on Correction of Deficiencies...... 56
Section 147--Requirements Relating to Executive Airlift
Aircraft................................................. 56
Section 148--Report on the F-47 Advanced Fighter Aircraft
Program.................................................. 56
Subtitle E--Defense-Wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters.... 56
Section 151--Amendments to Prohibition on Operation,
Procurement, and Contracting Related to Foreign-Made
Light Detection and Ranging.............................. 56
Section 152--Annual GAO Reviews of the F-35 Aircraft
Program.................................................. 56
TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION............ 57
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Army............ 57
Items of Special Interest.................................. 57
Adaptive One-Way Dropped Munitions for Loitering Uncrewed
Systems................................................ 57
Army Research on Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon Threats.... 57
Army Transformation Initiative........................... 57
Collaborative Armaments and Ammunition................... 58
Combat Vehicle Transmission Industrial Base.............. 58
Developing Improvements to Army Laser Eye Protection..... 59
Digital Night Vision Technology.......................... 59
Digital Operations Planning Environment.................. 59
Expanded Research of Critical Industrial Base Energetic
Material Chemistries and Synthesis Technologies........ 59
Feasibility of Establishing a Close Combat Innovation
Center................................................. 59
Ground Autonomy for Combat Operations Capability......... 61
High-Power Microwave for Ground Vehicle Protection....... 61
Humanoid Robots.......................................... 62
Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
Directed Energy Testing Facility....................... 62
Resilient Armament System Materials and Supply Chain..... 63
Smart Runway............................................. 63
Soldier Lethality and Survivability on the Modern
Battlefield............................................ 63
Sustaining the Army's National Simulation Center......... 64
Swarming Autonomy and Small-Form Autonomous Ground
Vehicles............................................... 64
U.S. Army Hypersonics Research........................... 64
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Navy............ 65
Items of Special Interest.................................. 65
F/A-XX - Air Wing of the Future.......................... 65
Future of X-Band Radar................................... 66
Integration of Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance
System into F/A-18 and E/A-18 Aircraft Fleets.......... 66
Integration of Existing Offensive and Defensive
Capabilities on Navy Platforms......................... 67
Long Range Anti-Ship Missile Surface and Ground Launch... 67
Next Generation Navy Integrated Combat System Roll-out
Optimization........................................... 68
United States Drone Warfare Capabilities and Lessons from
Ukraine................................................ 69
Unmanned Surface Vessel Testing Areas.................... 69
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force....... 70
Items of Special Interest.................................. 70
Extended-Capability High-Energy Laser.................... 70
Human Machine Interfaces for Collaborative Combat
Aircraft............................................... 70
Integration of Airborne Augmented Reality................ 71
Investment in Analog and Digital Microelectronics
Integration............................................ 71
Modular Self Propelled Wheel Technology.................. 71
Support the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program........ 72
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense-Wide.... 72
Items of Special Interest.................................. 72
Adoption of AI-Enabled Pilot Augmentation Technologies to
Enhance Flight Safety and Reduce Human Error........... 72
Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems...................... 73
Alternative Lubrication Mechanisms for Engine
Optimization........................................... 73
Aluminum-Scandium Alloy Prototype Parts Development and
Demonstration.......................................... 74
Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute......... 74
Biotechnology Research Collaboration..................... 75
Briefing on Status of F-35 Technical Refresh 3 and Block
4 Capabilities......................................... 76
Common Enterprise Range Network for Assured Control of
Hypersonic and Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile
Flight Tests........................................... 77
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Biotechnology
Programs............................................... 77
Defense Innovation Unit Geographic Expansion............. 77
Domestic Battery Supply Chain............................ 78
Domestic Procurement of High-Density Build-Up Substrates. 78
Dual-Use Innovation...................................... 79
Enhancing Operational Lethality through Artificial
Intelligence-Enabled Unmanned Systems.................. 79
Execution of CL-20 Incorporation and Deployment.......... 79
Fusion Energy and Domestic Energy Supply Chain........... 80
High-Altitude Platform Systems........................... 81
Integrated Hypersonic Propulsion......................... 81
Integration of 5G Tactical Radio Communications.......... 82
Integration of Terrestrial-Based Positioning, Navigation,
and Timing Systems for Global Positioning System Denied
Environments........................................... 82
Leadership and Collaboration on Biotechnology in the
Department of Defense and the Military Services........ 83
Leveraging the Science, Mathematics, and Research for
Transformation Scholarship-for-Service Program for
Biotechnology.......................................... 83
Low-Signature UAS for Contested Environments............. 84
Micro Nuclear Reactors................................... 84
Military Use of Hypersonic Aircraft...................... 85
Public Private Partnerships in Quantum Computing......... 85
Rapid Execution of Microelectronics Digital Engineering
Facility............................................... 86
Robotic Enhancements for Armaments Manufacturing......... 86
Strengthen the Biotechnology Workforce across the
Department of Defense.................................. 86
Super Refractory Alloys for Hypersonic Weapons........... 87
Support for Office of Strategic Capital Critical Minerals
Efforts................................................ 87
Synthetic Diamond and Ultra-Wide Bandgap (UWB) Materials. 88
Trusted Technical Advisors............................... 88
University Affiliated Research Center for Hypersonics.... 89
Utilization of the Rapid Execution of Microelectronics
Digital Engineering Facility by the F-35 Program....... 89
Operational Test and Evaluation, Defense..................... 90
Items of Special Interest.................................. 90
Expanding Range Access for Non-Traditional Defense
Companies.............................................. 90
Holloman High Speed Test Track........................... 91
Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed.... 91
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 92
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 92
Section 201--Authorization of Appropriations............... 92
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and
Limitations.............................................. 92
Section 211--Modification to Authority to Award Prizes for
Advanced Technology Achievements......................... 92
Section 212--Modification to Mechanisms to Provide Funds to
Defense Laboratories and Other Entities for Research and
Development of Technologies for Military Missions........ 92
Section 213--Modification to Authority for Acquisition,
Construction, or Furnishing of Test Facilities and
Equipment................................................ 92
Section 214--Extension of Limitation on Availability of
Funds for Fundamental Research Collaboration with Certain
Academic Institutions.................................... 92
Section 215--Modification to Policies for Management and
Certification of Link 16 Military Tactical Data Link
Network.................................................. 92
Section 216--Support for Research and Development of
Bioindustrial Manufacturing Processes.................... 92
Section 217--Extension of Authority for Assignment to
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of Private
Sector Personnel with Critical Research and Development
Expertise................................................ 93
Section 218--Post-Employment Restrictions for Participants
in Certain Defense Research.............................. 93
Section 219--National Security and Defense Artificial
Intelligence Institute................................... 93
Section 220--Responsible Development and Deployment of
Biotechnology within the Department of Defense........... 93
Section 221--Department of Defense Biotechnology Workforce
Training................................................. 93
Section 222--Biotechnology Supply Chain Resiliency Program. 93
Section 223--Review and Alignment of Standards, Guidance,
and Policies Relating to Digital Engineering............. 93
Section 224--Application of Software Innovation and Data
Management Plans to Modernize Test and Evaluation
Infrastructure........................................... 94
Section 225--Demonstration of Near Real-Time Monitoring
Capabilities to Enhance Weapon System Platforms.......... 94
Section 226--Western Regional Range Complex Demonstration.. 94
Section 227--Reimbursement of National Guard for Research,
Development, Test, and Evaluation Expenses............... 94
Section 228--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for
Animal Research in Collaboration with Foreign Countries
of Concern............................................... 94
Section 229--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for Gain
of Function Research..................................... 94
Section 230--Limitation on Availability of Funds Pending
Compliance with Requirements Relating to the Joint
Energetics Transition Office............................. 94
Subtitle C--Plans, Reports, and Other Matters................ 95
Section 241--Feasibility Study on Incorporating Militarily-
Relevant Applications of Emerging Biotechnology into
Wargaming Exercises...................................... 95
Section 242--Feasibility Study on Use of Cloud Laboratories 95
Section 243--Quarterly Reports on Termination of Critical
Technology Research Awards............................... 95
Section 244--Report on Department of Defense Market
Research of Critical Technology and Capabilities......... 95
TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE............................. 95
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 95
Energy Issues................................................ 95
Artificial Intelligence Data Centers and Department of
Defense Installation Capacity............................ 95
Availability of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Arctic Conditions 96
Co-Locating Small Modular Reactors and Data Centers on
Department of Defense Military Installations............. 97
Coordinated Energy Security Assessment..................... 98
Energy Storage Efficiency and Independence................. 98
Establishment of Deployable Nuclear Energy Program......... 99
Expeditionary Tactical Power Systems....................... 99
Floating Nuclear Power Plants.............................. 100
Fuel Distribution in Contested and Austere Environments.... 100
Hybrid Energy Generation Capabilities...................... 101
Hydrokinetic Power Systems................................. 102
Military Community Air Quality and Economic Development
Impacts Brief from Adjacent Nuclear Energy Deployment.... 103
Mobile Small Reactors in a Maritime Theater................ 103
Modular Battery Systems.................................... 104
National Energy Storage Systems (NESS)..................... 104
Small Modular Reactors in Guam............................. 105
Testing of Low and Middle Voltage Electronic Surge
Protection............................................... 106
Thermal Energy Storage for Department of Defense Data
Centers.................................................. 106
Utilities Privatization.................................... 106
Logistics and Sustainment Issues............................. 107
Additive Manufacturing Security Risks...................... 107
Advanced Manufacturing in Depot Modernization.............. 107
Airtronic Burner Assessment................................ 108
Army Prepositioned Stocks and Deterrence Posture........... 108
Comptroller General Review of Cargo Aircraft Sustainment... 109
Comptroller General Review of Program Office Management of
Department of Defense Aviation Supply Chain Risk......... 110
Cross-Service Integration of Depot Maintenance Facilities.. 111
Defense Logistics Agency Data Infrastructure............... 111
Defense Logistics Agency Document and Information
Technology Services...................................... 111
Department of Defense Cargo Securement Policies and Costs.. 112
E-PACS Panelized Military Shelter.......................... 112
Emerging Technology to Improve Air Force Inspection and
Maintenance.............................................. 113
Inspector General of the Department of Defense Report on
Freight Carrier Registration Program..................... 113
Joint Management of Prepositioned Equipment and Stockpiles. 114
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Analytics................. 114
Organic Industrial Base Workforce.......................... 115
Parts Fabrication Facilities............................... 115
Predictive Analytics for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of
Excellence............................................... 116
Predictive Maintenance and Ship Repair..................... 116
Predictive Modeling for Sustainment of Army Aviation
Platforms................................................ 117
Security Risks of Foreign-Controlled Cargo Screening
Technologies............................................. 117
Stealth Requirements for Mobility and Logistics Platforms
for United States Indo-Pacific Command................... 118
Towbar Technology for Ground Support Operations............ 119
U.S. Air Force's Requirement for Logistics Information
Technology Systems....................................... 119
U.S. Maritime Shipyard Utilization for Repair and
Maintenance on Non-Nuclear Vessels....................... 120
U.S. Transportation Command Review of Civil Reserve Air
Fleet Contracts.......................................... 120
Readiness Issues............................................. 121
Acoustic Gunshot Detection for Force Protection............ 121
Air Force Technical Training Modernization................. 121
Arctic Consortium.......................................... 122
Army Ground Vehicle Depot Maintenance...................... 122
Army Modernization Enterprise Efforts...................... 123
Assessment and Modernization Plan for Heating, Ventilation,
Air-Conditioning Systems at Air Force Installations in
Extreme Heat Environments................................ 123
Assessment of the Inland Marine Transportation System for
Defense Logistics........................................ 124
Assessment of Waste Management............................. 124
Comptroller General Review of Air Force Mission Ready
Airmen Concept........................................... 125
Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training........... 126
Domestic Operations Tactics Training Center for C-130J
Aircrews................................................. 126
Head and Hearing Protection................................ 127
Human Performance Training for Operational Units of the
Navy..................................................... 127
Importance of Connectivity Across Airframe Platforms for
Enhanced Survivability and Situational Awareness in the
Indo-Pacific Region...................................... 128
Improving Fighter Maintenance Dollar Allocation............ 128
Integrating Human Performance Optimization in Small Arms
Training................................................. 129
Intergovernmental Support Agreements Utilization Across
Army Installations....................................... 130
Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos Support............ 130
Live-Virtual-Constructive Training......................... 130
Maximizing Throughput of U.S. Air Force Pilot Training..... 131
Mobile SCIFs............................................... 131
Non-Lethal Weapons......................................... 132
Operational Safety Culture in Military Aviation............ 132
Report on the American Airlines Flight 5342 Plane Crash.... 133
Robotic Sensing and Digital Twins for Navy Vessels......... 133
Standards for Firefighter Rapid Intervention Team Training
and Equipment at Department of Defense Facilities........ 134
Training and Maneuver Space for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(UAS) Operations......................................... 135
Training to Counter Uncrewed Systems....................... 135
U.S. Air Force Combat Ready Airman Program................. 136
U.S. Military Kosher Meals, Ready-to-Eat Parity............ 136
Virtual Mission-Essential Weapons Training................. 137
Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Training Simulation
Technology............................................... 137
Other Matters................................................ 138
Acceleration of Graphite Oxide-Based Firefighting Foams as
a Replacement for PFAS Foams............................. 138
Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Destruction and Disposal Methods......................... 138
Comptroller General Review of Servicemember Moves Reform
Efforts.................................................. 139
Defense Innovation Unit and Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency Fire Response Efforts.................... 140
Evaluation of Department of Defense Applications and Risk
Management of Perchloroethylene, Carbon Tetrachloride,
and Trichloroethylene.................................... 141
Firefighting Fluorinated Gas............................... 141
Global Household Goods Contract Implementation............. 142
Inefficiencies in the Military Munitions Response Program.. 142
Integration of Private, Nonprofit, and Public Sector
Sources into the FireGuard Program....................... 143
Mitigating Wildfire Risk at the United States Air Force
Academy.................................................. 143
Non-PFAS Technologies for CBNR Protective Equipment........ 144
Partnering with Institutions of Higher Education for PFAS
Removal.................................................. 144
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Around U.S. Military
Installations in Japan................................... 145
PFAS Contamination in Wildlife Near Military Installations. 145
Securing Water Access and Mission Readiness at Fort
Huachuca................................................. 145
Unexploded Ordnance Removal................................ 146
Unused Department of Defense Land for Defense Industrial
Base Manufacturing....................................... 147
Wildfire Technology Testing Sites.......................... 147
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 148
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 148
Section 301--Authorization of Appropriations............... 148
Subtitle B--Energy and Environment........................... 148
Section 311--Inclusion of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear
Technologies in Eligible Investments Made by Office of
Strategic Capital........................................ 148
Section 312--Inclusion of Information About PFAS
Investigation and Remediation in Annual Report on Defense
Environmental Programs................................... 148
Section 313--Modification of Requirements Relating to
Replacement of Fluorinated Aqueous Film-Forming Foam..... 148
Section 314--Provision of Alternative Drinking Water to
Certain Communities with Private Drinking Water Wells
Contaminated with Perfluoroalkyl Substances and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances............................... 148
Section 315--Responsibilities of Executive Agent for
Installation and Operational Nuclear Energy.............. 148
Section 316--Establishment of Advanced Nuclear Technologies
Transition Working Group................................. 149
Section 317--Department of Air Force Program of Record for
Commercial Weather Data.................................. 149
Section 318--Pilot Program on Navy Installation Nuclear
Energy................................................... 149
Section 319--Pilot Program to Install Propane-Powered
Generators at a Domestic Defense Industrial Base Facility 149
Section 320--Strategy to Accelerate Remediation of
Contamination From Perfluoroalkyl Substances and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances............................... 149
Subtitle C--Logistics and Sustainment........................ 149
Section 331--Extension of Authorization of Depot Working
Capital Funds for Unspecified Minor Military Construction 149
Section 332--Designation of Senior Officials Responsible
for Integration of Global Contested Logistics Posture
Management............................................... 149
Section 333--Modification of Minimum Capital Investment for
Certain Depots of Department of Defense.................. 150
Section 335--Modification to Annual Report on Navy Shipyard
Infrastructure Optimization Program...................... 150
Section 336--Strategy to Improve Infrastructure of Certain
Depots of the Department of Defense...................... 150
Section 337--Pilot Program for Arsenal Workload Sustainment 150
Section 338--Depot-Level Maintenance Coordination in
Multinational Exercises.................................. 150
Section 339--Maintenance Inspection Capabilities and
Requirements............................................. 150
Section 340--Joint Strike Fighter Sustainment.............. 150
Section 341--Modernization of Army Arsenals................ 151
Section 342--Limitation on Use of Funds to Reduce the
Number of Civilian Personnel Employed at Pine Bluff
Arsenal, Arkansas, and Red River Army Depot, Texas....... 151
Subtitle D--Organizational Matters........................... 151
Section 351--Establishment of Army Museum System........... 151
Section 352--Authorization to Maintain a Library in the
Department of the Navy................................... 151
Section 353--Authorization to Maintain a Navy Art Gallery.. 151
Section 354--Establishment of United States Navy Museum
System................................................... 151
Section 355--Establishment of Center for the Study of the
National Guard........................................... 151
Section 356--Recognition of Certain Aspects of the National
Navy UDT-Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, as a
National Memorial, National Memorial Garden, and National
K9 Memorial.............................................. 151
Subtitle E--Studies, Reports, and Briefings.................. 152
Section 361--Assessments and Plan for Increasing Access to
Nutritious Food on Military Installations................ 152
Section 362--Quarterly Reports on Munitions Response
Projects at Sites Formerly Used by the Department of
Defense.................................................. 152
Section 363--Report on Causes and Effects of Declining
Aircraft Readiness Rates................................. 152
Section 364--Driver Simulators in Military Vehicles........ 152
Subtitle F--Other Matters.................................... 152
Section 371--Authority to Evacuate Family Pets and Contract
Working Dogs During Noncombatant Evacuations of Foreign
Countries................................................ 152
Section 372--Manned Rotary Wing Aircraft Safety............ 152
Section 373--Inclusion of Territories in Certain
Intergovernmental Support Agreements for Installation-
Support Services......................................... 153
Section 374--Transportation of Domestic Animals by Foreign
Air Carrier.............................................. 153
Section 375--Adjustment and Diversification Assistance for
State and Local Governments Affected by Army
Transformation Initiative................................ 153
Section 376--Availability of Milk at Dining Facilities on
Military Installations................................... 153
Section 377--Minimum Standards for Military Working Dog
Kennels and Facilities................................... 153
Section 378--Restroom Access at Military Installations for
Certain Transportation Service Providers................. 153
Section 379--Regulations Applicable to Wearing Optional
Combat Boots............................................. 154
Section 380--Initiative to Control Spread of Greater Banded
Hornet in Guam........................................... 154
Section 381--Limitation on Use of Funds for Army Initial
Entry Rotary Wing Training............................... 154
TITLE IV--MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS...................... 154
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 154
Subtitle A--Active Forces.................................... 154
Section 401--End Strengths for Active Forces............... 154
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces................................... 154
Section 411--End Strengths for Selected Reserve............ 154
Section 412--End Strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in
Support of the Reserves.................................. 155
Section 413--End Strengths for Military Technicians (Dual
Status).................................................. 155
Section 414--Maximum Number of Reserve Personnel Authorized
To Be on Active Duty for Operational Support............. 156
Section 415--Excluding Members of the National Guard
Performing Certain Duty from Counting for Active-Duty End
Strengths................................................ 156
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations; Reports......... 156
Section 421--Military Personnel............................ 156
Section 422--Streamlining of Total Force Reporting
Requirements............................................. 157
TITLE V--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY............................... 157
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 157
Accession Standards for Cyber Personnel.................... 157
Accountability and Welfare of Service Members and
Department of Defense Civilians.......................... 157
Adoption of Connectivity Tools Available to Military
Recruits................................................. 158
Assessment of the Executive Innovation Corps............... 158
Attrition and Accession Pathways Across the Military
Services................................................. 159
Bioliteracy Through the Department of Defense Education
Activity................................................. 160
Child Care Access for Military Families.................... 160
Child Care in Your Home Pilot Expansion.................... 161
Continuous Development for the Defense Enrollment
Eligibility Reporting System............................. 161
Critical Role of the Joint Advertising, Market Research,
and Studies on Military Recruiting....................... 161
Department of Defense Preservation of Memorials to
Chaplains at the Arlington National Cemetery............. 162
Effects of Permanent Changes of Station on Military
Retention and Readiness.................................. 162
Engagement with Local Host Communities in Okinawa, Japan... 163
Expenditures Related to DEI Programs and Gender Transition
Procedures............................................... 163
Flight 293................................................. 164
Food Program Leadership.................................... 164
Hands-On AI in the Transition Assistance Program........... 164
Immersive Learning Program of Record....................... 165
Implementation of Independent Review Commission on Sexual
Assault.................................................. 166
Moral Injury Among Military Servicemembers................. 166
Pilot Program on Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Programming.............................................. 166
Prevention Services Facility Integration Study............. 167
Principal Responsibility for Human Performance............. 167
Provision of Information on Federal Service Opportunities
Briefing................................................. 168
Publicizing Emerging Child Care Requirements to Off-Base
Providers................................................ 168
Report on Antisemitism Training............................ 168
Report on Beard Policy in the Department of Defense........ 169
Report on Oversight on Mobile Device Use in DODEA Schools
to Enhance Learning Environments......................... 169
Return on Investment for Servicemember Specialty Training.. 170
Service Academies: Alumni Associations..................... 170
Servicemember Quality of Life at Joint Forces Training
Base--Los Alamitos....................................... 171
Sexual Assault Training in the Delayed Entry Program....... 171
Staffing and Case Management at Army Criminal Investigation
Division................................................. 171
Study on Gap Year Military Service......................... 172
Support for United Service Organizations................... 173
U.S. Department of Defense Titling and Indexing Practice
Reform Progress and Requirements......................... 173
Voluntary Education Program Uniform Policy................. 173
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 174
Subtitle A--Officer Policy................................... 174
Section 501--Treatment of Space Force Officers for Purposes
of Laws Relating to Authorized Number and Distribution of
Officers in General Officer Grades....................... 174
Section 502--Redistribution of General Officers on Active
Duty from the Air Force to the Space Force............... 174
Section 503--Authority to Waive Prohibition on Officers
Serving on Successive Selection Boards for Boards to
Consider Officers for Promotion to Major General or Rear
Admiral.................................................. 174
Section 504--Chaplains: Career Flexibility; Detail as
Students at Schools for Education Required for
Appointment.............................................. 174
Section 505--Ranks of Judge Advocates General.............. 174
Section 506--Procedures for Selection of Space Force
Officers for Promotion to Major General.................. 174
Section 507--Establishment of Blast Safety Officer
Positions................................................ 175
Section 508--Designation of at Least One General Officer of
the Marine Corps Reserve as a Joint Qualified Officer.... 175
Subtitle B--Reserve Component Management..................... 175
Section 511--Grades of Certain Chiefs of Reserve Components 175
Section 512--Pilot Authority for Extended Length of Orders
to Active Duty for Preplanned Missions in Support of the
Combatant Commands....................................... 175
Section 513--Prohibition on Consideration of Amount of Time
of Service in Activation of Reserve Members.............. 175
Section 514--Active and Inactive Transfers of Officers of
the Army National Guard and Air Force National Guard..... 175
Section 515--National Guard: Active Guard and Reserve Duty
in Response to a State Disaster.......................... 175
Section 516--Fireguard Program: Program of Record;
Authorization............................................ 175
Subtitle C--General Service Authorities and Military Records. 176
Section 521--Women's Initiative Teams...................... 176
Section 522--Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record:
Codification; Expansion.................................. 176
Section 523--Codification of Additional Basic Branches of
the Army................................................. 176
Section 524--Requirement of Equal Opportunity, Racial
Neutrality, and Exclusive Use of Merit in Military
Personnel Actions........................................ 176
Section 525--Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds for
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion......................... 176
Section 526--Prohibition of New COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
for Members of the Armed Forces.......................... 176
Subtitle D--Recruitment and Accession........................ 176
Section 531--Recruitment: Improvements Relating to
Secondary Schools and Institutions of Higher Education... 176
Section 532--Alternative Service in the Defense Industrial
Base by Individuals Denied Enlistment.................... 176
Section 533--Medical Accession Standards for Members of the
Armed Forces............................................. 176
Section 534--Selective Service System: Automatic
Registration............................................. 177
Subtitle E--Member Training and Education.................... 177
Section 541--Training Requirements for Occupational
Specialties with Civilian Equivalents.................... 177
Section 542--Inclusion of Space Force Education Programs in
Definitions Regarding Professional Military Education.... 177
Section 543--Center for Strategic Deterrence and Weapons of
Mass Destruction Studies................................. 177
Section 544--Service Academies; Appointments and Additional
Appointees............................................... 177
Section 545--Modifications to Alternative Obligation for
Cadets and Midshipmen.................................... 177
Section 546--Modification to the Designation of Members of
the House of Representatives to the Boards of Visitors of
Service Academies........................................ 177
Section 547--Detail of Members of the Space Force as
Instructors at Air Force Institute of Technology......... 177
Section 548--Repeal of Annual Certifications Related to the
Ready, Relevant Learning Initiative of the Navy.......... 178
Section 549--Pilot Program for Generative Artificial
Intelligence and Spatial Computing for Performance
Training and Proficiency Assessment...................... 178
Section 549A--Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds to
Endorse Critical Race Theory............................. 178
Section 549B--Prohibition on the Reduction of Funding for
Foreign Language Training for Members of the Armed Forces 178
Section 549C--Limitation on Authority to Reorganize the
Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the Army...... 178
Subtitle F--Military Justice and Other Legal Matters......... 178
Section 551--Ensuring the Availability of Legal Advice to
Commanders............................................... 178
Section 552--Modifications to Offense of Wrongful Broadcast
or Distribution of Intimate Visual Images Under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice......................... 178
Section 553--Punitive Article Under the Uniform Code of
Military Justice for Offenses Relating to Child
Pornography.............................................. 178
Section 554--Authorization of Death Penalty for Offense of
Rape of a Child Under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice.................................................. 179
Section 555--Increase in Maximum Sentence for the Offense
of Voluntary Manslaughter Under the Uniform Code of
Military Justice......................................... 179
Section 556--Analysis of the Advisability of Modifying the
Definition of Abusive Sexual Contact Under the Uniform
Code of Military Justice................................. 179
Section 557--Revision to Sexual Assault Prevention and
Response Training Guidance............................... 179
Section 558--Reports and Briefings on Efforts to Prevent
and Respond to Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and
Intimate-Partner Violence Within the Department of
Defense.................................................. 179
Section 559--Study and Recommendations Regarding Misconduct
Prevention in Okinawa, Japan............................. 179
Subtitle G--Career Transition................................ 179
Section 561--Establishment of Separation Oath for Members
of the Armed Forces...................................... 179
Section 562--Presentation by a Veterans Service
Organization in TAP Preseparation Counseling............. 179
Section 563--Expansion of Eligibility of Veterans for
Certain Military Adaptive Sports Program................. 180
Section 564--Transition Assistance Program: Department of
Labor Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot Program. 180
Section 565--Skillbridge: Apprenticeship Programs.......... 180
Section 566--Female Members of Certain Armed Forces and
Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense in STEM.. 180
Subtitle H--Family Programs and Child Care................... 180
Section 571--Notification of Suspected Child Abuse at
Providers of Child Care Services or Youth Programs....... 180
Section 572--Pilot Program to Increase Payments for Child
Care Services in High-Cost Areas......................... 180
Section 573--Pilot Program to Increase Payments for Child
Care Services in High-Cost Areas......................... 180
Section 574--Extension of Pilot Program to Provide
Financial Assistance to Members of the Armed Forces for
In-Home Child Care....................................... 181
Section 575--Military OneSource: Information Regarding
Maternal Health Care..................................... 181
Section 576--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for
Termination of DODEA and Child Care Workers.............. 181
Subtitle I--Dependent Education.............................. 181
Section 581--Ensuring Access to DODEA Schools for Certain
Members of the Reserve Components........................ 181
Section 582--Certain Assistance to Local Educational
Agencies that Benefit Dependents of Military and Civilian
Personnel................................................ 181
Section 583--Verification of Reporting of Eligible
Federally Connected Children for Purposes of Federal
Impact Aid Programs...................................... 181
Subtitle J--Decorations and Awards, Reports, and Other
Matters.................................................. 181
Section 591--Authorization for Award of Medal of Honor to
James Capers, Jr., for Acts of Valor as a Member of the
Marine Corps during the Vietnam War...................... 181
Section 592--Authorization to Award the Medal of Honor to
Retired Colonel Philip J. Conran for Acts of Valor in
Laos During the Vietnam War.............................. 181
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS.............. 181
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 181
Commissary Privileges for Civilian Employees of the
Department of Defense.................................... 181
Dining Facility Nutrition Labeled Food Consumption Report.. 181
Encouraging Navy Veterans to Join the Dredging Industry.... 183
Guam Per Diem.............................................. 183
Housing Requirements and Market Analysis Schedule and
Results.................................................. 183
Military Star Card Program................................. 184
Pilot Program on Child Care Worker Compensation............ 184
Privatization of Military Retail Programs.................. 184
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Data Match Implementation
Status Update............................................ 185
Tuition Assistance and Off-Duty Education.................. 185
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 186
Subtitle A--Basic Pay and Retired Pay........................ 186
Section 601--Codification of Applicability to Space Force
of Certain Pay and Allowance Authorities................. 186
Subtitle B--Bonus and Incentive Pays......................... 186
Section 611--One-Year Extension of Certain Expiring Bonus
and Special Pay Authorities.............................. 186
Section 612--Incentive Pay: Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Duty..................................................... 186
Section 613--Standardization of Cyber Assignment Incentive
Pay for Members of the Armed Forces...................... 186
Subtitle C--Allowances....................................... 187
Section 621--Basic Needs Allowance: Exclusion of Basic
Allowance for Housing from the Calculation of Gross
Household Income of an Eligible Member of the Armed
Forces................................................... 187
Section 622--Family Separation Allowance: Increase......... 187
Section 623--Report Regarding the Basic Allowance for
Subsistence and Military Food Programs................... 187
Section 624--Basic Allowance for Housing: Study to Evaluate
Alternative Rate Calculation............................. 187
Subtitle D--Leave............................................ 187
Section 631--Bereavement Leave for a Member of the Armed
Forces in the Case of a Loss of Pregnancy or Stillbirth.. 187
Section 632--Convalescent Leave for Cadets and Midshipmen.. 187
Subtitle E--Family and Survivor Benefits..................... 187
Section 641--Annual Review of Financial Assistance Limits
for Child Care and Youth Program Services Providers...... 187
Section 642--Waiver of Requirements for Air Transportation
of Deceased Members of the Armed Forces When Necessary to
Meet Mission Requirements................................ 187
Subtitle F--Defense Resale Matters........................... 188
Section 651--Use of Commissary Stores: Civilian Employees
of Military Sealift Command.............................. 188
Section 652--MWR Retail Facilities: Use by Civilian
Employees of the Armed Forces............................ 188
Section 653--Single-Use Shopping Bags in Commissary Stores. 188
Subtitle G--Other Benefits, Reports, and Briefings........... 188
Section 661--Provision of Information Regarding Relocation
Assistance Programs for Members Receiving Orders for a
Change of Permanent Station.............................. 188
Section 662--Expansion of Pilot Program to Increase Access
to Food on Military Installations........................ 188
Section 663--Casualty Assistance Program: Review;
Implementation Plan...................................... 188
TITLE VII--HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS................................ 189
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 189
Access to Maternal Health Care............................. 189
Advanced Vital Intervention Airborne Training for
Emergencies.............................................. 189
AI Language Translation Capabilities for Medical Missions.. 189
Anonymous Non-Medical Counseling and Peer Support
Technology............................................... 190
Biologic Vascular Repair for Warfighters................... 191
Blast Overpressure Exposure Impacts........................ 191
Blink-Related Oscillation Reponses for Mild Traumatic Brain
Injuries................................................. 192
Brain Cooling for TBI and mild TBI Treatment............... 192
Combat Casualty Care in Arctic and Other Extreme Cold
Weather Environments..................................... 193
Cost Savings and Reductions in Waste Through a Medication
Donation Program......................................... 193
Defense Health Agency Staffing Plan........................ 194
Department of Defense Global Health Engagement Activities.. 194
Depleting Testosterone Levels Among Army Special Forces.... 195
Deployment of Hybrid Healthcare Stations on Military
Installations in Underserved Areas....................... 195
Enterprise-wide Revenue Cycle Management Program for the
Defense Health Agency.................................... 196
Health Care for the Total Force in Okinawa................. 196
Human Performance Optimization through Digital Lifestyle
and Performance Medicine Solutions....................... 197
Impacts of Hypertensive Disorders During Pregnancy......... 198
Implementation report on self-initiated mental health
referrals................................................ 198
Manufacturing Technology for Pathogen-Reduced Freeze-Dried
Cryoprecipitate.......................................... 199
Mental Health Resources at Military Treatment Facilities... 199
Military Treatment Facility Trauma Centers................. 200
National Influenza Strategy................................ 200
Non-Animal Testing Methods................................. 200
Nonaddictive Opioid Alternatives........................... 201
Operational Medicine Care Delivery Platforms............... 201
Progress Report on the Psychedelic Treatment Pilot Program. 201
Providing Clarity for Annual Hold-Harmless Payments........ 202
Report on Training Doctrine for Radiation and Thermal Burn
Treatment................................................ 202
Specialty Circuit Rider Assessment......................... 203
Suicide Analytic Variable Evaluation System................ 204
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Efforts................ 204
TRICARE Claim Processing Concerns.......................... 204
TRICARE Contract Implementation Study...................... 205
Uniformed Services University Medical Center Partnership... 205
Wound Care and Management in Future Combat................. 206
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 206
Subtitle A--TRICARE and Other Health Benefits................ 206
Section 701--Dental Readiness.............................. 206
Section 702--Inclusion of Certain Tests as Part of the
Periodic Health Assessment Provided to Members of the
Armed Forces............................................. 206
Section 703--Fertility Treatment for Certain Members of the
Armed Forces and Dependents.............................. 206
Section 704--TRICARE Coverage for Increased Supply for
Contraception............................................ 207
Section 705--Pilot Program on Access to Obstetrical and
Gynecological Care under TRICARE Prime Program........... 207
Section 706--Pilot Program to Make Midwife Services
Available Through TRICARE to Certain Individuals......... 207
Section 707--Pilot Program to Treat Pregnancy as a
Qualifying Event for Enrollment in TRICARE Select........ 207
Section 708--Pilot Program to Assist Certain Members of the
Armed Forces and Dependents with Additional Supplemental
Coverage Relating to Cancer.............................. 207
Section 709--Medical Testing and Related Services for
Firefighters of Department of Defense.................... 207
Subtitle B--Health Care Administration....................... 207
Section 721--Military-Civilian Medical Surge Program....... 207
Section 722--Reimbursement for Travel Expenses Relating to
Specialty Care for Certain Members of the Armed Forces
and Dependents........................................... 207
Section 723--Payment Adjustments for Outpatient Services
for Certain Children's Hospitals......................... 208
Section 724--Verification of Licensure or Health-Care
Professionals of the Military Departments................ 208
Section 725--Expansion of Health Care License Portability
for Members of the National Guard Performing Training or
Duty..................................................... 208
Section 726--Licensure Requirement for Health-Care
Professionals of Partner Countries....................... 208
Section 727--Modification of Limitation on Reduction of
Military Medical Manning End Strength.................... 208
Section 728--Prohibition on Painful Research on Domestic
Cats and Dogs............................................ 208
Section 729--Pilot Program to Test Standalone Technology to
Improve Efficiencies in Supply-Chain Management, Medical
Readiness, and Medical Processes......................... 208
Section 730--Availability of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Services at Military Medical Treatment Facilities........ 208
Section 731--Uniform Protocols on Screening for Unwanted
Sexual Behavior.......................................... 209
Section 732--Access to Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations
for Civilian Employees and Contractors................... 209
Section 733--Mandatory Training on Health Effects of
Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances............. 209
Subtitle C--Studies, Briefings, Reports, and Other Matters... 209
Section 741--Military Medical Cooperation Arrangements
Among Five Eyes Countries................................ 209
Section 742--Strategy for Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries
through Digital Health Technologies...................... 209
Section 743--Report on Traumatic Brain Injuries Among
Certain Pilots Serving on Active Duty.................... 209
Section 744--Study on Prevalence and Mortality of Cancer
Among Military Rotary-Wing Pilots and Aviation Support
Personnel................................................ 209
Section 745--Study on Effects of Service in the Special
Operations Forces to Health of Members of the Armed
Forces................................................... 209
Section 746--Pilot Program on Use of Fish Skin Regeneration
Products in Treating Burn and Blast Injuries............. 210
Section 747--Pilot Program on Remote Blood Pressure
Monitoring for Certain Pregnant and Post-Partum TRICARE
Beneficiaries............................................ 210
Section 748--Pilot Program to Help Certain Members of the
Armed Forces Stop Smoking................................ 210
Section 749--Pilot Program on Secure, Mobile Personal
Health Record for Members of the Armed Forces
Participating in the Transition Assistance Program....... 210
Section 750--Report on Transitioning of Mail-Order Pharmacy
Program of TRICARE Program to an In-House Mail Order
Service.................................................. 210
Section 751--Strategic Plan to Address Mental Health of
Members of the Armed Forces.............................. 210
TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND
RELATED MATTERS.............................................. 210
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 210
Addressing Gaps in Qualification Procedures for Certain
Additional Parts Sources................................. 210
Adopting Novel Technologies Through Formal Innovative
Partnerships............................................. 211
Advanced Processing Capabilities to Extract Critical
Minerals................................................. 212
Analyzing the Impact of the Truth in Negotiations Act on
Competition.............................................. 212
Assured Access to Microelectronics for Defense-Critical
Technologies............................................. 213
AUKUS and Rare Earth Supply Security....................... 213
Battery Supply Chain Research and Security................. 214
Briefing on Contracting Officer Communications and
Cooperation with Contractors............................. 215
Briefing on Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Manufactured in
Adversarial Nations...................................... 215
Campus-Style Manufacturing Centers for Solid Rocket Motors. 216
Childcare for Acquisitions Workforce....................... 216
Comptroller General Review of U.S. Readiness to Support a
National Mobilization of the Defense Industrial Base..... 217
Comptroller General Review of Use of Data-Driven
Procurement Solutions by the Department of Defense....... 218
Contracting Workforce Performance Measures................. 218
Controlled Unclassified Information Handling, Monitoring,
and Validation within the Defense Industrial Base........ 218
Critical Minerals Required to Support Department of Defense
Requirements............................................. 219
Critical Minerals Supply Chain Transparency................ 219
Current Efforts to Mitigate Risks to the Defense Industrial
Base..................................................... 220
Defense Supply Chain Audit for Dependencies on Adversaries. 220
Dependence on Chinese Agricultural Inputs as a National
Security Risk............................................ 221
Development of the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce........ 221
Directed-Energy Industrial Base............................ 222
Domestic Hydrazine Production.............................. 223
Domestic Industrial Base for Essential Components of
Unmanned Aerial Systems.................................. 223
Domestic Production of Aluminum-Lithium Alloys............. 223
Domestic Production of Ultra-High Molecular Weight
Polyethylene............................................. 224
Domestic Supply of Certain Semiconductor Devices........... 224
Domestically Sourced and Produced Batteries................ 225
Embedded Molecular Data Supply Chain Authentication
Assessment............................................... 225
Enterprise Utilization of Commercial Supply Chain
Management Technology.................................... 226
Evaluating Chinese Companies as Military-Civil Fusion
Contributors............................................. 226
Expansion of Tailored Logistics Support Contracting Across
the Department of Defense................................ 227
Feasibility of Incentive System for Hiring of Individuals
with Disabilities by Contractors......................... 227
Financial Health of Suppliers within the Defense Industrial
Base Supply Chain........................................ 228
Impediments to Sole Source Contract Awards to Veteran Owned
Small Businesses......................................... 228
Implementation of the Pilot Program to Incentivize
Contracting with Employee-Owned Businesses............... 229
Integrating Advanced Traceability Technologies in
Department of Defense Supply Chains...................... 230
Integration of Rare Earth-Free Permanent Magnets into the
Defense Industrial Base.................................. 230
Investments in Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing Capability.. 231
Justification for Change in Contracting Procedures......... 231
Leveraging Past Performance of Commercial Logistics
Providers................................................ 232
Loan and Grant Processing Modernization.................... 232
Machine Tool Industrial Base and Foreign Dependency........ 233
Material Changes to Office of Small Business Programs...... 233
Pilot Program to Boost Domestic Content in Rare Earth
Manufacturing Capability................................. 234
Protecting Defense Procurement Against Adversarial
Biotechnology Entities................................... 234
Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreements and the Defense
Industrial Base.......................................... 235
Recovering Critical Minerals for Defense Supply Chains..... 235
Report on Block Buys....................................... 236
Report on Enhancing United States Critical Mineral Refining
and Processing Capacity and Workforce.................... 236
Report on Illegally Sourced and Compromised Repair Parts
within the DoD Supply Chain.............................. 237
Securing the United States Supply Chain for Artificial
Intelligence............................................. 238
Service Branch War Reserve Inventories and Improved
Scalability Efforts...................................... 238
Small Business Subcontractor Utilization................... 239
Small Purchases of Critical Minerals and Magnets........... 239
Supply Chain Risk Evaluation Environment................... 240
Supply of Tin.............................................. 240
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 241
Subtitle A--Acquisition Policy and Management................ 241
Section 801--Multiyear Procurement Authority for Covered
Weapon Systems........................................... 241
Section 802--Elimination of Late Cost and Pricing Data
Submission Defense....................................... 241
Section 803--Reporting of Price Increases.................. 241
Section 804--Assumption of Uninsurable Risk on Certain
Contracts................................................ 241
Section 805--Changes to Reference Documents................ 242
Section 806--Major System Cost Growth Oversight............ 242
Section 807--Contested Logistics Exercise Requirement...... 242
Subtitle B--Amendments to General Contracting Authorities,
Procedures, and Limitations.............................. 242
Section 811--Additional Amendments Related to Undefinitized
Contractual Actions...................................... 242
Section 812--Modification to Award Amount for Program to
Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative
Technologies............................................. 243
Section 813--Other Transaction Authority Reporting......... 243
Section 814--Amendment to Procurement of Services Data
Analysis and Requirements Validation..................... 243
Section 815--Acquisition Thresholds for Certain Materials.. 243
Section 816--Additional Materials Prohibited From Non-
Allied Foreign Nations................................... 243
Section 817--Extension of Authority for Pilot Program for
Development of Technology-Enhanced Capabilities with
Partnership Intermediaries............................... 243
Section 818--Government Accountability Office Bid Protest
Process Enhancement...................................... 244
Section 819--Report on the Use of Other Transaction
Authority................................................ 244
Section 820--Application of Certain Documentation and
Oversight Requirements to Certain Projects Performed
Through Other Transaction Authority...................... 244
Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Workforce Development..... 244
Section 831--Improvements to Public-Private Talent Exchange 244
Section 832--Modification to Assignment Period for Critical
Acquisition Positions.................................... 245
Section 833--Development of the Advanced Manufacturing
Workforce................................................ 245
Section 834--Competitive Acquisition Leadership
Appointments............................................. 245
Section 835--Development and Employment of Members of the
Defense Civilian Training Corps.......................... 245
Section 836--Reform of Contractor Performance Information
Requirements............................................. 246
Section 837--Restructuring of Performance Evaluation
Metrics for the Acquisition Workforce.................... 246
Section 838-- Ensuring Department of Defense Contractor
Compliance with Disability Hiring Goals.................. 246
Section 839--Comptroller General Review of Matters Relating
to Individuals Assigned to a Critical Acquisition
Position................................................. 246
Section 840--Comptroller General Review of the Management,
Training, and Development of the Acquisition Workforce... 247
Section 841--Report on Strengthening the Defense
Acquisition University................................... 247
Subtitle D--Provisions Relating to Supply Chains and Domestic
Sourcing................................................. 247
Section 851--Repeal of Exception for Small Purchases Under
the Berry Amendment...................................... 247
Section 852--Supply Chain Illumination Incentives.......... 247
Section 853--Modification to Enhanced Domestic Content
Requirement for Major Defense Acquisition Programs....... 248
Section 854--Strategy to Eliminate Sourcing of Optical
Glass from Certain Nations............................... 248
Section 855--Voluntary Registration of Compliance with
Covered Sourcing Requirements for Covered Products....... 248
Section 856--Acceleration of Qualification of Compliant
Sources.................................................. 248
Section 857--Enhanced Security Strategy for Private Fifth
Generation Information and Communications Capabilities... 249
Section 858--Preference for Domestic Procurement of
Professional Services.................................... 249
Subtitle E--Prohibitions and Limitations On Procurement...... 249
Section 861--Requirements Relating to Long-Term Concessions
Agreements with Certain Retailers........................ 249
Section 862--Prohibition on Contracting with Entities with
Segregated Facilities.................................... 249
Section 863--Requirement for Contractors to Provide
Reasonable Access to Repair Materials.................... 249
Section 864--Prohibition on Acquisition of Advanced
Batteries from Certain Foreign Sources................... 250
Section 865--Prohibition on Acquisition of Molybdenum from
Non-Allied Foreign Nations............................... 250
Section 866--Requirement to Buy Disposable Food Service
Products from American Sources; Exceptions............... 250
Section 867--Prohibition on Department of Defense Contracts
with Certain Foreign-Owned Online Tutoring Services...... 250
Section 868--Modifications to Certain Procurement from
Certain Chinese Entities................................. 250
Section 869--Prohibition on the Purchase of Photovoltaic
Modules from Foreign Entities of Concern................. 251
Section 870--Prohibition on Computers or Printers
Acquisitions Involving Entities Owned or Controlled by
China.................................................... 251
Subtitle F--Industrial Base Matters.......................... 251
Section 871--Modification to Demonstration and Prototyping
Program to Advance International Product Support
Capabilities in a Contested Logistics Environment........ 251
Section 872--Modification to Procurement Requirements
Relating to Rare Earth Elements and Strategic and
Critical Materials....................................... 251
Section 873--Applicability of the Prohibition on Acquiring
Certain Metal Products................................... 251
Section 874--Recycling Critical Mineral.................... 251
Section 875--Organic Small Unmanned Aircraft System
Manufacturing Capacity................................... 252
Section 876--Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense
Contracts................................................ 252
Section 877--Bioindustrial Commercialization Program....... 252
Section 878--Common Repository for Supplier Information.... 252
Section 879--Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network........... 252
Subtitle G--Small Business Matters........................... 252
Section 881--Department of Defense Contracting Goals for
Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Veterans. 252
Section 882--Permanent Extension of Phase Flexibility and
Inclusion of Small Business Technology Transfer Program.. 253
Section 883--Authority to Make Additional Sequential Phase
II Awards Under the Small Business Innovation Research
Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program.... 253
Section 884--Congressional Notification Requirements for
Small Business Concerns for Any Significant Contract
Termination.............................................. 253
Subtitle H--Other Matters.................................... 253
Section 891--Special Operations Command Urgent Innovative
Technologies and Capabilities Pilot Program.............. 253
Section 892--Inventory of Technical Data Rights for Weapon
System Sustainment....................................... 253
Section 893--Establishing Biobased Product Merit Guidance.. 254
Section 894--Comptroller General Assessment of Competitive
Effects of Mergers and Acquisitions of Defense
Contractors.............................................. 254
TITLE IX--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT...... 254
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 254
Human Authorization of Use-of-force Decisions in Autonomous
and Semi-autonomous Weapon Systems....................... 254
Impact on Success of Mission............................... 254
Implementation Update on Women, Peace, and Security Act of
2017..................................................... 255
Review of Department of Defense Delays in Providing
Comments on Government Accountability Office Reports..... 255
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 256
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related
Matters.................................................. 256
Section 901--Prohibition Of Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Programs of the Department of Defense.......... 256
Section 902--Modification to Authorities of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering........ 256
Section 903--Modification to Authorities of the Director of
Operational Test and Evaluation.......................... 256
Section 904--Additional Authorities for the Office of
Strategic Capital........................................ 256
Section 905--Further Modifications to Capital Assistance
Program of the Office of Strategic Capital............... 257
Subtitle B--Other Department of Defense Organization and
Management Matters....................................... 257
Section 911--Membership of the Commandant of the Coast
Guard on the Joint Chiefs of Staff....................... 257
Section 912--Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Office................................................... 257
Section 913--Authority to Establish Regional Outreach
Centers for the Defense Innovation Unit.................. 257
Section 914--Oversight of the United States Africa Command. 257
Section 915--Limitation on Availability of Funds for the
Army Pending Submittal of Plan on the Proposed
Integration of the Joint Munitions Command and the Army
Sustainment Command...................................... 257
Section 916--Limitation on Authority to Reduce in Rank the
Billets of the Commanding Officers of Certain Military
Installations of the Air Force........................... 257
Section 917--Determination of Lead Organization Responsible
for Approval and Validation of Certain Unmanned Aircraft
Systems and Components................................... 258
Section 918--Department of Defense Advisory Subcommittee to
Review Technologies, Processes, and Investment Related to
Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control............ 257
TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS...................................... 257
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 257
Other Matters................................................ 257
Acquisition and Operation of a Training Tall Ship for the
United States Navy....................................... 257
Air Force Special Operations Command Power Projection Wings 259
Anti-Fragmentation Armor Systems........................... 259
Army Use of Attestation to Support Audit Readiness......... 259
Autonomous Logistics Vessels in Contested Environments..... 260
Briefing on Audit Efforts and the Initiating the Workforce
Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative............. 260
Combatant Craft Hull Modernization and Performance
Enhancements............................................. 261
Comptroller General Review of Costs at Guantanamo.......... 261
Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Authorities, Development,
and Deployment........................................... 262
Department of Defense Survey of Artificial Intelligence
Capabilities............................................. 263
Domestic Source and Cargo Preference Program for DoD Fuels. 263
Ensuring Perimeter Security for U.S. Military Bases........ 264
High-Power Microwave for Vessel-Stop Briefing.............. 265
Improvements Relating to Access to Military Installations
in the United States..................................... 265
Improvements to Global Force Management.................... 266
Integration of Physical Artificial Intelligence into
Shipyard Infrastructure Modernization.................... 266
Naval Information Warfare Command, New Orleans, Louisiana.. 267
Open Vehicle Electronic Architecture for SOCOM Nonstandard
Commercial Vehicles...................................... 267
Pre-positioned Orbital Supply and Logistics for Special
Operations............................................... 268
Preventative Maintenance Program for Naval Special Warfare
Combatant Craft and Operator Health...................... 268
Protecting Military Personnel from Biological Weapons...... 269
Reforming the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and
Execution Process........................................ 269
Release of Funds for the Commission on the Future of the
Navy..................................................... 270
Report on Caribbean Illicit Trafficking.................... 270
Security Clearance Adjudication............................ 271
Spending Plan for Budgetary Resources Enacted Under
Reconciliation........................................... 272
Strengthening U.S. Naval Power Through Contractor-Owned /
Contractor-Operated Capabilities......................... 272
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command as Access,
Basing, and Overflight Pathfinder........................ 273
U.S. Army Biometric Fast Lanes Automated Installation Entry
System Deployment........................................ 273
U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations
Command (Airborne)....................................... 273
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)-Military
Information Support Operations (MISO).................... 274
Use of Evidence Based Sports Medicine by U.S. Special
Operations Command in the Treatment and Prevention of
Musculoskeletal Injuries................................. 275
Use of Mesh Radios in RAA/VAK Kit.......................... 275
Utilization of ``As a Service'' Model for Undersea
Applications............................................. 276
Violent Antisemitism and Transnational Extremist Threats... 277
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 277
Subtitle A--Financial Matters................................ 277
Section 1001--General Transfer Authority................... 277
Section 1002--Responsibilities of Under Secretary of
Defense (Comptroller).................................... 277
Section 1003--Additional Elements for Department of Defense
Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation Plan and
Report................................................... 277
Section 1004--Consolidation of Reporting Requirements
Relating to Department of Defense Financial Improvement
and Audit Remediation Plan............................... 278
Section 1005--Concurrent Reporting Date for Annual Update
to Defense Business Systems Audit Remediation Plan and
Department of Defense Annual Financial Statements........ 278
Section 1006--Limitation on Availability of Funds for
Travel Expenses of Office of Secretary of Defense Until
Completion of Certain Audit Requirements................. 278
Section 1007--Reporting Requirements for Amounts Made
Available Pursuant to Title II of Public Law 119-21...... 278
Subtitle B--Naval Vessels.................................... 278
Section 1011--Inclusion of Certain Design Information in
Annual Naval Vessel Construction Plans................... 278
Section 1012--Limitation on Use of Funds in the National
Defense Sealift Fund to Purchase Certain Used Foreign
Constructed Vessels...................................... 278
Section 1013--Requirements for Amphibious Warfare Ship
Force Structure.......................................... 279
Section 1014--Definition of Short-Term Work for Purposes of
Navy Construction of Combatant and Escort Vessels and
Assignment of Vessel Projects............................ 279
Section 1015--Navy Senior Technical Authority.............. 279
Section 1016--Alternative Contracting Authority for United
States Naval Ships....................................... 279
Section 1017--Inclusion of Navy Amphibious Ship Maintenance
as a Separate Line Item in Operation and Maintenance
Budget................................................... 279
Section 1018--Metrics for Basic and Functional Design for
Ship Construction........................................ 279
Section 1019--Authority for Single Award Indefinite
Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract for Destroyer
Maintenance.............................................. 280
Section 1020--Evaluation of Sites for Shipbuilding and Ship
Repair................................................... 280
Section 1021--Limitation on Use of Funds to Retire or
Decommission Navy Oceanographic Research Vessels......... 280
Section 1022--Sense of Congress Regarding Naming of Vessel
for Battle of Dai Do..................................... 280
Subtitle C--Counterterrorism................................. 280
Section 1031--Revisions to Department of Defense Authority
for Joint Task Forces to Support Law Enforcement Agencies
or Federal Agencies Conducting Counterterrorism or
Counter Transnational Organized Crime Activities......... 280
Section 1032--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds for
Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at United
States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United
States................................................... 280
Section 1033--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds to
Construct or Modify Facilities in the United States to
House Detainees Transferred from United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba............................ 280
Section 1034--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds for
Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at United
States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Certain
Countries................................................ 281
Section 1035--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds to
Close or Relinquish Control of United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba............................ 281
Subtitle D--Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations........ 281
Section 1041--Modification of Authority to Provide
Assistance in Support of Department of Defense Accounting
for Missing United States Government Personnel........... 281
Section 1042--Expedited Access to Certain Military
Installations of the Department of Defense for Members of
Congress and Certain Congressional Employees............. 281
Section 1043--Authority of Secretary of Defense to Enter
Into Contracts to Provide Certain Assistance to Secure
the Southern Land Border of the United States............ 282
Section 1044--Limitation on Use of Funds to Relocate or
Otherwise Remove the Maritime Industrial Base Program.... 282
Section 1045--Limitation on Retirement of Gray Eagle
Unmanned Aircraft Systems................................ 282
Section 1046--Oversight of the United States Southern
Command.................................................. 282
Section 1047--Authority to Transfer T-37 Aircraft to
Arizona Aviation Historical Group........................ 282
Section 1048--Authorization of Eastern Regional Range
Complex for Mult-Domain Operations and Robotic Autonomous
Systems Training, Testing, and Experimentation........... 282
Section 1049--Prohibition On Availability of Funds for
Institutions of Higher Education That Allow Antisemitic
Demonstrations........................................... 282
Section 1050--Limitation on Use of Funds Pending
Certification of Compliance with Certain Congressional
Notice Requirements...................................... 282
Section 1051--Prohibition On the Use of Funds From Carrying
Out a Hiring Freeze, Reduction in Force, or Hiring Delay
Without Cause at a Public Shipyard....................... 283
Section 1052--Limitation on Use of Funds for Deactivation
of Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigades................ 283
Subtitle E--Reports.......................................... 283
Section 1061--Mobility Capability Requirements Study....... 283
Section 1062--Extension of Briefing Requirement Regarding
Civil Authorities at the Southwest Border................ 283
Section 1063--Prohibition On Lobbying Activities With
Respect to the Department of Defense By Certain Officers
of the Armed Forces and Civilian Employees of the
Department Following Separation From Military Service Or
Employment With the Department........................... 283
Section 1064--Annual Report on Requests of Combatant
Commands for Remote Sensing Data......................... 283
Section 1065--Notification of Waivers Under Department of
Defense Directive 3000.09................................ 284
Section 1066--Annual Report on Guam Civilian-Military
Projects................................................. 284
Subtitle F--Other Matters.................................... 284
Section 1071--Air Force Technical Training Center of
Excellence............................................... 284
Section 1072--National Commission on the Future of the Navy
Study of Maritime Industrial Base........................ 284
Section 1073--Extension of the National Commission on the
Future of the Navy....................................... 284
Section 1074--Reauthorization of the Servicewomen's
Commemorative Partnership................................ 284
Section 1075--Federal Agency Support for Afghanistan War
Commission............................................... 284
Section 1076--Provision of Contract Authority to
Afghanistan War Commission............................... 284
Section 1077--Framework for Technology Transfer and Foreign
Disclosure Policies...................................... 285
Section 1078--Budgeting and Funding Requirements for
Northern Strike Exercise................................. 285
Section 1079--Procurement and Distribution of Sports Foods
and Dietary Supplements to Members of the Armed Forces
Assigned to the United States Special Operations Command. 285
Section 1080--Pilot Program on Enhanced Use of Advanced
Sensor Networks to Improve Air Force Counter-Unmanned
Aircraft System Capabilities for Base Defense............ 285
Section 1081--Pilot Program and Other Requirements for
Accelerating Protection of Certain Facilities and Assets
from Unmanned Aircraft................................... 285
Section 1082--Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Readiness... 285
Section 1083--Pilot Program on Digital Force Protection for
Special Operations Forces................................ 286
Section 1084--Pilot Program for Blockchain-Enabled
Inventory Management..................................... 286
Section 1085--Acceleration of Accreditation and Access to
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities for
Industry................................................. 286
Section 1086--Standardization of Data Analysis and
Visualization Across the Department Of Defense........... 286
Section 1087--Process for Complaints and Investigations of
Transportation Service Providers and Transportation
Officers................................................. 286
TITLE XI--CIVILIAN PERSONNEL..................................... 286
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 286
Comptroller General Review of Categorization of
Nonappropriated Fund Employees........................... 286
Department of Defense Report on Force Management........... 287
Nonappropriated Fund Retirement Plan Consolidation......... 287
Review of Educational Requirements for Civilian Positions.. 287
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 288
Subtitle A--General Provisions............................... 288
Section 1101--Living Quarter Allowance for Department of
Defense Civilian Employees with Permanent Duty Station in
Guam..................................................... 288
Section 1102--Appointment of Retired Members of the Armed
Forces to Competitive Service and Excepted Service
Positions in the Department of Defense................... 288
Section 1103--Pay for Crews of Vessels..................... 288
Section 1104--Exception to Limitation on Rate of Basic Pay
for Crews of Vessels..................................... 289
Section 1105--One-Year Extension of Authority to Waive
Annual Limitation on Premium Pay and Aggregate Limitation
on Pay for Federal Civilian Employees Working Overseas... 289
Section 1106--One-Year Extension of Temporary Authority to
Grant Allowances, Benefits, and Gratuities to Civilian
Personnel on Official Duty in a Combat Zone.............. 289
Section 1107--Defense Workforce Integration................ 289
Section 1108--Modifications to Total Force Management
Requirements............................................. 289
Section 1109--Exemption from Civilian Hiring Freeze for
Delayed DOD Appointments Due to Active Duty.............. 289
Section 1110--Limitation on Use of Funds to Limit
Collective Bargaining.................................... 289
Section 1111--Personnel Actions Against DOD SES Career
Appointees............................................... 289
Subtitle B--Defense Hiring Modernization Act of 2025......... 290
Section 1121--Short Title.................................. 290
Section 1122--Amendments to Title 5, United States Code.... 290
TITLE XII--MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS................... 290
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 290
Baltic High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Deployment.... 290
Baltic Security Initiative................................. 290
Briefing on Increasing Membership in the Comprehensive
Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement............ 291
Briefing on Potential U.S. Defense Partnership with Syria.. 291
Briefing on the Department of Defense's Use of Survey Data
in the Middle East and North Africa...................... 292
Central West African Coast Cooperation..................... 292
Chinese Telecommunications in the Middle East.............. 293
Costs Incurred by Operation Midnight Hammer................ 293
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology Release......... 293
Defense Industrial Base Integration with Israel............ 294
Department of Defense Consultations on the Pause,
Suspension, Reallocation or Cancellation of U.S. Military
Aid to Ukraine........................................... 294
Enhancing the Dynamic Sensing Environment to Enable Special
Operations Forces........................................ 295
Enhancing the Security of the Baltic States................ 295
Expanding Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training to Include
Indo-Pacific Allies and Partners......................... 296
Exploration of Shared Airspace Coordination with Mexico.... 297
Force Protection at Al Udeid Air Base...................... 298
Foreign Area Officers...................................... 298
Foreign Military Sales Reform.............................. 298
Foreign Military Sales Trust Fund.......................... 299
Global Fragility Act Implementation........................ 300
Irregular Warfare Center................................... 300
Lessons Learned regarding Adversaries' Use of Unmanned
Aircraft Systems......................................... 300
Requires a report assessing Hizballah's Operational
Capabilities in NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM.................... 301
Return of United States Army Special Forces Equipment from
the Government of Mali................................... 301
Self-Routing Edge Data Synchronization for Tactical Mobile
Devices.................................................. 301
Unmanned Surface Vehicle Experimentation................... 302
War Reserves Stockpile for Allies--Israel.................. 302
Western Components and Technology in Iranian Drones........ 303
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 303
Subtitle A--Assistance and Training.......................... 303
Section 1201--Authority to Build Capacity for Space Domain
Awareness................................................ 303
Section 1202--Modification of Authority to Build Capacity
of Foreign Security Forces............................... 304
Section 1203--Modifications to Irregular Warfare Center and
Regional Defense Fellowship Program...................... 304
Section 1204--Modification of Public Reporting of Chinese
Military Companies Operating in the United States........ 304
Section 1205--Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
of Emerging Technologies to Further the Warfighting
Capabilities of the United States and Certain Partner
Countries................................................ 304
Section 1206--Cybersecurity Integration.................... 304
Subtitle B--Matters Relating to Israel....................... 304
Section 1211--War Reserve Stockpile Authority for Israel... 304
Section 1212--Modification and Extension of United States-
Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation........................... 304
Section 1213--Extension and Modification of United States-
Israel Cooperation to Counter Unmanned Systems in All
Warfighting Domains...................................... 305
Subtitle C--Matters Relating to the Near and Middle East..... 305
Section 1231--Repeal of War-Related Reporting Requirements
for Concluded Operations................................. 305
Section 1232--Extension of Authority for Reimbursement of
Certain Coalition Nations for Support Provided to United
States Military Operations............................... 305
Section 1233--Extension and Modification of Authority to
Provide Assistance to Vetted Syrian Groups and
Individuals.............................................. 305
Section 1234--Extension and Modification of Authority to
Provide Assistance to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria................................................ 305
Section 1235--Counter-Terrorism Support.................... 306
Section 1236--Prohibition on Funding to Badr Organization.. 306
Subtitle D--Reports and Strategies........................... 306
Section 1241--Modification and Extension of Annual Report
on Military and Security Developments Involving the
Russian Federation....................................... 306
Section 1242--Report on United States Deterrence and
Defense Posture in the European Region................... 306
TITLE XIII--OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS............ 306
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 306
Aircraft Operational Picture Gaps.......................... 306
Capabilities and Concepts to Defend Against Gray-Zone
Coercion of Taiwan....................................... 307
Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare
Capabilities of the People's Republic of China and the
United States............................................ 307
Feasibility and Advisability of a Multilateral Counter-
Blockade Exercise........................................ 308
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Medical Evacuation
and Hostage Rescue Capabilities.......................... 308
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 309
Subtitle A--Matters Relating to Europe....................... 309
Section 1301--Allied Contributions to United States Force
Posture on NATO's Eastern Flank.......................... 309
Section 1302--Extension and Modification of Ukraine
Security Assistance Initiative........................... 309
Section 1303--Extension of Report Relating to Allied and
Partner Support to Ukraine............................... 309
Section 1304--Oversight of United States Force Posture in
Europe................................................... 309
Subtitle B--Matters Relating to the Indo-Pacific Region...... 310
Section 1311--Extension and Modification of Pacific
Deterrence Initiative.................................... 310
Section 1312--Extension of Authority to Transfer Funds for
Bien Hoa Dioxin Cleanup.................................. 310
Section 1313--Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative....... 310
Section 1314--Extension of Deterrence Pilot Program........ 310
Section 1315--Strategy to Strengthen Multilateral
Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific........................... 310
Section 1316--Sense of Congress on Defense Alliance and
Partnership with South Korea............................. 310
TITLE XIV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS.................................. 310
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 310
Subtitle A--Military Programs................................ 310
Section 1401--Working Capital Funds........................ 310
Section 1402--Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction,
Defense.................................................. 311
Section 1403--Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug
Activities, Defense-Wide................................. 311
Section 1404--Defense Inspector General.................... 311
Section 1405--Defense Health Program....................... 311
Subtitle B--Other Matters.................................... 311
Section 1411--Extension of Authorities for Funding and
Management of Joint Department of Defense-Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund for
Captain James A. Lovell Health Care Center, Illinois..... 311
Section 1412--Amendment to National Defense Stockpile
Shortfall Briefings...................................... 311
Section 1413--Beginning Balances of the Defense Logistics
Agency Working Capital Fund for Audit Purposes........... 311
Section 1414--Authorization of Appropriations for Armed
Forces Retirement Home................................... 311
TITLE XV--CYBERSPACE-RELATED MATTERS............................. 312
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 312
Artificial Intelligence and Automation Tools for
Cybersecurity and Risk Management........................ 312
Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity and Anomaly
Detection at U.S. Special Operations Command............. 312
Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity in Air Force
Operational Technology................................... 313
Artificial Intelligence Software for Contract Efficiencies. 313
Cloud Computing, Data Storage Considerations, and Other
Related Matters.......................................... 313
Cloud Service Provider On-boarding......................... 314
Commercial-First AI Acquisition Strategy and Containerized
Model Deployment......................................... 314
Common Data Model.......................................... 315
Common Data Models for Multi-Domain Exercise Analysis...... 315
Containerized Computing within the Department of Defense... 316
Cyber Deception Technologies............................... 316
Defense Travel System...................................... 316
Department of Defense Frontier-AI Contract Awards.......... 317
DLA Identity Layer Alternatives............................ 317
Electromagnetic Battle Management.......................... 318
Electromagnetic Spectrum Survivability for Combat Systems.. 318
Enterprise-wide Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure..... 319
Feasibility of a Department-Wide Enterprise License........ 319
Flightline Equipment Connectivity for Agile Combat
Employment............................................... 320
Insider Threat Detection................................... 320
Integrating Artificial Intelligence Across the Department
of Defense............................................... 320
Integration of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Decision
Aids in Daily Operations................................. 321
Integration of Operational Technology into the Department
of Defense Authorization & Accreditation Process......... 322
Legacy Technologies and the Effect on the Department of
Defense.................................................. 322
Modular Open Systems Approach for Graphics Processing Units 323
Modular Open Systems Architecture for Mounted Form Factor.. 323
Multi-factor Authentication Across the Department of
Defense.................................................. 324
Multi-Vendor Competitions for Data Labeling Contract....... 324
National Security Agency Cybersecurity Collaboration Center 325
Navy and Marine Corps Enterprise Network................... 325
Navy Efforts to Reduce Telecommunications Vulnerabilities.. 325
Post-Quantum Cryptography Readiness........................ 326
Preferences and Tendencies of Artificial Intelligence
Models in National Security Decision-making.............. 326
Rapid Fielding of Department of Defense Command and Control
Operating Systems to Enable Agency-Wide Integration...... 327
Reporting Technology Transition Performance................ 328
Review of Oversight of Off-the-Shelf Information Technology
Products from Foreign Adversary Countries................ 328
Spending Flexibility for Essential Cybersecurity Upgrades.. 328
Strengthening Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity
Resilience............................................... 329
Threat of Optical Transceivers Manufactured by Foreign
Adversaries.............................................. 329
Website Management Across the Department of Defense........ 329
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 330
Subtitle A--Cyber Operations................................. 330
Section 1501--Accountability of the Authorization to
Operate Processes........................................ 330
Section 1502--Codification of the National Centers of
Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity..................... 330
Section 1503--Assessment of Cyber Operational Support to
Geographic Combatant Commands............................ 330
Section 1504--Limitation on the Divestment, Consolidation,
and Curtailment of Certain Electronic Warfare Test and
Evaluation Activities.................................... 330
Section 1505--Incentivization Plan for Critical Skills for
Members of the Armed Forces to Carry Out Department of
Defense Cyber Operations................................. 330
Section 1506--Evaluation of Joint Task Force-Cyber for the
Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility...................... 331
Subtitle B--Cybersecurity.................................... 331
Section 1511--Annual Report on Weapon Systems Data
Accessibility and Security............................... 331
Section 1512--Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence
Considerations into Annual Cybersecurity Training........ 331
Section 1513--Update to Cyber Security Requirements for
Telecommunications Contracts............................. 331
Section 1514--Federal Contractor Vulnerability Disclosure
Policy................................................... 331
Subtitle C--Information Technology and Data Management....... 331
Section 1521--Biological Data for Artificial Intelligence.. 331
Section 1522--Procurement of Best-in-Class Cyber Data
Products and Services.................................... 332
Subtitle D--Artificial Intelligence.......................... 332
Section 1531--Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Security in the Department of Defense.................... 332
Section 1532--Pilot Program for Data-Enabled Fleet
Maintenance.............................................. 332
Section 1533--Generative Artificial Intelligence for
National Defense......................................... 332
Subtitle E--Reports and Other Matters........................ 332
Section 1541--Modification to Certification Requirement
Regarding Contracting for Military Recruiting............ 332
Section 1542--Occupational Resiliency of the Cyber Mission
Force.................................................... 332
Section 1543--Assessment of Cyber-Physical Ranges as
Potential National Cyber Range Complexes................. 332
Section 1544--Report on Replacement of Time Division
Multiplexing Lines at Armories of the Air National Guard
and the Army National Guard.............................. 333
TITLE XVI--SPACE ACTIVITIES, STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, AND INTELLIGENCE
MATTERS...................................................... 333
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 333
Space Activities............................................. 333
Acquisition of Space Data Transport Capabilities........... 333
Advanced Commercial Space Weather Models................... 333
Advancing Strategic Space Mobility: Nuclear Electric
Propulsion Technology Assessment......................... 333
Affordable and ``Always On'' Resilient Commercial Satellite
Communication Connectivity............................... 334
Commercial Low Earth Orbit Resilient Positioning,
Navigation, and Timing................................... 335
Commercial Satellite Bus Integration....................... 335
Commercial Space Command and Control Software.............. 336
Commercial Weather Data Program of Record.................. 337
Commercially Developed Very Low Earth Orbit Systems........ 337
Comprehensive Strategy for GPS Capabilities................ 338
Domestic Silicon-Based Space Solar Production.............. 338
Dynamic Space Operations................................... 339
Ensuring Space Resilience through Radiation-Hardened
Components for Small Satellites.......................... 339
Ensuring U.S. Superiority in Space-Based LiDAR............. 340
Expanding Payload Processing Capacity...................... 341
Expediting Development of Hybrid Satellite Communications
Systems.................................................. 341
Extended Operations for the Defense Meteorological
Satellite Program........................................ 341
Hybrid Satellite Communication............................. 342
Impact of Commercial Remote Sensing on Geospatial
Intelligence Requirements................................ 342
Impact of Loss of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. 343
Modernizing Mission Assurance for Space Launch............. 343
National Security Launch Site Resiliency................... 344
National Security Space Launch Infrastructure.............. 344
Next Generation of Advanced Propulsion..................... 346
Non-Propulsive Orbital Maneuvering Technologies............ 346
Open Architecture Ground Systems for Space Missions........ 346
Protected Satellite Communications Resiliency.............. 347
Radar Commercial Layer..................................... 347
Resilience and Contingency Planning for Simultaneous Space
and Undersea Infrastructure Attacks...................... 348
Resilient Satellite Communications Capabilities............ 349
Resilient, Multi-Orbit Satellite Communications............ 349
Satellite Control Network Capacity......................... 349
Small Spacecraft Controls for Defense Missions............. 350
Space Access, Mobility, and Logistics...................... 350
Space Domain Awareness Capabilities........................ 351
Space Domain Awareness Leveraging Commercial Remote Sensing 351
Space Modulator Manipulator Project........................ 352
Space-Based Visual Intelligence for Orbital Awareness...... 352
Spaceflight Qualifying Commercial Solutions for Classified. 352
Tactically Responsive Space................................ 353
Tactically Responsive Space and Commercial Integration..... 354
Utilization of Commercial Capabilities for Multiple Orbit
Applications............................................. 354
Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Space Operations............... 355
Intelligence Matters......................................... 355
Declassification of Records Relating to the Global War on
Terror................................................... 355
Integration of Defense Intelligence Tools.................. 356
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Capabilities to
Support the Americas..................................... 356
Report on Complying with Intelligence Community Directive
705...................................................... 357
Secure Compartment Information Facility Availability for
AUKUS Partners........................................... 357
Security Classification and NOFORN Use Briefing Requirement 358
Small Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Models for
Intelligence Analysis.................................... 358
Status Update on the Codification of the Senior
Intelligence Oversight Official.......................... 359
Nuclear Forces............................................... 359
Air Force Ballistic Missile and Reentry Test Activities.... 359
Report on Escalation Dynamics Involving Artificial
Intelligence in Nuclear Operations....................... 360
Report on Quantity, Condition, and Reuse Options for
Reserve Plutonium Pits................................... 360
Missile Defense Programs..................................... 361
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Generative Artificial
Intelligence Mission Planner............................. 361
Aerial Target Requirements for Integrated Air and Missile
Defense Testing.......................................... 361
Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System for Guam 362
Golden Dome Cybersecurity.................................. 362
Guam Defense System........................................ 362
Hypersonic Defense......................................... 363
Hypersonic Munitions and Aerial Target Systems............. 363
Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor.................. 364
Other Matters................................................ 364
Arms Control Resources..................................... 364
Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Counter-Weapons of Mass
Destruction.............................................. 365
Assessment of Hypersonic Materials Manufacturing and
Industrial Base Resilience............................... 365
Availability of Rayon-based Materials...................... 366
Biothreat Detection Systems for U.S. Military Installations 366
Broad Spectrum Indirect Antiviral Research................. 367
Counter-Hypersonic Interceptor Propulsion.................. 367
Critical Technical Upgrade to Cellular Geo Location
Capability............................................... 367
Digital Signature Management............................... 368
Personal Protective Equipment Technology for Biological
Threats.................................................. 368
Prophylactic Medical Countermeasures for Radiation Exposure 369
Utilization of Commercial Reusable Hypersonic Test Beds as
a Service................................................ 369
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 369
Subtitle A--Space Activities................................. 369
Section 1601--Acquisition Career Path in the Space Force... 369
Section 1602--Advance Payments for Commercial Satellite
Communication Services................................... 370
Section 1603--Noise Mitigation Regarding Space Launches.... 370
Section 1604--Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and
Tracking Program......................................... 370
Section 1605--Reports on Spaceport of the Future Initiative 371
Section 1606--Use of Middle Tier Acquisition Program for
Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture of Space
Development Agency....................................... 371
Subtitle B--Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-Related
Activities............................................... 371
Section 1611--Clandestine Activities Vendor Database....... 371
Section 1612--Modification of Authority of Army
Counterintelligence Agents to Execute Warrants and Make
Arrests.................................................. 371
Section 1613--Modifications to and Codification of the
Department of Defense Insider Threat Program............. 371
Section 1614--Facility Clearance Acceleration for Members
of Defense Industrial Consortiums........................ 372
Section 1615--Requirement to Authorize Additional Security
Clearances for Certain Contractors....................... 372
Subtitle C--Nuclear Forces................................... 372
Section 1621--Establishment of Air Force Global Strike
Command.................................................. 372
Section 1622--Matters Relating to the Nuclear-Armed, Sea-
Launched Cruise Missile.................................. 372
Section 1623--Prohibition on Reduction of Intercontinental
Ballistic Missiles of the United States.................. 372
Section 1624--Strategy to Sustain Minuteman III
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and Maximize End-of-
Life Margin.............................................. 372
Section 1625--Report on Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical, and Biological Defense
Policy and Programs...................................... 373
Section 1626--Improvements to Certain Department of Defense
Indemnification Procedures to Enable Procurement of
Commercial Advanced Nuclear Technologies................. 373
Section 1627--Review of the Occupational Health and Safety
Conditions of Operational Facilities Associated with the
LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
System................................................... 373
Subtitle D--Missile Defense Programs......................... 373
Section 1641--Modification to National Missile Defense
Policy to Reflect Golden Dome for America Policy......... 373
Section 1642--Golden Dome for America...................... 373
Section 1643--Prohibition Privatized or Subscription-based
Missile Defense Intercept Capabilities................... 373
Subtitle E--Other Matters.................................... 373
Section 1651--Cooperative Threat Reduction Funds........... 373
TITLE XVII--OTHER DEFENSE MATTERS................................ 374
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 374
Subtitle A--Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations........ 374
Section 1701--Copyright to a Literary Work Produced by a
Civilian Faculty Member of the Uniformed Services
University of Health Sciences in the Course of Such
Employment: Free Use by the Federal Government........... 374
Section 1702--Combatting Illicit Tobacco Products.......... 374
Subtitle B--Other Matters.................................... 374
Section 1721--Technical and Conforming Amendments.......... 374
Section 1722--Transfer or Possession of Defense Items for
National Defense Purposes................................ 374
Section 1723--Evaluation of Risks Posed by Communications
Equipment and Services Produced by Foreign Adversary
Entities................................................. 374
TITLE XVIII--STREAMLINING PROCUREMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY..................................................... 375
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 375
Addressing Barriers to Accelerating Integration of
Software-Defined Hardware Platforms...................... 375
Addressing the Backlog of Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement Cases.............................. 375
Department of Defense Arsenal Collaboration with Private
Sector Entities Engaged in Next-Generation Digital
Manufacturing and Highly Automated Precision Production.. 376
Economic Adjustments to Contracting Thresholds............. 377
Implementation of Requirements for a Modular Open System
Approach................................................. 377
Joint Acceleration Reserve Implementation Plan............. 378
Leveraging Lessons Learned to Strengthen the U.S.
Industrial Base.......................................... 378
Maritime Industrial Base Program........................... 379
Maritime Industrial Base Supplier Working Capital Fund..... 380
Mission Engineering and Integration Activity............... 380
Need for Industrial Base Fund Reform....................... 381
Removing Barriers and Complexity in Use of Other
Transaction Authorities.................................. 382
Transitioning the Department of Defense to Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles for Government Contracting 382
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 383
Subtitle A--Alignment of the Defense Acquisition System...... 383
Section 1801--Alignment of the Defense Acquisition System
with the Needs of Members of the Armed Forces............ 383
Section 1802--Program Executive Officer Responsibilities... 383
Section 1803--Product Support Manager Responsibilities and
Requirements............................................. 384
Section 1804--Amendments to Life-Cycle Management and
Product Support.......................................... 384
Section 1805--Modifications Relating to Life-Cycle and
Sustainment Provisions................................... 384
Section 1806--Major Capability Activity Areas and
Pathfinder Programs...................................... 385
Subtitle B--Requirements Process Reform...................... 385
Section 1811--Joint Requirements Council................... 385
Section 1812--Establishment of the Requirements,
Acquisition, and Programming Integration Directorate..... 386
Section 1813--Establishment of the Mission Engineering and
Integration Activity..................................... 386
Subtitle C--Streamlining Acquisition Processes............... 386
Section 1821--Adjustments to Certain Acquisition Thresholds 386
Section 1822--Clarification of Conditions for Payments for
Commercial Products and Commercial Services.............. 387
Section 1823--Alternative Capability-Based Pricing......... 387
Section 1824--Matters Related to Cost Accounting Standards. 387
Section 1825--Review of Commercial Buying Practices........ 387
Subtitle D--Matters Relating to Commercial Innovation........ 388
Section 1831--Amendment to Other Transaction Authority..... 388
Section 1832--Data-As-A-Service Solutions for Weapon System
Contracts................................................ 388
Section 1833--Requirements for Modular Open System Approach
and Modifications to Rights in Technical Data............ 388
Section 1834--Bridging Operational Objectives and Support
for Transition Program................................... 388
Section 1835--Transition to Advanced Manufacturing for
Certain Critical Items................................... 389
Subtitle E--Modifications to Strengthen the Industrial Base.. 389
Section 1841--Amendments to the Procurement Technical
Assistance Program....................................... 389
Section 1842--Defense Industrial Resilience Consortium..... 389
Section 1843--Qualification, Acceptance, and Supply Chain
Management of Products Manufactured Using Advanced
Manufacturing............................................ 390
Section 1844--Report on Surge Capacity in the Defense
Industrial Base.......................................... 390
DIVISION B--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATIONS................. 390
PURPOSE........................................................ 390
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FAMILY HOUSING OVERVIEW.......... 390
Section 2001--Short Title.................................. 390
Section 2002--Expiration of Authorizations and Amounts
Required to be Specified by Law.......................... 391
Section 2003--Effective Date............................... 391
TITLE XXI--ARMY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION............................ 391
SUMMARY........................................................ 391
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 391
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 391
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 392
Section 2101--Authorized Army Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 392
Section 2102--Family Housing............................... 392
Section 2103--Authorization of Appropriations, Army........ 392
Section 2104--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2021 Project at Fort Gillem, Georgia................ 392
Section 2105--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2022 Projects................................ 392
Section 2106--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2023 Projects....................................... 393
Section 2107--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2025 Project at Smith Barracks, Germany............. 393
TITLE XXII--NAVY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION........................... 393
SUMMARY........................................................ 393
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 393
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 393
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 394
Section 2201--Authorized Navy Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 394
Section 2202--Family Housing............................... 394
Section 2203--Authorization of Appropriations, Navy........ 394
Section 2204--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2022 Project at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry
Point, North Carolina.................................... 394
Section 2205--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2022 Projects................................ 395
Section 2206--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2023 Projects................................ 395
TITLE XXIII--AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION..................... 395
SUMMARY........................................................ 395
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 395
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 395
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 396
Section 2301--Authorized Air Force Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 396
Section 2302--Family Housing............................... 396
Section 2303--Authorization of Appropriations, Air Force... 396
Section 2304--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2017 Project at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany....... 397
Section 2305--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2019 Projects................................ 397
Section 2306--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2020 Projects................................ 397
Section 2307--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2022 Projects................................ 397
Section 2308--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2023 Projects................................ 397
Section 2309--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2025 Project at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. 397
TITLE XXIV--DEFENSE AGENCIES MILITARY CONSTRUCTION............... 397
SUMMARY........................................................ 397
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 398
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 398
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 398
Section 2401--Authorized Defense Agencies Construction and
Land Acquisition Projects................................ 398
Section 2402--Authorized Energy Resilience and Conservation
Investment Program Projects.............................. 398
Section 2403--Authorization of Appropriations, Defense
Agencies................................................. 399
Section 2404--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2019 Project at Iwakuni, Japan...................... 399
Section 2405--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2022 Projects................................ 399
Section 2406--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2023 Projects................................ 399
Section 2407--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2024 Project at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama........... 399
Section 2408--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2024 Project at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant,
Missouri................................................. 399
Section 2409--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2025 Project at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland........ 399
Section 2410--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2025 Project at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,
New Jersey............................................... 399
TITLE XXV--INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS................................ 400
SUMMARY........................................................ 400
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 400
Subtitle A--North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security
Investment Program....................................... 400
Section 2501--Authorized NATO Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects; Authorization of Appropriations.... 400
Subtitle B--Host Country In-Kind Contributions............... 400
Section 2511--Republic of Korea Funded Construction
Projects................................................. 400
Section 2512--Republic of Poland Funded Construction
Projects................................................. 400
TITLE XXVI--GUARD AND RESERVE FORCES FACILITIES.................. 400
SUMMARY........................................................ 400
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 400
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 400
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 401
Section 2601--Authorized Army National Guard Construction
and Land Acquisition Projects............................ 401
Section 2602--Authorized Army Reserve Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 402
Section 2603--Authorized Navy Reserve and Marine Corps
Reserve Construction and Land Acquisition Projects....... 402
Section 2604--Authorized Air National Guard Construction
and Land Acquisition Projects............................ 402
Section 2605--Authorized Air Force Reserve Construction and
Land Acquisition Projects................................ 402
Section 2606--Authorization of Appropriations, National
Guard and Reserve........................................ 402
Section 2607--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain
Fiscal Year 2023 Projects................................ 402
Section 2608--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal
Year 2023 Project at Tucson International Airport,
Arizona.................................................. 402
Section 2609--Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2026
Project at Army Reserve Center Conroe, Texas............. 403
TITLE XXVII--BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACTIVITIES............. 403
SUMMARY........................................................ 403
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 403
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 403
Delays in Base Realignment and Closure Property Transfers
and Environmental Remediation............................ 403
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 404
Section 2701--Authorization of Appropriations for Base
Realignment and Closure Activities Funded through
Department of Defense Base Closure Account............... 404
TITLE XXVIII--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PROVISIONS........... 404
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 404
Army Maintained Dam Infrastructure......................... 404
Centralization and Expansion of the Defense Housing
Feedback System.......................................... 405
Compliance with Statutory Requirements for Health, Safety,
and Environmental Hazard Remediation in Military Housing. 405
Cost of Extreme Weather Events to Military Installations... 406
Design Build Contracting in Guam........................... 406
Digitization of Maintenance Work Order Management.......... 407
Enhance Electrical Grid Resilience on Installations........ 407
Enhancing Access to Affordable Off-Base Housing through
Local Partnerships....................................... 407
Feasibility of a 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education
Center................................................... 408
Feasibility of Designating Co-working Facilities for
Military Spouses at Remote Military Installations in the
Continental United States................................ 409
Flood Mitigation at Department of Defense Facilities....... 409
Government Accountability Office Review of Department of
Defense Facility Sustainment Management.................. 409
Government Accountability Office Review of Privatized
Military Family Housing Inventory........................ 410
Government Accountability Office Review of Unified
Facilities Criteria in Military Construction............. 411
Infrastructure Requirements at Medical Research Units...... 412
Innovative Materials for Housing and Facilities
Construction............................................. 412
Limiting MILCON Bottlenecks Through Use of AI.............. 413
Military Construction Needs to Support F-35 Beddown........ 413
National Guard Bureau and Reserve Component Infrastructure
Deficiencies............................................. 414
Pathogen Transmission Reduction............................ 414
Performance of Privatized Housing Contractors.............. 415
Power Grid Infrastructure.................................. 416
Public-Private Partnership Model for Military Housing in
Guam..................................................... 416
Readiness Impacts and Airfield Infrastructure at Air
Mobility Bases........................................... 416
Security Camera Feasibility Study in Unaccompanied Housing
Buildings................................................ 417
Study on Workforce Housing at Naval Shipyards.............. 418
Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems for Department of
Defense Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities... 419
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 419
Subtitle A--Military Construction Programs................... 419
Section 2801--Facility Construction or Repair: Transactions
Other Than Contracts and Grants.......................... 419
Section 2802--Supervision of Military Construction Projects 419
Section 2803--Improvements to Water Management and Security
on Military Installations................................ 420
Section 2804--Authority to Use Progressive Design-Build
Procedures for Military Construction Projects............ 420
Section 2805--Pilot Program on Use of Additive Construction
Technologies at Army Installations....................... 420
Section 2806--Consideration of Modular Construction Methods
for Military Construction Projects with Protective Design
Elements................................................. 420
Section 2807--Multiyear Contracting Authority for Certain
Military Construction Projects........................... 420
Section 2808--Guidance for Military Construction Projects
for Innovation, Research, Development, Test, and
Evaluation............................................... 420
Subtitle B--Military Housing Reforms......................... 420
Section 2811--Improvements to Department of Defense Housing
Requirements and Market Analysis......................... 420
Section 2812--Use of Imitative Substitute Building
Materials for Preservation of Certain Units of Military
Housing Under Jurisdiction of the Department of Defense.. 420
Section 2813--Modification of Certain Requirements With
Respect to Closure of Maintenance Work Orders for
Privatized Military Housing.............................. 421
Section 2814--Inclusion of Additional Landlord Financial
Information in Certain Annual Report on Privatized
Military Housing......................................... 421
Section 2815--Continuation of Certain Reporting
Requirements with Respect to Privatized Military Housing. 421
Section 2816--Pilot Program for Emerging Mold Remediation
Technologies............................................. 421
Section 2817--Standardization of Mold Remediation
Guidelines Across Military Departments................... 421
Section 2818--Inspections by Qualified Home Inspector of
Privatized Military Housing.............................. 421
Section 2819--Plan to Improve Accuracy, Integration, and
Interoperability of Department of Defense Data With
Respect to Real Property, Infrastructure, Military
Unaccompanied Housing.................................... 421
Subtitle C--Real Property and Facilities Administration...... 421
Section 2821--Modification to Assistance for Public
Infrastructure Projects and Services..................... 421
Section 2822--Modification of Requirement with Respect to
Minimum Capital Investment for Facilities Sustainment,
Restoration, and Modernization for Military Departments.. 422
Section 2823--Extension of Authority to Carry Out
Department of Defense Pilot Program for Use of Cost
Savings Realized......................................... 422
Section 2824--Department of Defense Intergovernmental
Support Agreements for Ordnance Disposal................. 422
Section 2825--Authorities Available for Energy Resilience
and Conservation Investment Program Projects on
Privatized Utility Systems............................... 422
Section 2826--Repeal of Construction Requirements Related
to Antiterrorism and Force Protection or Urban-Training
Operations............................................... 422
Section 2827--Repeal of Pilot Program Authorizing Overhead
Cost Reimbursements from Major Range and Test Facility
Base Users at Certain Department of the Air Force
Installations............................................ 422
Section 2828--Department of Defense Procedures with Respect
to Planning Coordination for Grid Resiliency on Military
Installations............................................ 422
Section 2829--Master Plans for Service Academies........... 423
Section 2830--Review of Unified Facilities Criteria
Applicable to Military Construction Projects; Report..... 423
Section 2831--Annual Report on Cost Premium for
Construction of Certain Facilities....................... 423
Section 2832--Historical Marker Commemorating Effects of
Radiation Exposure at Holloman Air Force Base and White
Sands Missile Range...................................... 423
Section 2833--Name of Department of the Army Military
Installation, Augusta, Georgia........................... 423
Section 2834--Name of the Department of the Army Military
Installation Located in Muscogee County and Chattahoochee
County, Georgia.......................................... 423
Subtitle D--Land Conveyances................................. 423
Section 2841--Extension of Sunset for Land Conveyance,
Sharpe Army Depot, Lathrop, California................... 423
Section 2842--Land Conveyance, Former Curtis Bay Depot,
Maryland................................................. 423
Subtitle E--Modifications to Unspecified Minor Military
Construction............................................. 424
Section 2851--Deadline for Congressional Notification of
Decisions to Carry Out Certain Unspecified Minor Military
Construction Projects.................................... 424
Section 2852--Modification to Unspecified Minor Military
Construction Authority for Laboratory Revitalization
Projects................................................. 424
Section 2853--Modification of Authority for Indo-Pacific
Posture Unspecified Minor Military Construction Projects. 424
Section 2854--Amendments to Defense Laboratory
Modernization Program.................................... 424
Section 2855--Transfer of Defense Laboratory Modernization
Program Authority to Provision of Law with Respect to
Military Construction Projects for Research, Test,
Development, and Evaluation.............................. 424
Section 2856--Authority of a Secretary Concerned to Carry
Out Certain Unspecified Minor Military Construction
Projects................................................. 424
Subtitle F--Limitations and Other Matters.................... 424
Section 2861--Modification to Definition of Military
Installation Resilience.................................. 424
Section 2862--Requirements Relating to Funds for
Construction and Improvement of Commissary Store
Facilities............................................... 425
Section 2863--Expansion of Exceptions to Restriction on
Development of Public Infrastructure in Connection With
Realignment of Marine Corps Forces in Asia Pacific Region 425
Section 2864--Cooperative Agreements with Respect to
Management of Land and Cultural Resources Located on
Military Installations................................... 425
Section 2865--Limitation on the Use of Funds for
Implementing Certain Energy Efficiency Building Codes.... 425
Section 2866--Limitation on Use of Funds for Contravention
or Reversal of Implementation of Recommendation of
Commission on the Naming of Certain Items of the
Department of Defense.................................... 425
Section 2867--Limitation on Use of Funds to Reduce
Capabilities or Staffing of Department of Defense
Military Treatment Facilities Located Inside the United
States................................................... 425
Section 2868--Notice Relating to Contracts or Other
Agreements to Establish an Enduring Location in a Foreign
Country.................................................. 425
Section 2869--Designation of Official Responsible for
Coordination of Defense Sites Within Area of
Responsibility of Joint Region Marianas.................. 426
DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORIZATIONS
AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS....................................... 426
TITLE XXXI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS...... 426
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 426
Beryllium Manufacturing Capabilities....................... 426
Kansas City Non-Nuclear Component Expansion Transformation. 426
Lithium Processing Facility................................ 427
National Nuclear Security Administration Cloud Computing
Strategy................................................. 427
National Nuclear Security Administration Plan for Office of
Secure Transportation Modernization...................... 428
National Nuclear Security Administration Workforce......... 428
Plan to Modernize Warhead Assembly and Disassembly
Operations............................................... 428
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 429
Subtitle A--National Security Programs and Authorizations.... 429
Section 3101--National Nuclear Security Administration..... 429
Section 3102--Defense Environmental Cleanup................ 429
Section 3103--Other Defense Activities..................... 429
Section 3104--Nuclear Energy............................... 429
Subtitle B--Program Authorizations........................... 429
Section 3111--Plutonium Pit Production Capacity............ 429
Section 3112--Stockpile Responsiveness and Rapid
Capabilities Programs of the National Nuclear Security
Administration........................................... 430
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters........................ 430
Section 3121--Modification to Reporting Requirements with
Respect to Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Stewardship,
Management, and Responsiveness Plan...................... 430
Section 3122--Assessment of the National Nuclear Security
Administration Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization
Project.................................................. 430
Section 3123--Limitation Relating to Reclassification of
High-Level Waste......................................... 430
Section 3124--Notification Requirement with Respect to
Nuclear Power in Guam.................................... 430
TITLE XXXII--DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD............. 430
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 430
Section 3201--Authorization................................ 430
TITLE XXXIV--NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVES............................ 431
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 431
Section 3401--Authorization of Appropriations.............. 431
TITLE XXXV--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION.............................. 431
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 431
Subtitle A--Maritime Administration.......................... 431
Section 3501--Authorization of Appropriations for Maritime
Administration........................................... 431
Subtitle B--Maritime Infrastructure.......................... 431
Section 3511--Clarification regarding Use of Port
Infrastructure Development Program Funds to Replace
Chinese Port Crane Hardware or Software.................. 431
Section 3512--Clarification of Certain Authorities Relating
to Deepwater Ports....................................... 431
Section 3513--Eligibility of Shore Power Projects under
Port Infrastructure Development Program.................. 431
Subtitle C--Reports.......................................... 431
Section 3521--Report on Use of Commercial Contracting Agent
for Crewing and Operation of Military Sealift Command
Vessels.................................................. 431
Subtitle D--Other Matters.................................... 432
Section 3531--United States Merchant Marine Academy Campus
Modernization Plan....................................... 432
Section 3532--Cargoes Procured, Furnished, or Financed by
United States Government................................. 432
Section 3533--Treatment of the University of Louisiana
Maritime Academy as a State Maritime Academy............. 432
Section 3534--Design and Construction of Missile
Instrumentation Range Safety Vessels..................... 432
DIVISION D--FUNDING TABLES....................................... 432
Section 4001--Authorization of Amounts in Funding Tables... 432
Summary of National Defense Authorizations for Fiscal Year
2026..................................................... 433
National Defense Budget Authority Implication.............. 437
TITLE XLI--PROCUREMENT........................................... 439
Section 4101--Procurement.................................. 439
TITLE XLII--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION.......... 477
Section 4201--Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation.. 477
TITLE XLIII--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE........................... 521
Section 4301--Operation and Maintenance.................... 521
TITLE XLIV--MILITARY PERSONNEL................................... 542
Section 4401--Military Personnel........................... 542
TITLE XLV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS.................................. 543
Section 4501--Other Authorizations......................... 543
TITLE XLVI--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION................................ 547
Section 4601--Military Construction........................ 547
TITLE XLVII--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS..... 561
Section 4701--Department of Energy National Security
Programs................................................. 561
Communications from Other Committees............................. 573
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 591
Statement Required by the Congressional Budget Act............... 608
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 608
Disclosure of Earmarks and Congressionally Directed Spending
Items.......................................................... 609
Oversight Findings............................................... 612
General Performance Goals and Objectives......................... 612
Statement of Federal Mandates.................................... 612
Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................. 612
Applicability to the Legislative Branch.......................... 612
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 612
Committee Votes.................................................. 613
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 648
Additional Views................................................. 649
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-231
=========================================================================
STREAMLINING PROCUREMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY AND
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026
_______
August 19, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Rogers of Alabama, from the Committee on Armed Services, submitted
the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 3838]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Armed Services, to whom was referred the
bill (H.R. 3838) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for
military construction, and for defense activities of the
Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths
for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, having considered
the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and
recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
The amendment strikes all after the enacting clause of the
bill and inserts a new text which appears in italic type in the
reported bill.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
The bill would: (1) authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2026 for procurement and for research, development, test,
and evaluation; (2) authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2026 for operation and maintenance and for working capital
funds; (3) authorize for fiscal year 2026 the personnel
strength for each Active Duty Component of the military
departments, and the personnel strength for the Selected
Reserve for each Reserve Component of the Armed Forces; (4)
modify various elements of compensation for military personnel
and impose certain requirements and limitations on personnel
actions in the defense establishment; (5) authorize
appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military construction
and family housing; (6) authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2026 for the Department of Energy national security
programs; and (7) authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026
for the Maritime Administration.
RATIONALE FOR THE COMMITTEE BILL
H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective
Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2026, is the primary vehicle through which
Congress fulfills its responsibility as mandated in Article I,
Section 8, of the Constitution of the United States, which
grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense, to
raise and support an Army, to provide and maintain a Navy, and
to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and
naval forces. Rule X of the House of Representatives provides
the House Committee on Armed Services with jurisdiction over
the Department of Defense generally and over the military
application of nuclear energy. The committee bill includes
findings and recommendations resulting from its oversight
activities, conducted through hearings and briefings with
Department of Defense and Department of Energy civilian and
military officials, intelligence analysts, outside experts, and
industry representatives, and it is informed by institutional
experience. H.R. 3838 provides the Department of Defense and
the Department of Energy with important policy authorities to
speed decision making and improve agility, while improving
readiness and increasing capabilities and capacities.
Central to H.R. 3838 is the focus on acquisition reform.
The committee believes our acquisition system is too slow and
bureaucratic to arm our servicemembers with what they need,
when they need it. H.R. 3838 refocuses the defense acquisition
enterprise by aligning acquisition to warfighter priorities and
operational outcomes, accelerating the requirements process,
striking the balance between regulation and efficiency,
strengthening the defense industrial base, and developing a
mission-oriented defense acquisition workforce.
H.R. 3838 meets the committee's goal of facilitating a
strong national defense apparatus that is resourced properly,
accountable for its actions, and cognizant of the essential and
direct oversight role of Congress. H.R. 3838 emphasizes
transformational change and leans forward to fortify the
Department's technological advantage to ensure our
servicemembers have the tools required to address growing
threats in this area. H.R. 3838 allows our military to improve
readiness, expand capabilities, and invest in the new
technologies required to secure our country and protect us
against our adversaries.
HEARINGS
In compliance with clause 3(c)(6) of House rule XIII, (1)
the following hearing was used to develop or consider H.R.
3838:
On June 12, 2025, the committee held a hearing,
``Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request''.
(2) The following related hearings were held:
On February 12, 2025, the committee held a hearing,
``Protecting American Interests in a Convergent Global Threat
Environment''.
On February 26, 2025, the committee held a hearing,
``Strengthening America's Defense Industrial Base, Workforce
and Production Lines to Deter War''.
On April 1, 2025, the committee held a hearing, ``U.S.
Military Posture and National Security Challenges in North and
South America''.
On April 8, 2025, the committee held a hearing, ``U.S.
Military Posture and National Security Challenges in Europe''.
On April 9, 2025, the committee held a hearing, ``U.S.
Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Indo-
Pacific Region''.
On May 20, 2025, the committee held a hearing, ``Member
Day''.
On June 4, 2025, the committee held a hearing, ``Department
of the Army Fiscal Year 2026 Posture''.
On June 5, 2025, the committee held a hearing, ``Department
of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2026 Posture''.
On June 10, 2025, the committee held a hearing, ``U.S.
Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the
Greater Middle East and Africa''.
On June 11, 2025, the committee held a hearing,
``Department of the Navy Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request''.
In addition, the seven subcommittees of the committee
conducted 21 hearings to develop and consider H.R. 3838.
COMMITTEE POSITION
On July 15, 2025, the Committee on Armed Services held a
markup session to consider H.R. 3838. The committee ordered the
bill H.R. 3838, as amended, favorably reported to the House of
Representatives by a recorded vote of 55-2, a quorum being
present.
EXPLANATION OF THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
The committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a
substitute during the consideration of H.R. 3838. The remainder
of the report discusses the bill, as amended.
RELATIONSHIP OF AUTHORIZATION TO APPROPRIATIONS
The bill does not provide budget authority. This bill
authorizes appropriations; subsequent appropriations acts will
provide budget authority.
The bill addresses the following categories in the
Department of Defense budget: procurement; research,
development, test, and evaluation; operation and maintenance;
military personnel; working capital funds; and military
construction and family housing. The bill also addresses the
Armed Forces Retirement Home, Department of Energy National
Security Programs, the Naval Petroleum Reserve, and the
Maritime Administration.
Active Duty and Reserve personnel strengths authorized in
this bill and legislation affecting compensation for military
personnel determine the remaining appropriation requirements of
the Department of Defense. However, this bill does not provide
authorization of specific dollar amounts for each military
personnel account.
SUMMARY OF DISCRETIONARY AUTHORIZATIONS IN THE BILL
The President requested a total discretionary budget
authority of $892.6 billion for national defense budget
function (050) for fiscal year 2026. Of that amount, $882.6
billion was requested for national defense programs within the
jurisdiction of the committee for fiscal year 2026. Of this
amount, $848.2 billion was requested for Department of Defense
programs, $33.9 billion was requested for Department of Energy
national security programs and the Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board, and $0.5 billion was requested for defense-
related activities associated with the Maritime Administration.
The committee recommends an overall discretionary
authorization for national defense programs of $892.6 billion
for fiscal year 2026 and authorizes $882.6 billion for fiscal
year for programs within its jurisdiction. The committee
authorization represents a $1.1 billion decrease below the
national defense levels provided for in the Servicemember
Quality of Life and National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159). This amount does not
include $153.4 billion in mandatory budget authority provided
under title II of Public Law 119-21.
The table preceding the detailed program adjustments in
division D of this report summarizes the committee's
recommended discretionary authorizations by appropriation
account for fiscal year 2026 and compares these amounts to the
President's request.
BUDGET AUTHORITY IMPLICATION
The President's total request for the national defense
budget function (050) in fiscal year 2026 is $963.9 billion,
based on assumptions provided by the Congressional Budget
Office. In addition to discretionary funding for defense
programs authorized in this Act, the total 050 request includes
mandatory programs not authorized in this Act, discretionary
funding for national defense programs not in the committee's
jurisdiction and not authorized in this Act, and discretionary
funding for programs that do not require additional
authorization in fiscal year 2026. This amount also includes
the Congressional Budget Office estimate for outlays available
under Public Law 119-21.
The table preceding the detailed program adjustments in
division D of this report details changes to the budget request
for all aspects of the national defense budget function.
STREAMLINING PROCUREMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY AND
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026
Section 1--Short Title
This section would cite the short title of this Act as the
``Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery
and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026''.
Section 2--Organization of Act into Divisions; Table of Contents
This section would organize the Act into divisions and
contain the table of contents.
Section 3--Congressional Defense Committees
This section would provide the definition of
``congressional defense committees.''
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT
Aircraft Procurement, Army
Items of Special Interest
Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Systems
The committee recognizes the urgent need for long-range,
high-altitude Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
(ISR) to support combatant commanders in contested
environments. The Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS), including
both ARES and ATHENA-R, has demonstrated significant
operational value by delivering ISR, electronic warfare, and
precision targeting capabilities in support of U.S. Army and
Joint Force requirements.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later
than March 1, 2026, addressing:
(1) a full assessment of ARES and ATHENA-R's operational
contributions to ISR, electronic warfare, and targeting
effectiveness;
(2) a sustainment and procurement strategy to ensure
continued availability of ARES and ATHENA-R capabilities in
support of Joint Force ISR needs; and
(3) budgetary requirements for additional aircraft
procurement to meet combatant commander ISR demands through
FY2028.
The committee encourages the Department of Defense to
prioritize procurement and sustainment funding for MDSS/ARES
and ATHENA-R in FY2026 and beyond to prevent ISR capability
gaps in contested theaters.
Army Modernization Plan for Airborne Reconnaissance, Surveillance,
Targeting, and Acquisition (RSTA)
The committee is concerned with the Army's ability to meet
current and future operational demands for airborne
reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting, and acquisition (RSTA)
capabilities in alignment with the National Defense Strategy.
The committee recognizes that evolving threats and rapid
technological advancements necessitate a coherent, forward-
looking modernization strategy that links capability
development with long-term resource planning.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 15, 2026, detailing a comprehensive plan
for the modernization of airborne RSTA capabilities. This
report should include:
(1) a detailed assessment of all current and future
airborne RSTA mission requirements necessary to support the
National Defense Strategy;
(2) an analysis of the platforms, capabilities, and
capacities required to fulfill the assessed mission
requirements, including gaps, redundancies, and opportunities
for innovation or divestment;
(3) the estimated life-cycle costs for each identified
platform, capability, and capacity, including sustainment,
modernization, and potential replacement;
(4) an analysis of operational, budgetary, and schedule
trade-offs between sustaining currently fielded capabilities,
modernizing existing platforms and systems, and developing and
producing new capabilities; and
(5) a strategy for implementing the modernization plan
through fiscal year 2030, including key milestones, decision
points, and alignment with Army and Department of Defense
budget planning cycles.
The report shall be submitted in unclassified form but may
include a classified annex, as appropriate.
Feasibility and Advisability of Combining CH-47F and MH-47G Contracts
The committee is aware that the Army and United States
Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) currently procure the CH-
47F and MH-47G Chinook on two separate contract vehicles with
different funding lines, acquisition and contracting
authorities, and aircraft configurations. The committee
believes there could be cost savings for the Army and USSOCOM
if these contracts were combined. Therefore, the committee
directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 1, 2025, on the feasibility
and advisability of combining the CH-47F and MH-47G contracts.
The report shall also include, but not be limited to:
(1) any potential cost savings or program efficiencies that
could be found as a result of combining procurement contracts;
and
(2) any potential cost savings as a result of using multi-
year procurement contracting, including through the use of
Advance Procurement funding.
Fixed Wing Requirement
The committee understands Army operational support airlift
fixed wing capability is important within the U.S. Indo-Pacific
Command area of responsibility. The aircraft provide aerial
transport for partner building, personnel and cargo movement,
medevac support and other missions in remote and austere areas.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by December
1, 2025. The briefing should include current requirements for
Army operational support airlift in remote areas that support
transportation for personnel, cargo and casualty evacuation in
a contested logistics environment. The brief should also
include a plan for recapitalization of current Army fixed-wing
aircraft.
Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Medical Evacuation Capability for
Army National Guard
The committee is aware of potential capability gaps in
medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) platform availability,
particularly within the National Guard. The Army's Future Long
Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) procurement strategy, with
initial fielding projected for 2031, could provide an
opportunity to assess the optimal distribution of FLRAA MEDEVAC
assets across the Active Component and National Guard to
maximize operational readiness.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026, on the feasibility and strategic impact of
integrating FLRAA MEDEVAC capabilities within the Army National
Guard. The report shall include:
(1) an assessment of the current MEDEVAC capability
distribution between the Active Component and National Guard,
including readiness levels and operational effectiveness;
(2) an evaluation of potential National Guard units for
initial FLRAA MEDEVAC fielding based on infrastructure,
training readiness, and strategic location;
(3) a review of existing and projected MEDEVAC capability
gaps and how FLRAA integration could address these gaps;
(4) an analysis of training and sustainment requirements
for National Guard units to operate FLRAA MEDEVAC aircraft
effectively; and
(5) a timeline and recommendations for FLRAA procurement
and fielding within the National Guard.
Improved Secondary Rotorcraft Turbine Lubrication
The committee recognizes that safe and effective operation
of modern helicopters entails satisfactory treatment of the
loss-of-lubrication (LoL) condition. The committee notes that
the helicopter is required to operate effectively for a minimum
prescribed time of 30 minutes while experiencing failure of the
primary lubrication system. However, the prescribed time leaves
limited margin for error and safe operating procedures in the
event of a primary lubrication failure, putting warfighters at
increased risk, especially in austere environments.
The committee encourages the Department of the Army to
accelerate development of secondary lubrication systems to
increase safety margins following loss of primary lubrication
to rotorcraft propulsion, main, intermediate, and tail gearbox
components. In addition, the committee directs the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide
a report to the House Armed Services Committee not later than
April 1, 2026, on improved secondary rotorcraft turbine
lubrication for all Department of Defense rotorcraft. At a
minimum the report shall include:
(1) A statement of current rotorcraft fleet loss-of-
lubrication safety requirements;
(2) An assessment of the capability of current safety
systems to meet current requirements;
(3) An outline of plans to develop secondary lubrication
systems that meet or increase safety margins following a loss
of primary lubrication event; and,
(4) A strategy to implement any promising secondary
lubrication solutions that improve safety margins for
rotorcraft fleets.
Missile Procurement, Army
Items of Special Interest
Army Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave Program
The committee supports the Army's continued investment in
high-power microwave technologies for defeating unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) threats to installations, assets, and
personnel and appreciates the Army's evaluation of commercial
technologies to rapidly address emerging threats. As UAS
continues to increase in capability, affordability, and
availability, the committee encourages the transition of the
Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave
to a program of record in fiscal year 2027.
Competitive Demonstration of Low-Cost, Highly Scalable Air Interceptors
The committee understands that commercially available
technologies for short- and medium-range kinetic air defense
interceptors have matured to the point of operational
evaluation. The committee notes that a competitive
demonstration is scheduled to take place in June 2026 involving
capabilities such as those aligned with the Department's
Replicator initiative and other counter-uncrewed systems
currently under consideration by the Rapid Capabilities and
Critical Technologies Office and other defense components.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army, in
coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to provide a report
to the congressional defense committees by August 30, 2026, on
the results of the June 2026 demonstration. The report should
include an assessment of the effectiveness and readiness of the
interceptor systems tested, identification of any commercial
technologies with near-term transition potential, and a plan to
expand the frequency of testing and evaluation events. It
should also describe any steps taken or planned to incorporate
these capabilities into ground, air, and maritime platforms.
The committee urges the Department to prioritize competitive
procurement strategies and accelerate acquisition timelines
where appropriate to meet evolving operational air defense
requirements.
Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 Enduring Shield
The committee is concerned that the Army's focus on
development of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Second
Interceptor may be failing to incorporate a necessary element
of design commonality through the standardization of magazine
design, a highly successful practice demonstrated by the Navy's
Mark 41 vertical launch system. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31,
2026, on the Army's intent to standardize Enduring Shield's
magazine design for the Second Interceptor development and
production.
Production Capacity and Deployment Plans for the Precision Strike
Missile
The Committee is aware that the long-range, ground-launched
Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) could significantly bolster
deterrence and United States combat capabilities in the Pacific
and the Middle East.
The committee notes that PrSM will allow the Army to target
enemy ground targets and eventually naval forces at a greater
range and volume than its predecessor, the Army Tactical
Missile System. Deploying the PrSM in the Pacific and the
Middle East would enhance the military's capabilities.
The committee directs the Assistant Secretary of the Army
for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA (ALT)) to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than March 1, 2026, on the PrSM program and include:
(1) anticipated maximum production capacity for fiscal year
2026;
(2) plans, options, and requirements to expand production
capacity in FY2027; and
(3) plans for deploying the system to the Indo-Pacific and
Central Command areas of responsibility.
Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wireless-Guided Anti-Tank Weapon
System
The Army has proposed cancelling procurement of the Tube-
launched, Optically-Tracked, Wirelessly-Guided (TOW) anti-tank
weapon system. The committee is reminded of the Army's decision
in 2003 to cancel the Stinger Block II missile program, without
a replacement, and the industrial base challenges when the
decision was made to restart U.S. production. The Army
currently has a significant inventory of TOW missiles, but
world events have demonstrated that transfers to allies can
quickly change the stockpile outlook.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army, to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 30, 2026, on the Army's plan to address its anti-
tank guided missile and organic direct fire requirements
without TOW. The briefing should include:
(1) the acquisition plan to replace the capability provided
by TOW, including schedule, development and production costs,
and any planned commonality with current TOW launchers;
(2) an assessment of the costs, capabilities and fielding
timelines associated with an enhanced TOW, compared with the
planned alternative;
(3) the current inventories including current stockpile
life remaining, variants, and launchers; and
(4) the industrial base implications of an extended
production gap to include cost estimates of cold-line
production restart, and any risks to allied procurement of the
system.
Typhon Mid-Range Capability Battery Industrial Base
The committee commends the Army for addressing present and
future long-range precision fires modernization concerns. The
Typhon Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) System is designed to
meet the challenges presented by near-peer artillery threats,
specifically Russia and China. The Typhon System is an integral
component of the Army Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) designed
to defeat and overmatch enemy fires on U.S. combat operations
and ground combat systems. Allied militaries understand the
unique capabilities provided by this system and have deployed
four batteries to strategic global locations providing a
rapidly deployable, highly precise, and survivable solution.
The committee believes that the Typhon SMRF system is an
essential strategic deterrence and readiness component and
encourages the Army to include additional systems in their
future year defense program. The committee encourages Army
senior leadership to materially support first, second and third
tier system suppliers within the defense industrial base to
ensure operational capacity for future contingencies.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by December 1, 2025 that provides an overview of current
program status as well as funding and acquisition plans for the
Future Year Defense Program (FYDP).
Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army
Items of Special Interest
Effectiveness of Humvee Rollover Prevention Kits
The committee notes the Department of the Army's efforts to
reduce the risk of rollover incidents for the High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The committee is
concerned with better understanding the impact and
effectiveness of these safety investments and whether they have
made a difference in minimizing accidents, injury, and death
for soldiers. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, not later than December 1, 2025, that includes:
(1) the annual number of Class A mishaps and rollover
incidents involving Army HMMWVs and how many of the HMMWVs
involved in those incidents that were anti-lock braking system/
electronic stability control (ABS/ESC) equipped;
(2) the percentage of all Army HMMWVs that are involved in
Class A or B mishaps annually, in comparison to the percentage
of all ABS/ESC equipped Army HMMWVs involved in Class A or B
mishaps; and
(3) any other metrics or data on the impact of HMMWV safety
upgrades that the Secretary deems appropriate.
M240 and M249 Operationally Ready Inventory
The committee's ongoing concerns regarding the Army's
current efforts to sustain the M240 medium machine gun program
of record and a viable operationally ready inventory continues
to grow given the level of drawdown of the weapon system for
Ukraine. Briefings to the committee to date have provided
little insight into the known, but undefined, concerns with the
operational status of the weapon systems in inventory. The
Army's sustainment plan and industrial base approach remain
unclear, and the Army has programmed little or no procurement
funding for the M240 within the fiscal year 2025 budget.
Further, as communicated in past legislation, the committee
remains concerned that the Army's lack of a sustainment
strategy could result in a decline or elimination of industrial
capacity to manufacture this critical weapon system. Finally,
the committee was recently made aware of similar issues within
the M249 program.
Therefore, given the level of concern communicated through
past National Defense Authorization Acts and the Ukraine
drawdown, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 15, 2025, detailing:
(1) what is required to identify the current operational
status of the M240 and M249 inventory;
(2) how the Army will address the average monthly demand
for sustainment given the drawdowns have depleted the M240 and
M249 inventory; and
(3) the Army's plan to sustain the M240 and M249 into the
future and assure the viability of our industrial base to
produce the weapon system.
Next Generation Squad Weapon Magazine Testing
Section 116 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81) required the Army to
submit a report on the competitive acquisition strategy to
field commercial off the shelf components for the Next
Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW). Additionally, in fiscal year
2023, $10 million was appropriated for extensive reliability
testing to determine the best suited magazine and to determine
if other vendors' products could meet requirements. The
committee is concerned that this testing did not provide
adequate information and access to the weapon system to allow
the qualified vendors to adjust their product to the weapon
qualifications. The committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2025, on a plan to conduct an additional
qualification test to ensure the Army can field NGSW with the
highest performing magazine. The plan should include:
(1) criteria and methodology to evaluate competing magazine
designs of various material types;
(2) a plan with associated timeline to provide production
representative weapon systems and ammunition to qualified
vendors in advance of the test, to enable each vendor to
optimize their magazine designs prior to the test; and
(3) any additional matters the Army deems necessary to
ensure transparency of the NGSW magazine qualification and
reliability testing.
Rifle Accessory Control Unit
The committee has provided direction and demonstrated
support for the testing and evaluation of the Rifle Accessory
Control Unit (RACU), which provides the warfighter with single-
point control for all weapon-mounted and body-worn electronic
devices. Testing and evaluation has clearly demonstrated the
RACU's significant capabilities, enhancing warfighter safety
and lethality.
The committee is encouraged that the Army is currently
conducting an operational evaluation of the RACU as the Common
Remote for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) and
anticipates this evaluation will be carried out expeditiously
throughout calendar year 2025.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
March 1, 2026, on the results of the operational evaluation of
the Rifle Accessory Control Unit (RACU) as the Common Remote
for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW). The report should
include the following:
(1) an assessment of the RACU's suitability as the Common
Remote for the NGSW;
(2) findings from the 2025 operational evaluation; and
(3) a proposed schedule and plan for transition to a
Program of Record, if applicable.
Stryker Family of Vehicles
The committee strongly supports continued production of the
Stryker Family of Vehicles. In addition to the Army's Stryker
Brigade Combat Teams, the Stryker's mobility and versatility
has made it the platform of choice for several critical Army
programs including Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD)
systems, Counter Small Unmanned Aerial System (C-SUAS)
platforms, and the Nuclear Biological and Chemical
Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) fleet. All variants support
deterrence and operational plans (OPLAN) requirements in the
European and Indo-Pacific theaters. Stryker vehicles have even
been deployed to support security on the Southern border.
Therefore, the committee was disappointed that the Army's
fiscal year 2026 justification materials stated that the Army
no longer plans to procure 38 vehicles authorized and
appropriated in fiscal year 2025.
Therefore, the committee expects the Department to execute
previously authorized and appropriated funds as intended as
well as the funding in the bill to provide for reconciliation
pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14 (Public Law 119-21). In
addition, the Department's budget materials do not acknowledge
$230,000,000 included for Stryker procurement in Public Law
119-21. The committee expects the Department to follow
congressional intent when implementing this law.
Procurement of Ammunition, Army
Items of Special Interest
Ammunition Supply Chain
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than
February 1, 2026, on the United States supply chain for
smokeless gunpowder, including nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin,
and acid production, essential to ammunition manufacturing, and
on assessment plans for locations previously identified by the
Army to improve the sourcing of smokeless gunpowder.
Army Ammunitions Industrial Base
The committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to review the Army's efforts to expand and improve the
ammunition industrial base, including its plans to contract for
the modernization, expansion, or construction of new
facilities; review the workforce available for those
facilities; and identify and obtain critical materials. The
review should assess the extent to which the Army has
implemented its plans, any associated challenges, and the
extent to which the Army's planning adheres to leading
practices. The committee further directs the Comptroller
General to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than May 1, 2026, on the findings of the
review.
Directive to Brief on the Department of the Army's Medium Caliber
Counter UAS (c-UAS) and Ground Munition Capabilities
The committee recognizes the need for next generation 25mm
and 40mm munitions to address evolving threats, including
unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and dispersed ground targets.
Legacy platforms like the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and MK19
remain essential but must be augmented with enhanced range,
precision, and adaptability.
Medium caliber platforms, 25mm through 50mm systems, are
central to the future of maneuver warfare and expeditionary
force protection. Their balance of mobility, lethality, and
logistics footprint makes them well-suited for a broad array of
applications, from infantry fighting vehicles and unmanned
ground systems to shipboard and remote-mounted defensive
systems. However, their effectiveness in counter unmanned
aerial systems (c-UAS) scenarios depends on accelerated
innovation in munitions design. Precision engagement,
programmable fuzing, selectable effects, and low-collateral
area effects are all essential to defeating unmanned aerial and
ground threats in dynamic, high-threat environments. As
adversaries adopt increasingly advanced drone and maneuver
capabilities, layered, responsive fires at the medium caliber
level will become a defining operational advantage. To keep
pace, the Department must accelerate the development of
advanced medium caliber munitions optimized for both kinetic c-
UAS missions and improved lethality against ground targets.
The committee therefore directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to submit a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later
than March 1, 2026, on the Army's ability to accelerate medium
caliber munition development for c-UAS and ground roles,
including joint efforts, rapid prototyping, and the use of
government assets. If the briefing is classified, it shall be
accompanied by an unclassified summary. The briefing shall
include:
(1) Current medium caliber development efforts;
(2) Key technical and industrial barriers;
(3) Recommendations for accelerating integration, testing,
and fielding.
Execution Plan for Munitions-Industrial-Base Supplemental Funding
The committee welcomes the additional resources provided by
the Reconciliation Act (Public Law 119-21) to strengthen the
munitions industrial base and accelerate critical-munitions
procurement. To ensure transparency and effective execution of
these funds, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
December 1, 2025, on the Department's plan to obligate and
expend the munitions funding provided in that Act. The briefing
shall include--
(1) the facilities and specific programs selected for
investment, with associated timelines for each;
(2) the Department's approach to balancing funding between
the organic munitions industrial base and contractor-owned,
contractor-operated facilities;
(3) an explanation of how reconciliation funding aligns
with and influences existing munitions-industrial-base
modernization plans and strategies; and
(4) how reconciliation-provided munitions funds will
support or integrate with the mission of the Joint Energetics
Transition Office.
Novel Artillery Systems
The committee encourages the Army to consider novel
artillery systems that will strengthen the warfighter and
improve stockpile readiness. Following the Ukraine drawdown, it
is clear that 155mm and other artillery systems are essential
to the lethality of the warfighter, and stockpiles are in need
of replenishment. The committee recognizes the work that the
Army has done thus far to modernize and scale production,
particularly for 155mm artillery munitions, but further
modernization of the case design and production facilities
would ensure optimized production lines and munitions for the
warfighter.
Organic Industrial Base Transformation Initiative
The committee understands the critical importance of the
organic industrial base to ensuring the nation has the supply
of critical munitions it requires to deter, and if necessary,
fight and win our nation's wars. The committee commends the
Army's recent efforts to modernize the organic industrial base
but remains aware of multiple deficiencies within the
enterprise. Many of these facilities are now sustaining
obsolete platforms or being forced to find alternate commercial
work, in part because there is no coherent, centralized plan to
guide their workload and modernization efforts. The organic
industrial base's governance is fractured across multiple
commands and functions, including the Army Materiel Command
(AMC) who owns and operates the facilities and the Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and
Technology who funds the majority of workload and acquisition
priorities. Further, the use of the Army Working Capital Fund
prevents the kind of sustained investment that is required to
properly modernize the organic industrial base. To that end,
the committee recognizes that the Army requires an effective,
efficient governance and resourcing model to ensure the organic
industrial base is modernized and expanded to meet our nation's
military requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by February 16, 2026, with the following information:
(1) an analysis of the Army Working Capital Fund's impact
on the operating and production costs for each facility, with a
focus on government-owned, government-operated facilities;
(2) a cost-benefit analysis of moving away from the Army
Working Capital Fund model and instead utilizing direct
appropriations, or a hybrid approach;
(3) a breakout by relevant budget accounts, of workload at
each organic industrial base facility;
(4) an analysis and explanation of how the Army ensures the
workloads for each site are in line with broader Army
production and maintenance goals. Include an assessment of the
feasibility of establishing an annual workload plan that
integrates input from each of the program executive offices;
(5) the advisability of implementing the recommendation
from the Army Science Board September 2023 report Surge
Capacity in the Defense Munitions Industrial Base that ``A
single authority for munitions be assigned, reporting to the
ASA(ALT), to assist in the Single Manager for Conventional
Ammunition role and to oversee and advise on capital
investments, S&T investments, and new manufacturing advances;''
(6) an explanation of how the integration of Joint
Munitions Command into Army Sustainment Command will impact
organic industrial base governance; and
(7) an explanation of how the Joint Energetics Transition
Office will interact with the organic industrial base.
Precision Artillery Munitions Modernization
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army, to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 30, 2025, on the integration of Global
Positioning Signal (GPS) resilient hardware and software into
the Excalibur increment 1b precision artillery munition. The
briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of technical options to enhance the
performance of the munition in a GPS-denied environment,
including the technical feasibility and operational utility of
a home-on-jam capability;
(2) a recommendation for a preferred solution to mitigate
known operational limitations and increase performance;
(3) funding required to implement the preferred solution;
(4) an assessment of the cost and schedule implications
associated with pure fleeting the existing inventory of the
munition with the preferred solution; and
(5) a recommendation to implement home-on-jam capability,
if distinct from the preferred solution, and including cost and
schedule implications.
Other Procurement, Army
Items of Special Interest
Analyzing Commercial Off-the-Shelf Optics to Meet Weapon Sight
Requirements
The Department of Defense recently voided the Family of
Weapon Sights Crew Served contract due to operational failures,
program delays, and cost overruns. However, branches across the
Department of Defense currently field commercial off-the-shelf
crew served weapons optics that meet or exceed program
requirements. The committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, on assessing the alternative
commercial off-the-shelf solutions to satisfy the recently
voided contracts for the Family of Weapon Sights Crew Served
program. The briefing should include the following information:
(1) the reasons the Army terminated the previous contract
including any budget, operational capability, or programmatic
concerns;
(2) the plan, if any, to restart the program and its
projected timeline from solicitation to First Unit Equipped;
(3) analysis to determine if any commercial off-the-shelf
optics solutions can meet program requirements; and
(4) a cost/benefit analysis of fielding any such commercial
off-the-shelf solution(s) in lieu of restarting the program
competition, including possible time or cost savings.
Army Electronic Warfare Roadmap
The committee is aware that Army's PEO Ground Combat
Systems has an existing roadmap to develop soft kill, non-
kinetic solutions for a variety of threats to ground combat
vehicles, including counter-UAS capabilities. While the
Committee is encouraged by the Army's development of soft kill
solutions, it notes that the Army's roadmap would not field
needed capabilities for at least another five years. Therefore,
the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2026 on
the cost, schedule and feasibility of accelerating the fielding
of soft kill, counter-UAS solutions for Army ground combat
vehicles.
Army Tactical Intelligence Targeting Node
The committee is aware of ongoing efforts within the Army
to develop the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node
(TITAN) to modernize the Army's intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) ground stations. This type of capability
enhances Army commanders' ability to collect, process, and
disseminate critical battlefield information at the tactical
edge, improves situational awareness, and supports long-range
precision fires. The committee supports Army efforts to develop
TITAN as a software-centric platform defined by modular open
systems architecture in collaboration with multiple industry
partners.
However, the committee is concerned the Army has not
sufficiently developed and defined associated concepts of
operation (CONOPS) and concepts of employment for the TITAN
platform, nor a clear strategy to procure TITAN systems during
low-rate initial production (LRIP) leading to effective and
efficient transition to full-rate production. For example,
absent a CONOPS regarding the anticipated echelon(s) for
deployment of TITAN, operational test and evaluation may be
hampered due to uncertainty regarding the characteristics of an
operationally relevant and suitable environment.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the Army's schedule for procuring
TITAN systems and plan for how the Army intends to field TITAN
to the Army's Active Duty, special operations forces, Reserve,
and National Guard. This briefing should include, but not be
limited to:
(1) how the concept of operations for TITAN is being
matured in time to inform development and operational test and
evaluation;
(2) how the Army is tracking progress for TITAN, to include
metrics and milestones for deliverables;
(3) an update on the current state of the Army TITAN, to
include plans for production and deployment; and
(4) a thorough analysis of the funding and resource
requirements to ensure full-rate production and continued
operation and sustainment of Army TITAN.
Army Watercraft
The committee understands that the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) recently completed a report on Army
watercraft. The report has four recommendations for the
Secretary of the Army. First, is to develop a mitigation plan
addressing challenges to the watercraft fleet, reducing risks,
mitigating gaps in capability and capacity to meet current and
near-term mission and campaign plan requirements in the Indo-
Pacific theater. Second, is to assess the costs and benefits of
potential courses of action to improve the ability of Army
watercraft to meet current and near-term mission requirements.
Third, to ensure the Army Watercraft Governance Board develops
and issues a government framework that reflects GAO's leading
practices for effective governance. Fourth, to ensure that the
Army Watercraft Governance Board take actions to develop
integrated strategies that identify, analyze, and respond to
persistent maintenance challenges, including significant and
unanticipated maintenance delays, fully capturing maintenance
data within Army enterprise-wide system, and ensuring that
maintenance manuals are issued in a timely manner. The
committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing for the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2026, that addresses the Army's implementation plan for the
four GAO recommendations.
Commercially Available Small Arms Marksmanship Training Technologies
The committee commends the Department of the Army on
efforts to enhance combat unit lethality by raising proficiency
standards, modernizing training with new commercial off-the-
shelf technologies, and a renewed focus on close combat.
Despite notable gains, the committee notes that progress
remains unevenly distributed and often is exclusive of National
Guard and Reserve units.
In particular, the committee noted in its report to
accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2024, concern about potential gaps and capacity
limitations in small arms marksmanship training as the
Department transitions from an earlier generation Engagement
Skills Trainer (EST) to the Soldier Virtual Trainer (SVT) which
will not be fully fielded for several years and continues to
experience delays in meeting training requirements.
The committee is aware that some commercially available
marksmanship training technologies have already been favorably
evaluated by the U.S. Army and are currently in use by
individual units and within other military departments that
could help mitigate these gaps and increase lethality through
greater use of performance optimization, biometrics, robust
shooter data collection and the use of ``dry-fire'' hardware
training components. The committee believes these systems could
improve outcomes, increase throughput, enhance training access
for Guard and Reserve units while reducing costs, range time,
and environmental impacts associated with live fire training.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, on developing a strategic roadmap
for the enterprise adoption of new commercial off-the-shelf
technologies that could augment and enhance small arms
marksmanship and mitigate training gaps. The roadmap shall
include an assessment of:
(1) commercial off-the-shelf technologies in use by
individual army units and other military departments that could
have Army-wide applications;
(2) the utility of collecting and analyzing small arms
human performance optimization, biometric, and shooter data
from individual soldiers and close-combat formations;
(3) the ability of commercial off-the-shelf technologies to
augment the Synthetic Training Environment and mitigate any
current training gaps created by delays in the Soldier Virtual
Trainer; and
(4) commercial off-the-shelf technology's ability to reduce
costs, compress training times, lessen environmental impacts,
and increase safety.
Diversifying the Army's Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Inventory
The committee recognizes the complex threat environment the
Joint Force faces from advanced adversarial unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS) and supports the military services' recent
efforts to utilize novel contracting approaches to procure
Group 3 defeat interceptors and integrate innovative systems
into existing programs.
The committee is concerned, however, that adversarial
production and use of advanced Group 3 systems is outpacing the
quantity of effectors the Army has budgeted in their existing
counter-UAS programs of records. The committee remains
concerned that the Army does not have a long-term plan, nor
accompanying budget materials across the Future Years Defense
Program to sustain these systems or procure them at scale
across the Army. This situation not only risks a budget
shortfall on sustainment of existing systems but also fails to
address the threat in key theaters including U.S. Central
Command.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Army to diversify
and expand available counter-UAS systems and directs the
Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than December 1, 2025, on
the Army's plan to utilize existing authorities to procure
combat-validated counter-UAS interceptors from additional
vendors over the next five years.
Domestic Sourcing of Imaging Sensors for Small Unmanned Aircraft
Systems
The committee acknowledges the pivotal role of advanced
imaging systems as a critical enabler of the Army's Small
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (Long Range Reconnaissance and Medium
Range Reconnaissance) programs, providing real-time
reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition in support
of military operations and ensuring the safety of our service
members. Recognizing the strategic importance of maintaining a
secure and resilient supply chain, the committee emphasizes the
necessity of sourcing these imaging systems from domestic
manufacturers to safeguard against potential disruptions and
bolster the national defense industrial base. The committee
encourages the Secretary of the Army to prioritize the
integration of domestically manufactured imaging systems within
the acquisition strategy for both the LRR and MRR programs. The
committee further directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a report to the House Committee on Armed Services and the
Senate Committee on Armed Services, no later than December 1,
2025, that includes:
(1) status of domestic sourcing for the Army's Battalion-
and Company-Level SUAS activities and any existing challenges
to domestic sourcing for imaging systems, including risks
associated with non-domestic sourcing; and
(2) identified supply chain and industrial base risks to
Group 2 (Battalion- and Company-Level SUAS) and Group 3 UAS
acquisition programs associated with utilizing non-domestic
sources for imaging systems.
Enhanced Mobility and Dispersion of Army Command Posts
The committee is aware of ongoing efforts within the Army
to develop mobile and dispersed command posts and believes
these initiatives are critical to ensuring survivability of
Army forces on contested battlefields. These initiatives,
however, will also require innovative power generation
solutions that are similarly lightweight, scalable, and mobile.
The Army's legacy power generation systems might not be
effective in meeting the requirements of these new mobile and
dispersed command posts. The committee is aware that the Army
is developing modular and scalable next-generation power
systems that can operate as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) or
detached generator. These systems show promise in addressing
capability gaps associated with power generation for dispersed
command posts in dynamic and contested battlefields.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, on the development,
integration, and deployment plans for next generation APUs to
support dispersed command posts. The briefing shall include,
but not be limited to:
(1) an overview of any development, test, integration, and
demonstration activity for the next generation APU,
particularly as it relates to command post applications; and
(2) a roadmap for integrating next generation APUs into
current and future command post programs, including timelines,
funding requirements, and an identification of key stakeholders
in the Army acquisition process.
Hyper-Enabled Awareness Kit and Assured Command and Control in
Contested Environments
The committee supports increased investment in the
Department of Defense's efforts to develop the Hyper-Enabled
Awareness Kit (HEAK) and other communications architectures to
provide assured and persistent command and control in a
contested environment. Warfighters often carry multiple radios
to communicate events to higher echelons, supporting units, and
laterally to other units in the area of operation. The
committee recognizes the Department's need for an event-based,
secure communications platform that connects the tactical edge
to the enterprise. Communications capabilities should
prioritize interoperability, integration, communication speed,
and security for all military operations with a particular
focus on Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL)
environments. The new communications technology should also
enable human machine teaming by moving away from teleoperation
and to command via commander's intent. The committee directs
the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than January 1, 2026 on
the development of the Hyper-Enabled Awareness (HEAK)
capability.
Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System
The committee notes the successful use of the Army's Land
Based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) in the field since 2005.
This system has been a critical element at forward operating
bases, defending against rocket, mortar, artillery, and drone
threats.
The committee is encouraged to learn that the Air Force is
considering LPWS for the air base air defense (ABAD) mission,
particularly for agile combat employment (ACE) locations.
Redesign of the gun and sensor pallet is needed to transport
the system on the more widely available C-130 fleet. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 28, 2026, on the suitability of LPWS to meet ABAD
requirements, estimated cost and schedule to redesign the
current Army configuration to be more deployable, and any other
recommendations for utilization of this system to support the
ACE mission.
Load-Carrying Technological Advancements
The committee recognizes the need to advance the
warfighter's capabilities through innovative load-carrying
solutions. The positive outcomes associated with the Silent
Tactical Energy Enhanced Dismount (STEED) capability as part of
the Maneuverable Lightweight Electric Weight Reducer (MLEWR)
effort, highlight significant enhancements in troop mobility,
lethality, and survivability. Further, the committee
understands that the Army has initiated the validation of a
requirement for the Dismount Unit Soldier Transport (DUST)
requirement, based on the STEED MLEWR effort.
Therefore, the committee strongly encourages the Secretary
of the Army to immediately transition the DUST requirement to
PEO Soldier for immediate fielding of STEED, prioritize STEED,
and establish a Program of Record (PoR). This transition is
essential to secure the rapid procurement and deployment of
these capabilities, ensuring they are available to support our
soldiers in the near future.
Additionally, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to provide a briefing to the House Armed Services
Committees by December 1, 2025, to include the following:
(1) comprehensive feedback from the units assessing the
efficacy and utility of the current load-carrying technologies
under evaluation, with an emphasis on the STEED/ MLEWR effort;
(2) an assessment of operational benefits, challenges
encountered, and potential for integration at scale;
(3) a clear and detailed description of the modular mission
payloads currently being utilized by units that have received
systems under the STEED/MLEWR effort, detailing how each
accessory enhances the platform's utility and the warfighter's
mission effectiveness, and how the Army intends to incorporate
those kits in the program of record;
(4) an update on the progression and validation status of
the Dismounted Unit Soldier Transport (DUST) Capability
Development Document, including an anticipated timeline and the
steps being taken towards achieving its milestones,
requirement, and basis of issue and modular mission payloads;
and;
(5) a description of the initiatives being undertaken to
transition the program to PEO Soldier to expedite the fielding
of the aforementioned capabilities, along with an analysis of
how the Army is intending to solidify this critical capability
into a PoR.
Modern Air Combat Emulation
The committee believes that twenty-first century mission
planning requires the ability to realistically emulate
contested and complex battlespaces to ensure U.S. forces
maintain readiness against near-peer threats. The committee
notes that Army combat aviation brigades have a validated need
for collaborative mission planning capabilities that support
disaggregated operations and utilize next-generation
technologies, such as three-dimensional rendering and virtual
reality.
The committee is aware that Army aviation units recently
submitted an Operational Needs Statement for commercially
available battlespace simulation software that is in use across
other military components, including the Navy, Air Force,
special operations forces, and the Department's broader
training enterprise. The committee notes that these tools are
immediately available, meet Army requirements, and have been
operationally validated. The committee believes fulfilling this
requirement with proven commercial solutions aligns with the
Department's broader goals to increase efficiency and reduce
cost, as outlined in Executive Order 14271, ``Ensuring
Commercial, Cost-Effective Solutions in Federal Contracts.''
The committee directs the Assistant Secretary of the Army
for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than January 31, 2026, on the status of the Army's battlespace
simulation capabilities. The briefing should include the
following:
(1) the Army's plan to fulfill the validated Operational
Needs Statement with commercially available software tools;
(2) a list of any government-owned battlespace simulation
capabilities that could reasonably substitute for commercial
solutions; and
(3) plans to expand the use of such tools across the
broader force.
Modernization of Army Landmine Detection and Breaching
The committee is aware of ongoing efforts within the Army
to modernize landmine detection and breaching capabilities. New
technologies including unmanned aerial systems and autonomy
could provide greater standoff landmine detection,
classification, and geolocation capabilities to enable
autonomous clearing and reduce personnel and equipment put in
harm's way during breaching operations. The committee supports
these efforts and directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the Army's acquisition plans and
timeline for autonomous landmine detection and breaching
systems.
Next Generation Counter-UAS Missile (NGCM) Acquisition Strategy
The committee supports efforts to field additional layers
of air-defense capability against the fast-evolving Unmanned
Aircraft System (UAS) threat and notes that the Army has
identified the Next Generation Counter-UAS Missile (NGCM) as
the mechanism to acquire capabilities complementary to the
current Low Slow Small c-UAS Integrated Defeat System (LIDS)
program of record. Fielding such a capability is a priority,
but the material solution should reflect the requirements set
forth for the program.
The committee is aware of an emerging mismatch between
requirements and the acquisition plan for NGCM, including a
fundamental question about the class of threat the system is
intended to counter. The Army currently has a layered air-
defense capability to address higher-end threats, including
fixed-wing aircraft and cruise missiles, with the Patriot and
Integrated Fire Protection Capability systems. The Air and
Missile Defense Cross Functional Team (AMD-CFT) outlined
requirements for NGCM in 2024, with a priority emphasis on
defeating Group 3 UAS at longer range than the current LIDS
program. In addition, the AMD-CFT identified the importance of
compatibility with the current LIDS system, including launcher
fit, mobile-system integration, and maintaining two-man lift
without material handling equipment.
The committee commends the Army for responding to the
dynamic threat environment but urges caution on conducting
arbitrary test events that may have little bearing on
demonstrating design maturity or meeting stated warfighter
requirements. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 1, 2025, on the acquisition
plan for NGCM. The briefing shall include details on
capabilities and limitations of the system against current and
emerging threats based on J-2 threat assessments, the role of
NGCM within the integrated air and missile defense
architecture, and alignment with AMD-CFT requirements.
Support for Army Agile Funding Pilot Program
The committee is aware of ongoing efforts within the Army
to consolidate budget line items for three portfolio areas:
unmanned aerial systems (UAS), counter-UAS, and electronic
warfare (EW). These efforts are in line with recommendations
from the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and
Execution Reform required by section 1004 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-
81). The committee believes these efforts could enable the Army
to more rapidly develop and acquire UAS, counter-UAS, and EW
capabilities at the speed of relevance to meet emerging threats
and avoid technology obsolescence for these rapidly changing
portfolio areas. The committee remains supportive of this
initiative and encourages the Army to share lessons learned and
program execution updates with the committee on a regular
basis.
Surrogate Training Weapons
The committee is aware that, for training purposes and for
maintaining operational readiness, units within every branch of
the U.S. military have been acquiring and actively using non-
lethal pneumatically operated surrogate training weapons
platforms. These platforms closely replicate current service
weapons in material construction, performance characteristics
and outfitting, use marking rounds, and can withstand the
rigors of tactical training, but are otherwise designated non-
firearms and can be used safely outside the confines of
firearms ranges and shoot houses to train soldiers, seamen,
marines, and airmen. The committee understands that these
surrogate weapon systems have been shown to allow for
persistent training, and the safe and efficient development of
requisite marksmanship and combat firearms skills.
Additionally, the committee notes that they also represent
dramatic cost savings on a per-round basis relative to the use
of live-fire and current non-lethal training ammunition (NLTA).
Exemplative of all these benefits is the wide-scale adoption of
such a surrogate training weapon platform at the U.S. Military
Academy. The committee commends the services for their
increasing use of these surrogate training weapon platforms and
encourages their increased adoption. As such, the committee
directs the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition,
Logistics and Technology), in coordination with the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition)
and the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition,
Technology and Logistics), to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on
non-lethal pneumatically operated surrogate training weapons
platforms. This analysis should include:
(1) a cost-benefit analysis of using these training weapons
platforms compared to legacy training systems, including a
comparison of costs associated on a per-round basis relative to
the use of live-fire and current NLTA, and a comparison of the
frequency of training and impacts on readiness;
(2) current plans and efforts to continue to expand the use
of these surrogate training weapons platforms; and
(3) current plans and efforts to procure these surrogate
training weapon platforms at the service-level to ensure
maximal cost savings and benefits.
Aircraft Procurement, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Propeller Blade Comparison Briefing
The committee understands the propeller retrofit across the
legacy Navy and Air Force programs has increased safety,
ensuring the most reliable and higher performing propellers
across multiple platforms. The committee also understands the
Air Force will finish retrofitting the entire C-130H fleet this
year with an 8-bladed propeller system, while the C-130J
variants currently operates with a 6-bladed propeller system.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy, in
coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by December
1, 2025, comparing:
(1) the mean time between failure and mean time between
removal of 6-bladed propeller and 8-bladed propeller systems;
(2) maintenance costs, both dollars and man-hours, to
maintain each propeller system;
(3) quantification of mission aborts due to propeller
system issues for both systems; and
(4) any other relevant data or analysis relevant for a
comparative analysis.
V-22 Osprey Fleet Modernization Strategy
The committee recognizes the critical role of the V-22
Osprey in providing unmatched tiltrotor mobility to the Joint
Force. Since its introduction, the V-22 has fundamentally
transformed operational reach and agility across a range of
mission sets--from expeditionary assault and personnel recovery
to special operations and ship-to-shore logistics. The
committee notes that more than 400 V-22 aircraft have been
delivered across the services, and the platform continues to
prove its strategic value through persistent forward
deployment, high operational tempo, and unparalleled vertical
lift capabilities at speed and range. The committee encourages
the Department of Defense to prioritize funding for essential
upgrades, such as nacelle improvement, digital interoperability
enhancements, and sustainment that increase aircraft
availability.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, to submit
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the near- and long-term modernization
strategy for the V-22 fleet. The briefing shall include:
(1) an evaluation of how the simplified structural and
component-level design modifications simplify access to
critical systems to improve maintainability of the aircraft;
(2) a fleet-wide fielding plan for nacelle improvement,
including projected completion dates by service component;
(3) quantified improvements in readiness and maintenance
metrics from the nacelle improvement program; and
(4) an assessment of funding requirements for full
implementation across the active and reserve fleets.
Weapons Procurement, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Accelerating Solid Rocket Motor Advanced Manufacturing
The committee is aware that the Department of the Navy is
investing in the modernization of solid rocket motor (SRM)
manufacturing through the Energetics Comprehensive
Modernization Plan. However, the committee understands that
certain advanced technologies such as Advanced Manufacturing of
Solid Propellant (AMSP)--may not be fully considered for
implementation until 2030 or later. The committee believes that
near-term adoption of these newer manufacturing methods could
improve production timelines, increase efficiency, and enhance
safety when compared to legacy mix-and-cast approaches.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2026, on current plans to evaluate
and potentially adopt advanced manufacturing methods for solid
rocket motor production. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of how technologies such as AMSP compare
to legacy methods in terms of safety, cost, and production
timelines;
(2) the potential for accelerated deployment of these
technologies within the Navy's modernization roadmap; and
(3) a description of any planned or ongoing pilot programs,
industry partnerships, or technology demonstrations related to
advanced solid propellant manufacturing.
Alternative Manufacturer Qualification for SM-6 Solid Rocket Motors
The committee recognizes the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) is a
versatile, long-range missile that is integral to the United
States Navy's air and missile defense capability as well as
anti-surface warfare. Despite increasing demand from combatant
commanders, production and sustainment of the missile is
hampered by supply chain shortfalls for solid rocket motors.
The Navy has awarded at least six contracts to validate and
mature alternative sources for Mk-72 and Mk-104 rocket motors,
but this effort must progress quickly to inform future
production decisions.
The committee understands that second source vendors for
Mk-72 and Mk-104 rocket motors must be qualified by 2029 to
support the increased production rate needed for future demand.
Because of the timeline challenges, the committee seeks
additional information on Department of the Navy efforts to
meet critical demand for the SM-6 by rapidly qualifying
alternative sources for Mk-72 and Mk-104 rocket motors.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2026, detailing current efforts to qualify alternative
sources. This report should include information on the status
of the prototyping contracts, relevant timelines for
qualification, transition plans for qualified providers of Mk-
72 and Mk-104 rocket motors, and resource requirements to meet
planned production schedules.
Ballistic Shielding for Crew Served Weapon Stations
The committee is aware that next-generation ballistic
shielding is being fielded for crew served weapons aboard
aircraft carriers. These crew served weapons are a critical
piece of shipboard force protection systems common across many
ship classes in the surface fleet. To better understand
requirements for ballistic shielding on crew served weapons and
efforts to install this capability across the surface fleet,
the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1,
2026. This briefing should include information on the
requirement for ballistic shielding on crew served weapons,
relevant information on current plans for installation on
existing ships, as well as design requirements for new ship
construction.
Enhancing MK-48 Torpedo Readiness
The committee remains concerned about the Navy's ability to
scale MK-48 torpedo production amid growing global threats and
undersea warfare demands. Dormancy in torpedo manufacturing has
led to limited scalability, aging infrastructure, and lead
times of up to 23 months for critical components--putting
readiness and Operational Plans (OPLANS) at risk. To address
these issues, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition (ASN RDA) to
brief the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2026,
outlining a revised MK-48 procurement strategy. The briefing
shall include:
(1) An updated acquisition plan to increase annual
production and reserve warshot fuel tank inventory;
(2) A schedule and funding profile for modernizing
infrastructure, including CNC machining and additive
manufacturing;
(3) A strategy for advance procurement of long-lead items
to reduce disruptions and cost volatility;
(4) A plan to replace outdated testing infrastructure to
eliminate certification delays and improve throughput; and
(5) A cost-benefit assessment of modernization impacts on
readiness and inventory resilience.
Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Assessment of High-Speed, Survivable Naval Craft
The committee remains concerned about persistent capability
gaps in small surface craft because of performance,
survivability, range, and crew protection in contested maritime
environments or special operations missions. The Department of
Defense currently lacks small surface craft capable of
sustained operations in high sea states; platforms with
integrated shock mitigation systems to reduce risk of head,
back, and spinal injuries; and craft with operational ranges
exceeding 600 nautical miles or capable of speeds greater than
59 knots under blue water conditions.
The committee believes there is an opportunity to address
these gaps through the rapid acquisition, testing, and
deployment of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) craft that are
either manned, unmanned, or optionally manned. These platforms
may be capable of meeting advanced performance and
survivability thresholds. The committee is particularly
interested in understanding whether the Department of the Navy
possesses or plans to acquire crafts with such capabilities for
both manned and unmanned naval operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy,
in coordination with the Commander of U.S. Special Operations
Command, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than December 1, 2025 on the Department's
current and planned efforts to field high performance small
craft and unmanned surface vessels capable of operating in
high-threat maritime environments. The briefing should include
the following:
(1) an assessment of current manned, unmanned, or
optionally manned small surface craft, or any under
development, that are capable of sustained operations in sea
states of 8, have operational ranges of at least 600 nautical
miles without refueling; can achieve top speeds exceeding 59
knots in open ocean conditions; and have integrated shock
absorption systems to reduce injury risk to personnel;
(2) a summary of ongoing or planned procurement, testing,
or experimentation of high-speed, long-range COTS surface
craft;
(3) an assessment of the potential to retrofit existing
unmanned or optionally manned platforms to meet these
requirements;
(4) identification of current capability gaps across Navy
and SOCOM inventories and the operational risks posed by those
gaps; and
(5) recommendations to field high-performance small naval
platforms suitable for contested maritime environments.
Auxiliary Oceanographic Research Vessel Procurement
The construction of Navy Global Class research vessels is
vital to U.S. Navy research objectives and control of the ocean
battlespace. Navy-owned oceanographic research vessels have the
unique ability to advance knowledge in Department of Defense
relevant disciplines. There is an urgent need to expand
research vessel availability, as other nations, particularly
China, rapidly expand their own oceanographic research fleets.
An overall fleet recapitalization strategy is essential to
maintaining a balanced research fleet that meets growing
national and scientific demands. From a strategic and national
security standpoint, China's rapid expansion of its
oceanographic fleet poses challenges to U.S. maritime research
leadership. Navy Global Class research vessels play a crucial
role in worldwide deep water undersea research, oceanographic
observations, and naval operations, directly supporting U.S.
national security interests. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Navy to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees by July 1, 2026, on a strategy
for the oceanographic research vessel fleet. The report should
include information on sustainment plans for the current
oceanographic research vessel fleet, operational requirements
for the fleet, and a strategy for future construction plans.
Briefing on Skilled Technical Workforce Readiness to Support Navy
Shipbuilding
The committee is concerned that a shortage of available
workforce in the skilled trades is one of the fundamental
issues to Navy shipbuilding. Workforce challenges are straining
industrial capacity and limiting the Navy's ability to scale
production to meet strategic demands. These trades include
welders, fitters, electricians, and other specialized labor
vital to shipbuilding. Ensuring a pipeline of qualified workers
is critical to sustaining the national defense industrial base
and accelerating ship delivery timelines.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with
the Secretary of the Navy, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than December 1, 2025, on
the state of the skilled technical workforce supporting Navy
shipbuilding. The report shall include:
(1) An inventory of critical trade skills needed across
public and private sector shipyards that perform work for the
U.S. Navy;
(2) An assessment of current and projected workforce
shortfalls;
(3) A review of existing workforce development programs
operated by the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and
Navy; and
(4) Recommendations for improving training pipelines,
expanding apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models, and
increasing regional and national workforce capacity.
Efforts to Reduce Burdens on Maritime Industrial Base Shipyards
The committee notes that many shipbuilding programs are
experiencing significant schedule delays and notes that
strategic outsourcing for component manufacturing may offer
benefits for cost and schedule. To better understand how
outsourcing component or module construction to other entities
besides construction shipyards may reduce construction delays,
the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
March 1, 2026. This briefing shall include the following:
(1) information on current outsourcing efforts to reduce
backlogs and construction delays at major shipyards;
(2) analysis on potential benefits to carry out a
significant proportion of pre-fabrication and machining work
outside of the shipyard facility where final assembly of a ship
is conducted;
(3) information on efforts to use common pre-fabricated
parts among various classes of ship where possible;
(4) an assessment on whether strategic outsourcing may help
address workforce concerns at final construction shipyards; and
(5) information on contracting strategies that may increase
the use of strategic outsourcing or efforts to utilize smaller
shipyards for programs to optimize the work of larger
shipyards.
Enhancements to Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier Design
The committee notes the President's Budget Request for
Fiscal Year 2026 includes $612 million for advance procurement
of long lead time materials to support construction of CVN-82.
Further, the committee notes that the two previously procured
Ford-class aircraft carriers (CVN-80 and CVN-81) are in various
stages of construction. The committee is aware of challenges
within the supply chain that have impacted delivery schedules
of these vessels, and the committee supports ongoing efforts by
the Secretary of the Navy to prioritize the timely delivery of
these vessels to the fleet.
Given current Ford-class delivery schedules, the committee
recognizes an opportunity for the Secretary of the Navy to
identify and integrate certain advanced technologies and design
changes to support the maximum operational utility and most
efficient production of yet to be delivered aircraft carriers.
Examples of such technologies include enhanced electronic
warfare capacity, advanced ship self-defense systems, offensive
combat systems, and directed energy applications to further
enhance capability while also reducing construction and life
cycle maintenance costs of these and future aircraft carriers.
The committee notes the effective design evolution approach
applied to ship classes that have led to the successful LPD
Flight II and DDG-51 Flight III programs and encourages the
Secretary of the Navy to explore a similar methodology for
aircraft carriers.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than December 31, 2025, on the incorporation of
additional advanced technologies to Ford-class and future
aircraft carriers to enhance the lethality and sustained
warfighting capability of the embarked carrier air wing. The
report should involve engagement with key industrial partners
and include:
(1) an analysis of the benefits and costs associated with
incorporating advanced technologies into yet to be delivered
Ford-class and future aircraft carriers, including an
assessment of technological readiness, feasibility of design
changes, and impact on baseline ship design;
(2) an evaluation of the effects on the shipbuilding
industrial base, including availability of new combat systems,
disruptions in supply chains, workforce stability; and
(3) a plan and integration timeline for incorporating the
identified ship alterations into yet to be delivered Ford-class
and future class aircraft carriers as soon as practical.
Need for Expeditionary Medical Ship Class
The committee recognizes the critical need for a modernized
afloat medical capability to support warfighting requirements
in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Further, the
committee recognizes that, due to insufficient speed and
maneuverability, lack of survivability in contested
environments, restricted aviation operations, and limited
ability to integrate into Joint All-Domain Command and Control
networks, the current afloat medical platforms are ill-suited
to support distributed maritime operations or to respond
rapidly to emerging threats. The committee notes the
expeditionary potential of the EMS class and encourages
continued investment by the Department of the Navy to ensure
the fleet can meet operational medical support requirements in
contested and distributed environments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 27, 2026, on the essential functions of
Expeditionary Medical Ships and any current mission critical
medical capability gaps by T-AH hospital ships in contested and
distributed environments.
Submarine Industrial Base Digital Engineering Strategy
The committee continues to strongly support the adoption of
digital engineering in the development, production, and
sustainment of critical defense platforms and capabilities.
This includes the stabilization and enhancement of the
Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) to achieve the required
production rates of the Virginia Class and Columbia Class
submarine programs.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, to submit
a report to the congressional defense committees no later than
December 1, 2025, on the use of digital engineering in the SIB.
The briefing should include the following:
(1) The status of digital engineering in the development,
production, and sustainment of SIB programs, including Virginia
Class and Columbia Class submarines;
(2) An evaluation of barriers to the implementation of
digital engineering in the development, production, and
sustainment of SIB programs;
(3) The extent to which the Navy currently leverages
commercial cloud-based systems and capabilities to support
digital engineering in the development, production, and
sustainment of SIB programs, as well as potential benefits of
expanding the use of such systems in the future; and
(4) Information on any other factors that may contribute to
increased adoption of digital engineering and advanced
manufacturing techniques for SIB programs that the Assistant
Secretary determines is relevant.
Submarine Safety Program Contracting
The committee notes the importance of the Submarine Safety
Program (SUBSAFE), maintained by the Navy, that is a quality
assurance program to maintain submarine hull integrity. Work
that impacts hull integrity requires SUBSAFE certification for
design, material, fabrication, and testing. Further, the
committee is concerned, given the current structure of SUBSAFE
contract solicitation, that smaller, qualified companies are
not able to perform the entire package of work and thus unable
to bid on the package. With fewer companies able to bid on
packages, the committee notes the risk of overload at shipyards
and increased delays in maintenance timelines. The committee
believes that there may be benefits to disaggregating SUBSAFE
work into smaller task orders to foster increased participation
from contractors. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2026 on efforts to
increase competition for SUBSAFE contracts. This briefing
should include information on the scope of work for contract
solicitations and efforts to increase participation from small
and emerging defense contractors for SUBSAFE work.
Other Procurement, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Attritable Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels
The committee notes that the Department of Defense's use of
the term ``attritable autonomous unmanned surface vessels
(AUSVs)'' or ``autonomous surface vessels (ASVs)'' remains
ambiguous. While the classification of AUSVs or ASVs as
expendable or attritable may vary depending on operational
scenarios, the committee is concerned that the Department is
pursuing systems that do not align with the cost-exchange ratio
necessary to field unmanned vessels at the scale required for a
protracted conflict.
The committee acknowledges the complexity of defining AUSVs
or ASVs as expendable or attritable, given the range of sensor
and munition configurations these platforms may carry and the
situational factors that influence their operational use.
However, the committee believes there is value in clarifying
how the Department of Defense categorizes its AUSVs and ASVs in
terms of attritability.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026, on how the Department of Defense
categorizes AUSVs and ASVs as attritable. This report shall
include:
(1) information on how a determination is made regarding
``attritable'' and what cost criteria are considered for small,
medium, and large AUSVs or ASVs; and
(2) an explanation of how these determinations may vary
based on payload configurations and mission-specific
considerations.
Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Transition and Fielding
The committee remains supportive of the Navy's efforts to
integrate large diameter and extra large unmanned underwater
vehicles (XLUUV) capable of executing high-value missions in
contested environments. The National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) included a provision
that requires the U.S. Navy, in coordination with the
Commander, United States Indo-Pacific Command, and in
consultation with the Director, Defense Innovation Unit, to
carry out a competitive demonstration of large and XLUUVs
leveraging commercial solutions. The demonstration builds on
the open competition directed by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263) and
held by the U.S. Navy and the Defense Innovation Unit in late
2023. This demonstration culminated in an award of three
prototype agreements just months later in early 2024. The
committee is pleased to note that the first large diameter
unmanned underwater vehicle was delivered to a U.S. Navy
operational unit for experimentation in late 2024 as a result
of the 2023 competition. The committee is encouraged by the
rapid delivery of these capabilities from prototype award to
unit experimentation in only two years.
The committee encourages the Secretary of the Navy to
continue leveraging commercial solutions to deliver large
diameter and XLUUVs with accompanying support equipment, joint
command and control (C2) software, and sustainment and support
services. The committee recognizes the ability for XLUUVs to
integrate a broad array of payloads and sensors and believes
that the Secretary of the Navy should expedite the transition
of capabilities down selected by the 2025 competition to
deliver mission capable XLUUVs for operational testing, user
training and fleet integration.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by March 1, 2026, on the concept of operation for XLUUVs and
how this technology can improve U.S. Navy capabilities.
Fielding Defensive Cyber Operations Capability Across Afloat Assets
The committee recognizes the risk posed by the Navy's lack
of a Defensive Cyber Operations capability on afloat assets to
IT asset visibility and cyber defense readiness, and the urgent
need to accelerate SHARKCAGE 2.0 implementation fleet-wide.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to brief
the House Committee on Armed Services no later than March 1,
2026, on the fielding plan and resources required to accelerate
SHARKCAGE 2.0 implementation across all Navy afloat assets.
Intumescent Coatings for Shipboard Fire Prevention
The committee remains concerned by the Navy's continued
vulnerability to shipboard fires, which have resulted in the
loss of capital ships and billions of dollars in damage over
the past decade. Investigations into major incidents, including
fires aboard USS Miami and USS Bonhomme Richard, have
repeatedly identified electrical cables as key contributors to
the ignition and spread of fire, as well as to the release of
toxic smoke and gases. The committee notes that commercial
maritime operators routinely apply fire-resistant intumescent
coatings to cable systems to improve fire safety and reduce
hazard risk. Despite findings from the Naval Safety Center's
major fires review recommending such coatings, the Navy has not
widely adopted this practice.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2026, on the Navy's efforts to incorporate intumescent cable
coatings as a shipboard fire prevention measure. The briefing
shall include:
(1) A summary of current policies and procedures regarding
cable coatings aboard Navy ships, including any pilot programs
or installations of intumescent coatings;
(2) An assessment of the cost, feasibility, and expected
impact of implementing intumescent coatings across the fleet;
(3) An explanation of any barriers to broader adoption of
intumescent coatings, including regulatory, logistical, or
contracting constraints; and
(4) A plan to address relevant recommendations from the
Naval Safety Center and the Government Accountability Office
related to shipboard fire mitigation.
Investing in Distributed Sensing Technologies to Scale Detection and
Tracking
The committee has closely monitored the proliferation of
unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in Ukraine and how the rapid,
continuous adaptation of this technology has reshaped modern
warfare, with all parties relying heavily on drones for
reconnaissance, targeting, and strikes. Commercial and military
unmanned systems have become essential on the battlefield,
offering cost-effective force multipliers. The committee notes
that the rapid expansion of UAS capabilities has outpaced the
development and deployment of effective counter-UAS (C-UAS)
technologies. The committee recognizes that a lack of
sufficient C-UAS capabilities leaves forces vulnerable to drone
swarms, loitering munitions, and precision strikes,
underscoring an urgent need for innovation and investment in
anti-drone measures.
The committee is aware that a similar technology gap exists
for countering unmanned maritime vehicles (UMV), which have not
yet proliferated to the same degree as UAS. Nevertheless, as
the committee considers the future of warfare in the maritime
domain, the committee recognizes the likelihood of future
requirements for counter-UMV capabilities and encourages the
Navy to invest early to keep ahead of the threat, rather than
simply reacting to it.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
no later than March 1, 2026, to submit a report to the
committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives on
investments in and the development of counter-UMV technology,
including systems that provide real-time detection and
tracking, capture of weak signals amidst high noise levels,
incorporate new advancements in AI classification, and can be
manufactured affordably and at scale.
Multi-Mission Capabilities of Unmanned Surface Vessels for the Navy and
Marine Corps
The committee supports the U.S. Navy on their ongoing
research, development, test and evaluation of prototypes for
multi-mission small unmanned surface vessels (sUSVs). However,
the committee is concerned that the requirement is limited to
only one mission set.
Current gaps in maritime maneuver may be suitable for
sUSVs, including non-kinetic missions in contested maritime
environments. Therefore, the committee encourages the U.S. Navy
to closely collaborate with the Marine Corps and U.S. Special
Operations Command (USSOCOM) to establish and implement multi-
mission performance requirements to support the procurement and
sustainment of various sUSVs to meet Combatant Command and
Fleet challenges.
To better understand plans to address capability gaps and
support greater utilization for sUSVs, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Navy to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026. The
report shall include:
(1) information on the Navy's progress in defining the
common multi-mission operational requirements in partnership
with the U.S. Marine Corps and USSOCOM;
(2) the anticipated schedule for the delivery of various
small and midsize autonomous vessels to the Combatant Commands
and the Fleet;
(3) details on any features that may be incorporated,
including open-architecture requirements for components and
payloads, including software-agnostic attributes for modularity
of advanced sensors and resilient communications; and
(4) identification of common features in the Doctrine,
Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education,
Personnel and Facilities between the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps
and USSOCOM to ensure cost savings and shared capability
baselines.
Navy Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture and Platform Autonomy
The committee is aware that the Navy is developing autonomy
solutions in accordance with Unmanned Maritime Autonomy
Architecture (UMAA), using both the government developed
Autonomy Baseline (ABL) and dual-use commercial acquisition
strategy for its autonomous systems. The Navy UMAA acquisition
standard intends to produce an autonomous, artificial
intelligence-based command and control system.
The committee encourages the Navy to pursue and prioritize
commercially developed autonomy that meets the UMAA
requirements, with emphasis on the modularity and
interoperability of these systems with defense enterprise
mission systems, which includes authorities in section 2377 of
title 10, United States Code. The committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than April 1, 2026, on
any efforts to utilize section 2377 of title 10, United States
Code, for the acquisition of unmanned maritime systems.
Nuclear Propulsion Plant Training
The committee recognizes the critical importance of
training our Nuclear Propulsion Operators and believes there
may be value in simulated training along with moored training
ships and other current methods. Advances in simulator
technology now support full-scale immersive simulators that may
provide greater availability and increase student throughput.
To better understand the potential benefit of simulated
training on nuclear propulsion, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026. The
briefing shall include a feasibility assessment for the
development of a nuclear propulsion training facility within
the Navy's Center of Excellence for Nuclear Propulsion,
information on how simulated training could augment current
training capacity, and identification of potential cost
savings.
Report on Navy Investments in Unmanned Surface Vessels
The committee recognizes the substantial potential of
Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) to enhance the operational
effectiveness, force projection, and cost efficiency of the
United States Navy. As the Navy faces increasingly complex
challenges in contested maritime environments, USVs offer
scalable and adaptable capabilities that support distributed
maritime operations. The committee further notes the rapid pace
of innovation in the commercial sector, where advances in
autonomy, software, and maritime systems have yielded highly
capable and cost-effective USV solutions. The committee
believes that greater adoption of commercial technologies and
platforms will enhance fleet readiness, reduce developmental
timelines, and lower overall costs compared to bespoke
government designs.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to submit a
report to the congressional defense committees by December 1,
2025, on the Navy's efforts to integrate commercial USV
technologies into the fleet. The report should include:
(1) an overview of current and planned Navy investments in
USV programs, including a detailed breakdown of efforts
leveraging commercially available platforms and technologies;
(2) identification of barriers to acquisition of commercial
USV systems and recommendations to streamline procurement
processes;
(3) an assessment of opportunities for public-private
partnerships to accelerate the adoption and deployment of
commercial USVs; and
(4) a five-year roadmap for expanding investment in
commercial USV offerings, with consideration of operational
priorities, budgetary planning, and industrial base capacity.
Tethered Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Navy Force Protection
The committee recognizes that tethered small unmanned
aerial systems (sUAS) offer persistent surveillance
capabilities for force protection and incident response and
could provide enhanced operational safety, particularly when
deployed near airfields at fixed operating bases and domestic
installations. The committee commends the Navy for its
investment in research and development to strengthen force
protection and encourages the continued integration of
technologies, such as tethered drones, to safeguard military
personnel, critical technologies, and weapon systems across
Navy installations. Tethered sUAS could be paired with
additional detection, sensing, and sUAS capabilities to provide
a layered systems-of-systems solution for force protection at
installations. The committee encourages the Navy to continue
these efforts. Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary
of the Navy to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the Navy's
plans to develop and integrate tethered sUAS solutions for
force protection and incident response on Navy installations.
Procurement, Marine Corps
Items of Special Interest
H-1 Structural Improvement and Electrical Power Upgrade
The committee understands the critical capabilities that
the AH-1Z and UH1Y aircraft provide to the United States Marine
Corps, enabling close air and special operations support,
reconnaissance, anti-armor operations, and other critical
missions. The committee strongly supports efforts by the Marine
Corps to collaborate with the Original Equipment Manufacturer
(OEM) on the effective installation of these upgrades, and
further believes that it is most effective for such upgrade
work to occur at the OEM's facility.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by February 15, 2026, on the current status of the Structural
Improvements and Electrical Power Upgrade (SIEPU) program and
how this particular program will deliver electrical power
generation and utility cabin configuration integral to
readiness and the execution of Expeditionary Advanced Base
Operations and Distributed Maritime Operations warfighting
concepts.
Aircraft Procurement, Air Force
Items of Special Interest
Air Force F-16 Electronic Warfare
The committee understands the Department of the Air Force
has chosen not to prioritize funding for F-16 electronic
warfare (EW) modernization in recent years. Despite this
decision, the Air National Guard has expressed interest in
updating their F-16s that are not part of the Air Force's F-16
modernization plans with more advanced EW capabilities. The
committee also understands that there are budget constraints
and encourages the Air Force to look at how their fleets,
including Air National Guard fleets, could leverage systems
already in production to get a more cost-effective solution to
the Air Force more quickly.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a report to the congressional defense
committees no later than December 1, 2025, on the following:
(1) current F-16 EW modernization programs, including
costs, aircraft (``A-kit'') modification impacts, and fielding
timelines;
(2) a comparative assessment of feasible alternatives
covering the aforementioned areas for the active-duty and Air
National Guard's F-16s; and
(3) these alternatives shall include, but are not limited
to, U.S.-made F-16 EW solutions developed through foreign
military sales, and advanced podded EW systems.
Air National Guard Recapitalization
The committee recognizes the importance of air refueling as
a key strategic enabler of global power projection. While the
Air Force rightly emphasizes next-gen platforms like Next
Generation Air Dominance, the B-21, and the F-35, this
committee recognizes that tanker recapitalization is a
prerequisite for their global employment. This committee
further acknowledges that the Air National Guard and Reserve
components play an outsized role in daily operations and
provide significant surge capacity for the Air Force.
Concurrent and proportional recapitalization is essential for
interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and the sustainment of
experienced crews. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services no later than January 20, 2026, on
the status of the tanker and air refueling recapitalization
within the Air Force. This briefing shall include:
(1) the current rank and prioritization of funds and
resources for the recapitalization of the tanker enterprise
within the Air Force;
(2) the plans and ability to accelerate KC-46 Pegasus
procurement to meet operational demands in a pacing-threat
environment;
(3) the strategy and methods used for the basing decisions
of the Main Operating Bases for the KC-46 Pegasus for Active
Duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard components; and
(4) an assessment of the Air Force's plans for the
concurrent and proportional recapitalization of the air
refueling and tanker enterprise of the Air National Guard and
Air Force Reserve components.
Bomber Bases
The committee is concerned with the number of bombers in
the Air Force inventory. The Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
has testified to multiple congressional defense committees that
buying 100 B-21s will not be enough and that the buy should
increase to 145 B-21s. Another concern of the committee are the
difficult upgrades to the B-52. The committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing for the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2026. The briefing
should include a detailed assessment of the status of the B-52
upgrades, the Air Force's backup plan should the B-52 upgrades
fail and the feasibility of adding a main operating base four
and five to the B-21 laydown.
C-130J Simulator Training
The committee recognizes the strategic value of the C-130J
Super Hercules aircraft in enabling rapid global mobility,
tactical airlift, and agile combat employment across contested
environments. As the Department of Defense prepares for large-
scale combat operations with near peer adversaries, the ability
of C-130J aircrews to operate effectively in degraded, denied,
or austere environments is essential to meeting the demands of
the National Defense Strategy. To ensure C-130J pilots maintain
peak combat readiness and mission effectiveness, the committee
supports the expansion of immersive and scalable virtual
training solutions, including the increased use of high-
fidelity C-130J simulators. Simulator based training provides
cost effective repetition of complex tactical scenarios,
mission rehearsals, and joint force integration in a secure
environment, while also preserving aircraft availability and
reducing operational wear. Additionally, virtual training
systems enable distributed and joint exercises with other air,
land, and maritime components, improving interoperability and
coordination in future contested theaters, particularly the
U.S. Indo-Pacific theater. The committee directs the Secretary
of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services by March 1, 2026, on the Air Force's plan to
expand C-130J virtual and simulator-based training. This
briefing shall include:
(1) current delinquencies in currency for C130J pilots;
(2) an assessment of current and projected simulator
utilization rates to enhance currency;
(3) the milestones for inclusion of datalink technologies
for addressing the connectivity gaps of these assets in
training mobility airmen; and
(4) a strategy to increase simulator training integration
across total force and allied partner units in preparation for
operations in contested environments.
F-15E Propulsion Modernization
The committee is concerned about the impact on the total
fighter fleet from budgetary constraints and the delays in
development and fielding of sixth generation platforms. The
committee has consistently expressed concern about the future
of the U.S. air superiority mission in the 2030s and 2040s and
the future of the defense industrial base as it relates to
fighter aircraft. Recognizing this need, the committee has
again supported procurement of additional F-15EX aircraft;
however, the U.S. tactical fighter force structure may still be
insufficient to meet future warfighting requirements. And the
committee notes it has not yet received the Air Force report on
retiring F-15E aircraft required in P.L. 118-31 and is aware
that opportunities exist to extend the life of active F-15Es.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee
no later than February 1, 2026, to include the following:
(1) the financial and operational costs and benefits
associated with modernizing the existing F-15E fleet that the
Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense budget request has
recommended for retirement consideration; and
(2) qualitative and quantitative impacts to future mission
capability by upgrading F-15E propulsion.
F-15EX Total Force Mission Capability Prioritization Considerations
The committee remains concerned that F-15C/D aircraft
assigned to Air National Guard units with aerospace control and
air sovereignty alert mission responsibilities are past their
planned service-life and urgently need to be recapitalized.
While each of these units have been designated by the Air Force
to receive either the F-15EX or the F-35A aircraft, scheduled
timelines to replace the current aircraft are strained and
could result in these units losing a portion or all of their
aircraft due to obsolescence of parts or safety of flight
restrictions before replacement aircraft arrive, potentially
placing the homeland defense mission of these units at levels
of unacceptable risk.
The committee expects the Secretary of the Air Force to
make every effort to prioritize the Air National Guard in the
laydown plan of the F-15E/X to eliminate the operational risk
of interrupting the homeland defense mission at each unit
assigned the aerospace control and air sovereignty alert
mission during recapitalization of each unit's F-15C/D aircraft
with F-15EX aircraft while simultaneously supporting the
nation's homeland defense mission. The committee also expects
during a unit's conversion to F-15EX aircraft that the
Secretary avoid incurring operational risk to the homeland
defense mission and develops fielding plans that maintain
operational proficiency and currency of aircrews performing the
homeland defense mission.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to submit a report to the congressional defense
committees not later than March 16, 2026, that assesses the
operational risk of interrupting the homeland defense mission
at each unit assigned the aerospace control and air sovereignty
alert mission during recapitalization of each unit's F-15C/D
aircraft with F-15EX aircraft while simultaneously supporting
the nation's homeland defense mission. The report should also
explain during the units' conversion to F-15EX aircraft how the
Secretary plans to avoid incurring operational risk to the
homeland defense mission, maintaining operational proficiency
and currency of aircrews performing the homeland defense
mission, the rationale for converting Active Duty units to the
F-15EX before converting all Air National Guard units to the F-
15EX that are assigned the homeland defense mission, and any
other information the Secretary feels necessary to explain the
F-15EX conversion process for Active Duty and Air National
Guard units.
Increasing Bomber Production
The committee understands the B-21A Raider contractor is
changing multiple manufacturing processes to potentially
increase productivity. The bomber is an important capability
and deterrence in the U.S. Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide
a briefing for the House Committee on Armed Services by
December 1, 2025, updating the committee on the feasibility of
increasing B-21A Raider production.
Leveraging Aircraft Autonomy
The committee understands autonomous and remotely-piloted
cargo aircraft can provide on-demand airlift capabilities
throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacific region which is necessary to
deter China. These technologies are advancing through the
Federal Aviation Administration certification process enabling
the Department of Defense to leverage dual-use aircraft
automation. The committee believes that pairing dual use
autonomy with commercially available aircraft is an efficient
and cost effective method to meet on demand logistics needs in
the U.S. Indo-Pacific region. The committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity
Conflict, to provide a briefing by June 1, 2026. The briefing
shall review efforts related to the development of programmatic
requirements and resource allocation to rapidly transition
commercially available single-engine turboprops, or similar
aircraft with dual-use autonomy into operational use by forces
within the department.
Multi-Role Collaborative Combat Aircraft
The committee continues to monitor progress around
development and testing of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
Increment 1 and remains supportive of plans to field CCA
aircraft in progressively capable increments. However, the
committee questions the budget and schedule impacts of
potential plans to align future increments to narrow,
independent mission sets, which could require development of
multiple aircraft at higher cost to the taxpayer in order to
meet warfighter needs. The committee encourages exploration of
a multi-role aircraft capable of supporting a range of mission
sets, including weapons delivery, sensing, electronic warfare,
and communications, to provide maximum flexibility to
warfighters.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, not later than February 13, 2026, on the mission sets
planned for future CCA increments, associated power
requirements and solutions under consideration, cost, schedule,
and strategic and operational implications associated with
pursuing multi-mission aircraft.
Next Generation Advanced Munitions Lift Modernization
The committee supports the modernization of MHU-83, via the
Next Generation Advanced Munitions Lift (NGAML) project. This
project will significantly improve the operational
capabilities--shortening the kill chain thus increasing overall
force lethality--and benefit the overall health of the airmen.
Additionally, modular modernization of the MHU-83 drive train
in the NGAML will reduce running maintenance costs on a piece
of legacy equipment. Additional investment to MHU-83 program
office (AFLCMC/ROZ) will allow a modernized MHU-83/NGAML to be
delivered to United States Air Force (USAF) Global Strike
Command, USAF Air Combat Command and provide additional
demonstration vehicles for the United States Navy and United
States Marine Corps. Lastly, the committee believes this
modernization effort will inform the requirements for the
development of the future program of record, resulting in the
development of a better platform.
Oversize Cargo Airlift
The committee is concerned by the Department of Defense's
current lack of outsized airlift capability for large, high-
volume cargo, including cargo exceeding 300 feet in length,
which cannot be readily transported by existing commercial or
military airplanes. The committee recognizes the importance of
an airlift capability that can provide and supplement existing
fixed-wing air cargo capacity for short and unpaved runways to
enhance Department of Defense readiness and logistical needs in
the Indo-Pacific. The committee recognizes that the development
of a large civilian aircraft that may service defense needs is
ongoing and commends the work of the Department of Defense in
establishing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
to evaluate sufficient use cases. The committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2026 on the
feasibility of acquiring outsized airlift service capability.
The report shall include, but is not limited to, an assessment
of potential airplane platforms capable of transporting cargo
exceeding 300 feet in length, an evaluation of the technical,
operational, and financial feasibility of acquiring or
developing such platforms, identification of any existing or
emerging airplane solutions that could achieve U.S. federal
civilian airworthiness by the end of 2034.
Procure Commercial Derivative Aircraft
The committee notes the importance of readiness for the
nation's military aircraft fleet as well as the importance of
finding cost-saving opportunities. The committee also notes
that there may be affordable inventory that could be converted
at a low cost to ensure aircraft availability for the
Department of Defense. Purchasing used commercial aircraft can
contribute to significant cost savings while retaining the same
safety and reliability standards. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Air Force, to submit a report for the House Committee on Armed
Services by December 1, 2025, on the feasibility and cost
savings of purchasing used commercial aircraft for the
Department instead of new aircraft. The report should include a
market survey of available aircraft that could be modified for
Department of Defense use, the total cost impact and any
operational impact of such an action.
RC-135 Data Transmission Resiliency
The committee is aware that the RC-135 Rivet Joint can
encounter data transmission limitations due to environmental
factors, aircraft maneuvers, and inherent system constraints
such as limited bandwidth and throughput. These limitations
could:
(1) hinder the platform's ability to share time-critical
intelligence data with other Joint All-Domain Command and
Control nodes in real-time;
(2) restrict the situational awareness of commanders and
warfighters across all domains;
(3) delay decision-making processes; and
(4) potentially impede effective execution of joint
operations in a high threat environment.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 1, 2025, on the Air Force's
plan to acquire, test, and deploy data synchronization
solutions for the RC-135 Rivet Joint fleet. The briefing shall
include, but not be limited to:
(1) a time-phased plan and funding profile required across
the future years defense plan to acquire, test, and deploy such
solutions; and
(2) an assessment of how these solutions, to include
commercial solutions, will optimize data synchronization,
enhance datalink redundancy, and ensure multi-domain
connectivity and data resiliency.
Recapitalization Plan for the A-10s in the Air Force Reserve
The committee recognizes the expertise and operational
value of fighter pilots in the Air Force Reserve Component.
These highly trained aviators are essential to our national
security, the successful execution of future fighter missions,
and the development of the next generation of pilots. The
committee is deeply concerned that delays or failures in
assigning follow-on missions and new aircraft following
divestment could result in the irreversible loss of this
critical talent. Without a clearly defined path forward, the
Air Force faces a severe and avoidable retention crisis that
could directly undermine its combat readiness and long-term
force structure.
Therefore, the committee directs The Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
and Chief of the Air Force Reserve, to submit a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than January 1,
2026 on the plan or options for the recapitalization of the A-
10 Air Force Reserve units. The report should include at a
minimum:
(1) options for replacing the A-10 mission in the Air Force
Reserve with a new fighter mission;
(2) an assessment of whether those options could utilize
existing infrastructure or require the construction of new
facilities;
(3) an evaluation of whether those options would retain the
current expertise within the fighter wings or result in a loss
of experience and capability within the Air Force Reserve;
(4) the expected transition timeline and its anticipated
impact to strategic surge capability; and,
(5) any other information the Secretary deems necessary to
fully inform the reporting requirement.
Report on Multi-Year Procurement Contract for C-130J Recapitalization
The committee notes that Multi-Year Procurement (MYP-III)
for the C-130J program provided cost savings greater than 10
percent per aircraft over more than 50 C-130J aircraft. As the
C-130J program remains the only active U.S. airlifter
production line and given growing threats across the globe,
continued reliance on C-130H and C-130T inventory remains an
important factor in near-peer conflict scenarios. The committee
understands that the validated requirements and increasing
demand for C-130 inventory recapitalization within the
department could provide the need for a follow-on Multi-Year
Procurement (MYP-IV) program. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the
Secretary of the Navy, to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by March 1, 2026, on the benefits of a
multi-year procurement contract for the C-130J recapitalization
program for the whole of the United States Government. The
report shall include the following:
(1) potential cost savings associated with a multi-year
procurement contract, including any reductions in procurement
costs, operational costs, and maintenance costs;
(2) impacts of a multi-year procurement contract on the
defense industrial base, including any effects on production
rates, workforce stability, and supplier relationships;
(3) ability of a multi-year procurement contract to provide
stability and predictability for the C-130J program, including
any benefits for planning, budgeting, and resource allocation;
(4) potential risks and challenges associated with a multi-
year procurement contract, including any risks related to
program requirements, funding, or contractor performance; and
(5) lessons learned or best practices from other multi-year
procurement contracts, including any relevant experiences from
other military services or government agencies.
Supersonic Aircraft for Airlift Missions
The committee understands that supersonic aircraft
technology is maturing. In addition to providing faster travel,
supersonic aircraft can provide a long-range transport
capability for troop transport, special operations, aeromedical
evacuation and critical cargo. Supersonic aircraft development
will also drive innovation for aerospace manufacturing,
materials science and engine technologies. The committee
directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services by December 1, 2025. The
briefing should include potential benefits for future airlift.
T-7 Procurement and Engine Designation
The committee recognizes the U.S. Air Force's need for a
next generation training aircraft, especially considering the
constrained pilot training pipeline and ongoing pilot shortage
across the Service. The committee is also encouraged that the
U.S. Air Force is preparing to include an advanced procurement
funding line for the T-7 in future budget submissions, given
the long lead time to procure materials for the aircraft. The
committee urges the Department of the Air Force to take all
measures necessary to ensure timely execution of the T-7
program while exploring opportunities to accelerate the
delivery of aircraft to pilot training installations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 27, 2026, on the transition of the T-7
aircraft engine system from contractor furnished equipment
(CFE) to government furnished equipment (GFE) to facilitate an
efficient establishment of the engine system's pre-planned
organic maintenance depot capability. The briefing should also
include details about the cost of potentially transitioning the
engine from CFE to GFE beginning in Lot 3 in fiscal year 2028.
Total Force Integration in Operation Midnight Hammer
The committee commends the members of the United States
Armed Forces for their execution of Operation Midnight Hammer,
which demonstrated the strategic reach and lethality of United
States airpower. The committee notes that the operation
originated from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and was
conducted by B-2 Spirit aircraft assigned to both the Active
Duty 509th Bomb Wing and the Missouri Air National Guard's
131st Bomb Wing. The committee recognizes that the operation
showcased the effectiveness of Total Force Integration,
involving seamless collaboration among Active Duty and Reserve
Component personnel. During the operation, B-2 aircraft
deployed more than 14 precision-guided munitions, including the
employment of 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrators against
hardened and deeply buried targets. The committee further
acknowledges that this mission's success was enabled by the
integrated contributions of pilots, maintainers, medical
personnel, and support teams assigned to Whiteman Air Force
Base. The committee affirms the importance of preserving and
enhancing such integration and encourages the Department of the
Air Force to sustain this model in conjunction with the
fielding of the B-21 Raider at Whiteman Air Force Base.
Missile Procurement, Air Force
Items of Special Interest
Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile
The committee notes that the Hypersonic Attack Cruise
Missile (HACM) program is one of two tactical hypersonic
missile capabilities under development by the Air Force. The
committee understands its offensive strike capability will
enable the Air Force to hold fixed, high-value, time-sensitive
targets at risk in contested environments from appropriate
stand-off distances. Traveling at higher altitudes and faster
speeds makes HACM highly survivable and maneuverable in the
space between traditional air defense systems and ballistic
missile defense systems, where current gaps exist.
The committee notes that industry has been working since
2019 to develop, produce, and integrate high-speed technologies
into air-breathing hypersonic weapons, to ultimately produce
the next generation of tactical missile systems. The committee
is concerned the Air Force continues working towards program
maturity but does not currently have a clear path forward to
meaningful production. This potentially jeopardizes fielding
the weapon in tactically relevant quantities and puts the
nascent hypersonics industrial base at risk. The committee
recognizes that the current HACM program intends to only
deliver a quantity of approximately 12 initial HACM missiles
through 2028 but does not have a clear path to establishing
sustained production. The committee believes the Air Force must
field tactically relevant quantities of offensive HACM systems
within the decade to offset near-peer adversary advantage in
hypersonic weapons.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a report to the Senate Committee on Armed
Services and House Committee on Armed Services, not later than
March 6, 2026, that outlines a plan to transition the HACM
program to production to ensure that tactically relevant
quantities of missiles begin delivery not later than the
beginning of fiscal year 2030. The plan should be unclassified
but may also include a classified annex. Finally, the plan
should include, but is not limited to the following elements of
information:
(1) funding and key milestones required by each fiscal year
to ensure that tactically relevant quantities of HACM are
delivered consistent with the plan;
(2) details on producibility or capability enhancements
that would facilitate an accelerated initial operational
capacity of HACM weapons; and
(3) facilitation and supply chain investments, with
associated schedule timelines, to support the plan.
Procurement of Ammunition, Air Force
Items of Special Interest
Air Force Weapons Capacity Task Force
The committee is aware the Air Force has established a
Weapons Capacity Task Force within the Armament Directorate at
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The Task Force has taken a
fundamentally different approach to weapons development by
embracing non-traditional vendors with expertise in digital
engineering, modular design, and the ability to scale up
production rates rapidly. The committee views this approach as
an important step in delivering enough weapons and is a logical
complement to existing programs that produce more capable and
specialized weapon systems, both of which are integral to
satisfy operational requirements of United States Combatant
Commanders. The committee commends the Weapons Capacity Task
Force approach, encourages the Air Force to properly resource
the affordable mass weapons programs, and supports the
transition to high-rate production as soon as practical.
Other Procurement, Air Force
Items of Special Interest
Improving Training Against Advanced Integrated Air Defense Systems
Using Low-Cost, Mobile, and Expendable Emitters
Currently, the Test and Training Ranges that train United
States warfighters against Integrated Air Defense Systems pose
a significant mission risk due to inadequate or inaccurate
threat replication. While it is cost prohibitive to fully
replicate an advanced adversary's air and missile defense
capabilities, the Department of the Air Force and National
Guard Bureau should leverage current technology to better
prepare warfighters to face modern threat systems.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force in
coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on current United States test and
training range capacity and capabilities to replicate
Integrated Air Defense Systems of the People's Republic of
China. The briefing should include the following information:
(1) a comparison of current United States test and training
range capabilities to replicate advanced Chinese air defense
systems and command and control architecture focusing on the
Nellis Test and Training Range, Joint Pacific Alaska Range
Complex, Tolicha Peak Electronic Combat Range, Air Dominance
Center, and Combat Readiness Training Centers and including
Radio-Frequency Waveform replication, mobility, and visual
signatures;
(2) describe current limitations to kinetically target and
conduct bomb hit indications against current range emitters and
the impacts to training;
(3) assess the military utility and cost-effectiveness of
integrating low-cost, mobile, man-portable, and expendable
emitter systems into training ranges to improve destruction of
enemy air defenses training and threat replication scaling; and
(4) an overview of currently available or in-development
systems that could improve range capabilities, recommendations
for investments, experimentation, or acquisition strategies to
rapidly field or scale these capabilities, and the number of
systems needed for air defense replication for each relevant
range.
Recovery of Air Bases Denied by Ordnance Vehicle Transition
The Recovery of Air Bases Denied by Ordnance (RADBO)
vehicle, which is a critical explosive ordnance disposal asset,
is designed to clear airbase runways after an attack so that
the airbase can be quickly restored to normal operations. The
committee believes this technology is essential to rapidly
neutralizing unexploded ordnance in order to safely restore
airstrip functionality, and it is a critical capability.
The committee is aware that the Mine-Resistant Ambush
Protected vehicle, which RADBO is based on, stopped production
in 2012, and there is a Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) to transition onto the Joint Light Tactical
Vehicle (JLTV).
The committee is encouraged by this potential transition to
a sustainable vehicle platform. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to
the House Committee on Armed Services and Senate Committee on
Armed Services, not later than September 30, 2026, on the RADBO
vehicle procurement that addresses a plan for transitioning
RADBO to the JLTV and envisioned future requirements for RADBO,
including potential foreign military sales.
Procurement, Defense-Wide
Items of Special Interest
Airborne Fire Control Radar
The committee is concerned that the U.S. radar industrial
base is becoming increasingly reliant on international
development programs to advance technology and sustain a unique
engineering and production workforce. Given the uncertain
outlook for sixth generation fighter platforms, as domestic
procurement of F-15, F/A-18 and F-22 aircraft phases out, the
committee encourages the Department of Defense (DOD) to be
cognizant of the radar industrial base implications of pending
tactical air acquisition decisions. Risks include the
engineering workforce as it may face further program delays and
the potential for limited availability of fire control radars
and expects that the DOD would seek to mitigate the
implications of any such delay with appropriate industrial base
investment.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Industrial Base Policy to provide a briefing to the
House Armed Services Committee not later than December 1, 2025,
on the risks to and resilience of the fire control radar
industrial base and recommendations to mitigate any identified
industrial base risks.
Directive for Autonomous Counter-UxS Systems for Layered Defense
Integration
The committee recognizes that the rapidly evolving threat
posed by unmanned systems (UxS) increases the urgency for
advanced counter unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technologies.
The proliferation of small UAS, like first person view or
artificial intelligence-enabled drones, presents a significant
challenge due to their low-cost, scalability, and ability to
evade many traditional non-lethal countermeasures. These drones
have demonstrated high effectiveness both within and beyond
conflict zones, where they have been used successfully against
military targets, critical infrastructure, and personnel.
Recognizing this urgent threat and the importance of a final
protective layer within a layered defense architecture, the
committee encourages the Secretary of Defense to accelerate the
development and fielding of autonomous counter-UxS technologies
capable of executing the full kill chain: sense, decide, and
act. These systems should be modular, platform-agnostic, and
interoperable with existing command-and-control systems.
Consideration should also be given to cost-effective
integration with legacy weapon systems or scalable effector
options for both kinetic and non-kinetic engagements.
Domestic Engine Production for Tactical Ground Vertical Take-Off (VTO)
Missile Systems
The committee notes the growing operational value of
turbojet-engine-powered vertical take-off (VTO) missile systems
and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for ground forces. These
systems offer a minimal launch footprint, variable flight
altitudes, and flexible employment options, thereby enhancing
ground-force fires.
The committee remains concerned that the development and
fielding of these capabilities are constrained by limited
domestic production capacity for small turbojet engines capable
of supporting VTO flight. Given the increasing demand, the
committee believes it is critical to expand U.S. industrial
capacity for such engines.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy and the
Commanding General, Army Futures Command, to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
February 1, 2026, on--
(1) the current state of United States industrial capacity
to produce turbojet engines suitable for tactical VTO missile
and UAS applications;
(2) ongoing and planned Department initiatives to expand
that industrial base; and
(3) recommended actions to achieve a sustained domestic
production rate of at least 10,000 VTO-capable engines per
year.
Electronic Warfare Testing and Requirements for Group 1-3 Unmanned
Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions
The committee has observed Russia's effective use of Global
Positioning System (GPS) and radio frequency (RF) jammers
against Group 1 to Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and
loitering munitions in combat in Ukraine. The widespread use of
these types of jammers makes it imperative for the Department
of Defense to procure and field Group 1-3 UAS and loitering
munitions that can operate effectively against adversary
electronic warfare (EW) systems. The committee is concerned
that the Department of Defense has not established a baseline
capability standard for Group 1-3 UAS and loitering munitions
to operate against adversary EW systems, a process by which to
rapidly incorporate the latest adversary EW developments into
the Group 1-3 UAS and loitering munitions requirements process,
and a physical and virtual testing program to ensure all Group
1-3 UAS and loitering munitions the Department fields can
operate successfully against adversary EW systems.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, assessing the Department's
ability to employ Group 1-3 UAS and loitering munitions
effectively against adversary EW systems. The briefing shall
include, but not be limited to:
(1) how the Department tests Group 1-3 UAS in realistic EW
environments prior to system fielding; and
(2) what requirements exist for EW protections for Group 1-
3 UAS to enable operations in RF and GPS denied environments.
Expendable Active Decoys on Fixed-Wing Aircraft
The committee is aware of recent efforts by the Department
of Defense to integrate expendable active decoys (EAD) on
fixed-wing aircraft, significantly enhancing the aircraft's
survivability in contested environments. The committee
understands that the EAD provides a modular and adaptable
solution capable of being integrated into a range of piloted
and unpiloted aircraft, providing advanced protection against
rapidly evolving radar-guided threats. The committee supports
efforts to integrate this capability onto platforms.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than December 1, 2025, on the current and future
integration of EAD onto piloted and unpiloted platforms. The
report should include, at a minimum:
(1) a detailed summary of all current efforts to integrate
EAD capability on manned and unmanned platforms;
(2) an assessment of opportunities to integrate EAD
capability into other current and planned future platforms; and
(3) an assessment of funding programmed for EAD deployment
in the Fiscal Year 2026 Future Years Defense Program, as well
as identification of any additional funding needed to expand
integration of the capability to additional platforms.
The report should be submitted in an unclassified format,
but may also contain a classified annex, if required.
Exploring Modern Approaches to Missile Inventory Shortfalls
The committee remains concerned that the Department of
Defense's projected inventory of precision-guided munitions is
insufficient to deter or prevail in a conflict with a near-peer
adversary. The committee notes that the current industrial base
lacks the capacity to surge production of affordable weapons
systems to fulfill the quantity demanded within the timeframe
required to deter or win a conflict.
The committee is encouraged by the establishment of the
Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) program, a recent collaboration
between the Air Force Armament Directorate and the Defense
Innovation Unit. The ETV program is prioritizing partnerships
with manufacturers new to the defense industrial base to
develop rapidly producible advanced air vehicles that are
highly capable, low cost, and modular. These manufacturers are
utilizing innovative processes and commercial off-the-shelf
components to enable high-speed production at scale to meet
surges in demand.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, the
Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Army, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 15, 2025, on plans to enter into production
contracts for advanced air vehicles with new market entrants
that employ innovative and cost-effective processes including
digital engineering, additive manufacturing, and minimization
of part count and supply chain dependencies. The briefing
should include an assessment of how these manufacturing
techniques can be utilized by other programs of record in the
production of advanced, multi-mission air vehicles.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program
The committee continues to support the F-35 Joint Strike
Fighter program as an important component of the Air Force,
Navy, and Marine Corps tactical aviation fleets, and as a
critical enabler of U.S. and allied air dominance in contested
environments. The F-35 provides stealth, situational awareness,
and operational flexibility, and its presence assists deterring
aggression and enabling U.S. air superiority across multiple
theaters.
While the committee notes that the President's fiscal year
2026 budget request includes procurement of 47 F-35 aircraft--
below the previously planned total of 69--the committee
recognizes that the Department of Defense has made a strategic
decision to finally prioritize funding towards sustainment and
modernization, which has been under-resourced for many years,
to ensure the current fleet remains combat-ready and able to
meet mission capability demands.
The committee supports the Department's actions to invest
in F-35 sustainment, reliability improvements, and software
modernization, which are necessary to achieve a ``fight
tonight'' posture and ensure the long-term viability and
lethality of the platform. The committee encourages continued
focus on improving spare parts availability, reducing
maintenance turnaround times, and accelerating the
implementation of Block 4 capabilities to maximize the fleet's
operational effectiveness. At the same time, the committee
believes that sustained procurement of F-35 aircraft in future
fiscal years is necessary to help recapitalize the aging
fighter inventories of the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force and the
Secretary of the Navy, to provide a briefing not later than
February 15, 2026 to the House Committee on Armed Services
regarding the Department's future procurement ramp plans that
meets warfighter demand across the services and maintains
production efficiency and cost-effectiveness for the broader F-
35 industrial base and its customers.
Hybrid Electric Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Disaster Response
and Tactical Contested Logistics Operations
The committee recognizes the increasing importance of Group
4 or larger hybrid-electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL)
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as a critical enabler of both
contested logistics and disaster response across the Joint
Force. These systems are uniquely suited for missions where
traditional platforms are either too vulnerable, too costly, or
unavailable due to environmental or adversarial constraints.
Hybrid-electric VTOL UAS platforms offer a compelling
operational value proposition, combining reduced acoustic
signature with extended endurance and vertical lift
capabilities. This makes them ideal for supporting distributed
operations across the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army
and Air National Guard, particularly in scenarios aligned with
the concepts of Agile Combat Employment (ACE), Distributed
Maritime Operations (DMO), Joint Contested Logistics, and Joint
All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2). Their use reduces risk
to personnel by allowing for logistics operations in areas
where the threat to human-piloted aircraft is elevated or where
aircraft attrition is expected.
Additionally, hybrid-electric VTOL UAS are expected to
deliver significant cost-per-flight-hour (CPFH) savings
compared to traditional airlift platforms such as the C-130, C-
17, or military rotary-wing aircraft, particularly in short-
hop, high-tempo logistics and disaster missions. These
platforms are also well suited to support operations from
austere or degraded sites where fixed-wing aircraft cannot
operate and where rotorcraft may be logistically overburdened
or resource-constrained.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of Staff of the
Army in coordination with the Commandant of the Marine Corps,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than December 1, 2025, on the integration potential
and value of Group 4 or larger hybrid-electric VTOL UAS. This
briefing shall include:
(1) An assessment of the comparative cost efficiencies,
operational advantages, and personnel risk mitigation provided
by hybrid-electric VTOL UAS in contested logistics and disaster
response scenarios, versus legacy airlift platforms;
(2) Identification of critical capability gaps in last-mile
or last-tactical-mile logistics--particularly in denied,
degraded, or infrastructure-compromised environments--where
these systems could serve as a force multiplier;
(3) An evaluation of specific mission sets across the Army
and Air National Guard that could benefit from the deployment
of these platforms, especially those related to homeland
disaster response, humanitarian relief, wildfire suppression,
or emergency resupply;
(4) Options and timelines to accelerate the development,
testing, and integration of these aircraft into Army and Marine
Corps capability portfolios, including interoperability with
emerging logistics C2 systems and future joint concepts;
(5) An appraisal of the utility of dedicated air corridors
and restricted airspace for developmental flight testing,
operational concept development (CONOPS), Tactics, Techniques,
and Procedures (TTP) formulation, and training of military
personnel in the employment and sustainment of hybrid-electric
VTOL UAS.
Integration of First-Person View (FPV) Drones in the Joint Force
The committee recognizes the rapid increase in the use of
small, low-cost, and expendable first-person view (FPV) drones
by state and non-state actors on the modern battlefield. The
emergence of this capability represents a military advancement
on par with the introduction of the machine gun or the
deployment of aircraft carriers. These affordable platforms
provide critical capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance,
targeting, and strike, often at the squadron or platoon level.
Unlike traditional unmanned aerial systems, such as the MQ-9
Reaper or RQ-4 Global Hawk, which are designed for reuse, these
platforms are attritable and intended to be employed similarly
to ammunition or artillery shells. Moreover, these systems are
routinely modified and upgraded on the battlefield through
rapid software updates and hardware adjustments, including
soldering, often in less than 24 hours.
The committee notes that it is unaware of any capability
assessment conducted for FPV drones utilizing the Joint
Capabilities Integration Development System (JCIDS) framework
of doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership and
education, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) despite the
rapid deployment of this capability by allies and adversaries
alike. Further, the committee notes that the Department of
Defense has neither established formal doctrine for the
employment of small, expendable drones nor has it created a
designated military occupational specialty (MOS), additional
skill identifier, or standardized training pipeline for
operators of these systems. The committee believes that the
lack of structured doctrine, personnel pathways, and training
requirements undermines lethality and inhibits effective
integration, standardization, and operational safety across the
Armed Forces.
Additionally, the committee is interested in assessing the
feasibility and operational advantages of integrating fiber
optic communication links into FPV drone systems to enhance
signal resiliency, reduce electromagnetic signature, and
maintain control in contested environments. The committee notes
that while traditional FPV drones rely on radio frequency (RF)
links that are susceptible to jamming and spoofing, fiber optic
cables offer potential advantages such as enhanced resistance
to electronic warfare, reduced latency, and more secure
command-and-control pathways. However, the committee also
acknowledges potential disadvantages, including physical
constraints, limited range, and deployability concerns,
especially for mobile ground units operating in complex
terrain.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the service secretaries and the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees no later than December 1,
2025, on the integration of FPV drones into the joint force and
the current and projected role of fiber optic communication
technologies in FPV drone systems.
The report should include the following:
(1) an assessment of current and future operational
requirements for FPV drones across the Armed Forces, including
use for reconnaissance, targeting, strike, and electronic
warfare purposes;
(2) a summary of doctrine for deployment and use of these
platforms;
(3) a draft for either new primary or secondary MOS, or
both, or an additional skill identifier is required to support
FPV drone operations and whether the Department has already
done this;
(4) a training framework, including basic, advanced, and
sustainment training requirements, as well as the feasibility
of incorporating elements of commercial or civilian drone
training programs as foundation to establish the military's own
pipeline;
(5) a strategy to promote interoperability and
standardization of small, expendable drone platforms, software,
and communications systems across the Armed Forces;
(6) an analysis of resource requirements including cost,
equipment, personnel, training, and other material needs
necessary to establish, sustain, and expand FPV drone
capabilities across the Armed Forces;
(7) an assessment of whether the military has sufficient
facilities for training, including live-fire ranges that enable
electronic warfare and other contingencies that simulate the
twenty-first century battlefield;
(8) an assessment of whether the Department is currently
researching, developing, or deploying FPV drones with fiber
optic capabilities;
(9) a comparison of the operational and tactical advantages
and disadvantages of fiber optic versus RF-based FPV control
links in relevant tactical scenarios;
(10) a review of any Department-specific plans to
prototype, test, or field FPV drones with fiber optics enabled;
(11) an overview of industrial base capabilities to support
rapid development and production of such systems, including
domestic manufacturing readiness; and
(12) recommendations on whether the integration of fiber
optics into FPV drone systems should be pursued as a formal
requirement across the Services.
Omnidirectional Passive Surveillance System Capabilities
The committee is aware of multi-array, non-line-of-sight,
passive surveillance systems currently under testing and
development with sensor capabilities to detect, track, and cue
acoustic emissions from threat platforms while deconflicting
commercial aircraft operations and other ambient noise sources.
These sensors have broad use cases, including domain awareness
in congested airspaces that could demonstrate great utility
when deployed at Joint Use Airports to identify incursions of
recreational drones or other threats to the operational
environment. Therefore, the committee encourages the National
Guard Bureau, in consultation with Reserve and Active Duty
partners, to examine the utility of these systems, specifically
at Joint Use Airports and Combat Readiness Training Centers,
and utilize testing and training opportunities during military
exercises focused on contingency response operations.
Perimeter Security Docking Stations
The committee believes the integration of small drones and
unmanned docking systems onto military installations could be
used to enhance perimeter security for ground, aerial, and sea-
based incursions at U.S. military installations. These
technologies could offer enhanced surveillance, rapid response
capabilities, and cost-effective solutions for installation
security. For example, these technologies could allow for real-
time monitoring of vast areas that are otherwise challenging to
patrol with limited resources. These autonomous systems could
also be deployed quickly in response to security breaches,
providing a flexible and rapid response mechanism at a lower
operational cost than traditional security measures. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the Department of Defense's plans to
integrate small drones and associated unmanned docking stations
onto military installations for installation security.
Platform Agnostic Weapon System for Solider-Operated Small Unmanned
Aerial Systems
The committee is aware of Department of Defense efforts to
develop platform agnostic glide munitions to enable soldiers at
the tactical level to organically deliver fires with small
unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). These platform independent
kinetic weapon systems could enable sUAS systems to close kill
chains directly from a single platform and could enhance force
protection and soldier lethality. The committee directs the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2025, on the Department's plans to
develop and integrate sUAS-delivered droppable kinetic weapon
systems, an assessment of existing capabilities that could fill
capability gaps, and any potential fielding opportunities for
these systems.
Small Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Indo-Pacific
The committee recognizes that the Department of Defense
launched the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience
(PIPIR) in 2024 to deepen co-development, co-production, and
co-sustainment of defense articles with regional allies and
partners. The committee also recognizes the strategic
importance of the Philippines to U.S. regional security
objectives in the Indo-Pacific, and believes that small
unmanned aerial systems (UAS) present an opportunity for
bilateral defense industrial cooperation between the U.S. and
the Philippines that would bolster deterrence, improve maritime
domain awareness, and advance PIPIR objectives.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
1, 2026, on potential opportunities for the Department of
Defense to support increased collaboration between U.S.
domestic small Unmanned Aerial System providers and their
counterparts in the Philippines.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Section 101--Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for procurement
at the levels identified in section 4101 of division D of this
Act.
Subtitle B--Army Programs
Section 111--Multiyear Procurement Authority for UH-60 Blackhawk
Aircraft
This section would provide the Secretary of the Army with
multiyear procurement authority for UH-60 Blackhawk aircraft,
beginning with the fiscal year 2027 program year.
Section 112--Authorization to Initiate Early Production of Future Long-
Range Assault Aircraft
This section would accelerate the production of the Future
Long-Range Assault Aircraft.
Section 113--Limitation on Reductions to Army Prepositioned Stocks--
Afloat Program Sealift Capability
This section would limit the Secretary of the Army from
reducing, withdrawing or otherwise degrading the sealift
capability of the Army Prepositioned Stocks--Afloat program
until the Secretary submits a report.
Subtitle C--Navy Programs
Section 121--Contract Authority for Ford Class Aircraft Carrier Program
This section would authorize the procurement of two Ford
class aircraft carriers and allow for the use of incremental
funding to make payments under the contract.
Section 122--Contract Authority for Columbia Class Submarine Program
This section would allow the Secretary of the Navy to enter
into a contract for up to five Columbia class submarines and
utilize incremental funding to make payments under the
contract.
Section 123--Authority for Advance Procurement of Certain Components to
Support Continuous Production of Virginia Class Submarines
This section would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to
utilize continuous production authority for specific components
required on Virginia class submarines.
Section 124--Authority to Use Incremental Funding to Enter into a
Contract for the Construction of a Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG)
This section would provide the authority to use incremental
funding to enter into a contract for the construction of a
Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG).
Section 125--Multiyear Procurement Authority for Yard, Repair,
Berthing, and Messing Barges
This section would provide multiyear procurement authority
for Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing barges.
Section 126--Vessel Construction Manager for Follow-On Ships of the
Landing Ship Medium Program
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
utilize a vessel construction manager for the contracting of
the next eight Landing Ship Medium after the start of
construction on the non-developmental lead ship.
Section 127--Limitation on Construction of Modular Attack Surface Craft
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
certify that a design for a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel will
be designed and constructed for the primary purpose of
autonomous operation before the start of construction.
Section 128--Inclusion of Amphibious Warfare Ship Spares and Repair
Parts as a Separate Line Item in Navy Budget Justification Materials
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
include separate line items for spare and repair parts
specifically for Amphibious warships within the budget of the
President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States
Code. This requirement would begin with the budget request for
fiscal year 2027.
Section 129--Strategy for Navy Investment in and Support for the
Maritime Industrial Base
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
develop and implement a strategy for direct investment in the
maritime industrial base to address cost and schedule
challenges for shipbuilding programs. Additionally, the
strategy would be required to include considerations for data
collection as well as the use of artificial intelligence for
supply chain monitoring. No later than 210 days after
enactment, the Secretary of the Navy would also be required to
provide a report to the congressional defense committees on
relevant details of the required strategy and implementation.
Section 130--Modification to Requirements for Recapitalization of
Tactical Fighter Aircraft of the Navy Reserve
This section would amend section 127 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-
159) and would permit the Secretary of the Navy to provide F/A-
18E/F Block II aircraft to the United States Navy Reserve
(USNR) for the establishment of a USNR threat representative
adversary aircraft support capability.
Subtitle D--Air Force Programs
Section 141--Modification of Minimum Inventory Requirements for Air
Refueling Tanker Aircraft
This section would raise the air refueling aircraft floor
to 504 by fiscal year 2027.
Section 142--Extension of Requirements Relating to C-130 Aircraft
This section would keep the C-130 total aircraft inventory
at 271 with a sunset date of October 1, 2026.
Section 143--Modification to Minimum Inventory Requirement for A-10
Aircraft
This section would prohibit the Secretary of the Air Force
from retiring any A-10 aircraft during fiscal year 2026 and
would require the Secretary to maintain a minimum total
aircraft inventory of 162 and a minimum primary mission
aircraft inventory of 96. This section would also require the
Secretary to provide a briefing to the congressional defense
committees not later than March 31, 2026, on the Secretary's
new plan to divest all A-10s from the inventory prior to the
originally planned fiscal year 2029 timeframe.
Section 144--Preservation of Certain Retired KC-10 Aircraft
This section would keep the retired KC-10 aircraft in
flyable condition as an air refueling aircraft.
Section 145--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for Contract
Termination or Production Line Shutdown for E-7A Wedgetail Aircraft
This section would prohibit the funds authorized to be
appropriated by this Act, or otherwise made available for
fiscal year 2026, for the Department of Defense from being
obligated or expended to terminate the mid-tier acquisition
rapid prototype contract for the E-7A aircraft or terminate the
operations of a production line for the E-7A aircraft.
Section 146--Limitation on Procurement of KC-46 Aircraft Pending
Certification on Correction of Deficiencies
This section would limit delivery of the KC-46 aircraft
until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional
defense committees certain corrective action plans for all
Category 1 deficiencies.
Section 147--Requirements Relating to Executive Airlift Aircraft
This section would direct an Analysis of Alternatives to
recapitalize the Executive Airlift Fleet, clarify the
authorized user prioritization list, and task oversight of
service executive airlift programs to a current senior
executive service civilian.
Section 148--Report on the F-47 Advanced Fighter Aircraft Program
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to provide a report on the F-47 aircraft program that includes
a description of the program, the acquisition strategy of the
program, and a proposed fielding strategy for the program.
Subtitle E--Defense-Wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters
Section 151--Amendments to Prohibition on Operation, Procurement, and
Contracting Related to Foreign-Made Light Detection and Ranging
This section would amend section 164 of the Servicemember
Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) by expanding the
prohibition on the operation, procurement, and contracting
related to foreign-made light detection and ranging technology.
Section 152--Annual GAO Reviews of the F-35 Aircraft Program
This section would direct the Comptroller General of the
United States, beginning on March 1, 2026, to continue
providing annual reports to the congressional defense
committees for the duration of F-35 aircraft production
activities. The report would monitor the F-35 aircraft program
and subprograms, including requirements, cost, scope, and
schedule. It would also include an assessment of the
Department's efforts to modernize the F-35 aircraft, and any
other issues the Comptroller General determines to be
appropriate.
The committee notes that over the last two decades, the
Department of Defense has invested significant resources to
develop and procure F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The
committee supports the continued efforts to modernize the F-35
aircraft capabilities and systems but is concerned that given
the program's history of cost growth and schedule delays,
continued monitoring and oversight is critical. The committee
expects the Department must be able to deliver new capabilities
and complete modernization efforts while meeting affordable
cost, schedule, and capability performance targets.
TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Army
Items of Special Interest
Adaptive One-Way Dropped Munitions for Loitering Uncrewed Systems
The committee understands that dropped munitions from small
unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and uncrewed systems have been
widely demonstrated in various conflicts throughout the world
and is aware that these systems could be further developed for
large-scale combat operations. The committee believes that
existing defense ammunition stockpiles could be leveraged
through approaches that incorporate modular fusing
architectures and low-cost commercial components with
appropriate attention to safety, suitability, and reliability.
The committee supports ongoing efforts within the Army to
partner with industry to further develop such capabilities and
transition them to operational use.
Army Research on Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon Threats
The committee understands the potential threat that
electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons could pose to Department of
Defense systems and domestic critical infrastructure. The
committee is aware of efforts by the Army Research Laboratory
and academia to study EMP effects and develop technologies and
countermeasures to improve the ability to protect against such
effects. The committee therefore directs the Secretary of the
Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 15, 2026, on how the Army
Research Laboratory works with academic partners to advance the
Department of the Army's understanding of EMP effects and
countermeasures.
Army Transformation Initiative
While the committee supports the Army's intent to divest of
systems that are no longer relevant on the battlefield, and to
more rapidly field new systems, the committee is concerned with
the manner in which the Army presented its plans to Congress,
the lack of supporting analysis, and the apparent lack of
strategy and vision for what the Army should look like in 2030,
2035, and beyond. The Army has yet to provide complete
budgetary details, tradeoffs, and risk assessments of proposed
divestments and investments of capabilities and programs
associated with its Army Transformation Initiative.
Additionally, the committee must be informed of the Army's
future force structure and end strength targets in its pursuit
of eliminating waste and optimization, as well as the details
for planned unit inactivations or assignments of new missions,
broken out by Active and Reserve Components.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than October 1, 2025, that addresses fiscal year 2026
budgetary impacts and funding requirements across the Future
Years Defense Program, capability-based requirements and
identification of capability gaps as a result of planned
divestments, and an implementation plan for the Army
Transformation Initiative efforts.
In addition, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to inform the congressional defense committees, not later
than 30 days prior to implementation, of any additional
proposed changes taking place as part of the Army
Transformation Initiative or broader transformation efforts.
Collaborative Armaments and Ammunition
The committee is aware of the Army's efforts to develop
networked and integrated armaments and ammunition and of
related efforts to enable seamless interoperability through the
incorporation of automation into combat armament systems. The
committee believes that integration of advanced algorithms and
software architectures into these systems could enable greater
interoperability and end user capabilities, including
actionable recommendations. The committee encourages the Army
to continue funding research and development in these areas and
to accelerate the provision of enabling standards to the
defense industrial base.
Combat Vehicle Transmission Industrial Base
The committee is concerned about the Army's plans to
modernize the equipment and tooling in the combat vehicle
transmission facility called Plant 14. The committee notes that
Plant 14, which produces transmissions for the Abrams main
battle tank as well as several other combat vehicles, is unique
in the U.S. combat vehicle industrial base as the Army owns
approximately 55 percent of the machines, fixtures, tooling and
other capital equipment in the factory. This partnership
benefits the Army and the taxpayer because it ensures
availability and readiness of the tracked vehicle transmission
industrial base to support the nation in time of conflict. The
committee understands that the Plant 14 arrangement allows the
facility to maintain a trained and skilled workforce while also
meeting consistent demand from the supply base, independent of
the ebb and flow of domestic requirements. Further, Plant 14
supports continued sustainment of the Abrams tank that is
expected to be in the Army's inventory through 2050.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than December 15, 2025, on the modernization of the
Plant 14 combat vehicle transmission industrial base. The
report shall include the following:
(1) the Army's plan to modernize Plant 14 to ensure
readiness in time of conflict as well as the funding required
by year to complete such modernization; and
(2) options to establish a distinct budget line separate
from the Abrams Upgrade Program that would allow the Army to
properly resource industrial base facilities that are not
Government-Owned Contractor-Operated or Government-Owned
Government-Operated facilities.
Developing Improvements to Army Laser Eye Protection
There is an observed increase in the development and use of
lasers on the battlefield to include designating targets,
disrupting sensors, and even destroying adversary weapon
systems. Lasers are now being used on the battlefield targeting
individual soldiers with blinding laser devices initially
disrupting the soldier's engagements but ultimately resulting
in long term eye damage affecting overall readiness. The
committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026, on the plans to establish a requirement for
laser-protective eyewear and materials and to develop, acquire,
and equip soldiers with laser eye protection.
Digital Night Vision Technology
The committee is aware of ongoing research to develop next-
generation digital night vision sensors that incorporate
artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to
enhance image processing. The committee notes that
computational imaging that leverages emerging AI/ML technology,
combined with digital low-light sensors, could enable digital
night vision sensors to perform in darker environments while
enabling improved color and field of vision. The committee
believes that this technology could elevate the performance of
warfighters on future battlefields and encourages the Secretary
of the Army to appropriately support the continued development
of next-generation digital night vision sensors.
Digital Operations Planning Environment
The committee notes that planning tactical operations
quickly and at the speed of relevance is crucial to maintaining
military effectiveness against peer and near peer adversaries.
The committee understands that technologies exist, some of
which leverage artificial intelligence, that develop digital
operations planning environments for multi-domain operations to
improve the speed of planning and shared situational awareness.
The committee encourages the Department of the Army to consider
the benefits of adopting such technologies to augment planning
processes to ensure continued superiority over peer and near
peer adversaries.
Expanded Research of Critical Industrial Base Energetic Material
Chemistries and Synthesis Technologies
The committee is aware of current Army efforts to research
critical energetic materials and continues to support the
expansion of such efforts. The committee believes that many of
the chemical synthesis technologies currently being researched
have the potential to enhance the performance of energetic
materials, and could simultaneously enable broader, more
diverse, and more resilient critical materials supply chains.
The committee notes that section 253 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92)
required the creation of the National Energetics Plan with the
stated goals of maintaining United States technological
superiority in energetics technology, efficiently transitioning
such technologies, and maintaining a robust industrial base and
workforce, and the committee believes that the Army efforts are
critical enablers of that plan. The committee encourages the
Army to continue and expand this vital research.
Feasibility of Establishing a Close Combat Innovation Center
The committee remains concerned about the increased threat
posed to U.S. operational forces from small unmanned aircraft
systems (sUAS), autonomous systems, and other asymmetric
capabilities in multi-domain operations. The committee believes
the Army must rapidly develop capabilities focused on counter-
sUAS, networked lethality, human-machine teaming, and
autonomous targeting in multiple domains to improve the
lethality of our close combat forces. The committee is aware of
ongoing work across the Army, to include the Combat
Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and the Northeast
Multidomain Operations Alliance led by the Air Force Research
Lab, to design innovative armament systems, including precision
targeting, munitions, and fire control technologies, through
field experimentation and operational assessments that serve as
incubators for next-generation multi-domain dominance.
The committee believes incubator efforts like this show
promise in connecting operators to the technology development
process and could benefit the joint force if these processes
were scaled across the Department. Accordingly, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the
Commanding General, Army DEVCOM, and the Commanding General of
the 10th Mountain Division, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 15, 2026 on
the feasibility and advisability of establishing a close combat
innovation center at an existing Army installation, in
partnership with the Northeast Multidomain Operations Alliance,
to develop and integrate scalable, precision close combat
weapon systems, counter-sUAS solutions, human machine teaming,
and more. The briefing shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) An assessment of how a close combat innovation center
could help to improve the lethality of close combat forces in
multi-domain operations and improve technology development and
integration processes;
(2) The extent to which the Army is partnering with
commercial entities through rapid experimentation, specifically
within the Air Force Research Laboratory's Future Flag series
of limited objective experimentation,;
(3) Identification of possible approaches for establishing
and maintaining a close combat innovation center to support
Army and joint force objectives;
(4) An assessment of the funding, infrastructure, and
governance structure required to operate a close combat
innovation center; and
(5) If a close combat innovation center is deemed both
feasible and advisable, identify which existing Army
installations could support such a center, including an
assessment of existing locations that already hosts a Multi-
Domain Task Force to maximize operational efficiencies.
Ground Autonomy for Combat Operations Capability
The committee affirms that off-road ground autonomy remains
an essential capability for future Army operations. Autonomous
systems capable of traversing complex, natural, and degraded
terrain are vital to enhancing operational mobility, enabling
resupply and maneuver in contested and communications-degraded
environments, and increasing force resilience in the face of
growing global threats. The committee believes that the Army
must not forfeit the progress made in autonomy software
development and must instead clarify its intent to transition,
adapt, or reinvest in these technologies. The committee also
underscores the importance of maintaining momentum in
autonomous systems innovation, preserving public-private
collaboration on emerging autonomy capabilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than October 31, 2025, on the status of land-based
autonomous off-road capability development. The briefing shall
include:
(1) a summary of current and past Army-led or Army-
supported research, development, testing, and evaluation
projects in off-road autonomy, including key milestones,
funding levels, experimentation outcomes, and lessons learned;
(2) a list of existing and planned Army platforms, manned,
unmanned, or optionally manned, that may benefit from
integration of autonomous off-road navigation capabilities;
(3) a plan and timeline for continued commercially-
developed autonomous ground software development and
procurement, including the execution of available robotic
combat vehicle (RCV) software pathway funding;
(4) an overview of potential transition pathways, including
coordination with Army program executive offices and other
service components, and a projected timeline for technology
integration into warfighting units;
(5) a comparison of commercially-developed autonomous off-
road systems versus remote-controlled or teleoperated systems,
specifically in contested and communications-denied operational
environments;
(6) an estimate of funding required to sustain research,
development, demonstration, and eventual fielding of off-road
autonomous capabilities in light of the RCV program
termination; and
(7) an assessment of existing statutory, regulatory, or
policy barriers that may hinder adoption of such technologies,
along with specific recommendations to Congress for legislative
or regulatory remedies.
High-Power Microwave for Ground Vehicle Protection
The Committee is concerned with improving the survivability
of the Army's armored vehicles against proliferated threats
such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Further, the Committee
believes the Army should prioritize investment in non-kinetic,
high-power microwave countermeasures for ground vehicle
platforms to counter the growing UAS threat. Therefore, the
Committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later
than February 1, 2026, that includes:
(1) a summary of existing counter-UAS capabilities
currently deployed or deployable on Army ground vehicles;
(2) a brief description of available non-kinetic systems,
including high-power microwave, to mitigate UAS threats; and,
(3) a high level assessment of the cost and schedule
required for integration of high-power microwave systems onto
Army ground vehicles.
Humanoid Robots
The committee is aware of significant private sector
innovation in the field of robotics, including in the linking
of robotics with artificial intelligence capabilities. The
committee notes that advanced robotics, such as humanoid
robotics, offer advantages across a variety of fields due to
their ability to interact with humans and the constructed
environment. The committee recognizes that the Department of
Defense has played an important role in maturing these
capabilities, including efforts such as the Defense Advanced
Research Agency's Robotics Challenge, which promoted innovation
in human-supervised robotic technology for disaster-response
operations, in particular with regard to supervised autonomy,
platform mobility, and strength. As the commercial sector
adopts humanoid robots and other advanced robotics for various
use cases, the committee notes the importance of ensuring a
secure supply chain for advanced robotics for national
security, as well as the potential privacy risks associated
with adversarial dominance of the marketplace and the wide
range of associated data that could be used for malign
purposes. The committee therefore encourages the Department of
Defense to monitor the emerging advanced robotics marketplace
and work with appropriate interagency partners to manage risks.
Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office Directed Energy
Testing Facility
The committee commends the work of Army Space and Missile
Defense Command (SMDC) to develop and field leading edge
capabilities in the directed energy space to address emerging
unmanned aerial threats. The committee believes that increased
collaboration between SMDC and the Joint Counter-small Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) will augment counter-unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS) requirements, tactics, and technology
development. Furthermore, the committee encourages SMDC to
establish a dedicated directed energy test facility to ensure
alignment of emerging capabilities and operational
requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army,
in coordination with the Director of the JCO, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 27, 2026, on the status of cooperative directed
energy research and testing activities, lessons learned from
such activities, and future funding requirements to support the
development of directed energy systems to counter-UAS mission
sets.
Resilient Armament System Materials and Supply Chain
The committee is aware of Army programs that seek to
explore rapid manufacturing and prototyping technology,
including through the use of digital twins and point-of-need
distributed manufacturing. The committee is also aware of
efforts across the broader advanced manufacturing communities
of interest intended to drive national defense and industrial
base innovation. The committee believes that the Army's efforts
to leverage the evolving state of the art in advanced
manufacturing have the potential to advance the Army's
objectives with regard to the scaling up of armament and
munitions development, production, and manufacturing, and
encourages the Army to fully fund these programs.
Smart Runway
The Smart Runway II initiative is a critical investment in
military aviation infrastructure, directly enhancing the
longevity, performance, and cost-efficiency of airfield
pavements supporting unique military aircraft. The committee
encourages the Army to continue to advance new pavement
research and engineering solutions that improve runway
durability, reduce maintenance expenses, and ensure mission
readiness.
Soldier Lethality and Survivability on the Modern Battlefield
The committee is increasingly concerned by advancements
made by Russia and China in the lethality of their small arms
ammunition. These developments have resulted in weapons capable
of penetrating all current U.S. body armor, posing a serious
threat to American warfighters.
While there have been notable improvements in lightweight
armor materials--such as ballistic fabrics, fibers, and
ceramics--the processing methods used to manufacture body armor
composites have not evolved over the past two decades. Current
methods result in poor adhesion between layers, reducing the
overall protective performance of the armor.
The committee commends the U.S. Army Research Laboratory
(ARL), under the Combat Capabilities Development Command
(DEVCOM), for its efforts to develop and scale advanced high
temperature and high-pressure processing techniques for armor
composites. These techniques, when combined with modern
ballistic fibers, fabrics, and adhesives, have the potential to
significantly enhance body armor performance.
The committee believes these body armor innovations should
be rapidly transitioned from research and development to
procurement for all military services. ARL's advanced body
armor technology directly supports the U.S. Army's
modernization priorities, including the imperative to enhance
Soldier Lethality.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Army, in coordination with the Chief of Staff of the Army, to
submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than March 1, 2026, outlining the following:
(1) A description of research and development efforts for
next generation ballistic protection;
(2) The specific steps being taken to move DEVCOM's body
armor research and development into formal procurement and
program of record;
(3) An explanation of the requirements and considerations
for scaling procurement across all military services;
(4) A detailed accounting of the resources required to
scale DEVCOM's body armor technology for Army-wide deployment;
and
(5) Any other relevant matters the Secretary deems
relevant.
Sustaining the Army's National Simulation Center
The committee supports the Army Transformation Initiative
(ATI) but is concerned with the Army not sustaining and
protecting the National Simulation Center (NSC). Since the
1980s, the NSC has collectively trained Army divisions and
corps command posts before every major conflict including
operations in Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific region.
For over 40 years, the NSC has developed, integrated, and
delivered simulation capabilities in support of battle focused
collective training, mission rehearsal and combat leader
development.
While maintaining its legacy platform, the NSC has
developed the next generation tools to support Warfighter and
Command Post Exercises across the combat training centers for
the active, guard and reserve components, and these training
environments have replicated multi-domain operations that have
directly contributed to force readiness and operational
effectiveness. To cite one example, The NSC delivered a small
unmanned aerial system (sUAS) virtual collective trainer to
operational units in under 90 days, fulfilling an emerging
requirement.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 15, 2025, on their plan to
protect and sustain the National Simulation Center.
Swarming Autonomy and Small-Form Autonomous Ground Vehicles
The committee is aware of the Department of Defense's
ongoing efforts to develop autonomous ground vehicle (AGV)
capabilities to support distributed operations and emerging
force design concepts. The committee recognizes the value of
small, attritable, modular AGVs to enhance warfighter
effectiveness and operational resilience. The committee
encourages the Department of Defense to prioritize investment
in software-defined, easily integrated, and low-cost AGV
platforms developed through swarming autonomy initiatives. Such
platforms should be designed to support rapid development,
testing, and fielding, and to align with current and future
force structure requirements.
U.S. Army Hypersonics Research
The committee applauds the many ongoing research and
development efforts undertaken by Department of Defense
organizations and academic institutions across the country, but
remains concerned that the United States may not be keeping
pace with foreign adversaries in critical technologies areas
such as hypersonics. The committee is encouraged by the U.S.
Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Lab
(ARL) research efforts related to hypersonics, including
propulsion and advanced materials such as novel shape-morphing
materials capable of withstanding ultra-high temperatures. The
committee additionally strongly supports ARL's research
partnerships with universities, and notes the importance of
such partnerships across a wide variety of technology areas
that enable current and future hypersonics development efforts.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by February 15, 2026, on current and planned partnerships with
universities as part of ARL's hypersonics research activities.
The briefing should include potential focus areas for research
that could advance the state of the art for Army hypersonics
programs and case studies where universities have significantly
advanced, enabled, or accelerated ARL research activities
related to hypersonics.
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Navy
Items of Special Interest
F/A-XX--Air Wing of the Future
The committee is aware of the importance of Naval Aviation
to support Navy concepts of operations across the globe.
Further, the committee notes the contributions of Naval
aviation against current threats but also the need to be
prepared against future threats, especially from China.
The committee is concerned that the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26)
budget request does not support the F/A-XX program. The
committee is also deeply concerned about public reports that
the Department of Defense does not intend to obligate or expend
$750.0 million that Congress provided in the Reconciliation
Bill (P.L. 119-21) for F/A-XX. Further, the committee is
concerned that the Navy had to place funding for this critical
program on their Unfunded Priorities List submitted to
Congress.
The committee is aware that per the Navigation Plan
Implementation Framework, the F/A-XX will help expand the reach
of naval aviation from 8 million square miles to 11 million in
a day by 2040--this provides our aircraft carrier strike groups
tremendous advantages in survivability, agility and lethality.
Given that the U.S. fights as a joint force, failure to fund
this program will lead to a significant mismatch in state-of-
the-art integrated battlespace capabilities from the maritime
domain, allowing an adversary to concentrate their efforts in
the direction of land-based and forward-deployed expeditionary
forces.
The committee is also deeply concerned that F/A-XX prime-
and sub-contractors have invested significant capital resources
toward the design and development of this new aircraft and its
mission systems. Failure to adequately fund this program in
FY26 and through the Future Years Defense Plan could have
detrimental consequences on the level of future resources
investment from industry partners toward this key capability.
Therefore, the committee directs the Deputy Secretary of
Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, no later than December 1, 2025, on the plan to
obligate and expend the Fiscal Year 2025 and Reconciliation
Bill (P.L. 119-21) authorized and appropriated funding for the
F/A-XX program, and the planned timeline for when the Secretary
of the Navy will award the Engineering and Manufacturing
Development contract for the F/A-XX program.
Future of X-Band Radar
The committee understands that the proliferation of anti-
ship cruise missiles, combined with complex air and missile
raids, poses a serious threat to Navy surface combatants. AN/
SPQ-9B surface track radar, the legacy mechanical-scanning, was
fielded in 2002 and will be replaced on the ship mast by a
solid-state Future X-Band Radar (FXR), designed to address
advanced threats.
The Navy began to invest in FXR in 2018 utilizing Spectrum
Relocation Funds, and completed a full-scale competitive radar
demonstration in 2025, but continued delays threaten timely
fielding of capability, with Initial Operational Capability of
the first FXR now delayed to 2035. However, Spectrum Relocation
Funds for FXR expires in 2041, and continued Navy delays put
this unique funding source at risk.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition to, no
later than March 1, 2026, provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services on plans to accelerate acquisition
of the FXR. The briefing should include the following:
(1) Information on contract schedule and efforts to support
low-rate initial production before 2030;
(2) Potential use of innovative acquisition pathways
including Other Transaction Authority that avoid the expiration
of Spectrum Relocation funds; and
(3) Expected delivery schedules for FXR and any efforts to
support fielding before 2035.
Integration of Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System into F/A-18
and E/A-18 Aircraft Fleets
The committee acknowledges that Auto Ground Collision
Avoidance Systems (Auto GCAS) are crucial for tactical fighter
aircraft due to the inherent risks and demands of their
operations. The committee understands that Auto GCAS has many
benefits for aircrew.
Auto GCAS can prevent Controlled Flight into Terrain
(CFIT), which is a major cause of tactical fighter aircrew
fatalities. Tactical fighter operations often involve high
speeds, low altitudes, and complex maneuvers, increasing the
risk of aircrew becoming disoriented or fixated on a target.
Auto GCAS monitors the aircraft's trajectory relative to the
ground and automatically takes control to prevent a collision
if a crash is imminent. Auto GCAS can be used as risk
mitigation for aircrew incapacitation. High gravitational
forces experienced during maneuvers can cause aircrew to lose
consciousness or become spatially disoriented. If an aircrew
becomes incapacitated during flight, Auto GCAS can intervene,
automatically executing a recovery maneuver to steer the
aircraft away from the ground. Auto GCAS can enhance aircrew
situational awareness. Advanced cockpit systems and helmet-
mounted displays provide pilots with crucial flight data and
threat information. Auto GCAS adds another layer of safety by
actively monitoring for ground collision threats, allowing
pilots to focus on their mission while having a safety back-up
in place. Auto GCAS can optimize mission effectiveness,
mitigating the risk of ground collisions. Auto GCAS allows
aircrew to fly more aggressively and perform critical tactical
maneuvers at lower altitudes with increased confidence. This
enhanced safety contributes to increased mission effectiveness
and reduces the loss of valuable aircraft and highly trained
aircrew. In summary, Auto GCAS provides a crucial automated
safety feature that complements aircrew skills and training,
safeguarding against human error, aircrew incapacitation, and
the inherent risks of tactical fighter operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than March 16, 2026, that explains the plans of the
Secretary to integrate Auto GCAS capability into the F/A-18E/F
and EA-18G aircraft of the Department of the Navy. The report
should also describe the acquisition strategy, cost, schedule,
testing, and fielding plans of Auto GCAS into these tactical
fighter aircraft.
Integration of Existing Offensive and Defensive Capabilities on Navy
Platforms
The committee is aware of existing capabilities developed
for the Department of the Army that may be suitable for
integration onto Department of the Navy vessels or platforms.
Integration of the PAC-3 interceptor from the Patriot missile
defense system with the U.S. Navy's Aegis Weapon System is
underway, but further integration of proven systems may provide
additional offensive and defensive capabilities to the naval
fleet. Programs like the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System
(APKWS) may offer increased capability for small unmanned
surface vessels being developed throughout the Department of
the Navy. Similarly, the Coyote C-UAS system may offer
increased capability to defeat unmanned aircraft system (UAS)
threats and preserve more capable interceptors for larger
threats to the surface fleet. To better understand how the Navy
is considering the utility of proven systems for applications
within the Department of the Navy, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026. The
briefing shall include information on current efforts to
demonstrate integration of systems including the APKWS and
Coyote C-UAS system, how these capabilities might be configured
for integration on U.S. Navy vessels or platforms, and any
potential capability gaps that could be addressed through
proven systems from the Department of the Army.
Long Range Anti-Ship Missile Surface and Ground Launch
The committee recognizes the urgent need to deliver
coordinated and integrated maritime strike warfighting
capability to combatant commanders. The committee believes that
a critical component of this mission is penetrating and
operating effectively within the weapons engagement zone. The
committee is further aware of the combat proven pedigree of the
AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface/Long Range Anti-Ship Missile
(LRASM) family of weapons, and specifically the LRASM's unique
network-enabled capabilities and survivability across all
warfare domains and platforms within the Department of Defense.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy,
in coordination with the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 31, 2026, on efforts to demonstrate
surface or ground launch of AGM-158 LRASM. The report shall
include:
(1) information on any ongoing demonstration effort of the
of AGM-158 LRASM;
(2) potential coordination with other entities within the
Department of Defense on efforts to demonstrate surface or
ground launch of AGM-158 LRASM;
(3) requirements for vertical and deck system launch
integration; and
(4) any other relevant information on a potential concept
of employment and interoperability with air-launched LRASM.
Next Generation Navy Integrated Combat System Roll-out Optimization
The committee recognizes that the Navy's next-generation
integrated combat system (ICS) is a critical enabler of the
Department of Defense's Combined Joint All-Domain Command and
Control initiative and the Navy's Distributed Maritime
Operations concept. ICS aims to deliver a modern, cloud-based
combat architecture capable of integrating sensors, weapons,
and platforms across the fleet. The committee notes that
successful implementation of ICS will require careful planning
to ensure interoperability and transition pathways with the
widely fielded Aegis combat system (ACS), particularly in light
of current hardware limitations and funding constraints.
The committee is concerned that budgetary limitations have
delayed efforts to fully assess forward and backward
compatibility between ICS and ACS-equipped ships, including
cruisers, guided missile destroyers, aircraft carriers, and
amphibious assault ships. The committee believes early
investment in simulation, emulation, and prototype-based
testing--particularly using hardware-in-the-loop environments--
could serve as an effective risk-reduction strategy.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 31, 2026, on efforts to support ICS
transition and integration across the existing surface fleet.
The briefing should include:
(1) A description of current or planned efforts to develop
and test Combat System Common-Integration-as-a-Service
capabilities;
(2) An overview of simulation and emulation tools being
used or developed to enable forward and backward compatibility
between ICS and ACS;
(3) A summary of hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing
activities and infrastructure; and
(4) An assessment of potential benefits associated with
early risk-reduction prototyping to support future fleet
readiness and integration timelines.
United States Drone Warfare Capabilities and Lessons from Ukraine
The committee remains concerned that adversaries such as
the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China are
accelerating the development and deployment of unmanned aerial
systems (UAS), autonomous swarming capabilities, electronic
warfare integration, and artificial intelligence (AI) in ways
that risk surpassing the capabilities of the United States.
Russia has demonstrated the ability to produce and field
thousands of drones per day in its ongoing aggression against
Ukraine, while China continues to expand its unmanned
capabilities across multiple domains, including in the Taiwan
Strait.
The committee affirms that to maintain credible deterrence
and operational superiority, the Department of Defense must
assess the current state of U.S. drone warfare capabilities as
it pertains to drone employment, counter-drone operations, and
logistics in contested environments. The committee further
notes that the conflict in Ukraine offers real-time operational
insights into the rapid fielding, employment, and adaptation of
unmanned systems at scale under high-intensity combat
conditions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commandant of the
Marine Corps to conduct a case study of major drone operations
observed in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and to organize a
classified wargame or tabletop exercise no later than May 1,
2026, to test U.S. concepts for large-scale drone employment,
counter-drone operations, and logistics under contested
conditions. The committee directs the Commandant of the Marine
Corps to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than July 1, 2026, on the findings of the
case study and wargame, including:
(1) operational challenges, risks, and vulnerabilities
identified through the exercise;
(2) implications for doctrine, training, and force design
related to unmanned systems at scale;
(3) any observed gaps in joint capabilities, command and
control, electronic warfare, or sustainment; and
(4) recommendations for future development, investment, or
changes in joint and service-level operational concepts.
Unmanned Surface Vessel Testing Areas
The committee supports the Department of the Navy's efforts
to develop, test and evaluate autonomous technology prior to
acquiring unmanned service vehicles (USVs). However, the
committee is concerned that the Department does not have
sufficient at-sea test ranges and is further being impeded by
unnecessary constraints. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026. The
briefing shall include the following elements:
(1) an overview of Navy's existing authorities to test or
support commercial testing of unmanned maritime technology
critical to national security;
(2) an assessment of current access and any constraints to
testing unmanned vessels at sea including collision
regulations, insurance costs, lookout requirements, and chase
boat requirements that could be mitigated in an open ocean
unmanned vessel test area;
(3) a cost-benefit analysis of establishing year-round test
and experimentation areas at sea;
(4) any precedent for establishing such test areas at sea;
(5) a description of any coordination with the United
States Coast Guard for this purpose; and
(6) any immediate actions or recommendations that could be
implemented to reduce barriers to testing unmanned vessels.
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force
Items of Special Interest
Extended-Capability High-Energy Laser
The committee recognizes the potential for high energy
lasers (HEL) deployed on long-endurance airborne platforms to
contribute to the defense of the homeland and close gaps in
current missile defense architectures. The committee also notes
the need for further maturation of key technologies,
particularly beam control capabilities suitable for laser
sources above 500 kilowatts. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services, not later than December 1,
2025, describing HEL enabling technologies that have
transitioned in the past five years or are planned to
transition within the next five years to test on airborne
platforms or representative surrogates, as well as options and
associated resourcing requirements for transition effort
acceleration.
Human Machine Interfaces for Collaborative Combat Aircraft
The committee notes that the Collaborative Combat Aircraft
(CCA) has significant potential to expand the fighter fleet at
a fraction of the cost, while also offering an increase in
operational options. The committee supports rapid development
and testing to begin fielding in the late 2020s.
Success of the CCA program relies on the software used to
control the autonomous vehicles. The committee understands that
the Air Force is already emphasizing the Human Machine
Interface (HMI) and Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) for the
service members controlling CCAs, which will optimize
operational impact of the CCA system with the highest possible
pilot-to-autonomous system ratio, lower the cognitive load of
the pilot operating unmanned platforms in the air, ensure
timely updates to software as they emerge, and prevent vendor
lock in the CCA program to optimize taxpayer dollars. The
committee believes investment in software development in
parallel with vehicle development is crucial to the CCA
fielding timeline.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 1, 2025, detailing how the Air
Force is rapidly validating HMI and PVI software in realistic
scenarios. The briefing shall include:
(1) an explanation of how the CCA program is defining
physical platform requirements based on a tactics-driven
acquisition strategy;
(2) how an early integration of the CCA's HMI and PVI
software into the Joint Simulation Environment would accelerate
the timeline for fielding effective and reliable PVI software
solutions; and
(3) how to apply lessons learned from the CCA program HMI
integration across the joint service autonomous vehicle
enterprise like the Replicator program.
Integration of Airborne Augmented Reality
The committee notes the potential for innovative
technologies such as airborne augmented reality to modernize
and improve pilot training, and believes that such technologies
could also assist in mission scenario rehearsal and
visualization for operational units. The committee is aware
that the Air Force is currently engaged in efforts to develop
and mature augmented reality technologies, including through
Small Business Innovation Research grants, and encourages the
Air Force to continue resourcing these efforts. The committee
directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than December
1, 2025, describing current Air Force efforts regarding
airborne augmented reality systems, the technological maturity
of such systems, and the potential impact of such systems on
pilot training, including any opportunities for, and challenges
to, their integration and validation.
Investment in Analog and Digital Microelectronics Integration
The committee supports efforts underway by the United
States Air Force and the Air Force Research Lab to
significantly reduce the size, weight, power and cost (SWAP-C)
of radio frequency (RF), signals intelligence and electronic
warfare systems to achieve its affordable mass goals. The
committee believes the focus on advancing digital hardware
solutions has outpaced advancements in the miniaturization of
analog RF hardware specifically where antenna aperture and
actuators contact the threat signal environment. The committee
believes that improved integration and miniaturization of
analog and digital components will be necessary for future
autonomous systems.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander of the Air
Force Research Lab to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services by March 6, 2026 on the following:
(1) an assessment of the requirement for the Air Force and
the Defense Industrial Base to develop and integrate analog-
digital solutions and the need to find, train, and retain
highly specialized talent in designing custom electronics to
ensure proper interoperation of analog and digital components;
and
(2) a description of the necessary steps and estimated
funding required to ensure design, integration and deployment
of RF hardware solutions for electromagnetic spectrum
operations that ensure analog and digital designs are optimized
for SWAP-C and future artificial intelligence capabilities.
Modular Self Propelled Wheel Technology
The committee recognizes the growing importance of advanced
logistics and transportation technologies, and notes the need
for continued research, development, testing, and evaluation of
such technologies in order to enable key operational
capabilities in contested and austere environments. In
particular, the committee is aware of successful Air Force
efforts through the Small Business Innovation Research program
that have demonstrated the potential for modular, compact
vehicles using self-propelled wheels. These systems are also
capable of assembly into various vehicle configurations to
provide expeditionary forces with versatile ground handling and
mobile platform capabilities, reducing the logistical footprint
required for operations. The committee encourages the
Department of Defense to continue these efforts to modernize
expeditionary delivery methods, inventory and cargo management,
and materiel handling through continued investment in advanced
logistics technologies.
Support the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program
The committee remains concerned with the rapid military
growth of adversaries and the speed by which mass-produced,
modern capabilities are proliferated and threaten the air
superiority that has underpinned U.S. military dominance for
decades. To counter these threats, the committee encourages the
Air Force to continue to embrace initiatives that accelerate
affordable and rapid fielding of capable airpower mass.
The committee remains strongly supportive of the Increment
1 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. In just over
five years, the CCA program has progressed from conceptual
development to production and fielding of an operationally
relevant capability, while leveraging technologically advanced
contributions of an expanding industrial base. In April 2024,
the Air Force selected two sources to provide CCA Increment 1
prototypes and the program is on pace to conduct flight testing
in late 2025. The committee expects the Air Force to move
forward with full-scale production of Increment 1 as soon as
possible following the completion of successful flight
demonstrations.
While CCAs are envisioned to operate alongside fighter
aircraft, the committee is fully supportive of the potential of
autonomous aircraft and expansion of these capabilities with
other piloted-type aircraft.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, not later than January 16, 2026, on the service's
plans to transition CCA Increment 1 prototypes to full-scale
production and the associated resource requirements.
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense-Wide
Items of Special Interest
Adoption of AI-Enabled Pilot Augmentation Technologies to Enhance
Flight Safety and Reduce Human Error
The committee recognizes significant opportunities to
enhance flight safety, operational efficiency, and cost savings
through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced
software development technologies that augment military
aviation crews in flight, thereby reducing human error.
Civilian, commercial, and cargo aviation sectors already
leverage data-driven products to provide pilot feedback,
proactively manage risks, and improve outcomes. The committee
commends U.S. Special Operations Command and the Department of
the Air Force for their initial efforts toward adopting these
technologies but remains concerned by the lack of formalized
requirements to use hardware-lite technology to augment
aircrews during flight within the Army, Navy, Air Force, and
U.S. Special Operations Command. Therefore, the committee
encourages aviation leadership of the Departments of the Army,
Navy, Air Force, and U.S. Special Operations Command to
prioritize integration of hardware-lite AI-enabled pilot
augmentation systems to achieve measurable safety improvements
and cost reductions.
Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems
The committee recognizes the need for long-duration,
resilient energy sources to support military operations in
harsh and remote environments. The committee is aware that
advanced radioisotope power systems, including both
radioisotope thermal generators and radioisotope heater units,
offer long-lasting, low-maintenance power and heating without
frequent resupply.
The committee notes the potential for novel radioisotope
production methods, such as compact fusion systems designed to
generate high-energy neutrons, to enable on-demand edge
production of radioisotopes and reduce reliance on centralized
or foreign supply chains. The committee believes that this
approach could broaden the range of viable isotopes beyond
plutonium and strontium, including to isotopes with short half-
lives and minimal shielding requirements, and that such
developments could expand the operational utility of
radioisotope power systems in expeditionary settings.
The committee therefore directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services by December 1, 2025. The
briefing should describe:
(1) current and potential radioisotope power systems
suitable for military use;
(2) viable isotopes for such systems and their potential
production methods, including fusion-based neutron generation;
(3) the feasibility of compact, forward-deployable
production systems;
(4) relevant foreign developments; and
(5) the potential for such systems to fulfill relevant
Department of Defense needs and requirements or enable novel
capabilities.
Alternative Lubrication Mechanisms for Engine Optimization
The committee recognizes that the development of small
limited-life engines for use in unmanned aerial vehicles in
expendable and attritable weapon systems will be critical to
maintaining air superiority as air combat evolves. The
committee notes an important component in successfully
executing this strategy is the development of low cost, easy to
manufacture, and high efficiency propulsion systems for these
smaller vehicles. Unfortunately, traditional approaches to
lubrication system design often limit propulsion system
performance and the committee encourages the Department of the
Defense to challenge industry to develop small, lightweight,
and modular lubrication systems, that enhance strike capacity,
standoff range, and payload for expendable and attritable
attack munitions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Armed Services Committee not
later than April 1, 2026. At a minimum, the report shall
include:
(1) An assessment of industrial base capabilities and
capacity to provide the small limited-life engines used in
expendable and/or attritable unmanned aerial vehicles;
(2) An assessment of innovative subsystems and/or component
technologies that could improve system performance in range,
payload, and capacity; and,
(3) A strategy to integrate any promising subsystem or
component improvements into existing or planned systems to
improve performance in range, payload, and capacity.
Aluminum-Scandium Alloy Prototype Parts Development and Demonstration
The committee is aware of potential efforts to support
domestic sourcing of scandium oxide. The committee notes the
possibility that such domestic sourcing at a sufficient level
of annual production could be sufficient to accelerate
development of a complete domestic supply chain for scandium
products, including aluminum-scandium alloys, which have
important applications for defense, aerospace, and space, and
whose use has to date been supply-limited. The committee
encourages the Department to utilize available tools and
authorities, such as those provided to the Defense Logistics
Agency and the Office of Strategic Capital, to evaluate and
appropriately resource development and demonstration activities
that would enable rapid exploitation of scandium alloys in
relevant programs should expanded domestic sourcing become
available. The committee directs the Deputy Secretary of
Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2026, containing an assessment
of projected potential utilization of aluminum-scandium alloys
and other scandium derivatives for defense programs.
Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute
The committee is aware that the BioIndustrial Manufacturing
and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE), the Department of Defense's
Manufacturing Innovation Institute for bioindustrial
manufacturing, involves nearly 300 members across 37 states,
including industry leaders, academic institutions, and
Government officials. The committee recognizes BioMADE's
important responsibility to develop a network of open-access,
precommercial bioindustrial facilities, and believes that this
initiative is a critical enabler of a stronger U.S.
bioindustrial manufacturing sector, a more robust
biomanufacturing workforce, and a more advanced defense
industrial base.
The committee believes that effective execution of
BioMADE's mandate is critical to maintaining U.S. defense and
strategic advantage. Therefore, in addition to the requirements
of section 215 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263),
the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026,
describing BioMADE execution details. This report shall be
unclassified but may include a classified annex. The report
should include:
(1) an assessment of statutory barriers impeding the use of
congressionally appropriated funds to build facilities;
(2) an explanation of BioMADE's role in achieving
Department of Defense objectives, and of Department plans to
utilize BioMADE;
(3) the average time required for BioMADE to execute
contracts, from solicitation closure to award receipt;
(4) a list of current BioMADE awardees;
(5) details of all BioMADE grants made, planned, or in
execution for the preceding fiscal year and the Future Years
Defense Program, including amounts, purposes, execution
timelines, and budget allocations over time;
(6) site selection decisions, criteria, processes, and
timelines for facility construction;
(7) grant award selection decisions, criteria, processes,
timelines, and communication mechanisms for members;
(8) membership structure and benefits, and their impact on
access and payment for infrastructure usage;
(9) timeframes for integrating new members into the
network; and
(10) mechanisms for interagency collaboration, particularly
with regard to Department of Energy National Laboratories and
precommercial infrastructure.
Biotechnology Research Collaboration
The committee believes biotechnology to be a key emerging
technology area for future U.S. military advantage. The
committee is aware that, as a fundamentally multidisciplinary
technology area, collaboration is fundamental for advancing the
technology, encouraging innovation, maximizing investments, and
reducing duplication.
However, the committee is concerned that the current
complex process for biotechnology collaboration may stifle
cooperation and result in a more siloed ecosystem. The
committee has observed evidence that collaborations between
research laboratories, regardless of whether they are intra- or
inter-service, are difficult to initiate due to the long
negotiation process for terms and issues, such as the ownership
of any resulting intellectual property. The committee is
concerned that these unnecessary barriers may slow
biotechnology innovations that could enable important future
military capabilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than December
1, 2025, on the Department of Defense's efforts and progress
toward enhancing inter-service and inter-department cooperation
on biotechnology research. The briefing should include:
(1) any past efforts to streamline inter-service and inter-
department collaboration in biotechnology, as well as any
lessons learned from those efforts;
(2) Department efforts to streamline, standardize, and
update the existing memorandum of understanding process between
relevant entities, especially between the military services'
research laboratories;
(3) a description of any roadblocks, including statutory
issues, preventing a more streamlined collaboration process
related to biotechnology and how the Department might overcome
those roadblocks, or a description of any statutory relief
needed; and
(4) the predicted timelines for updating and streamlining
such collaboration processes.
Briefing on Status of F-35 Technical Refresh 3 and Block 4 Capabilities
The committee remains frustrated by ongoing delays and
performance issues associated with the F-35 program. The
committee has expressed continued concern about the delays
associated with Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3), the updated
hardware and software configuration necessary to support the
capabilities required for the aircraft to meet the requirements
of the current and future threat environment. The committee
notes that the prime contractor began producing F-35s in the
TR-3 configuration while TR-3 was immature, unstable, not
thoroughly tested, and not performing as needed. As a result,
the Joint Program Office, on behalf of the services, refused to
accept delivery of the F-35 for nearly a year, between July
2023 and July 2024, until the prime contractor was able to
deliver a minimally acceptable TR-3 configured aircraft. The
committee notes that despite the nearly year-long delay, TR-3
configured aircraft are not yet combat capable.
Furthermore, more advanced Block 4 software capabilities
that rely on the hardware backbone of TR-3 also have not been
rolled out and have encountered their own delays and
challenges. The planned capabilities of the initial rollout of
Block 4 have also been reduced in order to ensure the delivery
of urgent needs within an acceptable time frame.
The committee recognizes that there has been progress on
the program over the course of the past year. The committee has
taken numerous steps in prior years to correct the course of
the F-35 program. Such steps include establishing an
acquisition sub-program for the propulsion system to address
concerns with cooling performance and schedule and establishing
an acquisition sub-program for Block 4 capabilities. The
committee also notes that the prime contractor plans to invest
over $350 million in the F-35 program over the next five years.
Therefore, the committee directs the F-35 Joint Program
Executive Officer to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on changes
to the estimated cost, schedule, and performance, including TR-
3 and Block 4 capabilities, for current and future deliveries
of F-35 aircraft systems by the prime contractor to the
Department of Defense. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of the current performance level of
aircraft in the TR-3 configuration;
(2) an updated schedule and timeline for full TR-3 testing
and certification;
(3) an updated delivery schedule for aircraft currently
funded;
(4) a list of the capabilities scheduled for inclusion in
the initial Block 4 fielding;
(5) an updated schedule for the testing and fielding of
Block 4 capabilities; and
(6) a summary of the costs of the delays associated with
the delay of TR-3 and Block 4, the share of those costs borne
by the government, and the share borne by the prime contractor.
Common Enterprise Range Network for Assured Control of Hypersonic and
Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Flight Tests
The Common Enterprise Range Network is a real-time safety
network designed to assure positive control of missiles under
flight, featuring high-reliability transport and real-time
monitoring of hypersonic and inter-continental ballistic
missile test events. The committee encourages the Department of
Defense to ensure that test operations remain efficient,
reliable, and responsive to evolving national defense
priorities through investments in communication architectures
capable of assured command and control.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Biotechnology Programs
The committee is aware of past programs undertaken by the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) intended to
explore and strengthen supply chains, such as LogX, Open Price
Exploration for National Security, and Resilient Supply-and-
Demand Networks, which have developed novel technology tools to
analyze and diagnose threats or vulnerabilities, provide
projections and prognoses, and stress-test supply chains to
assess resilience levels.
Building on these efforts, and in acknowledgment of the
specific needs for biotechnology supply chain resilience, the
committee supports further efforts by DARPA and elsewhere in
the Department of Defense on supply chains, especially programs
that could be relevant to emerging technologies such as
biotechnology. In particular, the committee encourages
additional efforts to develop better understanding of complex
supply chains and promote biotechnology as a solution to supply
chain challenges, such as the Environmental Microbes as a
BioEngineering Resource program.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of DARPA to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than July 1, 2026, on:
(1) efforts to expand programs focused on understanding
complex supply chains and solving supply chain challenges,
particularly those related to biotechnology;
(2) barriers to additional programs in understanding
complex supply chains and solving such supply chain challenges
for biotechnology; and
(3) efforts to promote biotechnology as a solution to
supply chain challenges.
Defense Innovation Unit Geographic Expansion
The committee recognizes the ability of the Defense
Innovation Unit (DIU) to further the United States' diplomatic
and strategic interests around the world. However, the
committee believes that limitations such as staffing headcount
and constrained budgets mean that DIU must be strategic and
deliberate in its partnerships and office locations, both
domestically and internationally.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of DIU to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 15, 2026, detailing a comprehensive set of criteria for
selecting future DIU international or domestic locations,
partnerships, military embeds, or liaison officers. The
criteria shall align with the National Defense Strategy and
should include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) alignment with the Administration and national security
guidance;
(2) alignment with the Department of Defense's needs to
ensure locations and partnerships support emerging operational
requirements and long-term capability needs of the Department;
(3) proximity to innovation hubs such as universities,
research institutions, private sector technology ecosystems
with relevance to Department modernization priorities, Federal
Government innovation organizations, or other DIU or defense
innovation community of entity locations;
(4) assessment of existing Federal, State, and local
innovation ecosystems to avoid duplication and ensure efficient
use of available resources and presence across the United
States;
(5) expected near- and long-term outcomes for defense
innovation;
(6) workforce and talent pool availability;
(7) potential for public-private collaboration;
(8) geographic and strategic distribution;
(9) existing U.S. military presence;
(10) resource availability, including for establishment and
sustainment cost, infrastructure, and workforce requirements;
and
(11) any other relevant elements identified by the
Director.
Domestic Battery Supply Chain
The committee is aware of the risks posed by security gaps
in critical supply chains, particularly with regard to energy
storage and battery systems. The committee notes that several
key subcomponents in battery supply chains, such as the
separator material that protects batteries from overheating and
catching fire during charging and other stress-related trauma
on the battery, have a large majority of their current supplier
base in the People's Republic of China. In the event of any
supply restrictions, such single points of failure could
significantly restrict Department of Defense access to
batteries across a wide variety of systems, platforms, and use
cases.
The committee therefore encourages the Department to move
aggressively to understand and illuminate the risks of supply
chain weaknesses in the battery ecosystem, including components
such as battery separators, and to invest where appropriate in
technologies that mitigate risks and enable future advanced
capabilities.
Domestic Procurement of High-Density Build-Up Substrates
High-density build-up (HDBU) substrates are critical
components in advanced microelectronics, enabling high-
performance computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and secure
defense communications systems. Despite their strategic
importance, the Department of Defense and its defense
industrial base remain dependent on foreign--particularly
Asian--sources for these substrates. This reliance poses a
supply chain vulnerability that could jeopardize mission
readiness and national security in future conflict scenarios.
The committee notes that domestic producers of HDBU substrates
have received funding under Title III of the Defense Production
Act to support domestic production capacity.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on
the Department's strategy for procuring high-density build-up
substrates from domestic sources. The briefing shall include
the following:
(1) An assessment of the current and planned domestic
production capacity for HDBU substrates, including any awarded
or pending Defense Production Act investments;
(2) A summary of technical or contractual barriers that
have prevented defense contractors from sourcing HDBU
substrates domestically;
(3) A roadmap for phasing out foreign dependency and
establishing long-term, sustainable procurement pathways for
U.S.-based HDBU substrate suppliers.
Dual-Use Innovation
The committee commends the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering for its programs dedicated to
strengthening public-private partnerships to optimize
innovation. The committee encourages the Secretary of Defense
to consider expanding public-private partnerships focused on
space, aerospace, robotics, and other dual-use technologies to
advance the Department's technology development. The Department
shall consider the current strategy for evaluating the dual-use
market, key areas of improvement for community and industry
engagement with key detailed metrics for success, and optimal
locations to enable collaboration between the private sector
and government.
Enhancing Operational Lethality through Artificial Intelligence-Enabled
Unmanned Systems
The committee recognizes the critical role that artificial
intelligence (AI)-enabled unmanned systems could play in
achieving various national security objectives, including
increased warfighter lethality and homeland defense. With
continued development and experimentation, in the future, a
single operator could manage multiple unmanned systems across
multiple domains to close kill chains, which could optimize
lethality and operational efficiency. To enable this future,
unmanned systems must be developed with open standards and
interoperability in mind. As the Department continues to pursue
autonomy and unmanned systems, the committee encourages it to
leverage AI and open standards to the maximum extent
practicable.
Execution of CL-20 Incorporation and Deployment
The committee understands that the Department of Defense is
considering the incorporation of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane
(CL-20) to modernize its munitions portfolio and enhance the
range, lethality, stealth, and survivability of missile and
precision-strike systems. CL-20 offers superior energy density,
reduced smoke emissions, and enhanced propulsion efficiency,
aligning with section 243(e) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Public Law (117-328),
which identifies it as an energetic material capable of
enhancing warhead lethality and propellant performance.
The committee encourages the Department of Defense to
explore expedited fielding pathways, including rapid
prototyping mechanisms and accelerated acquisition processes,
to align with warfighter-driven requirements. The committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2026, on:
(1) status of CL-20 incorporation in weapon systems
including efforts to leverage commercially available solutions
through a multi-vendor approach, as well as targeted
comparative performance evaluations of CL-20 against existing
energetics where relevant to specific weapon systems;
(2) provide the fielding timelines and lethality
objectives, along with modeling, simulation, and trade-space
analysis comparing CL-20 with baseline and alternative
formulations, including industrial base sustainment
considerations; and
(3) detail bridge capability plans and procurement
strategies via the Defense Logistics Agency to ensure adequate
supply of CL-20 and its precursors.
Fusion Energy and Domestic Energy Supply Chain
The committee is aware of near-term developments in fusion
energy technology maturation that could result in
commercialization and opportunities to scale or focus such
technologies to support Department of Defense objectives and
missions. The committee believes that, as fusion energy
technologies mature, a strong and globally competitive domestic
industrial base would be advantageous to U.S. national
security. The committee is therefore concerned about the
possibility that certain elements of the fusion energy supply
chain may become dependent on foreign sources of materials or
components, and that the rapid pace of technology development
may outstrip the ability of the Department of Defense to
analyze, monitor, and react to supply chain uncertainties. In
particular, the committee notes that certain fusion
technologies have achieved commercial readiness to a level
sufficient for completion of Power Purchase Agreements with
private sector customers, but that the Department of Defense
has yet to sufficiently articulate objectives, requirements,
and metrics for fusion technologies.
The committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than January 30, 2026 containing:
(1) opportunities and objectives for Department adoption of
fusion energy technologies of varying capabilities;
(2) obstacles to fusion energy adoption, including
statutory, regulatory, and other matters;
(3) an analysis of key attributes and metrics necessary for
adoption of fusion energy technologies;
(4) an overview of essential fusion supply chain components
and critical materials, including an analysis of the current
availability of these materials through domestic or trusted
partner supply chains;
(5) an overview of Department stakeholders for fusion
energy technology adoption; and
(6) an overview of the regulatory environment governing
development, testing, adoption, and deployment of fusion energy
technologies for national security purposes.
High-Altitude Platform Systems
High-altitude platform systems, including high-altitude
balloons, offer the Department of Defense the potential for
persistent aerial platforms capable of delivering intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and other mission-
critical effects. The committee is aware of ongoing testing and
research into the use of these platforms and believes further
exploration of their operational utility may be warranted.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2026, on the use of high-altitude platform
systems to support mission requirements. The briefing may
include a classified annex. The briefing should include the
following:
(1) a summary of current uses and research efforts into
high-altitude balloon systems;
(2) an analysis of potential mission areas where high-
altitude balloons could provide operational advantages, and any
resource, policy, or legal impediments to their broader
implementation; and
(3) an overview of funding requirements necessary to
continue and expand testing and fielding of high-altitude
balloons in support of the military services and combatant
commands.
Integrated Hypersonic Propulsion
The committee supports the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency's plans to begin development of a reusable
hypersonic aircraft demonstrator in fiscal year 2027. The
committee notes that development of an integrated hypersonic
propulsion system capable of operating across the speed ranges
necessary for reusable hypersonic flight is critical to the
success of a potential program. Further, the committee
recognizes recent technology breakthroughs related to
propulsion system transitions from supersonic to hypersonic
flight that may provide greater range and operational
capability to reusable hypersonic aircraft. The committee
believes that further investment in fiscal year 2026 in these
technologies and associated risk reduction activities is
necessary in preparation for the demonstrator program.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than December 1, 2025, to
include:
(1) the Department's reusable hypersonic propulsion
strategy, including the acquisition strategy for a
demonstrator;
(2) details of the technologies under development to
increase the efficiency and reliability of a reusable
hypersonic propulsion system and the projected impact of such
technologies on the operational capability; and
(3) the transition plan of the reusable hypersonic aircraft
from demonstrator to production.
Integration of 5G Tactical Radio Communications
The committee is concerned that current Department of
Defense tactical radio programs are unable to meet modern
operational requirements, including bandwidth capacity and the
number of endpoints necessary for resilient, secure battlefield
communications. The committee notes that commercial industry
has developed 5G tactical communications systems capable of
supporting these requirements.
The committee believes that leveraging scalable, dual-use
5G commercial wireless technology can reduce system cost,
accelerate deployment timelines, and improve warfighter
connectivity across dispersed and contested environments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees not later than December 1,
2025, on the status of Department efforts to integrate secure
5G tactical wireless communications technologies for
battlefield use. The report should include:
(1) an assessment of current Department of Defense tactical
radio capabilities and known limitations;
(2) a summary of completed or ongoing pilot programs, field
trials, and evaluations of 5G-based tactical systems;
(3) potential acquisition and fielding pathways for 5G
tactical radio and private wireless technologies;
(4) estimated costs, schedules, and technical requirements
to transition from pilot to program of record; and
(5) any policy, funding, or regulatory barriers to
accelerating deployment of 5G tactical edge communications
systems.
Integration of Terrestrial-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
Systems for Global Positioning System Denied Environments
The committee recognizes the increasing threat of global
positioning system (GPS) interference, particularly the growing
occurrences of GPS spoofing and jamming in conflict zones and
contested environments. As adversaries continue to develop and
deploy electronic warfare capabilities that can disrupt and
degrade GPS, the Department of Defense should ensure that U.S.
forces have access to resilient and Assured Positioning,
Navigation, and Timing (APNT) capabilities. The committee is
aware of ongoing efforts across the Joint Force to develop and
field APNT solutions, including terrestrial based systems. For
example, the Army has tested terrestrial APNT solutions at the
Army's Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Assessment Exercise
(PNTAX) and have demonstrated that such systems can maintain
functionality despite GPS jamming and spoofing. These types of
systems could also be scaled across multiple platforms,
including ground combat vehicles, unmanned systems, and
airborne assets.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of
the Navy, and Secretary of the Air Force, to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
December 1, 2025, on the feasibility, operational impact, and
cost-effectiveness of integrating terrestrial-based APNT
solutions into the Department's broader PNT architecture. The
briefing shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of terrestrial-based
PNT solutions in mitigating GPS denial threats; and
(2) a review of the investment required for integrating
terrestrial APNT capabilities, including for procurement,
testing, and sustainment.
Leadership and Collaboration on Biotechnology in the Department of
Defense and the Military Services
The committee recognizes the extensive efforts undertaken
at the Department of Defense and throughout the military
services to advance U.S. biotechnology. Emerging biotechnology
innovations, such as point-of-need synthetic blood and
biomanufacturing, will help ensure that warfighters are better
prepared on the battlefield. However, the committee is
concerned about the pathways for communication and
collaboration between the Department and the military services.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than December
31, 2025 on how the Department is developing pathways for
collaboration on biotechnology. The briefing should include a
description of how the Department is achieving:
(1) appropriate leadership for biotechnology within each of
the military services;
(2) clear expectations for coordination and collaboration
between each of these components;
(3) development, coordination, assessment, and oversight of
the implementation of service-specific biotechnology
capabilities across the services;
(4) alignment of biotechnology efforts with overarching
national security objectives;
(5) guidance on biotechnology private sector outreach,
engagement, and agreements; and
(6) monitoring of biotechnology-relevant workforce
recruitment and retention programs.
Leveraging the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation
Scholarship-for-Service Program for Biotechnology
The committee recognizes that, in order for the Department
of Defense to effectively meet its strategic objectives in
biotechnology, the Department must recruit and maintain a
sufficient pool of technically trained talent in biotechnology.
The committee commends the Department's Science, Mathematics,
and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service
Program, which has awarded more than 5,000 scholarships to
undergraduate and graduate students. The SMART program enables
talented young researchers to receive training and gain hands-
on experience, and provides them with a pathway to enter
Department of Defense employment in science and technology
fields. However, the committee notes that the SMART
Scholarship-for-Service program awards comparatively few
scholarships in the biosciences, with less than 1% of 2024
awards granted in this field.
The committee believes that the SMART Program to be an
essential tool for enabling the Department of Defense to grow
and recruit the biotechnology workforce it will need to meet
future challenges. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services, not later than January 31, 2026,
on:
(1) the number of SMART scholarships awarded by discipline,
number of applicants, acceptance rate, and retention rate for
each of the last six fiscal years;
(2) an assessment of the adequacy of SMART scholarship
recruitment and retention efforts and strategies for each
discipline;
(3) current efforts by the SMART Program to encourage more
applicants in critical and emerging technology fields, such as
biotechnology; and
(4) any additional tools or authorities that would enable
the SMART program to more effectively target and recruit high-
performing students in key fields.
Low-Signature UAS for Contested Environments
The committee recognizes the growing need for small, agile,
and low-signature unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capable of
operating in complex, defended environments. Traditional UAVs
face increasing survivability challenges in urban and near-peer
theaters due to limited maneuverability, acoustic
detectability, and radar signature vulnerabilities.
Emerging technologies--such as avian-inspired airframes,
artificial hair sensors, ducted electric propulsion, and real-
time optimization software--offer potential solutions to
enhance agility, stealth, and survivability. The committee
notes that efforts like the Intelligence Advanced Research
Projects Activity's Little Horned Owl (LHO) program and the
Army's Software for Parallelized Analysis, Reconfigurations,
and Rapid Optimization (SPARRO) initiative have demonstrated
promising concepts, but the Department lacks a coordinated
acquisition strategy to transition these capabilities into
operational platforms.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the
Secretary of the Army, to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by March 1, 2026, that includes:
(1) an overview of current Department and interagency
efforts to develop maneuverable, low-observable small UAS;
(2) a roadmap for integrating enabling technologies such as
airflow sensing, bio-inspired shaping, and acoustic reduction
into future systems; and
(3) recommendations for rapid prototyping, operational
evaluation, and transition pathways for relevant platforms.
Micro Nuclear Reactors
The committee is encouraged by the continued progress made
by the Strategic Capabilities Office's Project Pele, which
seeks to design, build and demonstrate a prototype mobile
nuclear reactor. In particular, the committee notes the
advancements made by Project Pele towards demonstrating the
ability of mobile nuclear power generation technologies to
satisfy stakeholder needs, operate safely in real-world
conditions, and comply fully with all relevant regulations and
statutory requirements. Therefore, given the continued
investments by Congress and the Department of Defense in the
mobile nuclear reactor program, the committee encourages the
use of Project Pele as a technical baseline for future mobile
nuclear reactors.
Military Use of Hypersonic Aircraft
The committee remains concerned that the United States may
lag in the development of hypersonic aircraft relative to
countries of concern. The committee believes that hypersonic
aircraft could provide expanded opportunities for responsive
power projection at range and speed, and therefore believes
that a comprehensive plan to develop, procure, utilize, and
sustain hypersonic aircraft and their enabling technologies is
essential in order to avoid technological disadvantage in
future conflicts. The committee, therefore, encourages the
Department of Defense to continue and expand its investment in
hypersonic aircraft development to enable future technological
advantage for the United States.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2026, on plans for development of
military-use hypersonic aircraft. The report shall include, but
is not limited to:
(1) a roadmap for the development, demonstration, and
integration of hypersonic aircraft and enabling technology to
support national security objectives;
(2) an evaluation of current Department of Defense and U.S.
Government testing facilities and their ability to support the
cadence and complexity of anticipated hypersonic weapon and
aircraft development programs;
(3) an evaluation of commercial platforms, facilities, and
capabilities that could be leveraged to address any Department
of Defense testing shortfalls identified in (2); and
(4) an evaluation of associated workforce capacity
challenges, if any, associated with hypersonic aircraft
development and testing that could be addressed through
partnerships with the hypersonic aircraft industrial base and
academia.
Public Private Partnerships in Quantum Computing
The committee is aware of the potential benefits that
quantum technologies could provide the warfighter. The
committee remains supportive of the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) and
Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing
(US2QC) programs and is encouraged by the announced Quantum
Proving Ground at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics
Park, in partnership with the State of Illinois. The committee
believes such public-private partnerships are critical to
ensuring that quantum technology use cases are proven out
leveraging the significant innovation and investment occurring
in the private sector while also developing shared facilities
with reduced capital costs. These facilities could serve as an
innovative way to attract a range of private sector, federal,
state, and local partners to help spur and accelerate
innovation within the quantum field. Therefore, the committee
directs the Under Secretary of Defense (Research and
Engineering) to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the
Department's strategy for encouraging and leveraging such
partnerships for quantum technologies. The briefing should
include identification of any opportunities to further co-
locate quantum test and fabrication facilities where such
colocation could enhance the Department's ability to leverage
both private sector partners and efficiencies from shared
facilities for quantum applications.
Rapid Execution of Microelectronics Digital Engineering Facility
Last year, the committee noted the benefits to implementing
digital electronic systems engineering and developing hardware
accurate digital twins (HADT) for electronic systems. The
committee notes that HADT is a virtual model that predicts
actual performance of a manufactured product or of system
performance in the field with sufficient fidelity or accuracy
that eliminates the need for multiple cycles of ``build-test/
fly-fix-rebuild test/fly-fix'' testing and verification
processes. Several Department of Defense funded pilot projects
have demonstrated the potential benefits of applying digital
twinning across the weapon systems' lifecycle from initial
concept, development, manufacturing, fielding, sustainment
through end item disposal.
In response to the committee's legislative actions and
funding restrictions placed on certain funds in the F-35
program pertaining to aircraft production and delivery, the
Department created the Rapid Execution of Microelectronics
Digital Engineering (REMEDE) Facility at Wright-Patterson Air
Force Base, Ohio. The committee commends the Department for its
prompt response, which now enables the infrastructure and
capability to apply and realize the benefits of digital
twinning for developing electronic systems' hardware and
associated software. The committee strongly encourages the
Department's research & engineering, acquisition, and
sustainment community to fully utilize this new, state-of the-
art facility to mitigate schedule perturbations, cost and
budgeting overruns, and waivers of needed capabilities of
electronic content on platforms.
Robotic Enhancements for Armaments Manufacturing
The committee recognizes the urgent need to modernize and
sustain the aging infrastructure of the munitions industrial
base to ensure it meets current and future production demands.
To enhance efficiency and responsiveness, the committee
encourages the Secretary of the Defense to expand and optimize
existing prototyping and manufacturing facilities through
intelligent manufacturing capabilities, strengthening the
nation's ability to rapidly scale production as needed.
Strengthen the Biotechnology Workforce Across the Department of Defense
Strengthening the Department of Defense's biotechnology
talent pool is essential to advancing its mission. The
Department must effectively recruit, train, and retain
personnel working directly on biotechnology as well as those
supporting it, such as those involved in program management,
acquisition, investment, and legal matters. The committee
acknowledges that efforts to develop the Department's
biotechnology workforce are in progress through the
biotechnology roadmap required in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159).
While the Department has a variety of authorities to hire,
train, and retain biotechnology personnel, the committee is
concerned that individual offices and hiring managers may be
unaware of, and not fully utilizing, available authorities to
develop its biotechnology workforce.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a publicly available report to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than March 30, 2026 on the following:
(1) guidance on available hiring and public-private talent
exchange authorities for military and civilian staff in
biotechnology;
(2) the number of biotechnology staff hired and/or trained
using each authority listed in (1);
(3) any challenges the Department has in using the
authorities listed in (1) and ways to address those challenges;
and
(4) how the Department is encouraging the use of these
authorities to strengthen the biotechnology workforce.
Super Refractory Alloys for Hypersonic Weapons
The committee continues to support efforts across the
Department of Defense to develop and deploy hypersonic weapons.
The committee notes that due to the demanding flight regimes in
which they operate, hypersonic systems impose significant
thermal and structural demands on components and structures,
driving the need for increasingly novel and advanced materials.
However, the committee is concerned that availability, cost,
and performance limitations associated with certain advanced
materials may hinder program advancement, and that limitations
on testing throughput in certain flight regimes may likewise
hinder testing and certification of both materials and
components.
The committee is additionally aware that in certain cases,
such as with certain super refractory alloys and other
superalloys which have a significant testing heritage, testing
data available from industry sources may not be easily
available to or ingestible by programs undergoing testing and
certification efforts. The committee therefore directs the
Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in
coordination with the Air Force Research Laboratory, to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026 describing the availability of relevant
industry and academia data sources for advanced materials, such
as superalloys, applicable to hypersonics and other critical
technology areas; the current ability of the Department of
Defense to use such data for testing and certification; the
feasibility of expanding access to such data; and the potential
to accelerate Department testing and certification of advanced
materials through such increased access.
Support for Office of Strategic Capital Critical Minerals Efforts
The committee notes that section 904 of the Servicemember
Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) added ``critical
minerals and materials'' to the list of covered technology
categories eligible for investment by the Office of Strategic
Capital (OSC). The committee notes the importance of refining
and processing capabilities to a secure supply chain for
critical minerals and encourages OSC to consider opportunities
in such sectors under their statutory authorities.
Synthetic Diamond and Ultra-Wide Bandgap (UWB) Materials
The committee is aware of the unique material properties of
synthetic diamond and other ultra-wide bandgap (UWB) materials
and believes that such properties could enable new generations
of electronics, sensors, thermal management solutions, and
other critical technologies. The committee notes that
advancements in such technology areas could allow for
generational capability improvements in national security-
relevant areas such as electronic warfare, advanced
communications, radar, and high-performance computing. The
committee commends the work underway through the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency Ultra-Wide Band Gap
Semiconductors program and other Department of Defense
initiatives to develop and optimize such materials, and
believes that the Department should make a sustained effort to
prioritize investment into UWB material development,
manufacturing readiness, and transition efforts.
The committee therefore directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering to provide a report to the
congressional defense committees by January 1, 2026, outlining
current and planned efforts to further develop and
operationalize UWB materials in relevant Department of Defense
programs and any near-term opportunities to accelerate risk
reduction, manufacturing development, or transition activities.
The report should also identify planned and potential
transition opportunities for UWB materials into Department of
Defense platforms and programs.
Trusted Technical Advisors
The committee recognizes that the Department regularly
utilizes university affiliated research centers (UARCs) as
trusted technical advisors on major research and development
programs, providing objective third-party validation on cost,
schedule, and technical matters. This work often includes
developmental or operational testing and evaluation of major
acquisition platforms. The committee notes that the Department
relies on UARCs because they are often the only independent
entities with the necessary technical expertise to identify
problems and propose viable solutions, ensuring that combatant
commands and warfighters receive effective operational
capabilities.
The committee also acknowledges that, as trusted agents,
UARCs assist program sponsors by guiding both legacy private
sector defense contractors and new market entrants throughout a
program's life cycle, reducing risk and improving cost and
schedule performance. The committee fully expects the
Department to continue utilizing UARCs, as they play a critical
role in enabling the defense industry to develop new
technologies and capabilities that support warfighters while
helping weapon and platform manufacturers achieve better
outcomes, including cost savings for the government.
University Affiliated Research Center for Hypersonics
The committee is concerned about the lack of a coordinated
approach to hypersonic research, development, testing, and
evaluation (RDT&E) capability across the Department of Defense.
The committee therefore directs the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the Director
of the Test Resource Management Center, to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than March 1,
2026, regarding and advisability of establishing a University
Affiliated Research Center (UARC) focused on hypersonics RDT&E,
including the correlation of hypersonic test data across the
testing continuum. The briefing shall include:
(1) potential benefits and drawbacks of establishing such a
UARC;
(2) an estimate of funding and other resourcing
requirements;
(3) a proposed implementation plan and timeline; and
(4) such other information as the Under Secretary deems
relevant.
Utilization of the Rapid Execution of Microelectronics Digital
Engineering Facility by the F-35 Program
The joint explanatory material accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Committee Print
No. 2) implemented funding restrictions on F-35 aircraft
production and delivery to incentivize the F-35 program to
adopt state-of-the art digital engineering practices. The
expectation was that such practices could reduce schedule
delays, cost and budget overruns, and waivers of requirements
in the acquisition and sustainment technical hardware and
software recapitalization portfolio. Based on indications from
the F-35 aircraft prime contractor, the committee documented in
the joint explanatory material accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Committee Print
No. 2) that, ``We understand that the F-35 prime contractor has
committed to investing $350.0 million of its own resources to
improve program execution and increase efficiencies with
development, testing, and fielding of new hardware and software
capabilities. This, in part, is to address shortages that the
prime contractor faces within the program's enterprise.''
However, the committee is concerned and disappointed that
the prime contractor has not committed itself to a hardware
accurate digital twin (HADT) approach. The contractor is
stalled in an ``evaluate and assess'' mode rather than a
``learn and implement'' mode, despite numerous successful pilot
programs demonstrating the success of HADT.
Absent a commitment by the prime contractor to adopt
digital engineering best practices, the F-35 program's
investment in the rapid execution of microelectronics digital
engineering (REMEDE) facility infrastructure last year is
likely the only primary means to control F-35 schedule slips
and cost overruns on electronic content. The committee believes
that more diligent oversight, assertiveness, and accountability
by the F-35 program office is called for in the implementation
of what are now standard, commercial best practices in digital
engineering.
Therefore, the committee expects that all F-35 Technical
Refresh-3 and Block 4 upgrades should utilize the REMEDE
facility infrastructure and implement commercial HADT best
practices for risk reduction. Furthermore, the committee
expects updates on such plans and efforts during the
committee's regularly scheduled quarterly update briefings with
the F-35 program office. The committee believes that focus must
be on rapid acceptance and acceleration of standard commercial
industry best practices and tools for digital engineering
before fabrication, on planning sustainment, increasing the use
of virtual test and evaluation, and minimizing hardware
prototyping and revisioning to the maximum extent possible.
Operational Test and Evaluation, Defense
Items of Special Interest
Expanding Range Access for Non-Traditional Defense Companies
The committee remains concerned about the availability of
Department of Defense test ranges for nontraditional defense
companies and dual-use technology companies. The committee has
long cited test range availability as a potential delay to
transitioning emerging technologies from research and
development to fielded warfighting capabilities. In the
committee report accompanying the Servicemember Quality of Life
Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2025 (H. Rept. 118-529), the committee required the
Comptroller General to review the extent to which the
Department has data and information available to understand
challenges, if any, related to test range availability and how,
if at all, the Department uses available data to drive decision
making and ensure timely testing. In addition, the joint
explanatory material accompanying the Servicemember Quality of
Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2025 (Committee Print No. 2) required a report from
the Defense Innovation Unit assessing the Unit's test and
evaluation strategy for dual use commercial technologies and
identification of best practices for testing and evaluating
commercial and non-traditional technologies.
The committee notes these reviews are ongoing and
encourages the Department of Defense to continue taking steps
to expand test and evaluation range access to companies that
may not be current prime contractors or subcontractors on
Department of Defense programs of record. The committee
believes that expanding access to Department test
infrastructure will help transition technologies across the
valley of death while ensuring sufficient testing and
evaluation of the most cutting-edge warfighting capabilities.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 15, 2025, that provides additional information
regarding range access for non-traditional defense companies.
The briefing should include:
(1) The current proportion of range usage allocated to non-
traditional defense contractors and new entrants relative to
traditional defense contractors;
(2) An overview of barriers to access, implementation or
performance challenges, or other issues that arise more
frequently or to a greater degree of severity for testing
activities associated with non-traditional contractors; and
(3) Recommendations to improve range access, support, and
efficiency for non-traditional defense contractors, including
any recommendations related to entities sponsoring or
facilitating such range access.
Holloman High Speed Test Track
The committee is aware of the role of Holloman High Speed
Test Track in the testing and evaluation of advanced weapon
systems and warfighting capabilities. The committee believes
the Holloman High Speed Test Track provides the Department of
Defense with uniquely valuable capabilities to validate current
and future weapon systems in dynamic and realistic test
environments, and represents a national asset that must be
preserved and modernized in order to maintain leadership in key
technical areas. Given the importance of this infrastructure,
the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the Air Force's plan and timeline for
construction of a new parallel test track at the Holloman High
Speed Test Track.
Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed
The committee supports the efforts of the Department of
Defense to create a robust Multi-Service Advanced Capability
Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) in order to rapidly accelerate
the development of hypersonic capabilities. The committee is
aware that since this effort's inception, multiple Department
stakeholders have requested their technology be tested on MACH-
TB flights. The committee understands that several strategic
nuclear programs have emergent testing demands relevant to
MACH-TB capabilities, and notes that hypersonic and strategic
weapon systems may operate in a similar regime in terms of
physics and data requirements due to their extreme speeds,
altitudes, and thermal loadings. The committee believes that
MACH-TB provides a cost-effective test platform to collect
foundational data for the hypersonic and strategic communities,
and applauds the Department's efforts to merge these common
testing priorities effectively and efficiently and fulfill them
within the MACH-TB program. The committee therefore believes
that robust funding of this program is essential to national
security and to many of our most vital programs. Therefore, the
committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research
and Engineering to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on the current
flight test plan manifest for MACH-TB, including supported
programs, and the potential for strategic nuclear programs and
homeland missile defense programs to leverage MACH-TB
capabilities.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Section 201--Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for research,
development, test, and evaluation at the levels identified in
section 4201 of division D of this Act.
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations
Section 211--Modification to Authority to Award Prizes for Advanced
Technology Achievements
This section would amend the authority to operate prize
competitions to enable the Secretary of Defense to delegate the
authority and increases the potential value of the prize
challenges.
Section 212--Modification to Mechanisms to Provide Funds to Defense
Laboratories and Other Entities for Research and Development of
Technologies for Military Missions
This section would amend Section 4123 of Title 10, United
States Code by including test organizations and defense
laboratories.
Section 213--Modification to Authority for Acquisition, Construction,
or Furnishing of Test Facilities and Equipment
This section would allow the Department of Defense to
create jointly funded test facility projects with other
agencies or entities.
Section 214--Extension of Limitation on Availability of Funds for
Fundamental Research Collaboration with Certain Academic Institutions
This section would extend the limitation on availability of
funds for fundamental research collaboration with certain
academic institutions.
Section 215--Modification to Policies for Management and Certification
of Link 16 Military Tactical Data Link Network
This section would authorize Link 16 frequency use in all
military special use airspaces.
Section 216--Support for Research and Development of Bioindustrial
Manufacturing Processes
This section would amend section 215 of the James M. Inhofe
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public
Law 117-263) to include the design and construction of
facilities as applicable to funds authorized for research,
development, test, and evaluation.
Section 217--Extension of Authority for Assignment to Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency of Private Sector Personnel with Critical
Research and Development Expertise
This section would extend the authority for the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency to temporarily assign
employees of nontraditional defense contractors to the Agency
by five years.
Section 218--Post-Employment Restrictions for Participants in Certain
Defense Research
This section would establish post-employment restrictions
for participants in certain defense research.
Section 219--National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence
Institute
This section would establish a National Security and
Defense Artificial Intelligence Institute.
Section 220--Responsible Development and Deployment of Biotechnology
within the Department of Defense
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
issue policies and guidelines on the responsible development
and deployment of biotechnology in the Department of Defense.
Section 221--Department of Defense Biotechnology Workforce Training
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish and carry out a training program on biotechnology and
other emerging technologies.
Section 222--Biotechnology Supply Chain Resiliency Program
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
establish a program to develop and transition biotechnology
research from the military service laboratories to support the
defense supply chain.
Section 223--Review and Alignment of Standards, Guidance, and Policies
Relating to Digital Engineering
This section would require the Secretaries of the military
departments, in coordination with the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
(USD(A&S)), and the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation
(DOT&E), to conduct a review of the reference architectures,
standards, and best practices for the use of digital
engineering tools at all stages of program design, development,
and testing.
This section would also require the Secretaries of the
military departments to develop and implement a standard
reference architecture for each covered military service to
guide the use of digital engineering for program development.
Finally, this section would also require the USD(R&E),
USD(A&S), and DOT&E to identify and develop recommendations
regarding areas in which further standardization of reference
architectures for digital engineering across the covered armed
services may be feasible.
Section 224--Application of Software Innovation and Data Management
Plans to Modernize Test and Evaluation Infrastructure
This section would require the Director, Test Resource
Management Center, in coordination with the Director, Defense
Innovation Unit, the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation,
and the military services, to develop and maintain a digital
test and evaluation environment for developmental and
operational testing. The section would also require program
managers to submit data management plans prior to executing a
test and evaluation event. Finally, this section would
establish a pilot program to determine how commercial software
could accelerate and improve testing for priority mission
areas.
Section 225--Demonstration of Near Real-Time Monitoring Capabilities to
Enhance Weapon System Platforms
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
carry out a program to equip the Department of Defense's weapon
system platforms with onboard, near real-time, end-to-end
serial bus and radio frequency monitoring capabilities.
Section 226--Western Regional Range Complex Demonstration
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
carry out a demonstration of a joint multi-domain kinetic and
non-kinetic testing and training environment across the
military departments by interconnecting existing ranges and
training sites in the western United States.
Section 227--Reimbursement of National Guard for Research, Development,
Test, and Evaluation Expenses
This section would allow National Guard Research,
Development, Test, and Evaluation activities to be reimbursed
to the National Guard.
Section 228--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for Animal Research
in Collaboration with Foreign Countries of Concern
This section would prohibit the obligation or expenditure
of funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act to fund
animal testing in countries of concern.
Section 229--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for Gain of Function
Research
This section would prohibit the Department of Defense from
using fiscal year 2026 funds to conduct gain of function
research.
Section 230--Limitation on Availability of Funds Pending Compliance
with Requirements Relating to the Joint Energetics Transition Office
This section would limit funds made available for fiscal
year 2026 for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment until the Secretary of Defense
establishes the Joint Energetics Transition Office, as required
under section 148 of title 10, United States Code.
Subtitle C--Plans, Reports, and Other Matters
Section 241--Feasibility Study on Incorporating Militarily-Relevant
Applications of Emerging Biotechnology into Wargaming Exercises
This section would require the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff to conduct a feasibility study on incorporating
military-relevant applications of emerging biotechnology to
wargaming exercises.
Section 242--Feasibility Study on Use of Cloud Laboratories
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a review to determine the feasibility and advisability
of establishing cloud laboratories at the Department of
Defense.
Section 243--Quarterly Reports on Termination of Critical Technology
Research Awards
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide a quarterly report to the congressional defense
committees identifying any award for specified research and
development that was terminated by the Department of Defense on
the basis that the award no longer effectuates the program's
goals or agency priorities, as provided under the Department of
Defense Research and Development General Terms and Conditions
(dated March 2025), or any related or successor guidance.
Section 244--Report on Department of Defense Market Research of
Critical Technology and Capabilities
This section would require a report on Department of
Defense market research of critical technology and
capabilities.
TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Energy Issues
Artificial Intelligence Data Centers and Department of Defense
Installation Capacity
The committee notes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a
rapidly expanding capability that is being used by consumers
across the United States. In addition to AI data centers that
support Department of Defense equities, there is a discussion
of using mechanisms such as enhanced use leases (EUL) to house
non-Department data centers on Department of Defense property.
The committee is aware that AI data centers use large amounts
of electricity to power servers and can require large amounts
of water to cool facilities. Due to the size of these data
centers, many of the installations with adequate space and
geographic features to house non-Department AI data centers are
in locations that are already grid constrained or experiencing
water security issues. The committee is aware that some AI data
centers have supplemented their energy needs with solar panels,
batteries, natural gas or diesel, and hydropower, while others
have tried to use unique methods to conserve water during
cooling operations, especially in drought-prone areas.
The committee is concerned that without adequate planning,
the siting of AI data centers could have a deleterious effect
on readiness and negatively impact mission assurance for core
Department functions. In addition, the siting of these centers
must be done in a manner that does not pose security risks to
the Department, and the contracting authorities used between
the services and companies who aim to use Department of Defense
land for AI data centers must be exercised in a manner that
protects Department and service interests. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy,
Installations, and Environment, to provide a report to the
congressional defense committees not later than February 1,
2026, on the following:
(1) efforts by the Secretary of Defense to incorporate non-
Department AI data centers onto Department of Defense land,
including efforts led by the individual military services;
(2) a risk-benefit analysis of these efforts, including,
but not limited to, potential use of AI by the Department,
income generated, energy consumption by the Department, water
consumption, and an assessment of both physical and cyber risks
associated with locating data centers on Department of Defense
property;
(3) the process for determining which bases may be adequate
for AI data centers, including factors such as excess land,
grid capacity, existing water security risk, and impact to
surrounding civilian communities;
(4) mitigation strategies for AI data centers to withstand
and recover from disruptions to power and cooling sources;
(5) the potential use of small modular reactors to power AI
data centers on Department of Defense installations;
(6) alternate power sources for AI data centers should the
grid fail to generate power;
(7) plans to address both physical and cyber threats posed
by commercial AI data centers co-located on Department of
Defense installations and connected to the same electrical
grid;
(8) mitigation strategies for cyber risk associated with
use of civilian AI data centers by the Department, and energy
off-take if the AI data center will be supplying its own power;
and
(9) existing contracting authorities that may be employed,
including but not limited to EULs or Power Purchase Agreements,
to burden-share with companies.
Availability of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Arctic Conditions
The committee recognizes the importance of arctic
operations for national security and protection of the
homeland. Due to the environmental challenges impacting
operations in the region, specifically extreme low
temperatures, the committee believes the Department of Defense
must have equipment that is able to conduct mission-essential
tasks at temperatures as low as -60+C
(-75+F).
The committee is concerned with the lack of available
lithium-ion battery solutions to support operations in the
Arctic. Therefore, the committee encourages the Department of
Defense to establish a military specification for batteries
that are supplied to units assigned an arctic mission to
operate and recharge at temperatures as low as -60+C
(-75+F) and to continue to invest in battery
technologies that meet this operational requirement.
The committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Energy, Installations, and Environment to provide a report
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
1, 2026, including the following information:
(1) ongoing efforts to ensure the DoD has lithium-ion
batteries that operate and charge at -60C (-75F);
(2) plans to research, develop, or procure lithium-ion
batteries that operate and charge at -60C (-75F), including
resources allocated for these plans;
(3) an explanation of how batteries that operate in arctic
conditions fits into the Department of Defense's Lithium
Battery Strategy 2023-2030; and
(4) the expected number of batteries that would be required
to supply current units assigned arctic missions and units
required to fill arctic missions under the operational plans of
combatant commanders.
Co-Locating Small Modular Reactors and Data Centers on Department of
Defense Military Installations
The committee is aware of growing interest across the
Department of Defense and the private sector in leveraging
small modular reactors (SMRs) to support the expanding energy
needs of digital infrastructure, particularly data centers that
enable artificial intelligence, cyber operations, and cloud
computing. SMRs offer resilient, low-emission baseload power
that can support operational energy assurance on military
installations and reduce dependence on vulnerable civilian
grids.
Recent initiatives, including efforts by the Defense
Innovation Unit to evaluate commercial SMR technologies for
military use and private-sector investments into nuclear-
powered data centers, highlight the potential benefits of
integrating SMRs and digital infrastructure at a single site.
The committee believes that co-locating SMRs and data centers
on Department of Defense military installations could optimize
land use, enhance mission assurance, and improve energy
resilience in support of national defense priorities.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services by June 1,
2026, on the feasibility and implications of co-locating small
modular reactors and data centers on Department of Defense
military installations. The report should include the
following:
(1) an assessment of Department of Defense military
installations with infrastructure or siting characteristics
suitable for SMRs and large-scale data center operations;
(2) an analysis of projected data center energy
requirements and the extent to which SMRs could satisfy those
needs, including peak and sustained load considerations;
(3) a review of regulatory, safety, security, and
environmental factors associated with co-locating nuclear and
digital infrastructure;
(4) identification of legislative, budgetary, and
interagency coordination needs to enable such projects; and
(5) an evaluation of potential partnerships with the
Department of Energy and private-sector entities, including any
pilot programs or existing collaboration models.
Coordinated Energy Security Assessment
The committee recognizes the importance of energy security
and its implications on installation and operational readiness.
While the committee notes that the Department of Defense has
worked for many years to prioritize energy security and mission
assurance on its installations, a comprehensive assessment of
installation power demand, vulnerabilities, and authorities is
necessary to ensure that the Department of Defense is poised to
work alongside relevant agencies and private sector partners to
achieve maximal energy security, readiness, and mission
assurance in accordance with section 2920 of title 10, United
States Code.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, in
coordination with the Director of the Department of Energy's
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency
Response, and Director of the Department of Homeland Security's
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, to provide a
report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on
military installation power demand and vulnerabilities within
and outside of the fence line. The report shall include:
(1) an assessment of the size, scale, and mission sets of
installations including annual and peak load of each
installation, projected installation power demand, and
performance needs through 2030;
(2) an assessment of grid reliability and transmission
challenges faced by installations within and outside the fence
line from fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2024, associated
financial costs, duration of operational interruption, and
impacts to installation and personnel readiness;
(3) a review of existing authorities, funding sources, and
contracting processes available for use by the Department of
Defense to overcome grid reliability and transmission
challenges, guarantee mission assurance, and ensure operational
and personnel readiness, including inefficiencies or limits to
the Department of Defense's ability to achieve the energy
reliability expectations outlined within section 2920 of title
10, United States Code; and
(4) an assessment of other government agencies and other
non-governmental bodies whose coordination would be needed to
ensure the Department of Defense is able to fulfill operational
energy and personnel readiness in accordance with section 2920
of title 10, United States Code, and options to effectively
restructure, coordinate, and streamline Department of Defense
processes to enable further partnership.
Energy Storage Efficiency and Independence
The committee is concerned about the Department of
Defense's long-term installation capacity to withstand and
recover quickly from unexpected events, including power
outages, cyber risks, and natural disasters.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment to submit a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2026, on the following items at military installations:
(1) duration that critical load can be sustained by on-site
generation and back-up power during an outage;
(2) on-site generation, by source, to include back-up power
that can support critical load during an outage;
(3) the ability and capacity to provide emergency energy to
the base and surrounding community during blackouts and
brownouts; and
(4) recommendations by the Assistant Secretary to include
these briefing elements, and others deemed appropriate by the
Secretary, into the existing Annual Energy Performance,
Resilience, and Readiness Report of the Department of Defense,
as outlined in section 2925 of title 10, United States Code.
Establishment of Deployable Nuclear Energy Program
The committee recognizes the operational energy challenges
faced by forward-deployed forces and expeditionary units,
including reliance on vulnerable fuel logistics. The committee
understands that advanced deployable nuclear energy systems--
such as mobile microreactors--may provide scalable, resilient
power solutions for missions in austere environments, improving
energy availability while reducing sustainment burdens.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the congressional defense committees not later than
March 1, 2026, on the Department's strategy to prototype and
evaluate deployable nuclear energy systems for use in
expeditionary and forward operating environments. The report
should include the following:
(1) identification of operational requirements and
potential use cases across combatant commands for deployable
nuclear energy systems;
(2) a timeline and milestones for system prototyping,
testing, and field evaluation;
(3) an overview of coordination with the Secretary of
Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other relevant
federal agencies to ensure safe and secure development and
deployment;
(4) evaluation of commercial technologies available for
potential testing and down-selection; and
(5) identification of key performance characteristics and
system attributes necessary to support Department missions in
contested and logistics-constrained environments.
Expeditionary Tactical Power Systems
The committee encourages the U.S. military to employ
tactical off-grid power generation capabilities to ensure
operational effectiveness, resilience, and survivability in
contested and austere environments. Modern military operations
rely heavily on electronic systems, including communications,
surveillance, weapons systems, and life-sustaining equipment.
Without reliable power, these assets could become ineffective,
compromising mission success and troop safety.
A self-sustaining power generation capability could reduce
dependence on vulnerable logistics nodes and extend operational
reach. In remote areas of operation, off-grid power allows
forces to establish and sustain positions without relying on
centralized infrastructure. This capability supports prolonged
missions in areas where conventional power sources are
unavailable or unreliable. Additionally, energy-efficient,
self-sustaining systems could reduce the need for frequent
resupply, improving operational agility.
In contested environments, electronic warfare and cyber
threats can disrupt traditional power grids. Tactical off-grid
power solutions can enable a continuity of operations,
enhancing resilience against adversaries who seek to degrade
military capabilities through infrastructure attacks.
Floating Nuclear Power Plants
The committee recognizes the importance of assured energy
access in a contested logistics operating environment
characterized by active enemy efforts to disrupt or hinder
sustainment of U.S. military forces and operational commander
command and control. Such disruptions are expected at both
permanent installations and expeditionary locations. Given the
wide geographic distribution of military forces, many of which
are adjacent to navigable waters, the committee encourages the
Department of Defense to explore the use of floating nuclear
power plants (FNPPs) that incorporate microreactors and/or
small modular reactors to meet its energy requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Contested Logistics Working Group
outlined in section 2926 of title 10, United States Code, to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
April 1, 2026, on the feasibility of deploying FNPPs for the
Department of Defense's use. The report should include:
(1) a summary of the adequacy of existing energy storage
and distribution systems to meet mission requirements in a
contested operating environment;
(2) an overview of potential mission benefits related to
the use of FNPPs;
(3) a list of prioritized potential use cases for FNPPs to
include, but not limited to, base electric power, desalination,
synthetic fuel production, directed energy weapons, AI at the
edge, defense support of civil authorities, humanitarian
response, and 3D/additive manufacturing;
(4) any potential challenges related to the sustainment and
maintenance of FNPPs, including corrosion mitigation;
(5) any potential concerns related to the security of
FNPPs; and
(6) any other recommendations deemed relevant.
Fuel Distribution in Contested and Austere Environments
The committee recognizes the criticality of rapid refueling
and resupply operations in modern, contested environments.
Further, that petroleum and water distribution systems have not
been modernized or updated in decades with organizations
continuing to rely on single use, static soft fuel bladders
commonly known as ``fuel bags or blivits.'' Doing so affects
the ability of the Department of Defense to rapidly resupply
combat units in expeditionary environments, especially within
contested logistics scenarios. Additionally, the committee
understands that units trained and capable of petroleum
distribution mostly reside in the reserve components.
The committee further understands that extreme conditions,
such as very low temperatures, destabilize fuel and other
petroleum products and complicate the distribution of water,
both of which are critical to operational readiness.
Accordingly, the committee is also interested in better
understanding what steps the Department of Defense is taking to
ensure maximum longevity and operational capabilities in
extreme conditions.
To this end, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense, in coordination with the Director of the Defense
Logistics Agency, to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than January 15, 2026, detailing
the approach to improving fuel and water logistics plans. The
briefing shall include:
(1) an overview of Department of Defense petroleum
distribution units, including component, training requirements,
allocation, operational readiness, and manning levels;
(2) an overview of the Department's plans and investments
to ensure the rapid and efficient resupply of vehicles and
aircraft in expeditionary environments, including details of
ground refueling and resupply aspects of the Air Force Agile
Combat Employment and INDOPACOM-focused distributed operations
and resilient basing efforts, as well as identification of
exercises incorporating petroleum distribution training and
experimentation;
(3) identification of technologies being implemented to
decrease risks by improving on legacy temporary storage and
dispensation operations supporting distributed and resilient
basing concepts to enable multi-modal transport, decrease
spoilage, and increase efficiency and overall operational
readiness in austere, expeditionary environments;
(4) the readiness and operational impacts stemming from the
inability to operate platforms in the Arctic because
maintainers cannot pump or store fuel due to the environment;
(5) the cost in time and dollars to the Department for
installation, maintenance, removal, and cleanup of legacy
refueling systems (also known as ``fuel bags or blivits'') in
expeditionary and extreme environments;
(6) the physical footprint required for legacy systems in
comparison with modern alternatives;
(7) the costs associated with long-term storage in pre-
positioned stocks and employment and deterioration of legacy
temporary petroleum storage and dispensation systems within the
same; and
(8) existing plans (ongoing or proposed) to notify the
Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
(ARPA-H) and the Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research
and Development Authority (BARDA) to identify which
technologies may be transferred for civilian use.
Hybrid Energy Generation Capabilities
The committee notes that the Department of Defense has thus
far made a concerted effort to increase the use of hybrid power
for expeditionary operations. The committee remains concerned
that operational energy will likely be a critical vulnerability
in the Indo-Pacific. The committee understands that the
expansion of hybrid power deployment could significantly
improve readiness and sustainment capabilities, in particular
to alleviate the burdens associated with moving fuel forward to
carry out expeditionary operations and effectively broadening
the impact of current fuel usage level resulting in reduced
costs and manpower risk, as demonstrated in multiple exercises
by the Army's 25th Infantry Division last year, if widely
deployed across commands.
The committee therefore directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2026, on the operational energy
needs in expeditionary operations, especially in the Indo-
Pacific, to assess whether hybrid sources, such as solar-
assisted distillate fuel electric generators, could improve
operational and logistical efficiency. This briefing shall
include:
(1) the current scale of 2kW-10kW distillate fuel electric
generators in the Army's inventory;
(2) the current number of hybrid systems available to
augment the traditional inventory;
(3) the estimated fuel and life-cycle savings with a fully
hybridized inventory of 2kW10kW generators as well as the
additional savings in logistical requirements, if any;
(4) estimates of funding required to fully hybridize the
generator inventory; and
(5) an evaluation of whether additional legislative and/or
legal authority is required to undertake this hybridization.
Hydrokinetic Power Systems
The committee recognizes the need for resilient,
autonomous, and continuously operating marine energy
infrastructure to address operational energy vulnerabilities in
contested logistics environments. To enhance the Department's
ability to sustain forward-deployed forces, unmanned maritime
systems, and distributed naval logistics nodes in high-threat
regions, the committee supports the development and deployment
of advanced, modular, hydrokinetic energy systems that can be
rapidly deployed, operate independently of fuel and sunlight,
and generate persistent electrical power with no external
energy inputs. These capabilities could be especially
beneficial in the Indo-Pacific, particularly for intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, forward
logistics support, recharging manned and unmanned vehicles,
communications relays, and autonomous maritime surveillance
networks.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than May 1, 2026, on potential applications for this
technology. The briefing should include:
(1) a comprehensive review of hydrokinetic power systems
designed for persistent Department of Defense operations;
(2) a summary of successful demonstrations in high
turbulence, debris-laden, or low-clearance environments, such
as river deltas or littoral chokepoints;
(3) integration efforts with existing Department of Defense
unmanned maritime systems and any plans for deployment at
maritime logistics nodes and subsea ISR outposts;
(4) an overview of current and future investment needs to
mature and scale these energy systems across operational
theaters; and
(5) any recommendations for partnerships and strategic
acquisition pathways to ensure rapid fielding and industrial
base readiness.
Military Community Air Quality and Economic Development Impacts Brief
From Adjacent Nuclear Energy Deployment
As the Department of Defense works to deploy advanced
nuclear technology across bases in the continental United
States and outside of the continental United States (OCONUS),
the committee is interested in the impact on air quality by
particulate producing powerplants on or near installations
compared with advanced nuclear technology.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, in
coordination with the Secretary of Energy, Environmental
Protection Agency Administrator, Assistant Secretary of Defense
for International Security Affairs, Chief of Engineers of the
Army Corps of Engineers, Director of the Office of Local
Defense Community Cooperation and the Chair of the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than September 30, 2026,
on the following:
(1) a list of military installations currently operating
particulate producing power plants;
(2) a list of military installations currently operating
near particulate producing power plants;
(3) impacts of airborne particulate levels attributed to
particulate producing power plants on or near military
communities;
(4) a list detailing the average electricity cost in all
military communities over the past 10 years, broken out by type
of particulate producing power plants on or near installations;
(5) an assessment of potential impact on air quality by
advanced nuclear reactors;
(6) potential savings in electricity costs due to the use
of advanced nuclear technology;
(7) an assessment of the mechanisms available to the
Department of Defense to establish energy off-take agreements
or host the deployment of small modular reactors within the
perimeter of OCONUS installations, considering host nation
engagement is essential for power sales or shared
infrastructure; and
(8) an assessment of mechanisms available, including
authorities needed, to the Department of Defense to export
electrical power to the grid from small modular reactors, to
enable consistent grid integration.
Mobile Small Reactors in a Maritime Theater
The committee notes the uniqueness of mobile small reactors
for use in overseas contingency operations. Mobile small
reactors could significantly reduce logistics for installations
in remote locations, including islands, by eliminating single
points of failure in the supply chain and reducing land use
compared to traditional power delivery systems. As the United
States shifts its focus to deterring conflict in the
geographically dispersed Indo-Pacific region, these
advancements could be critical to maintaining operational
readiness in a maritime theater and supporting the Joint Force
in a contested logistics environment.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the executive agent designated under
Executive Order 14299, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on
the utility of mobile small reactors to support expeditionary
operations. This briefing should include the following:
(1) which design considerations for nuclear energy delivery
systems are most relevant to a geographically dispersed area of
operations;
(2) how mobile small reactors will be utilized to meet
operational energy needs in an Indo-Pacific contingency;
(3) which forward bases and units in the Indo-Pacific
region should be prioritized for the deployment of mobile small
reactors; and
(4) any outstanding technical or logistical challenges
relating to the deployment of mobile small reactors to achieve
these requirements.
Modular Battery Systems
The committee supports the Department's efforts to adopt
reliable, robust, safe, and upgradeable battery packs with
thermal runaway containment for use in unmanned and manned
aerial vehicles, submersibles, tactical ground vehicles, ground
support equipment, directed energy weapons, and sea and
specialty applications.
The committee supports initiatives to drive both
technological innovation and enhanced manufacturability through
standardization across platforms and dual-use applications. The
committee notes that Administration priorities emphasize the
need for a deliberate approach to establishing a reliable and
secure domestic supply chain and industrial base for the
mining, processing, and manufacturing of advanced battery
systems and components.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1,
2026, on potential approaches to accelerate and expand the
evaluation, development, and adoption of innovative and
standardizable modular battery systems. The report should
include the following:
(1) current and projected Department of Defense
requirements for modular battery packs and systems across
applicable platforms;
(2) opportunities to enhance standardization to promote
dual-use applications and reduce overall costs;
(3) proposed strategies to strengthen domestic production
and processing capabilities, including supply chain resilience;
and
(4) methods by which the Department can leverage and
incentivize private and public investment to achieve a
sustainable domestic battery manufacturing and supply chain
infrastructure.
National Energy Storage Systems (NESS)
The committee is aware that U.S. dependence on adversary
nations for advanced batteries undermines military readiness
and economic resilience and recognizes the need for assured
access through domestic production of next-generation battery
systems for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), warfighter
wearables, and energy storage systems at military
installations. The committee also recognizes the need for a
coordinated national effort to develop next-generation energy
storage technologies developed to military specifications in
order to protect U.S. national and economic security interests.
Today, no single effort spans the entire battery lifecycle--raw
materials through recycling--while aligning innovation,
commercialization, and risk mitigation with the Department's
performance requirements. This gap leaves the U.S. military
vulnerable and impedes the ability of American industry to
respond to defense requirements with speed and at scale.
To address this concern, the committee recommends the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment consider
establishing a National Energy Storage Systems (NESS)
initiative as part of the Industrial Resilience Consortium
established elsewhere in this Act. If established, NESS could
serve as a collaborative forum for academia, federal
laboratories, and U.S.-based industry to accelerate the
development, demonstration, and scaled production of mission-
ready energy storage solutions. Primary battery
commercialization focus areas for NESS could include extreme-
environment resilience (temperature, vibration, radiation),
ultralight construction, high-rate discharge, elevated energy
density, rapid recharge, and minimized infrared signature.
Furthermore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to, not later than
October 1, 2026, provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services on:
(1) an analysis covering the potential establishment of a
NESS initiative;
(2) an assessment of critical materials, equipment, and
manufacturing capabilities required for each stage of the
battery lifecycle--including raw material sourcing, cell
fabrication, module and pack assembly, and system integration--
and a plan to strengthen domestic supply chains;
(3) recommendations related to performance metrics and test
protocols for evaluating energy density, cycle life, safety,
and cost-effectiveness of candidate technologies;
(4) a timeline, with cost estimates, for milestone
demonstrations of advanced battery technologies at Technology
Readiness Levels 4 through 7, including validation in relevant
environments and integration with intended end-use
applications; and
(5) recommendations for follow-on investments or
authorities needed to support commercialization and scale-up of
successful advanced battery technologies, including transition
to full-scale domestic manufacturing and deployment.
Small Modular Reactors in Guam
The committee is not aware of imminent plans to place small
modular reactors in Guam, and notes that should such systems be
placed in Guam it is in the interest of the public to know what
systems would be present on the island. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report
to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on:
(1) steps the Department would take to ensure information
of public interest is not designated classified or controlled
unclassified information;
(2) how the Department would receive public feedback on any
plans to place small modular reactors in Guam;
(3) what steps would be taken to notify Congress and
relevant political leadership in Guam; and
(4) other matters deemed relevant by the Secretary.
Testing of Low and Middle Voltage Electronic Surge Protection
The committee notes that Executive Order 13865 was codified
in section 1740 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-62). The committee is
concerned that very few of the requirements, especially the
testing of low and middle voltage electronic surge protection
needed for military base survival and continued operations,
have been tested and validated for surviving electromagnetic
attack or even geomagnetic disturbances. The committee
encourages the Department of Defense to complete this work as
soon as possible to ensure the survival of base operations in
the event of a such attacks or naturally occurring events.
Thermal Energy Storage for Department of Defense Data Centers
The committee notes that the Department of Defense is the
single largest energy consumer in the United States and is one
of the largest owners and operators of data centers. As the
Department continues digital modernization, the demand for data
centers to support emerging technologies such as artificial
intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing will only
further increase the Department's energy consumption to cool
facility servers. The committee is aware of emerging thermal
energy technology for cooling data centers that aims to deliver
greater energy and water efficiency, reducing overall energy
consumption and operational costs while continuing to meet
cooling requirements for mission-critical facilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026 regarding the potential benefits of
integrating thermal energy storage systems into Department of
Defense data centers. The briefing shall include the following:
(1) potential improved energy and water efficiencies
achieved compared to current cooling solutions;
(2) any reductions in operational costs;
(3) any recommended changes to the Unified Facility
Criteria necessary to integrate thermal energy into Department
of Defense data centers; and
(4) an assessment of the cost-effectiveness and operational
benefits that may be achieved by retrofitting the ten largest
energy-consuming data centers with thermal energy storage
systems.
Utilities Privatization
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026, on how each military service has previously
used and plans to use its conveyance authority under section
2688 of title 10, United States Code. The briefing should
include:
(1) a list of current utility system conveyances with their
associated timelines;
(2) a 10 year projection of planned utility system
conveyances to include projected award dates by fiscal year;
(3) a list of the system performance measures used to track
power availability and a comparison of those values for
privatized and non-privatized systems;
(4) an assessment of the current challenges associated with
utilities privatization legislation and any recommended
legislative changes;
(5) an assessment of opportunities and risks to streamline
the utilities privatization acquisition timeline; and
(6) examples and specific use of subsection (k),
Improvement of a Conveyed Utility System, of section 2688 of
title 10, United States Code, on electrical systems for
construction of microgrids to enhance energy resilience.
Logistics and Sustainment Issues
Additive Manufacturing Security Risks
The committee is aware of the potential for 3D printing and
other additive manufacturing processes to positively impact
readiness rates through deployment within the organic
industrial base. However, the committee is concerned that 3D
printers produced by foreign countries of concern could
introduce significant security risks that could be exploited by
our adversaries. The committee encourages the Department of
Defense to develop a policy for the implementation of additive
manufacturing to include the use of 3D printing capability that
simultaneously increases readiness and protects the organic
industrial base from security concerns presented by printers
manufactured in foreign countries of concern.
Advanced Manufacturing in Depot Modernization
The committee believes that the military services need to
change their industrial production capacity to quickly meet
urgent needs, drive innovation at the speed of battle, and
deliver advanced warfighting capabilities. Therefore, the
committee directs the Undersecretary of Defense for
Acquisitions and Sustainment to prepare a brief to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2026 that details
innovations being incorporated into the organic industrial
base. Specifically, this brief shall detail the military
services' depot modernization funding being applied towards a
comprehensive set of advanced manufacturing practices including
AI-optimized robotic forming, additive and subtractive
manufacturing, and advanced materials and processing practices.
Additionally, such brief shall detail options to modernize the
organic industrial base that better aligns of the industrial
base with software-defined, artificial intelligence (AI)-
driven, off-the-shelf commercial solutions to carry out
different manufacturing operations in consolidated
manufacturing platforms, deployable at the point of need.
Airtronic Burner Assessment
The committee is aware of the need from the armed services
for upgraded field feeding and soldier sustainment equipment.
The need for the joint force to be able to feed troops and even
civilian populations is well known but the state of readiness,
regarding the Airtronic burner, which is a critical component
to upgraded field feeding systems, is less well understood.
Given the need to properly budget and deploy for field feeding
and expeditionary sustainment, the committee requires greater
visibility into the Airtronic burner's continued availability
for this essential service and when its replacement, the
FlexFire burner, will be qualified for deployment. The
committee is concerned that more information is needed prior to
directing future investments in either or both platforms.
The committee therefore directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness to provide a briefing to
the House Armed Services Committee no later than January 31,
2026, on the following:
(1) the current inventory of Airtronic burners that are
both deployable and safe to use;
(2) an assessment of whether current Airtronic burner
production/sustainment rates are sufficient to satisfy the
demands of projected inventory of upgraded field feeding
systems across the services;
(3) the prospective plans from the Department of Defense on
how to fund and upgrade Airtronic burner manufacturing
capabilities to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities;
(4) the cost and timeline associated with implementing such
a strategy, including additional outlays required by Congress
to accomplish this goal;
(5) an assessment of the feasibility of Airtronic
replacement with the upgraded FlexFire burner; and
(6) the Department's plan to recapitalize the production
line, if needed; and a qualification timeline for the FlexFire
burner.
Army Prepositioned Stocks and Deterrence Posture
The committee recognizes the critical role that Army
Prepositioned Stocks (APS) play in enhancing readiness,
deterrence, and strategic flexibility for the Armed Forces. APS
provides forward-positioned equipment, munitions, and
sustainment packages that enable rapid response to emerging
threats and serve as a visible signal of U.S. commitment to
security in key regions, including Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Additionally, the committee was particularly concerned
about the administration's request to put the European APS-2
into ``caretaker status'' starting in fiscal year 2026. The
committee believes that such an action may forestall the swift
response necessary to respond to aggression in this theater.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army,
in coordination with the Commander, Joint Chiefs of Staff, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, by
December 1, 2025, on the optimal composition of APS worldwide
to respond to the time-phased force deployment requirements of
the most stressing operational plans.
The briefing should include the following:
(1) an assessment of how each APS set can be optimized to
support deterrence, readiness, and maximize strategic
flexibility;
(2) A description of planned APS changes designed to
bolster deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region;
(3) an explanation of the Army's methodology for
determining what equipment to place in APS sets worldwide to
include a description of the following:
(a) how the Army identifies the most critical items
necessary for maintaining deterrence;
(b) how the army chooses which APS sites to prioritize for
each item;
(c) how the Army assesses which threats to prioritize when
evaluating APS augmentation;
(4) an explanation of the current APS sustainment plan and
readiness degradation associated with ``caretaker status'';
(5) an identification of the barriers to meeting that
sustainment plan or to any constraints that may limit the
Army's ability to position or maintain prepositioned stock in
locations required to support deterrence and operational
readiness, including any supply chain and defense industrial
base constraints, as well;
(6) an assessment of the stockpiling requirements to bridge
timelines until the defense industrial base can come online to
meet replenishment needs;
(7) recommendations to ensure that APS, particularly APS-2,
APS-4, and APS-5 sites bolster American deterrence in Europe
and the Indo-Pacific; and
(8) an analysis of resource requirements and costs to
maintain and expand prepositioned stocks in a manner that
supports operational objectives.
Comptroller General Review of Cargo Aircraft Sustainment
The Department of Defense's cargo aircraft serve as a key
part of the U.S. military's ability to move troops and military
equipment in support of military operations. Cargo aircraft are
crucial to maintaining supply lines to forward bases that are
difficult to reach by ground or waterborne access and can be
used for both strategic and tactical missions. For example,
these aircraft are instrumental to the U.S. military being able
to move units and equipment into theaters of operations
quickly. Hence, the availability of these aircraft is critical
to ensuring sufficient capacity to enable the U.S. military to
operate.
However, in March 2025, the Government Accountability
Office reported that from fiscal years 2015 through 2024 cargo
aircraft (e.g., C-130H/J, C-17, and C-5M) have rarely met
mission capable rate goals. For example, the C-5M and C-130J
only met their mission capable rate goals one out of those 10
years. The Air Force has publicly reported that the C-5M's
mission capable rate was 48.6 percent in fiscal year 2024.
While C-17 and C-130H/J mission capable rates are better, the
Air Force has still missed fleetwide goals by substantial
margins.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Comptroller General
of the United States to review the sustainment of the
Department's cargo aircraft. This review should address the
following:
(1) the key reasons for the Department of Defense's and the
military services' inability to meet mission capable rate goals
for cargo aircraft;
(2) the actions the Department of Defense and the military
services are taking to improve the condition and availability
of cargo aircraft;
(3) the key impacts of the condition of the Department's
cargo aircraft on the Department of Defense and the military
services' readiness to support U.S. military operations; and
(4) any other topics the Comptroller General deems
appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a report with the findings of this review to the Senate
Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than May 1, 2026.
Comptroller General Review of Program Office Management of Department
of Defense Aviation
Supply Chain Risk Supply support remains a consistent
challenge for the readiness and availability of Air Force,
Navy, and Army aircraft. A Government Accountability Office
report found that 37 of 45 program offices in the Air Force,
Navy, and Army cited part shortages as a major contributor to
aircraft not meeting mission capable rate goals. These goals
are designed to ensure aircraft are available for training and
operations. Part shortages can occur for a variety of reasons,
including parts obsolescence, diminishing manufacturing
sources, single sources of supply, parts breaking unexpectedly,
limited sources of repair, natural disasters, and international
conflict. Program offices sit at the nexus of identifying and
mitigating supply chain risk for their respective systems in an
effort to ensure their weapon systems are operable and
available to the warfighter. However, the extent to which
program offices have adopted comprehensive supply chain risk
management processes is unclear. These processes are designed
to proactively identify supply chain vulnerabilities, threats,
and potential disruptions and implement mitigation strategies--
such as life of type buys, redesign of parts, reverse
engineering, additive manufacturing, and development of
additional sources of supply or repair--to ensure the
uninterrupted, secure flow of materials, products, and services
as risks are found or disruptions occur.
The committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to review the Department's program office management of
aviation supply chain risk. This review should address the
following:
(1) to what extent do Air Force, Navy, and Army aircraft
program offices have supply chain risk management processes
that proactively identify supply chain risks that may
negatively affect aircraft availability;
(2) to what extent have the Air Force, Navy, and Army
program offices taken proactive actions to mitigate and address
supply chain risks and improve the availability of spare parts
and aircraft availability over the past five years; and
(3) to what extent do the Air Force, Navy, and Army program
offices coordinate with other entities within their respective
military department and the Department of Defense to identify
and address supply chain management risk for their systems.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a report with the findings of this review to the
congressional defense committees not later than May 1, 2026.
Cross-Service Integration of Depot Maintenance Facilities
The committee recognizes the critical role of organic depot
maintenance facilities in sustaining U.S. military combat
platforms across every domain. Furthermore, the committee
understands the requirement for surge capacity within the
organic industrial base to support emerging demands across the
Joint Force at the speed and scale of conflict. To improve
readiness and fiscal responsibility in defense spending, the
committee encourages the Department of Defense to identify and
eliminate barriers that limit or prevent the Services from
undertaking depot level maintenance workloads as required by
joint force priorities and other Service requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Sustainment to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 27, 2026, on
the Department's efforts to integrate depot maintenance
capacity across the military services. The briefing shall
include:
(1) an overview of the existing process to determine the
types of weapons systems repaired at depot facilities,
irrespective of military service;
(2) an assessment of barriers that would prevent a depot
managed by one of the military services from taking on
additional workloads from another military service;
(3) an examination of existing efforts to integrate organic
depot maintenance capacity across the services; and
(4) any policy and legislative recommendations that would
promote further integration and collaboration of depot
maintenance facilities across the Department of Defense.
Defense Logistics Agency Data Infrastructure
The committee recognizes the critical role that logistics,
asset management, and tracking play in the readiness of our
military, and the efficiency of modern unified architectures
operating from a common data lake with reusable applications
for a variety of stakeholders, as demonstrated by their
commercial success at similar scales.
The committee directs the Director of the Defense Logistics
Agency to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than May 30, 2026, on:
(1) the current state of Department of Defense logistics
and asset management data infrastructure; and
(2) any commercially available improvements for asset
management and tracking, procurement, personnel coordination,
field service, and automation that could operate at the scales
needed for the Department of Defense.
Defense Logistics Agency Document and Information Technology Services
The committee is aware of the Defense Logistics Agency's
(DLA) role in document disposition as defined in Department of
Defense Instruction 5330.03, under which DLA is designated as
the single manager of the Department's document services
including conversion of paper documents to electronic format.
In addition, DLA is responsible for demilitarizing and
controlling hazardous materials, both which apply to the
Department's computers and other Information Technology (IT)
assets when they reach their end of life. Despite this shared
service mission, the committee understands that many components
within the Department of Defense do not utilize DLA's services,
particularly for document services or IT asset disposition.
Utilizing DLA would provide the Department with enhanced
security, improved operational efficiency and significant cost
savings.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, on its actions to utilize DLA's
role in document and IT asset disposition across the military
services.
Department of Defense Cargo Securement Policies and Costs
The committee recognizes the importance of optimizing the
securement of munitions and general cargo throughout the
Department of Defense's global distribution network to promote
cost savings, damage reduction, efficiency, increased speed of
mobilization, and safety.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by March 1, 2026, on Department of Defense cargo securement
policies and practices. The briefing should include:
(1) information on the current cargo securement standards
used by the Department, the military services, and other
defense agencies in the transportation and shipping of
munitions and general cargo, including any variations or
inconsistencies;
(2) a breakdown of the Department's costs for procurement,
maintenance, repair, and storage of securement equipment and
materials;
(3) a breakdown of the cost of labor for current securement
methods, including training and safety compliance;
(4) cost differentials for each mode of transportation,
including road, rail, sea, and intermodal;
(5) estimated costs incurred by the Department associated
with delays, damage, or loss due to inadequate securement; and
(6) an overall assessment of the efficiency and
effectiveness of the Department's current cargo securement
practices and identification of opportunities for cost savings
and operational improvements.
E-PACS Panelized Military Shelter
The committee understands that the Army's Standard Family
of Rigid Wall Shelters is a program that provides the soldier
with mature shelter technologies that are standardized
resulting in reduced cost, simplified logistics, and field
support. The program develops enablers that support several
strategic initiatives, including the Army Campaign Plan, the
Army Modernization Strategy, and the Army Arctic Strategy. The
committee supports developing medical and temporary sensitive
compartmented information facility (TSCIF) variants of the
Expandable, Panelized, & Collapsible Shelters (EPACS).
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on the services' Army Standard Family
of Rigid Wall Shelters program, to include current and future
needs and requirements. The briefing should include the
following information:
(1) a review of the current Army shelter program;
(2) challenges identified by the Army, if any, to
developing EPACS TSCIF and other shelter variants; and
(3) operational benefits to deploying EPACS TSCIF and
alternative shelter variants to units.
Emerging Technology To Improve Air Force Inspection and Maintenance
The committee is concerned with the state of Air Force
aircraft maintenance. The committee notes that preventative
maintenance and thorough, timely inspections may help mitigate
the need for costly repairs, improve fleet health, help prevent
delays, and boost readiness. The committee understands that
leveraging new technology, including small autonomous drones
for inspection using automated predictive models, could assist
with maintenance by enabling early identification of potential
issues.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026, on efforts to
integrate new technology, including autonomous small drones, to
perform preventative maintenance and inspection.
Inspector General of the Department of Defense Report on Freight
Carrier Registration Program
The committee supports a safe, secure, and efficient
military transportation system. The committee believes this
requires, in part, a fair and transparent shipping process, an
understanding of and compliance with unique requirements
regarding the shipping of certain military freight, and a
collaborative partnership among users of the system. This is
crucial to our national security and military readiness.
Therefore, the committee directs the Inspector General of
the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Commander
of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
(SDDC), to submit a report on the Freight Carrier Registration
Program to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
March 30, 2026, on the following:
(1) whether military freight shipped using the Global
Freight Management System is being awarded transparently and in
accordance with shipping and contracting requirements, such as
bypassing or overriding the Global Freight Management System to
award shipments;
(2) whether transportation service providers transport
military freight without proper authority or ability to meet
the service requirements, such as shipping hazardous materials
using a transportation service provider that is not authorized
to transport hazardous materials or using a transportation
service provider without an active Department of Transportation
operating authority;
(3) an overview of SDDC's authority, or lack thereof, to
hold military installations and transportation officers
accountable for compliance with shipping and contracting
requirements; and
(4) any other information deemed relevant, including
potential recommendations for the committee to consider, such
as requiring SDDC to establish a dedicated process to receive
information or data about possible non-compliance by users of
the system.
Joint Management of Prepositioned Equipment and Stockpiles
The committee recognizes the critical role that
prepositioned equipment and stockpiles play in enhancing
operational readiness, strategic flexibility, and deterrence
across the Armed Forces. Historically, the Department of the
Army has maintained significant responsibility for the
management of Army Prepositioned Stocks (APS). However,
evolving operational requirements and the need for integrated
joint operations have led to increased interest in exploring
options for joint management of contested logistics enablers
across the military services and combatant commands.
The committee believes that improved joint management of
logistics enablers, such as prepositioned equipment and
stockpiles, airlift and sealift capacity, and other sustainment
infrastructure, may offer opportunities to improve
interoperability while better aligning capabilities with
operational requirements that are specific to a given theater.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, in coordination with the combatant commanders,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by December 1, 2025, on the feasibility, benefits, and risks
associated with implementing a joint management structure for
contested logistics enablers across the Armed Forces.
The briefing should include the following:
(1) an assessment of existing prepositioned equipment and
stockpiles, strategic airlift and sealift capabilities, and
related sustainment infrastructure managed by each military
department command, including locations, capabilities and
management authorities;
(2) a description of current coordination mechanisms
between the services and commands for the use, sustainment, and
replenishment of contested logistics enablers;
(3) an analysis of potential benefits and challenges
associated with implementing a joint management structure for
contested logistics, including impacts on readiness,
interoperability, logistics, and command and control;
(4) options and recommendations regarding whether, and
under what conditions, a joint management structure should be
established for contested logistics enablers; and
(5) an identification of any legal, policy, resource, or
organizational barriers to implementing joint management of
contested logistics capabilities along with recommended actions
to address those barriers.
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Analytics
The Navy's aging, diverse fleet of aircraft is a challenge
for Navy Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs). Unlike aircraft
manufacturing, repair and overhaul involve significant
uncertainty in the scope of work and the sequence of work.
Uncertainty in repair cycles challenges FRC administration.
This increases turnaround time and repair costs across all
fleets of aircraft and reduces aircraft availability
(readiness) in the fleet. The committee supports Naval Air
Systems Command's use of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
related predictive analytics simulations to achieve
improvements in depot efficiency and aircraft readiness.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on progress and plans to expand
existing predictive analytics capabilities across the FRC
Enterprise.
Organic Industrial Base Workforce
The committee recognizes the vital role that community
colleges play in developing the skilled workforce of the
future. The committee notes that community colleges are
providing the highest-quality training in fields critical to
national security, and that they present students with the
opportunity to gain education in high-employment fields at a
low cost, often enrolling students who might not otherwise have
the opportunity for higher education that leads to fulfilling
employment with a positive impact on communities, the national
security, and the national economy.
The committee is aware of the important relationship
between community colleges and a strong defense industrial base
and commends community colleges for their efforts to address
workforce challenges that face the Department of Defense and
the industrial base. The committee is concerned that workforce
shortages in mission-critical fields pose a real threat to the
long-term competitive advantage of the defense industrial base
and notes that community colleges can be an important enabler
to ensuring a strong industrial base workforce.
Parts Fabrication Facilities
The committee notes that U.S. military systems are
expensive to procure and are often deployed long beyond the
originally planned service life of the system. Although
extended operational life saves taxpayer money, maintenance and
repair of these systems grow more costly as systems age.
Consequently, periodic depot level maintenance is critical for
optimal performance.
The committee is aware that a critical path in the depot
workflow is availability of replacement parts. Provision of
these parts is generally the responsibility of the Defense
Logistics Agency (DLA), which sources necessary parts from the
original equipment manufacturer (OEM), if possible. Frequently,
the OEM no longer makes the needed part, and DLA seeks a
secondary supplier. All too often for today's aging systems,
DLA cannot find a supplier to provide essential parts to
military depots. The result is that the individual depots must
fabricate parts and essential combat equipment remains out of
service for lengthy periods.
The committee believes military readiness can improve
significantly by the creation of a centralized parts
fabrication facility employing modern manufacturing technology.
The committee is aware of software driven additive
manufacturing solutions that can precisely and rapidly produce
parts at necessary volume. The committee believes that the
Department of Defense's endemic parts shortage could be solved
by adopting such innovative technology.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in consultation with
the secretaries of the military departments, to brief the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31, 2025,
on the Department's plans to adopt such a centralized system
for fabricating and providing parts to military depots,
including a cost benefit analysis of a single parts fabricator
and location for each military department. The committee
further directs that the brief describe the cost savings and
military readiness improvements a central part facility would
produce compared with disaggregated supply points; the
appropriate funding mechanism for deployment, given the DLA and
depot working capital fund model; and a plan for ensuring that
these parts can be qualified for use and deployed without undue
delay.
Predictive Analytics for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence
The committee applauds the efforts by the Department of the
Air Force and the Department of the Navy to utilize predictive
analytics to achieve enterprise-wide improvements in aircrew
training and maintenance, while realizing cost savings and
enhanced readiness capabilities. The committee desires to see
the benefits of predictive analytics across all the military
services.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 27, 2026, on a plan for the U.S. Army
Aviation Center of Excellence to incorporate predictive
analytics and enterprise-wide digital assessments. The briefing
shall include:
(1) a summary of existing efforts within the U.S. Army
Aviation Center of Excellence to incorporate predictive
analytics and enterprise-wide digital assessments;
(2) a list of potential applications for predictive
analytics that would improve U.S. Army aviation readiness; and
(3) an initial cost estimate of the resources required to
integrate predictive analytics and enterprise-wide assessments
for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence.
Predictive Maintenance and Ship Repair
The committee notes that the Navy continues to struggle
with significant maintenance challenges, including delayed or
canceled maintenance of its vessels. According to the
Comptroller General, in 2023, the Navy's backlog of surface
ship maintenance resulted in $2.0 billion in deferred work.
There are many factors influencing the ongoing maintenance
issues faced by the Navy, including spare and repair parts
shortages, lack of a skilled workforce, a shortage of sailors,
and high operational tempo.
The committee is encouraged by technologies that allow for
early detection of maintenance issues which can enable
proactive repairs, reduce cost and time in depots, and extend
the service life of Navy vessels. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1,
2026, on efforts to use predictive maintenance on surface
vessels to alleviate maintenance delays. The briefing should
include the following per vessel:
(1) efforts, including any pilots, to use predictive
maintenance technologies to improve maintenance of surface
vessels, and associated savings, costs, and impact on
maintenance planning;
(2) the technologies used by the Navy, including, but not
limited to, sensors, predictive analytics and machine learning,
and associated savings, costs, and impact on maintenance
planning;
(3) plans to operationalize technologies across the fleet;
(4) plans to incorporate predictive maintenance into
maintenance and repair contracts; and
(5) efforts by the Navy to solicit and develop predictive
maintenance technologies.
Predictive Modeling for Sustainment of Army Aviation Platforms
The committee notes that the Air Force has seen success in
using modeling and simulation to improve long-term spares
package forecasts for the sustainment of two platforms. For
example, Air Mobility Command (AMC) recently completed Agile
Combat Employment (ACE) modeling and simulation for the KC-135
and C-17 platforms. The readiness modeling increased each
platform's operational availability by more than 20% in
contested environments. As a result, AMC changed the readiness
spares packages (RSPs) based on the modeling for the platforms
and is completing C-130J modeling with comparable results. Of
note, the cost for the RSPs against the previous RSP allocation
did not increase for the improved operational availability
based on the modeling and simulation.
These results suggest that the use of modeling and
simulation to improve sustainment outcomes has the potential to
reduce costs, improve the availability of operational assets,
and increase efficiency for other military services. To this
end, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the Army's current and future use of
modeling and simulation in support of the sustainment of Army
aviation platforms. The briefing shall, at a minimum, include:
(1) an overview of the Army's current use of predictive
modeling and simulation for spares forecasting;
(2) a discussion of the potential uses of such modeling on
current and future Army aviation platforms; and
(3) the identification of any resources needed across the
Future Years Defense Plan to expand the use of modeling and
simulation for sustainment of Army aviation platforms.
Security Risks of Foreign-Controlled Cargo Screening Technologies
The committee is aware of concerns regarding the global
proliferation of cargo scanning systems developed or controlled
by foreign adversaries, including Chinese state-owned
enterprises. These systems are widely deployed across key
international transportation hubs, including locations that
support the movement of United States defense equipment.
The committee is concerned that the presence of adversary-
controlled cargo screening technologies at these hubs may pose
risks to the security and integrity of U.S. defense logistics,
including potential vulnerabilities related to data collection,
cybersecurity, and supply chain integrity.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretary of State, to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
1, 2026, on efforts to assess and mitigate risks posed by the
use of foreign adversary-controlled cargo screening
technologies at transit points used for U.S. defense shipments.
The briefing should include:
(1) locations where U.S. defense articles routinely transit
through hubs using adversary-controlled cargo screening
technologies systems;
(2) associated cybersecurity and supply chain risks;
(3) current mitigation measures; and
(4) recommendations for further action.
Stealth Requirements for Mobility and Logistics Platforms for United
States Indo-Pacific Command
The committee recognizes that, given the shifting character
of war and the United States' increased presence in highly
contested spaces within the IndoPacific, traditional airlift
and sealift platforms used by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
(USINDOPACOM) to ensure the movement of troops, equipment, and
supplies across all domains are vulnerable to detection and
targeting by long-range precision fires, integrated air defense
systems, and space-based sensors from adversaries. The
committee understands that the ability to move critical
personnel and materials undetected is an increasingly essential
function of USINDOPACOM, allowing for greater operational
flexibility, strategic mobility, protection of U.S. assets, and
safety of the warfighter. The committee recognizes that the
incorporation of low observable technologies in programs like
the Next Generation Air-Refueling System and other potential
stealth logistics unmanned aerial vehicles, alongside existing
platforms like the B-21 and F-35, could allow USINDOPACOM to
more effectively execute logistics support and sustainment of
mission objectives in contested environments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander, U.S. Indo-
Pacific Command, in coordination with the Commander, U.S.
Transportation Command, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the
Secretary of the Navy, to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 27, 2026, on
USINDOPACOM's requirements for stealth mobility, refueling, and
other logistics assets for its mobility and logistics
platforms. The report shall include:
(1) a summary of shortcomings in existing mobility and
logistics platforms within USINDOPACOM as it relates to stealth
mobility, refueling, and logistics requirements for effective
mission execution;
(2) an evaluation of the stealth mobility, refueling, and
logistics requirements within the USINDOPACOM area of
responsibility to conduct successful, tactical intra-theatre
operations;
(3) an analysis from USTRANSCOM on existing efforts to meet
growing strategic U.S. stealth mobility, refueling, and
logistics requirements across the Joint Force in the Indo-
Pacific theatre; and
(4) any costs or barriers inhibiting USINDOPACOM's stealth
mobility, refueling, and logistics requirements.
Towbar Technology for Ground Support Operations
The committee is concerned that tow operations have caused
structural damage and multiple Class-C mishaps to aircraft
landing gear. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services by March 1, 2026, on efforts to reduce damage to
landing gear related to towing operations. This briefing should
include:
(1) a 10-year historical review of tow-induced damage to
landing gear;
(2) identification of any trend data across aircraft
platforms;
(3) a timeline of Air Force efforts to reduce and/or
eliminate tow damage moving forward; and
(4) the status of any tow bar Program Objective Memorandum
funding line items.
U.S. Air Force's Requirement for Logistics Information Technology
Systems
The committee recognizes that aging U.S. Air Force aircraft
are having significant effects on fleet readiness rates. While
enacting reforms to improve the acquisition system, the
committee notes that advances in predictive analytics
capabilities powered by artificial intelligence and machine
learning offer tremendous potential to improve the maintenance
effectiveness of U.S. Air Force weapons systems. The committee
is concerned that previous budgets that included funds for
logistics information technologies (LOGIT) were reallocated to
other priorities due to the Department of the Air Force's lack
of a comprehensive approach to integrate these technologies
into existing fleets.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 27, 2026, on the Department of
the Air Force's plan to leverage LOGIT solutions to improve
maintenance on legacy and next generation weapons systems. The
briefing shall include:
(1) the funding profile for LOGIT systems over the past
five years, including the amount budgeted and the amount
obligated;
(2) the Department of the Air Force's plan to incorporate
LOGIT solutions to improve fleet readiness, including
anticipated gains in terms of mission capability rates,
aircraft availability, and other metrics; and
(3) necessary investments that the Department of the Air
Force would need to realize benefits from LOGIT solutions, such
as additional funding to modernize databases, robust parts
inventories, or any other requirements.
U.S. Maritime Shipyard Utilization for Repair and Maintenance on Non-
Nuclear Vessels
The committee recognizes that a healthy maritime industrial
base is essential to restoring United States shipbuilding
dominance. Supporting this industrial base requires the full
use of available shipyard capacity through contracting that
accounts for multiple source-selection criteria to prevent
dormant or underutilized repair and maintenance facilities. The
committee is concerned that U.S. shipyards are not being used
to full capacity for maintenance and ship repair purposes.
Further, the committee is concerned that the current ship
repair contracting process does not adequately account for
maintenance backlogs and readiness.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Navy, in
coordination with the Administrator of the Maritime
Administration (MARAD), to submit a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on
current utilization of all public and private shipyards in the
United States capable of performing non-nuclear depot-level
maintenance, repair, modernization, or overhaul of naval
vessels. The briefing shall include, but is not limited to,
details on:
(1) total annual U.S. capacity for Navy and MARAD ship
repair work;
(2) current and projected backlog of ship repair work,
including start-to-finish timelines for existing work orders;
(3) shipyard capacity utilization rate, as a percentage of
capacity currently committed to work orders, for all U.S.
shipyards eligible to conduct ship repair on Navy and MARAD
vessels;
(4) average calendar-time from contract award to dock-in
and dock-out;
(5) historical and projected cost growth or schedule risk
attributable to maintenance backlog;
(6) any statutory, regulatory, or contractual barriers
limiting output;
(7) modeling of total lifecycle cost implications caused by
shipyard backlogs across three, five, and ten-year horizons
based on shifting work from the lowest price bidder to under-
utilized yards; and
(8) legislative recommendations to include recommendations
based on shipyard selection criteria and any legislative policy
changes to incorporate underutilized shipyard capacity.
U.S. Transportation Command Review of Civil Reserve Air Fleet Contracts
The committee recognizes the value small businesses provide
to the defense industrial base and the U.S. military.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander, U.S.
Transportation Command, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 27, 2026, on any
existing contracting barriers that prevent small businesses
from participating in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). The
briefing shall include:
(1) how existing contracting requirements may harm small
businesses;
(2) opportunities to broaden CRAF contracts to allow more
small businesses to compete, particularly for freight
forwarders and indirect cargo air carriers; and
(3) any other recommendations deemed relevant by the
Commander.
Readiness Issues
Acoustic Gunshot Detection for Force Protection
The committee recognizes the importance of advanced
acoustic gunshot detection capabilities in enhancing force
protection across a range of operational environments. The
ability to detect and trace gunfire, both horizontally and
vertically, in indoor and outdoor settings is critical for
improving situational awareness and rapid threat response. The
committee notes that while several technologies exist in this
domain, a standardized evaluation process could ultimately
prove beneficial to determine mission efficacy and inform
Department-wide deployment. Further, the committee is aware of
efforts to integrate gunshot detection technologies that have
received the Department of Homeland Security's SAFETY Act
Designation and believes that a competitive demonstration could
help the Department of Defense identify and field the most
effective solutions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with appropriate military departments, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than June 1, 2026, on the feasibility and advisability of
establishing a venue and standardized process for comparative
testing of acoustic gunshot detection systems. The briefing
should include:
(1) potential venues, processes, and baseline scenarios
used for comparative testing;
(2) assessment criteria of the performance and mission
effectiveness of tested systems;
(3) any plans for Department-wide implementation of
successful technologies; and
(4) evaluation of funding and logistical requirements
necessary to support the adoption of these capabilities for
force protection.
Air Force Technical Training Modernization
The committee applauds recent efforts by the U.S. Air Force
to improve maintenance and logistics technical training,
through initiatives such as the Maintenance and Logistics
Extended Reality Strategy and Technical Training
Transformation, which aim to fundamentally reshape training in
the Department of the Air Force by leveraging private sector
best practices and technological advancements. The committee
urges the incorporation of cutting-edge virtual reality
technology, simulators, and educational research advancements
to improve training delivery and outcomes for Airmen.
Recognizing the logistics challenges associated with the Indo-
Pacific area of operations, the committee is concerned that
these efforts to update training practices are not happening at
the speed and scale to prepare maintenance and logistics Airmen
for the challenges they will face in the context of great power
competition.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services by March 1, 2026, on how the Department of the Air
Force will modernize technical training for maintenance and
logistics personnel. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of current technical training curricula
for Air Force Specialty Codes 21A, 21R, 21M, and 2A-, 2F-, 2M-,
2R-, 2S-, 2T-, and 2W- series, with an analysis of private
sector best practices and technologies, and how these
transformative initiatives could potentially accelerate the
competency and scale of training;
(2) a description of barriers related to the incorporation
of advanced technology into maintenance and logistics technical
training, including data rights, intellectual property
concerns, infrastructure requirements including specialized
facilities and connectivity, and any policies affecting
implementation;
(3) an analysis of the costs associated with these
improvements and any other required expenses necessary to
transform technical training;
(4) the status of requirements definition and planning
activities for an immersive learning capabilities platform
program of record; and
(5) the Department of the Air Force's plan to fund these
improvements to technical training with corresponding
timelines, as well as any funding shortfalls.
Arctic Consortium
The committee recognizes that the Arctic region presents
geopolitical challenges and opportunities affecting national
security interests and is supportive of efforts to better
understand the emerging needs for enhanced operations in the
Arctic region. The committee encourages the Secretary of
Defense to seek opportunities to partner with interagency
organizations, the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience,
and the Joint All Domain Weather Operations Center, to
coordinate federal agency planning for Arctic operations as
well as testing of systems to support Arctic operations.
Army Ground Vehicle Depot Maintenance
Army availability rates for its ground vehicles have been
trending downward and generally have not met goals.
Specifically, the Army's fully mission capable rates for most
of its ground combat vehicles and tactical wheeled vehicles
have declined well below the Army's goal of 90 percent. The
Government Accountability Office recently informed this
committee that most of Army's ground vehicles have not met
annual availability goals over the past decade.
The committee has also learned that the Army has
drastically reduced the depot overhauls it performs on the
Abrams tank and Bradley fighting vehicle, and on its fleet of
medium and heavy tactical vehicles, among others. As the Army
conducts less depot maintenance, depot workload decreases, and
more of the responsibility for maintaining the Army's vehicles
falls to field-level maintenance units. In addition, the Army
faces a variety of challenges sustaining Army combat and
tactical vehicles, such as the timely availability of spare
parts and technical data used to perform maintenance and
repairs, the age of vehicle fleets, and diminishing sources of
supply.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Comptroller General
of the United States to review the Army's depot maintenance of
its combat and tactical vehicles and to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees by May 1, 2026. This report
should address the following:
(1) the extent to which reductions in depot maintenance
have affected the availability of the Army's fleet of vehicles;
(2) how the Army's reduction in depot maintenance has
affected the depots' staffing levels, training, and maintenance
capacity;
(3) how the Army's reduction of depot maintenance has
affected field-level maintenance of its vehicles, including the
extent to which Army depot artisans are assisting units in
performing field-level maintenance;
(4) how the Army is addressing spare parts availability,
access to technical data, and other factors that impact its
ability to conduct depot maintenance; and
(5) other topics the Comptroller General deems appropriate.
Army Modernization Enterprise Efforts
The committee is aware of the Department of the Army's
decision to consolidate Training and Doctrine Command and Army
Futures Command into a single Transformation and Training
Command and looks forward to a detailed plan on the
consolidation of force generation, force design, and force
development under one headquarters.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the Army's plan to merge the two
major commands. The briefing shall include, but is not limited
to:
(1) the roles, responsibilities, and authorities to be
assigned to the Commander of the Transformation and Training
Command;
(2) a description of the relationship between such
authorities and the authorities of the established Army
acquisition enterprise;
(3) resources to be realigned from the Army Training and
Doctrine Command and Army Futures Command, to include any costs
associated with the consolidation; and
(4) a description of proposed force structure changes.
Assessment and Modernization Plan for Heating, Ventilation, Air-
Conditioning Systems at Air Force Installations in Extreme Heat
Environments
Aging and inefficient Heating, Ventilation, Air-
Conditioning (HVAC) systems are creating significant challenges
at military installations located in regions with extreme heat,
such as Arizona. In many cases, air conditioning units have
exceeded their service life, and deferred maintenance has led
to deteriorating conditions that impact health, morale, and
operational readiness. These legacy systems also drive up
energy and maintenance costs, straining installation resources.
Addressing HVAC infrastructure shortfalls is essential to
ensuring mission effectiveness and protecting Department of the
Air Force investments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2026, on the condition,
operational impact, and replacement needs of HVAC systems at
installations located in extreme heat environments, including
Luke Air Force Base. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of the current state and functionality of
HVAC systems across major facilities at installations located
in especially hot climates, such as those in Arizona;
(2) an inventory of HVAC systems that have exceeded their
expected service life and the associated replacement timeline
and cost estimates;
(3) an evaluation of the impact of HVAC system degradation
on mission readiness, work productivity, and the health and
safety of personnel;
(4) a summary of energy efficiency metrics, utility costs,
and maintenance expenses related to continued operation of
outdated HVAC systems; and
(5) a plan, including cost estimates and prioritization
criteria, for phased replacement or modernization of HVAC
systems across affected installations.
Assessment of the Inland Marine Transportation System for Defense
Logistics
The committee recognizes the strategic importance of the
Army Corps of Engineers' Inland Marine Transportation System in
facilitating the transportation of defense articles and
ensuring the resilience of military logistics. The committee is
concerned that existing vulnerabilities, including aging
infrastructure and underutilized routes, may limit the
efficiency and reliability of this critical transportation
network.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense, in coordination with the Commander of the U.S.
Transportation Command, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2026, on
the current use of inland waterways for the transportation of
defense articles. The briefing shall, at a minimum, include:
(1) a detailed analysis of how defense articles are
presently transported via inland waterways, including volume,
frequency, and type of cargo;
(2) an evaluation of the state of inland waterway
infrastructure, including the impact of aging locks, dams, and
channels on defense logistics, and identification of potential
failure points that could disrupt military readiness;
(3) potential opportunities to expand and optimize the use
of inland waterways for military logistics; and
(4) recommendations to upgrade inland waterway
infrastructure, streamline operations, and enhance supply chain
resilience.
Assessment of Waste Management
The committee is concerned that increased waste generation
associated with the expansion of U.S. Air Force activities on
Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands, particularly following the
completion of the divert airfield and the rehabilitation of
runways at North Airfield, will soon exceed the capacity of the
island's sole landfill. As military operations scale up, the
volume and complexity of waste are expected to strain the
existing waste management infrastructure, which is already
operating at or near its limit.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Governor of the Northern
Mariana Islands and the Mayor of the Municipality of Tinian, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2026, on the feasibility of establishing a
comprehensive solid waste management plan that could support
both U.S. military operations and local municipal needs. The
briefing shall, at a minimum, include:
(1) an assessment of current solid waste generation levels
and projected increases associated with expanded U.S. military
operations on Tinian;
(2) an evaluation of the capacity, condition, and expected
lifespan of the existing landfill;
(3) an analysis of alternative waste management solutions,
including the feasibility of developing a new jointly utilized
landfill;
(4) potential locations for a new landfill, including site
suitability considerations;
(5) potential costs associated with planning, construction,
and operation of new waste management infrastructure;
(6) opportunities for cost-sharing, intergovernmental
coordination, and long-term sustainability; and
(7) identification of any near-term mitigation measures
that may be necessary to manage waste volumes prior to the
development of new infrastructure.
Comptroller General Review of Air Force Mission Ready Airmen Concept
As the Department of Defense prepares for conflict against
near-peer adversaries, officials acknowledge that forward
airfields will have inherent operational challenges. These
challenges include the need for rapid airfield and aircraft
damage recovery in austere environments. The committee notes
the Air Force is implementing the Mission Ready Airmen (MRA)
training framework to operate with smaller, multidisciplinary
teams at forward airfields from dispersed locations, away from
traditional, fortified airbases. These teams, among other
functions, may be expected to perform multiple duties including
conducting airfield and aircraft damage assessments, mitigating
explosive hazards, and repairing airfield and aircraft so that
the aircraft can launch from the runway again within a short
amount of time. The committee is interested in the extent to
which the Air Force has implemented plans to execute the MRA
concept in the Indo-Pacific. The committee is concerned that
the Air Force already faces challenges meeting operational
demands while maintaining the standard 1:3 deployment-to-dwell
goal. The MRA concept, which will require personnel to be ready
to perform multidisciplinary skills, may place additional
strain on the Air Force's ability to execute the 2022 National
Defense Strategy priorities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess the Air Force's plans for
implementing the MRA concept. This review should address the
following:
(1) how the Air Force will utilize and deploy the MRA
teams, and to what extent the MRA teams will be part of Indo-
Pacific operation planning to meet the demands of dispersed and
austere airfield challenges;
(2) changes the Air Force has made to its training programs
to implement MRA;
(3) the extent to which the Air Force is taking actions to
evaluate the effectiveness of any changes made to training to
incorporate MRA; and
(4) any other matters the Comptroller General determines to
be relevant.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
brief the House Committee on Armed Services not later than May
1, 2026, on the Comptroller General's preliminary findings and
present final results in a mutually agreed-upon format and
timeframe.
Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training
The committee is aware of the growing threat posed by small
unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) on the modern battlefield and
the Department of the Army's efforts to address these threats
through the development and implementation of counter-small
unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) capabilities.
The committee believes that as these systems proliferate
among adversaries, it is imperative that Army personnel are
prepared to operate in environments where sUAS threats are
prevalent from the earliest stages of their military careers.
The committee is particularly interested in understanding the
Department's current approach to C-sUAS training and the
potential for incorporating this training into initial entry
training programs. Training early in a servicemember's career
ensures familiarity with threat recognition, available
countermeasures, and integrated force protection doctrine.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by June 1,
2026, on the advisability and feasibility of including C-sUAS
training in initial entry training for the Army. The briefing
should include the following:
(1) an overview of current C-sUAS training programs,
including the target population and when such training is
provided;
(2) an assessment of the advisability and feasibility of
incorporating C-sUAS training into initial entry training
programs;
(3) an estimate of the costs and other requirements
associated with including C-sUAS training in initial entry
training;
(4) a conceptual outline or framework of what a C-sUAS
training program would entail if integrated into initial entry
training; and
(5) any other matters the Secretary of the Army considers
appropriate.
Domestic Operations Tactics Training Center for C-130J Aircrews
The committee recognizes the versatility and value of the
C-130J aircraft in supporting a broad range of domestic
operations to protect the United States, including natural
disaster response, search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation,
and wildfire suppression. These domestic operation missions are
essential to national security, homeland defense, and civil
support, especially in the face of increasing natural disasters
and emergent domestic crises. The committee is aware of the
success of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC)
in providing advanced tactical training to aircrews in
preparation for complex operational environments. Given the
shared airframe and operational similarities, the committee
believes there is value in exploring the feasibility of
standing up a dedicated Domestic Operations C-130J Tactics
Training Center, co-located with the AATTC, to enhance mission
specific readiness and effectiveness of C-130J units conducting
domestic support missions.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force, in
coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and
Commander, U.S. Northern Command, to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2026. The
briefing should include the feasibility of establishing a
Domestic Operations C-130J Tactics Training Center co-located
with the AATTC, an assessment of training requirements, and the
potential impact on readiness and response timelines, facility,
staffing, and resourcing. The briefing should also include
opportunities for integration with existing AATTC
infrastructure and instruction, coordination with state and
federal agencies for interagency training, and any statutory or
policy changes needed to support the initiative.
Head and Hearing Protection
The committee recognizes that the Navy and Marine Corps
mandate head impact and hearing protection for maintenance
personnel working on or near military aircraft. This
requirement has proven effective in mitigating injuries in
dynamic and hazardous work environments. However, the committee
has been made aware that Army and Air Force maintenance
personnel are not currently required to wear similar protective
gear while working on or atop military aircraft. While fall-
prevention systems are in use, they do not address impact
injuries to the head and neck, prevent long-term hearing loss,
or provide necessary ocular protection.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2026 on current service head protection policies. The brief
should include the following information:
(1) the military services current policies on head and
hearing protection for maintenance personnel working on or near
military aircraft;
(2) an assessment of injury rates and risk factors related
to head trauma and hearing loss in aviation maintenance career
fields; and
(3) a plan for evaluating and potentially fielding
commercial head protection solutions to address these risks.
Human Performance Training for Operational Units of the Navy
The committee recognizes the benefits of incorporating
physical and mental performance programs at the operational
level. The committee further commends Commander Helicopter Sea
Combat Wing Atlantic for integrating advanced human performance
programs into pilot and aircrew training. These operational
initiatives focused on mitigating musculoskeletal injuries,
enhancing cognitive performance, and improved physical strength
are viewed by the committee as a means to both increase the
immediate effectiveness of the force and as a preventative
strategy against injuries that translate into significant long-
term costs for the Veterans Administration. This comprehensive,
science and evidence-based approach incorporates training and
education, on-site specialist expertise, readiness assessments,
and cutting-edge technology for data analysis and reporting,
ensuring a holistic and multidimensional platform for optimal
performance. The committee recognizes the importance of
including professional mental performance coaches in naval
aviation training and stresses the importance of cognitive
health as a vital component of military readiness.
The committee encourages the Secretary of the Navy to
consider replicating these best practices at other Naval
Aviation Centers of Excellence as well as in the Surface and
Submarine communities to reduce the long-term burden of
preventable injuries, increase resilience of the force, and
improve the warfighting ability of our pilots and aircrew.
Importance of Connectivity Across Airframe Platforms for Enhanced
Survivability and Situational Awareness in the Indo-Pacific Region
The committee recognizes the importance of maintaining
robust connectivity and sharing real-time data across all
airframe platforms to enhance situational awareness, ensure
survivability, and enable forces to identify, respond to, and
mitigate potential threats, especially in the Indo-Pacific
region.
The committee encourages the Air Force to prioritize
initiatives that ensure tactical leaders are equipped with the
knowledge and skills needed to address connectivity challenges
like Air Mobility Command's (AMC) Mobility Data Link Managers
Course (MDMC), an advanced-level management course specifically
designed to cultivate air mobility forces with the necessary
qualifications to serve as Tactical Data Link Managers at wing
or unit levels.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific
Command, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 1, 2026, on plans to enhance warfighting
readiness across AMC formations through the MDMC to better
prepare U.S. forces for the threats, distances, and geography
that will cause challenges in a Pacific campaign.
Improving Fighter Maintenance Dollar Allocation
The committee is aware of ongoing issues with falling
fighter mission capable rates, often linked to extended wait
times and other maintenance-related challenges. Further, the
committee is concerned that the mechanism by which the Air
Force distributes maintenance dollars may be contributing to
lower readiness rates. The committee notes that there may be a
negative incentive, caused by the linkage between maintenance
fund allocations and flight hours that punishes squadrons
already struggling with maintenance availability. Further, the
committee is concerned the current allocation of funds is not
optimized to produce the highest yield for fighter maintenance,
especially with respect to the frontline fighter force that
deploys most often.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 1, 2025, on the strategies for
optimizing maintenance dollar allocation, to include the
following:
(1) an assessment of the current formula for distributing
maintenance funds that may exacerbate current mission readiness
and mission capable challenges, especially for the frontline
fighter force;
(2) an assessment of whether the current prioritization
amongst the Ready Aircrew Program (RAP), depot maintenance
funding lines, and spare parts replacement funding lines is
optimized to maximize maintenance availability, particularly
for F-15E aircraft; and
(3) whether decoupling the Flying Hours Program from
maintenance dollar allocation would improve the efficient and
effective use of these funds.
Integrating Human Performance Optimization in Small Arms Training
The committee understands that the use of synthetic
training environments that incorporate advanced data analytics
and human performance optimization techniques are demonstrating
their ability to enhance warfighter performance while reducing
training costs. Specifically, synthetic training programs that
integrate proven human performance optimization techniques with
robust data monitoring, analysis, and remediation, such as the
U.S. Marine Corps Advanced Small Arms Lethality Training, are
demonstrating the ability to increase warfighter lethality and
survivability by improving decision latency, reaction skills,
and cognitive agility, while reducing training and operational
costs by increasing first-pass qualification and minimizing
retraining requirements. Data is also showing promise in
addressing issues associated with mild traumatic brain injury
(mTBI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), and physical and mental combat stresses that
result in significant impacts on warfighter training,
effectiveness, and overall mental health.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than January 15, 2026, detailing how each service is
integrating Department of Defense-validated human performance
optimization techniques into their existing and planned
synthetic small arms training programs, to include a timeline
for implementation and assessments, and an explanation of the
metrics used to measure the effectiveness of human performance
optimization techniques in improving warfighter performance and
reducing operating costs.
The committee also encourages the Secretary of Defense to
develop a pilot program to test the ability for synthetic
training programs that integrate human performance optimization
with robust data analytics to address mTBI, TBI, PTSD, and
other physical and mental combat stresses.
Intergovernmental Support Agreements Utilization Across Army
Installations
The committee supports the Department's continued use of
Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs). IGSAs strengthen
the relationship between installations and the surrounding
communities, support mission readiness, and generate cost
savings. However, the committee notes that the use of
Operations and Maintenance accounts for IGSA execution may
limit the Department's ability to fully explore the potential
scope and benefits of these agreements.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2026. The briefing shall include:
(1) the total amount of cost savings for the Army when
installations use IGSAs;
(2) an assessment of how the Army interprets its current
statutory authorities and limitations related to the use of
IGSAs, including areas where further clarification could
support expanded use;
(3) an assessment of how additional funding streams would
impact the effectiveness of IGSA implementation; and
(4) recommendations to support broader adoption or more
effective use of IGSAs, including any statutory or internal
changes that would enable greater flexibility.
Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos Support
The committee acknowledges the important role of Joint
Forces Training Base Los Alamitos (JFTB-LA) as the primary
training facility for the California National Guard. JFTB-LA
and the Los Alamitos Army Airfield are critical in supporting
Air Force One flight operations, F-15 West Coast Defense,
natural disaster response, and border security. Over 6,000
guardsmen and reservists from all military services and first
responders train at JFTB-LA. The committee encourages continued
investment and support for JFTB-LA to continue its critical
mission and to enhance readiness of the California National
Guard and other Department of Defense entities.
Live-Virtual-Constructive Training
In 2023, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued
the Joint Warfighting 6Concept (JWC) that articulates a
strategic vision for how the U.S. military will operate and
fight as an integrated joint team across all warfighting
domains. According to the Department of Defense, the JWC is
intended to guide and shape Military Service force design and
development efforts. At the same time, the Military Services
are developing live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training
initiatives that combine live, virtual, and constructive
elements into a single environment that allows for force
development through concept experimentation, training, and
real-world mission rehearsals. More specifically, LVC training
enables the simultaneous training of geographically dispersed
units and training on cost-prohibitive or sensitive
capabilities. Such LVC environments can expand the scale and
complexity of training, minimize logistics, and maximize
training effectiveness. However, limitations, such as
technology maturity, spectrum availability, and data collection
and processing capabilities have created challenges to
realizing the benefits of LVC training.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to prepare a report to the congressional
defense committees by May 1, 2026, undertaking a review of the
Military Services' LVC training programs and addressing the
following:
(1) the status of the Military Services' LVC training
initiatives, including current capabilities and plans for
future development;
(2) the extent to which the Military Services' LVC training
environments support training to employ multi-domain forces and
joint training events; and
(3) the extent to which the Department has assessed the
capabilities of the Military Services' individual LVC training
environments to determine if they lead to cost savings,
alleviate congestion at traditional range complexes, and
achieve other efficiencies through the development of these
initiatives.
Maximizing Throughput of U.S. Air Force Pilot Training
The committee recognizes that pilot training is
foundational to many Air Force capabilities. The committee
notes that despite significant efforts to improve pilot
training within the Air Education and Training Command, the Air
Force has not yet achieved its long-term strategy to train
1,500 pilots annually. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 27, 2026,
on how the Air Force plans to maximize pilot training
throughput. The briefing shall include, at a minimum:
(1) a description of how recent changes to the pilot
training curriculum, such as the initial pilot training
program, have affected the quality and consistency of pilot
training;
(2) an analysis of how the Air Force is leveraging
contracted pilot training options to mitigate the effects of
the delayed acquisition of the T-7A trainer aircraft;
(3) the Air Force's plan to ensure sufficient surge
capacity within the pilot training pipeline in case of conflict
or contingency;
(4) an updated timeline for the acquisition and fielding of
the T-7A aircraft and ongoing efforts by the Air Force to
expedite the program;
(5) a sequenced assessment of the T-7A phase-in plan that
examines projected increases in pilot training output by year;
and
(6) any other initiatives within the Air Force to expand
the throughput of the pilot training pipeline to meet Air Force
requirements.
Mobile SCIFs
The committee notes that mobile SCIFs (Sensitive
Compartmented Information Facility) are needed when a secure
space for handling classified information needs to be rapidly
deployed and moved between different locations, particularly in
situations where a fixed facility is not practical due to the
temporary nature of the mission or the need to operate in
various areas without disrupting operations. Forward deploying
assets in the United States Indo-Pacific Command theater is one
example of a U.S. Department of Defense need.
The committee notes that utilizing a mobile SCIF can be
more cost-effective than constructing a permanent facility in
multiple locations, especially when considering construction
time and ongoing maintenance. Mobile SCIFs must still adhere to
the same security standards as fixed facilities, and they must
be fabricated in accordance with the standards outlined in the
ICD 705 (Intelligence Community Directive 705) current version
specifically meeting the sound attenuation and TEMPEST
requirements. Mobile and temporary SCIFs are most often more
secure, and less expensive, than constructing to-standard
facilities in deployed settings. Also, certified mobile SCIFs
can be used for enroute mission planning in various forms of
transport nodes including land, maritime, and air transport.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to prepare a brief to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2026, as to the plan for acquisition of mobile SCIFs
and whether preference will be given to U.S.-based small
businesses as certified by the U.S. Small Business
Administration.
Non-Lethal Weapons
The committee believes that the Secretaries concerned
should consider the role of non-lethal weapons as part of the
strategic planning efforts of the Department of Defense
relating to force, base, and facilities protection and include
information on non-lethal weapons in the training provided to
security and protection forces. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the
Secretary of the Navy, to brief the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 28, 2026, as to the capabilities of: (a)
vehicle mounted and vehicle dismounted, or portable non-lethal
de-escalation equipment; and (b) conducted energy devices or
other non-lethal de-escalation equipment that may be attached
to unmanned aircraft. Specifically, such brief shall review:
(1) the potential offensive and defensive capabilities of
the non-lethal weapons;
(2) training protocols for operators of the non-lethal
weapons; and
(3) operational and safety protocols for operators of such
non-lethal weapons.
Operational Safety Culture in Military Aviation
The military services continue to experience serious
training accidents, including those involving loss of life.
Most recently an Army Black Hawk helicopter performing a
training mission collided with a commercial jet liner in
Washington, DC, resulting in the death of 67 people. The U.S.
Government Accountability Office (GAO) and others, such as the
National Commission on Military Aviation Safety, have found
that causes for accidents are complex but may involve human
error factors. These factors can include things like
complacency, overconfidence, or improper use of risk management
procedures that relate to the safety culture of the unit. The
Department has stated that it cannot afford to maintain the
status quo if it intends to reach a goal of zero fatalities
from preventable accidents, emphasizing the health and safety
of personnel and care for military equipment and assets.
Furthermore, the Joint Safety Council, established in 2022, has
taken steps to improve accident data collection and
standardization to identify specific areas for action.
Notwithstanding these efforts, the Committee remains concerned
about military aviation training accidents and the negative
effect that preventable accidents can have on readiness.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to provide a report to the congressional
defense committees by May 1, 2026, assessing the Department and
the military services' efforts to promote a positive
operational safety culture and on such findings. This review
should address to what extent the military services have:
(1) taken to foster unit cultures that positively promote
operational safety during military aviation training;
(2) evaluated their aviation safety cultures and share
operational safety practices with each other;
(3) the efficacy of each service in assessing trends across
multiple mishaps; and
(4) how the above are aligned with leading aviation and
occupational safety industry practices and those used by
selected Allies.
Report on the American Airlines Flight 5342 Plane Crash
While the committee is aware that the primary entity
charged with investigating the January 29, 2025 collision
between American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA
Airlines, and a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter is the
National Transportation Safety Board, the committee is
concerned about the level of transparency and communication
between the Army and the families of the victims of the
commercial airliner. The committee notes that the Army is
conducting several investigations related to the accident, but
that there has been little direct interaction between the Army
and the families related to the findings and way ahead with
respect to these investigations. Accordingly, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services no later than December 1.
2025. This report shall include a publicly releasable document
detailing the Army's efforts. At a minimum the report shall
include the following:
(1) A summary of the status of all investigations related
to the January 29, 2025, midair collision at Reagan National
Airport;
(2) A summary of the Army's key findings and a description
of the mitigation measures, policy and procedure changes it has
instituted in reaction to the investigation; and,
(3) A detailed plan for communicating with outside
stakeholders to include greater communication and transparency
with families of the victims of Flight 5342.
Robotic Sensing and Digital Twins for Navy Vessels
The committee recognizes the abilities of robotic
inspections and digital twin analytics to improve ship
availabilities and create efficiencies in repair time.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on efforts to incorporate robotic
inspections data and high-fidelity digital twin analytics into
existing inspection programs to improve ship availability
planning. The briefing should include, but not be limited to,
the following:
(1) analysis of how current inspection methods can be
optimized with additional robotically acquired high fidelity
datasets;
(2) evaluation of the cost and schedule impacts of using
robotically generated data to develop sustainment planning
relative to previous manual methods;
(3) status of proliferation of robotic sensing technologies
capable of rapid, accurate, and non-hazardous inspection of
critical components on Navy battle force ships, across ship
class; and
(4) plans and impediments to work with industry partners to
use robotically generated material health datasets to inform
existing maintenance management plans, to create digital data
collection for hull components, and to apply data collected
from inspections to reduce growth work, reduce operational
downtime, and eliminate the maintenance backlog.
Standards for Firefighter Rapid Intervention Team Training and
Equipment at Department of Defense Facilities
The committee recognizes the crucial role that rapid
intervention teams play in responding quickly to crisis
situations in which firefighters face significant risk of
injury or death. Well-trained and equipped teams have been
responsible for saving hundreds of first responders' lives
nationwide. On military bases, rapid intervention teams respond
to a variety of complex fires that can require highly
specialized training and equipment. Given the danger posed by
these fires and the significant risks facing rapid intervention
team members, it is crucial that Department of Defense teams
have specialized training for these types of military-specific
fires and that equipment and training is standardized across
the Department.
The committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than September
30, 2026, on the training standards for firefighter rapid
intervention teams and the use of equipment by such teams at
Department of Defense facilities. The report shall include:
(1) an identification of training standards and equipment
that are in use by such teams and the extent to which such
training and equipment is standard across firefighter rapid
intervention teams located at different Department facilities;
(2) an identification of training standards and equipment
that are in use at Department naval and port facilities and a
determination of whether such training and equipment is
sufficient to prepare teams for fires on the various ships that
dock at such facilities;
(3) a description of any incident that occurred in the last
ten years in which a firefighter was injured or killed at a
Department facility; and
(4) a description of any incident that could have been
prevented if the firefighters involved had received different
training or equipment.
Training and Maneuver Space for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Operations
The committee recognizes the need for the Army to have more
training and maneuver space for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
operations in the continental United States. Special corridors
and dedicated airspace for UAS operations are essential for
maintaining proficiency in an ever-evolving threat environment.
The committee notes that certain installations have available
capacity and are ideally suited to support expanded UAS
training options. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Army to provide a brief to the House Committee
on Armed Services by December 1, 2025, as to UAS training
options available in the continental United States. The brief
should include:
(1) Gaps in Army training capability due to a lack of
special corridors designed for UAS operations;
(2) Overall required real estate Army training and maneuver
deficit;
(3) Overall required real estate Army training and maneuver
deficit specifically required to support UAS operation;
(4) An assessment of existing Army Installations that have
optimal/additional UAS capacity in terms of land and airspace
including UAS special corridors that are available to host
expanded training options; and
(5) Options to expand existing airspace and special
corridors at Army installations that will close training gaps
associated with required UAS operations.
Training to Counter Uncrewed Systems
Uncrewed systems pose both an urgent and enduring threat to
United States personnel, facilities, and assets, to include
those located inside the United States homeland. These threats
are rapidly changing how wars are fought in real time, as
recently seen in conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The
Department of Defense's Countering Unmanned Systems Strategy,
published in December 2024, states that the Department will
adapt to defending against unmanned systems as a core element
of warfighting. Such an emphasis will require not only a change
of policy, but changes to training.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to undertake a comprehensive review of the
Department's efforts to train its military forces to counter
threats from uncrewed systems and prepare a report to the
congressional defense committees by May 1, 2026. This report
should address to what extent the Department of Defense is:
(1) developing and implementing new training programs to
help its military forces counter uncrewed systems,
(2) integrating training to counter the threats from
uncrewed systems into combined arms exercises and training
events, and
(3) developing and implementing measures of effectiveness
for its training programs to counter uncrewed systems and
tracking progress towards well-defined outcomes.
U.S. Air Force Combat Ready Airman Program
The committee recognizes the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Combat
Ready Airman (CRA) Program as a valuable resource to resolve
capability gaps for organizational clothing and individual
equipment (OCIE), including handwear and cold weather clothing.
The CRA program enables the USAF to develop, acquire, field,
and sustain innovative and standardized equipment for all
personnel to maximize readiness and secure global air
dominance.
However, the committee is concerned that there is limited
standardization of items issued to Airmen and believes that the
CRA program provides a viable and agile contracting process
that provides flexibility to meet the dynamic OCIE needs of
Airmen across the globe. USAF mission success is dependent on
readiness and the availability of critical, lifesaving OCIE
solutions manufactured in the United States. Recent fiscal year
funding reductions have negatively impacted the effectiveness
of the CRA program and affected USAF core readiness.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to submit a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 31, 2026, with recommendations on
how to improve the CRA program, how best to address OCIE
capability gaps for Airmen, and any necessary funding
requirements.
U.S. Military Kosher Meals, Ready-to-Eat Parity
The committee is concerned about the quality of, and access
to, Kosher Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) provided to members of
the U.S. Armed Forces who have a religious obligation to follow
a strict Kosher diet. The committee emphasizes that policy
recommendations should ensure functional parity and equitable
treatment across Kosher, Halal, and Standard ration offerings.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Jewish and Muslim chaplains of the
Armed Forces, to submit a report to the Senate Committee on
Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than June 1, 2026, analyzing any disparities between
Kosher, Halal, and Standard MREs and potential solutions to
address any disparities. The report should include:
(1) the caloric and micro- and macro-nutritional and
proportional discrepancies between Kosher, Halal, and Standard
MRE entrees and accessories, and military dietary standards;
(2) the variety and sufficiency of Kosher MRE accessories,
including, but without limitation, the repetitive inclusion of
variants of sides, the lack of a variety of protein, energy
dense spreads and snacks, bread, pastries, energy bars (such as
a ``First Strike'' equivalent), condiments, electrolyte and
coffee mixes, a drink mixing bag, standardized packaging, and
the quality of cutlery relative to other MRE types;
(3) how to establish parity between Kosher, Halal, and
Standard MREs in terms of variety and quality of included
items, such as the feasibility of adding commercial, Kosher
items to Kosher MREs, and Kosher certification of some Halal
and Standard MRE components;
(4) progress on the 11th Airborne Division's Statement of
Need for religious Cold Weather Meals to the Combat Feeding
Research and Engineering Board (CFREB), and feasibility of
Kosher and Halal dehydrated entrees;
(5) the feasibility of establishing a consumer feedback
mechanism for those receiving Kosher and Halal rations;
(6) the feasibility of stocking religious MREs in
commissaries;
(7) how information on Kosher and Halal MREs is
disseminated to relevant personnel at recruitment, training,
and deployed locations;
(8) any barriers such as bureaucracy, supply chain gaps,
and administrative confusion that can hinder access to these
MREs; and
(9) any potential solutions or policy changes the
Department recommends.
Virtual Mission-Essential Weapons Training
The committee notes that experiences by Department of
Defense personnel in training and operational environments
demonstrate possible adverse effects on brain health and
cognitive performance (e.g., headache, decreased reaction time,
attention difficulty, memory loss) resulting from acute (e.g.,
single or short-term) and chronic (e.g., repetitive or
continuous) exposure to blast overpressure (BOP). Adverse
health and cognitive performance impacts have been reported
from acute exposures to BOP above 4 psi. The committee further
notes that an interim BOP exposure safety guideline of 4 psi
will be used as a threshold to require initiation of
appropriate risk management actions. Weapons systems known to
produce BOP exposures exceeding 4 psi include breaching
charges, shoulder fired weapons, 0.50 caliber rifles/guns, and
indirect fires.
The committee supports efforts to integrate simulations
into training strategies that reduce BOP exposure and believes
that training expenditures can be reduced with these virtual
options. Therefore, the committee encourages the Secretary of
the Army and the Secretary of the Navy to expeditiously adopt
these simulation capabilities to accelerate training, reduce
costs and reduce BOP induced by common weapons in use by
soldiers and marines.
Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Training Simulation Technology
The committee recognizes the critical role that Visit,
Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations play in ensuring
maritime security, both domestically and abroad. The committee
notes that while the U.S. Coast Guard conducts VBSS operations
to protect the homeland, the Navy and Marine Corps execute
similar missions in forward-deployed environments to counter
illicit activities, enforce international law, and enhance
maritime domain awareness.
The committee is concerned that VBSS operations, which
require personnel to board larger vessels from smaller, high-
speed boats--often at night and in adverse weather and sea
conditions--remain among the most hazardous missions conducted
by U.S. forces. Existing training methodologies provide limited
opportunities to mitigate the inherent risks associated with
these operations, and training-related fatalities remain a
persistent concern.
The committee is aware of advancements in physical training
technologies that integrate motion simulation with maritime
operational scenarios, enabling realistic, high-fidelity
training while reducing the risk to personnel. Accordingly, the
committee encourages the Department of the Navy to pursue the
development of a technology demonstrator for a fully immersive,
motion-platform-based VBSS training simulator. This system
should incorporate a ship-boarding training tower and a
dynamically responsive rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)
simulator capable of replicating real-world sea states with a
high degree of accuracy. The committee believes that such a
capability would significantly enhance VBSS readiness while
minimizing training-related risks.
Other Matters
Acceleration of Graphite Oxide-Based Firefighting Foams as a
Replacement for PFAS Foams
The committee commends the Department of Defense for its
continued efforts to identify and implement alternatives to
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting
foams in order to mitigate long-term environmental and health
risks. The committee is encouraged by recent developments in
graphite oxide-based firefighting foams, which have
demonstrated promising performance in fire suppression,
improved environmental safety, and potential cost benefits when
compared to PFAS-based foams.
The committee believes that accelerating the transition to
graphite oxide-based foams could advance the Department's goals
of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and
operational effectiveness. The committee urges the Department
to prioritize the testing, certification, and fielding of
graphite oxide-based firefighting agents as part of its broader
transition strategy away from legacy PFAS-based formulations.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the congressional defense committees by March 1,
2026, on the Department's progress and strategy for
accelerating adoption of graphite oxide-based firefighting
foams. The report should include:
(1) a summary of current testing, evaluation, and
certification efforts for graphite oxide-based foams, including
performance data and environmental assessments;
(2) identification of remaining technical, regulatory, or
logistical barriers to full-scale adoption, along with proposed
mitigation strategies;
(3) a Department-wide timeline for the phased replacement
of PFAS-based foams with graphite oxide-based alternatives; and
(4) a description of interagency coordination and
partnerships with industry and academia to ensure these foams
meet relevant safety, operational, and environmental standards
for military use.
Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Destruction and
Disposal Methods
The committee appreciates the Department of Defense's
efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
contamination across military installations. The committee
notes that as the Department progresses through the initial
phases of the environmental restoration process and begins
planning and executing remedial actions, including the
destruction or disposal of PFAS-containing materials,
contaminated soils, and filters, it is aware of a wide array of
potentially useful technologies available or in development for
PFAS destruction and disposal, each varying in maturity and
scalability. As new remediation technologies are discovered and
developed, however, it is imperative that the Department fully
utilizes all commercially available, permitted, and cost-
effective options to accelerate PFAS remediation. Accordingly,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
May 31, 2026, detailing all PFAS destruction, remediation, and
disposal technologies currently in use and under consideration
for use in the future. The report shall include, at a minimum:
(1) a description of each method used, including: (a)
bioremediation; (b) methods that incorporate continuous
destruction monitoring systems to validate complete destruction
of PFAS compounds; and (c) methods capable of demonstrating
that destruction or disposal does not result in the transfer of
PFAS from one environmental medium (e.g., soil, water, or air)
to another.
(2) a list of destruction or disposal facilities utilized
by the Department, including: (a) carbon reactivation units
with current environmental permits; (b) hazardous waste
landfills with current environmental permits; (c) solid waste
landfills with composite liners and operational gas and
leachate collection and treatment systems; (d) hazardous waste
incinerators with current environmental permits; and (e) class
I Hazardous waste disposal wells;
(3) an explanation of the criteria and process by which the
Department selects a particular destruction, remediation, or
disposal method for PFAS-containing material; and
(4) an identification of any research and development
efforts underway or planned to explore innovative or emerging
PFAS destruction technologies.
(5) A timeline by which the Department will release updated
PFAS removal and remediation guidance to all DOD installations
located within the United States. Such guidance shall clearly
list all categories of PFAS destruction or disposal methods
under (2) of this heading as approved for use.
Comptroller General Review of Servicemember Moves Reform Efforts
The committee notes the Department of Defense has struggled
with effectively and efficiently managing the approximately
300,000 household goods shipments each year as servicemembers
experience permanent changes of station. Globally, the
Department spends approximately $2 billion each year on such
shipments for the military departments, defense agencies, and
the U.S. Coast Guard. Widespread dissatisfaction with the
Department's program and calls for change from military
families and congressional leaders in 2018 drove efforts to
reform the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3). As part of
those efforts, in November 2021, U.S. Transportation Command
awarded the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), worth up to
$16.8 billion over nine years, to a single commercial move
manager--HomeSafe Alliance. HomeSafe Alliance was to oversee
activities related to the worldwide movement and storage-in-
transit of household goods for military service members.
However, significant implementation challenges of the GHC led
to the Department canceling the multi-billion dollar contract
for cause in June 2025 after it spent millions on transition
costs. The Secretary of Defense has directed a task force to
develop new recommendations to manage household goods
shipments. The committee is concerned that the Department did
not have sufficient oversight and access to information about
contractor capacity, costs, and performance under the GHC.
Additionally, the committee is concerned that the remaining DP3
program continues to have persistent capacity, claims, and
customer satisfaction issues. Without considering lessons
learned from both programs, the Department may not be
positioned to correct past mistakes with its future reform
efforts.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Comptroller General
of the United States to assess how the Department is managing
household goods shipments and reform efforts. Specifically, the
review should examine:
(1) the costs the Department has incurred to transition to
GHC and how it is monitoring costs to transition back to full
DP3 implementation as it weighs reform considerations;
(2) how the Department is addressing negative customer
feedback that led to its move to the single move manager
approach through the GHC;
(3) what reform efforts the Department is considering with
its household good shipment program, and the extent to which
the Department will ensure it can have access to information on
capacity, cost, claims, and performance to effectively oversee
any new approach; and
(4) any other related matters deemed of importance by the
Comptroller General.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide periodic briefings to the House Committee on Armed
Services on its preliminary findings as it conducts its work,
to be followed with a report by a mutually agreed-upon
timeframe.
Defense Innovation Unit and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Fire Response Efforts
The committee recognizes the integral role of innovation in
developing and fielding new technologies for wildfire response
and mitigation. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary
of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, detailing the
Department of Defense's efforts to ensure the development of
new wildfire response and mitigation technologies. The briefing
shall include the following:
(1) the Defense Innovation Unit's efforts to accelerate the
adoption of commercial wildfire technologies for use by the
Department of Defense to address the need to protect sensitive
national security sites from the threat posed by wildfire,
along with the Defense Innovation Unit's plan to rapidly
transition emergent wildfire technologies into programs of
record; and
(2) a description of the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency's current development programs regarding wildfire
response and mitigation technologies, including an assessment
of the feasibility of the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency beginning a program to develop technologies that could
contain and suppress a remote, non-road accessible, new-start
wildfire of at least ten square meters within fifteen minutes
of detection.
Evaluation of Department of Defense Applications and Risk Management of
Perchloroethylene, Carbon Tetrachloride, and Trichloroethylene
The committee acknowledges the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has determined that Perchloroethylene (PCE),
Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC), and Trichloroethylene (TCE) present
an unreasonable risk of injury to health and recognizes that
the Department of Defense uses these chemicals in certain
critical applications. Given the potential implications to
Department of Defense operations, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2026,
detailing the Department's strategies for managing and
mitigating the use, human health, and environmental impact of
PCE, CTC, and TCE, specifically:
(1) a detailed inventory of all Department of Defense uses
of PCE, CTC, and TCE, including but not limited to,
applications in maintenance, fabrication, sustainment of
defense systems, and any other relevant operations;
(2) identification of any Department of Defense uses of
PCE, CTC, and TCE that may qualify for exemptions under any
regulatory requirements due to the lack of feasible
alternatives;
(3) description of the safety protocols currently
implemented or planned to comply with EPA or other federal
agency guidance and requirements and how to minimize the health
risks associated with PCE, CTC, and TCE exposure in Department
of Defense operations; and
(4) evaluation of ongoing research and development efforts
aimed at identifying and transitioning to safer and effective
alternatives to PCE, CTC, and TCE for Department of Defense
applications.
Firefighting Fluorinated Gas
The committee is aware that firefighting fluorinated gases
are a technology that can protect key Department of Defense
assets against fire hazards and, in some cases, are not readily
replaced by other solutions. The committee is concerned that an
evolving regulatory landscape may not account for the on-going
needs of the Department of Defense for these substances.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
May 1, 2026, that assesses:
(1) the Department's on-going need for firefighting
fluorinated gases to include a list of platforms and/ or
infrastructure in which this technology is currently in use or
where its use could be beneficial;
(2) an evaluation of any barriers to the Department's use
of these gases that are hindering its ability to use them in
instances where they are the needed; and
(3) any recommended legislative changes to ensure continued
access to such firefighting fluorinated gases for these uses.
Global Household Goods Contract Implementation
The committee notes with concern the Department of
Defense's Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) acquisition,
implementation, and cancelation. The transition from the legacy
Tender of Service program to the GHC resulted in reports of
servicemembers and families incurring expenses and missed
moving deadlines. However, as the Department shifts fully back
to the Tender of Service program this peak season, the
committee remains concerned with the legacy program's capacity,
claims process, and customer service reviews.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 31, 2026, examining the GHC acquisition
process, implementation, cancelation of HomeSafe Alliance LLC,
and lessons learned. The report should include the following
elements:
(1) an assessment of the process, beginning with the
contract Request for Proposal until present, including
recommendations to improve future contract acquisition and
oversight;
(2) an assessment of the transition process between the
Tender of Service and GHC systems, and the impact that
concurrently running the systems had on the GHC's failure;
(3) an assessment of actions U.S. Transportation Command
(USTRANSCOM) took to validate contractor preparedness prior to
implementation;
(4) an assessment of actions USTRANSCOM took to provide
oversight and compel contract compliance after implementation;
(5) an assessment of how many servicemembers were adversely
affected by failures in the contract, and an assessment of the
costs they incurred;
(6) an assessment of the increase in reimbursement rates
for Personally Procured Moves during the 2025 peak season;
(7) an assessment of the ability of the legacy program to
conduct moves during the 2025 peak season, including rates,
customer service reviews, and the claims process; and
(8) an assessment of the costs incurred by the Department
in canceling the HomeSafe Alliance LLC contract.
Inefficiencies in the Military Munitions Response Program
The committee remains concerned about the persistent
inefficiencies in the Department of Defense's Military
Munitions Response Program (MMRP), particularly as it relates
to the pace of cleanup, lack of programmatic transparency, and
the ineffective execution of remediation projects. Established
in 2001, the MMRP was intended to address munitions response
sites at active installations, Formerly Used Defense Sites, and
Base Realignment and Closure locations. Despite more than two
decades of work, the number of identified sites has more than
doubled, rising from 2,307 to 5,561, and the estimated cost to
complete cleanup now exceeds $14.5 billion.
The committee is particularly concerned with the role of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in administering these
efforts. The committee is concerned about excessive overhead,
poor coordination with regulatory agencies, and frequent task
order cancellations due to failure to align project goals prior
to award or to execute within the 5-year funding window. These
challenges reduce predictability for industry partners, leading
to wasted resources and diminished private sector interest in
participating in the program.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than January 15, 2026, on efforts to improve the
execution, transparency, and efficiency of the Munitions
Response Program. The report shall include:
(1) a site-by-site plan for MMRP remediation, including
projected timelines, cost estimates, and phase of work (e.g.,
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study, Remedial Action);
(2) a description of actions being taken to streamline
USACE's execution and improve interagency coordination;
(3) identification of challenges to project execution,
including statutory, regulatory, or procedural barriers, and
recommendations for addressing them; and
(4) a description of any additional resources or
authorities needed to accelerate cleanup efforts and improve
program performance.
Integration of Private, Nonprofit, and Public Sector Sources Into the
FireGuard Program
The committee recognizes the critical and lifesaving role
that the FireGuard program plays in wildfire detection,
response, and mitigation. The committee continues to support
the use of multiple governmental sources for FireGuard response
and analysis, and notes that the FireGuard program successfully
utilizes inputs from the interagency to support state,
territorial, local, and tribal governments' responses to
wildfires.
The committee is also aware of the increasing remote
sensing and wildfire detection capabilities of private,
nonprofit, and public sector organizations with engagement in
the space sector. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretaries of the Air Force and the Army, in coordination with
the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to each provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than January 1, 2026, detailing the National Guard Bureau's
efforts to integrate these data sources and capabilities into
the FireGuard program. The briefing should include the
following elements:
(1) a description of the current level of integration of
private, nonprofit, and public sector data sources and
capabilities into the FireGuard program; and
(2) a description of the National Guard Bureau's plan to
further integrate these data sources and capabilities into its
programming to complement the National Guard Bureau in carrying
out the FireGuard Program and acquisition pathways for
integration.
Mitigating Wildfire Risk at the United States Air Force Academy
The committee is concerned about increased wildfire risk on
the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) reservation
following the 2024 West Monument Creek Fire, which burned
approximately 168 acres of USAFA reservation before it was
successfully contained. The committee is aware of the findings
of the USAFA Board of Visitors 2024 report that observed
increased periods of drought conditions, low humidity, extreme
temperatures, and high winds have increased seasonal wildfire
risk across the Colorado Front Range.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by March 1, 2027, consisting of a risk assessment,
mitigation strategy, and associated cost estimates to reduce
the potential for mission impact and catastrophic loss of life
and property due to wildfires at the United States Air Force
Academy.
Non-PFAS Technologies for CBNR Protective Equipment
The Committee is concerned that the Department of Defense
is dependent on materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS) to produce individual chemical, biological,
radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment. The
Committee notes that a growing number of private companies are
exiting the PFAS manufacturing business. The Committee
understands that non-PFAS textile technologies can provide new
performance capabilities for individual CBRN protective
equipment and other key defense functions. The Committee
believes individual CBRN protection is a key part of strategic
deterrence against our adversaries and is concerned that the
Department will not be able to provide the Joint Force with
advanced individual CBRN protection equipment unless it
accelerates efforts to acquire and field non-PFAS textile
technologies.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2026, on the Department's strategy
and plans to acquire non-PFAS textile technologies for
individual CBRN protective equipment as soon as feasible. The
briefing should include:
(1) The availability of PFAS-free alternatives that meet
the performance criteria;
(2) Current efforts to secure the industrial base for non-
PFAS textile technologies for individual CBRN protective
equipment;
(3) A description of how advanced performance may enable
new CBRN doctrines that enhance survivability and lethality in
contested environments; and
(4) The appropriations and authorities necessary to ensure
these new technologies can be developed and fielded as soon as
practicable.
Partnering With Institutions of Higher Education for PFAS Removal
The committee notes the continued discovery of natural
resources contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)
substances, including water and soil, near Department of
Defense facilities and installations. The committee commends
the Department's efforts over recent years to phase out the use
of PFAS-containing materials, such as aqueous film-forming foam
(AFFF). The committee also encourages the Department to utilize
the expertise and innovation of institutions of higher learning
as it operates the Strategic Environmental Research and
Development program to create modern technologies used to
detect and clean up PFAS contamination.
Therefore, the committee directs the Undersecretary of
Defense for Energy and Installations to submit a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than May 31, 2026,
on best practices taken by the Department to collaborate with
institutions of higher education for the purpose of PFAS
detection and removal.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Around U.S. Military Installations
in Japan
The committee acknowledges that possible contamination by
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to present
concerns to communities in Japan. Given the strategic
importance of U.S. military presence in Japan and the potential
impact on local communities, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by not later than March 1, 2026, on
efforts to address possible PFAS contamination in Japan,
including Okinawa. The briefing shall include, at a minimum,
the following:
(1) a summary of any known PFAS contamination in Japan on
or near U.S. military installations;
(2) an update on the current status of remediation and
restoration activities on or near U.S. military installations
in Japan;
(3) a summary of collaboration and engagement with relevant
local and national authorities in Japan on PFAS-related issues;
and
(4) a plan to further communicate and engage with relevant
local and national authorities, as well as local community
leaders in Japan, on PFAS-related issues.
PFAS Contamination in Wildlife Near Military Installations
The committee is concerned that contamination related to
the Department of Defense's use of PFAS-containing substances
including aqueous film-forming foam may be impacting wildlife
in surrounding defense communities. The committee notes that
PFAS has been reported in the groundwater surrounding defense
installations, and this water, often used as habitat for
mammals, waterfowl, and aquatic species is being found in
animal specimens. The committee is concerned that this
contamination provides another concerning vector for human
exposure to PFAS. Accordingly, the committee directs the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and
Environment to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than March 13, 2026, on PFAS exposure
in wildlife surrounding domestic military installations where
PFAS contamination has been identified. This briefing shall
include, at a minimum:
(1) a list of installations where Department of Defense-
derived PFAS contamination has spread to groundwater;
(2) a list of potentially impacted wildlife species that
could lead to human exposure, and
(3) the Department's communication and coordination with
state and local health, environmental, and wildlife management
agencies regarding wildlife PFAS exposure and the risks to
human health.
Securing Water Access and Mission Readiness at Fort Huachuca
The committee is concerned that Fort Huachuca's long-term
operational viability is at risk due to water security
constraints. The committee is aware that there are multiple
factors that impact water availability at military
installations including, but not limited to, federal water
rights allocations, recent drought conditions across the
American west, and new and existing competing uses that further
restrict an already scarce resource.
The committee notes that it is the responsibility of the
United States Army Corps of Engineers to secure and maintain
adequate long term water rights to cover required missions
under the Federal Reserved Water Rights Doctrine. However, the
committee also notes, that given the increase in water security
issues in water constrained areas, the Army must ensure that
its water security posture makes maximum use of available
resources through robust installation planning.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2026, that includes at a minimum the
following:
(1) a detailed description of its efforts to secure the
necessary water rights for Fort Huachuca for mission assurance
under the Federal Reserved Water Rights Doctrine;
(2) an assessment of competing uses both natural and
industrial, in Arizona and upstream, that may challenge the
effort to secure adequate water rights to meet all mission
objectives;
(3) a description of the water security plan for Fort
Huachuca and what steps the Army has taken to curtail non-
mission-critical water usage and mitigate water security risk;
and
(4) any recommended legislative or policy changes that
would facilitate Fort Huachuca's water security posture or
securing and maintaining a national defense water right.
Unexploded Ordnance Removal
The committee notes the continued discovery of munitions
and unexploded ordnance (UXO) from Department of Defense and
test article missile debris from National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA) activities in and around native lands
adjacent to Department and NNSA testing facilities, including
those of Tribes, Pueblos, Native Hawaiians, and Alaskan
Natives. The committee is aware that the Native American Lands
Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP), managed by the Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE), both oversees and provides funding
for removal and remediation of munitions and UXO on native
lands. The committee believes that removal of this potentially
harmful weapons-related material should be a priority within
the Department before it is inadvertently found by the civilian
population.
To better understand ongoing efforts by USACE to remediate
UXO, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army for
Installations, Energy and Environment to submit a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31,
2025, on the following topics, specific to native lands
surrounding Department facilities:
(1) An overview of USACE's 5-year plan to locate and remove
munitions and UXO on native lands adjacent to Department
facilities to support remediation efforts;
(2) An overview of past, ongoing, and future actions to
streamline NALEMP, maximize limited resources, and reduce
overhead;
(3) A review of USACE's coordination of UXO remediation
efforts with relevant federal, state, local, and Tribal
agencies; and
(4) A comprehensive overview of program needs for
completion of surveying and removal of munitions and UXO on
native lands.
Unused Department of Defense Land for Defense Industrial Base
Manufacturing
The committee understands that the Army is conducting a
major reorganization and retooling through its Army
Transformation Initiative. Furthermore, the committee
understands that this effort will entail the divestment of
certain critical capabilities from established infrastructure
and facilities, such as depots, to right size and reinvest in
capabilities that are needed for future conflicts, leaving such
defense land and facilities underutilized or unused. The
committee believes that exploring the use of unused Department
of Defense land for defense industrial base manufacturing is a
strategic opportunity to enhance national defense and economic
resilience.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Army in
consultation with Secretary of Defense to provide a brief to
the House Committee on Armed Services by March 30, 2026 on the
feasibility of leveraging Title 10 Chapter 764 Section 7553,
Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Supportive Initiative
(ARMS Program) to reuse these defense-owned land and facilities
to expand and scale the critical defense industrial base to
manufacture products, with an emphasis on establishing scalable
manufacturing capabilities.
The committee further directs the Secretary of Army to
recommend additional resources, and authorities that would
allow United States companies integral to the defense
industrial base to manufacture products at existing or
constructed facilities on unused or underutilized Department of
Defense land.
Wildfire Technology Testing Sites
The committee commends the work of the XPRIZE Wildfire
Competition to generate innovative firefighting and fire
detection technologies. The committee is aware that wildfires
pose significant threats not only to Americans' lives, homes,
and livelihood, but to the security of sensitive national
security sites and recognizes the need for innovative wildfire
mitigation and response technologies.
The committee notes that wildfire mitigation and response
technologies require large and secure testing spaces that
provide room for controlled burns and available airspace for
unmanned aerial vehicle testing and evaluation. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Secretaries of the military departments, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2026, on military installations that meet the
criteria of a wildfire technology testing site. The briefing
shall include a list of installations that can provide the
following:
(1) up to 1,000 square kilometers of land area and
airspace;
(2) availability to conduct one month of field testing
exercises;
(3) sufficient daylight hours for insertion and extraction
of deployed static sensors at the beginning and end of a survey
period;
(4) available airspace for unmanned aerial vehicle flights
beyond visual line of sight;
(5) a minimal amount of disruption to normal operations at
the military installation; and
(6) a description of the authorities necessary to arrange
wildfire mitigation and response technology testing at military
installations in the continental United States.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Section 301--Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for operation
and maintenance activities at the levels identified in section
4301 of division D of this Act.
Subtitle B--Energy and Environment
Section 311--Inclusion of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Technologies in
Eligible Investments Made by Office of Strategic Capital
This section would add nuclear energy as a covered
technology category for the U.S. Department of Defense Office
of Strategic Capital.
Section 312--Inclusion of Information About PFAS Investigation and
Remediation in Annual Report on Defense Environmental Programs
This section would require the Department of Defense to
include detailed information and an annual cost assumption
analysis regarding PFAS investigation and remediation in its
annual report on defense environmental programs.
Section 313--Modification of Requirements Relating to Replacement of
Fluorinated Aqueous Film-Forming Foam
This section would modify section 322 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-
92) by extending the deadline to 2026 for prohibiting the
obligation or expenditure of funds to procure fire-fighting
foam that contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and by
providing additional exemptions and waiver authority for
specific operational needs.
Section 314--Provision of Alternative Drinking Water to Certain
Communities With Private Drinking Water Wells Contaminated with
Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
This section would require the Department of Defense to
provide alternative drinking water to households with PFAS-
contaminated private wells until cleanup is complete or a
permanent solution is in place.
Section 315--Responsibilities of Executive Agent for Installation and
Operational Nuclear Energy
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
designate an executive agent for installation and operational
nuclear energy and submit a plan to establish a program of
record for the use of nuclear energy to the congressional
defense committees.
Section 316--Establishment of Advanced Nuclear Technologies Transition
Working Group
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish an advanced nuclear technologies transition working
group.
Section 317--Department of Air Force Program of Record for Commercial
Weather Data
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to establish the Commercial Weather Data Program as a Program
of Record not later than September 30, 2027.
Section 318--Pilot Program on Navy Installation Nuclear Energy
This section would require the Navy to carry out a 10-year
pilot program at one or more naval installations to determine
how small modular reactors or mobile reactors could be used to
meet coastal installation energy needs and explore the co-
location of small modular reactors or mobile reactors with data
centers.
Section 319--Pilot Program to Install Propane-Powered Generators at a
Domestic Defense Industrial Base Facility
This section would establish a pilot program to install
propane-powered generators at a qualified domestic organic
defense industrial base facility.
Section 320--Strategy to Accelerate Remediation of Contamination From
Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
This section would require the Department of Defense to
develop a strategy and public dashboard to accelerate and track
cleanup of PFAS contamination at military sites.
Subtitle C--Logistics and Sustainment
Section 331--Extension of Authorization of Depot Working Capital Funds
for Unspecified Minor Military Construction
This section would extend the authority for depot working
capital funds to be used for unspecified minor military
construction from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2027.
Section 332--Designation of Senior Officials Responsible for
Integration of Global Contested Logistics Posture Management
This provision would require the Chair of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff to designate an individual to serve as the official
responsible for the integration of global contested logistics
posture management.
Section 333--Modification of Minimum Capital Investment for Certain
Depots of Department of Defense
This section would amend section 2476 to title 10, United
States Code by inserting an amended method of calculating
required minimum capital investments.
Section 335--Modification to Annual Report on Navy Shipyard
Infrastructure Optimization Program
This section would amend the annual reporting requirement
in section 355(c)(2)(A) of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81) to include efforts
to incorporate digital infrastructure and platforms.
Section 336--Strategy to Improve Infrastructure of Certain Depots of
the Department of Defense
This section strikes a duplicative reporting requirement
currently required by section 359 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92).
Section 337--Pilot Program for Arsenal Workload Sustainment
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a pilot program to incentivize public-private
partnerships at arsenals of the Department of the Army.
Section 338--Depot-Level Maintenance Coordination in Multinational
Exercises
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to incorporate depot-level maintenance in at least one
multinational exercise conducted in the area of operations of
the United States Indo-Pacific Command and submit a report to
Congress summarizing the lessons learned.
Section 339--Maintenance Inspection Capabilities and Requirements
This section would require the Department of Defense to use
organic or commercially available diagnostic tools to
supplement visual inspections when conducting maintenance on
aviation critical safety items and mission critical parts.
Section 340--Joint Strike Fighter Sustainment
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary
of the Air Force, by September 30, 2028, to ensure that
sufficient wartime spares support equipment and depot level
capabilities are available for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Program to sustain such Fighter for at least 90 days in the
most stressing operational plan; and to meet the fleet wide
minimum readiness targets established by each such Secretary.
Additionally, this section would require that the Secretary of
Defense shall ensure that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
contractor has validated all information necessary for the
Department of Defense to successfully complete an audit. The
Secretary may waive the requirements of this section if the
Secretary determines that such waiver is in the national
security interests of the United States. Finally, this section
would require a report on various sustainment elements of the
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Section 341--Modernization of Army Arsenals
This section would require the Secretary of the Army to
assess existing Army facilities for opportunities to modernize
and expand capacity of the munitions industrial base.
Section 342--Limitation on Use of Funds to Reduce the Number of
Civilian Personnel Employed at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, and Red
River Army Depot, Texas
This section would restrict the Secretary of the Army from
reducing the number of civilian personnel employed at Pine
Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, or Red River Army Depot, Texas until
the Secretary of the Army provides certain certifications and
submits a report.
Subtitle D--Organizational Matters
Section 351--Establishment of Army Museum System
This section would require the Secretary of the Army to
support a system of official Army museums within the United
States Army Center of Military History. This section also
includes criteria for closing museums within the Army museum
system.
Section 352--Authorization to Maintain a Library in the Department of
the Navy
This section would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to
maintain a library.
Section 353--Authorization to Maintain a Navy Art Gallery
This section would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to
maintain an art gallery.
Section 354--Establishment of United States Navy Museum System
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
support a system of official Navy museums. Additionally, this
section would require the Secretary to establish criteria for
designating additional museums.
Section 355--Establishment of Center for the Study of the National
Guard
This section would establish the Center for the Study of
the National Guard.
Section 356--Recognition of Certain Aspects of the National Navy UDT-
Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, as a National Memorial, National
Memorial Garden, and National K9 Memorial
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
recognize the National Navy SEAL Museum Memorial, the Memorial
Garden and Living Beach, and the Naval Special Warfare K9
Memorial of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, in Fort Pierce,
Florida, as a national memorial, national memorial garden, and
national K9 memorial, respectively, of the Navy SEALs.
Subtitle E--Studies, Reports, and Briefings
Section 361--Assessments and Plan for Increasing Access to Nutritious
Food on Military Installations
This section would amend chapter 23 of title 10, United
States Code, by requiring a biennial assessment of the
nutrition standards of each military department and the extent
to which such standards are reflected in accessible food
options.
Section 362--Quarterly Reports on Munitions Response Projects at Sites
Formerly Used by the Department of Defense
This section would require the Secretary of the Army to
submit quarterly reports to Congress on the status and progress
of Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Munitions Response
projects, including detailed contract, funding, and project
phase information.
Section 363--Report on Causes and Effects of Declining Aircraft
Readiness Rates
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to submit a report on the declining rates of aircraft readiness
to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
Section 364--Driver Simulators in Military Vehicles
This section would provide a sense of Congress that budget
requests for manned military ground vehicles should include
requirements associated with driver training simulators and
that such simulators should be incorporated into the lifecycle
support for those ground vehicles. Additionally, this section
would require a report containing an assessment of fielded
military vehicle programs with no driver simulators.
Subtitle F--Other Matters
Section 371--Authority to Evacuate Family Pets and Contract Working
Dogs During Noncombatant Evacuations of Foreign Countries
This section would authorize the inclusion of family pets
and contract working dogs during noncombatant evacuations of
foreign countries, so long as the evacuation of the animals
does not change the number of people who would otherwise be
evacuated. The section also stipulates that the Department is
not responsible for any veterinary care resulting from the
evacuation.
Section 372--Manned Rotary Wing Aircraft Safety
This section would prohibit Department of Defense manned
rotary wing aircraft from operating in highly trafficked
domestic airspace unless such aircraft is actively providing
warning to nearby commercial aircraft. The Secretary of a
military department, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
Transportation, may waive this limitation if such waiver is in
the national security interest and the Secretary has performed
an aviation compatibility risk assessment. The Secretary may
not delegate such authority below a flag or general officer.
Section 373--Inclusion of Territories in Certain Intergovernmental
Support Agreements for Installation-Support Services
This section would grant the Department of Defense the
authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Support Agreement
with the State of Yap of the Federated States of Micronesia and
the Republic of Palau.
Section 374--Transportation of Domestic Animals by Foreign Air Carrier
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
pay for the transportation of Department of Defense personnel
to and from the United States by a foreign air carrier if no
domestic carrier is willing and able to transport up to three
of their pets.
Section 375--Adjustment and Diversification Assistance for State and
Local Governments Affected by Army Transformation Initiative
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
provide adjustment and diversification assistance to State and
local governments impacted by actions taken under the Army
Transformation Initiative.
Section 376--Availability of Milk at Dining Facilities on Military
Installations
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
ensure that milk is available to members of the Armed Forces at
dining facilities on military installations.
Section 377--Minimum Standards for Military Working Dog Kennels and
Facilities
This section would require the Secretary of Defense,
through the Executive Agent for the Department of Defense
Military Working Dog Program, to establish and implement
minimum standards for kennels and other facilities used to
house military working dogs. The provision also requires an
assessment of the extent to which existing facilities meet the
standards within one year after enactment, and any necessary
modification to meet the standards within three years after
enactment. All new facilities would also be required to meet
these standards.
Section 378--Restroom Access at Military Installations for Certain
Transportation Service Providers
This section would require the Department of Defense to
provide restroom access for certain transportation service
providers at military installations.
Section 379--Regulations Applicable to Wearing Optional Combat Boots
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
issue regulations to require that optional combat boots worn by
members of the Armed Forces be entirely manufactured in the
United States.
Section 380--Initiative to Control Spread of Greater Banded Hornet in
Guam
This section would direct the Department of Defense to
enhance efforts to manage, control, and interdict the spread of
the greater banded hornet on military installations in Guam.
Section 381--Limitation on Use of Funds for Army Initial Entry Rotary
Wing Training
This provision limits expenditures of the Next Generation
Initial Entry Rotary Wing training program until the Secretary
of the Army submits a business case analysis of the Army
initial entry rotary wing training currently provided at Fort
Novosel, Alabama and provides a briefing to the Committees on
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
TITLE IV--MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Active Forces
Section 401--End Strengths for Active Forces
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for Active Duty personnel of the Armed Forces as of September
30, 2026:
Sec. 401.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2026 Change from
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service FY 2025 Committee FY 2026 FY 2025
Authorized Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army.......................... 442,300 454,000 454,000 0 11,700
Navy.......................... 332,300 344,600 344,600 0 12,300
USMC.......................... 172,300 172,300 172,300 0 0
Air Force..................... 320,00 321,500 321,500 0 1,500
Space Force................... 9,800 10,400 10,400 0 600
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................... 1,276,700 1,302,800 1,302,800 0 26,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces
Section 411--End Strengths for Selected Reserve
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for Selected Reserve personnel, including the end strength for
Reserves on Active Duty in support of the Reserves, as of
September 30, 2026:
Sec. 411.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2026 Change form
FY 2025 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2026 FY 2025
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard........... 325,000 328,000 328,000 0 3,000
Army Reserve.................. 175,800 172,000 172,000 0 -3,800
Navy Reserve.................. 57,700 57,500 57,500 0 -200
Marine Corps Reserve.......... 32,500 33,600 33,600 0 1,100
Air National Guard............ 108,300 106,300 106,300 0 -2,000
Air Force Reserve............. 67,000 67,500 67,500 0 500
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................. 766,300 764,900 764,900 0 -1,400
Coast Guard Reserve........... 7,000 7,000 8,500 1,500 1,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 412--End Strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in Support of
the Reserves
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for Reserves on Active Duty in support of the Reserves as of
September 30, 2026:
Sec. 412.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2026 Change from
FY 2025 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2026 FY 2025
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard........... 30,845 30,845 30,845 0 0
Army Reserve.................. 16,511 16,511 16,511 0 0
Navy Reserve.................. 10,123 10,409 10,409 0 286
Marine Corps Reserve.......... 2,400 2,400 2,400 0 0
Air National Guard............ 25,982 25,171 25,171 0 -811
Air Force Reserve............. 6,311 6,218 6,218 0 -93
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................. 92,172 91,554 91,554 0 -618
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 413--End Strengths for Military Technicians (Dual Status)
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for military technicians (dual status) as of September 30,
2026:
Sec. 413.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY2026 Change from
FY 2025 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2026 FY 2025
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard........... 22,294 21,294 21,294 0 -1,000
Army Reserve.................. 6,492 6,258 6,258 0 -234
Air National Guard............ 10,744 10,405 10,405 0 -339
Air Force Reserve............. 6,697 6,455 6,455 0 -242
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................. 46,227 44,412 44,412 0 -1,815
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 414--Maximum Number of Reserve Personnel Authorized To Be on
Active Duty for Operational Support
This section would authorize, as required by section 115(b)
of title 10, United States Code, the maximum number of Reserve
Component personnel who may be on Active Duty or full-time
National Guard duty during fiscal year 2026 to provide
operational support. The personnel authorized here do not count
against the end strengths authorized by section 401 or section
412 of this Act unless the duration on Active Duty exceeds the
limitations in section 115(b)(2) of title 10, United States
Code.
Sec. 414.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY2026 Change from
FY 2025 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2026 FY 2025
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard........... 17,000 17,000 17,000 0 0
Army Reserve.................. 13,000 13,000 13,000 0 0
Navy Reserve.................. 6,200 6,200 6,200 0 0
Marine Corps Reserve.......... 3,000 3,000 3,000 0 0
Air National Guard............ 16,000 16,000 16,000 0 0
Air Force Reserve............. 14,000 14,000 14,000 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................. 69,200 69,200 69,200 0 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 415--Excluding Members of the National Guard Performing Certain
Duty from Counting for Active-Duty End Strengths
This section would exclude members of the National Guard
performing military intelligence operations from counting as
Active Duty end strengths.
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations; Reports
Section 421--Military Personnel
This section would authorize appropriations for military
personnel at the levels identified in the funding table in
section 4401 of division D of this Act.
Section 422--Streamlining of Total Force Reporting Requirements
This section would streamline Total Force reporting
requirements by realigning, reducing, and eliminating data
reporting requirements in title 10, United States Code sections
115a and 129.
TITLE V--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Accession Standards for Cyber Personnel
The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense's
physical and medical standards may constrain the military
services' ongoing efforts to recruit and retain high caliber
cyber personnel to fill positions on the Cyber Mission Force.
As the cyber domain grows in military importance, and as the
United States grapples with a national shortage of cyber
personnel, demand for trained engineers, computer scientists,
and information technologists will only increase. Additionally,
the standards for cybersecurity proficiency have grown to
encompass expertise in AI/ML, cloud computing, and quantum
computing, fields which generally require substantial
professional or academic experience. Additionally, the
committee notes that the Department's physical and medical
standards for traditional military operators may be different
than those needed for the cyber operations environment, and
that such requirements may dissuade, disqualify, or demand
waivers for experienced cyber recruits.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, assessing which physical or
medical conditions, if any, should be reevaluated for cyber-
related billets, to ensure there are no unnecessary barriers
preventing accession to service for experienced cyber
personnel. The briefing should include reporting on the number
of cyber recruits who failed to complete accession under
current policies, recommendations on policy revisions for such
military applicants, and the recruiting targets that should be
used to evaluate the length of time for which such revisions
should be in effect.
Accountability and Welfare of Service Members and Department of Defense
Civilians
The committee remains concerned that on January 21, 2020,
Private Caleb Smither passed away as the result of an injury
suffered in the line of duty while serving as a Paratrooper in
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg,
North Carolina. Private Smither was found dead in his barracks
room after several days of receiving no medical attention or
unit supervision. The committee acknowledges that the
Department of Army has issued guidance reiterating existing
policies and is expected to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services regarding leadership's
responsibility to monitor the health and welfare of service
members later this year.
However, the committee recognizes that similar incidents to
the death of Private Caleb Smithers could occur in other
military service in the absence of clear and enforceable
standards. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Navy and the Secretary of Air Force to each provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
31, 2026, on the following:
(1) the current policies and procedures in each military
department that outline leadership's responsibility to monitor
the health and welfare of service members in their command,
particularly following injury or significant medical events;
(2) the implementation of the afore-mentioned policies;
(3) any lessons learned from the Army; and
(4) methods in place to ensure that the appropriate medical
protocols are followed.
Adoption of Connectivity Tools Available to Military Recruits
The committee is aware of the military services selectively
adopting connectivity tools that facilitate communication
between recruits undergoing Initial Entry Training (IET) and
their families. Given the general decrease in society's
communication via physical mail, such tools can ensure a basic
degree of communication while accounting for the military
services' long-established practice of limiting recruits'
external communication during IET. The committee notes that
adoption of such tools could improve morale and therefore
retention among recruits and that tools thus far adopted have
not required payment by the military services out of funds
authorized or appropriated by Congress.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of the
military departments to each provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than January 15, 2026, to
include the following:
(1) a summary of the military departments' efforts to adopt
and avail connectivity tools to recruits undergoing IET;
(2) any observed benefits to morale and retention among
users;
(3) any challenges associated with adopting and availing
connectivity tools to recruits undergoing IET; and
(4) the military departments' plans for continued adoption
of connectivity tools for recruits undergoing IET.
Assessment of the Executive Innovation Corps
The committee notes the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) authorized
constructive credit for accession of officers in specific
career fields directly related to the operational needs of the
service. The committee also notes the Army has a pilot program
bringing in executive-level technology talent to bridge the
commercial-military gap. The committee is concerned that the
pilot may have been launched without a well designed program
with clear goals and personnel policies to ensure its success.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than March 1, 2026, that provides the following
information:
(1) The recruiting process;
(2) the training curriculum, to include dates, courses, and
location;
(3) service requirements, training, and duties of these
officers, if different than other Reserve Component Officers;
(4) a thorough description of ethics training provided;
(5) a detailed description of the security clearance
process;
(6) a detailed explanation of assignments and projects
completed and envisioned for Detachment 201; and,
(7) a detailed assessment of the entire program, including
improvements and changes made during the pilot program.
Attrition and Accession Pathways Across the Military Services
The committee remains attentive to the Department of
Defense's ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining
qualified individuals for military service across all branches.
Recent reporting indicates that nearly 77 percent of American
youth between the ages of 17 and 24 are ineligible for military
service without a waiver. While the committee is encouraged by
the Department's efforts to expand the population eligible for
military service, such as the establishment of the Medical
Accession Records Pilot (MARP) and future service member
preparatory courses by the Army and Navy, the committee is
concerned about the impact of these changes, along with more
frequent approval of accessions waivers, on attrition by first-
term service members. Understanding how emerging accession
practices, particularly waiver issuance and preparatory
programs, correlate with early separations is critical to
evaluating the effectiveness of current recruiting strategies
and the long-term health of the all-volunteer force.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness, in coordination with the
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve
Affairs, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and
Reserve Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1,
2026, on the service's accession and attrition trends from
Fiscal Year 2022 through Fiscal Year 2025. The briefing shall
include the following elements, disaggregated by service branch
and fiscal year:
(1) the number of service members who enlisted;
(2) the number of enlistment waivers approved, in total and
categorized by type (for example, medical, academic,
misdemeanor, felony, behavioral health, etc.);
(3) the number of enlisted recruits accessed through the
Medical Accession Records Pilot (MARP), in total and
categorized by each medical condition covered under the pilot
program;
(4) for the Army and Navy, the number of recruits accessed
through the Future Soldier Preparatory Course and the Future
Sailor Preparatory Course, in total and categorized by physical
fitness track, academic track, or both;
(5) the number of service members who did not complete
basic training, categorized by those who received an enlistment
waiver, those who accessed under MARP, those who participated
in a future service member preparatory course, and those who
did not receive an enlistment waiver, did not access under
MARP, and did not participate in a future service member
preparatory course;
(6) the number of service members who completed basic
training but separated prior to completing their initial
enlistment contract, disaggregated by those who received an
enlistment waiver, those who accessed under MARP, those who
participated in a future service member preparatory course, and
those who did not receive a waiver, did not access under MARP,
and did not participate in a future service member preparatory
course; and
(7) an explanation of the Department's methodology for
assessing the long-term effects of accessions waiver approvals,
MARP, and the future service member preparatory courses, how
recruitment quality is being evaluated, and how early
separations are being tracked and addressed, including any
plans for longitudinal accessions cohort analysis, with
particular attention to impacts on readiness, retention, and
end strength.
Bioliteracy Through the Department of Defense Education Activity
The committee believes that Department of Defense Education
Activity (DoDEA) schools serve a critical role in introducing
students to and developing their skills in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, especially in the biological
sciences and biotechnology. Biotechnology is rapidly evolving
as a technology and increasingly convergent with other
technologies, such as artificial intelligence. The Department
must create opportunities for American students and workers to
stay current with biotechnology advancements in order to fully
realize biotechnology's potential applications across health,
agriculture, industry, and defense. It is the committee's
position that more can be done to provide students at DoDEA
schools with hands-on, career-applicable biotechnology
experiences and to increase bioliteracy among students
throughout their education.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than March 30, 2026, on ways to increase
opportunities for students at DoDEA schools to learn and
interact with biotechnology. The briefing will outline the
following:
(1) how the Department is currently providing biotechnology
education and promoting bioliteracy, with a particular focus on
hands-on education and training; and
(2) how the Department plans to increase these efforts
throughout DoDEA schools.
Child Care Access for Military Families
The committee remains committed to improving quality of
life for service members and their families and ensuring access
to affordable, high-quality child care. The committee
recognizes access to child care improves military readiness and
force retention. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than February 1, 2026, on the status of child care
availability for members of the armed services. This briefing
should include current child care capacity by installation,
average wait times for enrollment, recruitment and retention
strategies for child care workers, and recommendations to
expand access to high-quality child care.
Child Care in Your Home Pilot Expansion
The committee recognizes the importance of providing
additional military child care options to meet the diverse
child care needs of servicemembers and military families. The
committee commends the Department of Defense for expanding one
such option, the Child Care In Your Home pilot program, to 12
locations in 2024. As this pilot program enters into its fourth
year, the committee remains committed to working with the
Department to expand the pilot to additional locations,
particularly remote locations such as Fort Drum, New York;
Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; Naval Air Station Lemoore,
California; and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
Twentynine Palms, California. The committee looks forward to
reviewing the annual report, due on September 1, 2025, on this
pilot program pursuant to section 589 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283),
which will detail the feasibility of expanding the pilot
program to these locations.
Continuous Development for the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting
System
The committee recognizes the critical role the Defense
Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) plays for
servicemembers and personnel staff in the Department of
Defense. This database has aided the Department with military
benefits' eligibility tracking, benefits management, identity
management, and data repository services.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 3, 2026, that includes the following:
(1) the Department's plan to ensure all Department of
Defense personnel are able check the status of DEERS and
determine if the system is offline; and if the system is
offline, an estimate for when the system will be back in
operation should be posted alongside the status;
(2) a record of DEERS outages, scheduled and unscheduled,
in the last 2 fiscal years and the reasons for such outages;
(3) a plan to mitigate outages and shift outages to non-
duty days;
(4) a record of all processes that require in-person visits
to personnel offices for updates to the system;
(5) an assessment other systems with connections to DEERS
and what improvements may be needed to decrease the need for
in-person visits;
(6) a plan to implement said updates for databases and
systems with existing connections to DEERS; and
(7) an assessment of external databases and other systems,
with the intent to identify new computer-to-computer
integrations for DEERS that can streamline updates that
currently require in-person visits.
Critical Role of the Joint Advertising, Market Research, and Studies on
Military Recruiting
The committee acknowledges the current challenges in
meeting recruitment goals and the stress it places on the All-
Volunteer Force concept. The committee commends the Department
of Defense for its initiatives to continue attracting high-
quality youth by dedicating resources for outreach to parents,
teachers, counselors, coaches, and other adult influencers. The
committee recognizes the critical role of the Joint
Advertising, Market Research, and Studies (JAMRS) program in
supporting the overall recruiting mission. Through enhanced
media outreach campaigns managed by JAMRS, the Department has
been able to increase the number of individuals who consider
military service as a career option. The committee is concerned
about the potential negative impact on recruiting efforts if
funding for recruiting and enhanced media outreach programs is
not sustained. The committee agrees with the Department's
assessment that targeted JAMRS outreach efforts increase
awareness and advocacy for military service, creating a more
fertile and cost-effective recruiting environment for the armed
services. Consequently, the committee encourages the Secretary
of Defense to fully fund and sustain the program, ensuring a
year-round media presence that targets parents, adult
influencers, and youth.
Department of Defense Preservation of Memorials to Chaplains at the
Arlington National Cemetery
The committee notes the importance of recognizing the
commitment that military chaplains of all religious faiths have
made to our country. The committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 31, 2026, on the status of
maintaining and refurbishing military religious leader
monuments at Arlington National Cemetery. The report shall
include:
(1) An inventory of all military religious leader memorials
at Arlington National Cemetery, including but not limited to
the Protestant Chaplains Memorial, the Catholic Chaplains
Memorial, and the Jewish Chaplains Memorial;
(2) an assessment of the Secretary of the Army's plans to
maintain these memorials, including the timeline for all
updates and repairs;
(3) an assessment on plans to expand names included in
these memorials, including but not limited to the denominations
of each individual, their duration of service, planned
materials for use, and a detailed timeline of renovations;
(4) a cost estimate for all planned maintenance,
refurbishment, and expansions, including funding sources and
funding shortfalls; and
(5) a summary of any legal or policy considerations that
may impact the refurbishment or expansion of these memorials.
Effects of Permanent Changes of Station on Military Retention and
Readiness
The committee notes that while service in the U.S. military
is a privilege, it also requires significant sacrifice by
military personnel and their families--including regular
permanent changes of station, requiring relocation of military
members and their families. Recognizing the financial toll on
military families and the hardships of military children who
must change schools, the committee urges the Department of
Defense to continue efforts to reduce the frequency of
permanent changes of station to support military families and
reduce negative impacts on retention, readiness, and morale
across the services.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 27, 2026, on how permanent changes of
station affect military retention, readiness, and morale. The
briefing shall include:
(1) a detailed analysis of the frequency of permanent
changes of station by service and career field across the
military;
(2) an assessment of how permanent changes of station
affect retention, readiness, and morale of members and their
families; and
(3) the results of the Secretary of Defense's directive for
the military departments to propose a plan for reducing their
discretionary permanent change of station budgets.
Engagement with Local Host Communities in Okinawa, Japan
The committee remains concerned by sexual assault cases
involving U.S. military servicemembers stationed in Okinawa,
Japan, and reports that the Okinawa Prefectural Government and
the local community were not promptly informed. The committee
encourages the Department of Defense to provide regular
communication and engagement with local host communities on
Okinawa.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services
and the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
February 1, 2026, on measures taken to build and maintain trust
and good relations with local host communities in Japan,
including:
(1) the authorities governing communications between the
U.S. Armed Forces and prefectural governments of Japan
regarding criminal allegations involving U.S. servicemembers;
(2) the current processes for communicating information
between the U.S. Armed Forces and prefectural governments of
Japan regarding criminal allegations involving U.S.
servicemembers;
(3) any updates or changes that have been made to the
current communication processes between the U.S. military and
the prefectural governments of Japan in light of recent high-
profile allegations of sexual assault involving U.S.
servicemembers;
(4) an assessment of whether the communication process
should be modified; and
(5) detailed information regarding United States Forces
Japan's participation in the forum established in July 2024
with Okinawa's prefectural government, including meetings held,
participants, and any recommendations made.
Expenditures Related to DEI Programs and Gender Transition Procedures
The committee is committed to ensuring that the Department
of Defense is focused on warfighting readiness, lethality, and
the core mission of national defense. The committee is
concerned about the potential diversion of funding toward
programs and policies not directly tied to military
effectiveness, including those related to diversity, equity,
and inclusion (DEI), gender transition procedures, and related
administrative and training activities initiated in previous
years. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than February 1, 2026, on the costs incurred as the
result of these policies. The briefing should include a
detailed accounting of Department expenditures from fiscal
years 2021 through 2025 on DEI-related offices, staffing,
training and materials; medical procedures and treatments
related to gender transition; and other related policies or
programs.
Flight 293
The committee notes the tragic loss of Northwest Orient
Airlines Flight 293, a military charter flight that crashed
into the Gulf of Alaska on June 3, 1963, killing all 101
individuals on board. The committee is aware of reports
regarding a lack of parity between how non-combat military
plane crashes, such as Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 293,
and combat military plane crashes are documented.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to
submit a report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and
the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than March 1,
2026, on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a
publicly accessible database documenting all non-combat
military plane crashes, to include names, ranks, and service
details of individuals who perished in such crashes.
Food Program Leadership
The committee remains concerned about the adequacy,
availability, and quality of food options available to
servicemembers at military installations, including on-base
dining facilities. Additionally, the committee recognizes the
responsibility for military food programs is fragmented and it
is spread across multiple offices and commands. We believe this
negatively impacts the management and oversight of these
programs. As a result, the committee is interested in
establishing a single point of contact for the entirety of
military food programs to improve quality, access and
oversight.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of the
military departments to submit a report to the Senate Committee
on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 31, 2026, on the feasibility of designating a
single individual within each service to oversee logistics,
budget, and personnel policies related to food programs. This
report shall include the resources required to establish such a
position and a proposed action plan for implementation.
Hands-On AI in the Transition Assistance Program
The committee recognizes the growing importance of
artificial intelligence in career development and transition,
and the critical need for hands-on experience with AI tools to
ensure effective civilian workforce integration.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to brief the
House Committee on Armed Services no later than January 31,
2026, on identifying and incorporating generative artificial
intelligence tools into the Department of Defense Transition
Day Curriculum of the Transition Assistance Program, including:
(1) recommended curriculum development to train Transition
Assistance Program coordinators and career counselors on
leveraging AI to translate military experience into a civilian-
industry acceptable resume, identify career pathways,
educational opportunities, and key career and academic
milestones;
(2) recommended curriculum development for transitioning
service members on best practices in AI usage, reflecting
modern capabilities, privacy considerations, and ethical
concerns; and
(3) identification of safe AI tools that meet Department of
Defense security, privacy, and performance standards and are
not controlled by a foreign government of concern such as China
or Russia.
Immersive Learning Program of Record
The committee notes the Air Force's leadership in embracing
Extended Reality (XR) capabilities to provide immersive
learning tools across the training enterprise. Cloud-based,
portable immersive training mitigates physical training
equipment shortages and reduces travel costs associated with
physical classroom training.
The committee believes consideration should be given to
establishing an official immersive learning program of record
to formalize, fund, and support deployment of extended reality
(XR) capabilities.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to
provide a briefing, not later than March 31, 2026, to the House
Committee on Armed Services to present the steps that have been
taken to establish a program of record for an immersive
learning capabilities platform. The briefing shall, at a
minimum, include:
(1) the specific steps taken to establish an immersive
learning platform of record;
(2) an assessment of critical enabling capabilities and
their alignment with program requirements to including a cloud-
based, cybersecure (ATO) deployment environment, a Digital
Asset Repository (DAR) capability to manage multi-vendor
digital training assets, delivery of immersive training lessons
on a spectrum of hardware devices (mobile, tablet, laptop,
standalone and tethered headsets), a self-authoring tools to
enable Air Force personnel to develop and maintain immersive
training lessons without external vendor assistance,
integration into the Air Force learning ecosystem to support
competency assessment and tracking across an Airman's career,
and articulation of the specific steps taken to foster a level
playing field, prevent vendor lock and ensure equal access to
government owned digital assets and equipment to increase
competition, improve quality and reduce costs;
(3) estimated funding requirements over the fiscal year
2027 five-year Program Objective Memorandum to support the
program of record; and
(4) near-term Air Force acquisition milestones and other
planned activities in support of establishing an immersive
learning program of record.
Implementation of Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault
The committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's
efforts to address sexual assault and sexual harassment in the
military and notes the importance of fully implementing the
recommendations of the Independent Review Commission (IRC) on
Sexual Assault. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than February 1, 2026, on the implementation of these
recommendations. The briefing should include an outline of the
Department's progress on implementing the recommendations, the
timeline for full implementation, any challenges faced by the
Department, and the resources required to complete full
adoption across all military departments.
Moral Injury Among Military Servicemembers
The committee recognizes the importance of the Department
of Defense's continued efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and is aware of the
Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) research into the
relationship between PTSD and Moral Injury. The committee
understands that Morally Injurious Events result in
psychological distress and can occur when an individual commits
an act that goes against their deeply held beliefs, witnesses
such an act committed by others, or perceives betrayal by their
leadership. To assess the Department's efforts regarding Moral
Injury, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than January 15, 2026, to include the following:
(1) a summary of any previous or ongoing efforts by the
Department to study the occurrence of Moral Injury among
servicemembers;
(2) the Department's future plans to study the occurrence
of Moral Injury among servicemembers; and
(3) an assessment of the feasibility of collaborating with
VA to study Moral Injury among servicemembers.
Pilot Program on Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Programming
The committee remains committed to enhancing the
preparation of students in Junior Reserve Officer Training
Corps (JROTC) programs across the United States and
internationally for careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The committee believes
that integration of STEM in JROTC programs improves student
problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are
essential to success in both military and civilian career
paths. The committee looks forward to reviewing the report
required by the committee report accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-
529), which was due March 1, 2025, regarding the feasibility of
developing a STEM-specific JROTC program.
Prevention Services Facility Integration Study
The committee recognizes that the Department of Defense has
utilized an integrated prevention approach in their efforts to
reduce sexual assault, suicide, domestic violence, and
substance abuse among servicemembers and their families. This
integrated approach acknowledges that there can be shared
factors between harmful behaviors. However, the committee is
concerned that without integrating services under one facility,
necessary preventive services are not being utilized to the
extent possible. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary
of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the
military departments, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2026, on
the feasibility of moving Department of Defense prevention
services into one facility on each military base in the United
States and its territories. This briefing should include:
(1) feasibility and advisability of combining prevention
services into one facility;
(2) the cost of establishing and moving prevention services
into one facility; and
(3) an evaluation of military branches actively working
toward integrating prevention services into one facility and
successes or problems within those efforts.
Prevention services mentioned in this briefing should
include, sexual assault, suicide, harassment, domestic
violence, child abuse, substance abuse, and any other
community-based prevention services.
Principal Responsibility for Human Performance
The committee supports ongoing efforts across the
Department of Defense and the military departments to manage
and optimize certain physical, mental, nutritional, and social
variables related to human performance in order to improve
servicemembers' lethality, readiness, and wellbeing. The
committee is aware that the military departments currently lack
designated officials with principal responsibility for policy
development, establishment of requirements, and acquisition of
technology and services related to human performance. The
committee is further aware that the military departments lack
dedicated program elements within their respective budgets for
the acquisition of human performance technology and services.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretaries of the military
departments, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the
feasibility and advisability of designating officials as
principally responsible for human performance and the
designation of specific budget program elements. The briefing
shall include:
(1) an assessment of the anticipated effects of such
designations on current and future efforts related to human
performance;
(2) any projected challenges and costs associated with such
designations; and
(3) the Department's future plans and overall strategy
regarding human performance.
Provision of Information on Federal Service Opportunities Briefing
The committee remains committed to promoting national
service in all its forms, including through efforts pursuant to
section 536 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) to provide public service
opportunities to those deemed ineligible for service in the
military. The committee commends the Department of Defense for
its initial implementation efforts to expose young Americans to
a variety of public service pathways. The committee is
interested in how the Department intends to expand upon these
early efforts. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary
of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on its efforts to
implement section 536 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159). The briefing shall
include:
(1) detailed information about existing efforts to provide
national service information to individuals deemed ineligible
for military service;
(2) the number of individuals deemed ineligible for
military service who have received information from the
Department regarding federal or other public service
opportunities; and
(3) a description of the national service information
provided to individuals ineligible for military service.
Publicizing Emerging Child Care Requirements to Off-Base Providers
The committee recognizes child care is critical for the
overall readiness of our Armed Forces and commends the efforts
of the Department of Defense to improve access to child care
for military families. The committee notes the continued
shortage of child care slots and recognizes that qualified off-
base child care providers can serve as a critical complement to
Child Care Centers on military installations to expand
capacity.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 31, 2026, regarding forecasting child care
needs by military installation and a plan to make such
information available to local child care providers off-
installation. The briefing shall include:
(1) the method the Department utilizes to forecast child
care requirements on specific military installations;
(2) the anticipated cost of developing a system to
publicize emerging child care needs to off-base providers; and
(3) any additional requirements necessary to provide local
off-base providers with awareness of emerging child care needs.
Report on Antisemitism Training
The committee is concerned about how the existing training
programs in DOD are effectively identifying, addressing, and
preventing antisemitism within the ranks.
The committee directs the Department of Defense Inspector
General to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026, on status and
efficiency of antisemitism training within the Department of
Defense. The report should include:
(1) actions taken by the Department of Defense to create an
environment free of antisemitism activities;
(2) the antisemitism training provided to service members
and Department of Defense civilian employees since 2020; and
(3) how the Department is recording completion of
antisemitism training.
Report on Beard Policy in the Department of Defense
The committee is aware of longstanding concerns regarding
current Department of Defense grooming standards, particularly
their impact on service members with religious accommodations
or medical conditions such as pseudofolliculitis barbae. The
committee is aware that these policies may also affect morale,
retention, and inclusion within the ranks. The committee
believes further study is warranted to determine whether more
inclusive grooming standards are compatible with operational
readiness and safety requirements. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report by February
1, 2026 on the feasibility of allowing members of the Armed
Forces to grow beards. The report should include:
(1) an assessment of the compatibility of beards with
military equipment requiring an airtight seal;
(2) an assessment of impacts on discipline and morale,
inclusivity considerations, and relevant international
comparisons; and
(3) recommendations and, if applicable, proposed changes to
relevant policies and regulations.
Report on Oversight on Mobile Device Use in DODEA Schools to Enhance
Learning Environments
The Committee considers a focused and effective learning
environment within Department of Defense Education Activity
(DODEA) schools, which serve the children of military families
across the globe, as critical with rising concerns over the
impact of mobile devices on classroom behavior, attention, and
academic performance. The Committee seeks to ensure consistent
and evidence-based policies are in place. Understanding current
regulations and identifying best practices to minimize
disruption will support the educational mission of DODEA and
enhance student outcomes in support of military readiness and
family wellbeing. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services no later than April 1, 2026. The report shall
include:
(1) A description of existing regulations on student use of
portable electronic mobile devices in Department of Defense
Education Activity (DODEA) schools, to include the degree of
standardization of these regulations across all DODEA schools;
(2) A description of the disruption in the learning
environment caused by such mobile devices;
(3) Recommendations for provisions that would minimize to
the greatest extent practicable the disruption caused by
student use of portable electronic mobile devices in DODEA
schools.
Return on Investment for Servicemember Specialty Training
The committee is aware of concerns that highly specialized
military personnel are leaving the service due to various
factors, including inadequate promotion opportunities. To
better understand whether such retention concerns are valid,
the committee directs the Secretaries of the military
departments to each provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on promotion
opportunities for enlisted military occupational specialties
(MOS) within the following communities: air traffic
controllers, engineers, intelligence analysts, cyber,
linguistics, and public affairs. The briefings shall include
the following for the last three promotion cycles:
(1) whether individuals can directly enlist into each
specified MOS or if entry is limited to individuals who are
currently serving;
(2) whether, and the extent to which, members of these MOSs
are eligible for bonuses;
(3) whether promotion to certain paygrades in these
communities requires a change in MOS;
(4) for each specified MOS, the total number of individuals
eligible for promotion to E-6 through E-9, and the number of
individuals selected, broken down by paygrade;
(5) for each specified MOS, the average time in grade and
time in service before promotion to E-6 through E-9, broken
down by paygrade;
(6) the overall selection rate, average time in grade, and
time in service for all E-6 through E-9 promotions, broken down
by each paygrade;
(7) an analysis of any challenges to advancement for each
specified MOS, to include how they compete within and outside
their MOS for promotion and leadership opportunities; and
(8) any other information the Secretaries of the military
departments deem relevant to career progression for each
specified MOS.
Service Academies: Alumni Associations
The committee understands the importance of the affiliation
of alumni associations and their related foundations with the
military service academies. The committee also notes that these
organizations are independent not-for-profits and designated
non-federal entities that are not part of the Department of
Defense or any of its components. The committee also notes that
the alumni associations are not chartered to provide any
oversight or advice on academy matters such as cadet morale,
discipline, curriculum, instruction or academic methods, as
this role is reserved for the statutorily established Boards of
Visitors. The committee is concerned about the role of the
alumni associations and the advisory responsibilities they may
currently be exercising. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretaries of the military departments to each submit a report
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
31, 2026, that addresses the following elements:
(1) the frequency of engagements between the alumni
association and the academy superintendents;
(2) the topics covered in those engagements;
(3) a detailed list of recommendations made and accepted by
the superintendent; and
(4) the amount of alumni funds provided to support the
academies and cadets or midshipman and the use of those funds.
Servicemember Quality of Life at Joint Forces Training Base--Los
Alamitos
The committee is concerned about the quality of life for
the 4,000 California National Guard troops stationed at the
Joint Forces Training Base--Los Alamitos. JFTB-LA already
supports more than 6,000 National Guard personnel and
reservists from all the military services in support of natural
disaster response, border security, and other critical
missions. The June 2025 federalization and subsequent
stationing of 4,000 additional personnel at JFTB-LA raises
concerns about the habitability standards and quality of life
for these servicemembers.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than January 15, 2026, on the following:
(1) troop housing conditions and habitability standards
used by federally activated personnel;
(2) condition and capacity of dining facilities servicing
federalized troops;
(3) on-site medical capabilities available to federalized
troops;
(4) timeliness of pay, travel reimbursements, and out-of-
pocket expenses borne by federalized National Guard personnel;
and
(5) special programs initiated to support morale for the
duration of the June 2025 deployment.
Sexual Assault Training in the Delayed Entry Program
The committee remains committed to ensuring oversight of
sexual assault prevention and response training implementation,
including for individuals enlisted through a Delayed Entry
Program (DEP). Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries
of the military departments to each provide separate reports to
the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on initial
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) training provided
to members of the DEP pursuant to section 535 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91; 10 USC 1561 note), including:
(1) how members of the DEP receive initial entry SAPR
training and from whom;
(2) the manner in which initial entry SAPR training
completion is documented and tracked for members of the DEP;
and
(3) how each service monitors compliance with the
requirement that such training be completed within 14 days
after initial entrance on Active Duty or into a duty status
with a Reserve Component.
Staffing and Case Management at Army Criminal Investigation Division
The committee is encouraged by the Army's efforts to
transform the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) into a
modern law enforcement agency with a core of skilled and
experienced civilian employee investigators. Furthermore, the
committee underscores the importance of strong collaboration
between the Office of the Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) of the
Army and CID to ensure that those who perpetrate the most
serious crimes are held accountable. The committee would like
to better understand the progress toward and challenges
remaining to achieve this vision, especially in regard to
personnel and technology. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026,
on:
(1) CID's progress at building a core of civilian employee
criminal investigator and support staff, including a
description of CID's staffing model, the number and type of
positions filled, number and type of unfilled positions, and
forecast need for future positions;
(2) the Army OSTC's progress at establishing a core of
highly effective criminal prosecutors and support staff,
including a description of Army OSTC's staffing model, the
number and type of positions filled, number and type of
unfilled positions, and forecast need for future positions;
(3) an explanation of how CID and Army OSTC collaborate to
improve the ability to hold perpetrators accountable for
covered offenses and challenges remaining to improve
collaboration;
(4) an explanation of information technology and other
needs for improving case management for both CID and Army OSTC
and an estimate of cost and timeframe for selecting and
implementing a solution to improve case management; and
(5) a description of any other challenges facing CID and
Army OSTC that threaten their ability to achieve their mission
and any efforts to address such challenges.
Study on Gap Year Military Service
The committee recognizes that junior enlisted servicemember
recruitment increased by 12.5 percent in fiscal year 2024
compared to fiscal year 2023. However, the committee continues
to be concerned about the challenges faced in meeting
recruitment goals and the gaps in critical job fields affecting
military readiness.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States, to submit a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than December 1, 2026, that examines
the feasibility of introducing a 1-year active-duty recruitment
program. The report should include the following:
(1) a list of military occupational specialties suitable
for this program and the advanced training requirements
following basic training;
(2) an evaluation of international models and whether they
were effective in increasing recruitment, retention, and force
effectiveness;
(3) the components of 1-year uniformed service and any
limitations to consider in making the program effective; and
(4) an assessment of the investment made in the
servicemember and the costrelated impacts of implementing the
program.
The report shall also include information on any barriers
to implementing a 1-year service gap year recruitment, such as
the availability of necessary data required to assess 1-year
gap service program effectiveness.
Support for United Service Organizations
The committee recognizes the invaluable contributions of
the United Service Organizations (USO) in supporting the
morale, welfare, and resiliency of U.S. servicemembers and
their families. The USO's programs, both at home and abroad
enhance the readiness and well-being of the force. Through its
global network of centers, programs, and outreach efforts, the
USO provides critical support to the force, particularly to
those stationed in remote or deployed locations. Therefore, the
committee encourages the Department of Defense to continue its
partnership with the USO and explore opportunities to expand
access to USO services.
U.S. Department of Defense Titling and Indexing Practice Reform
Progress and Requirements
The committee is concerned about reported inconsistencies
in Department of Defense (DoD) titling and indexing practices,
which may undermine due process protections and result in
lasting adverse effects on the careers and reputations of
service members.
The committee commends the Department of Defense for
reforms made in recent years to titling and indexing; however,
the committee believes further action may be necessary to
ensure that consistent safeguards across components and
investigatory entities exist.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on the current status of DOD
oversight of titling and indexing. The report shall include:
(1) a review of current policies and practices regarding
titling, indexing, retention, and disclosure of personally
identifying information in military investigatory databases,
including the Department of Defense Central Index of
Investigations;
(2) an assessment of current redress mechanisms available;
(3) recommendations necessary to enhance due process
protections, including mandatory and automatic expungement
procedures, and the impacts of residual traces of the expunged
title; and
(4) any recommendations necessary for additional statutory
or administrative reforms to ensure greater accountability,
fairness, and transparency in military criminal investigative
recordkeeping.
Voluntary Education Program Uniform Policy
The committee recognizes that tuition assistance is a
voluntary off-duty education program serving as a quality-of-
life benefit to servicemembers. However, the committee is
concerned that not all servicemembers are able to receive the
benefit uniformly, with different policy standards across all
branches within the Department of Defense.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in consultation with Secretaries of the military departments,
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than May 1, 2026, on the feasibility and advisability of
establishing a uniform policy to provide tuition assistance to
all active-duty personnel after 1 year of service. The report
should include any barriers to implementing this policy.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Officer Policy
Section 501--Treatment of Space Force Officers for Purposes of Laws
Relating to Authorized Number and Distribution of Officers in General
Officer Grades
This section would amend sections 525 and 526 of title 10,
United States Code, to incorporate the Space Force into
existing exemptions for reserve component general officers. The
five authorizations would come from the allocation to the Air
Force Reserve.
Section 502--Redistribution of General Officers on Active Duty from the
Air Force to the Space Force
This section would codify previously transferred general
officer positions from the Air Force to the Space Force.
Section 503--Authority to Waive Prohibition on Officers Serving on
Successive Selection Boards for Boards to Consider Officers for
Promotion to Major General or Rear Admiral
This section would amend section 612 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize the Secretary of a military
department to waive subsection (b) of that section for
membership of a selection board to consider officers for
promotion to major general or rear admiral if the Secretary
determines that qualified officers who are on the active-duty
list or Space Force officer list or who are otherwise
authorized to serve on the board are not available in
sufficient number to comprise that selection board.
Section 504--Chaplains: Career Flexibility; Detail as Students at
Schools for Education Required for Appointment
This section would permit the Secretary of a military
department to detail students at schools for education to
become a military chaplain.
Section 505--Ranks of Judge Advocates General
This section would require Military Judge Advocates General
to hold the grade of O-9.
Section 506--Procedures for Selection of Space Force Officers for
Promotion to Major General
This section would amend chapter 2002 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to
identify a Space Force brigadier general for appointment to the
grade of major general. The section would authorize that to be
promoted to major general in the Space Force, an officer must
be appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate after
selection by a selection board.
Section 507--Establishment of Blast Safety Officer Positions
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish blast safety officer positions in the military
services by September 30, 2026.
Section 508--Designation of at Least One General Officer of the Marine
Corps Reserve as a Joint Qualified Officer
This section would require that not less than one Marine
Corps Reserve General Officer shall be designated as joint
qualified officer.
Subtitle B--Reserve Component Management
Section 511--Grades of Certain Chiefs of Reserve Components
This section would amend title 10, United States Code, to
require that the Chiefs of Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and Air
Force Reserve, and the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, each
serve in the grade of O-9.
Section 512--Pilot Authority for Extended Length of Orders to Active
Duty for Preplanned Missions in Support of the Combatant Commands
This section would authorize a pilot program allowing the
Marine Corps to extend activation orders for preplanned
missions from 365 to 545 days, while capping direct operational
support at 365 days.
Section 513--Prohibition on Consideration of Amount of Time of Service
in Activation of Reserve Members
This section would prevent the Armed Forces from
discharging reservists or disapproving orders to Active Duty to
prevent them from becoming eligible for a regular retirement.
Section 514--Active and Inactive Transfers of Officers of the Army
National Guard and Air Force National Guard
This section would authorize active and inactive transfers
of officers of the Army and Air Force National Guard.
Section 515--National Guard: Active Guard and Reserve Duty in Response
to a State Disaster
This section would authorize governors and Adjutants
General to tailor the force composition of their disaster
responses, by providing temporary access to Active Guard and
Reserve personnel possessing high-demand, low-density skills
that are vital during disaster response operations.
Section 516--Fireguard Program: Program of Record; Authorization
This section would authorize the FireGuard Program as a
program of record through December 31, 2031.
Subtitle C--General Service Authorities and Military Records
Section 521--Women's Initiative Teams
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish Women's Initiative Teams for each branch of service.
Section 522--Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record: Codification;
Expansion
This section would codify and expand the Individual
Longitudinal Exposure Record as a centralized database for
service members' occupational and environmental exposure data.
Section 523--Codification of Additional Basic Branches of the Army
This section would amend section 7063 of title 10, United
States Code, to codify additional branches of the United States
Army.
Section 524--Requirement of Equal Opportunity, Racial Neutrality, and
Exclusive Use of Merit in Military Personnel Actions
This section would require the exclusive use of merit in
military personnel decisions.
Section 525--Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds for Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion
This section would prohibit funds to be used for diversity,
equity, and inclusion purposes.
Section 526--Prohibition of New COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Members of
the Armed Forces
This section would prohibit a Covid-19 vaccine mandate
without the approval of Congress.
Subtitle D--Recruitment and Accession
Section 531--Recruitment: Improvements Relating to Secondary Schools
and Institutions of Higher Education
This section would provide greater access for military
recruiters at secondary schools and other institutes of higher
learning.
Section 532--Alternative Service in the Defense Industrial Base by
Individuals Denied Enlistment
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
develop a program to provide information on careers in the
defense industrial base for those not qualified for military
service.
Section 533--Medical Accession Standards for Members of the Armed
Forces
This section would require the Secretaries of each military
department to establish uniform medical accession standards.
Section 534--Selective Service System: Automatic Registration
This section would authorize automatic registration in the
Selective Service System.
Subtitle E--Member Training and Education
Section 541--Training Requirements for Occupational Specialties with
Civilian Equivalents
This section would change military job specific training to
be equitable to its civilian equivalent and transferrable to
the civilian workforce.
Section 542--Inclusion of Space Force Education Programs in Definitions
Regarding Professional Military Education
This section would amend section 2151 of title 10, United
States Code, to include the Space Force's Senior Level
Education and Intermediate Level Education programs in the
definitions of senior-level and intermediate-level service
schools.
Section 543--Center for Strategic Deterrence and Weapons of Mass
Destruction Studies
This section would establish the Center for Strategic
Deterrence and weapons of mass destruction studies at the
National Defense University.
Section 544--Service Academies; Appointments and Additional Appointees
This section would reform the admissions process at the
military service academies.
Section 545--Modifications to Alternative Obligation for Cadets and
Midshipmen
The section would raise the cap from three to five on the
number of cadets/midshipmen who are eligible to fulfill their
Active Duty service obligation in the reserves if they are
drafted to be a professional athlete.
Section 546--Modification to the Designation of Members of the House of
Representatives to the Boards of Visitors of Service Academies
This section would correct the number of members of the
House of Representatives designated to the boards of visitors
of the service academies.
Section 547--Detail of Members of the Space Force as Instructors at Air
Force Institute of Technology
This section would require the U.S. Space Force to
establish billets for instructors at the Air Force Institute of
Technology.
Section 548--Repeal of Annual Certifications Related to the Ready,
Relevant Learning Initiative of the Navy
This section would repeal the requirement for the report to
Congress on Ready, Relevant Learning in the U.S. Navy.
Section 549--Pilot Program for Generative Artificial Intelligence and
Spatial Computing for Performance Training and Proficiency Assessment
This section establishes a pilot program for Generative
Artificial Intelligence and Spatial Computing to reduce the
time and cost required to meet training goals.
Section 549A--Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds to Endorse Critical
Race Theory
This section would prohibit using Department of Defense
funds to promote or endorse Critical Race Theory in military
academies, service member training, or professional military
education.
Section 549B--Prohibition on the Reduction of Funding for Foreign
Language Training for Members of the Armed Forces
This section would prevent the Department of Defense from
terminating the operations of foreign language training and
instruction for Military Personnel and Foreign Area Officers.
Section 549C--Limitation on Authority to Reorganize the Senior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps of the Army
This section would limit the authority to reorganize the
Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the Army.
Subtitle F--Military Justice and Other Legal Matters
Section 551--Ensuring the Availability of Legal Advice to Commanders
This section would require military commanders to have
continuous access to qualified legal counsel during planning
and operations.
Section 552--Modifications to Offense of Wrongful Broadcast or
Distribution of Intimate Visual Images Under the Uniform Code of
Military Justice
This section would modify the Uniform Code of Military
Justice Article 117a to revise revenge porn language and add
sexually explicit digital forgeries.
Section 553--Punitive Article Under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice for Offenses Relating to Child Pornography
This section would add a punitive article under the Uniform
Code of Military Justice for offenses relating to child
pornography.
Section 554--Authorization of Death Penalty for Offense of Rape of a
Child Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice
This section would authorize the death penalty for crimes
committed under Article 120b(a) of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice.
Section 555--Increase in Maximum Sentence for the Offense of Voluntary
Manslaughter Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice
This section would increase the maximum sentence for
voluntary manslaughter under Article 119(a) of the Uniform Code
of Military Justice.
Section 556--Analysis of the Advisability of Modifying the Definition
of Abusive Sexual Contact Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice
This section would require an analysis of the advisability
of modifying the definition of abusive sexual contact under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Section 557--Revision to Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
Training Guidance
This section would require the Department of Defense to
include training on Veterans Affairs resources available to
survivors of Military Sexual Trauma.
Section 558--Reports and Briefings on Efforts to Prevent and Respond to
Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and Intimate-Partner Violence Within
the Department of Defense
This section would require quarterly reports on Department
of Defense efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault,
sexual harassment, and intimate-partner violence, and annual
briefings to Congress from the lead special trial counsels of
the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Section 559--Study and Recommendations Regarding Misconduct Prevention
in Okinawa, Japan
This section would require a study and recommendations
regarding misconduct prevention in Okinawa, Japan.
Subtitle G--Career Transition
Section 561--Establishment of Separation Oath for Members of the Armed
Forces
This section would establish a voluntary separation oath
for members of the Armed Forces who are retiring or otherwise
separating from service.
Section 562--Presentation by a Veterans Service Organization in TAP
Preseparation Counseling
This section would enhance the Transition Assistance
Program by standardizing the presentation of Department of
Veteran Affairs' offerings while introducing transitioning
servicemembers to Department of Veterans Affairs approved
Veteran Service Organizations who are able to assist with the
transition into civilian life and navigating benefits available
to servicemembers and their families.
Section 563--Expansion of Eligibility of Veterans for Certain Military
Adaptive Sports Program
This section would expand the definition of eligible
veterans to participate in certain military adaptive sports
programs.
Section 564--Transition Assistance Program: Department of Labor
Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot Program
This section would require the establishment of a pilot
program known as the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot
Program.
Section 565--Skillbridge: Apprenticeship Programs
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a study to identify private entities that currently
participate as registered apprenticeship programs.
Section 566--Female Members of Certain Armed Forces and Civilian
Employees of the Department of Defense in STEM
This section would require the Department of Defense to
conduct a study on how to increase the participation of women
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
positions in the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense.
Subtitle H--Family Programs and Child Care
Section 571--Notification of Suspected Child Abuse at Providers of
Child Care Services or Youth Programs
This section would amend section 1794 of title 10, United
States Code, to require covered child and youth programs to
notify parents and guardians within 24 hours of alleged or
suspected abuse or neglect of a child occurring in such
program.
Section 572--Pilot Program to Increase Payments for Child Care Services
in High-Cost Areas
This section would establish a five year pilot program to
increase the maximum amount of child care financial assistance
by 30 percent for children who are two years or younger and
located in areas with high child care service costs.
Section 573--Pilot Program to Increase Payments for Child Care Services
in High-Cost Areas
This section would authorize the establishment of a pilot
program to provide grants to eligible providers seeking to
expand the capacity of child care for infants and toddlers.
Section 574--Extension of Pilot Program to Provide Financial Assistance
to Members of the Armed Forces for In-Home Child Care
This section would extend the Child Care in Your Home Pilot
Program until December 31, 2029.
Section 575--Military OneSource: Information Regarding Maternal Health
Care
This section would require the Military OneSource website
to include information regarding maternal health care.
Section 576--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for Termination of
DODEA and Child Care Workers
This section would prohibit authorization for funds used to
terminate employees of Military Child Development Programs or
the Department of Defense Education Activity unless the
employee was documented as not performing or engaging in
misconduct.
Subtitle I--Dependent Education
Section 581--Ensuring Access to DODEA Schools for Certain Members of
the Reserve Components
This section would allow dependents of Reserve members on
active duty with an accompanied permanent change of station--
regardless of tour length--to enroll in DoDEA schools, if space
is available.
Section 582--Certain Assistance to Local Educational Agencies That
Benefit Dependents of Military and Civilian Personnel
This section would authorize $35.0 million for the purpose
of providing assistance to local educational agencies with
military dependent students, and $10.0 million for local
educational agencies eligible to receive a payment for children
with severe disabilities.
Section 583--Verification of Reporting of Eligible Federally Connected
Children for Purposes of Federal Impact Aid Programs
This section would require the commanders of each military
installation to annually submit a written certification to
their respective military departments verifying whether they
have confirmed the information contained in all Impact Aid
source check forms.
Subtitle J--Decorations and Awards, Reports, and Other Matters
Section 591--Authorization for Award of Medal of Honor to James Capers,
Jr., for Acts of Valor as a Member of the Marine Corps during the
Vietnam War
This section would waive the time limitation for the award
of the Medal of Honor for James Capers, Jr.
Section 592--Authorization to Award the Medal of Honor to Retired
Colonel Philip J. Conran for Acts of Valor in Laos During the Vietnam
War
This section would waive the time limitations specified in
section 9274 of title 10, United States Code with respect to
awarding the Medal of Honor to (Ret.) Colonel Philip Conran for
the acts of valor in Laos during the Vietnam War.
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Commissary Privileges for Civilian Employees of the Department of
Defense
The committee is encouraged by the Department's efforts to
improve benefits for civilian employees of the Department by
testing expanded access to commissary shopping privileges in
certain locations and for certain occupations. To better
understand the impact of these changes, the committee directs
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve
Affairs to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the impact of
recent expansions of commissary privileges to civilian
employees, including employee satisfaction, recruitment and
retention of employees, and the impact on the finances and
operations of the commissary, including sales, in-stock rates,
and profitability.
Dining Facility Nutrition Labeled Food Consumption Report
The committee recognizes not all the dining facilities
across the military services have fully implemented the
required elements of the color-coded nutrition labeling
program. In addition, poor health and nutrition are growing
concerns that threaten military readiness. The color-coded
nutrition labeling program is designed to assist service
members' decisions in selecting nutritionally balanced meals at
dining facilities. In alignment with the military's priority to
retain a fit and healthy force, the committee has concerns
regarding the high consumption of low performance foods, which
are the most processed and nutritionally deficient.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 31, 2026, analyzing the average amount
of each type of color-coded food consumed. This report will
include the following:
(1) an analysis of the total number of dining facilities
across all military installations that have fully implemented
the color-coded nutrition labeling program, partially
implemented the color-coded nutrition labeling program, and
have not implemented the color-coded nutrition labeling
program;
(2) an assessment of the average amount of each color-coded
food consumed at dining facilities, if the information is
available; and
(3) a plan to continue to encourage and implement
nutritious meals at dining facilities.
Encouraging Navy Veterans to Join the Dredging Industry
The committee acknowledges the immense value maritime
infrastructure and the development of this critical workforce
has on the sustainment of navigable waterways in support of
both military readiness and economic prosperity. The committee
is eager to evaluate the possibility of growing a critical
industry while simultaneously employing a highly trained and
highly skilled demographic: Navy personnel who are leaving
military service. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by April 1, 2026, on the following:
(1) an analysis of the skills and experience of Navy
personnel, particularly those with backgrounds in engineering,
navigation, heavy equipment operation, and maintenance, that
are directly transferable to the dredging industry;
(2) a plan for developing and implementing targeted
outreach and recruitment strategies to connect Navy personnel
leaving the military with employment opportunities in the
dredging industry;
(3) an evaluation of the feasibility of establishing a
credentialing or certification program to allow the skills Navy
personnel obtained during service to be viewed in a comparable
light as credentialing in the public industry; and
(4) a description of any existing or planned coordination
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other relevant
agencies to facilitate the transition of Navy personnel into
the dredging workforce.
Guam Per Diem
The Committee is concerned about per diem rates for
personnel traveling to Guam being inappropriately low and
poorly suited to the economic conditions in Guam. The committee
notes that locations in the same region such as destinations in
the Northern Mariana Islands have considerably higher per diem
rates. To address a mismatch between economic realities in Guam
and current per diem policy, the Committee directs the
Secretary of Defense not later than January 1, 2026, to provide
a report to the House Armed Services Committee on the
authorities at the Department's disposal to increase per diem
rates for Guam, the economic impact of current per diem rates
in Guam, and other matters deemed relevant by the Secretary.
Housing Requirements and Market Analysis Schedule and Results
The committee supports additional reporting by each of the
military services on Housing Requirements and Market Analyses
(HRMAs) to ensure that Congress receives the necessary HRMA
information to inform the budget for the next fiscal year.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in consultation with each of the service secretaries, to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026. The report shall include the
following:
(1) a list of all HRMAs completed during the last three
fiscal years;
(2) a summary of the results of the HRMAs completed,
disaggregated by service, in such fiscal years, to include
whether the housing around each installation was found to be
sufficient; and
(3) for any completed HRMA that found the housing
surrounding an installation to be insufficient, a description
of the actions taken to mitigate the discrepancy.
Military Star Card Program
The committee understands that the Department of Defense is
supportive in expanding the military star card program. The
Committee encourages the Department to approve the expansion of
military star credit program's acceptance at retailers
regardless of geographic locations, which will require
coordination and planning.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than March 31, 2026, on the feasibility and
advisability of expanding the military star card program. The
report should include the following:
(1) any costs associated with expanding the program;
(2) an analysis of benefits to service members and the
Department that would result from expansion;
(3) the feasibility of phasing the expansion of networks;
and
(4) any additional authorities required for expansion of
the military star card.
Pilot Program on Child Care Worker Compensation
The committee understands that quality, affordable child
care for military families is essential to military readiness,
and remains concerned that the military's efforts to provide
adequate child care are being eroded by the inability to
attract and retain staff, particularly due to child care worker
compensation. While the Department of Defense is currently
working to modernize its child care worker compensation model
pursuant to section 583 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159), the committee
notes that the new compensation model has yet to be
implemented.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services
and the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
1, 2026, on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a
pilot program to increase salaries for child care employees at
military child development centers. The report shall include:
(1) the potential installations where such a pilot could
occur;
(2) the cost to the Department of increasing child care
worker compensation; and
(3) any impacts such a pilot program would have on
implementation of the modernized child care compensation model.
Privatization of Military Retail Programs
The committee notes that on April 7, 2025, the Department
of Defense published a memorandum directing non-governmental
functions within the Department to be prioritized for
privatization. The committee is concerned that privatization of
retail programs could result in disruptions to benefits and
productivity without providing substantial improvements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services
and the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
31, 2026, on the following:
(1) plans and processes for evaluating retail programs for
privatization;
(2) anticipated benefits of privatizing such programs to
include cost savings and operational efficiencies;
(3) an analysis of key challenges associated with
privatization;
(4) expected effects on current appropriated fund employees
of such programs;
(5) anticipated effects on existing contractors supporting
such programs;
(6) an assessment of disruptions to benefits and workflow
of retail programs during transition;
(7) an analysis of the feasibility of privatizing retail
programs at remote and overseas locations; and
(8) plans to maintain the current benefits for service
members and their families.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Data Match Implementation Status Update
Section 559B of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-59) directed the Secretary of
Defense and Secretary of Education to, within 1 year, implement
a data matching process enabling servicemembers to
automatically receive credit for Public Service Loan
Forgiveness (PSLF). The committee is interested in further
understanding the implementation of the data match upon its
completion.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2026, on the status of implementation of
section 559B of Public Law 118-159. The briefing shall include
the following information:
(1) how many service members, disaggregated by active-duty
service members and civilians, received PSLF before
implementation of the data match process;
(2) what efforts were undertaken to complete the data match
process; and
(3) what challenges were encountered in implementing the
data match process, if any.
Tuition Assistance and Off-Duty Education
The committee recognizes the critical role that tuition
assistance plays in the recruitment, retention, and
professional development of highly qualified personnel within
the Armed Forces. The opportunity for service members to pursue
educational goals while in uniform enhances individual
readiness, supports career advancement, and facilitates
successful transitions to civilian life. These programs are key
to sustaining a modern, skilled, and adaptable military force.
The committee encourages the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments,
to continue supporting robust access to voluntary education and
tuition assistance programs authorized under section 2007 and
section 2006a of title 10, United States Code.
The committee further directs the Secretary of Defense to
submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than March 1, 2026, on the implementation and utilization
of section 2007 and section 2006a of title 10, United States
Code. The report shall:
(1) Detail the execution of tuition assistance and
voluntary education funding policies within each military
department;
(2) Describe oversight and accountability mechanisms used
to ensure compliance with statutory requirements;
(3) Provide a full breakdown of funding allocated to Off-
Duty and Voluntary Education programs, including: The amount of
funding used to directly pay tuition; The amount used for
administrative support, marketing, counseling services, and
other non-instructional activities;
(4) Outline metrics for evaluating the impact of these
programs on servicemember readiness, educational attainment,
retention, and transition outcomes.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Basic Pay and Retired Pay
Section 601--Codification of Applicability to Space Force of Certain
Pay and Allowance Authorities
This section would amend title 37, United States Code, to
insert references to the Space Force to reflect pay and
allowance authorities already applicable to the Space Force.
Subtitle B--Bonus and Incentive Pays
Section 611--One-Year Extension of Certain Expiring Bonus and Special
Pay Authorities
This section would extend service bonus and special pay
authorities until December 2026.
Section 612--Incentive Pay: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Duty
This section would make certain improvements to incentive
pay for explosive ordnance disposal duty.
Section 613--Standardization of Cyber Assignment Incentive Pay for
Members of the Armed Forces
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
establish a standardized framework for Cyber Assignment
Incentive Pay across the Armed Forces.
Subtitle C--Allowances
Section 621--Basic Needs Allowance: Exclusion of Basic Allowance for
Housing From the Calculation of Gross Household Income of an Eligible
Member of the Armed Forces
This section would modify how gross household income is
calculated for purposes of determining a servicemember's
eligibility for a basic needs allowance.
Section 622--Family Separation Allowance: Increase
This section would require the increase of the Family
Separation Allowance for servicemembers to $400 per month.
Section 623--Report Regarding the Basic Allowance for Subsistence and
Military Food Programs
This section would require a yearly report for 5 years
regarding how the basic allowance for subsistence, subsistence
in-kind, and budget authorities are used to support food
programs.
Section 624--Basic Allowance for Housing: Study to Evaluate Alternative
Rate Calculation
This section would establish a study to evaluate
alternative methods for calculating the Basic Allowance for
Housing rate to better reflect regional market trends.
Subtitle D--Leave
Section 631--Bereavement Leave for a Member of the Armed Forces in the
Case of a Loss of Pregnancy or Stillbirth
This section would modify bereavement leave to include the
loss of a pregnancy or a stillbirth by a member of the armed
forces or the spouse of the member.
Section 632--Convalescent Leave for Cadets and Midshipmen
This section would authorize convalescent leave for service
academy cadets and midshipmen.
Subtitle E--Family and Survivor Benefits
Section 641--Annual Review of Financial Assistance Limits for Child
Care and Youth Program Services Providers
This section would amend section 1798 of title 10, United
States Code, to require an annual review of the amount of
financial assistance for eligible civilian child care youth
program services providers.
Section 642--Waiver of Requirements for Air Transportation of Deceased
Members of the Armed Forces When Necessary to Meet Mission Requirements
This section would allow the Secretary of Defense
flexibility in determining transportation requirements of
deceased personnel during wartime or other national emergency.
Subtitle F--Defense Resale Matters
Section 651--Use of Commissary Stores: Civilian Employees of Military
Sealift Command
This section would amend section 1066 of title 10, United
States Code, to permit civilian employees of the Military
Sealift Command to use commissary stores and Morale, Welfare,
and Recreation retail facilities on the same basis as members
of the Armed Forces on Active Duty.
Section 652--MWR Retail Facilities: Use by Civilian Employees of the
Armed Forces
This section would amend chapter 54 of title 10 United
States Code, by adding a new section to authorize civilian
employees of the Department of Defense or the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating to use MWR retail
facilities.
Section 653--Single-Use Shopping Bags in Commissary Stores
This section would amend section 2485 of title 10, United
States Code, to prohibit the Defense Commissary Agency from
prohibiting the use of, or charging a fee for, single-use
shopping bags in a commissary store.
Subtitle G--Other Benefits, Reports, and Briefings
Section 661--Provision of Information Regarding Relocation Assistance
Programs for Members Receiving Orders for a Change of Permanent Station
This section would amend section 1056 of title 10, United
States Code, to include information regarding school
transitions for military children in permanent change of
station relocation assistance programs.
Section 662--Expansion of Pilot Program to Increase Access to Food on
Military Installations
This section would expand a current Army pilot program
across all military services to improve food access for
servicemembers living in unaccompanied housing on military
installations, allowing them to use their Common Access Cards
or another approved method at dining facilities, commissaries,
exchanges, restaurants, and other locations where
servicemembers can obtain food.
Section 663--Casualty Assistance Program: Review; Implementation Plan
This section would require the Comptroller General to
conduct a review of the Department of Defense's Casualty
Assistance Programs.
TITLE VII--HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Access to Maternal Health Care
The committee recognizes the importance of providing high-
quality maternal health care for servicemembers and their
dependents. Access to comprehensive maternal health is
essential to ensure the well-being of servicemembers and their
families as well as maintain overall force readiness.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than March 1, 2026, on the current status of maternal
health care available to servicemembers and their dependents.
This briefing should include:
(1) an analysis of the availability and adequacy of
maternal health care services for covered beneficiaries under
TRICARE over the last two years;
(2) any challenges beneficiaries face in accessing maternal
health care;
(3) a description of policies and procedures in place to
ensure continuity of care for maternal health, including pre-
and post-natal during a permanent change of station; and
(4) any other issues the Secretary deems appropriate on
this subject.
Advanced Vital Intervention Airborne Training for Emergencies
The committee recognizes that in the event of a Large-Scale
Combat Operation (LSCO) or significant disaster, patients will
need to be transported to regions across the country to avoid
overwhelming a military or regional health care system. The
committee is concerned that the National Disaster Medical
System (NDMS) continues to face a shortage of trained medical
providers capable of meeting this national need. To adequately
meet the Defense Support to Civil Authorities requirements, as
well as strengthen operational readiness and response in the
event of a LSCO, the committee encourages the NDMS pilot
program, in coordination with the Uniformed Services
University's National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public
Health, to support the development and implementation of a
comprehensive scenario-based training program for air- and
ground-based emergency medical patient mobility which includes
full-scale simulated training environments for on-the-ground
and in-flight lifesaving medical care. In addition, the
committee further encourages the NDMS pilot program to develop
a high consequence infectious disease course for medical
evacuation and patient mobility that incorporates similar
training environments.
AI Language Translation Capabilities for Medical Missions
Congress recognizes the challenges of health care access
facing service members, their families, civilians, and
contractor personnel stationed overseas. As a result, the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
required the Comptroller General of the United States to
conduct a study on health care service availability for United
States Forces Japan and Joint Region Marianas. The resultant
study, GAO-25-107453, found that DOD-affiliated civilians and
families face challenges in accessing health care in Japan,
including significant language barriers. In some instances,
paperwork or prescriptions were provided solely in Japanese,
requiring additional time and effort to translate essential
health information accurately. The committee has learned of
other examples of how these time delays may lead to potential
detrimental health outcomes in Japan. The committee recognizes
artificial intelligence's ability to improve accurate and
timely foreign language translations for the Department.
Personal health information, though, requires unique handling
and storage requirements, necessitating a specific and separate
implementation of this technology in support of Department
medical missions.
Therefore, the committee further directs the Secretary of
Defense to submit a report to the House Armed Services
Committee, no later than March 1, 2026, with:
(1) the feasibility of augmenting existing medical-focused
translation capacity by providing military treatment facilities
and other appropriate medical missions across all combatant
commands and services access to generative artificial
intelligence language translation capabilities that include
automated human-in-the-loop review and verification processes
and integrated mission-specific live finetuning, including how
such capabilities would be implemented and long term
sustainment and impact of its use;
(2) the feasibility and advisability for ensuring the
handling and storage requirements of personal health
information and other sensitive information are met while
utilizing such translation capabilities, including security and
privacy requirements; and
(3) any Defense Health Agency assessment on uses for such
translation capabilities beyond the translation of medical
documentation.
Anonymous Non-Medical Counseling and Peer Support Technology
The committee recognizes that a significant percentage of
servicemembers with unmet mental health needs do not seek
support due to barriers such as stigma and perceived risks to
their careers. The committee understands that the Department of
Defense has taken steps to improve access to mental health
resources but remains concerned that gaps persist for
servicemembers who are unwilling to engage with traditional
care channels.
The committee believes that emerging technologies that
provide anonymous peer support and access to non-medical
counseling services may increase participation among these at-
risk servicemembers. The committee is particularly interested
in solutions that leverage telemedicine platforms to connect
servicemembers, especially those assigned to U.S. Special
Operations Command, with trained peer supporters and non-
medical counselors, for potential application across the
broader conventional force.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
June 1, 2026, on the Department's assessment of anonymous,
telemedicine-based platforms that connect servicemembers with
peer supporters and non-medical counselors. The report should
include the following:
(1) estimated costs associated with Department-wide
implementation of such platforms;
(2) programmatic and regulatory considerations for adopting
the technology within existing frameworks;
(3) technological considerations including cybersecurity,
user authentication, and interoperability with Department
systems;
(4) projections for increased participation by
servicemembers otherwise unwilling to engage with care;
(5) the capacity of current non-medical counseling
resources, including Military and Family Life Counseling
(MFLC), to meet increased demand generated by these platforms;
(6) estimated long-term cost savings associated with
increased early engagement in non-medical counseling services;
and
(7) identification of any Department concerns regarding
risks, limitations, or unintended consequences of implementing
such platforms, including impacts on care quality,
coordination, and oversight.
Biologic Vascular Repair for Warfighters
The committee acknowledges that vascular injury is a
leading cause of death and disability among military personnel,
with incidence rising significantly in recent conflicts.
Current vascular repair options--such as autologous vein grafts
or synthetic grafts, are often limited by availability,
infection risks, and poor outcomes. In cases of severe vascular
trauma where an autologous vein is not an option, alternative
solutions are critical to saving life and limb. To address this
need, the Department of Defense funded regenerative medicine
research, leading to the development of technology that the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for human-
derived bioengineered vessel to address extremity arterial
injury.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Health Affairs and the Director of the Defense
Health Agency to review and integrate FDA-approved breakthrough
vascular repair technologies in traumatic extremity arterial
injury repair, providing an off-the-shelf, biologically active
vascular conduit when autologous vein harvesting is not
feasible. The committee also encourages continued support for
technology exclusively produced domestically.
Blast Overpressure Exposure Impacts
The committee remains concerned about the impact of blast
overpressure exposure on service members and their brain
health. Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller
General of the United States to conduct a review and provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services on
preliminary findings not later than April 1, 2026, with the
results to follow in a report. The briefing will include the
following:
(1) the status of implementing blast overpressure reforms
included in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2025 Public Law 118-159, including Sections 721 through 725,
and any related report language in Senate report 118-188;
(2) the status of each of the military services in
implementing baseline cognitive assessments, as mandated under
the August 2024 memorandum on ``Department of Defense
Requirements for Managing Brain Health Risks from Blast
Overpressure,'' and regular follow-up assessments for service
members to track brain health over their career;
(3) the progress of the Department and the military
services in establishing and maintaining blast overpressure
exposure logs and traumatic brain injury logs and other
documentation on exposure for service members; and
(4) any steps the Department is taking to address the
potential link between blast overpressure exposure and risks of
suicide.
Blink-Related Oscillation Reponses for Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
The committee recognizes that mild traumatic brain injuries
(mTBI) such as concussions are the most common form of
traumatic brain injury in military settings. Clinical
consequences of mTBI include various neuropsychiatric and
cognitive deficits that can have significant detrimental
impacts on combat readiness and the execution of mission-
critical tasks. Sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and
impaired cognition (e.g. memory, concentration, vision,
hearing) are common symptoms of concussions and mTBI, which
impact both the ability to perform and long-term quality of
life.
The committee notes that current capabilities for assessing
mTBI and brain health are complex, often subjective, and
difficult to use. Promising advances are being made by academic
institutions, including research on blink-related oscillations
(BROs) which represent a promising new avenue for assessing
brain function and brain health in concussion and mTBI. In
addition, this capability may provide simple, objective, and
non-invasive brainwave measurements that are portable and easy
to use and can be deployed at the military frontlines.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Department of Defense
to partner with academic institutions for the further
development of portable BRO-based prototype technology to
advance the capability for accurate assessment of military-
related mTBI, as well as enabling improved evaluation of brain
health for enhancing warfighter readiness.
Brain Cooling for TBI and Mild TBI Treatment
The Committee recognizes that Traumatic Brain Injuries
(TBI) and mild TBI (mTBI), as well as repeated concussive and
sub-concussive events, have a profound impact on the readiness
and long-term wellbeing of military personnel. The Committee
notes that both TBI and mTBI can occur as a result of training
accidents and repeated exposure to sub-concussive events,
leading to serious physiological and mental health
consequences. Historically, the military's interest in using
brain cooling to treat mTBI has been tempered by the lack of
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of any meaningful
treatment options. The Committee is pleased to learn that a
commercial solution focused on brain cooling has now been
designated by the FDA as a ``Breakthrough Device'' with the
potential for treating mTBI. The device has been classified as
having a Non-Significant Risk (NSR) status to treatment and is
now cleared for investigational use pending market
authorization.
Accordingly, the Committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of Defense (Health Affairs), in coordination with the DoD
Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, to assess this
``Breakthrough Device'' for inclusion in existing DoD TBI
treatment and treatment research programs and provide a report
back to the House Armed Services Committee not later than March
1, 2026.
Combat Casualty Care in Arctic and Other Extreme Cold Weather
Environments
While the committee commends the Department of Defense for
initiating strategies to address Arctic operational
capabilities, a corresponding comprehensive Defense Health Plan
for support of operations in the Arctic environment does not
exist. The committee believes new requirements are needed to
effectively address the Arctic impact on combat casualty care.
It also believes the challenging Arctic environment presents
novel threats to operational medical sustainability also
necessitating research into unique aspects of medical equipment
and how to deliver life-saving pre-hospital interventions to
stabilize and treat battlefield casualties. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than July 1, 2026, on a strategy and the medical research and
development requirements to deliver pre-hospital, life-saving
interventions in Arctic environments that includes, at a
minimum:
(1) initial capabilities documents identifying gaps and
requirements to support pre-hospital, life-saving interventions
during Arctic operations;
(2) identification of and recommendations to amend clinical
practice guidelines to treat combat casualties in extreme cold
weather environments;
(3) a recommended investment plan to address clinical and
medical research and development capability gaps identified in
initial capabilities documents;
(4) feasibility of engaging with academic medical centers
and institutions to support partnerships for research and
development to address the pre-hospital needs of servicemembers
following injury in extreme cold weather environments; and
(5) any additional information the Secretary deems
appropriate.
Cost Savings and Reductions in Waste Through a Medication Donation
Program
The committee is aware of continuing state efforts
regarding the waste of unused, unexpired medications, including
dispensed medication still in unopened, tamper-evident
packaging that may be suitable for repurposing by the
Department of Defense. The committee believes that repurposing
such medications for use by the Department of Defense
beneficiaries, in partnership with domestic nonprofits with
existing operational infrastructure, may yield substantial
medication procurement cost savings and reductions in waste for
the Department. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary
of Defense to submit a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, not later than March 31, 2026, that will include the
following:
(1) a review of current Department of Defense practices for
repurposing or redistributing medications, including the
processes used, the outcomes achieved, and the populations
served;
(2) an analysis of the legal, regulatory, and logistical
considerations involved in medication donation or
redistribution, including liability, safety, and compliance
that may limit or prohibit the Department's ability to donate
or redistribute medications, along with any recommended changes
to streamline such processes; and
(3) the viability, including estimated cost and benefit, of
establishing a drug donation program within the Department, and
in doing so, should consult with and solicit input from
domestic nonprofit organizations currently operating state-
based drug donation and repository programs in multiple United
States regions that may be eligible to partner with the
Department for a future program.
Defense Health Agency Staffing Plan
The committee commends the Defense Health Agency for the
progress it has made in transitioning the management of medical
facilities into the network structure. The committee also
acknowledges that more work needs to be done to ensure the
Agency's management offices have adequate staffing to manage
and support its medical facilities in their mission of
providing health care to active duty service members and their
beneficiaries. The committee further commends the Government
Accountability Office on its April 10, 2025 report outlining
the actions needed to address challenges the Agency has
experienced as it modified its management of medical
facilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than March 1, 2026, outlining the Department's
efforts to determine the full extent of the resources it needs.
The report should include:
(1) The Department's plan, with timelines, key milestones,
and deliverables, to establish personnel requirements for DHA's
network management structure;
(2) The Department's plan to track its progress in
determining and validating the number of personnel required to
manage and support its medical facilities; and
(3) The Department's current practices to adequately
analyze workload for personnel at Defense Health Agency's
network management offices.
Department of Defense Global Health Engagement Activities
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2026, on
the Department of Defense's Global Health Engagement activities
and their impact on the following:
(1) force health protection with a focus on global bio-
surveillance, medical research and development, and preventive
medicine;
(2) building partner capacity and interoperability with
allied partners;
(3) humanitarian assistance and disaster relief;
(4) the biological threat reduction program with a focus on
eradicating dangerous pathogens;
(5) the Department of Defense's role in the Global Health
Security Agenda, including combatting emerging infectious
diseases and antibiotic-resistance bacterial; and
(6) any additional information the Secretary deems
necessary.
Depleting Testosterone Levels Among Army Special Forces
The committee is interested in the impacts of low
testosterone on servicemembers and last year required a report
from the Department of Defense in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) on
medical interventions available in the military health system
for the treatment of low testosterone. This year, the committee
is interested in a more specific report related on the
prevalence of low testosterone among the Army's Special
Operators. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
the Army to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than April 1, 2026, on the results of the
assessment including:
(1) whether Army Special Forces at entry to the
Qualification Course have higher levels of testosterone than
the average civilian male for that age group;
(2) the effects of Special Forces training, deployments,
and general work on levels of testosterone;
(3) whether the Army's testosterone assessments conducted
for Special Forces factor a potential increase in testosterone
levels accrued during a servicemember's time in the military,
to consider the total percentage of testosterone lost;
(4) the quality of testing for decreased testosterone
levels, and whether testing should be conducted at later times
of the day to retrieve more accurate testosterone levels;
(5) treatment options provided to prevent and treat
decreasing testosterone levels among Army Special Forces;
(6) any impacts, if any, of decreased testosterone levels
on readiness;
(7) any impacts, if any, of decreased testosterone levels
on individual personnel's long-term health; and
(8) any other element the Secretary determines useful.
Deployment of Hybrid Healthcare Stations on Military Installations in
Underserved Areas
The committee recognizes that service members and their
families stationed at certain U.S. military installations,
including those located in Health Professional Shortage Areas
(HPSAs) and in the Freely Associated States (FAS), face
challenges in accessing timely and reliable healthcare. The
committee supports the use of emerging technologies that expand
care access without requiring traditional brick-and-mortar
clinical infrastructure. This may include the expanded use of
on-demand hybrid healthcare stations, which provide medical
access and continuity of care for military personnel and their
dependents in geographically remote or underserved locations.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to brief the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
March 1, 2026, on the utility of hybrid healthcare stations at
U.S. military installations located in HPSAs and at
installations in the FAS. This briefing shall include:
(1) recommendations for priority locations lacking
sufficient healthcare capabilities;
(2) a review of hybrid healthcare stations available,
including various contracting mechanisms and timeline from
contract to installation, scalability of telemedicine, and
privacy and security mechanisms; and
(3) recommendations on the future employment of on demand
hybrid care stations.
Enterprise-Wide Revenue Cycle Management Program for the Defense Health
Agency
The committee is concerned that the Defense Health Agency
(DHA) has annual uncollected financial claims from third-party
collections estimated at $500.0 million, plus an additional
$250.0 million in denied claims, caused by an inadequate
revenue cycle management system (RCM) with dysfunctional IT
support, and uncoordinated administrative processes, that
result in an inability to produce financial results critically
needed by the DHA.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 31,
2026, detailing the plans to improve the lagging claims
management process. The briefing shall include the following:
(1) the plans for MHS GENESIS RCM solution;
(2) the plans to improve coding of the clinical record;
(3) the plans for an enterprise-wide RCM solution to
support the DHA Military Treatment Facilities;
(4) the plans to reduce the number of denied claims;
(5) the plans to improve the collections for denied claims;
and
(6) the feasibility of a management plan that creates a
single accountable office for RCM in the DHA enterprise.
Health Care for the Total Force in Okinawa
The committee is concerned about access to health care for
service members, civilian employees of the Department of
Defense, and family members who are located in Okinawa, Japan.
The committee is encouraged by the Department's actions to
implement a pilot program to provide supplemental services,
including help finding and making appointments with health care
providers in the community and offering upfront payment
guarantees, for civilian employees of the Department of Defense
located in Japan, including Okinawa. The committee would like
to better understand the current state of health care access
and quality for the Total Force in Okinawa and the impact of
the pilot program for civilian employees. The committee directs
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, in
coordination with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Manpower and Reserve Affairs, to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1,
2026, on:
(1) the Department's assessment of access to specialty
care, including emergency care, trauma care, obstetrics and
gynecological care, cardiac care, cancer care, and other time-
sensitive care, that is not organically provided by military
hospitals and clinics for service members and their families
located in Okinawa;
(2) the Department's efforts to build stronger
relationships between leaders at military clinics and hospitals
in Okinawa and community providers in the Japanese health care
system to facilitate effective and timely referrals for care
that the Department of Defense does not provide organically;
(3) areas of staffing shortfalls at military medical
treatment facilities on Okinawa, and the Department's efforts
to address such shortfalls;
(4) participation by Department of Defense civilian
employees located in Okinawa in the supplemental health care
pilot program including the number of civilian employees who
are eligible for the pilot program, the number of employees who
are not eligible for the pilot program and the reason they are
ineligible, the number of times that employees have used the
pilot program for help in accessing care and a summary of the
ten most frequent specialties sought, the success rate at
making appointments under the pilot program, and the number of
times that employees used the pilot program to arrange a
payment guarantee;
(5) the Department's plan to evaluate whether the pilot
program is successful, including key metrics the Department is
monitoring and how the Department is obtaining feedback from
civilian employees about their experience with the pilot
program;
(6) the Department's efforts to expand the pilot program to
family members of civilian employees of the Department,
including any authorities that the Department needs to
facilitate expansion; and
(7) any additional information about challenges in
accessing health care and the quality of health care for the
total force in Okinawa that is important for the committee to
understand.
Human Performance Optimization Through Digital Lifestyle and
Performance Medicine Solutions
The committee urges the Department of Defense to prioritize
the integration of evidence-based, digital health solutions to
address foundational health behaviors affecting readiness and
retention. The committee believes digital performance health
technologies may enhance individual health behaviors, reduce
preventable medical costs, and improve force-wide readiness and
resilience.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services
and the House Committee on Armed Services no later than March
31, 2026, on the following:
(1) the feasibility of implementing a standardized, digital
health solution to enhance Warfighter performance across all
branches of service;
(2) the extent to which the Department is integrating
performance-based health strategies, including nutrition
education, sleep optimization, and stress management, into
operational readiness initiatives;
(3) how the Department is leveraging wearable technology
and digital health platforms to enhance data-driven decision-
making for commander oversight of Warfighter well-being; and
(4) how the Department will address data gathered by these
devices, privacy issues, and any other challenges identified as
part of using wearable technology in an operational
environment.
Impacts of Hypertensive Disorders During Pregnancy
The committee is concerned that there is not enough data
regarding servicemembers that suffer from hypertensive
disorders during pregnancy. Hypertensive disorders during
pregnancy are a serious condition that negatively impacts
readiness and must be studied to ensure female servicemembers
are able to prevent and if necessary, manage this condition.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 15, 2025. The briefing should include the
following information:
(1) Incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among
members of the Armed Forces since 2017;
(2) Variance in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy between
service branches;
(3) Assessment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on
dependents of members of the Armed Forces;
(4) Analysis of cardiovascular disease prevalence among
members of the Armed Forces with history of a hypertensive
disorder of pregnancy compared with members of the Armed Forces
without a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy;
(5) Recommendations for optimal medical management
protocols across care settings;
(6) Recommendations for additional studies, inclusive of
contributing factors, comorbidities, potential preventative
strategies, and appropriate monitoring techniques to mitigate
the development of cardiovascular diseases among members of the
Armed Forces.
Implementation Report on Self-Initiated Mental Health Referrals
The committee acknowledges and commends the Department of
Defense for its efforts to implement the Brandon Act, as signed
into law through provisions in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81,
section 704) and the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31, section 705), across the
Active-Duty force and recognizes the steps taken to expand
access to mental health care. These efforts reflect a growing
commitment to reducing stigma and increasing support for
service members in crisis.
However, the committee is concerned by reports of
inconsistent application of, and education and training on, the
Brandon Act across Active-Duty units and applicable Reserve
Component troops on active-duty orders. The committee notes
that, although the Departments and Services have made progress
in executing the law, more work is required to fully implement
the law, educate service members on the policy, and ensure
transparency and accountability for those responsible for
enforcing the law.
Additionally, the committee is concerned that Phase II of
the implementation plan--to include implementation within the
Reserve Component, including members of the Reserves and the
National Guard serving fewer than 30 consecutive days on active
orders--has not yet occurred.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness, in coordination with the Service
Secretaries and the Director of the Defense Health Agency, to
submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee not later
than December 31, 2025, on the implementation of the self-
initiated referral process required under section 1090b(e) of
title 10, United States Code. The report shall include the
following:
(1) any Department of Defense instruction or other document
issued by the Secretary of Defense since May 5, 2023, with
respect to the implementation of the self-initiated referral
process required under section 1090b(e) of title 10, United
States Code;
(2) any memorandum or guidance issued by the military
departments directing implementation of such process, including
the Department of the Navy since July 11, 2023, the Department
of the Air Force since July 28, 2023, and the Department of the
Army since August 29, 2023;
(3) a description and timeline of any communications made
to members of the Armed Forces with respect to the
implementation of such process;
(4) a description and timeline of efforts by the Secretary
of each military department to implement the annual training
required under subsection (f) of such section; and
(5) a description and timeline of efforts to ensure that
such process reduces stigma in accordance with subsection (b)
of such section.
Manufacturing Technology for Pathogen-Reduced Freeze-Dried
Cryoprecipitate
The committee understands the Army's Combat Casualty Care
Research Program is focused on efforts that optimize survival
and recovery from combat-related injury by advancing and
improving damage control resuscitation of patients with
traumatic hemorrhage. We support the Department of Defense's
goal to have a suite of Food and Drug Administration-approved,
proven freeze-dried blood products to include platelets,
plasma, red blood cells, and whole blood for transfusion
support of United States servicemembers during combat. Existing
liquid blood products are not feasible for transporting far
forward austere environments and thus cannot be administered
within the Golden Hour of traumatic injury when treatment is
most effective to enhance survival. The committee supports and
encourages continued investment in freeze dried or lyophilized
pathogen reduced blood products for use in patients
experiencing hemorrhagic trauma.
Mental Health Resources at Military Treatment Facilities
The committee recognizes the critical role that timely,
accessible mental health care plays in maintaining the
readiness and resilience of the force. The committee is
concerned about uneven access to mental health resources across
military treatment facilities. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services no later than February 1, 2026 on
the availability of mental health resources at military
treatment facilities. The briefing should include an assessment
of mental health staffing levels, average wait times for mental
health appointments, availability of telehealth services, and
the Department's plan to expand access to care for service
members.
Military Treatment Facility Trauma Centers
The committee is concerned with the status of trauma
capable military medical centers and military hospitals, and
progress towards these facilities becoming verified trauma
centers. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a report to the Senate Committee on Armed
Services and the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 31, 2026, that shall include:
(1) the number of Military Treatment Facilities that have
been verified by the American College of Surgeons as Trauma
Centers;
(2) the Military Treatment Facilities that have met the
``Trauma Capable'' criteria established in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328,
section 703);
(3) the number of Military Treatment Facilities equipped
with Level Three Trauma care capabilities;
(4) current status of efforts to obtain verification for
appropriate Military Treatment Facilities as Trauma Centers;
and
(5) the feasibility of recognizing Military Treatment
Facilities Outside of the Continental United States Trauma
Centers.
National Influenza Strategy
The committee supports the Department of Defense's efforts
to implement modernization strategies for combating influenza
and encourages the Department to accelerate full
implementation. The committee believes the increased spread of
Avian Influenza infections within the human and livestock
populations within the United States justifies the Department
accelerating implementation. The committee applauds the
Department for procuring modernized influenza countermeasures
from domestic manufacturers and supports increased adoption by
the Department. Further, the committee supports ensuring that
civilian providers within the TRICARE Network adopt the same
strategies to provide National Guard and Reserve
servicemembers, military dependents, and military retirees with
modernized influenza countermeasures procured from domestic
manufacturers.
Non-Animal Testing Methods
The committee supports the continued advancement of science
and innovation in defense research and development, including
the reduction and replacement of animal use in medical and
scientific testing. The committee is interested in
understanding how the Department of Defense is deploying
nonanimal methods in its research, development, testing, and
evaluation activities. The committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than February 1, 2026, on the deployment on
non-animal testing methods. This briefing should include
information on current and planned efforts to replace animal
testing, including investments in alternative methods, the
extent of their use across the Department, and any barriers to
broader adoption.
Nonaddictive Opioid Alternatives
The committee remains concerned about the continued use of
opioids by Active Duty and retired servicemembers for the
treatment of pain. The committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services by March 31, 2026, on steps the Department will take
to ensure that nonaddictive alternatives to opioids are on the
TRICARE Uniform Formulary. The report shall include a timeline
detailing when these medications will be available to TRICARE
beneficiaries once they have received FDA approval.
Operational Medicine Care Delivery Platforms
The committee recognizes the importance of fielding the
Department of Defense's modernized electronic medical record
solution to enable comprehensive health services to deployed
forces across the range of military operations. The committee
notes that the military departments and the Defense Health
Agency (DHA) have pursued various approaches to operational
medicine delivery platforms to satisfy individual Service, as
well as joint mission requirements. The committee is interested
in learning whether there are available technologies and
approaches that are not being developed and/or evaluated
thoroughly by the DHA and other military departments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than June 1, 2026, assessing the military departments and
the DHA's electronic medical record modernization efforts. The
report shall include:
(1) a summary of the technical milestones and achievements
of the electronic medical record modernization programs to
date;
(2) a detailed assessment of the timeline associated with
fielding the platforms;
(3) an analysis of platforms and solutions that are
currently available that might address those requirements, to
include commercial off-the-shelf technologies; and
(4) an assessment of funding required to fully mature the
modernized electronic medical record and transition to a
fielded capability.
Progress Report on the Psychedelic Treatment Pilot Program
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
(Public Law 118-31) directed the Department of Defense to
conduct a pilot program using MDMA to assist members of the
armed forces and veterans still suffering from PTSD. The
committee applauds the Department in funding two medical
studies towards this effort at Walter Reed National Medical
Center and University of Texas Health Science Center at San
Antonio. While the committee understands that these MDMA-
assisted therapies are still on going, increased oversight,
awareness, and communication with the Department is needed to
deliver the most innovative available means necessary to assist
those suffering from PTSD.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the
House Committee on Armed Services a report no later than
February 1, 2026, covering the progress, findings, shortfalls,
and recommendations to continue and, if necessary, improve the
current programs using MDMA to treat patients suffering from
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Providing Clarity for Annual Hold-Harmless Payments
The committee is concerned by the lack of transparency that
the Defense Health Agency has provided to children's hospitals
that provide care to the families of servicemembers. This lack
of transparency is particularly prevalent in the management of
children's hospitals TRICARE reimbursement methodology related
to outpatient claims and handled within the Outpatient
Prospective Payment System (OPPS). The committee believes that
children's hospitals should receive detailed explanations
regarding the process and methodology that the Defense Health
Agency uses to calculate the annual payment adjustments
provided to children's hospitals via OPPS and the General
Temporary Military Contingency Payment Adjustment and Hold
Harmless payments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the congressional defense committees by
March 1, 2026, including the following information:
(1) a detailed, written explanation of the methodology used
to calculate the 2024 annual payment adjustments to serve as a
baseline;
(2) a plan to provide a written explanation of the
methodology used to calculate annual payment adjustments on an
annual basis to children's hospitals, including the
identification of any barriers to implementing such a plan;
(3) a plan for establishing a process via which children's
hospitals might appeal the Defense Health Agency's decision
regarding a given hospital's eligibility for a GTMCPA and Hold
Harmless payments and the total payment amount and specific
claims determinations on a regular basis, as determined by the
Director of the Defense Health Agency;
(4) a plan to establish a formal channel through which
children's hospitals may submit questions to the Defense Health
Agency related to annual payment adjustments and GTMCPAs moving
forward, including those related to eligibility, and set a
standard for quick response timelines; and
(5) any other issues the Director considers relevant.
Report on Training Doctrine for Radiation and Thermal Burn Treatment
The committee recognizes the urgent need for the
procurement and prepositioning of treatments for acute
radiation syndrome and cutaneous radiation injury incurred by
members of the Armed Forces assigned to duty locations outside
the United States. The committee is concerned that current
Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) and Combat Lifesaver (CLS)
training doctrine may not fully incorporate recent FDA-approved
medical treatments relevant to such injuries and appropriate
for use by warfighters in operational settings.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the appropriate commands, to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than
March 31, 2026, regarding current IFAK and CLS training
doctrine. The report should include:
(1) A review of whether personnel have access to adequate
training to manage radiation and thermal burn injuries;
(2) a review of access to FDA-approve medical
countermeasures for radiation and thermal burns; and
(3) any recommendations to update the current training or
medical kit contents.
Specialty Circuit Rider Assessment
The committee notes that servicemembers and families
stationed at installations designated as ``Remote and
Isolated'' by the Department of Defense face many challenges,
particularly when accessing health care. Due to a shortage of
health care specialists in many rural areas, individuals have
to travel to metropolitan areas for specialty care, often
facing logistical challenges and, in some cases, being forced
to take additional leave. The committee recognizes the
importance of access to health care so servicemembers and their
families can focus on accomplishing their mission. The
committee also recognizes the value of the Military Health
System's Specialist Circuit Rider program, which bridge health
care gaps in remote military communities in the United States
and overseas. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a report to the Senate Committee on Armed
Services and the House Committees on Armed Services not later
than March 31, 2026. The report shall include the following
information on the Specialist Circuit Rider program:
(1) which military installations in the continental United
States have benefitted from the program, what specialties have
been made available, and since when;
(2) the estimated number of servicemembers and dependents
who have benefitted from this program in installations in the
continental United States;
(3) which military bases in the outside the continental
United States have benefitted from the program, what
specialties have been made available, and since when;
(4) the estimated number of servicemembers and dependents
who have benefitted from this program in installations outside
of the continental United States;
(5) what practices by the Department have been successful
in administering the program;
(6) has the Department considered extending telehealth as
an option to expand access to specialists;
(7) has the Department considered establishing private-
sector partnerships to improve this program;
(8) has the Department measured impacts on access to
readiness as a result of this program;
(9) has the Department measured time and costs saved to
beneficiaries as a result of this program; and
(10) any additional information the Secretary deems
appropriate.
Suicide Analytic Variable Evaluation System
The committee believes the rate of military suicide is
unacceptably high and that a new approach is required to solve
this pervasive problem. The committee is aware of ongoing
efforts to address and mitigate mental health concerns that are
unique to the environments military personnel operate and live
within; however, the committee also acknowledges that an
increased modernization effort is needed to approach the
evolving nature of mental health and suicide across the force.
Therefore, the committee strongly encourages the Secretary of
the Air Force to prioritize research and development of tools
that incorporate the use of artificial intelligence-enabled
tools to identify and facilitate early intervention with at-
risk personnel.
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Efforts
The committee remains gravely concerned about the
persistently high rates of suicide among active-duty service
members, reservists, and veterans. Despite increased attention
and investment in prevention programs, suicide continues to
take a devastating toll on the force. The committee
acknowledges the Department of Defense's ongoing efforts,
including implementation of the recommendations from the
Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee,
but believes more must be done to evaluate and expand effective
interventions. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than February 1, 2026, on current Department suicide
prevention efforts. The briefing should include data on suicide
rates by service, progress in implementing independent review
recommendations, evaluation of evidence-based programs, efforts
to reduce stigma around behavioral health care, and improve
unit-level leadership training.
TRICARE Claim Processing Concerns
The committee notes the importance of timely health
insurance claim processing to ensure the health and well-being
of our service members and their families. The committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31,
2026, on the status of health insurance claim processing in the
TRICARE West and TRICARE East Regions for the calendar year
2025. The report shall include:
(1) a detailed analysis of the primary causes of TRICARE
claim processing and payment delays from, including, but not
limited to issues related to contractor transitions,
credentialing, information technology systems, administrative
bottlenecks, and staffing shortages;
(2) an inventory of all TRICARE health insurance claims
that were delayed in their processing from including data on
the number of beneficiaries affected by care disruptions,
delayed authorizations, or inability to access services due to
these delays;
(3) a summary of average claim processing times, payment
timelines, and rates of delayed claims by region and
contractor;
(4) an inventory of all health providers who left the
TRICARE network from, as well as the reason for their
departure;
(5) an assessment of the responsiveness and effectiveness
of contractor and Defense Health Agency support channels for
providers and beneficiaries, including but not limited to
average hold times and response rates to inquiries;
(6) an assessment of the key challenges faced during the
TRICARE West and East Region transitions from, as well as best
practices and recommendations to prevent claim processing and
payment delays in the future.
TRICARE Contract Implementation Study
The committee notes with concern the Department of Defense
Military Health System's (MHS) administration of the T-5
TRICARE contract. The ensuing contract implementation in both
the TRICARE East and TRICARE West regions interrupted quality
of care and negatively impacted servicemember and family
readiness. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 31, 2026, examining the TRICARE
contract acquisition process, implementation, health care
delivery, and lessons learned as applicable to both the East
and West regions. The report should include the following
elements:
(1) An assessment of the process, beginning with the
contract Request for Proposal until present, including
recommendations to improve future TRICARE contract
acquisitions;
(2) An assessment of the transition process between
previous and current TRICARE contractors;
(3) An assessment of actions the Defense Health Agency took
to validate contractor preparedness prior to implementation on
January 1, 2025;
(4) An assessment of actions the Defense Health Agency took
to provide oversight and compel contract compliance after
January 1, 2025;
(5) An assessment of the contract transition's impact on
the beneficiary population, including how many have lost access
to TRICARE, in each region; and
(6) An assessment of the contract transition's impact on
health care provider networks, including specialty care, in
each region.
Uniformed Services University Medical Center Partnership
The committee supports the Uniformed Services University
(USU) as a force generation, force sustainment, biomedical
research, work force development and operational support
platform for the Department of Defense. The committee also
notes the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) as a
vital research institution in areas like biodefense, radiation
biology and health professions workforce development. Moreover,
there is a strong partnership between USU and UNMC in specific
programs and activities that include the National Disaster
Medical System, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
and many other programs that strengthen the Military Health
System. The committee also notes the effective and efficient
manner in which USU may leverage capabilities of a long time
Department of Defense research partner at the University of
Nebraska. As such, the committee encourages USU and UNMC to
continue to build on this relationship for the betterment of
the Department of Defense, to include further development of
the innovation hub supporting the National Disaster Medical
System Pilot program in Omaha, Nebraska. Furthermore, the
committee supports further strengthening this relationship over
the next five years.
Wound Care and Management in Future Combat
The committee commends the Department of Defense for its
continued activities focused on treating injuries sustained by
servicemembers in austere environments. The committee is aware
of the challenges the future battlespace will place on medical
support operations and the need for modernized casualty care
capabilities for combat operations, including wound care and
management. The committee is concerned with the lack of a
comprehensive strategy across the Military Health System to
address wound care and management encompassing advances in
research, development, clinical care, and education and
training to deliver lifesaving pre-hospital wound care,
stabilize battlefield casualties, and enhance readiness with
robust return to duty rates.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 27, 2026, on the Department's plan to address
unique interventions required in future combat environments and
research required to advance wound care and management. The
report shall include, at a minimum:
(1) identification of and recommendations to amend clinical
practice guidelines to treat combat wounds in future
battlespaces;
(2) identification of and recommendations for education and
training needs and military-civilian partnerships applicable to
the advancement of wound care and management following combat
injury; and
(3) engagement by industry and academic medical
institutions to support partnerships to address the wound care
and management needs of servicemembers in future operational
environments.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Tricare and Other Health Benefits
Section 701--Dental Readiness
This section would provide no cost dental coverage under
TRICARE for members of the Reserve Component.
Section 702--Inclusion of Certain Tests as Part of the Periodic Health
Assessment Provided to Members of the Armed Forces
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
include certain tests as part of the periodic health
assessments provided to members of the Armed Forces.
Section 703--Fertility Treatment for Certain Members of the Armed
Forces and Dependents
This section would provide TRICARE coverage for fertility
treatment to servicemembers and their dependents.
Section 704--TRICARE Coverage for Increased Supply for Contraception
This section would require TRICARE to allow Active Duty
servicemembers, and their beneficiaries, to receive up to a
full year's supply of contraception.
Section 705--Pilot Program on Access to Obstetrical and Gynecological
Care Under TRICARE Prime Program
This section would establish a pilot program for covered
patients to designate an obstetrical and gynecological care
provider under TRICARE and receive care without a referral by
the designated provider.
Section 706--Pilot Program to Make Midwife Services Available Through
TRICARE to Certain Individuals
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to carry
out a pilot program to provide services from midwives to
covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program.
Section 707--Pilot Program to Treat Pregnancy as a Qualifying Event for
Enrollment in TRICARE Select
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a five-year pilot program treating pregnancy as a
qualifying life event for the purposes of eligibility to enroll
in TRICARE Select.
Section 708--Pilot Program to Assist Certain Members of the Armed
Forces and Dependents With Additional Supplemental Coverage Relating to
Cancer
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
test a pilot program to provide service personnel with a
voluntary option to enroll in a low-premium supplemental
insurance plan to help protect against uncovered out-of-pocket
expenses resulting from a cancer.
Section 709--Medical Testing and Related Services for Firefighters of
Department of Defense
This section would authorize additional detection and
prevention measures for certain cancers for Department of
Defense firefighters.
Subtitle B--Health Care Administration
Section 721--Military-Civilian Medical Surge Program
This section would authorize a military civilian
Partnership Program to enhance interoperability and medical
surge capability and capacity of the National Disaster Medical
System.
Section 722--Reimbursement for Travel Expenses Relating to Specialty
Care for Certain Members of the Armed Forces and Dependents
This section would lower the reimbursement for medical
appointment mileage to 50 miles.
Section 723--Payment Adjustments for Outpatient Services for Certain
Children's Hospitals
This section would provide for a mandatory contingency
payment for care provided by qualifying children's hospitals to
Active Duty servicemembers and their dependents.
Section 724--Verification of Licensure or Health-Care Professionals of
the Military Departments
This section would require the Department of Defense to
establish a centralized system to verify licensure of military
health-care professionals, ensuring that 90 percent of non-
adverse credential checks are completed within seven days,
regardless of service branch or facility location.
Section 725--Expansion of Health Care License Portability for Members
of the National Guard Performing Training or Duty
This section would expand health care license portability
for National Guard health care providers for duty and training
purposes from a specific 502(f) status to all duty statuses
under title 32, United States Code.
Section 726--Licensure Requirement for Health-Care Professionals of
Partner Countries
This section would authorize the Department of Defense to
recognize medical licenses from trusted partner countries for
health professionals caring for U.S. forces.
Section 727--Modification of Limitation on Reduction of Military
Medical Manning End Strength
This section would extend the restriction on cuts to
military medical end strength.
Section 728--Prohibition on Painful Research on Domestic Cats and Dogs
This section would prevent the Department of Defense from
conducting painful research on domestic cats and dogs unless
the Secretary of Defense grants a waiver on a case-by-case
basis.
Section 729--Pilot Program to Test Standalone Technology to Improve
Efficiencies in Supply-Chain Management, Medical Readiness, and Medical
Processes
This section would establish a pilot program to support
innovative medical technology.
Section 730--Availability of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Services at
Military Medical Treatment Facilities
This section would require military medical treatment
facilities to provide continuous access to sexual assault nurse
examiners.
Section 731--Uniform Protocols on Screening for Unwanted Sexual
Behavior
This section would require the Department of Defense to
implement uniform protocols on screening for experiences with
unwanted sexual behavior.
Section 732--Access to Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations for
Civilian Employees and Contractors
This section would provide access to sexual assault
forensic examinations for civilian employees and contractors.
Section 733--Mandatory Training on Health Effects of Perfluoroalkyl or
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
This section would require the Department of Defense to
provide training to medical providers on the health effects of
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Subtitle C--Studies, Briefings, Reports, and Other Matters
Section 741--Military Medical Cooperation Arrangements Among Five Eyes
Countries
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
establish agreements with Five Eyes allies to enhance military
medical cooperation.
Section 742--Strategy for Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries Through
Digital Health Technologies
This section would establish a working group to develop a
strategy for treating traumatic brain injuries through digital
health technologies.
Section 743--Report on Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Certain Pilots
Serving on Active Duty
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a study to determine whether pilots suffer traumatic
brain injury from the cumulative effects of high performance
flying.
Section 744--Study on Prevalence and Mortality of Cancer Among Military
Rotary-Wing Pilots and Aviation Support Personnel
This section would require the Defense Health Agency, in
conjunction with the Directors of the National Institutes of
Health and the National Cancer Institute, to conduct a cancer
incidence study among rotary-wing aviators.
Section 745--Study on Effects of Service in the Special Operations
Forces to Health of Members of the Armed Forces
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a five-year study on the impacts of special operations
service on personnel health.
Section 746--Pilot Program on Use of Fish Skin Regeneration Products in
Treating Burn and Blast Injuries
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
establish a three-year pilot program at Walter Reed National
Military Medical Center to evaluate the efficacy of fish skin
regeneration products for treating burn and blast injuries.
Section 747--Pilot Program on Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring for
Certain Pregnant and Post-Partum TRICARE Beneficiaries
This section would create a pilot program on remote blood
pressure monitoring for certain pregnant and post-partum
TRICARE beneficiaries.
Section 748--Pilot Program to Help Certain Members of the Armed Forces
Stop Smoking
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
carry out a one-year pilot program to provide covered
servicemembers alternatives to smoking.
Section 749--Pilot Program on Secure, Mobile Personal Health Record for
Members of the Armed Forces Participating in the Transition Assistance
Program
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
establish a pilot program to allow servicemembers in the
Transition Assistance Program to compile a Personal Health
Record prior to separation.
Section 750--Report on Transitioning of Mail-Order Pharmacy Program of
TRICARE Program to an In-House Mail Order Service
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
submit a report on the feasibility and advisability of
transitioning the contractor-operated, mail-order pharmacy
program of the TRICARE program to a service provided directly
by the Department of Defense.
Section 751--Strategic Plan to Address Mental Health of Members of the
Armed Forces
This section would require the Department of Defense to
develop a strategic plan to increase awareness of mental health
assistance and resources for servicemembers and to standardize
training for leadership.
TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED
MATTERS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Addressing Gaps in Qualification Procedures for Certain Additional
Parts Sources
Section 161 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263), as
amended, requires the Secretary of the Air Force and the
Secretary of the Navy to develop and implement processes for
the acquisition of new, used, overhauled, reconditioned, or
remanufactured commercial dual-use parts and the use of such
parts in all commercial derivative aircraft and engines used by
the respective military services. The law mandated these
actions to be completed by June 21, 2023, yet the committee has
seen little progress toward compliance.
The committee is concerned that the Secretary of the Air
Force and the Secretary of the Navy have not sufficiently
addressed internal policies that are preventing the military
services from fully leveraging established qualified supply
chains, established commercial parts pools and distribution
networks, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
certification processes to provide the Department of Defense
with a robust and resilient support system for commercial dual-
use parts in commercial derivative aircraft.
Furthermore, the committee notes that Air Force Materiel
Command Instruction 23-113, Pre-Award Qualification of New or
Additional Parts Sources and the Use of the Source Approval
Request (SAR), dated February 20, 2024, requires mandatory
compliance and states that ``[w]hen the [Engineering Support
Activity] establishes pre-award qualifications of a new or
additional source as a requirement, qualification requirements
must be generated.'' The instruction fails to provide an
exception to this policy in cases where an FAA Parts
Manufacturer Approval (PMA) has been provided in accordance
with title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, part 21, subpart K,
PMA. Instead of a streamlined pathway for evaluation of these
FAA-qualified parts, the SAR process is typically stalled
awaiting adjudication because the Engineering Support Activity
(ESA) cannot or will not generate qualification requirements
absent the original manufacturer's qualification requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to revise agency policies and guidance related to pre-award
qualification and source approval processes to ensure that:
(1) the requirement for an ESA to develop pre-award
qualifications shall not apply in cases where a FAA PMA is
provided in accordance with title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations, part 21, subpart K, PMA;
(2) the Department of Defense recognizes an FAA PMA as both
the design and manufacturing approval as governed by title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, part 21, subpart K, PMA;
(3) the FAA PMA approval serves in lieu of an Engineering
Support Activity Approval; and
(4) for Critical Application Item or a Critical Safety
Item, the ESA shall use the PMA data package submitted to the
FAA to evaluate potential offerors and may require additional
SAR.
Furthermore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, on the progress made in
complying with the requirements of section 161, as amended, and
on the steps taken to use an FAA PMA to meet qualification
requirements.
Adopting Novel Technologies Through Formal Innovative Partnerships
The committee affirms that the Department of Defense must
adopt novel technologies at an accelerated pace, and that
early-stage venture firms are well-positioned to identify and
incubate innovative solutions to complex problems that the
Department cannot resolve through its traditional acquisition
pathways. The committee applauds the Navy's Program Executive
Office Digital and Enterprise Services (PEO Digital)'s
Innovation Adoption Kit, which can serve as a model for
streamlined adoption of cutting-edge technology through
partnerships with early-stage venture firms. The committee
notes that the Navy is using this framework to incorporate
commercially available software that provides agentic AI and
mathematical optimization models for complex systems. The
committee encourages the Navy to continue formal innovation
partnerships, using PEO Digital's work as a model, and expects
the other services to do the same. These partnerships should
develop a shared savings approach to align incentives for rapid
innovation and adoption.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, on progress and plans to
implement formal innovation partnerships with early-stage
venture firms across the military departments.
Advanced Processing Capabilities to Extract Critical Minerals
The committee reaffirms its strong support for the
Department of Defense's (DOD) prioritization of establishing
secure, domestic supply chains and reliable sources of critical
minerals essential to national defense and technological
superiority. Also, the committee notes the existence of
advanced processing techniques, including technologies to
extract valuable metals from mine waste streams.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by February 2, 2026. The briefing should include:
(1) details on how current DOD initiatives are supporting
advanced processing capabilities to extract critical minerals
from mine waste streams in domestic mining operations;
(2) information on partnerships with the private sector
through grants, loans, or other strategic investments that
promote the economic viability of U.S.-based critical mineral
production; and
(3) details on how the DOD is coordinating with other
relevant federal entities, including the Department of Energy,
Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection
Agency, to develop and implement an integrated national
strategy for the secure, sustainable sourcing of critical
minerals.
Analyzing the Impact of the Truth in Negotiations Act on Competition
The committee notes the importance of growth and
competition in the defense industrial base and encourages
involvement and competition to the maximum extent possible. The
committee also notes the importance of the Truth in
Negotiations Act (TINA) in assisting the Department of Defense
negotiate fair and reasonably priced contracts in sole-source,
non-commercial environments. To better understand the impact of
the TINA thresholds on competition, proposal lead times, and
price in the defense industrial base, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees, due not later than June 1, 2026. The report
shall include:
(1) An assessment of the competitive environment for non-
commercial contracts and subcontracts before and after the last
major TINA threshold change in 2018. This assessment should
include year-on-year historical data showing competition rates
for the six years prior to the TINA threshold change and after
the threshold change.
(2) An evaluation of the impact of the TINA threshold on
the administrative burden for contractors. This should include
an analysis of proposal lead time and bid and proposal prep
costs for the six years prior to and after the TINA threshold
change.
(3) An evaluation of the impact of the TINA threshold on
prices paid for same or similar products comparing price when
TINA applied to the contract or subcontract and the impacts to
price after TINA was no longer applicable. This analysis should
include any instance where TINA is no longer applied and
describe any out-year impacts.
(4) A plan for data collection to continually assess the
effectiveness of TINA and to quantify of the impacts of any
changes in the TINA threshold over time.
(5) An analysis of the Department of Defense's ability to
track and address defective pricing across the defense
industrial base, and any additional resources required to
adequately track, and address said defective pricing.
Assured Access to Microelectronics for Defense-Critical Technologies
The committee is aware that the adoption of state-of-the-
art microelectronics and their associated advanced packaging is
critical to maintaining U.S. national security and technology
advantage in defense platforms. The United States continues to
face a significant shortfall in domestic manufacturing
capabilities, with over 98 percent of semiconductor assembly,
packaging, and testing done overseas.
The committee is also aware that commercial markets drive
semiconductor profits, innovation, and private-sector
investment. As a result, the supply of high-mix and low-volume
microelectronics needed by the Department of Defense remains at
risk and continues to rely on foreign sources and packaging
services.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, in coordination with the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 2, 2026, on investments and initiatives to
strengthen the Department's efforts to support the industrial
base in buttressing the U.S. ability to source legacy
semiconductors and to develop domestic microelectronics
packaging capability.
AUKUS and Rare Earth Supply Security
The committee is concerned about the reliance on China for
critical minerals, including rare earths, essential for
production of defense systems for the U.S. military and allies.
The committee notes that Australia has significant deposits of
rare earths and other critical minerals and considerable
domestic expertise in mining and processing. Given the
importance of and significant investment in the AUKUS defense
partnership, the committee would like to understand the
potential for formally integrating critical mineral supply
development and guarantees into AUKUS. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the
Secretary of State, to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees not later than February 1, 2026, on
potential approaches to extend the AUKUS partnership to include
development and guarantee of critical mineral supplies,
including but not limited to samarium, to benefit the U.S. and
allied defense industrial bases, including analysis of the
feasibility and advisability of such approaches. The report can
include a classified annex.
Battery Supply Chain Research and Security
The committee recognizes the efforts of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy to enhance
rapid manufacturing and prototyping capacity, reduce dependence
on foreign suppliers, and mitigate potential risks associated
with adversarial nations within the U.S. defense industrial
base. The committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Industrial Base Policy to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than January 20, 2026, on
efforts to enhance the resilience of the United States'
lithium-ion battery manufacturing and rapid prototyping
capacity for defense and other national security purposes,
reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, and mitigate potential
risks associated with adversarial nations. The briefing shall
include:
(1) the potential risks and vulnerabilities within the
United States' lithium-ion battery manufacturing supply chain;
(2) methods needed to enhance the resilience of the United
States' lithium battery supply chain, reduce dependence on
foreign suppliers and mitigate potential risks associated with
adversarial nations;
(3) the current security protocols and clearance procedures
for foreign-owned battery producers that are currently
operating in the United States, which may interact with the
Department of Defense; and
(4) the feasibility of the creation of a foundry that is
capable of rapidly prototyping innovative battery technologies
and applications for defense-related programs. The foundry
concept to be considered shall include: (a) the ability and
feasibility to drive commercialization of innovative
technologies within the lithium-ion battery sector, with a
production capacity of 100-300 MWh, and a technical scope that
spans materials processing, electrode production, cell
assembly, final formation, pack design and manufacturing, and
product prototyping up to Low Rate of Initial Production; (b)
the ability to surge production of standardized batteries at
the request of the Department of Defense; and (c) the
feasibility of the establishment of a foundry that fosters
collaborative partnerships between the private sector, U.S.
national laboratories, and foreign partners investing in the
United States to support domestic manufacturing and innovation.
Briefing on Contracting Officer Communications and Cooperation with
Contractors
The committee is concerned about whether Department of
Defense contracting officers demonstrate willingness to
cooperate in a timely and fair manner when presented with a
contract issue that has potential to escalate into a formal
dispute. Failure to do so can delay program delivery and
increase the cost of critical programs. A contracting officer's
willingness and ability to work with contractors is
instrumental to achieving successful and timely contract
outcomes.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
February 1, 2026, describing current training and guidance to
contracting officers related to communications and cooperation
with contractors. In preparation for the briefing, the
committee directs the Under Secretary to conduct a review of
contract files for a relevant sample set of recent major system
acquisitions (as that term is defined in section 3041 of title
10 of the United States Code) to assess how and when the
contracting officer responded to a written request or
notification seeking the contracting officer's direction,
action, or assistance for purposes of contract administration
or the performance of contractual obligations. The briefing
should provide examples of how current training and guidance
was demonstrated in the action of contracting officers and
should also identify any actions that will be taken by the
Under Secretary to improve the performance of contracting
officers as a result of findings from the review of contract
files.
Briefing on Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Manufactured in Adversarial
Nations
The committee is concerned that supply chains for critical
raw materials needed to manufacture therapeutics to treat
chronic diseases and viral pandemics largely originate in
adversary nations like China. This is a vulnerability that can
be exploited and weaponized by our enemies when we are at our
greatest vulnerability. Failure to address this situation is a
national security threat that can only be remedied through a
strong domestic supply chain for production of therapeutic
chemistries and biologics.
The committee therefore directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to brief the committee
no later than March 1, 2026, on how the Department can reduce
its import dependence on China for pseudouridine, pseudouridine
monophosphate, and N1 methyl pseudouridine monophosphate. Such
a briefing shall include:
(1) Identification of the current requirements of the
Department of Defense for the above listed pharmaceutical raw
materials;
(2) Projected requirements of the Department for these raw
materials through the year 2040;
(3) Identification of the sources of the listed raw
materials used to meet current and projected requirements of
the Department, including such sources produced in adversarial
nations; and
(4) Recommendation of actions needed to ensure that
domestic sources are able to replace imports for these
pharmaceutical raw materials from countries of concern without
interruptions in supply to the Department within the next four
years.
Campus-Style Manufacturing Centers for Solid Rocket Motors
The committee recognizes the need to strengthen the U.S.
defense industrial base, considering the impacts of
geopolitical dynamics and strategic competition on national
security supply chains, especially concerning solid rocket
motors (SRMs). Accordingly, Section 866 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159)
requires the Department of Defense to submit a strategy for
ensuring that the domestic defense industrial base can meet
requirements for programs of record relating to SRMs. The
committee still awaits the contents of this strategy and,
elsewhere in this Act, calls for an additional report detailing
current efforts to qualify alternative sources for Mk-72 and
Mk-104 rocket motors.
Onshoring proven manufacturing and industries related to
SRMs requires foundational and developmental support to ensure
reliable and competitive SRM production. Industry is developing
co-located manufacturing centers and industrial campuses that
include new SRM production facilities, and is leveraging
private capital to support rapid innovation, commercial
partnerships, and scaling of the most vital industries to our
national security. The committee encourages the Department to
explore this model as a cost-saving, capacity-building approach
to enhancing the SRM supply chain.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a report to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1,
2026, assessing the campus-style model to support the national
defense industrial base posture. This report should include:
(1) the benefits of campus-style models for energetics
manufacturing, including overcoming challenges resulting from
fragmented subcomponent sourcing, fostering business
partnerships and cost-sharing, and promoting new technology
insertion;
(2) funding requirements and budget plans to support
additional experienced and proven SRM production capabilities
in the United States through an industrial campus model to
scale and diversify SRM production to strengthen the U.S.
defense industrial base to complement existing industrial base
capabilities; and
(3) a market description of potential locations and private
capital investments for an industrial campus to support new or
expanded SRM production.
Childcare for Acquisitions Workforce
The committee recognizes the need for greater workforce
recruitment and retention efforts to support revitalization of
the U.S. Defense Industrial Base, especially for critical
acquisition programs in areas such as shipbuilding and nuclear
modernization. The committee is aware that securing affordable,
accessible, reliable, and high-quality childcare can be a
significant challenge for many contractor employees performing
on Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to develop incentives
for DoD contractors to assist employees with childcare
solutions that are responsive to the needs of workers and are
reflective of regional market dynamics. The committee notes
that access to childcare during extended hours is often a
particular concern for many employees performing on mission-
critical contracts.
Accordingly, the committee encourages the Under Secretary
to work with contractors in collaboration with community
stakeholders, including state and local governments and local
groups with expertise in administering childcare, to create
effective solutions. The committee directs the Under Secretary
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2026, on efforts to incentivize
contractors to address these concerns. The briefing should
include recommendations for any changes to law or regulation
that would be necessary to better enable childcare access to
employees of defense contractors.
Comptroller General Review of U.S. Readiness to Support a National
Mobilization of the Defense Industrial Base
The committee recognizes the urgent need to develop
industrial capacity that can be rapidly mobilized to sustain
and procure additional military assets and capabilities in
times of war. The committee acknowledges a June 2024 report
from the Government Accountability Office concluding that the
Department of Defense is ``not yet well-positioned to field
systems with speed,'' noting that the average delivery time for
major defense acquisition programs has increased from eight to
11 years.
The committee observes that this challenge is compounded by
the significant decline in domestic manufacturing, a growing
reliance on imports for military platforms, weapons, and
equipment, and increasing complexity within defense-critical
supply chains. The committee recognizes that these
vulnerabilities have been repeatedly exploited by U.S.
adversaries through cyberattacks, economic manipulation, supply
chain sabotage, and other hostile tactics and pose serious
threats to U.S. national security that undermine military
readiness and the defense industrial base's ability to respond
effectively to large-scale conflicts.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
United States to provide a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than March 27, 2026, on U.S. readiness
to support a national mobilization of the defense industrial
base. The report shall include:
(1) an analysis of interagency requirements, including
those of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of
Commerce, and the readiness of relevant authorities such as the
Defense Production Act of 1950 (Public Law 81-774);
(2) an assessment of emerging threats to the U.S. defense
industrial base and its supply chains;
(3) an evaluation of the Department's current ability to
rapidly mobilize and sustain the material needs of the Joint
Force in wartime--particularly during a protracted conflict
involving adversary strategies of attrition--and its capacity
to replenish U.S. military arsenals; and
(4) an assessment on the Armed Forces' capability to
disrupt adversary supply chains through interagency
partnerships and whole-of-government strategies.
Comptroller General Review of Use of Data-Driven Procurement Solutions
by the Department of Defense
The committee is aware that AI-driven analytics,
automation, and data integration can aid in assessing and
improving contracting efficiency, transparency, and oversight.
However, the committee is concerned that the use of such tools
is not widespread within the business management and
acquisition processes of the Department of Defense. Therefore,
the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to conduct a review of the Department's use of data-
driven procurement tools, including AI-based analytics, to
assist in auditing activities, fraud detection, identification
of procurement inefficiencies, supplier management, compliance
measures, and contracting activities, while identifying cost-
saving opportunities and best practices for modernizing defense
acquisitions.
The committee also directs the Comptroller General of the
United States to submit a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than February 2, 2026, that includes
the findings and recommendations from the review.
Contracting Workforce Performance Measures
The committee remains concerned that the defense
acquisition system is not delivering the weapon systems needed
by the U.S. military to deter and defeat America's adversaries.
The committee recognizes that the contracting workforce
performs a crucial role that impacts how quickly weapons
systems are delivered to warfighters, the costs of contracts,
and how the government holds contractors accountable for their
performance. However, the committee is concerned that the
contracting workforce is overly reliant on performance metrics
such as the number of contracts managed, the dollar value of
contracts, and other measures that do not sufficiently assess
the quality of contracting outcomes when considering individual
contracting officer performance. The committee supports the
Department's efforts to develop measures of performance that
assess contract outcomes, versus the size and quantity of
contracts.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
February 27, 2026, on the Department's efforts to update
contracting workforce performance measures based on contract
outcomes.
Controlled Unclassified Information Handling, Monitoring, and
Validation Within the Defense Industrial Base
The committee understands that the Cybersecurity Maturity
Model Certification (CMMC) program intends to establish robust
security controls for people, processes, and technology to
safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within the
defense industrial base. However, challenges remain due to the
complexity and volume of data that existed in both government
and contractor systems before the CMMC program, and the CUI
designation, was put in place.
The committee recognizes that the location, identification,
assessment and, if necessary, designation of this historic data
as CUI, is a considerable undertaking with shared
responsibility between the government and contractors. The
committee encourages the Secretary of Defense to apply a risk-
based approach in establishing requirements for contractors to
conduct reviews and analysis and appropriate designation of
data necessary to support effective implementation of CMMC.
Additionally, the committee remains concerned that currently
there is no mandatory mechanism to ensure continuous monitoring
and remediation of CUI that may be inadvertently stored or
transmitted outside approved environments, posing risks of non-
compliance and potential data exposure.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on efforts by the Department to
improve the identification, designation and security of
unclassified information that requires safeguarding or
dissemination controls limiting its distribution to those with
a lawful government purpose, including data that existed before
the CUI designation was established. The report should also
include details on specific measures, including methods to
continuously monitor compliance with CMMC requirements, that
are in place to assist in these efforts.
Critical Minerals Required to Support Department of Defense
Requirements
The committee notes that the Department of Defense relies
on a broad array of critical minerals and rare earth elements
to support U.S. military capabilities. The committee remains
concerned about national security risks posed by an
overreliance on foreign sources, particularly adversarial
nations, for the supply, processing, and refinement of these
materials. While the committee recognizes prior efforts by
Congress and the Department to address critical mineral supply
chain vulnerabilities, the Department's requirements for
critical minerals continues to evolve rapidly.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Director, Defense Logistics Agency, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 27, 2026, on the Department's current and
projected demands for critical minerals and rare earth elements
and efforts to diversify sourcing requirements.
Critical Minerals Supply Chain Transparency
The committee supports efforts to enhance transparency in
U.S. critical mineral supply chains to ensure adequate
resourcing and procurement, readiness of U.S. Armed Forces, and
proper handling of hazardous (including radioactive) materials.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the
Defense Logistics Agency to establish a program not later than
December 1, 2025, that utilizes in-house or commercially
available software and technologies that provide visibility and
data analytic capabilities to track and manage U.S. supply
chain operations. The Department may consider providing grants,
contracts, or subsidies to encourage contractors to utilize
such software and technologies.
The committee also directs the Director of the Defense
Logistics Agency to provide a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than December 1, 2026, based on
information gathered from the new program. The report shall
include the following:
(1) a summary of the current state and any identified risks
to the security of U.S. critical mineral supply chains;
(2) an analysis of the impacts of supply chain transparency
on the overall readiness of weapons and surveillance systems;
and
(3) a list with descriptions of any identified instances of
improper handling or transportation of hazardous materials,
including radioactive materials.
Current Efforts to Mitigate Risks to the Defense Industrial Base
The committee is concerned about the Department of
Defense's efforts to improve how it identifies and mitigates
risks to the defense industrial base. For many years, the
Department did not have a consolidated or comprehensive
strategy to address industrial base risks. In its report
published on July 7, 2022, titled ``Defense Industrial Base:
DOD Should Take Actions to Strengthen Its Risk Mitigation
Approach,'' the Government Accountability Office reported that
the Department lacked such a strategy and did not have
performance measures to monitor the effectiveness of its
mitigation efforts (GAO-22-104154). Further, the report found
that the Department struggled to report its progress in Annual
Industrial Capability Reports. In 2024, the Department of
Defense issued its first National Defense Industrial Strategy
and corresponding implementation plan. Together, these
documents provide a roadmap for the Department's efforts to
mitigate industrial base risks. However, the extent to which
the Department of Defense is implementing this strategy is
unclear.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a report to the Senate Committee on
Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than March 1, 2026, on the Department of Defense's
current efforts to mitigate risks to the defense industrial
base. The report should include the following information:
(1) the Department's actions to implement the National
Defense Industrial Strategy, including steps taken to link the
strategy to other efforts across the Department;
(2) the status of the Department's effort to provide
resources for planned and ongoing risk mitigation activities;
(3) the Department's progress in mitigating industrial base
risks;
(4) any other information the Comptroller General
determines appropriate with respect to defense industrial base
risk mitigation.
Defense Supply Chain Audit for Dependencies on Adversaries
The committee notes the importance of the Department of
Defense maintaining secure and resilient supply chains for key
weapons programs and the current challenges in achieving such
security and resiliency due to the Department relying on the
People's Republic of China for components in certain supply
chains including critical minerals, advanced batteries, very
large cast and forged parts, and microelectronics.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
not later than April 1, 2026, to initiate audits of the supply
chains of at least three of the Department's major defense
programs, including at least one program each in the missile
defense, munitions, and maritime mission areas that have
components or materials from industries with PRC supply chain
exposure. The committee further directs the Secretary of
Defense not later than October 1, 2026, to report to the House
Committee on Armed Services on the following:
(1) findings from these audits on the current presence of
materials or goods sourced from the PRC in the supply chains of
selected defense programs;
(2) an assessment of which of these materials or goods are
vulnerable to supply chain disruption by the PRC; and
(3) plans for identifying and qualifying alternative
suppliers to provide the Department's contractors with these
materials or goods.
Dependence on Chinese Agricultural Inputs as a National Security Risk
The committee recognizes the Department of Defense's
reliance on agricultural-derived inputs from the People's
Republic of China--including synthetic fertilizers, crop
protection chemicals, feedstocks, and other critical
materials--as a strategic vulnerability that could undermine
defense sustainment, logistics, and warfighting readiness in a
contested global supply chain environment, and notes the
Department's recent collaboration with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to strengthen military family food security and
connect agricultural production with defense outcomes, as
outlined in the July 2025 initiative, ``Strengthening Food and
Nutrition Security for a More Secure Nation'' [DoD-USDA Joint
Announcement, July 10, 2025].
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
December 1, 2026, that includes:
(1) an inventory of agricultural-derived inputs supporting
defense operations, supply chains, or the food security of
servicemembers and their families that are currently sourced
wholly or in part from the People's Republic of China;
(2) an assessment of national security and sustainment
risks associated with potential disruptions in the availability
of these inputs; and
(3) a mitigation strategy, developed in consultation with
the Secretary of Agriculture, to reduce reliance on Chinese
sources, strengthen domestic and allied production, and ensure
resilience of defense-relevant food and supply systems.
Development of the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce
Elsewhere in this Act the committee includes a provision
(section 833, Development of the Advance Manufacturing
Workforce) that would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a working group as part of the Industrial Resilience
Consortium to identify opportunities to address workforce
shortages in advanced manufacturing career fields in the
defense industrial base. The committee believes this working
group would be well-suited to identify opportunities for
employment of individuals with disabilities, including disabled
veterans, in the advanced manufacturing workforce.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary to ensure
that the report required by section 833 of this Act includes
recommendations from the working group related to:
(1) training, education, and career development programs
for individuals with disabilities, including mid-career
programs, apprenticeships, internships, and summer camps, to
prepare such individuals for careers in advanced manufacturing;
(2) the establishment of public-private partnerships to
provide workforce development activities for individuals with
disabilities, including identifying incentives for such
partnerships for success in recruiting, training, and retaining
individuals with disabilities for careers in advanced
manufacturing;
(3) opportunities to increase employment of qualified
individuals with disabilities in accordance with section 503 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 793) in advanced
manufacturing; and
(4) any policy changes needed to further the participation
of individuals with disabilities in advanced manufacturing.
Directed-Energy Industrial Base
The committee recognizes that directed-energy weapons (DEW)
have emerged as potentially transformative on the modern
battlefield, leading to systems capable of engaging a wide
variety of threats more affordably than currently fielded
systems. Despite the growing demand for directed energy
capabilities, the committee is concerned that the Department of
Defense has not outlined a clear demand signal to industry on
near-term technology development priorities and long-term plans
for the development, transition, and deployment of these
capabilities.
To support the development of a DEW industrial base and the
associated investments in facilities and workforce, the
committee encourages the Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the service secretaries, to develop a strategy to grow and
strengthen the DEW industrial base. Such a strategy should
include identification of anticipated needs for DEW
capabilities; opportunities to accelerate the transition of DEW
technology into programs of record; approaches to stabilize
funding through long-term DEW investment strategies; and
avenues to promote international partnerships.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 15, 2026, on efforts by the Secretary to grow and
strengthen the DEW industrial base. The briefing should include
the following information:
(1) an estimated demand by the Department for the
development and deployment of DEW systems and the types of DEW
systems that may be required;
(2) an identification of the Department's planned
investments in DEW capabilities across the future years defense
plan and identification of any anticipated shortfalls in
resources to address requirements related to DEW;
(3) a description of efforts by the Department to actively
inform industry investments in DEW technology development,
production, and fielding; and
(4) an identification of any steps the Secretary will take
to improve the Department's engagement with industry to ensure
a resilient and competitive DEW industrial base that can
respond to near-term technology development priorities.
Domestic Hydrazine Production
The committee remains concerned about the Department's
reliance on foreign sources of critical chemical propellants,
specifically hydrazine, that are essential to various defense
applications. Therefore, the committee encourages the Secretary
of Defense to prioritize investment in domestic hydrazine
production enhancements, including facility improvements. The
defense industrial base requires significant investment to
expand these critical capabilities and to meet the objective of
domestic sourcing for all hydrazine-based monopropellants or
bipropellants, including the manufacture of high-purity
hydrazine and monomethyl hydrazine, used in systems funded,
contracted, or licensed by the Department of Defense, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or other Federal
agencies.
Domestic Industrial Base for Essential Components of Unmanned Aerial
Systems
The committee applauds efforts by the Department of Defense
to take a holistic and continuous approach to rapidly
prototyping and scaling capable and secure small and medium-
sized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that are compliant with
relevant policy and foreign content restrictions. However, the
committee is concerned that the growing demand for these
systems is being met through the use of foreign-made actuators
and electric motors. Therefore, the committee directs the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, in
coordination with the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 2, 2026, on the state of the domestic
industrial base for small and medium-sized UAS. The briefing
shall include:
(1) an assessment of the health of the domestic industrial
base for essential components of small and medium-size UAS,
such as electric power systems, propulsion systems and servo
actuators; and
(2) any recommendations to grow and foster the domestic
industrial base of such components in order to meet the growing
demand for compliant small and medium-sized UAS.
Domestic Production of Aluminum-Lithium Alloys
The committee recognizes the strategic importance of
aluminum-lithium alloys as a critical component of the U.S.
defense industrial supply base with promising next-generation
aerospace, space, and defense applications. The committee
appreciates efforts by the Department of Defense to strengthen
the domestic industrial supply base but remains concerned about
aluminum-lithium supply chain vulnerabilities. Therefore, the
committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Industrial Base Policy to provide a briefing to House Committee
on Armed Services by March 1, 2026, on the progress that has
been made in developing domestic production capability for
aluminum-lithium alloys. This briefing should update the
committee on supply chain vulnerabilities related to aluminum-
lithium alloys and on planned investments to support or expand
domestic production capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign
production of such materials.
Domestic Production of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
The committee recognizes the critical role of ultra-high
molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in the production of
advanced body armor, which provides essential protection for
U.S. military personnel. UHMWPE is a strategic material due to
its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and
versatility in lightweight armor applications. Furthermore, the
committee notes that the domestic industrial base for UHMWPE is
constrained, lacking the capacity to meet surge requirements
necessary to equip soldiers with body armor at scale.
To ensure a resilient and secure supply chain for advanced
body armor, the committee strongly encourages the Department of
Defense to prioritize investment in the domestic industrial
base for UHMWPE. Such investments should focus on expanding
production capacity and fostering innovation in manufacturing
processes. The committee further encourages the Department of
Defense to leverage existing authorities, such as the Defense
Production Act or other industrial base programs, to
incentivize capital investment, research and development, and
workforce development for UHMWPE production.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than April 1, 2026, on the Department's plans to
bolster the domestic UHMWPE industrial base, including
timelines and funding requirements to ensure surge capacity and
long-term industrial base health.
Domestic Supply of Certain Semiconductor Devices
The committee remains concerned about possible disruptions
to the supply of critical components, including those that meet
military performance specifications for semiconductor devices
such as MIL-PRF-19500. The committee recognizes the important
role that MIL-PRF-19500 compliant semiconductor devices play in
a broad array of space, satellite, and strategic defense
applications, and is aware that these devices must be able to
withstand environmental stress, such as extreme temperature,
radiation, shock, and vibration.
Furthermore, recent government investment to onshore
semiconductor manufacturing has primarily focused on advanced
nodes, with little investment in the mature nodes that are
required in many of the Department's fielded weapon systems. To
mitigate these risks, the Department is investing in
stockpiling critical components, expanding trusted foundry
partnerships, and developing reverse-engineered replacements.
However, sustaining military readiness in an era of shrinking
legacy chip availability will require long-term policy and
funding commitments to ensure secure and reliable semiconductor
access.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than January
15, 2026, on the status of the domestic supply chain for mature
node semiconductors. The briefing should address any concerns
the Under Secretary may have related to diminishing
manufacturing sources and material shortages of mature nodes,
and specifically MIL-PRF-19500 specified semiconductors, and
any steps the Department is taking to maintain assured access
to such parts.
Domestically Sourced and Produced Batteries
The committee notes that section 883 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-
159) required the Department of Defense to coordinate a
Department-wide approach to establish a battery strategy to
further leverage the advancements of domestic and allied
commercial industry with respect to batteries. Since passage of
that bill, China has expanded its export controls for graphite
on items that could be used for civil or military purposes,
placed some rare earth magnets and seven rare earth elements on
an export control list, and, as recently as June 2025, proposed
restricting the export of some technology used to make cutting-
edge battery components and process critical minerals like
lithium and gallium. The committee remains concerned about the
Chinese dominance of the lithium-ion battery supply chain and
its threat to national security. The committee looks forward to
receiving the Department's initial report on its battery
strategy and working with the Department to secure the domestic
materials and production capabilities required to eliminate
U.S. reliance on Chinese materials and production for
batteries.
Embedded Molecular Data Supply Chain Authentication Assessment
The committee is aware of advancements in Embedded
Molecular Data (EMD) technologies that enable physical objects
to carry unique cryptographic identifiers at the molecular
level. The committee believes that these technologies may have
potential application to the Department of Defense's efforts to
safeguard defense-critical materials, components, and end-items
from counterfeiting, diversion, or compromise.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Policy, in consultation with the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and the Director of
the Defense Logistics Agency to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by December 1, 2025, assessing the
potential utility of EMD technologies for national security
applications.
The briefing should include the following:
(1) an evaluation of whether and how EMD could meaningfully
assist with or advance the authentication, traceability, and
lifecycle monitoring of defense articles, particularly in high-
risk supply chains such as microelectronics, batteries,
forgings, and additive manufacturing;
(2) an assessment of whether and how EMD technologies could
serve as a physical complement to digital tracking systems;
(3) an assessment of whether EMD may have utility for the
mitigation of emerging threats stemming from advances in
material science and data obfuscation;
(4) a review of the feasibility, advisability, and
potential costs of deployment of EMD technologies at scale for
Department of Defense applications;
(5) identification of pilot programs or operational
demonstrations where EMD could be rapidly tested and evaluated;
and
(6) such other information as the Under Secretary deems
appropriate.
Enterprise Utilization of Commercial Supply Chain Management Technology
The committee is aware that program managers of the
Department of Defense are leveraging commercial off-the-shelf
supply chain management software to proactively anticipate and
mitigate supply chain disruptions and challenges. However, the
committee notes that employment of these solutions is generally
disaggregated, which limits the effectiveness of the tools.
Furthermore, disaggregated use of such tools does not generally
aid in shared awareness of supply chain risks that may exist
across programs or military services.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Defense to consider enterprise-wide opportunities to employ
commercially available supply chain management software or
services to assist the Department in monitoring and mitigating
supply chain risk, and to automate supply chain management
tasks and reporting. Furthermore, the committee directs the
Secretary to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services, not later than May 1, 2026, that summarizes an
assessment of current usage of supply chain management tools by
program managers along with an estimate of the annual
resourcing profile through fiscal year 2030 for supply chain
management tools for use by program managers. The briefing
shall include recommendations by the Secretary to accelerate
employment of modern commercial supply chain management
technology across the Department of Defense to improve program
supply chain management.
Evaluating Chinese Companies as Military-Civil Fusion Contributors
The People's Republic of China is subsidizing production of
small display technology with military applications that
subverts normal market competition and dominates global
markets. These Chinese government subsidies risk secure supply
chains of critical military technology needed in the United
States military. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2026, on analysis determining if BOE
Technology Group Co., Ltd and Tianma Microelectronics Co.,
Ltd., or any subsidiary, parent, affiliate, or successor of
such entities, should be identified as a Chinese military
company or a military-civil fusion contributor and included on
the list maintained by the Department of Defense in accordance
with section 1260H(b) of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense
Authorization Act.
Expansion of Tailored Logistics Support Contracting Across the
Department of Defense
The committee recognizes that rapid acquisition mechanisms
are critical to fielding innovative, commercially available
technologies that enhance warfighter readiness. The committee
is aware that the Defense Logistics Agency's Tailored Logistics
Support Program (DLA-TLSP) has provided a proven contracting
model that enables efficient procurement of mission-driven
equipment from both traditional and nontraditional defense
suppliers.
The committee believes broader adoption of TLSP-style
contracts can improve agility and responsiveness across the
Department's acquisition enterprise. Greater access to these
vehicles may also reduce barriers for commercial innovators and
expand the Department's technology base.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than January 15, 2026, on
the Department's plan to expand the use of TLSP-style
contracts. The report should include:
(1) efforts to increase awareness of TLSP contracts and
their applications across all defense agencies;
(2) strategies to replicate unrestricted TLSP-style
contracts across the acquisition enterprise to accelerate
procurement and deployment of mission-critical technologies;
(3) identification of supply chains suitable for transition
to centralized TLSP-style contracting;
(4) current participation levels of military department
acquisition organizations and opportunities for expansion;
(5) examples of successful TLSP contract use with
nontraditional vendors and lessons learned;
(6) any regulations, directives, or policies that may limit
broader TLSP use within the Department or innovation ecosystem;
(7) analysis of the impact of recent changes to the Small
Business Administration's nonmanufacturer rule on TLSP-style
contracting; and
(8) any other matters the Secretary deems appropriate.
Feasibility of Incentive System for Hiring of Individuals With
Disabilities by Contractors
The committee is interested in assessing the feasibility,
structure, and potential impact of a point-based incentive
system for defense contractors to increase the hiring of
individuals with disabilities by contractors paying no less
than the federal minimum wage to their workforce.
As such, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment and the Director of Office of
Federal Contract Compliance Programs under the Department of
Labor, to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services and the Senate Committee on Armed Services not later
than August 1, 2026, that assesses feasibility of such an
incentive system. The report should include, but is not limited
to:
(1) an evaluation of current Department of Defense
contractor performance incentives and how a point-based model
could be integrated into existing procurement and evaluation
systems, eligible only for contractors paying no less than the
federal minimum wage to their workforce;
(2) an analysis of potential point-based mechanisms,
including awarding bid evaluation points to contractors who
meet or exceed the 7-percent utilization goal for employment of
qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
(3) consideration of safeguards to ensure program
integrity, verification of employment data, and protection
against tokenism or misuse;
(4) estimated costs, benefits, and administrative
requirements of implementing such an incentive program; and
(5) recommendations for potential pilot programs or phased
implementation strategies.
Financial Health of Suppliers Within the Defense Industrial Base Supply
Chain
The Committee is concerned about whether Department of
Defense (DOD) contracting officers are conducting mandatory
financial responsibility reviews on prospective contractors in
accordance with requirements contained within the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and the DOD component policies.
The committee notes that the Department of Defense Inspector
General (DODIG) published a report in March 2024 which revealed
significant non-compliance with 80% of reviewed contracts
lacking sufficient documentation required for financial
responsibility per DFARS, leaving both the DOD and the defense
industrial base supply chain vulnerable.
The Committee believes that DOD contracting officers must
understand the link between supply chain risk and supplier
financial health in order to minimize contract failure risk and
ensure contracts are awarded to financially responsible
entities. The Committee is also aware of existing commercial
technology that provides a comprehensive framework to assess
and mitigate supply chain risk by collecting and analyzing
financial statements of private and public companies.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the
Defense Logistics Agency to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than May 1, 2026,
including the following information:
(1) an assessment of the ability to gather the required
source-derived financial data of private and public suppliers
in order to comply with FAR and DFARS; and
(2) an assessment of existing, plan to adopt existing,
commercial technology that could assist in the collection and
analysis of financial statements of all prospective
contractors.
Impediments to Sole Source Contract Awards to Veteran Owned Small
Businesses
The current Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 19.14
imposes unnecessary barriers by requiring Contracting Officers
to prepare and submit Justification and Approval documents for
sole source awards to Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small
Businesses and Veteran Owned Small Businesses. The committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026,
on assessing the impacts to Service-Disabled Veteran Owned
Small Businesses and Veteran Owned Small Businesses by
requiring Justification and Approval Documents and investigate
the number of sole source awards held by these businesses. The
briefing should include the following information:
(1) an explanation of Federal Acquisition Regulation
Subpart 19.14, its requirements for Justification and Approval
Documents for sole source awards, and the impacts to Service-
Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses and Veteran Owned Small
Businesses; and
(2) an evaluation on the benefits to these businesses if
the Department of Defense waived the Justification and Approval
Document requirements for sole source awards.
Implementation of the Pilot Program to Incentivize Contracting With
Employee-Owned Businesses
The committee is aware of efforts by the Director of
Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) to
establish a Pilot Program to Incentivize Contracting with
Employee-Owned Businesses in accordance with section 874 the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public
Law 117-81), as amended by section 872 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31). The
committee is also aware of recommendations to improve the
implementation of the pilot program contained in the report
issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on March
20, 2025, titled ``Opportunities Exist to Improve Pilot Program
for Employee-Owned Businesses.'' The committee is encouraged by
the efforts of DPCAP to proactively address the GAO
recommendations through the publication of guidance to the
workforce, including responses to frequently asked questions.
However, the committee is concerned that the published
responses to frequently asked questions are unnecessarily
limiting the use of the authorities only to contracting
officers of the Department of Defense. This guidance is
inconsistent with the amendments made by section 872 and
congressional intent for the pilot program.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
December 1, 2025, on the efforts to fully implement the Pilot
Program to Incentivize Contracting with Employee-Owned
Businesses. The briefing shall include:
(1) an overview of the applications submitted and approved
by the Director of DPCAP for use by Department of Defense
contracting officers to include the military service or
organization making the application;
(2) an overview of the applications submitted and approved
by the Director for use by contracting officers from other
agencies, such as the General Services Administration, to
include the agency making the application;
(3) an overview of how many approved applications resulted
in awarded contracts; and
(4) a summary of efforts to establish clear and measurable
objectives and evaluate the pilot program's results in
accordance with the recommendations made by the GAO.
Integrating Advanced Traceability Technologies in Department of Defense
Supply Chains
The committee commends the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment for efforts to address risks in the
supply chain of strategic and critical materials essential to
military readiness. However, significant vulnerabilities
persist, including reliance on single sources or foreign
entities with potential adversarial interests, compounded by
insufficient visibility into material origins. The complex,
multifaceted nature of the defense industrial base (DIB) and
the numerous statutory sourcing restrictions make assured
compliance challenging for businesses of all sizes.
The committee is encouraged by advances in technology that
provide unique and tamper-proof object markers that tie
physical identity to a digital record. Some of these
initiatives aim to track raw materials from extraction through
processing using unique, durable markers, ensuring provenance,
combating illicit trade, and supporting ethical sourcing.
Others provide discrete, durable, and clone-proof markings that
enable a digital thread for items such as parts and components
in complex systems. The committee believes that the adoption of
such technologies could bolster supply chain resilience and
enhance DIB compliance with statutory sourcing restrictions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to explore integrating advanced traceability technologies into
the supply chains of the Department of Defense. This includes
assessing their ability to mitigate vulnerabilities, verify
origins, and scale to meet the Department's needs. The
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 2, 2026, describing potential applications,
technical maturity, cost-effectiveness, integration strategies,
program impacts, and collaboration opportunities with allied
countries.
Integration of Rare Earth-Free Permanent Magnets Into the Defense
Industrial Base
The committee recognizes the substantial investments that
the Department of Defense has made in establishing a reliable
domestic supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets. The
committee continues to believe these efforts are crucial to
national security but remains concerned that the demand for
rare earth magnets still far exceeds the domestic capacity that
may be brought online with the success of initiatives to date.
To ensure a stable and responsive supply chain, the committee
believes that a comprehensive approach, including the
integration of rare earth-free permanent magnets, is needed.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2025, on the integration of permanent
magnets, which are composed of materials such as iron nitride,
iron nickel, or manganese bismuth. The briefing should include
the following information:
(1) an overview of planned investment in these rare-earth-
free technologies;
(2) an overview of the impediments to integrating such
magnets into the supply chains of the Department; and
(3) recommendations for additional investment in rare-
earth-free permanent magnet technology including the domestic
sourcing of essential component materials like high-purity
iron.
Investments in Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing Capability
The committee remains concerned that America's substantial
dependence on China (PRC) for neodymium iron boron magnets
poses significant risks to economic competitiveness and
military readiness. The committee is aware that the report by
the Department of Defense in response to Executive Order 13806
raised concern over the heavy reliance of America's
manufacturing and defense industrial base on a supply chain of
rare earth magnets from the PRC. The committee recognizes this
effort should include investment in a domestic supply chain of
essential component, materials, like metallized rare earth
minerals and high-purity iron, which is a critical feedstock
comprising 70 percent of neodymium iron boron magnets, since
over 90% of the world's high-purity iron is controlled by the
PRC. The committee recognizes and supports ongoing efforts by
the Department to mitigate dependencies on the PRC for rare
earth magnets by investing in domestic magnet manufacturing
capabilities. The committee continues to believe that these
efforts are crucial to U.S. national security and remains
concerned that the Department's need for rare earth magnets
still far exceeds the domestic capacity that may be brought
online as a result of initiatives to date.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, on ongoing and planned
investments by the Department in neodymium iron boron magnet
production in the United States including the availability of
domestic sourced essential component materials like metallized
rare earth minerals and high-purity iron, or by allied nations.
Justification for Change in Contracting Procedures
The committee applauds efforts by the Department of Defense
to acquire commercial items whenever possible in an effort to
reduce product development timelines and decrease costs.
However, the committee is aware of recent cases where
contractors provided a proposal a best and final offer in
response to a Department of Defense solicitation under Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12--Acquisition of Commercial
Products and Commercial Services procedures, only to have the
terms modified by the contracting officer to require compliance
with FAR Part 15--Contracting by Negotiation procedures
following contract award. The committee is aware that such
changes are significant, have a direct impact on the terms and
conditions of subcontracts and supplier agreements of the
affected contractor, and likely drive cost increases and
schedule delays.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, on all contracts and
subcontracts awarded in the last two years and valued at
$100,000,000 or more that were changed from FAR Part 12 to FAR
Part 15 after contractors provided their best and final offers.
The briefing should include, for each identified case, a
summary of the acquisition strategy, an explanation of why the
change to FAR Part 15 was thought to be justified, and the cost
and schedule impacts to the program.
Leveraging Past Performance of Commercial Logistics Providers
The committee is aware that the competitive landscape of
defense logistics contractors has been decreasing over the last
decade. The committee is also aware that there are commercial
firms with global logistics experience and strong past
performance on large, complex non-governmental projects that
are not contracting with the Department of Defense. The
committee believes that the Department can encourage new
participation in the defense industrial base, including
additional providers of logistics services, if the acquisition
process accepts and values relevant non-governmental past
performance.
The committee notes that Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) section 15.305(a)(2)(ii) requires the Government to
provide offerors an opportunity to identify past or current
contracts (including Federal, State, and local government and
private) for efforts similar to the Government requirement and
to consider this information when evaluating the offeror's past
performance. The committee believes that taking a full view of
a contractor's body of work is critical to ensure there is
ample competition for future contracts. Therefore, elsewhere in
this Act, the committee includes a provision that would require
the Secretary of Defense to review the process of evaluating
past performance in the acquisition of commercial products or
commercial services and take corrective actions if needed to
ensure compliance with the FAR and the Federal Acquisition
Streamlining Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-355).
Loan and Grant Processing Modernization
As the Department of Defense expands initiatives to
strengthen the defense industrial base by providing loans and
grants, such as those under the Office of Strategic Capital, it
is important that the Department's processes and systems ensure
efficiency, oversight, and accountability. Accordingly, the
committee directs the Director of the Office of Strategic
Capitol to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026, on efforts by the
Director to streamline loan and grant application processing
systems and align data collection procedures with commercial
best practices. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of loan and grant processing system
capabilities and requirements to support the Office in
efficiently and effectively providing capital assistance to
eligible entities in accordance with section 149 of title 10,
United States Code;
(2) a summary of commercially viable options for improving
the Office's ability to process loan and grant applications;
and
(3) any recommendations the Director may have to improve
the ability of the Office to ensure efficiency and
effectiveness in the loan and grant application processes.
Machine Tool Industrial Base and Foreign Dependency
The committee is concerned about long-term risks to
national security arising from foreign dependence on precision
machine tools, casting and forging equipment, and related
manufacturing equipment essential to defense production. While
the Department of Defense has taken steps to mitigate
industrial vulnerabilities, such as through the Industrial Base
Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, there remains
insufficient data on the extent to which these efforts are
strengthening domestic resilience or reducing reliance on
overseas suppliers.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy,
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees by
December 31, 2025, that includes:
(1) an assessment of the current and projected national
security needs for advanced machine tools, including multi-axis
CNC machines, high-precision grinders, and additive-subtractive
hybrid systems;
(2) a quantitative analysis of the supply chain
dependencies for critical machine tools and components broken
out by country of origin, including the proportion sourced from
foreign adversaries or countries of concern;
(3) an evaluation of the vulnerability of the United States
defense industrial base due to foreign sourcing of machine
tools and identification of chokepoints where disruption would
materially impair defense readiness;
(4) a summary of existing Department efforts (Industrial
Base Analysis and Sustainment projects and Defense Production
Act authorities) aimed at strengthening domestic machine tool
capacity, along with metrics of success to date; and
(5) recommendations on additional actions, incentives, or
investments needed to build United States capabilities in
precision machine tool design, manufacturing, and workforce
development, including potential procurement policy changes.
Material Changes to Office of Small Business Programs
The committee acknowledges the important role of the Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization in providing
access to a resilient and innovative supplier base, while
ensuring small businesses can compete and thrive in the defense
marketplace. Any material changes to the Office of Small
Business Programs, including its personnel and functions, could
potentially impact both the United States' national security
and economic foundation. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services no later than January 15, 2026, on
the Department's current or future plans or actions taken to
make any material change to any OSBP, including but not limited
to a reorganization of command relationships or reporting
chains; increases or decreases in authorized civilian or
military billets; realignment, consolidation, or divestiture of
subordinate elements; changes to statutory programs executed by
OSDBU; or any other change that would impact the ability of the
Offices to meet statutory obligations or comply with statutory
requirements.
Pilot Program to Boost Domestic Content in Rare Earth Manufacturing
Capability
The committee recognizes the importance U.S. sources of
component materials, like metallized rare earth elements and
the production of high-purity iron, are being used in the
production of rare earth magnets to reduce dependence on China
(PRC). Therefore, the committee encourages the Secretary of
Defense to establish a pilot program to accelerate the
research, development, testing, procurement, and initial
sustainment of innovative technologies to secure the United
States' access to these materials. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit to the House Armed Services
Committee a briefing not later than March 1, 2026, on the
progress of the pilot program.
Protecting Defense Procurement Against Adversarial Biotechnology
Entities
The committee recognizes the importance of biotechnology as
a critical and emerging technology sector with significant
implications for national security. The committee notes that
the People's Republic of China (PRC) has made significant
investments in biotechnology for decades, and that the PRC is
striving to develop and integrate biotechnology into its
warfighting capabilities. The committee is also aware that
commercial biotechnology entities in the PRC may be
facilitating asymmetrical military advantages for the People's
Liberation Army (PLA).
The 1260H list, as established in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283),
identifies Chinese military companies operating in the United
States, including biotechnology companies. The committee notes
that in order to meet the intent of this legislation, the 1260H
list must be updated regularly. The committee therefore directs
the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 30, 2026, that
contains:
(1) an overview of the status of updates to the 1260H list,
including the addition of PRC biotechnology entities and their
affiliates that have direct or indirect ties to the PLA and
entities that have a known joint venture, partnership, or
contractual relationship with a biotechnology company included
on the 1260H list;
(2) a description of efforts to ensure that Department of
Defense contractors and subcontractors are certifying
compliance with regards to the PRC biotechnology entities
already listed on the 1260H list; and
(3) an overview of efforts to identify additional
biotechnology entities with direct or indirect ties to the PLA,
as well as entities with known joint ventures, partnerships, or
contractual relationships with a biotechnology company included
on the 1260H list, as possible additions to the list, including
a description of any obstacles to their listing.
Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreements and the Defense Industrial
Base
The committee is concerned by the findings of Government
Accountability Office (GAO) Report GAO-25-106936, International
Trade: Agencies Should Improve Oversight of Reciprocal Defense
Procurement Agreements, which identified significant gaps in
the Department of Defense's processes for initiating, renewing,
and monitoring RDP Agreements. The report noted that the
Department has not consistently solicited industry input,
coordinated with the Department of Commerce, or assessed the
impact of these agreements on the U.S. defense industrial base.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the congressional defense committees not later than
March 1, 2026, on the Department's progress in implementing
GAO's recommendations, including:
(1) development and implementation of written policies and
procedures for initiating and renewing RDP Agreements;
(2) coordination with the Department of Commerce to assess
the economic and industrial base impacts of existing and
proposed agreements;
(3) steps taken to solicit and incorporate industry
feedback;
(4) plans to monitor and evaluate the long-term effects of
RDP Agreements on United States defense technology and
industrial competitiveness.
The committee expects the Department to ensure transparency
and accountability in its execution of these agreements and to
prioritize the health of the domestic defense industrial base.
Recovering Critical Minerals for Defense Supply Chains
The committee remains concerned about persistent shortages
of strategic and critical materials essential to U.S. defense
resilience and national security operations. The committee
underscores the urgent need to reduce U.S. dependence on
foreign-controlled supply chains and to strengthen domestic
manufacturing and recovery capabilities. The committee further
recognizes that industrial waste recovery can serve as a
complementary method to augment traditional extraction,
enabling the Department of Defense to enhance supply chain
resilience, reduce reliance on vulnerable foreign sources, and
improve the availability of key materials for critical defense
applications.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy,
the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base
Resilience, and the Director, Defense Logistics Agency, to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 27, 2026, on strategic material recovery,
including the feasibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness
of High-Temperature Plasma (HTP) technology for manufacturing
rare earth elements, silicon carbide, and other critical
materials using industrial waste streams as feedstock. The
report shall include, but is not limited to:
(1) an analysis, conducted in coordination with relevant
Department of Defense entities responsible for supply chain
resilience and material security, on the feasibility,
technological maturity, and implementation progress of
strategic material recovery technologies, including HTP and
other advanced manufacturing or separation methods;
(2) an assessment of current and projected domestic
material recovery capabilities, recent advancements in
technology, shifts in procurement strategy, and remaining
vulnerabilities within strategic and critical materials supply
chains;
(3) an evaluation of the cost, scalability, and industrial
base readiness of such technologies, compared to conventional
refining and extraction approaches, with particular focus on
applications most relevant to Department mission needs;
(4) a comparative analysis of HTP and other emerging
material recovery technologies against traditional methods for
processing and manufacturing rare earth elements and other
priority materials; and
(5) a proposed implementation strategy, including funding
mechanisms and procurement pathways, to integrate validated
recovery-based material manufacturing technologies into
Department of Defense supply chains where mission-relevant and
cost-effective.
Report on Block Buys
The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense
is not fully utilizing block buys to address skilled workforce
and supply chain challenges. The committee recognizes that
block buys provide the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) a
consistent demand signal, allowing cost and amortization of
investments to be managed more efficiently by allocation over
longer periods of time and in larger quantities. This approach
can optimize resources, enhance competitiveness and innovation,
increase supply chain stability, and reduce costs of products
and services for the Department.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Service Secretaries, to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
March 1, 2026, describing how the Department intends to enhance
its use of block buys to more effectively promote a skilled
workforce and reliable supply chain to meet Department
requirements by:
(1) optimizing efficiency and supporting competition and
innovation in the acquisition of commercial products and
services;
(2) maximizing benefits to the DIB and the taxpayer through
stability in demand;
(3) streamlining procurements and minimizing unnecessary
contracting actions;
(4) reducing risk of foreign-connected business and
investment in the DIB by securing supply chains through stable,
dependable cashflow through longer-term contracts; and
(5) including recommendations to improve the use of block
buys consistent with the other enumerated requirements of the
report.
Report on Enhancing United States Critical Mineral Refining and
Processing Capacity and Workforce
The committee is deeply concerned that, despite ongoing
efforts by the Department of Defense, a significant portion of
global capacity, expertise, and workforce for refining and
processing critical minerals essential for defense applications
remains concentrated in a single foreign country. This
dependence poses substantial national security risks,
particularly in the event of geopolitical tensions or
protracted armed conflict.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 31, 2025, on Department needs, efforts, and
recommendations for further actions to strengthen United States
critical mineral refining and processing capacity, including:
(1) current and planned lines of effort within the
Department aimed at expanding domestic capacity for refining
and processing critical minerals essential to defense
applications;
(2) an assessment of the potential impacts on the United
States Armed Forces of insufficient domestic critical mineral
refining and processing capabilities during a protracted armed
conflict, including risks to supply chains and operational
readiness; and
(3) recommended actions the Department could pursue,
including pilot programs, public-private partnerships, on-
installation processing of end-of-life equipment, or other
initiatives, to increase domestic critical mineral refining and
processing capacity, and to develop and sustain a skilled
education and workforce pipeline in this sector.
The report shall be unclassified and may include a
classified annex if necessary.
Report on Illegally Sourced and Compromised Repair Parts Within the DoD
Supply Chain
The committee recognizes the ongoing threat posed by
counterfeit and illegally sourced components from the People's
Republic of China (PRC) infiltrating Department of Defense
(DoD) supply chains. The committee is concerned that
adversarial nations could exploit vulnerabilities in DoD's
maintenance and supply practices to introduce compromised
parts, increasing risks of equipment failure, cyber intrusions,
and intelligence collection. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the
Director of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
February 1, 2026, on the following:
(1) a comprehensive review of documented cases of
counterfeit or illegally sourced Chinese-origin components
detected in DoD procurement channels;
(2) an assessment of current safeguards and enforcement
mechanisms used to detect and prevent the entry of unauthorized
parts into military supply chains;
(3) an analysis of contractor and subcontractor compliance
with procurement security requirements, including cases in
which contractors knowingly or negligently introduced such
components into defense systems; and,
(4) an analysis of recommendations for new technologies,
testing protocols, and oversight mechanisms to enhance DoD's
ability to detect and prevent counterfeit or illegally sourced
components across the industrial base.
Securing the United States Supply Chain for Artificial Intelligence
The committee encourages the Department to expand its
engagement with a broader range of domestic microelectronics
suppliers powering AI, including small and medium-sized
enterprises, non-traditional defense contractors, and firms
developing emerging technologies through a secure and trusted
manufacturing process. The committee encourages the department
to prioritize suppliers that produce or sell critical elements
of the AI supply chain that are fabricated, assembled, and
tested in facilities located within the United States where
such supplier or next-tier subcontractor exercises operational
control over that process.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with
the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
January 1, 2026, on the Department's efforts to:
(1) Assess and mitigate supplier concentration risk among
trusted manufacturers in the microelectronics sector for AI;
(2) Identify opportunities to increase participation by
non-traditional and emerging suppliers;
(3) Prioritize engagement with suppliers that have
demonstrated previous investments in manufacturing
microelectronics that underpin AI in North America;
(4) Explore opportunities to improve the performance and
power efficiency of microelectronics, specifically with regard
to inference; and
(5) Leverage programs such as the Defense Production Act
Title III and Trusted and Assured Microelectronics to support
diversification and increase the number of contractors
producing or selling critical elements of the AI supply chain
that will be fabricated, assembled, and tested in facilities
located within the United States on an increasing per-year
basis over the next five years.
Service Branch War Reserve Inventories and Improved Scalability Efforts
The committee is aware that the Defense Logistics Agency
Troop Support commissioned a wargame exercise in late 2023 to
identify critical areas of concern within the domestic clothing
and textiles defense industrial base. This exercise, conducted
by the Center for Naval Analyses, detailed weaknesses in the
current supply chain and highlighted deficiencies and
production gaps that will occur during future contingency
operations. The wargame simulation resulted in several
recommendations to mitigate supply chain failures for go-to-war
items.
The committee is concerned that the military services may
not have sufficient items in their war reserve stocks. The
committee is also concerned that military departments continue
to develop service unique as opposed to joint service end-item
solutions for go-to-war items to include body armor, flame
resistant uniforms and footwear.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretaries of the military
departments, to provide a report to the congressional defense
committees not later than February 1, 2026, detailing their go-
to-war items that will surge when a contingency occurs. The
report should include:
(1) the status of each service's war reserves, including a
list of items and quantities;
(2) the go-to-war items that will surge when contingencies
occur;
(3) ongoing efforts to increase commonality and
standardization of uniform and personal protective equipment
items; and
(4) how these actions will improve the scalability of go-
to-war items.
Small Business Subcontractor Utilization
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
June 30, 2026 on the Department of Defense's (DoD) requirements
and current practices around listing small business
subcontractors and their utilization. The report should include
the following information:
(1) description of current DoD policies and procedures that
require an offeror or awardee of a prime contract to include or
list specific subcontractors in the offeror's bid or proposal,
and/or the awardee's subcontracting plan;
(2) description of the general practices, disaggregated by
sector, of an offeror or awardee of a prime contract to include
or list specific subcontractors in the offeror's bid or
proposal, and/or the awardee's subcontracting plan;
(3) assessment of the degree to which bids, proposal or
subcontracting plans list or name small business
subcontractors;
(4) summary of the DoD's policies around the written
explanation required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Part 19.704(a)(13), to include the collection, submission and
retention requirements, and associated timelines;
(5) review of the Department's contracting activities
regarding compliance with FAR Part 19.704(a)(13) and a summary
of how this requirement is enforced, including any major
differences in implementation between contracting activities or
contracts type;
(6) high level overview of any common reasoning provided in
the written explanations for non-use of a specific small
business; and
(7) recommendations for changes to statutory, regulatory,
policy, or agency guidance to improve utilization of small
business subcontractors.
Small Purchases of Critical Minerals and Magnets
The committee continues to be concerned with the Defense
Department's reliance on inexpensive but essential products
from China and Russia. Therefore, the committee directs the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to,
not later than April 1, 2026, provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services on procurements of covered
materials manufactured in China and Russia, and acquired by the
Department of Defense through contracts valued at or below the
simplified acquisition threshold. For the purposes of this
brief, covered materials shall include samarium-cobalt magnets,
neodymium-iron-boron magnets, tungsten metal powder, tungsten
heavy alloys, tantalum metals and alloys, aluminum-nickel-
cobalt magnets. The briefing shall address:
(1) Continued efforts by the Department to identify and
reduce dependencies on China and Russia for covered materials,
to include efforts by the Department to develop and integrate
alternative sources of supply of the covered materials;
(2) A risk assessment of the Department's continued
sourcing of covered materials through use of contracts valued
at or below the simplified acquisition threshold;
(3) Any recommendations from the Under Secretary for
improving the ability of the Department, and contractors within
the defense industrial base, to track the provenance of covered
materials;
(4) Any recommendations for changes to law or policy to
assist or better enable the Under Secretary to address the
committee's concerns, including changes to the application of
the simplified threshold for purchases related to the covered
materials.
Supply Chain Risk Evaluation Environment
The committee continues to focus on improving mechanisms
for the Department of Defense to better plan and address supply
chain security challenges. In the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31),
Congress directed the Department to implement a pilot program
to analyze, map, and monitor supply chains for up to five
weapon systems. The committee is pleased to see that the
Department began addressing these issues through successful
implementation of Supply Chain Risk Evaluation Environment
(SCREEn).
Accordingly, the committee sees value in continued
integration of SCREEn to provide robust analytics and reporting
features to facilitate Department-wide analysis of systemic
risks and vulnerabilities, as well as enable decision-support
capabilities for risk-informed resource allocation and risk
mitigation strategies. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions and Sustainment, in
consultation with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence
Officer, to brief the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on the Department's lessons learned
in the integration and implementation of SCREEn thus far and
plans for continued use or expansion of use of the tool.
Supply of Tin
The committee is concerned about potential risks to
maintaining and securing a reliable supply of tin, particularly
in the event of a national emergency or surge in military
requirements. Therefore, the committee directs the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, assessing the supply chain risk and
vulnerabilities associated with defense requirements for tin.
The briefing should include the following information:
(1) an assessment of the current state of the tin supply
chain to meet defense needs;
(2) an analysis of potential strategies, such as
partnerships with domestic producers, trade agreements, or
alternative supply chain models, to address both current and
future supply chain risks related to tin; and
(3) an evaluation of the feasibility and advisability of
using the National Defense Stockpile to provide a buffer of tin
products, including considerations regarding the stockpiling of
both ore to supply American smelting operations and refined tin
purchased from American facilities.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Acquisition Policy and Management
Section 801--Multiyear Procurement Authority for Covered Weapon Systems
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
enter into a multi-year procurement contract for a covered
weapon system if the system is projected to maintain full-rate
production for a period of five or more consecutive years, is
estimated to cost over $1 billion, and a decision has been made
to move to full-rate production.
Section 802--Elimination of Late Cost and Pricing Data Submission
Defense
This section would amend section 3706 of title 10, United
States Code, to preclude a contractor that submits cost or
pricing data that is more than 30 days old in response to
applicable requirements under Truthful Cost or Price Data
(chapter 271 of title 10, United States Code), from using such
submission as a defense against a determination of defective
cost or pricing data by a head of an agency.
Section 803--Reporting of Price Increases
This section would amend chapter 271 of title 10, United
States Code, to require the offeror to report to the
contracting officer certain increases in the price of a product
or service under a covered contract.
Section 804--Assumption of Uninsurable Risk on Certain Contracts
The committee is aware that a contractor performing on a
classified contract is generally unable to secure insurance
from third-party commercial insurance providers because the
Department of Defense is unlikely to allow the contractor to
acknowledge the existence of the contract or underlying program
to a commercial insurance provider.
Therefore, this section would establish section 3864 in
title 10, United States Code, to require the government to
assume the risk of loss for work in process on a classified
contract. The government's assumption of the risk of loss would
be limited to the amount of loss not otherwise compensated by
the contractor's insurance whenever the contractor cannot get
adequate insurance coverage because of the classified nature of
the program, and would not apply if the loss was a result of
gross misconduct by the contractor.
Section 805--Changes to Reference Documents
This section would require that a document referenced in a
contract shall identify a specific version or date of the
referenced document if the document and any associated
performance or compliance requirements of the contractor are
subject to change.
Section 806--Major System Cost Growth Oversight
This section would amend section 4374 of title 10, United
States Code, to require a notification to Congress of a breach
of a significant cost growth threshold or a critical cost
growth threshold to be provided not later than 30 days after
the relevant unit cost report was submitted to the service
acquisition executive. This section would also amend section
4203 of title 10, United States Code, by requiring the
Secretary of Defense to designate an end item as a major
subprogram for the purposes of acquisition reporting if the
eventual total expenditure for the end item is estimated to
exceed $500,000,000.
This section would also amend section 4214 of title 10,
United States Code, to require the baseline cost estimate to
apply to the life cycle of major defense acquisition programs
or designated major subprograms. In addition, this section
would amend section 4376 of title 10, United States Code, to
prevent the Secretary of Defense from delegating authority and
responsibility related to termination of a program, and to add
matters to be considered in termination planning for a
terminated program.
Section 807--Contested Logistics Exercise Requirement
This section would amend section 842 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (P.L. 118-31)
and direct the Secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force to
conduct contested logistics events as part of certain Navy and
Air Force exercises.
Subtitle B--Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures,
and Limitations
Section 811--Additional Amendments Related to Undefinitized Contractual
Actions
This section would amend section 3804 of title 10, United
Sates Code, to expand the type of payment a contracting officer
may utilize in the execution of an undefinitized contract
action (UCA). This section would also amend section 3374 of
title 10, United States Code, to require the contracting
officer to account for increased risks of certain actions
undertaken by the contractor on the government's behalf, when
calculating profit or fee allowable in performance of a UCA.
The committee is concerned that current criteria create an
inverse relationship between efficiency and allowable profit
which results in a disincentive for contractors to strive for
superior performance and speed in delivery of capability to the
warfighter.
Section 812--Modification to Award Amount for Program to Accelerate the
Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies
This section would codify the minimum award amount for the
Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative
Technologies program.
Section 813--Other Transaction Authority Reporting
This section would amend section 4021 of title 10, United
States Code, to ensure that reporting on the use of Other
Transaction Authorities is done in the same manner as reporting
on similar expenditures by the Department of Defense.
Section 814--Amendment to Procurement of Services Data Analysis and
Requirements Validation
This section would amend section 4506 of title 10, United
States Code, to eliminate internal notification requirements
related to the use of a bridge contract for needed services in
cases where inadequate planning prevented the timely award of a
new contract for such services. Established processes for the
justification and approval of a contract or contract
modification that limits competition, such as a bridge
contract, ensure this information is already available to the
Department.
Section 815--Acquisition Thresholds for Certain Materials
This section would amend sections 4863 and 4872 of title
10, United States Code, by specifying an exception for
purchases of covered materials below an amount of $250,000
(adjusted for inflation every five years) rather than by
reference to the simplified acquisition threshold. This section
would also amend section 4873 of title 10, United States Code,
to specify an exception for purchases of covered printed
circuit boards below an amount of $10,000 (adjusted for
inflation every five years) rather than by reference to the
micro-purchase threshold.
Section 816--Additional Materials Prohibited From Non-Allied Foreign
Nations
This section would amend section 4872 of title 10, United
States Code, by authorizing the Secretary of Defense to
designate any other mineral, material, substrate, metal, or
alloy to be subject to the requirements of section 4872. This
section would require the Secretary to submit to the
congressional defense committees a notice of designation
pursuant to the authority provided, and would establish an
effective date of application of the requirements of the
section as one year after the date on which the Secretary of
Defense publishes a notice of designation of an additional
mineral, material, substrate, metal, or alloy in the Federal
Register.
Section 817--Extension of Authority for Pilot Program for Development
of Technology-Enhanced Capabilities With Partnership Intermediaries
This section would authorize a three year extension to
section 851(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92, 10 U.S.C. 4901 note)
allowing U.S. Special Operations Command to further evaluate
the benefits, to include accelerated technology development
realized through the authorities by providing relative data to
determine if a greater benefit to the Department of Defense
could be realized from a wider application.
Section 818--Government Accountability Office Bid Protest Process
Enhancement
This section would require the Secretary of Defense not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation
Supplement to establish procedures for a contracting officer to
seek disgorgement of certain profits or fees earned by the
incumbent contractor if the incumbent filed a bid protest with
the Comptroller General of the United States; continued
performance on the contract while the protest was pending; and
the bid protest was subsequently dismissed because of a lack of
reasonable legal or factual basis. This section would also make
amendments to section 3553 of title 31, United States Code, to
authorize the head of a procuring activity of the Department of
Defense to override the stay in the award of a contract during
the period of protest if doing so would facilitate the national
defense.
Section 819--Report on the Use of Other Transaction Authority
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, not
later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, to provide to
the congressional defense committees a report on the use of
follow-on production contracts or transactions under section
4022 of title 10, United States Code, during the period from
October 1, 2022, through October 1, 2025. The report would
require an assessment of any trends or lessons learned that may
limit or prevent the use of follow-on production contracts or
transactions.
Section 820--Application of Certain Documentation and Oversight
Requirements to Certain Projects Performed Through Other Transaction
Authority
This section would apply the requirements of section
4204(e) of title 10, United States Code, to a project performed
using Other Transaction Authorities (sections 4021 and 4022 of
title 10, United States Code) if the project meets the
definition of a major defense acquisition program (section 4201
of title 10, United States Code).
Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Workforce Development
Section 831--Improvements to Public-Private Talent Exchange
This section would amend section 1599g of title 10, United
States Code, to limit the applicability of the restrictions on
former employees of the executive branch in accordance with
section 207 of title 18, United States Code, to cases in which
a private sector employee participating in the public-private
talent exchange has performed inherently governmental work at
the direct, written request of the Secretary of Defense.
Section 832--Modification to Assignment Period for Critical Acquisition
Positions
This section would amend section 1734 of title 10, United
States Code, to require an individual assigned as a program
executive officer (PEO) to remain in that position for a period
of at least six years, unless the requirement is waived by the
Secretary of Defense. The section would also require the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Under
Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment jointly to ensure
that the requirement for an individual to serve as a PEO for at
least six years does not negatively affect the individual's
consideration for positions of higher responsibility or
promotion.
Section 833--Development of the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a working group in the Defense Industrial Resilience
Consortium, established elsewhere in this Act, to address
workforce shortages in advanced manufacturing in the defense
industrial base. This section would also require the Secretary
to, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this
Act, submit a report to Congress on the recommendations
developed by the working group, including recommendations on
the establishment of public-private partnerships to develop the
advanced manufacturing workforce and identification of
incentives for both government and industry to enable such
partnerships to be successful in the recruiting, training, and
retaining of individuals in the advanced manufacturing
workforce.
Section 834--Competitive Acquisition Leadership Appointments
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
ensure that eligibility for an acquisition leadership position
associated with a joint research and development activity or a
joint acquisition program is not limited by an individual's
affiliation with a specific Armed Force, or whether the
individual is a civilian employee of the Department of Defense
or a member of the military.
Section 835--Development and Employment of Members of the Defense
Civilian Training Corps
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition and Sustainment to establish a program to
appoint members of the Defense Civilian Training Corps,
established by section 2200g of title 10, United States Code,
to civil service positions in the Department of Defense. This
section would require the Under Secretary, in collaboration
with the Secretaries of the military departments, to determine
that existing career and development programs are insufficient
to meet the requirements of this section before establishing a
new program. This section would also provide the Under
Secretary with the authority to pay the basic pay of an
individual appointed under this section with amounts from the
Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account (section 1705
of title 10, United States Code) during a one-year initial
appointment term which is renewable by not more than one year.
Section 836--Reform of Contractor Performance Information Requirements
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to
establish an objective, fact-based, and simplified system for
reporting contractor performance. The required revisions would
include revisions to the Contractor Performance Assessment
Reporting System (CPARS). In addition, this section would
require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct
a review of the revised CPARS not later than three years after
the date of the enactment of this Act. This section would also
require the Secretary to develop and provide training for
contracting officers on the use of subjective evidence.
Section 837--Restructuring of Performance Evaluation Metrics for the
Acquisition Workforce
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to implement mandatory key performance indicators (KPIs)
for evaluating members of the acquisition workforce. This
section would require integration of the KPIs into annual
performance appraisals; promotion, bonus and assignment
considerations; and requirements for certification, training
and continuing education of the acquisition workforce. This
section would also require the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a semiannual report to
the congressional defense committees on the implementation of
the requirements of this section.
Section 838-- Ensuring Department of Defense Contractor Compliance with
Disability Hiring Goals
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct an audit of the compliance of the contractors of the
Department of Defense with the seven-percent utilization goal
for employment of qualified individuals with disabilities by
contractors established by the Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor under section
503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 793 of title 29,
United States Code). The required audit would cover fiscal
years 2026 through 2029, and this section would require the
findings be reported to the House and Senate Committees on
Armed Services.
Section 839--Comptroller General Review of Matters Relating to
Individuals Assigned to a Critical Acquisition Position
This section would require the Comptroller General to
conduct an assessment of the efficacy of career development
policies for the defense acquisition workforce established by
section 1734 of title 10, United States Code, including those
policies related to the progression of an individual to a
critical acquisition position. This section would also require
the Comptroller General to provide its recommendations to the
congressional defense committees not later than July 1, 2026,
including on the minimum assignment period for an individual
assigned to a critical acquisition position.
Section 840--Comptroller General Review of the Management, Training,
and Development of the Acquisition Workforce
This section would require the Comptroller General to
examine the management, training, and development of the
acquisition workforce of the Department of Defense to include
an assessment of the current processes and authorities to
enable the Department to maintain an acquisition workforce that
is optimized to meet mission requirements. This section would
also require the Comptroller General to report its findings and
recommendations to the congressional defense committees not
later than April 1, 2026.
Section 841--Report on Strengthening the Defense Acquisition University
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Director of the Acquisition Innovation Research
Center, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Defense
Acquisition University (DAU), with a focus on enhancing its
operations and performance in training and developing the
defense acquisition workforce.
The section would also require the Secretary to submit a
report to the congressional defense committees, not later than
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, detailing
the findings of the assessment and providing recommendations to
ensure that the DAU's education, development, and training
efforts align with the modern defense acquisition system
proposed by this Act.
Subtitle D--Provisions Relating to Supply Chains and Domestic Sourcing
Section 851--Repeal of Exception for Small Purchases Under the Berry
Amendment
This section would repeal the exception for small purchases
under the Berry Amendment.
Section 852--Supply Chain Illumination Incentives
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish minimum qualifying criteria for supply chain
illumination for contractors of the Department of Defense, and
to publish such standards in the Federal Register.
This section would also require the Secretary to establish
incentives to encourage contractors to use supply chain
illumination tools that meet the standards set by the
Secretary. In cases where a contractor using a qualifying
supply chain illumination tool discloses the presence of a non-
compliant item to the contracting officer, this section would
authorize the contracting officer to accept delivery of the
item or items before the applicable waiver process is
completed. This expedited acceptance procedure would only apply
in cases where the item meets all safety, quality, and
performance requirements, and would not be available to a
contractor that willfully or knowingly provided the Department
with a non-compliant item. In this scenario, the section would
also require the contractor to develop and implement a
corrective action plan, including the identification and use of
alternative sources of supply for the non-compliant item.
Section 853--Modification to Enhanced Domestic Content Requirement for
Major Defense Acquisition Programs
This section would amend section 835 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-
31) by applying the requirements of such section to a program
that meets the definition of a major defense acquisition
program based on the threshold amounts that were in effect on
January 1, 2025.
Section 854--Strategy to Eliminate Sourcing of Optical Glass From
Certain Nations
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
develop and implement a strategy to eliminate the reliance of
the Department of Defense on certain covered nations for
optical glass by January 1, 2030. The strategy required would
be based on the identification of Department of Defense
requirements for optical glass and optical systems through 2040
and would specify actions to be taken by the Secretary to
ensure the defense industrial base is able to meet the needs of
the Department for optical glass and optical systems without
reliance on a covered nation. This section would also require
the Secretary to provide an interim report, not later than
March 15, 2027, on the progress in implementing the required
strategy and the identification of any risk to the ability of
the Secretary to eliminate reliance on a covered nation for
optical glass or optical systems by January 1, 2030.
Section 855--Voluntary Registration of Compliance With Covered Sourcing
Requirements for Covered Products
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish and maintain a publicly available online repository
to allow an offeror to submit a self-attestation of compliance
with certain covered sourcing requirements. The section would
also ensure that offerors are encouraged to register covered
products and to use supply chain illumination (as defined in
section 849 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159)) to assist in meeting the
registration and attestation requirements of this section.
The committee believes that the establishment of such a
repository will provide the government and prime contractors
with access to a list of suppliers that attest to product
compliance with covered sourcing requirements. The committee
believes this improved visibility of compliant products will
increase demand for such products and, in turn, further
incentivize offeror compliance with covered sourcing
restrictions.
Section 856--Acceleration of Qualification of Compliant Sources
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, not
later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to
establish a working group in the Defense Industrial Resilience
Consortium, established elsewhere in this Act, to exchange
information about how to identify, accelerate the qualification
of, and integrate compliant materials into programs at the
Department of Defense at scale.
This section would also require the Secretary, not later
than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to develop and
implement guidance to ensure that critical materials from
noncompliant sources that are present in covered systems of the
Department are identified and replaced as rapidly as
practicable with compliant materials.
Section 857--Enhanced Security Strategy for Private Fifth Generation
Information and Communications Capabilities
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
require a hardware bill of materials from all contractors for a
procurement related to fifth-generation wireless technology for
private networks on military installations.
Section 858--Preference for Domestic Procurement of Professional
Services
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to revise the Department of Defense Supplement to the
Federal Acquisition Regulation to require, to the maximum
extent practicable and consistent with the interests of
national security, preference for procurement of professional
services from offerors that are U.S. companies.
Subtitle E--Prohibitions and Limitations on Procurement
Section 861--Requirements Relating to Long-Term Concessions Agreements
With Certain Retailers
This section would amend chapter 363 of title 10, United
States Code, by adding a new section that would prohibit the
Secretary of Defense from renewing, extending, or entering into
a long-term concessions agreement with a retailer that is
controlled by a covered nation to permit such retailer to
operate or conduct business through a physical location on a
covered military installation.
Section 862--Prohibition on Contracting With Entities With Segregated
Facilities
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
create a policy requiring contractors to provide a
certification that they comply with all federal law, and
specifically, do not allow for segregation.
Section 863--Requirement for Contractors to Provide Reasonable Access
to Repair Materials
This section would amend chapter 363 of title 10, United
States Code, by adding a new section that would prohibit an
agency from entering into a contract for the procurement of
reparable goods or repair services in support of major weapon
systems unless the contractor agrees, in writing, to provide
the Department of Defense fair and reasonable access to all
repair materials, including parts, tools, and information, used
to diagnose, analyze, maintain, or repair the good or service.
This section would define fair and reasonable access as the
provision of such repair materials at prices, terms, and
conditions that are equivalent to the most favorable prices,
terms, and conditions otherwise offered by the manufacturer, or
in cases where the manufacturer does not offer the repair
materials, at prices, terms, and conditions determined by the
United States Government. This section would provide the
Secretary with the authority to waive the requirements of this
section upon written determination that the application of such
requirements would have negative impact on cost, schedule, or
technical performance. This section would also require the
Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report,
not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to the congressional defense committees on the
implementation of this section.
Section 864--Prohibition on Acquisition of Advanced Batteries From
Certain Foreign Sources
This section would prohibit the Department of Defense from
acquiring advanced batteries from certain foreign sources
beginning on January 1, 2027.
Section 865--Prohibition on Acquisition of Molybdenum From Non-Allied
Foreign Nations
This section would amend section 4872 of title 10, United
States Code, by adding molybdenum to the list of covered
materials.
Section 866--Requirement to Buy Disposable Food Service Products From
American Sources; Exceptions
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
procure disposable food service products that are American made
and do not contain perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoralkyl substances.
Section 867--Prohibition on Department of Defense Contracts With
Certain Foreign-Owned Online Tutoring Services
This section would amend section 854 of the Servicemember
Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) by expanding the
list of countries of concern to include Russia, Iran, and North
Korea.
Section 868--Modifications to Certain Procurement From Certain Chinese
Entities
This section would amend section 805 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-
31) by prohibiting the Secretary of Defense from obligating or
expending loan or grant funds to procure or obtain goods and
services produced or developed by an entity that is identified
in the list published in the Federal Register by the Department
of Defense of Chinese military companies operating in the
United States pursuant to section 1260H of the William M. (Mac)
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2021 (Pub. L. 116-283), or any entity for which the Secretary
has submitted a related certification to the congressional
defense committees. This section would also require the
Secretary to include biotechnology entities (including any
subsidiary, parent, affiliate, or successor of such an entity)
engaged in DNA and RNA assembly, synthesis, and manufacturing
in the reporting required by section 1260H.
Section 869--Prohibition on the Purchase of Photovoltaic Modules From
Foreign Entities of Concern
This section would prohibit the Department of Defense from
acquiring photovoltaic modules or photovoltaic cells
manufactured by a foreign entity of concern.
Section 870--Prohibition on Computers or Printers Acquisitions
Involving Entities Owned or Controlled by China
This section would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from
acquiring any computer or printer, if the Secretary, in
consultation with the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, determines that the manufacturer, bidder, or
offeror of the computer or printer is owned, controlled,
directed, or subcontracted by, affiliated with, or otherwise
connected to the Government of the People's Republic of China.
Subtitle F--Industrial Base Matters
Section 871--Modification to Demonstration and Prototyping Program to
Advance International Product Support Capabilities in a Contested
Logistics Environment
This section would expand the contested logistics
demonstration and prototyping program and require the Secretary
of Defense to establish best practices to reduce time needed to
return repaired equipment to service by developing additive
manufacturing facilities closer to the point of use.
Section 872--Modification to Procurement Requirements Relating to Rare
Earth Elements and Strategic and Critical Materials
This section would amend section 857 of the James M. Inhofe
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public
Law 117-263) by adding advanced batteries or advanced battery
components to the list of products subject to certain required
disclosures by contractors of the Department of Defense.
Section 873--Applicability of the Prohibition on Acquiring Certain
Metal Products
This section would clarify the effective date of prior
amendments to section 4872 of title 10, United States Code.
Section 874--Recycling Critical Mineral
This section would amend section 848 of the William M.
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283) and seeks to expand the
recycling of optical-grade germanium used in weapons systems
and night vision equipment.
Section 875--Organic Small Unmanned Aircraft System Manufacturing
Capacity
This section would establish the SkyFoundry working group
to develop recommendations for improving the domestic
manufacturing capacity for small unmanned aircraft systems
(sUAS) through the development of an organic sUAS innovation
center and production facility.
Section 876--Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Contracts
This section would require that the Department of Defense's
contracts for cloud computing, data infrastructure, and
artificial intelligence promote security, resiliency, and
competition, while ensuring the government retains access to
all government-furnished data.
Section 877--Bioindustrial Commercialization Program
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
establish a program to expand the domestic capacity for
bioindustrial manufacturing through commercial awards.
Section 878--Common Repository for Supplier Information
This section would require the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Industrial Base Policy to establish a common
repository of information commonly required for the initial
vetting of contractors applying to be qualified suppliers in
the defense industrial base. This section would authorize the
Assistant Secretary to enter into a public-private partnership
or cooperative agreement with one or more contractors of the
Department of Defense in establishing the required repository
if doing so would reduce duplicative efforts, reduce the time
spent by potential suppliers in providing similar information
to multiple prime contractors, or would streamline or reduce
the cost of a prime contractor qualifying a supplier for
products or services to be provided to the Department.
Section 879--Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a working group in the Defense Industrial Resilience
Consortium (established elsewhere in this Act) to support the
establishment of a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network (CRMN).
This section would also require the Secretary not later than
120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to submit
to the congressional defense committees a plan to establish the
CRMN. This section would also require an interim progress
report on the CRMN.
Subtitle G--Small Business Matters
Section 881--Department of Defense Contracting Goals for Small Business
Concerns Owned and Controlled by Veterans
This section would amend chapter 387 of title 10, United
States Code, by requiring the Secretary of Defense to establish
a goal, for each fiscal year, for participation in Department
of Defense contracts (including subcontracts) by small business
concerns owned and controlled by veterans. This section would
also authorize the use of procedures other than competitive
procedures in the award of contracts to small business concerns
owned and controlled by veterans.
Section 882--Permanent Extension of Phase Flexibility and Inclusion of
Small Business Technology Transfer Program
This section would make permanent the Direct to Phase II
authority for the Small Business Innovation Research program
and would authorize the Small Business Technology Transfer
program to utilize the Direct to Phase II authority.
Section 883--Authority to Make Additional Sequential Phase II Awards
Under the Small Business Innovation Research Program or Small Business
Technology Transfer Program
This section would clarify and expand the current authority
for subsequent Phase II awards that the Department of Defense
may award to small business concerns.
Section 884--Congressional Notification Requirements for Small Business
Concerns for Any Significant Contract Termination
This section would establish Congressional notification
requirements for small business concerns for any significant
contract termination.
Subtitle H--Other Matters
Section 891--Special Operations Command Urgent Innovative Technologies
and Capabilities Pilot Program
This section would create a pilot program for United States
Special Operations Command to accelerate the research,
development, testing, procurement and initial sustainment of
innovative technologies and equipment that enhance operational
capabilities of Special Operations Forces to meet emerging
mission requirements. This section would also require a report
annually on the implementation and effectiveness of the
program.
Section 892--Inventory of Technical Data Rights for Weapon System
Sustainment
This section would require each service acquisition
executive (SAE) to initiate a process to inventory the
technical data and computer software required to effectively
operate a covered system and maintain it in a cost-effective
manner, and to identify any insufficiency in the possession of,
or access to, the needed technical data and computer software.
Based on an identified insufficiency, this section would
require the SAE to work with the relevant contractor to
determine the best approach to remedy the insufficiency in the
most cost-effective manner practicable and to develop a cost
estimate associated with such remedy.
This section would also require the cadre of intellectual
property experts established under section 1707 of title 10,
United States Code, to provide advice, assistance, and
resources to an SAE in conducting an inventory. In addition,
this section would require each SAE to provide quarterly
updates to the congressional defense committees on progress
toward completion of the inventory.
Section 893--Establishing Biobased Product Merit Guidance
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the
Secretaries of the military departments, to develop and make
publicly available guidance for private entities to prove
biobased products meet Department of Defense requirements.
Section 894--Comptroller General Assessment of Competitive Effects of
Mergers and Acquisitions of Defense Contractors
This section would require the Comptroller General of the
United States to conduct an assessment and submit to the
congressional defense committees a report on the competitive
effects of mergers and acquisitions of defense contractors
during the 10-year period preceding the date of the enactment
of this Act.
TITLE IX--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Human Authorization of Use-of-force Decisions in Autonomous and Semi-
Autonomous Weapon Systems
The committee recognizes that the rapid fielding of
autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems could affect the
requirement for a human decision-maker to authorize every use
of force. Clear policy, effective training, and thorough
oversight ensure the use of automation remains subject to the
legal and ethical responsibilities and accountability inherent
within the chain of command.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Policy, in coordination with the Chief Digital and Artificial
Intelligence Officer, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by December 31, 2025, on the
following:
(1) an overview of current Department policies, procedures,
and guidelines that ensure humans authorize each use of force
in autonomous and semi-autonomous systems;
(2) identification of challenges or gaps in maintaining
human accountability as autonomous capabilities expand;
(3) a description of steps being taken to address such
gaps, including training, doctrine, or policy adjustments; and
(4) additional recommendations or considerations to ensure
clarity and accountability in decision-making roles involving
autonomous systems.
Impact on Success of Mission
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, after
consulting each of the Commanders of United States Africa
Command, United States Central Command, United States European
Command, United States Indo-Pacific Command, United States
Northern Command, United States Southern Command, and United
States Special Operations Command, to submit a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services by January 30, 2026,
describing the extent to which civilian harm or the calculation
for civilian harm that occurs during or before operations may
impact mission outcomes. Additionally, the report should assess
how potential high-intensity conflict with a peer or near-peer
adversary that purposefully embeds itself in densely populated
operational environments would impact targeting capabilities,
precision, and risks to servicemembers and how current
technology, capabilities, planning, and rules of engagement
help mitigate such impacts. The report should be submitted in
an unclassified format, but may also contain a classified
annex, if required.
Implementation Update on Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017
The committee recognizes the critical role and advances of
the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68)
which meaningfully integrates the participation of women in all
aspects of overseas conflict prevention, security processes,
and peace building.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and House
Committee on Armed Services not later than January 15, 2026
that includes the following:
(1) The Department's plan to continue implementation of
Public Law 115-68 including the specific implementation plan in
section 5(b) of 22 USC 2151;
(2) data on technical assistance, logistical support, and
personnel involved in the required implementation plan;
(3) identification of changes to the number of training
courses executed by the joint staff as well as train the
trainer courses and an explanation for such changes.
(4) data on changes to the number of dedicated employees
for women, peace, and security act activities in the military
departments, combatant commands, joint staff, and office of the
secretary of defense;
(5) an update on women, peace, and security act contracts
for research studies;
(6) a comparison of planned funding and executed funding in
fiscal year 2025 for women, peace, and security act security
cooperation programming; including for each geographic
combatant command; and
(7) any updates or changes made by the Department to
programs carried out through Public Law 115-68 since last
fiscal year.
Review of Department of Defense Delays in Providing Comments on
Government Accountability Office Reports
To address delays by the Department of Defense in
submitting agency comments and sensitivity/security reviews to
the Government Accountability Office (GAO), section 1064 of the
James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263) directed the GAO to report to
the congressional defense committees every six months over a
two-year period regarding the extent to which tbe Department
submitted its responses to GAO audits in a timely manner and in
accordance with GAO protocols.
The committee notes that, instead of improving its rate of
response, the Department of Defense's timeliness in providing
agency comments and sensitivity/security reviews decreased
significantly over the two-year period of GAO's analysis. These
delays affect the GAO's ability to report to Congress as
directed and make it harder for both the Department and
Congress to address any potential issues that are brought to
light by the GAO's research and analysis.
The committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to
assess the Department's process for responding to the GAO's
audits and to consider actions the Department could take to
improve its responsiveness to the GAO moving forward. The
committee further directs the Secretary to provide a report to
the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2026, on the results
of the Department's assessment and its plan for improving its
responsiveness.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related Matters
Section 901--Prohibition Of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
of the Department of Defense
This section would prohibit all diversity, equity, and
inclusion programs and offices at the Department of Defense.
Section 902--Modification to Authorities of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering
This section would expand the authorities of the Under
Secretary of Research and Engineering.
Section 903--Modification to Authorities of the Director of Operational
Test and Evaluation
This section would amend section 139 of title 10, United
States Code by requiring the Director of Operational Test and
Evaluation in the Department of Defense to coordinate with
operational test and evaluation organizations of the armed
forces to review their service-approved test and evaluation
master plans and to prohibit any limitation that does not allow
for sufficient staffing to fulfill the duties and
responsibilities assigned by section 139. This section would
also authorize the Director to enter into contracts with one or
more federally funded research and development centers pursuant
to which personnel of such centers may assist the Director with
program oversight.
Section 904--Additional Authorities for the Office of Strategic Capital
This section would allow the Office of Strategic Capital to
charge fees on their transactions.
Section 905--Further Modifications to Capital Assistance Program of the
Office of Strategic Capital
This section would provide equity investment authority for
the Office of Strategic Capital.
Subtitle B--Other Department of Defense Organization and Management
Matters
Section 911--Membership of the Commandant of the Coast Guard on the
Joint Chiefs of Staff
This section would amend Section 151(a) of title 10, United
States Code, to include the Commandant of the Coast Guard on
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Section 912--Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
This section would codify the Joint Counter Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Office as a jointly manned activity of the
Department of Defense responsible for leading, advocating, and
coordinating all Department efforts to defeat small unmanned
aircraft systems as a weapon of strategic influence.
Section 913--Authority to Establish Regional Outreach Centers for the
Defense Innovation Unit
The section provides statutory authority for the Defense
Innovation Unit regional outreach centers which include
domestic or international locations. The Director of the
Defense Innovation Unit shall provide a briefing to Committee
on Armed Services, not later than January 1, 2026, detailing
plans to stand up at least two additional OnRamp Hubs in fiscal
year 2026, including planned locations for such Hubs and the
necessary personnel and resourcing to stand up those locations.
The briefing shall also include relevant criteria, personnel,
resourcing, and potential locations for overseas locations.
Section 914--Oversight of the United States Africa Command
This section would provide additional oversight of United
States Africa Command and require certification by the
Secretary of Defense prior to certain modifications to the
Command.
Section 915--Limitation on Availability of Funds for the Army Pending
Submittal of Plan on the Proposed Integration of the Joint Munitions
Command and the Army Sustainment Command
This section would limit the Secretary of the Army from
restructuring the Joint Munitions Command and the Army
Sustainment Command until the Secretary submits a report.
Section 916--Limitation on Authority to Reduce in Rank the Billets of
the Commanding Officers of Certain Military Installations of the Air
Force
This section would authorize a limitation on authority to
reduce in rank the billets of the commanding officers.
Section 917--Determination of Lead Organization Responsible for
Approval and Validation of Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems and
Components
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct an analysis of the current resourcing of the Defense
Innovation Unit's (DIU) Blue Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
List and Framework. Following the assessment, this section
would require the Secretary of Defense to transition the DIU
Blue UAS List and Framework to a different Department of
Defense component, or increase the resources and personnel at
DIU if the determination is made that DIU is the best-suited
Department organization to maintain the program.
Section 918--Department of Defense Advisory Subcommittee to Review
Technologies, Processes, and Investment Related to Combined Joint All-
Domain Command and Control
This section would allow the Secretary of Defense to
establish a subcommittee to review technologies to achieve
combined joint all-domain command and control.
TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Other Matters
Acquisition and Operation of a Training Tall Ship for the United States
Navy
The committee acknowledges the value of traditional
seamanship training in developing leadership, teamwork, and
operational skills among naval personnel. Tall ships,
characterized by their sail-powered propulsion and historical
design, have historically served as effective platforms for
training naval officers and enlisted personnel in navigation,
shiphandling, and resilience under austere conditions. Training
tall ships operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and allied navies
demonstrate the enduring relevance of tall ships for fostering
maritime skills and international goodwill.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Navy to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, assessing the feasibility, costs, and
benefits of acquiring, operating, and organizing a training
tall ship for the United States Navy. The briefing shall
include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) A detailed description of the proposed mission for a
United States Navy training tall ship, including its role in
officer and enlisted training and leadership development;
(2) Estimated costs for acquisition, outfitting, and
lifecycle maintenance;
(3) Command structure, crew composition to include the mix
of active-duty officers, enlisted personnel, civilian mariners,
and potential involvement of midshipmen or reservists, and an
assessment of shore-based support requirements; and
(4) An analysis of the strategic benefits of a tall ship,
including enhanced recruitment, retention, and public
perception of the United States Navy, as well as strengthened
ties with maritime communities and allied navies.
Air Force Special Operations Command Power Projection Wings
The committee supports the Department of the Air Force's
decision, to designate specific Air Force Bases as Power
Projection Platforms such as Davis-Monthan Air Force Base,
Arizona as the preferred location of the 492nd Special
Operations Wing (SOW). This decision aligns with the 2022
National Defense Strategy, which emphasized the need for an
additional continental United States-based Air Force Special
Operations Command (AFSOC) Power Projection Wing. The committee
encourages the Secretary of the Air Force to continue to
establish Power Projection Wings that will enable Air Force
Special Operations Command to prepare for and prevail in future
conflicts across all domains.
Anti-Fragmentation Armor Systems
The committee notes that as warfare continues to evolve and
the proliferation and use of inexpensive armed unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS) has increased in conflicts,
fragmentation blast threats to warfighters have escalated. The
committee believes that efforts to modify existing conformal
armor designs to increase the survivability of U.S.
servicemembers, especially those in special operations forces,
from these new fragmentation-related injuries are needed. The
committee notes that while advances in technologies for active
and passive defense against UAS exist, many are cost-
prohibitive, not available in the required densities, or may
have operational profiles inconsistent with the special
operations mission needs.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander of U.S.
Special Operations Command in coordination with Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity
Conflict to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2026, assessing the adequacy
of existing amor systems in protecting special operations
forces from fragmentary blast threats from UAS. The assessment
should include:
(1) the adequacy of current armor systems' ability to
protect extremities and high-risk areas such as the femoral,
brachial, and iliac arteries from fragmentation threats;
(2) recommendations on how hard armor geometries could be
optimized to provide more comprehensive coverage from energetic
fragmentary threats;
(3) options for modifying existing carriage systems to more
effectively align hard armor geometries to areas of the body
traditionally left unprotected from fragmentation threats; and
(4) material alternatives for increasing mobility, thermo-
regulation, fire-resistance, and flexibility, and reducing
weight while enhancing fragmentary coverage.
Army Use of Attestation to Support Audit Readiness
The committee affirms the importance of achieving full
financial auditability across the Department of Defense and
recognizes the Army's efforts to advance innovative approaches
that support this goal. While the Army has historically faced
challenges in executing a full financial statement audit, the
committee notes that attestation-based methodologies--supported
by artificial intelligence and real-time digital accounting
tools--may provide a complementary and scalable approach for
authenticating Army expenditures and improving audit readiness.
The committee believes that attestation methods, when
implemented rigorously, can offer credible insight into
financial accountability while enabling faster, more agile data
validation. However, the committee emphasizes that such tools
must not replace traditional audit requirements, but rather
enhance and support them.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, on the Army's use of attestation
in addition to traditional financial audits. The briefing
should include:
(1) an explanation of the attestation methodology used to
validate Army expenditures in the most recent fiscal year;
(2) the criteria and controls used to ensure the
attestation process is rigorous, complementary to, and
comparable in reliability to traditional audit practices;
(3) a description of any digital or artificial-
intelligence-enabled systems used to support real-time or
automated financial verification and how those tools improve
audit accuracy and timeliness.
Autonomous Logistics Vessels in Contested Environments
The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense's
current sealift capability is insufficient to provide the
necessary intra-theater support that would be required in a
contested logistics environment because of an aging logistics
fleet and manning requirements. The Department has acknowledged
this vulnerability and stated that contested logistics are
among its top priorities.
The committee is aware of private sector innovation that
may help address this situation and is encouraged by the
development of dual-use autonomous logistics vessels that could
provide decentralized and resilient resupply in contested
environments. Accordingly, the committee directs the Commander
of United States Transportation Command to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March
31, 2026, on a comprehensive plan to increase sealift capacity,
improve inter-service logistics coordination, and leverage
private sector autonomous solutions to address inadequate
contested logistics capabilities.
Briefing on Audit Efforts and the Initiating the Workforce Acceleration
and Recapitalization Initiative
The committee supports the Department's efforts to
prioritize audit efficiency and passage in the coming years.
Furthermore, the committee understands that achieving an
unqualified audit opinion will require the use of new
technologies, processes, and reporting methods. The committee
believes that comprehensive reporting and congressional
oversight will be necessary to ensure proper resourcing and
accountability for audit results.
Therefore, no later March 30, 2025, the committee directs
the Secretary of Defense to submit to the congressional defense
committees a report on the implementation of the Secretary of
Defense memorandum titled ``Initiating the Workforce
Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative,'' with a focus on
adoption and integration of digital-first operations to enhance
Department-wide audit readiness, including: (A) Progress on
transitioning from labor-based approaches to software-based
solutions leveraging analytics, intelligent document
processing, artificial intelligence, and agentic automation;
(B) Expansion of auditable data mapped to a common ontology for
transparency; and (C) Transition from passive dashboards to
real-time financial tracking, automated workflows, and AI-
driven reconciliation.
Combatant Craft Hull Modernization and Performance Enhancements
The committee recognizes the U.S. Special Operations
Command's Combatant Craft program for its ongoing efforts to
advance hull design, engineering improvements, and performance
upgrades to meet the demanding operational requirements of the
Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. These enhancements,
focused on increasing mission capability, extending operational
range, improving survivability, raising material readiness, and
reducing the craft's multi-spectral signature, are critical to
maintaining a decisive maritime advantage.
Accordingly, the committee encourages the Naval Special
Warfare (NSW) Command to leverage additional resources to
accelerate test, evaluation, and integration of advanced hull
technologies and design methodologies, including those already
developed and proven in the commercial high-performance racing
sector. The committee believes that incorporating innovations
from the commercial maritime and racing communities can inform
both the retrofit of fielded platforms and the development of
next-generation craft to ensure NSW Combatant Craft remain
highly capable against evolving threats.
Comptroller General Review of Costs at Guantanamo
The committee has an oversight interest in the utilization
of the military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for immigration
enforcement purposes. To better understand the impact of these
operations on the Department of Defense, the committee directs
the Comptroller General of the United States to review the cost
to the Department of transporting and housing potentially
removable foreign nationals from the continental United States
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, since fiscal year 2025. This review
should include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) the costs to the Department of temporary additional
housing suitable for extreme weather conditions and essential
services, such as food, medical care, language interpretation,
communication, utilities and other infrastructure, and access
to legal services;
(2) the costs that are borne not by the Department, but by
other federal agencies;
(3) an assessment of the impacts of military support, if
any, on unit readiness and broader military readiness
rebuilding efforts;
(4) any national security impacts by allowing such use; and
(5) a comparison of prior uses of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for
migrant housing and processing.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than January 31, 2026, with the results of the review to
follow by March 1, 2026.
Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Authorities, Development, and
Deployment
As noted in the committee report accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-
159, H. Rept. 118-529), the committee remains concerned about
the proliferation of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and
the Department of Defense's capacity and capability to defend a
``covered facility or asset'' as defined in section 130i of
title 10, United States Code. The committee notes that the
Secretary of Defense has designated an executive agent to
coordinate the research, development, test, and training of
Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) for the
Department of Defense. The committee further notes that
protecting Department of Defense facilities and assets against
the novel UAS threat requires the development and deployment of
appropriate capabilities. To date, the Department has failed to
provide the required briefings and reports to Congress,
including the ``Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft System Defense
at Military Installations'' briefing required in H. Rept. 118-
529.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Director of the Joint Counter-small
Unmanned Aircraft Office (JCO) and other relevant entities
within the Department of Defense as determined by the
Secretary, to submit a report to the Senate Committee on Armed
Services and the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the Department's efforts to evaluate,
approve, develop, and deploy C-UAS for the protection of
Department of Defense facilities and assets in the United
States. The report shall be submitted in a classified format
but may include an unclassified summary. The report should
include the following information:
(1) a detailed description of the JCO's process for
evaluating and approving Department of Defense facility
applications for authorities granted under section 130i of
title 10, United States Code, including the process for
installation commanders to request authorities and equipment
under such section, eligibility criteria, necessary
coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the
Federal Communications Commission, and other relevant agencies,
and the average timeline of the evaluation, site survey,
review, and approval process;
(2) a description of the training provided to installation
commanders on the application process for securing C-UAS
authorities and capabilities, including assistance provided in
the preparation and submission of applications, and
identification of which installation commanders have received
such training as of the date of submission of the report;
(3) the number of facilities granted and utilizing C-UAS
authorities as of the date of submission of the report;
(4) a description of any difficulties in providing C-UAS
authorities and capabilities to certain categories of
Department of Defense installations, including National Guard
and Air National Guard installations;
(5) an assessment of current technical capabilities to
detect and track UAS in real-time, including the ability to
track known UAS platforms and frequencies, unknown UAS
signatures not registered within any current UAS library, and
UAS not emitting detectable radio frequency transmissions;
(6) an assessment of current technical capabilities to
neutralize, capture, or disable UAS while minimizing collateral
effects within civilian airspace or populated areas;
(7) a description of ongoing research and development
efforts to advance C-UAS technologies for domestic Department
of Defense installation protection, including anticipated
milestones and deployment timelines;
(8) the number of military installations equipped with C-
UAS systems, their operational readiness, and any identified
gaps in coverage;
(9) an identification of priority installations for
deployment of C-UAS equipment based on detected UAS activity,
past incursions, site sensitivity, and assessed threat levels;
(10) a description of the technical limitations of existing
C-UAS detect and defeat equipment available to installations
approved for use of C-UAS authorities;
(11) required notification and reporting actions when
responding to a UAS incursion using provided C-UAS authorities
and capabilities;
(12) a description of any standardized training materials
provided to installation commanders regarding C-UAS
authorities;
(13) a description of the expectations and responsibilities
of installation commanders regarding C-UAS authorities,
including installations that do and do not qualify for
authorities under section 130i of title 10, United States Code;
and
(14) an evaluation of efforts to train personnel on C-UAS
operations, establish standard response procedures, and ensure
interoperability across different C-UAS technologies.
Department of Defense Survey of Artificial Intelligence Capabilities
The committee is aware of the rapidly changing capabilities
of artificial intelligence (AI) and recognizes its expanding
potential for application across the Department of Defense. The
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a survey
of AI capabilities for potential use in exercises or operations
that would improve the accuracy of military targeting, to
include locating, identifying, and analyzing such targets to
minimize collateral damage and civilian harm. The survey should
examine which roles, functions, and teams would benefit from
any AI capabilities identified. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services on the results of this survey not
later than April 1, 2026.
Domestic Source and Cargo Preference Program for DoD Fuels
The committee recognizes the importance of optimizing the
security and resilience of the Department of Defense's global
fuel supply network to enhance national security, bolster the
U.S. maritime industry, and ensure operational readiness,
The committee directs the Commander of United States
Transportation Command, in coordination with the Defense
Logistics Agency and the Department of Transportation, to brief
the House Committee on Armed Services no later than March 31,
2026, on the feasibility and potential implementation of a
Domestic Source and Cargo Preference Program for Fuels,
including:
(1) a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of shifting a
portion of DoD fuel procurement from foreign refineries to U.S.
refineries, including transportation costs, potential savings
from utilizing Tanker Security Program vessels, and long-term
economic benefits to the U.S. maritime industry;
(2) an evaluation of the operational feasibility of
transporting fuel from U.S. refineries to overseas Defense Fuel
Support Points using U.S.-flagged tankers, including vessel
availability, infrastructure capacity, and potential logistical
challenges;
(3) identification of and mitigation strategies for
potential risks associated with the program, such as increased
transit times, disruptions to supply chains, and impacts on
global fuel purchasing programs;
(4) a plan to ensure a sufficient supply of qualified U.S.
mariners to crew the additional tankers required for the
program, including recruitment, training, and retention
initiatives; and
(5) an assessment of the program's potential impact on U.S.
national security, strategic deterrence, shipbuilding in
America, and the resilience of the Department's global fuel
supply network.
Ensuring Perimeter Security for U.S. Military Bases
The committee notes the importance of securing the
perimeter for U.S. bases and associated challenges in
maintaining full operational access at all installations. The
committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2026, on
the status of base access gate closures on U.S. military bases.
The report shall include:
(1) an inventory of all U.S. military bases affected by
permanent gate closures since fiscal year 2024, including
specific gates affected and dates of closure;
(2) an explanation for each gate closure, including but not
limited to funding shortfalls, personnel shortages, or policy
changes;
(3) an assessment of how these gate closures have impacted
perimeter security and affected overall base operations;
(4) analysis of the community impacts of these gate
closures, including but not limited to traffic flow, emergency
response, and base access for military personnel, dependents,
and civilian employees;
(5) a description of security measures or automation
technologies considered or implemented to compensate for gate
closures;
(6) an overview of coordination with other federal, state,
and local agencies regarding perimeter security and emergency
response; and
(7) lessons learned and best practices identified to
improve perimeter security and maintain operational access at
all installations.
High-Power Microwave for Vessel-Stop Briefing
The Committee is aware of work that the Navy is conducting
with the Coast Guard to develop a counter-vessel system using
high-power microwave (HPM) to engage non-compliant and criminal
vessels without the collateral risks associated with kinetic
capabilities. However, the Committee is also aware of
challenges to deploying an operational capability and
understands that HPM systems being developed elsewhere for the
Department of Defense could provide advancements in its current
program.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of Naval
Operations, in coordination with the Commandant of the Coast
Guard, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2026. The briefing should
include the following:
(1) an overview and update of ongoing vessel-stop programs
involving directed energy including HPM, to include contract
history, associated funding, and delivery timelines;
(2) an assessment of current system capabilities and risks
against program requirements; and,
(3) an updated strategy for advancing the program towards
an operational capability prior to the end of Fiscal Year 2027.
Improvements Relating to Access to Military Installations in the United
States
The committee recognizes the need to improve the screening
of visitors, vendors, and contractors accessing domestic
military installations in response to evolving security
threats. The committee understands that current systems--such
as the Automated Installation Entry (AIE) and Defense Biometric
Identification System (DBIDS)--were designed to serve a limited
number of installations and do not adequately support the
security needs of the Department of Defense's approximately
10,000 standalone facilities. These include sensitive military
construction sites, training and testing facilities, recruiting
centers, and sites managed by the United States Army Corps of
Engineers.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
March 1, 2026, on options to improve security access control
across domestic military installations. The report shall
include the following:
(1) an assessment of the feasibility of a scalable,
enterprise-wide upload capability to integrate installation
access information into the Department's common operating
picture;
(2) an evaluation of the use of artificial intelligence and
machine learning tools to enhance access control by supporting
behavioral analysis and risk scoring of individuals seeking
installation access;
(3) a cost and risk analysis of proposed access control
improvements; and
(4) a study of a cost-sharing certification model for
vendors and contractors requiring recurring access, including
annual billing mechanisms.
Improvements to Global Force Management
The committee notes that the Department of Defense has
emphasized campaigning and competition short of armed conflict
as core missions of the Joint Force. The committee is aware
that adversaries increasingly operate in the ``gray zone,''
conducting cyberattacks, disinformation operations, proxy
warfare, and economic coercion that challenge U.S. interests
below the threshold of conventional conflict. The committee
notes that traditional Global Force Management (GFM) cycles and
force allocation processes are designed primarily for
conventional conflict, creating potential gaps in
responsiveness to gray zone or irregular threats. The committee
is concerned that limited flexibility in force apportionment
tailored to hybrid threats could impede the Department of
Defense's ability to compete effectively and deter adversarial
escalation below the level of armed conflict.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 27, 2026, assessing the extent to which
the current GFM framework enables rapid and flexible deployment
of forces to counter non-traditional threats, including
cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and malign proxy
operations. The briefing shall evaluate whether existing GFM
cycles, authorities, and force availability processes support
timely responses to such threats and shall recommend any
changes needed.
Integration of Physical Artificial Intelligence Into Shipyard
Infrastructure Modernization
The committee recognizes that integrating artificial
intelligence (AI) technologies into shipyard modernization
efforts can significantly enhance workforce productivity,
manufacturing efficiency, and cost savings across United States
ship maintenance and shipbuilding operations. The committee is
aware of emerging technologies powered by large world models
that can integrate physical AI with existing video feeds,
process control systems, geospatial data, and a range of sensor
inputs to generate real-time situational awareness and
continuously evolving site-specific AI models. These models
have demonstrated utility in military and commercial
applications for optimizing logistics, detecting anomalies, and
improving workforce safety and quality assurance.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy, in
coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by December
1, 2025 on efforts to evaluate and integrate physical AI
capabilities to support shipyard infrastructure modernization
and workforce optimization. The briefing shall include:
(1) current and planned initiatives to incorporate physical
AI into shipyard modernization efforts, including but not
limited to the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program
(SIOP);
(2) an assessment of how physical AI may be applied to
enhance shipbuilding and repair logistics, including relevant
efforts by the Maritime Industrial Base office;
(3) evaluation of physical AI applications to improve
shipyard safety, security, and quality assurance; and
(4) recommendations for how physical AI tools may support
long-term cost savings and operational resilience across Navy
shipyards.
Naval Information Warfare Command, New Orleans, Louisiana
The committee supports the mission of the Naval Information
Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic and affirms the role of its New
Orleans operations in delivering advanced expeditionary
tactical capabilities and enterprise IT and business systems.
The committee notes the Navy's recent lease renegotiation with
the University of New Orleans, which reflects a cost-effective
approach to securing high-quality facilities for its mission.
The committee notes that, following an extensive Business
Case Analysis in June 2024, the Navy evaluated seven
alternative courses of action, including potential relocation,
but ultimately reaffirmed the value of remaining at its current
site in New Orleans. This analysis demonstrated that continuing
operations in New Orleans best meets the Navy's operational,
personnel, and logistical requirements.
To provide continued transparency regarding the Navy's
posture, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
October 1, 2025, outlining the Department's long-term plans for
the NIWC New Orleans lease. This briefing shall include:
(1) the Navy's plan for a NIWC lease renewal in 2026 for
its current location in New Orleans;
(2) a description of the conditions or considerations that
might influence a future decision not to exercise one or more
of the lease's one-year renewal options; and
(3) an outline of any anticipated changes to the mission,
staffing, or facility requirements at the New Orleans location.
The committee remains committed to ensuring that NIWC
Atlantic has the facilities and resources required to fulfill
its mission and urges the Department to keep the congressional
defense committees informed of any future developments that
could materially affect the Navy's presence in New Orleans.
Open Vehicle Electronic Architecture for SOCOM Nonstandard Commercial
Vehicles
The committee notes as the commercial automotive industry
trends towards increasing proprietary digitalization, the
sustained viability of U.S. Special Operations Command's
(USSOCOM) Nonstandard Commercial Vehicle (NSCV) fleet, embedded
in the Family of Special Operations Vehicles (FOSOV), is at
risk due to increasing technological constraints. The NSCV
program is vital to USSOCOM, which utilizes these vehicles to
conduct clandestine operations in operating areas that require
teams to blend in with locally available vehicles. Currently,
adaptations to the vehicle and the addition of desired
performance upgrade capabilities require changes to the Vehicle
Electronic Architecture (VEA). Original Equipment Manufacturers
(OEMs) do not provide access to their control software, so, at
present, workarounds are required to layer in features and
systems that special operations forces need to execute their
missions. This status quo is not sustainable as OEMs become
more protective of their control software and are unwilling to
work with clients to alter this software. The committee is
aware that at the same time as control over the NSCV fleet
deteriorates, operations that warrant the use of NSCVs increase
globally. Through the development of a USSOCOM owned and
editable, open architecture VEA, special forces operators can
maintain a more capable, more fuel efficient, more resilient
NSCV fleet. Therefore, the committee directs the Commander of
U.S. Special Operations Command to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 1,
2025, on the potential for increased investment in the further
development and integration of open VEA solutions for the NSCV
fleet. The briefing should include the current and future
requirements for the NSCV fleet, projected costs of the
integration of open VEA solutions, and the potential impact on
missions if a solution is not resourced and applied to the NSCV
fleet.
Pre-Positioned Orbital Supply and Logistics for Special Operations
The committee notes the challenges special operations
forces could have with resupply in contested and austere
environments during critical or clandestine operations. The
committee is aware of developing technology to allow for the
pre-positioning of vital logistics in low-Earth orbit,
potentially creating a more robust supply chain and enhancing
warfighting. With the growing availability of a range of
commercial reentry services, the ability to supply special
operations forces deployed anywhere on the globe from pre-
positioned orbital carriers could soon become a reality. Pre-
positioned orbital carriers in low-Earth orbit could launch and
maintain orbit while carrying a variety of special mission
payloads, available to any forward deployed unit within a
matter of minutes. For special forces operating in contested
areas where traditional supply is unavailable, supply and
logistics support from orbit could enhance the mission
sustainment for these units and deliver additional capabilities
in a rapidly evolving environment. Therefore, the committee
directs the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than April 1, 2026, on the feasibility of pre-positioned
orbital supply and logistics. The briefing should include the
cost of development and employment, and what mission
requirements could be supported by this concept.
Preventative Maintenance Program for Naval Special Warfare Combatant
Craft and Operator Health
The committee is aware that Naval Special Warfare maintains
a diverse fleet of combatant craft that support critical
maritime special operations missions worldwide. Sustaining the
operational readiness of these vessels--and ensuring the health
and safety of their operators in austere environments--requires
a proactive approach to maintenance and data collection. The
committee notes that Naval Special Warfare currently lacks a
standardized preventative maintenance program that integrates
vessel condition monitoring with health and performance data on
operators.
The committee believes that leveraging proven, commercially
available technologies to collect, analyze, and act on vessel
and operator data in real time can significantly improve
material readiness, extend service life, and reduce risk to
personnel. The committee is aware of technology capable of
securely capturing data offline in harsh environments, offering
predictive analytics for maintenance planning and monitoring
operator fatigue and exposure.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander of United
States Special Operations Command to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 1,
2025, on efforts to develop and implement a preventative
maintenance program for Naval Special Warfare combatant craft
that integrates vessel condition monitoring with operator
health and performance data. The briefing shall include an
analysis of commercially available technologies that:
(1) enable secure, offline data capture and analysis of
combatant craft mechanical systems;
(2) provide predictive analytics to inform maintenance
planning and supply chain readiness;
(3) support monitoring of operator fatigue and
environmental exposure; and
(4) facilitate incorporation of lessons learned into
training and sustainment practices.
Protecting Military Personnel From Biological Weapons
The committee recognizes the existing and emerging
biological threats posed by malign state and non-state actors
to servicemembers stationed abroad and at home. To deter the
weaponization of biological agents, including Anthrax, which
remains the leading biological threat to the United States, the
committee is aware of the need for a stable, secure, and
sustainable stockpile of medical countermeasures for use in
countering the effects of Anthrax including both an antitoxin
and a prophylactic. Given the history of Anthrax attacks on the
highest levels of government, including on the United States
Congress following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks,
investing in antidotes and other therapies to counteract the
effects of Anthrax and other biological agents is all the more
important.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2026, on the following:
(1) a proposal for a modernized ten-year strategy to ensure
adequate stockpiling of anthrax countermeasures, including
replenishment of current stocks consistent with required
levels;
(2) the opportunities for leveraging public-private
partnerships with manufacturers to ensure sustainment of the
industrial base;
(3) how countermeasures stockpiled for servicemembers can
be applied to the civilian population through interagency
efforts; and
(4) what additional actions are required by the Department
of Defense to provide for a stable, secure, and sustainable
Strategic National Stockpile of Anthrax countermeasures in the
ten-year window covered by the strategy.
Reforming the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Process
The committee supports data-driven, scenario-based reforms
that leverage commercial technologies to contribute to the
Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process,
consistent with the recommendations of the Commission on PPBE
Reform, authorized by section 1004 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81). The
committee also recognizes the need for greater alignment
between the Department of Defense's force management,
budgeting, and requirements determination processes to enhance
efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and operational responsiveness.
The committee, therefore, directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the relevant organizations of the
Department of Defense, the Secretaries of the military
departments, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and
in consultation with the commanders of the combatant commands,
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than March 31, 2026, that outlines the following:
(1) a description of how the Department would develop a
framework to integrate PPBE requirements and resourcing
decisions with real-time, scenario-based information;
(2) an explanation of how the Department can ensure data
interoperability, including an open application programming
interface (API) access, to enable secured commercial software
to interact with data;
(3) opportunities for increased integration of Global Force
Management (GFM), the PPBE process, and the Joint Capabilities
Integration and Development System, including an assessment of
the impact of full life-cycle costs on GFM decisions, as well
as ways to enhance strategic prioritization; and
(4) an examination of the role of combatant commands in the
PPBE process.
Release of Funds for the Commission on the Future of the Navy
The National Security Strategy emphasized the need for a
powerful and ready United States Navy. The Fiscal Year 2023
National Defense Authorization Act established the Commission
on the Future of the Navy to facilitate developing a more
capable force. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 31, 2025, on the status of funding for the
Commission on the Future of the Navy. The briefing should
include the following information:
(1) the reasons for any delay in the obligation or release
of such funds;
(2) any legal, administrative, or policy obstacles
contributing to such delay;
(3) the expected timeline for full release of funding and
operational commencement of the Commission; and
(4) any actions being taken by the Department to expedite
support for the Commission's activities.
Report on Caribbean Illicit Trafficking
The committee notes with concern the flow of illicit arms
into the Caribbean region that is impacting the stability and
security of our allies. Therefore, the committee directs the
Commander of United States Southern Command to submit a report
to the House Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2026,
on the feasibility of expanding the Joint Interagency Task
Force South's mission to include illicit firearms trafficking.
The report shall include:
(1) an assessment of the feasibility of expanding the
mission to include illicit firearms trafficking in the
Caribbean region;
(2) an analysis of any required adjustments to existing
law, treaties, status of forces agreements, or memoranda of
agreement necessary to carry out such an expansion;
(3) an assessment of costs and additional resources that
would be needed for such an expansion; and
(4) an assessment of the additional coordination efforts
needed between Joint Interagency Task Force South and any law
enforcement agencies to undertake such expanded mission.
Security Clearance Adjudication
The committee is aware that applicants for a security
clearance are often left for months without information
regarding the status of their security clearance or potential
issues that may render them ineligible. The committee notes
that this lack of clarity can have significant impacts on
employment and readiness, particularly for members of the Armed
Forces. The committee understands the importance of a robust
screening process but notes that the lack of communication
related to the process can cause significant distress for
applicants. The committee is concerned that recent internal
reforms have not yet resulted in measurable transparency or
applicant-facing accountability.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
January 15, 2026, on the feasibility of providing increased
transparency, communication, and quality control during the
clearance process, including the adjudication stage. The
report, at a minimum, shall contain the following:
(1) an analysis of the potential benefits and challenges of
creating a security clearance ombudsman position within the
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and
Security that would assist applicants prior to and during the
adjudication process, including the degree to which current
resources meet the informational and advisory functions
typically performed by an ombudsman;
(2) the feasibility of creating a pre-decisional review
process--distinct from the Statement of Reasons appeal system--
prior to final clearance denial that would review proposed
denials for consistency with established policies, law, and due
process, while aiming to avoid rejections that are later easily
won by applicants on appeal, and how many such cases could be
avoided;
(3) a description of prioritization policies for applicants
in deployable billets or whose military specialty qualification
requires a clearance, and how interim clearances are granted in
cases where a full adjudication cannot be completed prior to a
need for deployment;
(4) an analysis of the factors that contribute to the delay
in security clearance adjudications that have taken the longest
to complete in the past two fiscal years, including whether
these cases were disproportionately impacted by case
complexity, lack of investigative personnel continuity, or
policy ambiguity;
(5) a review of current procedures and policies that allow
an individual who is subject to an adverse security clearance
adjudication to appeal. This review shall include information
related to average timelines for each stage of this process and
process improvements currently under consideration; and
(6) an assessment of surge capacity for the clearance
pipeline in wartime or national emergency conditions, including
any recent stress test results and recommendations.
Spending Plan for Budgetary Resources Enacted Under Reconciliation
The committee notes the historic investment in America's
national security priorities made in P.L. 119-21. The committee
looks forward to working with the Department of Defense and the
Administration to ensure that those resources enhance American
deterrence, revitalize the defense industrial base, and
modernize our military; that Congress maintains appropriate
oversight over those resources; and that the investments made
in P.L. 119-21 are complementary to investments made in
Congressional authorization and appropriations processes.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration,
as appropriate, to submit to the Committees on Armed Services
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a spending,
expenditure, or operating plan for amounts made available
pursuant to Title II of Public Law 119-21 not later than August
22, 2025. The plan shall include the same level of detail as
required for the report submitted under section 8007 of
division A of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
(Public Law 118-47; 138 Stat. 482).
Strengthening U.S. Naval Power Through Contractor-Owned/Contractor-
Operated Capabilities
The committee recognizes the strategic value of the
contractor-owned/contractor-operated model for delivering
capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance;
anti-submarine warfare; and infrastructure protection mission
areas; and notes its success in the global aerial refueling
mission.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to brief the
House Committee on Armed Services no later than February 1,
2026, on the following:
(1) how the Department of Defense might expand the use of
the contractor-owned/contractor-operated model for
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; anti-submarine
warfare; and infrastructure protection missions;
(2) lessons learned from the existing contractor-owned/
contractor-operated global aerial refueling contract that can
be used in future contracts; and
(3) regulatory and contracting obstacles to expanding the
adoption of contractor-owned/contractor-operated capabilities
as a service.
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command as Access, Basing, and
Overflight Pathfinder
The committee recognizes the increasing challenges to
Access, Basing, and Overflight (ABO) posed by adversaries with
anti-access area and digital denial (A2/AD2) capabilities. The
committee notes or further recognizes that conventional Air
Force ABO processes rely heavily on manual coordination, making
them potentially susceptible to disruption in contested
environments. To address these challenges, the committee
encourages the Department of the Air Force to leverage the
unique platforms and mission sets of the Air Force Special
Operations Command (AFSOC) as a pathfinder for ABO
modernization.
Specifically, the committee urges the Air Force to explore
AFSOC-led experimentation with non-traditional, hard-to access
data and cutting-edge artificial intelligence to enhance air-
powered operations. These efforts should focus on integrating
real-time information on supply chains, personnel, systems, and
allied and partner forces to enable more dynamic and resilient
ABO capabilities.
The committee believes that incorporating AFSOC's unique
mission set and operational agility into ABO modernization
efforts will help advance the Air Force's Agile Combat
Employment (ACE) strategy. The committee encourages the
Department to prioritize and expand support for these efforts
across all Air Force units and missions.
U.S. Army Biometric Fast Lanes Automated Installation Entry System
Deployment
The committee supports the Army's efforts to enhance
security and improve access control efficiency through the use
of biometric fast lanes as part of the Automated Installation
Entry (AIE) system. The committee understands that by
leveraging advanced technologies such as biometrics, the AIE
system can strengthen force protection, reduce congestion, and
optimize the use of security resources.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, on the following information:
(1) any plans to expand the deployment of biometric fast
lanes in the AIE system at military installations;
(2) a list of the highest priority locations that could
utilize biometric fast lanes, including those with peak-period
congestion challenges and a need for improved vehicle
throughput or more streamlined access for trusted travelers;
(3) any plans to expand the capabilities of the AIE System
to encompass pedestrian and visitor biometric management
solutions; and
(4) any recommended funding to support these initiatives.
U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)
The committee notes the important role U.S. Army Civil
Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)
(USACAPOC(A)) has served since its inception in 1985. USACAPOC
(A) accounts for approximately 75% of the Department of
Defense's Civil Affairs capability and 60% of its Psychological
Operations forces. The committee is concerned with planned U.S.
Army Special Operations Command force structure reductions and
realignments and the potential impact on USACAPOC(A)'s ability
to meet emerging mission demands in the Indo-Pacific and other
Geographic Combatant Command (GCC) areas of responsibility.
As the Army begins its Army Transformation Initiative
(ATI), the committee believes USACAPOC(A) should be integrated
into Army and joint exercises, planning, and cross-component
missions to maximize its unique capabilities. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination
with the Commanding General of United States Army Special
Operations Command (USASOC), and the Chief of the Army Reserve,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by May 1, 2026, on how the Army is incorporating USACAPOC (A)
into the ATI. The briefing should include the following:
(1) a description of the current force structure;
(2) the deployment to dwell ratio for those assigned to
USACAPOC(A);
(3) the number of requests for capability by the GCCs for
the past two years and the number of requests not supported;
(4) how the command recruits, trains and sustains those in
the unit to ensure they can support the GCCs and USASOC;
(5) a description of any plans as part of ATI to
restructure the command to better support the Army and the
GCCs, such as consideration of a Reserve Information Branch
under a dedicated General Officer to unify Reserve PSYOP and
Information Operations units for strategic oversight and PSYWAR
integration; and
(6) an assessment of efforts to modernize information
advantage planning and approval processes to enable timely,
digitally-relevant operations in support of Combatant Commands.
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)-Military Information Support
Operations (MISO)
The committee remains concerned about the persistent
challenges in Military Information Support Operations (MISO),
which have been exacerbated in the absence of standardized
technology integration and capabilities U.S. Special Operations
Command (USSOCOM) is providing as the executive agent for MISO
supporting Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) MISO
requirements as required in Joint Publication 3-13.2, Military
Information Support Operations. The committee believes that
utilizing cutting edge capabilities to plan, execute and
evaluate the effectiveness of MISO can enable and increase the
Department of Defense's ability to effectively compete in the
information environment. Without a unified approach to
acquiring MISO tools, the Department's MISO efforts will
continue to lag behind adversarial information operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, in
coordination with the Commander, U.S. Special Operations
Command to provide a briefing to the Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 1, 2025 on efforts the
Department can undertake to standardize MISO capabilities
across USSOCOM and the GCCs. The briefing shall examine
capability shortfalls across the MISO enterprise and evaluate
operational improvements and potential cost savings through
standardization of capabilities across the Department. The
briefing shall also include an evaluation of the effectiveness
of current services contracts currently supporting USSOCOM's
provision of MISO capabilities to the GCCs, and the feasibility
of realigning funding from services contracts to acquiring new
software centric technology to improve the Command's ability to
compete in the modern information environment.
Use of Evidence Based Sports Medicine by U.S. Special Operations
Command in the Treatment and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries
The committee notes that the physical domain of wellness
under the Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) in the
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) optimizes resources
to maximize care, provides early access to reduce the impact of
injury or reinjury, and leverages innovative technics in
science to advance training and treatment.
The committee understands that USSOCOM continuously seeks
to use the most innovative evidence-based techniques under the
POTFF physical domain to ensure the best sports medicine;
strength and conditioning; and performance nutrition is used by
Special Operations Forces to prevent musculoskeletal injuries
(MSKIs). The committee believes USSOCOM should explore all
available evidence-based treatment modalities to treat MSKIs,
to include newer concepts like Muscle Activation Technique
(MAT) that are evidenced based and utilized by professional
athletes.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander of U.S.
Special Operations Command to provide the House Committee on
Armed Services a briefing not later than March 31, 2026, on the
following:
(1) what are the current treatment modalities for personnel
within USSOCOM to receive treatment for MSKIs at point of
injury as well as preventative care;
(2) how does USSOCOM determine which evidenced based
techniques should be used to treat and prevent MSKIs;
(3) in the last two years have there been any techniques
that have been explored at USSOCOM, if so, were these
techniques continued or not;
(4) if there were techniques that were discontinued, what
was the justification for not continuing them; and
(5) any other matters the Commander deems relevant.
Use of Mesh Radios in RAA/VAK Kit
The committee notes that the Remote Advise and Assist/
Virtual Accompany Kit (RAA/VAK) program is critical to Special
Operation Forces' (SOF) ability to communicate with partnered
forces (PF) around the world. To properly protect SOF operators
while allowing PF communication, the committee recognizes that
RAA/VAK should further efforts to incorporate both blue and
green force tracking capabilities while preserving the ability
to toggle between the two capabilities. Further, the committee
encourages U.S. Special Operations Command to utilize secure
commercial-off-the-shelf mesh radios that are low-cost, size,
weight, and interoperable as part of the RAA/VAK program to
ensure critical communications are viable in austere, off-the-
grid environments globally. Therefore the committee directs the
Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command to brief the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026 on
its plans to incorporate secure commercial-off-the-shelf mesh
radios into the Remote Advise and Assist/Virtual Accompany Kit
program.
Utilization of ``As a Service'' Model for Undersea Applications
The committee notes that ``as a service'' approaches have
been successfully implemented in other domains, such as the
U.S. Air Force's use of contractor-owned, contractor-operated
adversary air training services. These models have demonstrated
the ability to provide cost-effective and flexible support to
military operations while preserving high-end platforms for
their most critical missions.
While this committee remains steadfast in its support for
the goal of achieving the steady construction of one Columbia-
class and two Virginia-class submarines a year, the committee
recognizes the strain on the nuclear submarine fleet due to
stagnant force structure levels as well as maintenance and
sustainment challenges. To this end, the committee supports the
consideration of novel approaches to address training,
research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), as well as
other mission needs. The development of a ``submarines as a
service'' model is one potential solution that would
incorporate contractor owned, contractor operated,
conventionally powered manned submarines into Department of
Defense operations and capabilities. Such an approach could
provide relief to the nuclear submarine fleet by ensuring that
the nuclear fleet be available for high-priority missions while
providing the rest of the Department with alternative platforms
to support a wide range of mission sets.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than March 1, 2026, on the potential utilization of the
``as a service'' model in support of undersea RDT&E, training,
operations, and other possible mission areas. This report
shall, at a minimum, include the following:
(1) potential uses of contractor owned, contractor
operated, conventionally powered manned submarines to meet
mission needs across the department for training, RDT&E, and
other operational functions;
(2) potential benefits for the utilization of current
nuclear-powered submarines for high-priority missions and the
operational efficiency of these platforms;
(3) the military services, combatant commands, and other
Department of Defense elements that could leverage this
capability;
(4) analysis of the statutory, regulatory, and other
authorities required to incorporate a ``submarines as a
service'' capability into Department of Defense operations; and
(5) an assessment of the benefits to the U.S. domestic
defense and maritime industrial base through domestic
production.
Violent Antisemitism and Transnational Extremist Threats
The committee is aware of the growing role that
antisemitism plays within transnational violent extremist
ideologies, including racially and ethnically motivated violent
extremism. These ideologies often propagate antisemitic
rhetoric and motivate violence globally. The committee believes
that assessing the threat posed by violent antisemitism is
essential to understanding the global extremist landscape and
its implications for the United States.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee no
later than March 20, 2026, on the threat posed by violent
antisemitism as a component of transnational extremist
movements.
The report should include the following:
(1) an overview of transnational violent extremist
ideologies that include antisemitic components, including
racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism;
(2) a review of violence committed on behalf of or
motivated by such ideologies, including identification of
violent acts committed with explicit antisemitic sentiment and
an overview of propaganda facilitating the spread of such
ideologies, with an in-depth assessment of the antisemitic
components of such propaganda;
(3) an assessment of the threat that such antisemitic
violence poses to the United States homeland, citizens of the
United States residing abroad, and personnel of the United
States Government, including members of the Armed Forces, and
how such threats affect the interests and global standing of
the United States.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Financial Matters
Section 1001--General Transfer Authority
This section would allow the Secretary of Defense, with
certain limitations, to make transfers between amounts
authorized for fiscal year 2026 in division A of this Act. This
section would limit the total amount transferred under this
authority to $6.00 billion.
Section 1002--Responsibilities of Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller)
This section would add Defense Business Systems that impact
financial statement auditability to the list of areas under the
purview of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) in
section 135 of title 10, United States Code.
Section 1003--Additional Elements for Department of Defense Financial
Improvement and Audit Remediation Plan and Report
This section would require additional elements be included
in the Department of Defense Financial Improvement and Audit
Remediation Plan and Report.
Section 1004--Consolidation of Reporting Requirements Relating to
Department of Defense Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation Plan
This section would consolidate reporting requirements
related to the Department of Defense Financial Improvement and
Audit Remediation Plan.
Section 1005--Concurrent Reporting Date for Annual Update to Defense
Business Systems Audit Remediation Plan and Department of Defense
Annual Financial Statements
This section would bring the Defense Business Systems Audit
Remediation Plan reporting date in line with the due date of
the Audited Financial Statements outlined in section 240a of
title 10, United States Code.
Section 1006--Limitation on Availability of Funds for Travel Expenses
of Office of Secretary of Defense Until Completion of Certain Audit
Requirements
This section would limit the availability of funds
authorized to be appropriated for the Office of the Secretary
of Defense for travel expenses until the date on which at least
11 covered reporting entities receive an unmodified audit
opinion, or the date on which a Department of Defense-wide
material weakness is closed.
Section 1007--Reporting Requirements for Amounts Made Available
Pursuant to Title II of Public Law 119-21
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives and the Senate proposed allocations and budget
justification documents for amounts made available by title II
of Public Law 119-21. This section would also require quarterly
reports on the status of balances and activities funded using
those amounts.
Subtitle B--Naval Vessels
Section 1011--Inclusion of Certain Design Information in Annual Naval
Vessel Construction Plans
This section would amend the 30-year shipbuilding plan to
require justification if using foreign designs.
Section 1012--Limitation on Use of Funds in the National Defense
Sealift Fund to Purchase Certain Used Foreign Constructed Vessels
This section would amend section 2218 of title 10, United
States Code, to allow the Secretary of the Navy to purchase
more than 10 used, foreign-constructed vessels if the Secretary
meets certain conditions. To use the authority to buy more than
10 used, foreign-constructed vessels, the Secretary would have
to procure two new vessels constructed in the United States for
each used, foreign-constructed vessel after a tenth vessel is
procured. Further, section 2218 of title 10, United States
Code, would be amended to prohibit the procurement of used,
foreign-constructed vessels that were constructed in the
People's Republic of China or by a Chinese military company.
Section 1013--Requirements for Amphibious Warfare Ship Force Structure
This section would require the Department of the Navy to
adjust maintenance schedules and repair actions to maintain the
minimum number of available amphibious warships needed to meet
operational requirements. An available amphibious warship would
be defined as an amphibious assault ship (general purpose)
(LHA), an amphibious assault ship (multi-purpose) (LHD), an
amphibious transport dock (LPD), or a dock landing ship (LSD)
that does not have a temporary critical limiting restriction,
is not in a maintenance phase, is not in post-delivery testing,
and is not in the process of decommissioning.
Section 1014--Definition of Short-Term Work for Purposes of Navy
Construction of Combatant and Escort Vessels and Assignment of Vessel
Projects
This section would change the definition of short-term work
for Navy vessel construction from 12 months to 18 months.
Section 1015--Navy Senior Technical Authority
This section would require the Senior Technical Authority
to report directly to the program executive officer for each
vessel class. Further, the Senior Technical Authority would be
responsible for determining that all design requirements are
directly related to the capability development document for the
vessel class and may not approve any design requirements that
are unnecessary.
Section 1016--Alternative Contracting Authority for United States Naval
Ships
This section would allow the Secretary of the Navy to
utilize a Vessel Construction Manager for vessels to be
designated as a United States Naval Ship and operated by
civilian or commercial mariners.
Section 1017--Inclusion of Navy Amphibious Ship Maintenance as a
Separate Line Item in Operation and Maintenance Budget
This section would require a separate line item be
submitted starting in the fiscal year 2027 operation and
maintenance Navy budget request for amphibious ship
maintenance. Additionally, it would require at least a pro rata
share of the fiscal year 2026 ship maintenance be provided for
amphibious warfare ships.
Section 1018--Metrics for Basic and Functional Design for Ship
Construction
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
select a metric to measure the progression of basic and
functional design completion as required in section 8669c(1) of
title 10, United States Code.
Section 1019--Authority for Single Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite
Quantity Contract for Destroyer Maintenance
This section would direct the Secretary of the Navy to seek
to enter into a multi-year, single award indefinite delivery
indefinite quantity contract for maintenance of DDG-1000 class
destroyers.
Section 1020--Evaluation of Sites for Shipbuilding and Ship Repair
This section would direct the Navy to define requirements
for evaluating shipbuilding and repair locations and designate
sites that meet the criteria for federal investment or federal-
private partnerships.
Section 1021--Limitation on Use of Funds to Retire or Decommission Navy
Oceanographic Research Vessels
This section would prohibit decommissioning of
oceanographic ships until the Secretary of the Navy submits a
maintenance and recapitalization plan for the oceanographic
fleet.
Section 1022--Sense of Congress Regarding Naming of Vessel for Battle
of Dai Do
This section would express a sense of Congress that the
Secretary of the Navy should name an amphibious or
expeditionary class vessel for the Battle of Dai Do (Vietnam
war).
Subtitle C--Counterterrorism
Section 1031--Revisions to Department of Defense Authority for Joint
Task Forces to Support Law Enforcement Agencies or Federal Agencies
Conducting Counterterrorism or Counter Transnational Organized Crime
Activities
This section would codify the Department's authority for
joint task forces to support law enforcement agencies or other
Federal agencies conducting counterterrorism and counter
transnational organized crime activities.
Section 1032--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds for Transfer or
Release of Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States
This section would prohibit the use of any amounts
authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for
the Department of Defense during the period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31,
2026, to transfer or release detainees at U.S. Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to or within the United States, its
territories, or possessions.
Section 1033--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds To Construct or
Modify Facilities in the United States To House Detainees Transferred
From United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
This section would prohibit the use of any amounts
authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for
the Department of Defense to be used during the period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending
on December 31, 2026, to construct or modify any facility in
the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any
detainee transferred from U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the
custody or under the effective control of the Department of
Defense.
Section 1034--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds for Transfer or
Release of Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Certain Countries
This section would prohibit the use of funding authorized
to be appropriated or otherwise made available for the
Department of Defense during the period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2026,
to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release of
any individual detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, to Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan.
Section 1035--Extension of Prohibition on Use of Funds To Close or
Relinquish Control of United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
This section would prohibit the use of any amounts
authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to
the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2026 for the closure
or abandonment of United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, the relinquishment of control of Guantanamo Bay to the
Republic of Cuba, or the implementation of a material
modification to the Treaty Between the United States of America
and Cuba signed in the District of Columbia on May 29, 1934,
that constructively closes United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay.
Subtitle D--Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations
Section 1041--Modification of Authority To Provide Assistance in
Support of Department of Defense Accounting for Missing United States
Government Personnel
This section would amend section 408 of title 10, United
States Code, by adding the authority to procure goods and
services as it relates to recovery efforts and to increase the
statutory cap on the amount of assistance that can be provided
to foreign nations in any fiscal year from $5.0 million to
$15.0 million.
Section 1042--Expedited Access to Certain Military Installations of the
Department of Defense for Members of Congress and Certain Congressional
Employees
This section would authorize expedited access to military
installations for Members of Congress and certain congressional
employees.
Section 1043--Authority of Secretary of Defense To Enter Into Contracts
To Provide Certain Assistance To Secure the Southern Land Border of the
United States
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
enter into contracts to provide certain assistance to secure
the southern land border of the United States.
Section 1044--Limitation on Use of Funds To Relocate or Otherwise
Remove the Maritime Industrial Base Program
This section would prevent the relocation or closure of the
Maritime Industrial Base Program from under the jurisdiction of
the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development,
and Acquisition.
Section 1045--Limitation on Retirement of Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft
Systems
This section would prevent the Secretary of the Army from
retiring, divesting, or otherwise taking any action that would
reduce the number, configuration, or capability of any MQ-1C
Gray Eagle Extended Range unmanned aircraft system in the
Army's inventory.
Section 1046--Oversight of the United States Southern Command
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
certify to the congressional defense committees that it is in
the national security interest of the United States to
consolidate United States Southern Command with another
geographic combatant command before taking such action.
Section 1047--Authority To Transfer T-37 Aircraft to Arizona Aviation
Historical Group
This section would authorize the Secretary of the Air Force
to convey to the non-profit Arizona Aviation Historical Group,
at no cost or liability to the U.S. taxpayer, five surplus T-
37B training aircraft that are currently being stored at the
Air Force's AMARG ``Boneyard'' in Tucson, AZ.
Section 1048--Authorization of Eastern Regional Range Complex for Mult-
Domain Operations and Robotic Autonomous Systems Training, Testing, and
Experimentation
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
designate and develop an Eastern Regional Range Complex.
Section 1049--Prohibition On Availability of Funds for Institutions of
Higher Education That Allow Antisemitic Demonstrations
This section would prohibit defense funds for universities
that have not acted to mitigate or prevent antisemitic
demonstrations.
Section 1050--Limitation on Use of Funds Pending Certification of
Compliance With Certain Congressional Notice Requirements
This section would limit the availability of funds
authorized to be appropriated for the Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Policy for travel expenses until the
date on which the Secretary of Defense certifies as to
compliance with certain reporting requirements.
Section 1051--Prohibition On the Use of Funds From Carrying Out a
Hiring Freeze, Reduction in Force, or Hiring Delay Without Cause at a
Public Shipyard
This section would prohibit funds from being used to carry
out a hiring freeze, reduction in force, or delay filling
Federal civilian employee positions at a public shipyard.
Section 1052--Limitation on Use of Funds for Deactivation of
Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigades
This section would limit the Secretary of the Army from
retiring, deactivating, scheduling to deactivate, or proceeding
with any action that would reduce the capabilities, resources,
aircraft, or personnel available, as of the date of the
enactment of this Act, for the Expeditionary Combat Aviation
Brigades until the Secretary takes certain actions.
Subtitle E--Reports
Section 1061--Mobility Capability Requirements Study
This section extends the due date of the Mobility
Capability Requirements Study.
Section 1062--Extension of Briefing Requirement Regarding Civil
Authorities at the Southwest Border
This section would extend a briefing requirement regarding
the support provided by the Department of Defense to civil
authorities at the southwest border.
Section 1063--Prohibition On Lobbying Activities With Respect to the
Department of Defense By Certain Officers of the Armed Forces and
Civilian Employees of the Department Following Separation From Military
Service Or Employment With the Department
This section would extend the prohibition on lobbying the
Department of Defense for departing flag and general officers
and senior civilian equivalents to five years.
Section 1064--Annual Report on Requests of Combatant Commands for
Remote Sensing Data
This section would require the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff, in consultation with the commanders of the combatant
commands, to submit an annual report on the fulfillment of
requests for certain remote sensing data.
Section 1065--Notification of Waivers Under Department of Defense
Directive 3000.09
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide the congressional defense committees written
notification when a waiver is issued under Department of
Defense Directive 3000.09.
Section 1066--Annual Report on Guam Civilian-Military Projects
This section would require the Commander of Joint Region
Marianas, in consultation with the Governor of Guam, to submit
an annual report on projects in Guam that support military
readiness and public interests.
Subtitle F--Other Matters
Section 1071--Air Force Technical Training Center of Excellence
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to operate a Technical Training Center of Excellence.
Section 1072--National Commission on the Future of the Navy Study of
Maritime Industrial Base
This section would amend the duties of the National
Commission on the Future of the Navy to require a study of the
Maritime Industrial base.
Section 1073--Extension of the National Commission on the Future of the
Navy
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
(Public Law 118-159) extended the deadline for the Navy
commission to January 1, 2026. Because of the recent vacancy
and lack of appropriation the commission has not begun working
on its recommendations. This section would extend the deadline
by 1 year.
Section 1074--Reauthorization of the Servicewomen's Commemorative
Partnership
This section would amend section 362(b) of the William M.
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283) by extending the authorization
to fiscal year 2026 and expanding the authority to expend $1.0
million for renovations.
Section 1075--Federal Agency Support for Afghanistan War Commission
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense, or
the head of other Federal departments or agencies, to provide
the Afghanistan War Commission certain administrative services,
funds, staff, and facilities on a non-reimbursable basis.
Section 1076--Provision of Contract Authority to Afghanistan War
Commission
This section would establish a contracting authority for
the Afghanistan War Commission to procure the temporary and
intermittent services of experts or consultants to enable the
Commission to discharge its duties.
Section 1077--Framework for Technology Transfer and Foreign Disclosure
Policies
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
produce and submit to the congressional defense committees a
framework to revise and update the technology transfer policies
of the military departments and the National Disclosure Policy.
This section would also require the Secretary to implement such
a framework and submit annual reports regarding the
implementation of the framework.
Section 1078--Budgeting and Funding Requirements for Northern Strike
Exercise
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a budget line and provide adequate funding for the
annual National Guard Bureau Northern Strike Exercise.
Section 1079--Procurement and Distribution of Sports Foods and Dietary
Supplements to Members of the Armed Forces Assigned to the United
States Special Operations Command
This section would authorize the Commander of the United
States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to procure and
distribute to members of the Armed Forces assigned to USSOCOM
sports foods and dietary supplements.
Section 1080--Pilot Program on Enhanced Use of Advanced Sensor Networks
To Improve Air Force Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Capabilities for
Base Defense
This section would establish a pilot program at no less
than two Air Force installations to demonstrate the efficacy of
shared situational awareness data from civilian sensor networks
to military installation defense systems for the purposes of
monitoring and identifying non-compliant small unmanned
aircraft systems at domestic military installations.
Section 1081--Pilot Program and Other Requirements for Accelerating
Protection of Certain Facilities and Assets From Unmanned Aircraft
This section would require the Department of Defense to
better utilize existing counter-unmanned aircraft authorities
already in law. The section would further require that the
Department utilize existing authorities, in coordination with
the Federal Aviation Administration, to deploy new counter-
unmanned aircraft systems at select locations in the United
States.
Section 1082--Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Readiness
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Director of the Joint Counter Small Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Office, to coordinate with the Secretaries of
the military departments to identify differences in the
interpretation and application of section 130i of title 10,
United States Code.
Section 1083--Pilot Program on Digital Force Protection for Special
Operations Forces
This section would authorize The Commander of the United
States Special Operations Command to carry out a pilot program,
to be known as the ``Digital Force Protection Pilot Program'',
to identify existing vulnerabilities in digital force
protection, provide targeted ubiquitous technical surveillance
mitigation training, and help identify commercially available
secure communication and obfuscation technologies to protect
personnel and support overall mission effectiveness.
Section 1084--Pilot Program for Blockchain-Enabled Inventory Management
This section would allow the Secretary of Defense to
establish a pilot program to use commercially available
blockchain technology to manage inventory within the Department
of Defense.
Section 1085--Acceleration of Accreditation and Access to Sensitive
Compartmented Information Facilities for Industry
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
submit a plan to accelerate the accreditation, construction,
and operational use of commercial sensitive compartmented
information facilities accessible to private-sector entities.
Section 1086--Standardization of Data Analysis and Visualization Across
the Department Of Defense
This section would require the Department of Defense to
standardize data analysis and visualization across the
Department of Defense for harmful behavior.
Section 1087--Process for Complaints and Investigations of
Transportation Service Providers and Transportation Officers
This section would require the Commander of the Military
Surface Deployment and Distribution Command to develop a
process through which a transportation service provider may
submit a complaint regarding possible violations of the
Military Freight Traffic Unified Rules Publication or the
Defense Transportation Regulations.
TITLE XI--CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Comptroller General Review of Categorization of Nonappropriated Fund
Employees
The committee appreciates the importance of properly
categorizing nonappropriated fund (NAF) employees supporting
entities not directly funded by congressional appropriations.
These NAF employees are categorized as flexible, regular part-
time, or regular full-time employees based on the needs of the
specific activity the employee is supporting, which can vary
widely. The committee recognizes that every NAF employee is
assigned to an occupational category (for example, crafts and
trades, NAF white-collar, and child and youth), title, series,
and status, with pay determined by a specific pay schedule
based on an employee's categorization. While NAF employees are
not covered by the same employment rules and regulations as
appropriated fund employees, regular NAF employees are
typically eligible for benefits similar to those of full-time
employees.
However, the committee is concerned about how NAF employees
are categorized and the impact of improper categorization on
employees who may forego benefits to which they are entitled.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the
United States to review the categorization of NAF employees at
the Department of Defense, to include an assessment of (1) how
NAF employees are categorized and compensated, to include the
categorization and compensation of jobs that involve
performance of duties in multiple occupations; (2) the benefits
available to the various categories of NAF employees, and (3)
the effectiveness and accuracy of the systems and processes
that the NAF instrumentalities use to designate and regularly
update the status of NAF employees as flexible, regular part
time, and full time based on total hours worked and assigned
responsibilities.
The Committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 31, 2026, on preliminary findings, with the
results of the review to follow in a mutually agreed upon
format and timeframe.
Department of Defense Report on Force Management
The committee is concerned about the current state of the
Department's Force Management. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on the force
management in the Department of Defense. The report should
include:
(1) the analysis conducted pursuant to section 129a(b) in
support of the Department of Defense's budget request for
fiscal year 2026;
(2) any efforts to formalize analysis under such section;
and
(3) trends in the size and composition of the Department's
civilian workforce.
Nonappropriated Fund Retirement Plan Consolidation
The committee appreciates the importance of quality
retirement benefits for nonappropriated fund (NAF) employees of
the Department of Defense and is concerned about potential
inefficiencies due to maintaining six separate retirement plans
by the NAF instrumentalities, as well as potentially negative
impacts on portability for employees, especially military
spouses, who change jobs frequently and are more likely to work
for more than one NAF employer during their career. The
committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel
and Readiness to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on:
(1) the potential cost savings and efficiencies that could
be obtained by establishing a single, consolidated retirement
plan for newly hired NAF employees, including but not limited
to duplicative costs for recordkeeping, investment management,
actuarial analysis, consulting and other retirement plan
service providers, and oversight and management costs incurred
by the NAF instrumentalities; and
(2) the potential impact on portability and retirement
security for NAF employees, especially military spouses and
other employees who change jobs frequently and might not
benefit from existing portability provisions, by establishing a
single, consolidated retirement plan.
Review of Educational Requirements for Civilian Positions
The committee is committed to ensuring that hiring and
talent retention practices across the Department of Defense
prioritize skills, experience, and performance over unnecessary
credentialing barriers. The committee is concerned that degree
requirements for certain civilian positions may unnecessarily
limit qualified applicants, particularly those with technical
expertise, military experience, or industry certifications. The
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
February 1, 2026, on the use of degree requirements in
Department hiring practices. The briefing should include an
identification of Department positions where degree
requirements may be waived or replaced with demonstrated
competencies or alternative credentials, along with
recommendations to modernize hiring practices in a manner that
expands access to qualified talent.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--General Provisions
Section 1101--Living Quarter Allowance for Department of Defense
Civilian Employees With Permanent Duty Station in Guam
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
provide a living quarter allowance to all Department of Defense
civilian employees permanently assigned to Guam.
Section 1102--Appointment of Retired Members of the Armed Forces to
Competitive Service and Excepted Service Positions in the Department of
Defense
This section would allow for the appointment of retired
members of the Armed Forces to competitive service or excepted
service positions in the Department of Defense without a
waiver.
Section 1103--Pay for Crews of Vessels
This section would prevent certain administrative payment
limitations from application to the officers and crews of
vessels of the Military Sealift Command.
Section 1104--Exception to Limitation on Rate of Basic Pay for Crews of
Vessels
This section would permit the Secretary of Defense or the
Secretary of a military department to fix the annual rate of
basic pay of officers and crews of vessels.
Section 1105--One-Year Extension of Authority To Waive Annual
Limitation on Premium Pay and Aggregate Limitation on Pay for Federal
Civilian Employees Working Overseas
This section would extend the authority to waive the annual
limitation on premium pay for Federal civilian employees
working overseas.
Section 1106--One-Year Extension of Temporary Authority To Grant
Allowances, Benefits, and Gratuities to Civilian Personnel on Official
Duty in a Combat Zone
This section would provide a one-year extension on the
authority to grant allowances, benefits, and gratuities to
civilian personnel on official duty in a combat zone.
Section 1107--Defense Workforce Integration
This section would establish a pathway for medically
disqualified entry-level service members to transition into
civilian service within the Department of Defense.
Section 1108--Modifications to Total Force Management Requirements
This section would refine the general policy for total
force management notifications and clarify the general policy
for risk mitigation for total force management.
Section 1109--Exemption From Civilian Hiring Freeze for Delayed DOD
Appointments Due to Active Duty
This section would exempt active duty service members at
the Department of Defense from the hiring freeze who were
completing active duty military service requirements and had
final offers for positions in the Department prior to the
hiring freeze.
Section 1110--Limitation on Use of Funds to Limit Collective Bargaining
This section would prohibit funds from being used to
implement Executive Order 14251, issued on March 27, 2025.
Section 1111--Personnel Actions Against DOD SES Career Appointees
This section would update personnel actions for Department
of Defense Senior Executive Services employees.
Subtitle B--Defense Hiring Modernization Act of 2025
Section 1121--Short Title
This subtitle would be cited as the ``Defense Hiring
Modernization Act of 2025''.
Section 1122--Amendments to Title 5, United States Code
This section would modernize hiring practices in the
Department of Defense.
TITLE XII--MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Baltic High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Deployment
The committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's
efforts to support the development of precision strike
capabilities in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania, including the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System
(HIMARS). However, the committee is concerned that technical,
procedural, or interoperability barriers may prevent these
Baltic countries from effectively deploying HIMARS platforms
and munitions during a crisis, potentially affecting collective
defense objectives.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, on its efforts to identify and
mitigate obstacles to the deployment of HIMARS platforms and
munitions among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in crisis
scenarios. The briefing shall include the following:
(1) an assessment of current technical, logistical, and
procedural barriers to collective deployment of HIMARS
platforms and munitions among the three Baltic countries;
(2) a description of ongoing or planned initiatives to
enhance interoperability and effective deployment of HIMARS,
including modifications to systems, standardization of
munitions, development of joint or multilateral operational
protocols, or other measures;
(3) recommendations for policy, technical, or programmatic
actions to enable rapid and secure deployment of HIMARS assets
among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania during a crisis;
(4) an evaluation of how these efforts support collective
defense among the Baltic states and align with broader North
Atlantic Treaty Organization interoperability goals; and
(5) any other information the Secretary considers relevant.
Baltic Security Initiative
The committee recognizes that supporting and strengthening
the security of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania is in the national security interest of the United
States. The committee also recognizes that Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania have consistently met NATO's defense spending
benchmarks and continue to make substantial investments in
their own national defense. Notably, these countries were among
the first to endorse the alliance's new pledge to allocate five
percent of gross domestic product to defense spending,
demonstrating their serious commitment to countering the threat
posed by Russia and to sharing the burden of collective
defense.
The committee continues to recognize the importance of the
Baltic Security Initiative assistance plan that the Department
of Defense is carrying out under section 333 of title 10,
United States Code, and the crucial role that such investments
play in deterring Russian aggression and enhancing the Baltic
states' ability to contribute to collective defense. The
committee urges the Department to allocate funding directed to
the International Security Cooperation Program for European
Command to address the command's unfunded priorities in the
priority identified, which would ensure sufficient funding
related to Significant Security Cooperation Initiatives for the
Baltic states.
Briefing on Increasing Membership in the Comprehensive Security
Integration and Prosperity Agreement
The committee applauds cooperation within the Comprehensive
Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA) signed
between the United States and The Kingdom of Bahrain. The
committee recognizes the importance of working to strengthen
and potentially expand CSIPA. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2026 on the value of
a potential expansion of CSIPA. The briefing should include:
(1) an assessment of the strategic advantages of expanding
CSIPA;
(2) an analysis of outreach to partners and allies
regarding CSIPA membership, including any perceived barriers to
additional membership; and
(3) an evaluation of the benefits of broader regional
partnership in CSIPA, particularly in areas of security
cooperation.
Briefing on Potential U.S. Defense Partnership With Syria
The Committee applauds the Syrian people for their
steadfast determination to free themselves from decades of
tyrannical rule and notes the historic opportunity for all
Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities, to forge a
new political future built on cooperation, prosperity, and
freedom.
The Committee notes that the new Syrian government has
taken prompt action to interdict illicit arms shipments to
Hezbollah, dismantle Syria's role as a narco-state, and reduce
the influence of Iranian and Russian actors.
The Committee is further encouraged by recent steps taken
by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
Commander Mazloum Abdi to begin integration of the SDF into
Syria's federal security forces, exemplified by the April 2025
security framework.
The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Commander of U.S. Central Command, the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security
Affairs, and the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 15, 2026, on the progress, challenges, and
outlook for potential U.S. defense partnership with the new
Syrian government.
Briefing on the Department of Defense's Use of Survey Data in the
Middle East and North Africa
The committee recognizes the importance of understanding
public opinion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to
inform U.S. military activities and regional engagement.
Reliable, longitudinal public opinion data can enhance
situational awareness and contribute to counterterrorism
efforts and military information support operations.
The committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services,
not later than March 1, 2026, on how the Department utilizes
survey data in the Middle East and North Africa. If the
briefing is classified, it shall be accompanied by an
unclassified summary. The briefing shall include:
(1) a detailed assessment of the value of incorporating
public opinion research, including regional sources, into
military activities in the MENA region;
(2) identify current or planned Department of Defense
efforts to access or utilize survey data to inform regional
policy, operations, and military information support
operations; including partnerships with academic or non-
governmental organizations; and
(3) identify any gaps in current information and analysis
on societal, political and economic attitudes in the MENA
region that can impact Department of Defense priorities.
Central West African Coast Cooperation
The committee recognizes the strategic importance of U.S.
security cooperation and exercises with allies and partners on
the African continent to advance core U.S. interests such as
strategic competition, counterterrorism, crisis response, and
freedom of navigation. With the loss of critical basing
locations in Niger, the committee remains concerned about the
United States Africa Command's access to basing necessary to
deter the malign activities of the People's Republic of China
and the Russian Federation, as well as defeat transnational
terrorism. The committee notes the importance of promising
security partnerships with Central West African Coastal
countries, including participation in U.S.-led defense
exercises such as Obangame Express and Flintlock, and
encourages expanded cooperation on shared security objectives.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than February 1, 2026 on the following with regard to the
Sahel and Central West African Coastal region:
(1) the scope and operational effectiveness of U.S. defense
posture for the purposes of counterterrorism, strategic
competition, crisis-response, and freedom of navigation;
(2) the malign activities of the People's Republic of China
and the Russian Federation within the region, including
attempts to secure additional maritime bases;
(3) the status of defense cooperation including country-by-
country assessments and strategies for expanded bilateral and
regional partnerships, including with Sahelian countries; and
(4) the feasibility of increased information sharing to
enhance the maritime, air, and sea domain awareness of
partners.
Chinese Telecommunications in the Middle East
The committee remains concerned about the proliferation of
Chinese telecommunications equipment in the United States
Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility, such as
that produced by Huawei. This equipment poses a risk to the
security of the information networks of allies and partners in
the Middle East used for defense cooperation with the United
States, as well as the security of USCENTCOM personnel and
operations. The committee commends efforts to mitigate these
threats by the Department and urges the Secretary of Defense to
raise such matters during engagements with host nations.
Costs Incurred by Operation Midnight Hammer
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
December 31, 2025, detailing the costs associated with
Operation Midnight Hammer. The report shall be submitted in an
unclassified form but may include a classified annex. The
report shall include the following:
(1) total cost of the operation;
(2) costs associated with the deployment of personnel and
equipment in support of the operation;
(3) costs associated with logistics requirements, including
but not limited to weapon systems, munitions, and fuel; and
(4) any other associated costs the Secretary of Defense
deems should be included.
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology Release
The proliferation of inexpensive, long-range, unmanned
aerial systems (UAS) creates a security challenge for many U.S.
allies and partners with air defense systems that are
ineffective defending civilian and military facilities against
such threats. Some allies and partners seek turboprop aircraft
with modern sensors and inexpensive guided munitions to fulfill
their counter-UAS (c-UAS) missions. Currently, however,
Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure (TSFD) cases are
reviewed and approved separately, on a case-by-case basis,
often resulting in timelines exceeding one year. The denial or
substitution of any single component can further delay release
due to new certification and re-approval requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the
Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA), in
coordination with the Director of the Defense Security
Cooperation Agency (DSCA), to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services, not later than December 1, 2025,
on the feasibility and advisability of establishing ``c-UAS
configuration packages'' that can be reviewed and approved as
integrated solutions. This briefing shall include:
(1) An assessment of the feasibility and benefits of
expediting c-UAS case approvals through pre-approved
``configuration packages'' to streamline the approval timeline
and reduce redundant bureaucratic hurdles. These packages could
include aircraft, laser-designating sensors, and compatible
munitions specifically optimized for the c-UAS mission.
(2) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of
publishing Exception to National Disclosure Policy requirements
and ``pre-approved'' country lists to improve industry
alignment and accelerate delivery of c-UAS capabilities.
Defense Industrial Base Integration With Israel
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services on defense industrial base
integration between the United States and Israel not later than
January 14, 2026. The briefing should include:
(1) an assessment of existing programs between the United
States and Israel, including those related to missile defense
systems, munitions, and emerging technologies;
(2) an evaluation of opportunities to expand joint
research, development, testing, evaluation, and co-production
between the United States and Israel, particularly in areas
such as counter-unmanned systems, directed energy, missile
defense, artificial intelligence, autonomy, cybersecurity, and
munitions production;
(3) a review of supply chain elements that create
efficiencies or dependencies, including the potential for the
defense industrial base of Israel to support United States
requirements in times of conflict or increased industrial base
demand;
(4) an assessment of existing policy or regulatory
mechanisms to enhance United States-Israel interoperability,
reciprocal defense procurement, and streamlined export
controls;
(5) an identification of any legal, regulatory, policy, or
technological barriers to further integration of the defense
industrial bases of the United States and Israel; and
(6) any recommendations the Secretary may have for
legislative or policy changes to facilitate enhanced United
States-Israel industrial cooperation and integration.
Department of Defense Consultations on the Pause, Suspension,
Reallocation or Cancellation of U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine
The committee is aware of recent instances in which the
Department of Defense reviewed, paused, suspended, reallocated
or cancelled the delivery of critical weapons to Ukraine
without adequate interagency deliberation or timely
consultations with Congress.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, on any decision by the
Department to review, pause, suspend, reallocate or cancel the
transfer of defense articles to Ukraine, including those that
have been previously committed under Presidential Drawdown
Authority or procured using the Ukraine Security Assistance
Initiative. The briefing should include:
(1) a description of past instances when the delivery of
defense articles that have been previously committed to Ukraine
have been reviewed, paused, suspended, reallocated or
cancelled; the Department's justification for each defense
article affected in such instances; and if the defense article
had been committed under Presidential Drawdown Authority or
procured using the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative;
(2) a description of the statutory authorities and
regulations applicable to the review, pause, suspension,
reallocation or cancellation of the delivery of defense
articles that have been committed, but not yet transferred, to
Ukraine;
(3) an overview of the statutory requirements to inform
Congress on the review, pause, suspension, reallocation or
cancellation of the delivery of defense articles that have been
committed, but not yet transferred, to Ukraine;
(4) a description of how the Department plans to keep
Congress fully and currently informed on any future review that
might impact the provision of defense articles to Ukraine as
well as any decision to pause, suspend, reallocate or cancel
such deliveries;
(5) a description of how the Department plans to keep other
relevant Federal agencies informed on any future review that
might impact the provision of defense articles to Ukraine as
well as any decision to pause, suspend, reallocate or cancel
such deliveries; and
(6) a description of how the Department plans to keep the
Government of Ukraine and other members of the Ukraine Defense
Contact Group informed on any future review that might impact
the provision of defense articles to Ukraine as well as any
decision to pause, suspend, reallocate or cancel such
deliveries.
Enhancing the Dynamic Sensing Environment to Enable Special Operations
Forces
The committee applauds U.S. Special Operations Command
(USSOCOM) efforts to advance electronic warfare capabilities to
meet the rapidly evolving nature of warfare and adversarial
threats. The committee observes that these threats and
ubiquitous technical surveillance require continued
collaboration between USSOCOM, Department of Defense partners,
and industry to close technical capability gaps and maintain
our nation's operational edge. Furthermore, the committee
understands that investment in low-cost, automated, easy-to-use
radio frequency detection capabilities improve training that
increases operational success and enhance operators'
survivability.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander of U.S.
Special Operations Command to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than December 1, 2025, on
the current capabilities and requirements for countering
advanced electronic warfare threats and how modular, automated,
low-cost radio sensing platforms can enable spectrum awareness,
increase mission success, and improve operator survivability
without requiring specialized personnel.
Enhancing the Security of the Baltic States
The committee affirms its commitment to the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) as a strategic alliance that is
critical to advancing United States national security
objectives in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region, and around the
world. However, the committee remains concerned regarding the
security of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and Russia's
demonstrated aggression toward these countries, which
represents a long-term existential threat to the NATO alliance.
The committee observes that a June 2024 Department of Defense
report entitled ``Report on the Baltic Security Initiative,''
directed by the conference report accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H. Rept. 118-
301), recently confirmed these concerns and assessed the Baltic
states are NATO's most vulnerable region where deficiencies in
conventional military force posture and capabilities can be
exploited by Russia to weaken the NATO alliance in pursuit of
its larger strategic goal to redraw the borders of Europe and
assert its influence through intimidation and the credible
threat of military force. The committee also notes that the
Baltic countries have consistently invested seriously in their
own defense and rank among the highest in NATO for defense
spending as a percentage of gross domestic product. This same
2024 report emphasized the importance of the Baltic Security
Initiative (BSI) and its important role in improving the
defensive military capabilities of these NATO member states.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than June 1, 2026, on the security of the Baltic States.
The report shall include:
(1) an update on progress made in the implementation of the
multi-year strategy and spending plan set forth in the June
2024 ``Report on the Baltic Security Initiative'';
(2) an analysis of alternatives and associated costs
required to attain an operational capability to detect and
effectively respond to aircraft, ballistic missile, cruise
missile, and unmanned aerial system threats prior to 2029;
(3) an update on Significant Security Cooperation
Initiatives (SSCIs) related to Baltic security underway or
completed from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2026;
(4) a description of new SSCIs for Baltic security proposed
for fiscal year 2027 and beyond;
(5) a summary of BSI funding from fiscal year 2022 to
fiscal year 2026;
(6) a summary of allied contributions to Baltic security,
including weapons, munitions, and equipment sales and
transfers, force posture and presence, information and
intelligence sharing, and other collaborative security
measures; and
(7) a description of how the Department coordinates with
allies on efforts to bolster the security of the Baltic States.
Expanding Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training to Include Indo-Pacific
Allies and Partners
The committee recognizes the value that the Euro-NATO Joint
Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program provides in delivering
qualified pilots and as an opportunity to promote
interoperability with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
allies. As the Department of the Air Force considers potential
opportunities to advance operational integration with allies,
the committee urges the Department to consider the expansion of
multilateral training programs like ENJJPT to U.S. allies in
the Indo-Pacific region.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2026, on whether the ENJJPT
program could be expanded to include pilot trainees from allied
countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The briefing should
include the following information:
(1) an overview of the existing throughput and the capacity
of the U.S. Air Force to admit foreign pilot trainees into the
ENJJPT program on an annual basis;
(2) a discussion of constraints that would prohibit or
otherwise limit potential expansion of the ENJJPT program,
including limitations imposed by any applicable statutes,
policies, or regulations; aircraft availability; facilities;
the capacity to increase student throughput; and any other
limitations that would prohibit or materially limit potential
expansion of the ENJJPT program; and
(3) a description of the extent to which allies in the
Indo-Pacific region have previously requested pilot training
from the U.S. Air Force.
Exploration of Shared Airspace Coordination with Mexico
The committee recognizes the shared security and economic
interests of the United States and Mexico in promoting
stability along their border. The committee notes joint
challenges from transnational criminal networks, illicit aerial
trafficking, and emerging unmanned aerial threats that are best
addressed with coordinated action and novel counter-unmanned
aerial systems.
The committee further notes that there are inherent and
complex diplomatic, law enforcement, and civilian air traffic
management dynamics in the airspace in the vicinity of the
U.S.-Mexico border, and that both countries retain an interest
in managing these dynamics to effectively utilize airspace and
the electromagnetic spectrum.
The committee notes the presence of multiple Department of
Defense test ranges, bases, and other facilities in the
vicinity of the U.S.-Mexico border that host advanced aircraft
and equipment, including F-35s, long-range missile and
artillery testing, and other sensitive platforms and
capabilities.
The committee notes that coordination between the United
States and Mexico at and near the U.S.-Mexico border has
expanded significantly and that even greater coordination may
be feasible.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
September 1, 2026, on coordination with Mexico on the use of
airspace in the vicinity of the U.S.-Mexico border to realize
shared objectives. The report should include the following:
(1) an identification of mutual benefits of such
coordination;
(2) a review of legal, regulatory, operational, and
diplomatic considerations, including spectrum deconfliction and
required coordination with civilian air traffic management
authorities, diplomatic authorities, and any other organs of
the U.S. and Mexican governments; and
(3) an assessment of the types of aircraft that might
benefit from future U.S.-Mexico airspace coordination efforts,
including aircraft based or training at facilities in the
vicinity of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Force Protection at Al Udeid Air Base
The committee is aware of the risk posed to U.S. military
assets and bases by the missile and drone capabilities and
significant arsenal of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its
proxies. The committee recognizes the vital role of bases such
as Al Udeid Air Base in defending U.S. interests in the region
and seeks to ensure that it maintains sufficient force
protection capabilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 15, 2025, on force protection measures
at Al Udeid Air Base. The briefing shall include:
(1) an evaluation of the risk posed by the Islamic Republic
of Iran's missile and drone capabilities to Al Udeid Air Base;
(2) the status of existing U.S. and host nation air and
missile defense capabilities defending U.S. personnel and
equipment at Al Udeid Air Base; and
(3) any plan providing redundant air and missile defensive
measures supporting Al Udeid Air Base.
Foreign Area Officers
Section 1322 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81) directed the Secretary of
Defense to enter into an agreement with a federally funded
research and development center to conduct an independent
assessment and comprehensive review of the process by which
foreign area officers (FAOs) of the Army and their equivalent
positions in the other Armed Forces are recruited, selected,
trained, assigned, organized, promoted, retained, and used in
security cooperation offices, senior defense roles in U.S.
embassies, and in other critical roles of engagement with
allies and partners. The House Committee on Armed Services
received the report required by section 1322 in April 2025.
The report submitted pursuant to section 1322 includes 21
recommendations related to FAO force structure, training and
career management, force allocation, and data and annual
reporting. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives not later than April 1,
2026, on the actions the Department of Defense has taken in
response to each of the section 1322 report's recommendations.
Foreign Military Sales Reform
The committee recognizes the urgent need to reform the
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system to ensure predictable and
reliable delivery of American defense products to allies and
partners and enhance defense cooperation. Further, the
committee recognizes the need for the Department of Defense to
analyze the current shortcomings of the Department's
implementation of FMS and improve efficiency and effectiveness
across the process, while ensuring the U.S. industrial base
remains the world leader in advanced military technology.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 27, 2026, that outlines the Department's
objectives for FMS implementation reform. The briefing shall
include:
(1) an analysis of existing Department of Defense FMS
workforce shortfalls and the Department's plan to address these
shortfalls;
(2) a comprehensive list of the Department's FMS reform
initiatives;
(3) a timeline for the Department's completion of FMS
reform initiatives, including key milestones; and
(4) an assessment of any necessary authorities required to
carry out the Department's FMS reform initiatives.
Foreign Military Sales Trust Fund
According to the Department of State, in fiscal year 2024,
the total value of transferred defense articles and services
and security cooperation activities conducted under the Foreign
Military Sales (FMS) system was $117.9 billion. This represents
a 45.7 percent increase, up from $80.9 billion, in fiscal year
2023. The three-year rolling average for such activities for
fiscal years 2022-2024 was $83.6 billion, which represents a
49.6 percent increase over fiscal years 2021-2023 of $55.9
billion. The administrative surcharge applied to FMS contracts
equals 3.2 percent. This surcharge, which is deposited into the
FMS Trust Fund overhead accounts, is the source of financial
resources to administer the FMS process. The increase in
administrative surcharge funding associated with the
significant increase in FMS should provide additional resources
to the implementing agencies to manage the additional workload.
The committee is concerned whether the Department of Defense's
implementing agencies are sufficiently and appropriately
staffed to manage this significant increase in FMS.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to review the size and use of the Foreign
Military Sales Trust Fund overhead accounts. Such review should
address the following:
(1) the dollar value of fees collected over the last five
years associated with the process of transferring defense
articles and services via sale, lease, or grant;
(2) a determination of whether excess funds are being
generated;
(3) the amounts provided over the last five years to FMS
implementing agencies for their related work;
(4) an evaluation of the process used to determine how much
to provide to these implementing agencies to cover their
related work, including whether this process allows all
allowable costs to be covered and ensures these agencies have
sufficient resources to efficiently administer sales; and
(5) any other matters the Comptroller General determines to
be appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than April 1, 2026, on the Comptroller General's
preliminary findings and present final results in a format and
timeframe agreed to at the time of the briefing.
Global Fragility Act Implementation
The Global Fragility Act (GFA) mandates that the Department
of State lead an interagency strategy, with the United States
Agency for International Development and the Department of
Defense, to address conflict and instability in five priority
countries/regions. The interagency is currently implementing
10-year country strategies in Mozambique, Haiti, Libya, and
Papua New Guinea, and a regional strategy in the Coastal West
African states. The committee notes the importance of the role
of the Department of Defense in GFA implementation as required
by statute. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than December 1, 2025, on the Department's
implementation of GFA. The report shall include a description
of the Department's contributions to GFA implementation in 2024
and 2025, planned funding levels for GFA implementation in
fiscal year 2026, efforts to coordinate GFA implementation with
the Department of State, and a description of challenges and
lessons learned related to GFA implementation.
Irregular Warfare Center
The committee commends the Department of Defense's
establishment and use of the Irregular Warfare Center (IWC).
Since its establishment, the IWC has furthered its mission to
prepare the warfighter to conduct irregular warfare across the
spectrum of conflict through training courses and seminars
offered throughout the Department and the inter-agency. The
committee believes the IWC is a valuable asset for the
Department and should continue to be utilized as the premiere
center of excellence on the topic of Irregular Warfare.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2025, on the Department's long-term
strategy for the Irregular Warfare Center. The briefing should
include the funding and staffing needed to meet the long-term
strategy, how the IWC supports the 2025 Interim National
Defense Strategic Guidance, and any other information the
Secretary deems relevant.
Lessons Learned regarding Adversaries' Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The committee is concerned about the extensive use of one-
way attack drones and other unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by
U.S. adversaries. The committee directs the Secretary of
Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military
departments, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than December 1, 2025, on
observations, insights, and lessons learned regarding the use
of UAS in various conflicts and how the Department of Defense
has implemented them in order to improve its doctrine,
planning, training, and equipping related to UAS and counter-
UAS capabilities. The briefing should include the following
information:
(1) observations, insights, and lessons learned from the
use of UAS systems in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine;
(2) observations, insights, and lessons learned from the
use of UAS by Iran and its proxies;
(3) a description of how the Department is implementing
these observations, insights and lessons learned into the
Department's doctrine, planning, training, and equipping
related to UAS and counter-UAS capabilities; and
(4) a description of how the Department is sharing these
observations, insights and lessons learned with allies and
partners, and how such allies and partners are incorporating
these lessons learned into their own doctrine, planning,
training, and equipping related to UAS and counter-UAS
capabilities.
Requires a Report Assessing Hizballah's Operational Capabilities in
NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 31, 2025, on the potential threats posed by
Hizballah's operational capabilities and financial networks
within the areas of responsibility of U.S. Northern Command
(NORTHCOM) and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The briefing
should include the following:
(1) an assessment of Hizballah's cooperation with state or
non-state actors, including transnational criminal
organizations, in NORTHCOM's and SOUTHCOM's areas of
responsibility;
(2) the key individuals and entities facilitating
Hizballah's operations in these regions;
(3) a description of any U.S. efforts to counter
Hizballah's operations in these regions, including interagency
coordination and partnerships with foreign governments;
(4) recommendations for disrupting Hizballah's networks in
NORTHCOM's and SOUTHCOM's areas of responsibility, including
enhanced sanctions, law enforcement measures, and intelligence-
sharing agreements to protect U.S. personnel and the homeland.
Return of United States Army Special Forces Equipment From the
Government of Mali
The committee recognizes the heroism and sacrifices of the
United States Special Operations Forces who fought against the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ambush in Tongo Tongo,
Niger on October 7, 2017. Four U.S. Army soldiers tragically
lost their lives protecting their unit against over 100 ISIS
fighters, including U.S. Army Special Operations Soldier Staff
Sergeant Dustin Wright, who was awarded the Silver Star for
gallantry for his actions during the ambush. Staff Sergeant
Wright's rifle was captured during the ambush, and in 2023,
that rifle was retrieved by friendly Malian forces.
The committee believes it is important to consider using
all available resources to coordinate with the Malian
government to retrieve Staff Sergeant Wright's rifle and return
it to the United States as a token of respect for Staff
Sergeant Wright and all United States Green Berets who made the
ultimate sacrifice.
Self-Routing Edge Data Synchronization for Tactical Mobile Devices
The committee notes the utility and customization available
in the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) used by United
States Special Operations Command and others for communication,
collaboration, and situational awareness during missions. The
committee understands there is an ATAK limitation at the
tactical edge since the existing fielded plugin solutions rely
on specific transport mediums or require connection to a
central cloud server for synchronizing critical mission data.
The committee realizes that the cloud can present a single
point of failure where a connection outage or disruption could
render edge applications unusable.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander, U.S.
Special Operations Command, in coordination with the Chief
Technology Officer of the Department of Defense, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by December
1, 2025. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of the effectiveness and operational
impact of commercially available cloud-optional software for
ATAK that enhances data-sharing by leveraging multiple
transports on end user devices without the need for significant
investment in new hardware;
(2) potential acquisition pathways to acquire such
commercially available solutions command-wide; and
(3) a plan for how cloud-optional ATAK capabilities can be
integrated with other users across the joint force.
Unmanned Surface Vehicle Experimentation
The committee commends recent efforts by U.S. Central
Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
(NAVCENT) on the establishment of Task Force 59 to advance the
capabilities and concepts of employment of commercial off the
shelf unmanned surface vehicles (USV) with partner nations in
the Middle East. The committee believes this experimentation is
necessary to ensure the United States, in cooperation with
partners, can improve maritime security, awareness, and
regional deterrence. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense in consultation with the Commander,
USCENTCOM, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services no later than December 15, 2025, on
(1) plans to expedite the fielding and employment of
increasingly advanced commercially available USVs in sufficient
quantity to advance U.S. and partner interests in the USCENTCOM
area of operations;
(2) advances in strategy, doctrine, and concepts of
employment relative to the use of USVs;
(3) plans with regional partners to expand Task Force 59's
capability and increase shared maritime domain awareness; and
(4) actions Congress can take to support the expansion of
Task Force 59's capabilities.
War Reserves Stockpile for Allies--Israel
The committee notes the critical role the War Reserve
Stockpile for Allies--Israel (WRSA-I) has in supporting U.S.
strategic objectives as well as allied and partnered readiness
in the Middle East. The committee further notes that ensuring
that this stockpile is current, adequately supplied, and
aligned with both U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operational
needs and Israeli defense requirements in a multi-front,
sustained armed confrontation is essential for maintaining
regional deterrence and allied interoperability.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than January 15, 2026, on the status of WRSA-I that
includes the following:
(1) a comprehensive accounting of the types, quantities,
and readiness levels of munitions, equipment, and material
currently stored in the WRSA-I stockpile;
(2) an assessment of the condition, age, and usability of
items in the stockpile;
(3) an evaluation of whether the contents of WRSA-I are
sufficient in type, quantity, and configuration to meet U.S.
operational contingency requirements in the Central Command
(CENTCOM) area of responsibility and Israel's defense needs in
a sustained or multi-front conflict scenario; and
(4) a detailed accounting munitions, equipment, and
material to be replenished as well as an analysis of current
resupply timelines, replenishment backlogs, and industrial base
constraints that could affect the readiness and sustainability
of WRSA-I.
Western Components and Technology in Iranian Drones
The committee remains concerned about the proliferation of
Iranian drones to Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, the Russian
Federation, and other state and nonstate actors. The committee
is also concerned that Western components and technology are
being used in Iranian drones. In 2022, the United States
established an interagency task force to investigate this
issue.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Policy to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 1, 2025, on the Department of
Defense's participation in the 2022 task force and current
strategies employed by the Department to counter or otherwise
deny Iran the ability to acquire Western components and
technology for the design, development, production, or
operational employment of unmanned aerial systems. The briefing
should include an assessment of the gaps in the Department's
ability to combat Iranian acquisition of Western components and
technology as well as recommendations on how the Department can
address these gaps.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Assistance and Training
Section 1201--Authority to Build Capacity for Space Domain Awareness
This section would add space domain awareness to the
authorized missions to build partner capacity pursuant to
section 333 of title 10, United States Code.
Section 1202--Modification of Authority to Build Capacity of Foreign
Security Forces
This section would make a technical correction to the
availability of funds across fiscal years authorized under
subsection (g)(2) of section 333 of title 10, United States
Code.
Section 1203--Modifications to Irregular Warfare Center and Regional
Defense Fellowship Program
This section would amend section 345 of title 10, United
States Code by moving the Irregular Warfare Center from the
Defense Security Cooperation Agency to United States Special
Operations Command.
Section 1204--Modification of Public Reporting of Chinese Military
Companies Operating in the United States
This section would amend Section 1260H(g)(2)(B)(i)(I) of
the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283) by revising the
definition of a ``Chinese military company'' to include such
companies operating inside or outside of China.
Section 1205--Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation of Emerging
Technologies to Further the Warfighting Capabilities of the United
States and Certain Partner Countries
This section would establish an emerging technology
cooperation program with Israel and certain partner countries,
led by the Irregular Warfare Technology Support Directorate of
the Department of Defense, to conduct joint research,
development, test, and evaluation in the areas of artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum, and automation.
Section 1206--Cybersecurity Integration
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
cooperate with the Government of Panama to seek to integrate
cybersecurity into current and future joint training exercises.
Subtitle B--Matters Relating to Israel
Section 1211--War Reserve Stockpile Authority for Israel
This section would extend the existing War Reserve
Stockpile Authority for Israel established by section 12001(d)
of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public
Law 108-287) by two years, to January 1, 2029.
Section 1212--Modification and Extension of United States-Israel Anti-
Tunnel Cooperation
This section would amend section 1279 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-
92) to extend the authorization for anti-tunnel cooperation
between the United States and Israel through December 31, 2028.
Section 1213--Extension and Modification of United States-Israel
Cooperation to Counter Unmanned Systems in All Warfighting Domains
This section would amend section 1278 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-
92) to broaden the existing United States-Israel Counter
Unmanned Aerial Systems cooperation to include unmanned systems
in all warfighting domains and to extend the authority through
December 31, 2028. This section also would authorize $70.0
million for such cooperation. The committee notes the
proliferation of ground and maritime unmanned systems that
threaten the interests of the United States and Israel. The
committee commends the work of the existing partnership to
counter unmanned aerial systems and seeks to expand that
collaboration to counter unmanned systems in all warfighting
domains.
Subtitle C--Matters Relating to the Near and Middle East
Section 1231--Repeal of War-Related Reporting Requirements for
Concluded Operations
This provision would repeal section 1221 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-
163) to end certain reporting requirements, including for
concluded operations such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom.
Section 1232--Extension of Authority for Reimbursement of Certain
Coalition Nations for Support Provided to United States Military
Operations
This section would extend the authority under section 1233
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
(Public Law 110-181), to reimburse or provide certain
assistance to any key cooperating nation for support provided
by that nation to U.S. military operations in Afghanistan,
Iraq, or Syria. The extended authority would retain a
prohibition on reimbursing Pakistan.
Section 1233--Extension and Modification of Authority to Provide
Assistance to Vetted Syrian Groups and Individuals
This section would extend the authority under section 1209
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015
(Public Law 113-291), to provide assistance to vetted Syrian
groups and individuals to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria in Syria by one year, to December 31, 2026. The section
would also amend the definition of eligible groups and
individuals to clarify the reference to the Government of
Syria.
Section 1234--Extension and Modification of Authority to Provide
Assistance to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
This section would extend the authority under section 1236
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015
(Public Law 113-291) to provide support to partner forces in
Iraq to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and
help prevent an ISIS resurgence. This section would extend the
authority one year, to December 31, 2026.
Section 1235--Counter-Terrorism Support
This section would extend the authority under section 1226
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
(Public Law 114-92), to provide support to certain governments
for border security operations through December 31, 2026. This
section would also enable broadened support to the Lebanese
Armed Forces to combat threats from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, as well as broadened support
to Egypt to counter transnational terrorism.
Section 1236--Prohibition on Funding to Badr Organization
This provision would prohibit funds authorized or made
available to the Secretary of Defense for fiscal year 2026 to
be made available to the Badr Organization.
Subtitle D--Reports and Strategies
Section 1241--Modification and Extension of Annual Report on Military
and Security Developments Involving the Russian Federation
This section would extend and modify a reporting
requirement on the military and security developments involving
the Russian Federation.
Section 1242--Report on United States Deterrence and Defense Posture in
the European Region
This section would require an independent assessment from
the Commander of U.S. European Command on the capabilities and
resources needed for the United States deterrence and defense
posture in the European region.
TITLE XIII--OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Aircraft Operational Picture Gaps
The committee recognizes the unique challenges facing
current and future military aircraft readiness and combat-
engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. Evolving concepts of
operation demand an increasingly mixed fleet of platforms to
perform warfighting functions in the aerial domain, often
referenced as a ``high-low'' mixture. While some existing
programs within the Department are working to address
technological needs for better collaboration among this mixture
of deployed aircraft, the committee is interested in
understanding whether there are gaps in this operational
picture. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of
the Navy and the Air Force to jointly brief the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than January 31, 2026, on the
following:
(1) the current ``high-low'' aircraft mixture to be fielded
in areas of operations;
(2) an assessment of any gaps in operational requirements
or capabilities, as identified by the relevant combatant
commanders, unfilled by the current fleet of manned and
unmanned aerial platforms, including in flight duration/range,
kinetic and sensor payload capacity, radar signature, runway
independence, and autonomous capability in GPS-denied
environments;
(3) the extent to which some aircraft developmental
programs, such as the F-47 and F/A-XX 6th Generation aircraft,
may be expected to fill any such gaps;
(4) the extent to which new communications and software
technologies are needed for this mixture of aircraft to
collaborate and communicate; and
(5) the extent to which any existing gaps can be filled by
commercially available or developing technology.
Capabilities and Concepts to Defend Against Gray-Zone Coercion of
Taiwan
The committee notes the importance of the role of the
Department of Defense and interagency partners in helping
advise Taiwan on capabilities and concepts of operations for
managing persistent gray-zone coercion by the People's
Liberation Army that occurs below the threshold of kinetic
conflict, balanced with Taiwan's efforts to acquire defense
articles and services to defend against the growing
conventional military threat to Taiwan from the People's
Republic of China (PRC). Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees not later than July 1, 2026, on (1) a
recommended approach to helping Taiwan acquire capabilities and
develop new concepts of operation for managing persistent gray-
zone coercion by the PRC, (2) the Department's plans to
synchronize efforts to help Taiwan counter gray-zone coercion
with simultaneous efforts to help Taiwan acquire defense
articles and services, and (3) the defense consultative
mechanisms and processes used by the United States and Taiwan
to establish a shared framework for synchronizing this
cooperation. The report may include a classified annex.
Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Capabilities of
the People's Republic of China and the United States
The People's Republic of China's (PRC) capabilities in
command, control, communications, computers, intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) have advanced
significantly. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has developed
a redundant and resilient architecture to protect its own C4ISR
systems from attack and capabilities to disrupt other C4ISR
systems.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than March 1, 2026, on the C4ISR capabilities of the PRC
and the United States. The report shall include the following
information:
(1) an assessment of the current C4ISR and counter-C4ISR
capabilities of the PRC;
(2) an assessment of the PLA's electronic warfare
capabilities, including electronic attack and electronic
protection capabilities;
(3) an assessment of the current C4ISR, counter-C4ISR, and
counter-electronic warfare capabilities of the United States;
(4) an evaluation of the resiliency of the U.S.
capabilities described in paragraph (3);
(5) a description of any systems being procured or any
other measures being taken to enhance resiliency or to mitigate
any gaps in the U.S. capabilities described in paragraph (3);
and
(6) any other matter the secretary considers appropriate.
Feasibility and Advisability of a Multilateral Counter-Blockade
Exercise
The committee notes the challenges of a potential blockade
against Taiwan or the Philippines and the critical roles allies
and partners may play in addressing such challenges. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Secretary of State, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026,
on:
(1) the feasibility and advisability of establishing a new,
multilateral exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, held on an
annual or biennial basis, designed to improve participants'
capacities to develop a humanitarian corridor to deliver
humanitarian supplies and facilitate civilian travel in the
event of a blockade, including by escorting and reflagging
ships in a contested environment;
(2) the potential consequences for the economic and
national security interests of the United States and allied and
partner countries of a People's Republic of China (PRC)
blockade of Taiwan or other islands and maritime features in
the Taiwan Strait or South China Sea;
(3) the allies and partners that might participate in such
a multilateral exercise; and
(4) the cooperative activities that may potentially
comprise such an exercise, including but not limited to
information-sharing, mine countermeasures, maritime security
operations in support of civilian shipping, maritime
infrastructure protection, unmanned systems and artificial
intelligence integration, vessel defense, and search and
rescue.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Medical Evacuation and Hostage
Rescue Capabilities
The committee is concerned with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's
(USINDOPACOM) ability to provide timely and effective medical
evacuation and hostage rescue support throughout the Indo-
Pacific region, particularly in support of Department of
Defense personnel, other federal agencies, and U.S. citizens
operating in remote or contested environments. Given the
growing security challenges in the region, including increasing
competition with the People's Republic of China, it is critical
that USINDOPACOM possess sufficient aerial, maritime, and
ground assets to rapidly respond to medical emergencies and
personnel recovery missions.
The committee directs the Commander of USINDOPACOM to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026 including at a minimum, the following:
(1) a comprehensive inventory of available aircraft,
vessels, and other dedicated or dual-use assets capable of
providing medical evacuation or hostage rescue support across
USINDOPACOM's area of responsibility;
(2) a description of existing operational procedures,
coordination mechanisms, and interagency agreements in place to
provide medevac and recovery support to USINDOPACOM personnel
and other U.S. Government agencies;
(3) an assessment of capability and coverage gaps that may
hinder USINDOPACOM's ability to respond to emergent medical or
personnel recovery requirements in a timely manner; and
(4) an identification of resource, basing, or posture
requirements necessary to close existing gaps, including any
recommendations for prepositioning of assets, acquisition of
new platforms, or enhancement of coordination frameworks.
The committee expects this briefing to inform future
resourcing decisions and to ensure USINDOPACOM is equipped to
execute its mission to protect and recover U.S. personnel
across the region.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Matters Relating to Europe
Section 1301--Allied Contributions to United States Force Posture on
NATO's Eastern Flank
This section would amend section 2350(j) of title 10,
United States Code, to enable the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization's (NATO's) European and Canadian allies to
contribute to the sustainment costs of the United States Armed
Forces stationed in or deployed to a NATO country.
Section 1302--Extension and Modification of Ukraine Security Assistance
Initiative
This section would reauthorize the Ukraine Security
Assistance Initiative, contingent on a presidential
determination that it serves the U.S. national interest. This
funding would be included in the amount authorized by this Act
for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
Section 1303--Extension of Report Relating to Allied and Partner
Support to Ukraine
This section would extend the requirement for the Secretary
of Defense to submit regular oversight reports relating to
allied and partner support to Ukraine.
Section 1304--Oversight of United States Force Posture in Europe
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
departments and agencies, and the Commander, U.S. European
Command, to submit independent assessments to Congress that it
is in the national security interest of the United States,
among other things, before reducing the number of U.S. Armed
Forces in Europe below a certain level or divesting,
consolidating, or returning to a host country any sites
included in the real property inventory of the U.S. European
Command.
Subtitle B--Matters Relating to the Indo-Pacific Region
Section 1311--Extension and Modification of Pacific Deterrence
Initiative
This section would extend the authority for the Pacific
Deterrence Initiative. This section would also extend relevant
reporting requirements related to the Pacific Deterrence
Initiative.
Section 1312--Extension of Authority To Transfer Funds for Bien Hoa
Dioxin Cleanup
This section would extend the authority to transfer funds
to the Department of State for dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa
Airbase in Vietnam pursuant to section 1253 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-
283), as amended.
Section 1313--Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative
This section would authorize up to $1.0 billion for the
Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative pursuant to section 1323
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
(Public Law 118-159).
Section 1314--Extension of Deterrence Pilot Program
This section would extend the pilot program authorized in
section 1314 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159).
Section 1315--Strategy to Strengthen Multilateral Deterrence in the
Indo-Pacific
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
implement a strategy to strengthen multilateral deterrence
against regional aggression in the Indo-Pacific region by
expanding multilateral coordination with United States allies
and partners in the region.
Section 1316--Sense of Congress on Defense Alliance and Partnership
with South Korea
This section would express the sense of Congress on the
defense alliance and partnership with South Korea.
TITLE XIV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Military Programs
Section 1401--Working Capital Funds
This section would authorize appropriations for Defense
Working Capital Funds at the levels identified in section 4501
of division D of this Act.
Section 1402--Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Defense
This section would authorize appropriations for Chemical
Agents and Munitions Destruction, Defense at the levels
identified in section 4501 of division D of this Act.
Section 1403--Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense-
Wide
This section would authorize appropriations for Drug
Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense-wide at the
levels identified in section 4501 of division D of this Act.
Section 1404--Defense Inspector General
This section would authorize appropriations for the Office
of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense at the
levels identified in section 4501 of division D of this Act.
Section 1405--Defense Health Program
This section would authorize appropriations for the Defense
Health Program at the levels identified in section 4501 of
division D of this Act.
Subtitle B--Other Matters
Section 1411--Extension of Authorities for Funding and Management of
Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Facility Demonstration Fund for Captain James A. Lovell Health Care
Center, Illinois
This section would extend the authorities for funding and
management of joint Department of Defense-Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Facility demonstration fund for
Captain James A. Lovell Health Care Center, Illinois until
September 30, 2027.
Section 1412--Amendment to National Defense Stockpile Shortfall
Briefings
This section would amend the Strategic and Critical
Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98h-5(f)(2)) to require
additional information in the briefing to the congressional
defense committees and require a separate briefing on the
progress of implementing certain Government Accountability
Office recommendations.
Section 1413--Beginning Balances of the Defense Logistics Agency
Working Capital Fund for Audit Purposes
This section would establish an official opening balance
for the Defense Logistics Agency Working Capital Fund for audit
purposes.
Section 1414--Authorization of Appropriations for Armed Forces
Retirement Home
This section would authorize an appropriation of $77.0
million from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for
fiscal year 2026 for the operation of the Armed Forces
Retirement Home.
TITLE XV--CYBERSPACE-RELATED MATTERS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Artificial Intelligence and Automation Tools for Cybersecurity and Risk
Management
The committee recognizes the critical role that artificial
intelligence (AI) and automation tools can play in enhancing
the Department of Defense's efforts to secure the systems,
data, and critical infrastructure of Department of Defense and
defense industrial base entities. Increasing the use of
automation can improve efficiency, effectiveness, and scale by
which the Department and the industrial base can meet mission-
defined security standards including managing third-party and
supply chain risks through continuous monitoring, verification,
and vulnerability assessment capabilities.
The committee believes that the adoption of AI-enabled and
automated risk management tools will strengthen the
Department's security posture, enhance its ability to safeguard
Department of Defense entities from cyber threats, empower the
Department of Defense's cyber workforce to leverage efficiency
gains, and ensure continuous vigilance over vendor-based supply
chain risks. The committee encourages the Department to create
plans to ensure the adoption and integration of automation and
AI-enabled risk management tools across relevant components,
program management offices, or entities responsible for
overseeing the digital security posture of the defense
industrial base.
Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity and Anomaly Detection at U.S.
Special Operations Command
The committee applauds U.S. Special Operations Command
(USSOCOM) for its innovative use of artificial intelligence
(AI) to enhance cybersecurity through behavioral analytics and
anomaly detection on the unclassified Non-Secure Internet
Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet). The committee recognizes the
increasing sophistication of cyber threats to U.S. military
infrastructure and commends USSOCOM for employing advanced
technologies to proactively identify and mitigate malicious
activity at machine speed.
The committee encourages USSOCOM to continue to
opportunities to expand the use of AI-enabled cybersecurity
tools, including anomaly detection and autonomous threat
response capabilities, to the Secret Internet Protocol Router
Network (SIPRNet), consistent with applicable security and
operational requirements. Accordingly, the committee directs
the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than January 1, 2026 that shall include the following:
(1) A summary of current efforts and operational outcomes
related to AI-enabled cybersecurity and anomaly detection on
NIPRNet; and
(2) An assessment of potential use cases, risks, and
limitations associated with expanding such capabilities to
SIPRNet.
Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity in Air Force Operational
Technology
The committee notes the requirements placed on the
Department of Defense by section 1502 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31) for
planning, resourcing, and securing its operational technology
(OT). The committee believes secure OT to be increasingly
essential for mission readiness, resilience, and lethality in
the face of increasing threats to OT cybersecurity. The
committee is aware of a recent pilot program conducted at a
joint air base and administered by the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment and the
Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense, which
saw successful deployment of commercial software solutions and
artificial intelligence tools to defend installation OT
systems. The committee supports these efforts and encourages
continued testing and evaluation of these tools for defending
installation OT systems.
Artificial Intelligence Software for Contract Efficiencies
The committee is encouraged by work currently underway at
Army Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems
(PEO-EIS) to utilize commercially available artificial
intelligence (AI)-enabled software to eliminate duplicative
software licenses, identify best sources of supply, and enable
bulk purchases through contract consolidation. The committee
believes that efforts to better leverage AI-enabled software,
such as that by PEO-EIS, enable improved effectiveness, speed
and efficiency of contracting decisions and could help to
reduce duplicative costs. The committee encourages the Army to
support and resource broader adoption of software tools to
improve contracting and procurement decision-making, including
those using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2026, that describes:
(1) current commercially available tools for improved
contract decision-making and visibility for users;
(2) projected resourcing and personnel requirements, cost
savings, efficiencies, and any cybersecurity or other effects
on the contracting enterprise; and
(3) any relevant timelines for testing and adoption of such
technologies.
Cloud Computing, Data Storage Considerations, and Other Related Matters
Given the speed that cloud computing is evolving, the
committee is interested to learn how the Department of Defense
is positioned to move quickly and securely in capitalizing on
these advancements. Risk mitigation measures, such as
separation of data, zero trust architecture, and data recovery
capabilities, are available to commercial and government
customers. However, the speed by which the Department can seize
on these capabilities is unclear to the committee. In
furthering its oversight, the committee directs the Chief
Information Officer of the Department of Defense provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later
than May 31, 2026, that includes:
(1) an assessment of the benefits and costs associated with
existing Department of Defense policy regarding data residency;
(2) existing policy related to data recovery from a cloud
outage or malicious cyber attack;
(3) the benefits, costs, and risks associated with changes
to Department of Defense policy around data residency and data
recovery; and
(4) the Department's overall private cloud strategy,
including the status of its implementation of its existing
private cloud platform, and potential opportunities for
additional private cloud platform implementation.
Cloud Service Provider On-Boarding
The committee is concerned about the Department of
Defense's ability to access and adopt the full range of
innovative technologies, including the infrastructure and
compute power to enable cutting edge artificial intelligence
(AI) capabilities, in a timely manner. While the committee has
previously adopted language modernizing the Department's
Authority to Operate process, the ``last mile'' problem of
``on-boarding'' cloud service providers (CSPs), or connecting
them through established cloud brokers to Department of Defense
networks, remains a challenge. Such on-boarding must occur
before any Department of Defense entity or military service can
use cloud services or any mission capabilities developed on
that cloud platform, including those leveraging AI.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Director of the Defense Information
Systems Agency, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than December 1, 2025, on how the
Department will enable swift onboarding of CSPs at their
authorized classification levels by the end of fiscal year
2026.
Commercial-First AI Acquisition Strategy and Containerized Model
Deployment
The committee recognizes that artificial intelligence
systems deployed in military environments must be capable of
operating in austere, disconnected conditions while maintaining
the highest standards of security and operational
effectiveness. The committee is concerned that many current
artificial intelligence applications rely heavily on continuous
internet connectivity, which may not be available in contested
or remote operational environments. The committee is
particularly interested in the Department's ability to acquire,
adapt, and deploy containerized and centralized AI models,
especially in classified and air-gapped environments.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment and the Chief Digital and
Artificial Intelligence Officer, to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees by February 15, 2026, on the
Department's strategy for accelerating the adoption of
containerized commercial AI capabilities. The report should
include:
(1) an assessment of the current acquisition strategy for
AI solutions;
(2) a review of Department efforts to integrate commercial
containerized AI models, including model evaluation guidance,
fine-tuning practices using domain-specific data, and
considerations for use in classified and air-gapped
environments;
(3) an assessment of infrastructure requirements, including
the balance between centralized and decentralized compute
environments and the orchestration and management tools
necessary to support containerized AI;
(4) identification of workforce gaps and training needs
related to implementation of commercial containerized AI
models; and
(5) proposed performance metrics to evaluate commercial AI
adoption outcomes, including assessments of cost savings,
mission effectiveness and capability improvement including
model size optimization, inference speed, and resource
utilization.
Common Data Model
The committee is aware that recent Joint and Coalition
exercises in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command regional
activity and mission planning have demonstrated the ability to
ingest and integrate multiple service and coalition partner's
independent training, test, operational, and tactical command
and control data feeds into a single, live, multi-domain ``pane
of glass,'' creating a common operational picture, known as a
common data model. The committee understands that such
technologies have the potential to arm combatant commanders
with requisite visualization tools to analyze all aspects of a
joint and coalition multi-domain training exercise. The
committee has long encouraged the accelerated adoption of such
technologies and continues to do so. The committee supports
efforts by United States Indo-Pacific Command and other unified
combatant commands to use technology in conducting accurate
real time and post-mission reconstruction and analysis of Joint
and Coalition exercises to further increase operational
readiness.
Common Data Models for Multi-Domain Exercise Analysis
The committee is aware that recent joint and coalition
exercises in the United States Indo-Pacific Command area of
responsibility have demonstrated that common data models, and
certain supplementary tools, have provided the capability to
integrate training, testing, operational, and tactical command
and control data feeds from multiple services and allied
partners into a single, live, multi-domain display.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Commander, United States Indo-Pacific
Command, to submit a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the impact of
employing Common Data Models and any related ancillary tools.
The briefing shall include the following:
(1) an assessment of how common data models have improved
real-time and postmission analysis during joint and coalition
exercises;
(2) identification of specific training and operational
improvements realized as a result of these tools.
Containerized Computing Within the Department of Defense
The committee is aware of efforts in the Department of
Defense, specifically in the Department of the Air Force, to
emphasize confidential computing, the technical capacity to
ensure that data remains encrypted during processing. The
committee understands that this technology can minimize the
risks associated with unauthorized access or data breaches by
maintaining encryption while the data is in use. Most notably,
the committee is cognizant of the Department of the Air Force's
Platform One efforts to support and encourage prioritization
and utilization of confidential computing. By keeping software
data protected throughout its lifecycle, confidential computing
can strengthen the overall security of defense operations,
ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed during
processing. To better understand how other military services
are considering confidential computing, the committee directs
the Chief Information Officer of the Department of the Army, in
coordination with the Chief Information Officer of the
Department of the Navy and Chief Information Officer of the
Department of the Air Force, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on
how their offices incorporate confidential computing into
existing efforts.
Cyber Deception Technologies
The committee notes the Department of Defense's effort to
establish a zero trust cybersecurity architecture and
continuously validate users and their access to sensitive and
classified information. However, the committee is aware that
emerging cyber threats like identity-driven attacks and
artificial intelligence-enabled malware continue to stress the
Department's ability to reliably secure its networks. Further
action to implement active cyber defense technologies, such as
cyber deception tools, is necessary to not only prevent access
to sensitive data, but also to collect valuable intelligence on
new or emerging cyber threats.
The committee believes that cyber deception tools could
increase the Department's ability to identify specific actors,
what systems they target, and the methods they use to execute
cyber tradecraft. Therefore, the committee directs the Chief
Information Officer of the Department of Defense in the next
briefing regarding the Department's zero trust implementation
required in 10 United States Code 2224 note to provide an
update on the Department's use of cyber deception technologies
to augment zero trust.
Defense Travel System
The committee is concerned that, despite legislation
seeking to address problems with the Defense Travel System
(DTS), the Department of Defense is not postured to advance the
state of a critically important business system. The present
iteration of DTS remains anchored in outmoded technologies and
processes which consume the time of uniformed and civilian
personnel to an unnecessary degree. The committee continues to
express the view that alternative and commercially available
technologies can be quickly procured which address many of the
inefficiencies of the current system. The committee directs the
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than May 1, 2026, that includes:
(1) an evaluation of the costs and efforts of available
technologies to replace the existing DTS architecture;
(2) estimated timelines and schedules of the effort; and
(3) an analysis of the procurement vehicles to be leveraged
for the DTS replacement.
Department of Defense Frontier-AI Contract Awards
The committee notes that on July 14, 2025, the Department
of Defense, acting through the Chief Digital and Artificial
Intelligence Office (CDAO), issued an indefinite-delivery/
indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling value of
$200 million to multiple U.S. frontier artificial intelligence
vendors. The award supports the development of agentic AI
workflows for national-security mission areas.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment, to provide a briefing to the House
Armed Services Committee not later than January 1, 2026, that
details this procurement action, to include:
(1) acquisition strategy and contracting instruments or
agreements used, statutory or regulatory authorities invoked,
and any deviations or exceptions applied;
(2) source-selection methodology, to include evaluation
approach (e.g., best-value trade-off or lowest-price
technically acceptable), along with all evaluation factors,
sub-factors, weighting, and rating scales;
(3) metrics and scoring rubrics, to include quantitative
and qualitative measures used to assess technical merit, cost/
price, security posture, and responsible-AI considerations,
including any minimum acceptability thresholds;
(4) bid-protest history, to include a description of any
protests filed with the Government Accountability Office or the
Court of Federal Claims, the grounds for each protest, their
resolution, and any resulting corrective actions; and
(5) lessons learned and best practices, to include insights
gained from the acquisition that could inform future
competitive procurements of advanced artificial-intelligence
capabilities.
DLA Identity Layer Alternatives
The committee recognizes the Defense Logistics Agency's use
of OpenID Connect as an identity layer in the Procurement
Integrated Enterprise Environment's user management integration
with Commercial Platform Program vendors. The committee directs
the Commander, Defense Logistics Agency, to conduct, and brief,
the House Committee on Armed Services no later than May 30,
2026, on a comparative analysis of OpenID Connect versus
alternative methods of user identity management for said
vendors. Alternatives involving using XML-based Security
Assertion Markup Language (SAML) may be considered in this
analysis, as well as current best practices and possible
efficiencies.
Electromagnetic Battle Management
The committee considers the Electromagnetic Battle
Management (EMBM) program a critical capability in Joint
Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, integrating electronic
warfare (EW), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and spectrum
management (SM) to enhance joint-force operations across all
domains. Therefore, the committee is alarmed by the abrupt
decision to cancel the Joint Electromagnetic Battle Management
Situational Awareness (EMBM-J-SA) component which provides a
common operating picture for dynamic spectrum awareness and
electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) maneuver and which the
geographic combatant commands use daily to support theater
operations.
The committee urges the Department to prioritize investment
in EMBM-J-SA to support combatant command operations with real-
time EMS awareness, spectrum maneuvering, and multi-domain
coordination. The committee also expects improved coordination
with the combatant commands to ensure their requirements inform
acquisition decisions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to submit a briefing
to the House Armed Services Committee no later than December 1,
2025, on plans to continue to provide access to EMBM-J-SA
capability. The briefing shall include:
(1) a description of how the Department will bridge funding
to continue providing access to EMBM-J-SA capability and reduce
the operational risks of any gaps in capability;
(2) a plan for a permanent solution to provide enduring
EMBM-J-SA capability to the combatant commands, including
planned funding;
(3) a plan to strengthen coordination mechanisms to ensure
combatant command requirements and input in EMBM development
align with operational needs; and
(4) an evaluation of how service-specific EW, SIGINT, and
SM capabilities may integrate with EMBM, how standardization or
shared architectures may improve data sharing and decision
making.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Survivability for Combat Systems
The committee notes the unique challenges associated with
hardening close combat systems to survive in challenging
electromagnetic spectrum environments, including the management
of risks associated with advanced electronic attack
capabilities and resiliency against high-power microwave (HPM)
and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) threats. The committee is aware
of the engineering and development challenges associated with
hardening systems that in many cases have advanced connectivity
and large numbers of apertures, but believes that the
investment required to do so may in some cases be justified
given the threats posed by current and future adversaries. The
committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Service not later
than March 1, 2026, on the status of the Department's efforts
to improve the resilience of close combat systems in
challenging electromagnetic environments. This briefing shall
include:
(1) a description of current, planned, and potential
efforts to develop, deploy, or modernize close combat systems
capable of operating effectively in a degraded electromagnetic
environment, to include data concerning cost, sustainment,
training, military utility, ancillary costs or benefits, and
the relationship of such efforts to broader spectrum warfare,
resiliency, and support efforts; and
(2) the feasibility and advisability of establishing a
program, cross-functional team, executive agent, or other
coordinating entity to oversee Department of Defense efforts
related to close combat system electromagnetic resiliency.
Enterprise-Wide Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure
The committee asserts the view that the Department of
Defense's use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will only be
successful with the establishment of enterprise-wide
infrastructure, applications, and tools. Over the course of
multiple years, Congress has mandated a range of efforts and
initiatives designed to expand AI infrastructure, AI adoption,
and AI expertise across the Department of Defense. Despite
these requirements, the rate of adoption and adaptation has not
matched the scale of the challenge. The committee directs the
Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the
Department of Defense to submit a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, which addresses
the status of the following:
(1) enterprise-wide Data Repositories for AI (Section 232
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022,
as amended by Section 212 of the James M. Inhofe National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023);
(2) the Digital Development Infrastructure Plan & Working
Group (Section 1531(d)(2)(C) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, as amended by Sec. 212
of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2023);
(3) implementation Plan for the Talent Management of
Digital Expertise and Software Professionals (Section 230(b) of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020);
and
(4) Artificial Intelligence Education Strategy (Section 256
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2020).
(5) Cost Budgeting for Artificial Intelligence Data
(Section 1533 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2025).
Feasibility of a Department-Wide Enterprise License
The committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's work
in advancing and consolidating Identity, Credential, and Access
Management (ICAM). The committee notes that Identity Governance
and Administration, also referred to within the Department as
Automated Account Provisioning, is a component of the
Department's ICAM framework. The committee directs the
Department of Defense Chief Information Officer to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
February 1, 2026 that shall include the following:
(1) The feasibility of a department-wide enterprise license
approach to enhance interoperability, functionality,
cybersecurity, and overall cost-efficiency; and
(2) The feasibility of replatforming identity governance
and automated account provisioning from legacy on-premises to a
hybrid cloud solution through a department-wide approach and
the options of doing so.
Flightline Equipment Connectivity for Agile Combat Employment
The committee recognizes the critical need to enhance
connectivity for flightline support equipment to enable the
Department of the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment strategy.
The committee encourages the Department to pursue complementary
connectivity solutions tailored to the specific needs of
flightline support equipment--particularly for assets in
austere environments, contested environments, and long-term
storage.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 15, 2025, on the Department's approach to
enhancing connectivity for flightline support equipment. The
briefing should include the following:
(1) a detailed assessment of current and planned
initiatives to improve connectivity for flightline support
equipment;
(2) the challenges and limitations of using fifth-
generation networks in Agile Combat Employment scenarios,
including impacts on operational security, spectrum management,
and deployability;
(3) an analysis of the feasibility, scalability, and
benefits of incorporating military grade radio systems, and how
these technologies complement ongoing 5G modernization efforts;
and
(4) recommendations for integrating diverse connectivity
solutions to improve the operational readiness.
Insider Threat Detection
The committee commends the Department of Defense on
implementation of efforts to mitigate risk of insider threat
through the use of innovative technologies. However, the
committee believes there is an ability for the Department to
further reduce risk with a more comprehensive use of insider
threat detection technologies. The committee directs the
Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, in
coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for
Intelligence and Security, to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than July 1, 2026, that
provides an analysis of the Department's use and implementation
of technologies to address requirements established in Section
1086 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2016 (Public Law 114-92). This analysis shall address
advancements in technology which could further mitigate risk of
insider threat and an associated cost-benefit analysis.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence Across the Department of Defense
The committee recognizes the steps that the department and
the services are taking to integrate artificial intelligence
into efforts to enhance readiness, increase capabilities, and
optimize workflows. The committee supports such efforts but
believes that further action is required in order to acquire
and implement enterprise-wide foundational tools for large
language models, leverage commercially-provided AI
capabilities, and evaluate the implications and risks
associated with artificial intelligence advances, including
artificial general intelligence systems. The committee
therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than January
31, 2026, that includes the following:
(1) a description of current enterprise-wide tools to
structure and ingest Department of Defense data at all
classification levels for large language models;
(2) a timeline for deployment of the necessary foundational
tools that can be leveraged across the military departments and
Department of Defense elements for large language models;
(3) an assessment of expected cost savings and efficiencies
associated with enhanced large language model effectiveness;
(4) an overview of how the department and the services
identify and review commercial capabilities for possible
integration into their respective requirements for artificial
intelligence and machine learning systems;
(5) an evaluation of the potential for artificial general
intelligence, and any loss of control scenarios and associated
risks to national security associated with it;
(6) analysis of opportunities for beneficial applications
of advanced AI systems for defense and civilian purposes; and
(7) recommendations for risk mitigation strategies,
research priorities, and potential regulatory frameworks
related to the possible development and use of artificial
general intelligence.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Decision Aids in Daily
Operations
The committee is concerned that the Joint Staff is
accelerating the use of artificial intelligence (AI)--enabled
decision aids, including large language models, in routine,
non-lethal workflows without a comprehensive understanding of
best practices, measurable outcomes, and attendant ethical or
cybersecurity risks.
The committee directs the Chief Digital and Artificial
Intelligence Officer to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by March 1, 2026 on the following:
(1) description of ongoing initiatives and pilot programs
within the Joint Staff Directorate for Intelligence and other
relevant components to operationalize AI-enabled decision aids;
(2) examples of successful use cases, practical
implementation scenarios, and measurable outcomes in non-
combat, low-risk environments;
(3) assessment of lessons learned, including challenges and
barriers identified during integration efforts;
(4) recommendations for scaling successful practices across
other Department of Defense components and operational
contexts;
(5) strategies for continuous training, education, and
adaptation to foster responsible adoption of AI tools by
Department personnel; and
(6) ethical, operational, and cybersecurity considerations
identified during implementation, together with proposed
mitigation measures.
Integration of Operational Technology Into the Department of Defense
Authorization & Accreditation Process
The committee recognizes the Department of Defense
increasingly relies on the integration of information
technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems to
enhance mission effectiveness. The committee recognizes that
the convergence of IT and OT has led to significant operational
benefits but has also introduced complex cybersecurity
challenges.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with
the Chief Information Officer for the Department of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 1, 2026. The briefing shall include:
(1) Feasibility to integrate OT components and converged
IT/OT infrastructure into the Risk Management Framework
assessments;
(2) A cybersecurity risk-assessment which evaluates both IT
and OT systems, as well as the integration points between them;
and
(3) An implementation strategy, including resource
requirements to establish a unified, risk-based acquisition and
accreditation approach for IT and OT systems across the
Department.
Legacy Technologies and the Effect on the Department of Defense
The committee recognizes that technical debt is a known
challenge for the agile acquisition of both software intensive
systems and networking hardware infrastructure. The committee
sought to address technical debt, specifically through section
1522 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2022 (Public Law 117-81), by requiring the Department to
address the issue; however, insufficient progress has been made
to date. The committee is concerned that the Department of
Defense and the military services are either unwilling or
incapable of tackling the matter with the attention necessary
to identify outmoded and legacy systems, plan for
modernization, or establish mitigations required to reduce risk
from systems' failures. Moreover, technical debt costs the
Department millions of dollars and exacerbates the Department's
cyber risk.
Section 1522 of Public Law 117-81 required the Secretaries
of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to initiate an effort to
identify legacy applications, software, and information
technology within their respective Departments and eliminate
any such application, software, or information technology that
is no longer required.
The committee is alarmed that despite the costs, risks, and
congressional mandate, the military departments appear
disinterested in the issue. The committee directs the Secretary
of the Army, in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy and
Secretary of the Air Force, to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees, not later than January 31,
2026, that describes, in detail, all efforts taken since the
enactment of Public Law 117-81 which align with the direction
described under section 1522 of that law. Additionally, the
report shall identify those systems, applications, and
technologies still in use that have been determined to be end-
of-life or end-of-service, as well as a plan to either mitigate
the risk of that technology's failure or replace as necessary.
Modular Open Systems Approach for Graphics Processing Units
The committee is aware of the Department of Defense's
growing need for enhanced computing power and system
interoperability at the tactical edge. The proliferation of
artificial intelligence-enabled platforms on the battlefield,
including low-cost unmanned systems, requires graphics
processing unit (GPU) hardware that is not only robust enough
to support advanced capabilities in combat environments, but
able to accommodate rapid technology inserts as new
capabilities are developed.
The committee continues to support a Modular Open Systems
Approach (MOSA) to enable the integration of new technologies
and competition throughout a system's life cycle. However, the
committee is concerned that, per chapter 327 of title 10,
United States Code, the Department of Defense implementation of
the requirements for a modular open system approach is actually
impeding the core objectives of MOSA. The use of an Application
Programming Interface (API) that contains codebases of such
size and complexity that capability upgrades offered by other
vendors cannot be implemented safely and on operationally
relevant timelines greatly diminishes the true openness of the
system. This is of particular concern when such APIs are used
with vendor-proprietary GPUs on low-cost unmanned systems which
are supporting U.S. and allied military missions daily.
Elsewhere in this Act, the committee includes a provision
that would amend chapter 327 of title 10, United States Code,
to streamline and simplify the requirements for MOSA. This
section would also make conforming amendments to section 3771
of title 10, United States Code, related to intellectual
property and data rights in modular system interfaces. The
committee looks forward to working with the Department in
improving the military services' implementation of MOSA in a
manner that reduces the complexity and increases the speed by
which new technology can be integrated into a covered system
while retaining, to the maximum extent practicable, the
commercial viability of subsystems and components of the
system.
Modular Open Systems Architecture for Mounted Form Factor
The committee commends the Department for progress on
implementation of Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) and
the United States Army for progress on the Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance
and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Modular Open Suite of Standards
Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) procurement. The committee looks
forward to the Army's commitment to a long-term resourced
program to realize CMFF benefits including reduced size, weight
and power of systems, increased capability integration on
armored and tactical vehicles and speed of development and
technology refresh.
While the committee is encouraged by this progress and the
anticipated award of CMFF Block 1, the committee is concerned
that the long term CMFF program will experience significant
delay without establishment of program security accreditation
milestones and firm delivery and fielding dates. The key to
achieving program milestone deliveries is a clear CMFF security
accreditation strategy for all CMMF delivery blocks.
A prohibitively complicated and unpredictable accreditation
process could negatively impact levels on industry engagement
and investments and lead to lack of program achievement and
accountability. The committee directs the Chief Information
Officer of the Department of the Army to submit a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services, not later than September 30,
2026, detailing the strategy for how MOSA systems, when applied
to C5ISR requirements, are not inhibited by the Department of
Defense Type 1 encryption security accreditation process. This
report shall include anticipated timelines for the
accreditation process of CMFF systems as well as detail to
whether Type 1 encryption will be accredited at the system,
subsystem, or component level.
Multi-Factor Authentication Across the Department of Defense
The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense
is not keeping pace with its civilian agency counterparts when
it comes to preventing phishing attacks that seek to compromise
authentication. In January 2022, the Office of Management and
Budget issued Memorandum 22-09, ``Moving the U.S. Government
Toward Zero Trust Cybersecurity Principles,'' which mandated
that all civilian agency staff, contractors, and partners use
only phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA).
While civilian agencies have made great progress since the
issuance of Memorandum 22-09 in adopting phishing-resistant
authentication, the committee is not aware of commensurate
progress in the Department of Defense. While use of the common
access card (CAC) is robust, there remains numerous use cases
where CAC usage is infeasible: for instance, reservists at home
or servicemembers utilizing mobile devices. The committee
directs the Chief Information Security Officer of the
Department of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than July 31, 2026, that
provides information on the Department's efforts around MFA.
Multi-Vendor Competitions for Data Labeling Contract
The committee commends the Department of Defense for
striving to maintain a robust commercial network of vendors
supplying artificial intelligence tools and capabilities. The
committee notes that data sets for artificial intelligence
training and algorithmic models are among the Department of
Defense's most valuable digital assets. The committee
recognizes the particular importance of seeking multi-vendor
solutions for data labeling initiatives in order to promote
competition, diversify capabilities, and avoid vendor lock-in.
The committee further notes that the Government Accountability
Office has found that it would be beneficial for the Department
to incorporate private sector practices for acquiring
artificial intelligence tools, including holding regular
competitions for a particular service, maintaining alternative
vendors to the extent possible, and limiting the use of
proprietary software. The committee encourages the Department
to continue to pursue a multi-vendor acquisition strategy for
its data curation and annotation needs.
National Security Agency Cybersecurity Collaboration Center
The committee notes the critical work undertaken by the
National Security Agency (NSA)'s Cybersecurity Collaboration
Center (CCC) to work with industry, interagency, and
international partners to secure the defense industrial base,
mitigate emerging and ongoing cybersecurity challenges, and
secure key technologies. The committee is aware that the NSA
CCC is part of a constellation of federal efforts to engage
with commercial partners, but believes that the NSA's unique
insights on cyber threats and the CCC's track record of
successful engagement, including through contractor protection
initiatives, uniquely enable the CCC to act as a trusted
partner with the defense industry. The committee believes that,
to the greatest extent possible, the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command
should seek to expand the activities of the NSA CCC, including
through increased resourcing and the leveraging of existing
authorities. The committee therefore directs the Commander,
U.S. Cyber Command and Director, National Security Agency/
Chief, Central Security Service to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1,
2026, describing options to scale the activities of the NSA CCC
at varying levels of effort, including required funding and
personnel support. The briefing shall also identify any
statutory or policy limitations or barriers to such scaling.
Navy and Marine Corps Enterprise Network
The committee recognizes the Department of the Navy's long-
standing effort to consolidate its enterprise information
technology environment through the Navy and Marine Corps
Enterprise Network.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to brief
the House Committee on Armed Services no later than March 1,
2026, on the following:
(1) A cost benefit analysis of any efforts to shift to a
different contracting approach, which should include, but not
be limited to, a review of any sustainment impacts, a total
lifecycle costs overview, and any effects on government
staffing levels and ongoing integration efforts;
(2) Any efforts underway to migrate afloat assets and any
barriers that might exist in doing so.
Navy Efforts to Reduce Telecommunications Vulnerabilities
The committee is concerned about adversarial efforts to
compromise Department of Defense mobile telecommunications
through the penetration of commercial telecom and wireless
companies, compromised call data records, personal device
tracking, SIM swap attacks, and other nefarious means. The
committee is also aware that the Department of the Navy has
been conducting a pilot program to reduce vulnerabilities for
telecommunications devices of Navy personnel that utilize the
commercial international telecommunications infrastructure in
the United States Territory of Guam. The committee has
previously requested information regarding the Navy's efforts,
but is unsatisfied with responses to date, especially given the
increase in state-sponsored cybersecurity attacks. Furthermore,
the committee understands and is concerned with the broader
global threat to telecommunications devices of Department of
Defense personnel. The committee directs the Secretary of the
Navy to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than April 1, 2026, on the following:
(1) preliminary observations and lessons learned from the
Navy's Guam cybersecurity pilot program;
(2) the Navy's preliminary assessment of the effectiveness
of the cybersecurity technologies employed; and
(3) the Navy's views on the utility of deploying these
technologies to other locations and commands.
Post-Quantum Cryptography Readiness
The committee recognizes the threat posed by potential
adversary development of cryptographically relevant quantum
computing systems, and that development timelines for such
systems impose upon the Department aggressive timelines for
inventory and upgrade of cryptographic systems to post-quantum
cryptographic standards. Risk vectors such as ``Harvest Now,
Decrypt Later'' attacks, where attackers collect and store
encrypted data to eventually decrypt it using quantum systems,
underscore the urgency of such efforts.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief Information
Officer of the Department of Defense to submit a briefing to
the House Armed Services Committee not later than April 1, 2026
that describes the Department's quantum readiness. The briefing
should include:
(1) an assessment of risks posed by projected advances in
quantum computing, including ``Harvest Now, Decrypt Later'';
(2) steps taken to implement post quantum cryptography,
including deployment of automated readiness and inventory
management tools;
(3) plans for transition to post quantum cryptography,
including a description of any additional resources needed to
accelerate quantum readiness within the Department; and
(4) such other information as the Chief Information Officer
deems relevant.
Preferences and Tendencies of Artificial Intelligence Models in
National Security Decision-Making
The committee is concerned that the Joint Staff is
accelerating the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled
decision aids, including large language models, in routine,
non-lethal workflows without a comprehensive understanding of
best practices, measurable outcomes, and attendant ethical or
cybersecurity risks.
The committee directs the Chief Digital and Artificial
Intelligence Officer to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by March 1, 2026 on the following:
(1) description of ongoing initiatives and pilot programs
within the Joint Staff Directorate for Intelligence and other
relevant components to operationalize AI-enabled decision aids;
(2) examples of successful use cases, practical
implementation scenarios, and measurable outcomes in non-
combat, low-risk environments;
(3) assessment of lessons learned, including challenges and
barriers identified during integration efforts;
(4) recommendations for scaling successful practices across
other Department of Defense components and operational
contexts;
(5) strategies for continuous training, education, and
adaptation to foster responsible adoption of AI tools by
Department personnel; and
(6) ethical, operational, and cybersecurity considerations
identified during implementation, together with proposed
mitigation measures.
Rapid Fielding of Department of Defense Command and Control Operating
Systems To Enable Agency-Wide Integration
The committee applauds the consistent deployment of
integrated command and control operating systems that leverage
proven commercial technologies across Combatant Commands, and
notes that such deployments have demonstrated significant
operational success in enhancing command and control
capabilities, situational awareness, targeting, logistics, and
decision-making effectiveness. The committee believes that
these technologies, currently in production and leveraging
commercial machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI/ML)
capabilities, can be deployed more broadly across the
Department of Defense to meet the urgent need for
comprehensive, real-time data integration and intelligence-
driven decision support. The committee also notes that such
commercial technologies may support the Combined Joint All
Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) mission, currently
spearheaded by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence
Office.
The committee believes that Secretary of Defense should
explore the potential value of rapidly fielding integrated
command and control operating systems that leverage proven
commercial technologies to all military departments, including
the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, and
the Missile Defense Agency to ensure cohesive, enterprise-wide
data integration and command and control capabilities and
support the CJADC2 effort.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Armed Services Committee not later than
December 1, 2025, on its efforts to extend such operating
systems more broadly across the Department of Defense. The
briefing should include:
(1) a timeline for additional deployments across military
departments, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint
Staff, and the Missile Defense Agency;
(2) plans for the integration and replacement of existing
data platforms and command and control systems;
(3) metrics for evaluating mission impact, data
interoperability, and operational readiness;
(4) identification of additional resource requirements or
authorities necessary for the Secretary to carry out the
requirements to implement the provision, to include life-cycle
sustainment cost estimates for the deployments described in
part (1); and
(5) any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.
Reporting Technology Transition Performance
The committee understands that the Department has struggled
with transitioning technologies into established capability
development and procurement activities and aligning
requirements with capability in a structured and expedited
manner. The committee believes that the Bridging Operational
Objectives and Support for Transition program (BOOST) will be
an effective framework to align emerging technology with
critical capabilities. This may not solve all issues in
ensuring synergy and adaptability across research and
development and acquisition.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a brief by August 1, 2026 to the Committee on the
implementation of BOOST, and additional authorities needed.
Review of Oversight of Off-the-Shelf Information Technology Products
From Foreign Adversary Countries
The committee is concerned that, despite efforts to prevent
technology from foreign adversary countries being used by the
Department of Defense, some commercially available off-the-
shelf (COTS) information technology products may be
inadvertently slipping through.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a briefing to the House Armed Services no later than
May 1, 2026 on:
(1) a review of current procurement oversight mechanisms to
identify and track such products;
(2) recommendations for policy or process changes to
mitigate identified vulnerabilities.
Spending Flexibility for Essential Cybersecurity Upgrades
The committee recognizes the importance of leveraging
commercially available tools to protect military facilities and
critical defense infrastructure from cyberattacks, particularly
in operational technology environments. Given the rapidly
evolving cyber threat, the committee is concerned that the
Department's current definition of operations and maintenance
(O&M) Expense/Investment thresholds may unduly restrict program
managers' ability to acquire the tools necessary to protect
military facilities and critical defense infrastructure from
cyberattacks. Therefore, the committee directs the Under
Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) in coordination with the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and
the Chief Information Officer to submit a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services no later than December 31, 2025
including:
(1) The impact that delayed cybersecurity system upgrades
could have on the cybersecurity of key military facilities and
critical defense infrastructure in the United States and
overseas;
(2) An assessment of existing barriers that prevent program
managers from rapidly acquiring commercial cybersecurity
solutions for operational technology environments using O&M
funds;
(3) Options for modifying O&M funding definitions or other
policies to exempt cybersecurity system upgrades funded via
other transaction authorities and other means from being
subject to current Expense/Investment thresholds;
(4) Any additional recommendations for aligning acquisition
guidance and financial management regulations with the
Department's cybersecurity risk management priorities,
including any necessary legislative changes.
Strengthening Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Resilience
The committee notes that China and other sophisticated
adversaries are targeting the U.S. defense industrial base
(DIB) with increasing frequency in an effort to steal sensitive
data and intellectual property, disrupt supply chains, and
compromise critical infrastructure. The committee is encouraged
by the success of the National Security Agency (NSA)
Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (CCC) in supporting the DIB
through services and offerings such as Protective Domain Name
Services, attack surface management, and threat intelligence
collaboration. The committee expects that the CCC will pursue
the expansion of such efforts, due to their value and
contributions in mitigating risk. The committee directs the
Director of the NSA, in coordination with Chief Information
Officer of the Department of Defense, to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than March 1,
2026, on the CCC's efforts, its future plans, and current and
planned resourcing.
Threat of Optical Transceivers Manufactured by Foreign Adversaries
The committee is concerned that optical transceivers, which
serve as the backbone of fiber optic transmissions in
artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data centers, can leave the
Department vulnerable to foreign adversary supply chains. The
committee further notes that compromised transceivers could
intercept or manipulate sensitive data, including proprietary
AI models and national security communications. Accordingly,
the committee urges the Department of Defense to establish
trusted vendor guidelines to ensure transceiver components
originate from secure U.S.-based or allied sources. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital and
Artificial Intelligence Officer, to submit a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 27,
2026, on the national security threats posed by the use of
optical transceivers manufactured by foreign adversaries in
Department of Defense AI-driven data centers and critical
infrastructure networks. The report shall include, at a
minimum:
(1) an analysis of the oversight efforts being taken by the
Department to ensure the safety and security of optical
transceiver components during procurement;
(2) an assessment of existing U.S.-based companies able to
meet the Department's need for optical transceiver components;
and
(3) any other barriers that inhibit the Department's use of
transceiver components that originate from secure, U.S.-based
or allied manufacturing sources.
Website Management Across the Department of Defense
Since the appointment of the Defense Media Activity (DMA)
as the lead agency for the consolidation of the Department of
Defense's public website management, the committee is
disappointed with the slow progress made by the Department of
Defense in its cost rationalization for website management. The
committee continues to support the compliance and modernization
effort, titled ``Web Enterprise Business (WEB) NextGen'', which
would support the Department of Defense's efforts to comply
with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA)
(Public Law 115-336). The committee directs the Assistant to
the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, in coordination
with the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than April 1, 2026, on the progress of WEB NextGen.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Cyber Operations
Section 1501--Accountability of the Authorization To Operate Processes
This section would add additional reporting requirements to
the Authority to Operate (ATO) process and streamline timelines
for approving an ATO.
Section 1502--Codification of the National Centers of Academic
Excellence in Cybersecurity
This section would codify the National Centers of Academic
Excellence in Cybersecurity program and the program director's
responsibilities.
Section 1503--Assessment of Cyber Operational Support to Geographic
Combatant Commands
This section would require the commanders of the unified
combatant commands, other than the Commander of the United
States Cyber Command, to submit, on an annual basis, a report
to the congressional defense committees on the sufficiency of
support provided by the Commander of the United States Cyber
Command.
Section 1504--Limitation on the Divestment, Consolidation, and
Curtailment of Certain Electronic Warfare Test and Evaluation
Activities
This section would prohibit the Secretary of the Army from
divesting, consolidating, or curtailing any electronic warfare
test and evaluation activity that were part of an Army element
of the Major Range and Test Facility Base on or before the
enactment of this Act until the Secretary submits a report to
the congressional defense committees.
Section 1505--Incentivization Plan for Critical Skills for Members of
the Armed Forces to Carry Out Department of Defense Cyber Operations
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Commander of the United States Cyber
Command, to develop and implement a plan to incentivize
critical skills for members of the Armed Forces.
Section 1506--Evaluation of Joint Task Force-Cyber for the Indo-Pacific
Area of Responsibility
This section would require the Department of Defense to
study the advisability and feasibility of creating a Joint Task
Force Cyber.
Subtitle B--Cybersecurity
Section 1511--Annual Report on Weapon Systems Data Accessibility and
Security
This section would require the Secretaries of the Army,
Navy, and Air Force to report on an annual basis those weapon
systems which lack onboard, real-time cybersecurity
capabilities.
Section 1512--Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence Considerations
Into Annual Cybersecurity Training
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Chief Information Officer of the Department of
Defense, to revise the mandatory annual cybersecurity training
to include content related to unique challenges related to
Artificial Intelligence.
Section 1513--Update to Cyber Security Requirements for
Telecommunications Contracts
This section would require the Department of the Navy to
implement regulations requiring that certain telecommunication
contracts to include updated cyber security requirements.
Section 1514--Federal Contractor Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
This section would require the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget, in consultation with the Director of the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the National
Cyber Director, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, and any other appropriate head of an
Executive department to recommend updates to the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) designed to ensure that covered
contractors implement a vulnerability disclosure policy
consistent with National Institute of Standards and Technology
guidelines for contractors. This section would also require the
Federal Acquisition Regulation Council to review the
recommendations and update the FAR as necessary to incorporate
requirements for covered contractors to receive information
about a potential security vulnerability relating to an
information system owned or controlled by a contractor in
performance of the contract.
Subtitle C--Information Technology and Data Management
Section 1521--Biological Data for Artificial Intelligence
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
develop and implement requirements that ensure qualified
Department of Defense biological data resources are collected
and stored for advanced computational methods.
Section 1522--Procurement of Best-in-Class Cyber Data Products and
Services
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
brief the Armed Services Committees of the House of
Representatives and Senate on the plans to establish an open
and competitive process to procure best-in-class cybersecurity
solutions.
Subtitle D--Artificial Intelligence
Section 1531--Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Security in
the Department of Defense
This section would create a requirement for a software bill
of materials for artificial intelligence.
Section 1532--Pilot Program for Data-Enabled Fleet Maintenance
This section would require the Secretaries of the Army,
Navy, and Air Force to establish pilot programs to use
commercially available artificial intelligence technologies to
improve the maintenance of ground vehicles in each military
service's inventory.
Section 1533--Generative Artificial Intelligence for National Defense
This section would authorize the Department to create up to
12 generative artificial intelligence lines of effort.
Subtitle E--Reports and Other Matters
Section 1541--Modification to Certification Requirement Regarding
Contracting for Military Recruiting
This section would strike the sunset clause--subsection (c)
from section 1555 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 581; 10 U.S.C.
503 note).
Section 1542--Occupational Resiliency of the Cyber Mission Force
This section would ensure behavioral health providers have
the requisite security clearances to treat the Cyber Mission
Force where they are co-located.
Section 1543--Assessment of Cyber-Physical Ranges as Potential National
Cyber Range Complexes
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering to conduct a cost benefit analysis
of designating the cyber-physical ranges of the Department as
National Cyber Ranges.
Section 1544--Report on Replacement of Time Division Multiplexing Lines
at Armories of the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard
This section would direct the Secretaries of the Air Force
and the Army to submit a joint report to the House Committee on
Armed Services detailing the cost, timeline, and operational
impact of replacing outdated Time Division Multiplexing.
TITLE XVI--SPACE ACTIVITIES, STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, AND INTELLIGENCE
MATTERS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Space Activities
Acquisition of Space Data Transport Capabilities
The committee notes that in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget
request, the U.S. Space Force has chosen not to fund future
efforts for a space-based data transport architecture. As the
Space Force continues to evaluate future architectures, the
committee believes that the Service should develop an
acquisition strategy that utilizes a competitive acquisition
strategy that prioritizes meeting Service requirements to
transmit data in near-real time to warfighter platforms in
support of operational missions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing no later than March 1, 2026 to the
House Committee on Armed Services brief on the acquisition
strategy for the space data transport architecture, to include
cost, schedule, and performance of the future space data
transport architecture and how they plan to utilize
competition.
Advanced Commercial Space Weather Models
The committee recognizes the importance of advanced space
weather forecasting for national security needs. Therefore, the
committee encourages procurement of advanced commercial space
weather models, and integration of AI-driven predictive
analytics into operational systems to improve early detection
of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, enhance anomaly
attribution, and address the lower precision of space weather
forecasting.
The committee directs the Chief of Space Operations to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 1, 2026, on the benefits of procuring
commercial space weather models, and feasibility of integrating
AI-predictive analytics to improve the accuracy of current and
future systems within the Space Force program of record. The
briefing should include costs associated with implementing such
changes.
Advancing Strategic Space Mobility: Nuclear Electric Propulsion
Technology Assessment
The committee affirms the critical role of high-power
nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) systems in enabling maneuver
without fuel constraints. NEP architectures that deliver =100
kWe per thruster and offer adjustable specific impulse and
thrust are essential to future cislunar operations. These
systems enable extended-range mobility, dynamic payload
repositioning, and support for power-intensive mission
profiles, including persistent surveillance and logistics
support.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the
Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations,
to submit a brief to the House Armed Services Committee not
later than March 1, 2026. The brief shall include:
(1) a technology roadmap for developing and deploying NEP
systems suitable for national security missions, including =100
kWe propulsion architectures and scalable thruster
technologies;
(2) an implementation plan aligning civil, defense, and
commercial investments, with identification of ground-tested
private-sector technologies for demonstration;
(3) a threat assessment of PRC progress in space nuclear
propulsion and implications for maneuver advantage;
(4) recommendations for demonstration infrastructure and
orbital test missions by 2030;
(5) a proposed acquisition plan and multi-year funding
profile, including use of rapid acquisition and dual-use
mechanisms.
A classified annex may be included as necessary.
Affordable and ``Always On'' Resilient Commercial Satellite
Communication Connectivity
The committee recognizes that resilient satellite and
network connectivity is critical to enabling United States and
allied warfighters to maintain a tactical edge in future
conflict scenarios. While the Department of Defense has
traditionally relied on the Primary, Alternate, Contingency,
Emergency (PACE) framework to ensure communications redundancy,
the committee believes that emerging commercial satellite
technologies--particularly non-geostationary satellite orbit
(NGSO) systems--now enable more dynamic, ``always on'' multi-
orbit communications architectures.
The committee is concerned that current approaches to
resilience are overly reliant on costly, redundant standby
systems. The committee supports tighter integration of
commercial satellite communications and military satellite
communications to achieve affordable, resilient connectivity
and reduce operational costs.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Chief Information Officer of the
Department of Defense, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2026, on the
Department's efforts to achieve secure, integrated, and cost-
effective multi-orbit communications capabilities. The briefing
should include the following:
(1) a summary of past, current, or planned Department of
Defense experiments involving secure integrated multi-orbit
networking;
(2) a reference architecture and implementation roadmap for
operationalizing multi-orbit connectivity across the
Department;
(3) an investment strategy for transitioning from legacy
PACE-based constructs to affordable, secure, multi-orbit
communications, including:
(4) recommended new contracting methodologies to procure
affordable connectivity resilience;
(5) estimated funding required to prioritize and accelerate
the transition; and
(6) a projection of future-year spending aligned with
commercial NGSO satellite investments.
Commercial Low Earth Orbit Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and
Timing
The committee notes that U.S. Global Positioning System
(GPS) technology is a linchpin of critical national security
infrastructure and associated technologies. However, the
committee is concerned that the United States is falling behind
China in the field of satellite navigation in support of GPS,
as the Chinese Communist Party has already supported the launch
of several next-generation navigation satellites and announced
plans to deploy hundreds more in the coming years. However, the
committee is encouraged by private sector innovation in the
United States, supported by growing commercial demand, to
provide new satellite systems able to deliver resilient
positioning, navigation, and timing solutions in the absence of
degraded, denied, or otherwise limited GPS.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a report to the congressional defense
committees not later than March 1, 2026, on commercial
satellite systems providing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) positioning,
navigation, and timing services, and covering the following:
(1) the ability of those satellite service providers to
operate in the absence of GPS services;
(2) an assessment of the relative ability of relevant
satellite service providers to resist jamming and spoofing
threats in comparison to existing GPS services;
(3) an assessment of the capabilities of relevant satellite
service providers to provide timing accuracy of less than 10
nanoseconds and position accuracy of less than 30 centimeters
for stationary and mobile users, and any other metrics the
Secretary considers relevant;
(4) the ability of relevant satellite service providers to
restore service if some or all satellites in the satellite
system are disabled in a cadence, as determined by the
Secretary, that may substantially decrease the time to service
restoration compared to existing GPS service;
(5) the feasibility and advisability of the Secretary
entering into a production contract with a provider able to
deliver the advanced capabilities detailed above and any
barriers to doing so; and
(6) any other matters the Secretary considers relevant.
Commercial Satellite Bus Integration
The committee notes that deployment of counter-space
capabilities on-orbit by adversaries has increased in the past
several years, as highlighted in recent unclassified reporting.
The committee further notes that the U.S. Space Force could
better leverage the domestic industrial base as it expands and
becomes more capable of producing configurable satellite buses
for a wide range of mission areas, while eliminating the need
for government-funded non-recurring engineering costs. The
committee is concerned that while the Space Force is pursuing
mission assurance through resilience and proliferation, its
acquisition choices are not fully leveraging the innovation and
investment of the domestic industrial base for proliferated
space architectures.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary
for Space Acquisition and Integration to provide a report to
the congressional defense committees, not later than May 1,
2026, on its plan to incentivize and increase acquisition of
domestically produced, commercially available configurable
satellite buses in current and future proliferated satellite
architectures to achieve competitive endurance, leverage
existing private investment, and achieve programmatic and cost
milestones. The report shall include an analysis of the
following:
(1) the opportunity for the U.S. Space Force to leverage
domestically produced configurable satellite buses utilizing
novel acquisition approaches, including an estimate of
potential cost savings of non-recurring engineering by
utilizing commercialized satellite buses;
(2) prioritized mission areas for proliferated space
architectures including preferred orbital regimes, numbers of
satellites, and the industrial base capacity to meet these
missions; and
(3) an analysis of acquisition policies, authorities, and
practices that incentivize the reduction of non-recurring
engineering costs to the Space Force for satellite bus
modification in proliferated space architectures.
Commercial Space Command and Control Software
The committee notes that to address current and emerging
complex threats in space the Department of the Air Force
requires rapid delivery of critical space domain awareness
(SDA) and Space Command and Control (C2) capabilities for the
tracking and analysis of space assets, as well as related
scenario planning and execution functions. To this end, the
committee commends the Department's successful investment in
cutting-edge commercial software technology, particularly the
use of the Warp Core software platform, which leverages
commercial capabilities for the secure ingestion, integration,
analysis, visualization, and dissemination of data for SDA and
Space C2 mission use cases at multiple classification levels,
including Special Access Programs. This investment is
particularly encouraging in light of the continuous challenges
of other non-commercial software programs within the
Department.
In addition to continuing Warp Core, the committee
encourages the Department to invest in and operationalize
complementary commercial capabilities to support U.S. Space
Command's satellite order of battle management and adversary
space data repository, Ion Trail, to increase battlespace
awareness and space operations capabilities. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 1, 2025, on the following:
(1) the Space Force's future years defense program to
operationalize and fund commercial capabilities for enterprise
data management architecture within Warp Core to support SDA
and Space C2;
(2) plans to add operational commercial software and
machine learning capabilities to the Space C2 program in order
to enable timely operations C2 and the execution of a joint
targeting cycle, supported by Ion Trail; and
(3) the value of, and options for, using these commercial
Space C2 and SDA capabilities, as well as commercial AI
capabilities, to deliver capacity earlier than currently
projected timelines with regard to related classified programs.
Commercial Weather Data Program of Record
The committee reaffirms that space-based environmental
monitoring is not merely a support function but a battlefield
requirement. Timely, resilient weather intelligence underpins
the safety of U.S. forces, satellite launches, hypersonic
testing, ISR synchronization, and operational planning across
all theaters. It is critical to strategic deterrence and
warfighter survivability in contested environments.
Despite proven commercial capabilities, successful pilot
programs, and bipartisan support, the committee remains
concerned that the Department of Defense has not fully
integrated commercial weather data into government systems. The
committee believes that better integration of commercial space-
based sensing data would address growing environmental
awareness gaps.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy, to
assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a
Commercial Weather Data Program as a Program of Record and
submit a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2026, outlining:
(1) where commercial weather data could augment existing
Department of Defense weather systems to address all current
weather gaps;
(2) funding estimates for procurement of commercial data to
fill existing weather gaps with commercial data; and
(3) cost and schedule estimate for the Department of
Defense to integrate commercial weather data into existing
government systems.
A classified annex may be included if necessary.
Commercially Developed Very Low Earth Orbit Systems
The committee recognizes the critical role of space domain
awareness (SDA) in ensuring the security and operational
effectiveness of U.S. space assets. As adversaries continue to
advance their capabilities in space, the need for a persistent,
responsive, and resilient SDA architecture has never been more
pressing. The committee supports the research and development
of commercially developed Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO)
spacecraft, data, and analytics to enhance SDA operations. VLEO
platforms and collection data offer unique advantages,
including increased revisit rates, orbital diversity and
resilience, improved electro-optical and infrared sensor
resolution, and reduced signal latency, all of which contribute
to real-time threat detection, tracking, and characterization
of objects in space. Further, the committee recognizes the
importance of the Tactical Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and
Tracking Program program in leveraging commercial data sources
and analytics to deliver faster and more accessible information
to our warfighters.
The committee directs the Chief of Space Operations to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 1, 2026, on the possible benefits of
commercially developed VLEO systems, what existing SDA
requirements they could fulfill, and including how they could
be integrated into the existing SDA architecture.
Comprehensive Strategy for GPS Capabilities
The committee is concerned that despite its importance to
the joint force and the civilian economy there is not a
strategic comprehensive strategy from the U.S. Space Force for
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT). The committee notes
that in 2024 the Department of the Air Force used the new
section 229 authority to realign previously appropriated funds
to address what it called an urgent operational development to
begin work on what would become Resilient GPS (RGPS) to provide
additional smaller GPS space vehicles to provide on-orbit
resilience.
The committee is troubled that despite this previously
urgent need the fiscal year 2026 budget request did not include
any requested funding for Resilient GPS (R-GPS) or procure any
space vehicles for the program of record, GPS III Follow On
(GPS IIIF). This lack of resource prioritization is a
concerning development considering the vital role the GPS
constellation plays for the joint force as it plans and
conducts operations. The commercial space sector continues to
demonstrate new and innovative approaches to PNT that could
provide additional resiliency, protection against jamming, and
faster deployment.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026 that assesses and
identifies the current and future threats to the current GPS
system. The report should also include a comprehensive strategy
for how the U.S. Space Force plans to address those threats to
include plans for future procurement of existing programs,
identification of capability gaps and how the service plans to
address them, plans to address the deployment of ground user
equipment, and the funding profile required.
Domestic Silicon-Based Space Solar Production
The committee is encouraged by the Department's renewed
focus on ensuring the defense industrial base is appropriately
focused on the critical technologies required to sustain and
modernize our military, particularly in space. The committee
recognizes the importance of the domestic production of solar
panels which are hardened to withstand the harsh environment of
space, a critical component of our nation's space industrial
base. Space solar panels are indispensable for ensuring
reliable power generation for satellites, spacecraft, and other
vital systems. The committee also recognizes the urgency of
accelerating the domestic production of alternative space solar
technology, as recent measures taken by the Chinese government
to ban the export of strategic minerals, specifically gallium
and germanium threaten to cut off the world's largest supplier
of these minerals, dramatically increasing already extremely
high costs and extremely long lead times associated with legacy
technology. By fostering a robust domestic manufacturing
capability for space-stable silicon solar panels, we can reduce
our reliance on foreign supply chains, mitigate potential
vulnerabilities, reduce costs and lead times, and generally
enhance our nation's ability to maintain our leadership in
space exploration and defense.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the status of the
domestic space solar manufacturing industrial base. The
briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of existing manufacturing facilities and
their capacity to produce space-qualified solar cells and
related components. This would include evaluations of
production rates, costs and lead times, technological
advancements, and the ability to meet both current and
projected demand for defense and commercial satellite
applications;
(2) an analysis of the supply chain for critical materials,
such as gallium and germanium substrates used in space solar
cells, wafers, and the identification of any potential
vulnerabilities, including reliance on foreign sources;
(3) an overview of ongoing research and development efforts
to advance space solar technologies, with an emphasis on
scalability, cost, and lead times; and
(4) details of current and planned investments to sustain
and expand the space solar manufacturing base, while
diversifying the technology mix.
Dynamic Space Operations
The committee recognizes the significant investments made
by domestic commercial space companies in developing and
prototyping innovative spacecraft and technologies that
directly contribute to advancing on-orbit and from-orbit
Dynamic Space Operation (DSO) capabilities. These private-
sector advancements present an opportunity to accelerate
capability deployment, reduce costs, and enhance operational
flexibility in support of critical national security
objectives.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of Space
Operations, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of the
Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2026 on:
(1) current and planned investments in DSO capabilities
across the future years defense program;
(2) opportunities for enhanced collaboration with the
commercial sector; and
(3) a roadmap for fielding additional operational DSO
capabilities outside of the existing program of record within
the next three-five years, including a funding profile to do
so.
Ensuring Space Resilience Through Radiation-Hardened Components for
Small Satellites
The committee recognizes the growing vulnerability of space
systems to both natural radiation (solar storms, cosmic rays)
and hostile threats such as nuclear anti-satellite weapons. As
the Department of Defense expands its use of cost-effective,
proliferated constellations--particularly beyond low earth
orbit (LEO)--the risk of mission failure due to radiation
becomes a critical concern. Smaller satellites now primarily
use commercial electronics that lack radiation protection.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of the Air
Force for Space Acquisition and Integration and the Under
Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
March 1, 2026, on the following:
(1) an assessment of radiation risks to non-hardened
satellites, especially those operating beyond LEO;
(2) an inventory of U.S. capabilities for radiation-
hardened component development, and a gap analysis against
projected needs;
(3) a plan to leverage existing research and Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR)-funded technologies to space-qualify
and transition radiation-hardened subsystems--especially AI/ML-
capable processors--to operational use, including Technology
Readiness Level (TRL) advancement and in-space demonstrations;
(4) policy and acquisition strategies to strengthen
domestic supply chains for radiation-hardened electronics,
processors, and flight computers, reducing reliance on foreign
suppliers while enabling dual-use deployment.
Ensuring U.S. Superiority in Space-Based LiDAR
The committee is concerned that, while China is advancing
its space-based LiDAR capabilities, a critical technology for
high-resolution Earth observation, precision targeting,
strategic intelligence, and object detection and
identification, U.S. investments in similar technology are not
adequate to maintain space superiority in support of global
combatant commander requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, in
coordination with the Chief of Space Operations of the U.S.
Space Force (USSF) to submit a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than January 31, 2026, outlining a
strategic plan to sustain U.S. leadership in space-based LiDAR
technology. The briefing shall include:
(1) evaluation of current U.S. efforts in LiDAR-equipped
satellites, including the Space Development Agency's role in
proliferated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) architectures, classified
and unclassified programs, and existing capability gaps;
(2) recommendations to streamline commercial integration;
and to reduce costs and development timelines;
(3) identification of key U.S. commercial LiDAR technology
providers that can enhance national security applications;
(4) identification of capability gaps to prioritize for
research, development, and rapid deployment of space-based
LiDAR capabilities;
(5) strategies for enhanced collaboration with allied
nations with regards to space-based LiDAR; and
(6) budgetary and policy recommendations to ensure
sustained leadership and technological superiority in space-
based LiDAR.
Expanding Payload Processing Capacity
The committee is concerned about the increasing strain on
the existing payload processing infrastructure due to the
steady growth in both Government and commercial launches.
Limited availability of processing capacity risks delaying the
timely deployment of mission critical systems.
To meet the growing demand and maintain strategic
competitiveness with our adversaries, the committee supports
the acquisition of additional payload processing capacity. The
committee further directs the Secretary of the Air Force, in
consultation with the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for
Space Acquisition and Integration, to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1,
2026, on how they plan to meet this growing demand in a way
that prioritizes competitive, service-based payload processing
capabilities that are independent of launch vehicle or
spacecraft providers.
Expediting Development of Hybrid Satellite Communications Systems
The committee notes the recent Government Accountability
Office report on satellite communications and its findings that
the Department of Defense should expedite development and
integration of hybrid satellite communication systems and
networks. The committee is encouraged by the Department's work
in identifying and fostering competition in the growing
commercial space industry, which in turn lowers costs for the
Department due to the entrance of new providers at different
orbits with new technology. To ensure continued progress, the
committee believes the Department should prioritize inclusion
of diverse technologies, architectures, suppliers and orbits in
defense solutions. Further, the committee encourages the
Department to support civil regulatory agencies in pursuing a
whole of government approach to ensure low earth orbit
investments do not degrade the capabilities of satellites in
geosynchronous orbit. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services no later than December 1, 2025 on
the following:
(1) the Department's plan to expedite the development and
integration of hybrid satellite communication systems; and
(2) how this plan will support a whole of government
approach to regulation that preserves both geosynchronous
satellite and low earth orbit satellite solutions.
Extended Operations for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
The committee understands end-of-life satellites are
disposed of every year as they are replaced with newer
satellite constellations across the entire space community.
These end-of-life satellites may still have mission utility to
support operations and training, but are being disposed of due
to a lack of funding and staffing levels needed to operate both
the new constellations and the older constellations
simultaneously. Retired satellites also effectively add to the
rising amount of space debris, which restricts mobility for
active Department of Defense assets in orbit. The committee
understands that while there are programs of record to replace
existing satellites providing critical weather and
meteorological data, the existing Defense Meteorological
Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites could continue to provide
critical information to the warfighting community.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of The Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 21, 2026 regarding the DMSP
constellation, to include how many satellites are disposed of
annually and a cost-benefit-performance analysis to continue to
extract mission value by operating the satellites by a
commercial entity in lieu of disposal.
Hybrid Satellite Communication
The committee recognizes the Air Force's substantial
investment in technology to connect various platforms to
multiple commercial space internet systems. This investment has
resulted in the development of multi-orbit software-defined
radios and antennas capable of providing resilient
communications through access to at least two frequency bands
and satellites in three different orbital planes. These
advancements have the potential to transform long-range
communications across the Air Force fleet. However, the
committee is concerned that the necessary funding to implement
these systems on aircraft has not been adequately addressed in
the President's Budget Request.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to
submit a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 30, 2025, on the Air Force plan to install
resilient Hybrid SATCOM terminals on Air Force Platforms and
include the timeline for developing requirements, programing
funding and installation milestones.
Impact of Commercial Remote Sensing on Geospatial Intelligence
Requirements
The committee recognizes the significant progress made by
the commercial remote sensing sector in recent years, both in
terms of collection capabilities and analytical tools. The
committee believes it is critical to understand how these
commercial capabilities are being leveraged and how advances
may influence system acquisition requirements.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Director of the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), in coordination
with the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO),
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of the geospatial intelligence
requirements that have historically been met by national
technical means which can now be fulfilled by commercially
available capabilities.
(2) a description of how the Department of Defense and
Intelligence Community are integrating commercial remote
sensing into existing and planned systems, including any
changes to acquisition strategies or system requirements.
(3) recommendations for future investments or
organizational changes needed to fully leverage the commercial
remote sensing ecosystem.
Impact of Loss of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
The committee is aware that in 2026, the Defense
Meteorological Satellite Program will reach end of life and be
decommissioned, and some capability will be lost during the
transition to the replacement satellite architectures, namely
in the loss of Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS)
which is not planned to be launched on either the Weather
System Follow-on Microwave (WSF-M) or Electro-Optical Infrared
Weather System (EWS) due to prioritization. Further, the
committee understands that this data contributed not only to
Department of Defense Requirements, but was also shared with
civil entities to provide additional data to improve their
weather forecasting models.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 31, 2025 on:
(1) how were the updated requirements and loss of SSMIS
data for the WSF-M and EWS constellations coordinated and
communicated across the Department of Defense and broader
interagency, particularly given NOAA's use of that data in the
National Hurricane Center;
(2) at the time, was National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Agency notified of the loss of this data, and was there any
concern raised during the Air Force acquisition process;
(3) what capability gaps and corresponding operational risk
will exist once DMSP is fully decommissioned and WSF-M and EWS
are operational;
(4) is there a plan to address those gaps for the
Department of Defense in future weather constellations;
(5) what, if any, commercial vendors have solutions that
could be purchased as data by the U.S. government that could
fill the gap created by the lack of a follow-on sounder
payload; and
(6) what would a cost estimate be for purchasing such
commercial data?
Modernizing Mission Assurance for Space Launch
The committee continues to recognize the importance of
mission assurance for national security space launches. Mission
assurance requirements have previously been based on limited
ordering quantities, challenging highly energetic orbital
requirements, complicated bespoke integration, and national
security sensitivity and applied uniformly to all national
security space launches regardless of their mission set. More
recently the National Security Space Launch Program has
endeavored to create tailored mission assurance requirements
that more accurately reflect modern launch industry standards
under Phase 3 that allowed for the selection of levels of
mission assurance and risk according to the mission. Other
launch programs managed by the Space Force, such as the Orbital
Services Program and Sounding Rocket Program, have not updated
their mission assurance requirements. The committee believes
that the Orbital Services Program and Sounding Rocket Program
serve important roles and functions for our nation's military
and would benefit from a more modern and agile mission
assurance structure.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of Space
Operations to submit a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than December 30, 2025, on how the Space
Force plans to modernize mission assurance requirements for
launch across all their programs. The plan should include:
(1) a specific timeline, responsible offices, and
measurable milestones for implementing modernized mission
assurance requirements for experimental, test, prototype, and
operational payloads in all Assured Access to Space launch
programs, including the Orbital Services Program and Sounding
Rocket Program; and
(2) a process for updating mission assurance requirements
on a regular basis as launch cadence increases and more launch
providers are onboarded into Space Force managed launch
contracts.
National Security Launch Site Resiliency
The committee recognizes the increasing volume of space
launches from the United States, emphasizing the importance of
expanding and improving launch infrastructure. As such,
diversified national security launch sites are crucial for
enhancing the resiliency of space launch capabilities.
The committee notes that additional capacity to support
space launch is available at state sites, such as in Kodiak,
Alaska and Wallops Island, Virginia, and urges the Department
of Defense to explore opportunities to invest in the full
utilization of the additional capacity.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Director of the National
Reconnaissance Office, to provide a briefing to the House Armed
Services Committee by February 1, 2026, including the following
information regarding state-owned and operated spaceports that
support, or can support, national security space missions:
(1) assessed critical infrastructure projects and
investments needed at such state-owned and operated spaceports
to improve their contributions to space launch capacity for
national security purposes;
(2) an identification of facility improvements over the
next five years that would enhance satellite processing
capabilities, upgrade range safety systems, and provide
mission-specific infrastructure; and
(3) a plan to develop metrics to assess how such facility
improvements contribute to national security space launch
capabilities and overall launch resiliency.
National Security Space Launch Infrastructure
The committee recognizes the increasing volume of space
launches from the United States, which necessitates expanded
launch infrastructure, including potentially increased pad
availability and allocation, to address the current capacity at
existing ranges. Further, diversifying national security launch
sites would enhance resiliency and foster competition in space
launch capacity.
The committee is aware that the increased launch cadence
may overstress current range infrastructure that is unique and
restricted by geography due to hazard areas, overflight, and
target orbital locations. These factors make range
infrastructure, including specialized launch sites, especially
valuable.
The committee notes that current investments have been
primarily focused on the Eastern and Western ranges and that
launch pad allocations have become increasingly competitive.
The committee encourages the Space Force to continue to
work with the commercial launch providers and the operators of
existing spaceports to identify current and future needs of the
launch sector and opportunities for expanded national security
launches at other active spaceports.
To fully understand the plans of the U.S. Space Force in
addressing launch pad availability and range resilience
efforts, the committee further directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than March 1, 2026 that assesses and
identifies critical infrastructure upgrades needed at state-
owned and operated spaceports to support national security
space missions, to include support facility improvements that
enhance satellite processing capabilities, and upgraded range
safety systems; and details the current allocation strategy for
launch sites at the Eastern and Western ranges, to include:
(1) a list of current launch pad occupants, including those
in use by commercial, government, and other service branches;
(2) the current and future activities conducted on each
launch site by the government and other service branches;
(3) impacts resulting from road closures, increased vehicle
traffic, facility evacuations and closures and effects on
transportation, storage and payload and launch vehicle
processing activities and launch due to manifest disruptions;
(4) steps taken to ensure a competitive, transparent, and
cost-effective process is used in making site allocations
determinations that is forward-looking;
(5) adequacy of existing infrastructure, port capacity, and
the availability of commodities, water supply for launch deluge
systems, and water retention and treatment facilities;
(6) impacts on national security payloads and operations
when in transport, integration and processing or on the pad
when super heavy launch vehicles are fueled, launched, and
returned in the immediate vicinity;
(7) adequacy/availability of financial compensation for
damages to buildings and hardware and disruptions to launch
operations;
(8) assessment of current real estate instruments and other
documents to determine whether such agreements contain adequate
terms and conditions or require modification to reflect
commercial terms;
(9) assessment of the need for additional documents/
agreements to address the use of common launch infrastructure,
range services and costs, common infrastructure development and
improvements; and
(10) the need for additional or enhanced range management
practices and procedures for establishing launch scheduling and
launch manifest priorities, minimization of impacts to launch
operations and coordination of transportation, storage and
processing of launch hardware impacted by increased launch
rates and the introduction of a super heavy vehicle to the
ranges, including impacts to National Air Space corridors and
sea lanes.
Next Generation of Advanced Propulsion
The committee recognizes the need for advanced propulsion
systems in national security space operations. Both high-power
nuclear electric propulsion and fusion propulsion have the
prospect to enhance maneuverability, resilience, and the range
of future national security space assets. The committee is
aware that there have been developments in these technologies
that are advancing the realities of the next generation of
propulsion for use in space. The committee believes that it
would be beneficial for the Space Force to explore both nuclear
electric propulsion and fusion propulsion in order to maintain
a technological superiority and improve space operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Chief of Space Operations, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on the feasibility of nuclear
electric propulsion and fusion propulsion for use in space,
including estimated costs. The briefing should also include the
technology gaps that remain and proposed research opportunities
that could address those gaps.
Non-Propulsive Orbital Maneuvering Technologies
The committee supports continued development of maneuver
technologies that reduce reliance on consumable propulsion. As
the Department of Defense expands activity in low Earth orbit
(LEO) and plans for cislunar operations, it must pursue
mobility solutions that avoid burdensome fuel logistics and
enhance survivability. Electromechanical deployment platforms
offer energy-efficient ways to reposition space assets for key
space superiority missions while improving endurance and
enabling new economic benefits in the space domain. The
committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force, in
coordination with the Chief of Space Operations and the
Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA), to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by March 1, 2026, assessing the feasibility, utility,
integration potential, and barriers to operational use of non-
propulsive maneuver technologies. A classified annex may be
included.
Open Architecture Ground Systems for Space Missions
The Committee is encouraged by the Missile Defense Agency's
use of open architecture ground systems in recent missile
defense tests. To reduce total life cycle costs and deliver at
necessary speed, the Committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, in
consultation with the Director of the Missile Defense Agency,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than March 1, 2026, on the feasibility and potential
cost benefits of adopting open architecture, modular, ground
systems into space missions.
Protected Satellite Communications Resiliency
The committee affirms the critical role of protected
satellite communications in enabling secure, resilient, and
survivable command and control for the joint force,
particularly in contested environments. While the committee
supports continued development of the Evolved Strategic SATCOM
(ESS) program, it recognizes the risks associated with reliance
on a single provider for such a mission-critical capability. To
minimize risk to the industrial base and this critical
capability, the committee encourages the Department of the Air
Force to explore options for maintaining an alternate prototype
path through critical design review. This approach aligns with
broader objectives of strengthening the national security space
industrial base, workforce, and supply chain as well as
enhancing acquisition flexibility.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, in
coordination with the Commander of Space Systems Command, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2025, on options to maintain a second-
source prototype capability for protected satellite
communications programs. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of options to maintain a second-source
prototype capability through critical design review for
protected satellite communications;
(2) an evaluation of risks to mission assurance resulting
from potential cost, schedule, or performance shortfalls in the
Evolved Strategic SATCOM program;
(3) proposed mitigation strategies, including potential use
of flexible acquisition authorities such as Other Transaction
Authority; and
(4) an analysis of the implications for the national
security space industrial base.
Radar Commercial Layer
The committee recognizes that Synthetic aperture radar
(SAR) satellites provide continuous global intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities regardless
of weather or lighting conditions and directly supports global
combatant commanders with critical intelligence in concert with
national technical means. The U.S. commercial SAR industry has
demonstrated proven operational capabilities that support
warfighters, intelligence agencies, allies, and partners. The
committee strongly encourages the Director of National
Intelligence and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office
to establish the Radar Commercial Layer (RCL) as a Program of
Record, and request consistent funding for these technologies,
as this capability could improve combatant commands' strategic
advantage.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Intelligence and Security, in coordination with the
Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the
National Reconnaissance Office, to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services by January 15, 2026, on the
feasibility and advisability of establishing RCL as a Program
of Record.
Resilience and Contingency Planning for Simultaneous Space and Undersea
Infrastructure Attacks
The committee is concerned by the escalating threat posed
by adversaries such as the Russia and the China to the critical
space-based and undersea communications infrastructure that
underpins United States military operations and national
security. As publicly disclosed, Russia has developed an
orbital nuclear anti-satellite weapon capable of devastating
low Earth orbit (LEO). The Administration has publicly
acknowledged this threat in an attempt to deter Russian space
aggression. The detonation of such a weapon in space would
trigger electromagnetic pulse effects, create widespread
radiation hazards, and generate persistent orbital debris
fields that could render large swaths of space unusable for
decades. This would have catastrophic effects to satellite
communications, missile warning, navigation, intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance systems essential to every
facet of U.S. military operations.
The committee is equally concerned by the threat posed to
global undersea fiber optic cables. These cables carry
approximately 95 percent of international internet traffic,
including military communications, financial transactions, and
civilian infrastructure. A coordinated attack on these cables
could paralyze transatlantic and Indo-Pacific communications,
including strategic command pathways essential for the
operation of U.S. forces worldwide.
The committee is concerned that a potential course of
action may involve the simultaneous or sequential loss of both
space-based and undersea networks, leaving the Department of
Defense with degraded global situational awareness, compromised
command authority, and an impaired ability to project power or
respond to crises.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Secretary of the Air Force, Secretary of the Navy, and the
Commander of United States Cyber Command, to provide a
classified briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, on the Department's operational
posture and contingency planning for the following scenarios:
(1) the loss of LEO capabilities resulting from the
detonation of a nuclear anti-satellite weapon or other high-
altitude nuclear device by Russia or another adversary,
including the stated electromagnetic pulse effects, persistent
orbital debris fields, and elevated radiation levels;
(2) the widespread severing or disabling of global undersea
cable networks through hostile action by China, Russia, or
another adversary; and
(3) the simultaneous or sequential degradation of both
space-based assets and undersea cables.
The briefing for each scenario should also address:
(1) current posture, and continuity of operations
frameworks for each scenario;
(2) the Department's ability to maintain nuclear command
and control, joint force maneuver, global logistics, missile
defense, and intelligence collection;
(3) the impacts to strategic communications, command and
control, military readiness, and ground forces;
(4) an assessment of existing capability gaps,
vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies, including resilient
communications, redundant command authorities, and rapid
reconstitution options;
(5) an overview of any planned or ongoing investments,
research, or acquisition programs intended to strengthen
resilience; and
(6) any recommendations for additional resources,
authorities, or policy changes required to ensure that the
Department can maintain credible deterrence and warfighting
capability in these highly contested threat environments.
Resilient Satellite Communications Capabilities
Satellite communications (SATCOM) capabilities are
essential for commanders to maintain situational awareness,
ensuring real-time decision-making and operational coordination
in dynamic and contested environments. These systems provide
secure, resilient, and global connectivity, enabling commanders
to communicate with forces, receive critical intelligence, and
respond swiftly to emerging threats. By leveraging Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) systems, aircraft equipped with SATCOM capabilities
ensures redundancy and resistance to jamming, cyber threats,
and other disruptions. This capability is vital for maintaining
situational awareness, mission continuity, and operational
effectiveness in modern warfare.
The committee recognizes the critical role of SATCOM in
ensuring Combatant Command (COCOM) effectiveness and supports
efforts to equip COCOM-assigned platforms, to include executive
aircraft, with readily available commercial off the shelf,
secure, resilient, and multi-layered satellite communications
capabilities to maintain strategic and operational superiority
across multi-domain areas of operations.
Resilient, Multi-Orbit Satellite Communications
The committee recognizes the critical importance of
ensuring resilient satellite communications in support of joint
force operations in contested and degraded environments. As
adversaries expand their disruptive capabilities through
jamming, cyber intrusion, and kinetic threats toward space-
based communications assets, the Department of Defense must
reduce single points of failure in its satellite communications
architecture. The committee urges the Department of Defense to
ensure its satellite communications architecture includes
diversity of orbit and the integration of commercial networks.
Resilient satellite communications are essential to maintaining
command and control, ensuring operational continuity, and
preserving strategic deterrence in future conflicts.
Satellite Control Network Capacity
The committee is aware of the reliance of the United States
Space Force (USSF) and other U.S. Government partners' reliance
on the Satellite Control Network (SCN) for the tracking,
telemetry, and commanding of many critical national security
spacecraft on orbit as well as launch operations from the two
main CONUS launch facilities. The committee is also aware that
the Space Rapid Capabilities Office is currently acquiring the
Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program
that is intended to modernize and augment the existing antennas
through phased-array systems that will greatly increase the
bandwidth. The committee is concerned that the existing SCN
infrastructure needs constant repairs due to the age of the
components and is not currently capable of supporting the
projected communications needs for a peer conflict such as one
with the People's Republic of China (PRC). These factors are
compounded by the projected loss of useability of many network
sites during such a conflict in the Indo-Pacific. The committee
is also concerned that the SCAR program is not projected to
achieve initial operating capability status until 2030, which
is too late for current forecast timelines for potential
conflict with the PRC.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration to submit a
briefing to the House Armed Services Committee not later than
March 1, 2026, on the current state of the Satellite Control
Network and, the resourcing needs for its continued
maintenance, and the status of the SCAR program. This briefing
shall also include:
(1) the current operational status of each site and antenna
within the SCN and the comprehensive maintenance plan for each
site;
(2) analysis of the current capacity based on today's user
needs, the projected steady-state needs over the next three
years based on forecasted mission growth, projected capacity
for a peer-conflict within the next three years;
(3) a comprehensive plan to address any identified capacity
shortfalls under any of the above scenarios, to include all
resourcing requirements; and
(4) an update on the SCAR program, and resourcing needs to
accelerate that program to meet capacity needs.
Small Spacecraft Controls for Defense Missions
The committee understands that as defense space missions
move into lower orbits as part of proliferated constellations
of smaller satellites, the demand for certain parts and
subsystems has increased. Many of these defense specific
missions require capabilities that go beyond currently
available commercial capabilities. One of these areas is
stringent spacecraft pointing capabilities which are not found
in the commercial sector. A modular, high-accuracy, small
control moment gyro, which points the vehicle, is not
commercially available because it has not previously been
needed. Stable platforms allow analysts to distinguish threats,
targets & size and enable weapons target planning.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the benefits of
developing more suppliers of modular, high-accuracy, small
control moment gyro, and feasibility of such a plan. The
briefing should include costs associated with implementing such
changes.
Space Access, Mobility, and Logistics
The committee applauds the creation of a designated program
office for Space Access, Mobility and Logistics (SAML) and
acknowledges the ambitious need for mobility within space to
meet U.S. Space Command's need for sustained space maneuver in
the near-term. The committee notes the progress SAML has made
through small-scale technology demonstrations to address these
needs. However, the committee would like to see the program
office also execute larger-scale demonstrations with commercial
space systems that have achieved a high technology readiness
level through public-private partnerships. Therefore, the
committee directs the Chief of Space Operations to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026 detailing:
(1) how it intends to deliver foundational capabilities
such as on-orbit mobility, refueling, orbit repositioning,
sustained maneuver, and autonomous rendezvous, including the
ability of providing on-orbit SML capabilities for unprepared
satellites as quickly as possible; and
(2) a funding profile to support the SAML program office
across the future years defense program.
Space Domain Awareness Capabilities
The committee acknowledges the critical importance of Space
Domain Awareness (SDA) as a foundational element of national
security space operations. As space becomes increasingly
contested, congested, and competitive, the ability to detect,
track, characterize, and attribute activities in space is
essential to maintaining strategic advantage and operational
readiness. The committee remains concerned that current SDA
capabilities do not fully meet the needs of the U.S. Space
Force and combatant commanders, particularly with respect to
timely and persistent awareness of potential threats in low-
earth and geosynchronous orbit.
Accordingly, the committee encourages the Secretary of the
Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations to continue
pursuing a diverse range of mechanisms to address current and
projected SDA capability gaps. The committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026, on
current and planned SDA initiatives and coordination with
allied and commercial partners.
Space Domain Awareness Leveraging Commercial Remote Sensing
The committee notes that, according to the Department of
Defense's Annual Report to Congress on China's military and
security developments, in 2023 alone, China put over 200
satellites in orbit. China continues to proliferate its space-
based collection systems, with more than 360 Chinese satellites
dedicated to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
(ISR). Russia's proliferation of space-based ISR systems, while
not on par with China's rapid growth, remains of significant
concern. The committee recognizes the operational value of
monitoring these systems, their orbital regimes, and their
capabilities through regular ground-based and space-based
observations and therefore supports using commercial ground-
based and space-based observation systems to the maximum extent
practicable to limit collection opportunity gaps and impacts to
the government's earth observation platforms.
Space Modulator Manipulator Project
The committee recognizes the significant advancements in
industry and academia that have enabled new capabilities within
the space domain. The committee understands that the U.S. Space
Force has been working to develop a domestically vended, flight
rate modular manipulator capability that can be mounted on
spacecraft for peacetime servicing and logistical use, as well
as defense against adversarial systems. The committee believes
the U.S. Space Force should continue these efforts and supports
the construction of a flight unit and testing of the actuator
by the U.S. Space Force's Test program.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 15, 2026, on the need for a space-rated
robotic arm. The briefing shall include:
(1) an evaluation of why this technology is critical in the
context of space operations;
(2) a list of potential functional uses associated with a
robotic arm in orbit;
(3) efforts by academic partners to support the U.S. Space
Force's efforts and opportunities to expand partnerships with
academic partners moving forward; and
(4) other ways that this American-made technology could
fill gaps in United States Space Force capabilities.
Space-Based Visual Intelligence for Orbital Awareness
The committee supports efforts to expand space domain
awareness (SDA) through commercial technologies and encourages
further integration of space-based full motion video (FMV) and
edge analytics to improve detection and tracking of dynamic on-
orbit behavior. FMV systems, especially those paired with
automated processing and event-driven alerting, can enhance SDA
by enabling real-time identification of anomalous maneuvers,
proximity operations, and other spaceflight activity. These
tools offer tactical benefits in increasingly congested and
contested orbits.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Chief of Space
Operations, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering, to provide a briefing to the
House Armed Services Committee by March 1, 2026, that includes:
(1) a review of Department efforts to evaluate FMV and edge
analytics for SDA;
(2) an assessment of how these tools could improve orbital
behavior monitoring;
(3) a roadmap for integrating FMV-derived insights into
operational systems; and
(4) recommendations for future SDA pilots leveraging video-
based surveillance.
Spaceflight Qualifying Commercial Solutions for Classified
The committee is concerned that the hardware encryptor
supply chain has delayed national security space programs in
the past. With the dramatic increase in spacecraft being
launched in support of Department of Defense, the logistical
challenges associated with the use of hardware encryption are
negatively affecting responsiveness and performance.
Since 2010, the NSA's Commercial Solutions for Classified
(CSfC) solution has transformed the delivery of Information
Assurance solutions to the Department of Defense by enabling
secure communications and protection of classified information
through an ever-expanding diverse set of commercial products,
including software-based solutions. Significant savings have
been reported using these CSfC software-based encryption
capabilities over the traditional hardware encryptors.
Spaceflight qualifying CSfC represents a major potential to
resolve the logistical challenges associated with hardware
encryptors, including the ability to load cryptographic keys
after launch--reducing cost and increasing flexibility.
Innovative application of CSfC may also enable the ability to
configure cryptographic technology after launch and respond to
an adversary's evolving Signals Intelligence capabilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of Space
Operations, in coordination with the Director of the National
Security Agency to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than March 1, 2026 on the feasibility
and requirements for spaceflight qualifying CSfC for national
security missions. The briefing should include, but not be
limited to:
(1) the requirements for a software-based encryption
architecture for spacecraft connecting to national security
systems or processing classified data;
(2) the process to validate and approve a software-based
CSfC system for classified operations; and
(3) an assessment of the potential operational flexibility
a software-based CSfC system will enable through dynamic
platform and multi-level security.
Tactically Responsive Space
The committee notes the progress made on demonstrating
Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) capabilities and its
enduring role in securing our nation's interests in, from, and
to space. The committee notes that TacRS is designed to
challenge our traditional assumptions and processes by
demonstrating the United States' capability to rapidly acquire,
launch, and operate a space vehicle on operationally relevant
timelines in order to respond to on-orbit threats while also
leveraging the innovation from the commercial contributions and
private sector innovation. TacRS includes not only
operationally responsive launch, but also a wide range of other
space based missions areas including Space Domain Awareness
(SDA) and space control operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in consultation with the Chief of Space Operations, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 6, 2026, on Tactically Responsive Space.
This briefing shall include, at a minimum, the following items:
(1) a plan detailing a five-year roadmap for the
development, demonstration, integration, and funding for TacRS
to include launch and space systems;
(2) an evaluation of the current industrial base for TacRS
that could be used for TacRS, SDA, space control missions, and
any other emerging mission areas; and
(3) an evaluation of associated actions and milestones
required to ensure successful operational integration of TacRS
for both on-orbit and ground-based space systems.
Tactically Responsive Space and Commercial Integration
The Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program has
demonstrated the feasibility of rapid launch and orbital
insertion, as evidenced by the VICTUS missions. The evolving
threat landscape, including potential adversary deployment of
anti-satellite weapons, necessitates a responsive and flexible
space posture, including accessing a variety of orbits.
Commercial space providers have proven capabilities to support
rapid launch timelines and orbital diversity. The committee
supports using commercial space capabilities through TacRS to
demonstrate payload delivery beyond low Earth orbit.
Utilization of Commercial Capabilities for Multiple Orbit Applications
The committee is aware of innovative efforts in the
commercial space sector to develop low-cost, high-power (on the
order of 20 kW), maneuverable, radiation-resilient satellite
buses for use in multiple orbital domains. The committee
strongly encourages the US Space Force to more broadly leverage
ongoing private sector development and capitalize on
opportunities to demonstrate the use of these capabilities in
support of operational requirements in Medium Earth Orbit
(MEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO), and Cislunar space.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of Space
Operations, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of the
Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 15, 2025 that includes:
(1) the loss of LEO capabilities resulting from the
detonation of a nuclear anti-satellite weapon or other high-
altitude nuclear device by Russia or another adversary,
including the stated electromagnetic pulse effects, persistent
orbital debris fields, and elevated radiation levels;
(2) the widespread severing or disabling of global undersea
cable networks through hostile action by China, Russia, or
another adversary; and
(3) the simultaneous or sequential degradation of both
space-based assets and undersea cables.
The briefing for each scenario should also address:
(1) current posture, and continuity of operations
frameworks for each scenario;
(2) the Department's ability to maintain nuclear command
and control, joint force maneuver, global logistics, missile
defense, and intelligence collection;
(3) the impacts to strategic communications, command and
control, military readiness, and ground forces;
(4) an assessment of existing capability gaps,
vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies, including resilient
communications, redundant command authorities, and rapid
reconstitution options;
(5) an overview of any planned or ongoing investments,
research, or acquisition programs intended to strengthen
resilience; and
(6) any recommendations for additional resources,
authorities, or policy changes required to ensure that the
Department can maintain credible deterrence and warfighting
capability in these highly contested threat environments.
Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Space Operations
The Committee recognizes the growing strategic potential of
Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) persistent surveillance, tactical
ISR, and responsive sensing in contested environments.
Historically constrained by atmospheric drag and limited
propulsion, VLEO has become operationally viable due to modern
advances in compact electric propulsion, aerodynamic spacecraft
design, and onboard autonomy.
VLEO systems can offer ground sample distances below 20 cm
with modest apertures, reduced latency for real-time edge
processing, and a higher degree of stealth from ground-based
sensors due to lower orbital altitude and rapid transit across
observation arcs. These properties are especially relevant for
tactical surveillance, denied-area sensing, and time-sensitive
targeting. The committee is concerned that the Department of
Defense lacks a clear strategy to exploit the VLEO domain,
despite emerging commercial capabilities and growing adversary
interest. VLEO remains underrepresented in current national
security space architectures and roadmaps.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Chief of Space Operations, the
Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026, that includes:
(1) an assessment of potential defense mission applications
for VLEO-based space systems, including ISR, dynamic targeting,
tactical communications, and contested logistics support;
(2) a technology survey of existing and emerging U.S.
commercial capabilities related to VLEO platforms, including
satellite buses, propulsion, thermal management, and onboard
processing;
(3) a cost-benefit and survivability comparison between
VLEO architectures and conventional LEO/MEO satellite systems;
and
(4) recommendations for a demonstration and integration
pathway.
Intelligence Matters
Declassification of Records Relating to the Global War on Terror
The committee is aware that impending timelines for the
potential declassification of Department of Defense materials
related to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the
broader Global War on Terror, are likely to pose unprecedented
challenges to the existing mechanisms for declassification
review. The committee is concerned that absent significant
investments in automation, including potential adoption of
artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, the
Department may be unable to meet classification review demands
without significant, unaffordable investment in manpower.
Accordingly, the Committee directs the Secretary of
Defense, in coordination with the Archivist of the United
States, the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and
the members and Executive Secretary of the Interagency Security
Classification Appeals Panel, to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than January 30,
2026, regarding future declassification review demands. The
briefing should address the following:
(1) current and projected declassification review demand;
(2) current and planned investments in technology designed
to assist in timely declassification reviews;
(3) the potential for leveraging artificial intelligence
and machine learning technologies and the maturity thereof;
(4) current and planned staffing;
(5) any additional requirements or investments needed in
order to provide timely and accurate reviews of classified
materials; and
(6) any other information that the Secretary of Defense
deems relevant.
Integration of Defense Intelligence Tools
The committee notes that the Defense Intelligence Agency is
in the process of replacing the Military Intelligence
Integrated Database with the Machine-assisted Analytic Rapid-
repository System, or MARS. The MARS system is a cloud-based
system for foundational military intelligence that will
leverage investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help
intelligence analysts ingest vast amounts of data from across
the intelligence community and ultimately deliver timely
foundational military intelligence to warfighters and
policymakers. Given rapid advancements in AI running parallel
to the Defense Intelligence Agency's work to bring the MARS
capability to fruition, the committee would like to better
understand how MARS is being optimized to use AI and Machine
Learning (ML) tools available today while also preparing for
future developments. Therefore, the committee directs the
Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, in coordination
with the Secretaries of the military departments, as necessary,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than January 31, 2026, on how MARS is working to
incorporate existing AI and ML capabilities; guardrails,
including legal and technical, for the incorporation of AI and
ML into MARS; how MARS will be able to evolve, as necessary, to
adapt to future capabilities; and any resource requirements to
ensure MARS is able to meet the Defense Intelligence Agency's
requirements and mission.
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Capabilities to Support the
Americas
The committee recognizes the important role the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency can play in monitoring,
identifying, and providing disaster management and counterdrug
support for North, Central, and South America. Geospatial
intelligence can provide important information in support of
national security objectives, and the committee notes that
there are a number of airborne tools and geospatial commercial
analytics capabilities that can contribute to these datasets.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31,
2025, on current capabilities the National Geospatial-
Intelligence Agency leverages to support national security
priorities covering North, Central, and South America,
including counterdrug, disaster management, and maritime domain
awareness missions. Additionally, the briefing should include
an assessment of collection requirements for fiscal year 2026
and any capability gaps if relevant to supporting these
requirements. This briefing shall be unclassified but may
include a classified briefing.
Report on Complying with Intelligence Community Directive 705
The committee supports Intelligence Community Directive
(ICD) 705, which requires that existing Special Access Program
and Sensitive Compartmented Information facilities meet
elevated standards that reflect increased counterintelligence
risks. Efforts are underway across the Department of Defense
and contractor facilities to assess compliance with this
directive. However, the work required to meet these new
standards is extensive, and the committee would like to know
more about the Department's efforts to meet the scope and scale
of the directive.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to report to the House Committee on Armed Services no later
than January 31, 2026, on the progress made to bring Department
and contractor facilities into compliance with ICD 705. This
report shall include the following:
(1) corrective action timelines for each service to meet
ICD 705 compliance;
(2) total estimated costs to achieve compliance across the
Department; and
(3) total estimated costs to achieve compliance for federal
contractors.
Secure Compartment Information Facility Availability for AUKUS Partners
The committee recognizes the importance of the AUKUS
partnership to support a free and open Indo-Pacific and its
ability to further strengthen the ability of the United States,
Australia, and the United Kingdom to support mutual defense and
security interests. In order to foster the information sharing
necessary to fully realize the full potential of the AUKUS
partnership, the committee believes that it is necessary to
have shared spaces where representatives from Australia and the
United Kingdom can work with their United States counterparts,
including the ability for cleared individuals to use Secure
Compartment Information Facilities, or SCIFs, as appropriate.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense
for Intelligence and Security to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31,
2025, on the number of SCIFs available that allow for this
level of collaboration; steps taken to convert additional
SCIFs, if necessary; any challenges that currently exist to
ensuring the Department of Defense is able to support such a
capability; and an assessment of the resources necessary to
support such SCIF development.
Security Classification and NOFORN Use Briefing Requirement
The committee understands that the NOFORN designation plays
a legitimate role in protecting sensitive national security
information. However, overreliance on such dissemination
control measures could undermine efforts to build integrated
deterrence, enhance interoperability, and strengthen coalition
operations with trusted foreign partners and allies. The
committee is interested in learning more about the Department's
use of the NOFORN designation and how it is applied in various
contexts.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, on the Department's policies,
requirements, and regulations governing the use of the NOFORN
designation within security classification guidance. The
briefing shall include:
(1) a comprehensive summary of each office, agency, or
component within the Department of Defense responsible for
establishing, implementing, and overseeing policies related to
the use of the NOFORN marking;
(2) a comparative data analysis of the frequency and
context of NOFORN use versus other dissemination control
markings;
(3) an explanation of factors contributing to the use of
NOFORN designations, including potential institutional,
regulatory, or cultural drivers inconsistent with congressional
intent to reduce reliance on NOFORN;
(4) recommendations to reduce possible overuse of NOFORN
markings and facilitate timely reevaluation and potential
redesignation of existing NOFORN material; and
(5) anything else the Secretary determines to be relevant.
The committee further directs that the briefing include
written documentation supporting the Department's analysis. A
classified annex may be provided, if necessary.
Small Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Models for Intelligence
Analysis
The committee recognizes the strategic advantages of
foundational artificial intelligence (AI) models in enabling
the Department of Defense to execute their missions with
greater speed, efficiency, and security. Multimodal AI models
possess the ability to dynamically process, fuse, and analyze
diverse data modalities, delivering actionable insights in real
time while operating within secure government environments to
prevent data leakage and unauthorized access. The committee
commends U.S. Special Operations Command for its leadership in
adopting innovative commercial AI solutions, particularly its
use of agentive and multimodal AI models tailored to mission-
specific needs. The committee encourages the Department to look
at the adoption of these models across all combatant commands,
which could significantly enhance analytical efficiency and
operational decision-making across the force.
Status Update on the Codification of the Senior Intelligence Oversight
Official
The committee continues to recognize the importance of
consistent, independent oversight of Department of Defense
intelligence, counterintelligence, and intelligence-related
activities, which ultimately enables the Department to continue
to engage in and, importantly, succeed in executing these
activities. Section 921 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159) codified the role
of the Senior Intelligence Oversight Official, who is charged
with conducting such independent oversight, and directed the
Secretary of Defense to review and update Department of Defense
Directive 5148.13 accordingly.
Additionally, the committee notes that holistic,
independent oversight of the Department's intelligence,
intelligence-related, and sensitive activities protects and
enables our servicemembers while also fostering a culture of
accountability and high standards. It is imperative that the
Department is able to conduct such oversight without silos to
ensure these activities are carried out in a manner that is
consistent with policy and law. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to brief the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than December 1, 2025, on the
Department's progress towards executing the requirements laid
out in Section 921 of Public Law 118-159, as well as the
efforts to establish robust, coordinated oversight of these
activities.
Nuclear Forces
Air Force Ballistic Missile and Reentry Test Activities
The committee continues to support the inclusion of a wide
range of commercial space capabilities to support critical
Department of Defense needs, and notes the reentry flight test
bed program to support strategic system component development
established pursuant to section 1645 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31).
The committee believes further opportunities exist to
leverage commercial space capabilities to meet the Department's
development and testing needs in a cost-effective manner, and
notes the Department of the Air Force's projected investment in
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capabilities,
including reentry systems, including technology maturation,
risk reduction, advanced component development, and prototyping
to validate new strategic technologies and upgrades. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later
than March 1, 2026, on Department of Air Force plans to
integrate commercial space solutions to support the advancement
of a range of technologies under development by the Air Force
ICBM programs. The report should include:
(1) a summary of activities carried out in connection with
the authority provided in section 1645 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024;
(2) a description of the Department of the Air Force ICBM
component and sub-scale test needs within the next five years;
(3) commercial space capabilities available to support ICBM
component and sup-scale test needs; and
(4) recommended funding levels necessary to fulfill the
test needs identified in element (1).
Report on Escalation Dynamics Involving Artificial Intelligence in
Nuclear Operations
The committee is aware of the Department of Defense's
growing interest in the adoption of artificial intelligence
(AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. While such
technologies may enhance functional capabilities, the committee
recognizes potential risks must also be examined, particularly
when it comes to the integration of AI and ML technologies into
strategic missions, such as nuclear operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 31, 2025 on the Department's approach
to integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning
systems into nuclear command and control operations. The report
shall include:
(1) a description of efforts across nuclear command,
control and communications programs to integrate AI and ML,
including the ingestion and fusing of sensing data;
(2) an assessment of the potential impacts of artificial
intelligence-enabled systems on decision timelines, situational
awareness, and crisis stability, including potential de-
escalation pathways during a crisis; and
(3) identification of potential mitigation measures,
safeguards, and operational control protocols to reduce
escalation risks associated with artificial intelligence
integration.
The report shall be unclassified and may include a
classified annex if necessary.
Report on Quantity, Condition, and Reuse Options for Reserve Plutonium
Pits
The committee is aware that the National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA) maintains a significant inventory of
legacy plutonium pits, which may have potential for reuse or
refurbishment in support of national defense needs. The
committee believes that a thorough assessment of these pits
would help inform committee decision-making.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Administrator for Nuclear Security, to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2026, on the quantity, condition, and suitability
for reuse of all reserve plutonium pits. The report should
include:
(1) an inventory and assessment of all reserve plutonium
pits, disaggregated by type, age, physical condition, and any
known degradation or safety concerns;
(2) an analysis of the technical feasibility, risks, and
timelines for recycling or refurbishing legacy pits for use in
modern warhead designs;
(3) a discussion of costs for and potential challenges
associated with the reuse, recycling, or refurbishment of
existing pits; and
(4) an assessment of the potential impacts on nuclear
stockpile reliability, safety, and certification associated
with pit reuse.
The report shall be unclassified and may include a
classified annex if necessary.
Missile Defense Programs
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Generative Artificial Intelligence
Mission Planner
The committee notes that recent U.S. operations in the Red
Sea highlight the urgent need for a Combined Joint All-Domain
Command and Control capability across the joint force.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integrated Air and
Missile Defense (IAMD) Force-Level Mission Planners that can be
remotely deployed to multiple units would maximize lethality,
as mission planning must account for the entire force, rather
than individual units.
Additionally, the U.S. Navy requires AI-driven tactical
mission planners connected to Maritime Operations Centers (MOC)
to enable the Chief of Naval Operations' 2024 Navigation Plan
directive to ``Fight From the MOC.'' This need is amplified as
the fleet integrates next-generation sensors like AN/SPY-6.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the Missile
Defense Agency, in coordination with the Navy Program Executive
Officer for Integrated Weapons Systems, to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
February 1, 2026, on a program to develop and deploy generative
AI mission planning capabilities to IAMD Aegis BMD ships. The
briefing should include a notional program schedule, and costs
to develop and deploy such a capability.
Aerial Target Requirements for Integrated Air and Missile Defense
Testing
The committee recognizes the critical role of aerial
defense systems in protecting U.S. forces and key installations
against a broad spectrum of aerial threats, including
hypersonic weapons, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles,
rockets, artillery, and unmanned aerial systems. As the
Department of Defense continues to develop and integrate
integrated air and missile defense technologies, the committee
emphasizes the necessity of robust testing and evaluation to
ensure effectiveness against evolving and increasingly
sophisticated threats.
To ensure a rigorous and repeatable test environment, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation and the
Missile Defense Agency, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 28, 2026,
on the Department's plan for utilizing aerial targets in
defense system testing. The briefing shall include:
(1) an assessment of current and future aerial target
requirements to replicate threats emerging defense systems are
expected to counter;
(2) a plan for integrating aerial target testing into
evaluation efforts, including joint service and allied
interoperability assessments; and
(3) budgetary considerations for the procurement and
sustainment of aerial targets in support of integrated air and
missile defense programs of record.
Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System for Guam
The committee continues to support efforts to improve the
defense of Guam against the full spectrum of advanced missile
threats and notes the Department's progress toward finalizing
the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Enhanced
Integrated Air and Missile Defense (EIAMD) System on Guam.
In order to better understand the EIAMD's impact on Guam's
utilities and infrastructure, the committee directs the
Director of the Missile Defense Agency to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than April 1,
2026, describing such impacts, including impacts to electrical
power, water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management
systems. The briefing shall also include a description of
required infrastructure improvements, to include an assessment
of adequate housing on Guam for the increased military and
civilian presence on the land once the system if fully
deployed, as well as the development and consideration of
alternatives in the EIS process.
Additionally, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than April 30, 2026, assessing the
feasibility and advisability of establishing an Economic
Adjustment Committee for Guam.
Golden Dome Cybersecurity
The committee recognizes that without comprehensive
cybersecurity integration from the outset, the next-generation
air and missile defense architecture being developed pursuant
to Executive Order 14186 and referred to as Golden Dome could
be susceptible to cyber intrusions, leading to potential
disruptions, data breaches, or compromised operational
integrity. To enhance mission assurance, cybersecurity must be
integrated at every level of the design, development, and
deployment of the weapon system. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2026, identifying
cybersecurity requirements for the Golden Dome effort. The
report shall also include an analysis of the suitability of
commercial off-the-shelf solutions to meet such requirements.
Guam Defense System
The committee is aware of recommendations of the Government
Accountability Office report ``DOD Faces Support Challenges for
Defense of Guam.'' Accordingly, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Armed
Services Committee not later than March 1, 2026, on the Guam
Defense System (GDS) that includes:
(1) a strategy for the transfer of responsibilities for
operating and sustaining GDS elements to each lead
organization;
(2) a plan to with respect to the Army's representation and
organization as a supported command within Joint Region
Marianas; and
(3) a description of the personnel requirements needed to
operate and sustain GDS.
Hypersonic Defense
The committee remains concerned about the growth of
adversary offensive hypersonic systems and the development
schedule for U.S. capabilities to defend against such threats.
The committee notes that the budget request included $200.6
million for the Missile Defense Agency's Hypersonic Defense
program, and Congress has provided significant additional
resources to accelerate the development of hypersonic defense
systems. Therefore, the committee directs the Director of the
Missile Defense Agency to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than April 1, 2026, on
possible options to accelerate the delivery of hypersonic
defense capabilities. The briefing shall include the following:
(1) an updated assessment of options for accelerating the
Glide Phase Interceptor program based current resources;
(2) an assessment of the feasibility of utilizing a spiral
development approach that incrementally delivers capability to
accelerate schedule; and
(3) an assessment of the feasibility of developing an
interim hypersonic defense capability prior to the Initial
Operational Capability planned for the Glide Phase Interceptor
program.
Hypersonic Munitions and Aerial Target Systems
The committee is concerned by the speed at which
adversaries are demonstrating advanced hypersonic weapons and
maneuverable high-speed munitions systems. The committee
believes that high-speed, affordable propulsion solutions could
result in operationalizing hypersonics to more quickly meet
combatant commander requirements.
In parallel, the committee believes focus on high fidelity
hypersonic and supersonic aerial target systems would support
the testing, validation, and fielding of interceptor systems,
radar architectures, and integrated missile defense networks.
As such, the committee encourages the Department of Defense to
prioritize investment in next-generation aerial targets that
can accurately emulate adversary hypersonic and cruise missile
systems. Moreover, the committee encourages the Department to
increase support, where appropriate, for the maturation and
production scaling of propulsion technologies that can enable
affordable, tactically relevant hypersonic flight at mass.
Therefore, the committee directs the Undersecretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the
Director of the Missile Defense Agency and the Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and
Technology, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research,
Development and Acquisition, and the Assistant Secretary of the
Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, to provide
a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than January 1, 2026, on scalable hypersonic munitions and
aerial target systems. The report shall include a description
of the following:
(1) current and planned efforts to accelerate scalable,
cost-effective propulsion solutions for future offensive and
defensive hypersonic applications; and
(2) a cost-benefit analysis of using hypersonic propulsion
systems that are produced primarily through additive
manufacturing compared to traditional manufacturing at scale.
Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor
The committee understand the Army plans to fully modernize
Patriot battalions through the annual procurement of Low Tier
Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radars. Given the long-
term nature of this plan, the committee directs the Secretary
of the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than April 1, 2026, on the feasibility
of entering into a multiyear contract for procurement of the
LTADMS. The briefing should include the following:
(1) an estimated timeline for equipping all Patriot
battalions with LTAMDS under the current program of record;
(2) an analysis of at least two different multi-year
contract options that vary in either duration or quantity, at
least one of which assumes an average procurement of three
battalions of radars per year;
(3) an assessment of potential cost and schedule savings
that could be achieved through a multiyear procurement
approach;
(4) an assessment of potential impacts to the industrial
base that could be achieved through a multiyear procurement
approach; and
(5) any other matters the Secretary of the Army considers
appropriate.
Other Matters
Arms Control Resources
The committee notes that despite the benefits of existing
arms control agreements in historically reducing the number of
strategic nuclear weapons of the U.S. and Russia, Russia's
continued failure to comply with arms control,
nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements is destabilizing.
The committee further observes the need to gain better
understanding of the efforts undertaken by the Department of
Defense to meet U.S. commitments for current arms control
agreements. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services, not later than March 1, 2026, identifying Department
of Defense resources surrounding existing arms control,
nonproliferation and disarmament agreements. For each
agreement, the report shall include the following:
(1) how such agreement has reduced requirements for the
Services in the inventory of weapons;
(2) a summary of implementation activities, including such
ancillary activities as inspection preparedness training and
planning, carried out during fiscal year 2025;
(3) the number of personnel within the Department of
Defense supporting implementation activities, to include
government employees and contract support personnel;
(4) an identification of the resources expended on
implementation activities; and
(5) any other relevant recommendations for streamlining or
increasing the efficiency, as appropriate, of implementation-
related activities.
Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction
The committee notes that weapons of mass destruction can be
triggered by a variety of wireless technologies, both
traditional and emerging. The committee also recognizes that
the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is currently
performing counter-weapons of mass destruction (CWMD)
activities designed to counter these evolving threats from all
ranges of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The committee
believes that the Department should explore and validate the
use of Artificial Intelligence-enabled RF spectrum sensing
approaches to meet the requirement for quick reaction against
unknown signal threats. Therefore, the committee directs the
Director of DTRA to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than December 31, 2025, on efforts
to validate this mission requirement and to develop and field
the technology to assist units performing CWMD missions counter
this evolving threat.
Assessment of Hypersonic Materials Manufacturing and Industrial Base
Resilience
The committee supports the Department of Defense's ongoing
efforts to mature and expand the U.S. hypersonic industrial
base, which is critical to enabling current and future
hypersonic and reentry technology and capability development
and production necessary to meet the National Defense Strategy.
To ensure readiness and resilience in the face of evolving
threats, the committee emphasizes the need for a comprehensive
evaluation of the industrial base supporting hypersonic weapons
and strategic-system reentry vehicle production. The committee
recognizes the critical role of the hypersonic weapons
industrial base in national security. Advanced materials,
particularly high-temperature Thermal Protection System (TPS)
materials like Carbon/Carbon composites are essential for
hypersonic and reentry systems. However, manufacturing
bottlenecks, including slow material densification processes,
limit production capacity and scalability. To address these
challenges, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Armed Services Committee no
later than March 31, 2026, assessing the state of the
hypersonic and strategic-systems reentry vehicle industrial
base. The briefing shall include:
(1) an evaluation of current Carbon/Carbon composite
densification capabilities and constraints;
(2) an analysis of alternative densification processes,
including those processes currently being explored by the
industrial base, that could dramatically speed production and
provide cost efficiencies;
(3) a review of industrial bottlenecks in fabrication,
machining, and assembly, with recommendations to enhance
scalability;
(4) an evaluation of material durability under extreme
conditions;
(5) recommendations for targeted investments to strengthen
production capacity, workforce, and infrastructure; and
(6) strategies to optimize production rates, reduce costs,
and decrease reliance on foreign supply chains.
Availability of Rayon-based Materials
The committee recognizes the critical role that ablative
materials play in the performance and reliability of defense
systems, including solid rocket motors, reentry vehicles, and
other high-temperature applications. However, the Department of
Defense remains reliant on rayon-based materials, which face
supply chain vulnerabilities, increasing costs, and limitations
in performance relative to modern material science
advancements. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by April 1, 2026, on the feasibility of replacing
rayon-based materials in ablative systems with an improved
alternative. The briefing shall include an assessment of viable
alternatives, a proposed timeline for integration into existing
and future systems, and any legislative or funding
recommendations necessary to support the transition.
Biothreat Detection Systems for U.S. Military Installations
The Committee supports improving the Department's capacity
to rapidly detect biological and chemical aerosol agents on
military bases and installations given potential increasing
threats of use of these agents on U.S., partners or allies
during a conflict. Optimizing this capability with advanced
technology can more rapidly and efficiently detect potential
chemical and biological attacks that would otherwise impact
U.S. military bases and operations and expose our warfighters
to significant risk.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Armed Services Committee not
later than December 1, 2025 on the requirements for procuring
and deploying advanced sensors that rapidly detect potential
threats. The briefing should include the following information:
(1) whether there exists a requirement for rapid concurrent
biological and chemical threat detection capabilities;
(2) whether the Department's existing technologies include
concurrent detection capabilities for both chemical and
biological agents;
(3) whether commercially-available technologies that
concurrently and rapidly detect both biological and chemical
agents could be utilized to protect military bases;
(4) the benefits of a sensor and autonomous detection that
can rapidly detect a comprehensive range of both biological and
chemical agents;
(5) a recommendation if fielding a comprehensive
biochemical threat detection capability is required; and
(6) if required, the number of sensors required to deploy,
costs of procuring, deploying and maintaining the sensors, and
length of time to procure and deploy the appropriate number of
sensors.
Broad Spectrum Indirect Antiviral Research
The committee continues to support the Department's
approach outlined in the Biodefense Posture Review in 2023 to
focus on capabilities to contend with any biological threat
encountered, either known or novel. This new approach consists
of a first line of defense consisting of broad-spectrum medical
countermeasures, to render the inventory of protective
capabilities effective against a wide range of threats. One
such technology being explored by the Department is a broad-
spectrum indirect antiviral, which utilizes a novel biochemical
approach based on recent discoveries in the field of Bio-
orthogonal Chemistry. This technology offers the potential of
an antiviral that can defend against entire families of viruses
with both minimal side effects and a very low risk of inducing
immunity in the targeted pathogens. The committee supports this
emphasis on broad spectrum countermeasures and urges the
Department to continue research and development of broad-
spectrum indirect antivirals.
Counter-Hypersonic Interceptor Propulsion
The committee recognizes the Department of Defense's
ongoing efforts to counter hypersonic missile threats and the
critical need to accelerate advanced interceptor propulsion
technology to stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to brief the
House Committee on Armed Services no later than February 1,
2026, on the Department's strategy to advance next-generation
hypersonic interceptor propulsion and expand the missile
propulsion industrial base, including:
(1) an assessment of current development timelines and
capability gaps in hypersonic interceptor propulsion systems;
(2) a plan to prioritize investment in next-generation
propulsion technologies that enable faster and more cost-
effective defeat of hypersonic threats;
(3) a strategy to expand and diversify the domestic missile
propulsion industrial base, ensuring resilient and redundant
production capacity; and
(4) metrics and milestones to measure progress in
propulsion innovation and industrial base growth.
Critical Technical Upgrade to Cellular Geo Location Capability
The committee recognizes the challenges of updating
capabilities to ensure relevance and avoid operating with
outdated and technically obsolete capabilities. Additionally,
the committee is aware of the persistent risks legacy systems
pose to the operational security and freedom of movement of
U.S. forces in overseas locations. Of particular concern is the
reliance of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
and U.S. Intelligence agencies on outdated technologies to
rapidly collect and correlate the physical locations of high-
value targets for intelligence collection and mission-critical
actions. The continued use of these capabilities places
warfighters at unnecessary risk and limits operational
effectiveness. Therefore, the committee encourages USSOCOM to
modernize these capabilities and to accelerate the development
and deployment of Non-Traditional Cellular Geolocation
technologies to ensure these technologies are fielded in
sufficient quantities to enhance warfighter safety, improve
agility in combat intelligence gathering, and enable the timely
dissemination of actionable intelligence to operational
commanders.
Digital Signature Management
The committee recognizes that adversaries are increasingly
exploiting the commercial digital surveillance economy as a
low-cost, low-risk method of targeting U.S. forces as well as
vulnerabilities that the ever-changing ubiquitous technical
surveillance (UTS) environment create. By reducing U.S. forces
digital signature exposure and adversary tracking, digital
force protection strengthens overall force protection,
operational security, and strategic deception efforts across
all domains of warfare. Effective digital force protection
imposes costs on adversaries by complicating their ability to
detect, track, or exploit U.S. personnel and assets through
commercial data aggregation and other intelligence tools, as
well as increase protection of U.S. personnel. The committee is
concerned that special operations forces (SOF) with their
global remit, inherent multi-domain focus, and as the deep
sensor for the conventional force are especially vulnerable to
adversarial exploitation of the commercial digital surveillance
economy and UTS vulnerabilities. Therefore, the committee
directs the Commander, United States Special Operations Command
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, that identifies existing
vulnerabilities to SOF operators, any targeted UTS mitigation
training conducted by the command, and whether there are
commercially available secure communication and obfuscation
technologies to protect personnel and support overall mission
effectiveness.
Personal Protective Equipment Technology for Biological Threats
The committee is aware that there are ongoing efforts to
develop personal protective equipment (PPE) that meet emerging
and existing biological threats to the military and civilian
population. As adversary countries along with non-state actors,
continue to develop biological pathogens and biological
weapons, the Department of Defense must continue prioritizing
biological defense measures, including therapeutics, PPE, and
other countermeasures.
The committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to
submit to the House Armed Services Committee no later than
January 31, 2026, a briefing on the following:
(1) the inventory of next-generation PPE technology
possessed by, or in development with, the Department of
Defense, that can provide better protection for military
personnel from biological pathogens than existing commercially
available technologies; and
(2) existing plans (ongoing or proposed) to notify the
Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
(ARPA-H) and the Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research
and Development Authority (BARDA) to identify which
technologies may be transferred for civilian use.
Prophylactic Medical Countermeasures for Radiation Exposure
The committee commends the Department of Defense's efforts
to develop prophylactic medical countermeasures through the
Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, and Nuclear Defense to protect against acute
radiation syndrome for the Armed Forces. The committee also
commends the Department on its recent publication of the 2024
Chemical and Biological Defense Program Enterprise Strategy
that prioritizes the delivery of defensive capabilities to the
Department as well as better integration with industry,
interagency, academia, and our partner and allies. The
committee notes the increase in potential use of chemical,
radiological and nuclear weapons over the past decade by our
adversaries and is concerned the Department has not made enough
progress to ensure the protection of the Armed Forces.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2025, on the Department's long-term
strategy to ensure the availability of a prophylactic medical
countermeasure for radiation exposure for the Armed Forces and
civilian personnel in areas of threat around the world.
Utilization of Commercial Reusable Hypersonic Test Beds as a Service
The committee is concerned that the United States continues
to lag significantly behind the hypersonic testing and training
cadence of competitor nations, which threatens the U.S.
strategic and technological advantage in hypersonic defense
capabilities and force proficiency and readiness against
hypersonic threats. One significant challenge is the use of
high-cost attritable test articles for use in non-intercept
testing such as detection, tracking and targeting. The
committee notes that the utilization of reusable commercial
options would provide cost savings and support an increase in
much-needed testing and training cadence.
The committee supports utilizing commercial and reusable
hypersonic test beds for the purposes of targeting, tracking,
and training, as a service and ensure industry-owned test
articles are representative of emerging threats and in use for
increased hypersonic-defense flight testing. The committee
directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering, in consultation with the Director of the Missile
Defense Agency, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on the benefits
of commercial and reusable hypersonic test beds and how they
plan to collaborate with industry to take advantage of these
test articles. The briefing should include proposed costs to
implement such approach.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Space Activities
Section 1601--Acquisition Career Path in the Space Force
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to ensure that 40 percent of each initial Space Force officer
training course class is given assignments with both
acquisition and operations experience. This section would also
require the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure that either
the commander or deputy commander of each integrated mission
delta of the Space Force is an acquisition officer. This
section would also set additional requirements for the Program
Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space. This section
would also require the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure
that the initial Space Force officer training course for
officers of the Space Force provides approximately equal
training in operations, intelligence, cyber, and acquisition
matters. Finally, this section would set additional
requirements for the promotion to brigadier general.
The committee understands that the Space Force, as the
smallest and newest service, is still developing many of its
training and organizational constructs, while at the same time
creating and building the warfighting doctrine for space. The
committee remains concerned that some of the changes are being
made at the expense of building and growing acquisition
officers. Because of its size and the unique technical nature
of the space mission, the committee believes that the ideal
Space Force officer is one who has both operational and
acquisition experience. The Assured Access to Space enterprise
as it existed in January 2025 was a great example of operations
and acquisition working together in one organization. This
organization provided both the joint force and the launch
service providers with one general officer who was the point of
contact for all launch issues. The committee believes that
Assured Access to Space enterprise should continue to be
prioritized within the Space Force when it comes to general
officer billets since it is responsible for almost all the
nation's military and economic access to space with payloads
valued in the billions of dollars and trillions of dollars of
U.S. economic impact.
Section 1602--Advance Payments for Commercial Satellite Communication
Services
This section would allow advance payments to be made for
commercial satellite communication services.
Section 1603--Noise Mitigation Regarding Space Launches
This section would amend Section 2276a(c)(1) of title 10,
United States Code, to include in the definition of space
launch activities the study and mitigation of noise caused by
space launches.
Section 1604--Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking
Program
This section would require the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff to establish a requirement for a tactical
surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking program to provide
capabilities to the commanders of the combatant commands. This
section would also require the Secretary of the Air Force to
establish the tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and
tracking program as a program of record.
Section 1605--Reports on Spaceport of the Future Initiative
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force,
in coordination with the Chief of Space Operations and the
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and
Integration, to submit an annual report to the congressional
defense committees on the status of efforts being executed
under the Spaceport of the Future initiative.
Section 1606--Use of Middle Tier Acquisition Program for Proliferated
Warfighter Space Architecture of Space Development Agency
This section would amend Section 1608(a) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 to extend the
use of middle tier acquisition authority for tranches four,
five, and six of the Space Development Agency.
Subtitle B--Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-Related Activities
Section 1611--Clandestine Activities Vendor Database
The section would amend chapter 21 of title 10, United
States Code to require the Department of Defense to establish,
maintain, and continuously update a database for vendors
supporting clandestine activities to facilitate deconfliction
and risk assessment. The provision requires the Department to
provide a report and briefing on the plan to the covered
committees 90 days after enactment, a briefing 270 days after
enactment on progress, and a written certification to the
covered committees not later than 1 year after enactment that
the requirements have been implemented.
Section 1612--Modification of Authority of Army Counterintelligence
Agents To Execute Warrants and Make Arrests
This section would amend section 7377(b)(2) of title 10,
United States Code, by striking the 4-year period, thereby
making the underlying authority for certain special agents of
the Army Counterintelligence Command to execute warrants and
make arrests permanent.
Section 1613--Modifications to and Codification of the Department of
Defense Insider Threat Program
This section would amend section 131 of title 10, United
States Code, by inserting a new section 2225 to codify the
Department of Defense Insider Threat Program and modify such
program to include all networks and enclaves used by civilian
Department of Defense personnel, privileged users, members of
the Armed Forces, and Department of Defense contractors who
have access to classified, controlled unclassified, or
personally identifiable information in furtherance of their
work on behalf of the Department of Defense. This section would
require the Department of Defense to ensure this program
achieves initial operating capability by October 1, 2027, and
full operating capability by October 1, 2028. Finally, this
section would require the Secretary of Defense to submit a plan
for implementing such section, including the resources required
and legal or technical concerns that may need to be addressed,
among other requirements.
Section 1614--Facility Clearance Acceleration for Members of Defense
Industrial Consortiums
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
ensure that each entity that is a member of the consortium
established by section 1842 of this Act or a member of the
Defense Industrial Base Consortium with which the Department of
Defense has entered an other transaction authority agreement is
sponsored for a facility clearance, provided access to
classified work areas and networks where the member can perform
classified work, and is invited in person to meetings with
relevant Department of Defense personnel to discuss classified
information.
Section 1615--Requirement To Authorize Additional Security Clearances
for Certain Contractors
This section would facilitate the expeditious review of
clearance applications.
Subtitle C--Nuclear Forces
Section 1621--Establishment of Air Force Global Strike Command
This section would codify roles and responsibilities
related to Air Force Global Strike Command.
Section 1622--Matters Relating to the Nuclear-Armed,
Sea-Launched Cruise Missile
This section would make certain technical changes related
to the nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile program.
Section 1623--Prohibition on Reduction of Intercontinental Ballistic
Missiles of the United States
This section would prohibit the use of funds authorized for
fiscal year 2026 from being used to reduce the number of
intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of the United
States below 400, or reduce the alert level of the ICBM force.
Section 1624--Strategy To Sustain Minuteman III Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile and Maximize End-of-Life Margin
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to annually submit to the congressional defense committees a
strategy on the sustainment of the LGM-30G Minuteman III
intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capability and
associated supporting systems. Additionally, the section would
require the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment to assess the strategy and provide the
congressional defense committees with an annual report on its
sufficiency.
Section 1625--Report on Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear
Deterrence, Chemical, and Biological Defense Policy and Programs
This section would require a report, not later than 60 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, with respect to
the implementation of section 1621 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159).
Section 1626--Improvements to Certain Department of Defense
Indemnification Procedures To Enable Procurement of Commercial Advanced
Nuclear Technologies
This section would require that the review of a request by
a contractor for indemnification against nuclear and unusually
hazardous risks include input from the Defense Contract
Management Agency and be completed with a final decision within
90 days from submission by the contractor.
Section 1627--Review of the Occupational Health and Safety Conditions
of Operational Facilities Associated With the LGM-30G Minuteman III
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System
This section would require the Assistant Secretary of
Defense of Health Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement
with the National Academy Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
to review the occupational health and safety of operational
facilities associated with the LGM-30G Minuteman III
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System.
Subtitle D--Missile Defense Programs
Section 1641--Modification to National Missile Defense Policy To
Reflect Golden Dome for America Policy
This section would update the U.S. national missile defense
policy.
Section 1642--Golden Dome for America
This section would require annual reports and consolidated
budget exhibits for activities related to the next generation
missile defense architecture.
Section 1643--Prohibition Privatized or Subscription-based Missile
Defense Intercept Capabilities
This section would amend chapter 551 of title 10, United
States Code, to prohibit the development, deployment, testing
or operation of privately-owned or subscription-based missile
defense intercept capabilities, and establish kinetic missile
defense activities as an inherently governmental function.
Subtitle E--Other Matters
Section 1651--Cooperative Threat Reduction Funds
This section would allocate specific funding amounts for
each program under the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat
Reduction (CTR) Program from the overall $282.8 million that
the committee would authorize for the CTR Program. The
allocation under this section reflects the amount of the budget
request for fiscal year 2026.
This section would also specify that funds authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Defense for the CTR Program,
established under the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat
Reduction Act (50 U.S.C. 3711), would be available for
obligation for fiscal years 2026-2028.
TITLE XVII--OTHER DEFENSE MATTERS
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations
Section 1701--Copyright to a Literary Work Produced by a Civilian
Faculty Member of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
in the Course of Such Employment: Free Use by the Federal Government
This section would add copyright protection for certain
literary works at the Uniformed Services University of Health
Sciences.
Section 1702--Combatting Illicit Tobacco Products
This section would establish a process for approving the
sale of certain Electronic Nicotine Delivery System products or
oral nicotine products at military commissaries and exchanges.
Subtitle B--Other Matters
Section 1721--Technical and Conforming Amendments
This section would make technical and conforming amendments
to existing law.
Section 1722--Transfer or Possession of Defense Items for National
Defense Purposes
This section would amend section 922 of title 18, United
States Code, to authorize the controlled transfer of defense
articles for government end users to, from, and between
appropriately licensed government contractors for national
security purposes.
Section 1723--Evaluation of Risks Posed by Communications Equipment and
Services Produced by Foreign Adversary Entities
This section would amend section 1709 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-
159) to require an appropriate national security agency, not
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to determine if certain communications equipment or
services, including software, pose an unacceptable risk to the
national security of the United States or the security and
safety of United States persons. If the appropriate national
security agency fails to make such a determination, the
provision would require such communications equipment or
services to be added to the list of covered communications
equipment or services published by the Federal Communications
Commission under section 2(a) of the Secure and Trusted
Communications Networks Act (section 1601(a) of title 47,
United States Code).
TITLE XVIII--STREAMLINING PROCUREMENT FOR EFFECTIVE EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Addressing Barriers To Accelerating Integration of
Software-Defined Hardware Platforms
The committee supports efforts by the Department of Defense
to integrate software vendors into increasingly important
contracting roles, especially as weapon systems and platforms
become software-defined and require next-generation
capabilities, such as autonomous navigation, that are often
provided by nontraditional contractors. To advance these
efforts, section 3602 of title 10, United States Code, provides
middle-tier acquisition authority for rapid prototyping and
rapid fielding of both software and hardware for certain
programs and projects. Despite this authority, the committee is
concerned that there may be additional barriers hindering the
integration of software-defined hardware platforms with
autonomous capabilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2025, as an update to the report
required by section 246 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81). The briefing
should include the following information:
(1) opportunities to utilize contracting authorities
provided by section 3602 to accelerate the integration of
autonomy-enabling software into programs and projects of the
Department; and
(2) an assessment of existing cultural, contracting, or
operational processes, or existing incentive structures, that
may create barriers to a software company serving as a prime
contractor for such programs.
Addressing the Backlog of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation
Supplement Cases
The committee is frustrated by the extensive backlog of
open Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
cases, many of which are necessary to implement laws enacted as
a result of actions by this committee. Of more than 50 open
cases, 39 implement provisions were enacted in prior National
Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA). Additionally, over 25
percent of those open cases have been pending for more than 5
years, including a case on contractor business system oversight
originating in the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328).
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to conduct a review of
the Department's rulemaking processes, to include:
(1) an examination of the DFARS case backlog from January
2015 to the present to determine trends in case processing
time, adherence to established schedules for closure of a case
in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 5000.35,
and primary impediments to timely closure of a case;
(2) a review of the role, responsibility, and effectiveness
of the Defense Acquisition Regulation Council in the rulemaking
process;
(3) a review of the sufficiency of staffing and resourcing
of the Office of Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition
Policy to support a timely and effective rulemaking process;
(4) a review of current Department of Defense directives,
instructions, and processes that are contributing to delays in
timely closure of DFARS cases; and
(5) a review of the DFARS cases based on statute to
determine the reason or reasons why those cases have not yet
been finalized.
The committee directs the Under Secretary to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 15, 2026, on the findings of the review, along with
the steps taken to address the DFARS case backlog and to ensure
that new cases will be handled in an expeditious manner.
Furthermore, the committee directs the Comptroller General
of the United States to submit a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than July 1, 2026, that provides an
assessment of the Under Secretary's findings, along with
recommendations to improve the Department's rulemaking process.
Department of Defense Arsenal Collaboration With Private Sector
Entities Engaged in Next-Generation Digital Manufacturing and Highly
Automated Precision Production
The committee notes that the factories and arsenals of the
Department of the Army have a long and distinguished history of
producing defense materiel and are vital components of the U.S.
defense industrial base (DIB). The committee notes that the
2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy acknowledged the
importance of strategically leveraging the organic industrial
base to maintain a competitive military advantage. However, the
committee is concerned that the planned workload for Army
arsenals may be insufficient to sustain cost efficiency and
technical proficiency during peacetime, or to preserve the
capacity for timely and effective responses to mobilizations or
national defense contingencies.
Accordingly, elsewhere in this Act, the committee includes
a provision directing the Secretary of Defense to establish a
Defense Industrial Resilience Consortium (IRC) to strengthen
the resilience, innovation, and competitiveness of the DIB. The
committee believes the IRC would be well-positioned to identify
and promote opportunities for the arsenals through enhanced
public-private partnerships, the expansion of advanced
manufacturing capabilities, and the continued development of
the workforce.
The committee is also aware that existing public-private
partnership authorities may not adequately support arsenal
collaboration with private sector entities at the forefront of
next-generation digital manufacturing and highly automated
precision production. The committee recommends that the
Secretary utilize the IRC as a forum for engaging with industry
and academia to develop these recommendations and related
incentive structures.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 2, 2026, on:
(1) steps taken by the Secretary to implement the
recommendations from the report resulting from section 326 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
(Public Law 114-328);
(2) recommendations for additional authorities or policy
changes necessary to foster advanced manufacturing public-
private partnerships with the organic industrial base; and
(3) steps taken by the Secretary to ensure Program
Executive Officers identify opportunities to leverage organic
industrial base capabilities and capacities to meet program
needs.
Economic Adjustments To Contracting Thresholds
The committee is recommending several major changes to the
defense acquisition system in this Act. The committee believes
these changes are necessary to align responsibility, authority,
and accountability in the acquisition workforce and to focus
the acquisition system on its primary purpose: to equip the
armed forces with the capabilities needed to operate
effectively, address evolving threats, and maintain the
military advantage of the United States in the most cost-
effective manner practicable. The committee recognizes that the
proposed changes will take time and effort to implement. The
committee also recognizes that the Department of Defense and
the defense industrial base must act with urgency to respond to
the growing challenges to our national security. Therefore,
elsewhere in this Act, the committee recommends a provision to
raise several statutory thresholds related to contracting
actions. Many of these thresholds were set in law several years
ago and have not been adjusted to account for economic factors
such as inflation. The committee believes that these changes
are an important step to immediately accelerate the
Department's contracting processes while the broader
acquisition reform effort proposed by the committee is being
implemented.
Implementation of Requirements for a Modular Open System Approach
The committee remains concerned by the slow and sporadic
progress in the implementation of requirements for a modular
open system approach (MOSA) in the design and development of
weapon systems by the Department of Defense. These requirements
(subchapter I of chapter 327 of title 10, United States Code)
were first codified in the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328) and subsequently
revised in an attempt to clarify and support implementation.
However, some revisions may have inadvertently reduced
flexibility due to rigid interpretations that have impeded
effective adoption. For example, implementation has been
hindered by the use of unnecessarily complex architectures and
by the misuse of MOSA authorities to demand government purpose
rights in commercial intellectual property where they are not
appropriate.
Accordingly, the committee recommends a provision elsewhere
in this Act that would amend chapter 327 to enable system-
specific strategies based on desired open system objectives,
rather than a fixed approach aimed at department-wide
consistency in implementation. The proposed changes would
establish a foundational framework without prescribing specific
methods or requiring the use of specific MOSA reference
frameworks and associated reference architectures. Despite not
specifying the use of specific reference frameworks or
architectures, the committee believes they are vital in guiding
development, fostering stakeholder alignment, ensuring
technical coherence, and validating solutions.
The committee believes that MOSA is most effective when it
balances technical goals, commercial standards, best practices,
and business realities. Early identification of system-specific
MOSA objectives can help achieve this balance and define
desired openness. Consulting with industry early in the
architecture development process and communicating MOSA
objectives in solicitations allows industry to align technical
solutions with viable business strategies.
Joint Acceleration Reserve Implementation Plan
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer to develop and implement
a plan for establishing and executing a Joint Acceleration
Reserve (JAR) to support rapid funding of joint or cross-
service warfighting capabilities aligned with combatant command
priorities. The plan shall include:
(1) a process to identify and reserve a portion of the
discretionary budget to serve as the JAR during internal
deliberations and development of the budget request for a
fiscal year;
(2) a process to allocate JAR funds to a service or agency
to fund a proven joint or cross-service capability, as
demonstrated through relevant experimentation or prototyping
programs;
(3) a description of how funds allocated from the JAR at
the culmination of the Department's budget deliberations will
be identified in the budget documents of the receiving service
or agency;
(4) procedures for the expeditious release of JAR funds
once appropriated;
(5) procedures to assess the operational utility of the
funded capability and to track that capability's transition
into a service program of record; and
(6) identification of any statutory or regulatory changes
deemed necessary by the Department to successfully implement
the JAR concept.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees detailing the plan and any
associated recommendations not later than December 1, 2025.
Leveraging Lessons Learned To Strengthen the U.S. Industrial Base
The committee recognizes that the United States must
modernize the defense industrial base (DIB) and acquisition
system to meet today's military demands and prepare for future
conflicts. Ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have
exposed the consequences of decades of DIB erosion,
underscoring that most supply chains rely on at least one long-
lead component or material, and that the current DIB is unable
to rapidly scale in a crisis.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on the lessons learned from recent
conflicts regarding what is needed to strengthen the U.S. DIB
and acquisition system to ensure the United States has the
surge capacity required in a time of crisis. The report should
include the following information:
(1) a description of acquisition strategies or policies of
the United States, or any observed acquisition policies of U.S.
allies and partners, that impeded the accelerated delivery of
capabilities;
(2) lessons learned from recent conflicts in approaches to
developing, funding, and fielding new technology at scale and
speed;
(3) lessons learned from recent conflicts in Europe and the
Middle East regarding the need to reform the acquisition system
and regenerate the DIB that can be applied to efforts to
increase deterrence in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's area of
responsibility;
(4) recommendations to revise U.S. acquisition policies to
ensure the DIB has a much-needed surge capacity, including
streamlining waivers and providing exceptions to sourcing
restrictions and compliance requirements in a manner that
balances oversight with accelerated delivery timelines;
(5) recommendations for necessary investments or
contractual relationships to ensure the U.S. DIB can increase
production capacity of critical munitions and systems as needed
in a crisis; and
(6) any other recommendations the Secretary may have to
strengthen the U.S. DIB, and improve all aspects of the
acquisition system based on lessons learned from recent
conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
In developing recommendations, the Secretary shall consult
with a wide variety of government entities or organizations,
including, but not limited to:
(1) the Director of the Office of Commercial and Economic
Assessment of the Air Force;
(2) the Director of the Office of Expanded Competition;
(3) the Director of the Office of Strategic Capital;
(4) the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit;
(5) the Director of the Strategic Capabilities Office;
(6) the Director of the Joint Warfighting Analysis Center;
(7) the Principal Director of the Office of Global Economic
and Investment Security in the Office of the Secretary of
Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment);
(8) the Chief of Naval Research;
(9) the Director of the Army Research Office;
(10) the Ukraine Defense Contract Group;
(11) the Commander, U.S. European Command;
(12) the Commander, Security Assistance Group--Ukraine; and
(13) the Comptroller General of the United States.
Maritime Industrial Base Program
The committee is aware that in September 2024, the
Secretary of the Navy established a Maritime Industrial Base
(MIB) Program charged with strengthening America's maritime
manufacturing capabilities by managing and executing industrial
base investments across six lines of efforts: supplier
development, workforce development, advanced manufacturing
technology, strategic outsourcing, shipbuilder infrastructure,
and government oversight. The committee supports efforts by the
MIB to improve supply chain illumination and supply chain risk
management efforts by centralizing data, using AI-driven tools,
and improving real-time data sharing across organizations to
address vulnerabilities.
Elsewhere in this Act, the committee includes a provision,
which would establish a Defense Industrial Resilience
Consortium (IRC) which is intended to serve as a collaborative
forum for cutting-edge manufacturers, technology developers,
supply chain stakeholders, and research institutions to address
critical challenges related to parts obsolescence, diminishing
manufacturing and sources of supply, and single-source
dependencies within the defense industrial base. The committee
believes there will be many synergies between the MIB and IRC
and encourages the Direct Reporting Program Manager for the MIB
to actively participate in the IRC, leveraging and supporting
the IRC's activities as appropriate.
Maritime Industrial Base Supplier Working Capital Fund
The committee continues to evaluate and consider
opportunities to improve capacity and capability within the
Maritime Industrial Base (MIB). Second and third tier submarine
industrial base suppliers are challenged by several factors
including workforce availability, workforce experience,
material costs, and production schedule inconsistencies.
Congress provided Supplier Development Funding (SDF) to help
address these challenges. That program has demonstrated
positive results by increasing production capacity and
providing investment for machinery and equipment.
However, the committee is concerned that second and third
tier suppliers remain challenged by current economic
conditions. Options that address short-term capital
requirements can positively impact production of vital
components needed to meet the required cadence for Virginia
Class and Columbia Class Submarine production. The Committee
believes that the Department of the Navy and the Maritime
Industrial Base Office can utilize additional funding
mechanisms to better support second and third-tier industrial
base suppliers.
To better understand mechanisms available to support second
and third-tier industrial base suppliers, the committee directs
the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development
and Acquisition to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services no later than January 31, 2026. The briefing
should include the following:
(1) A strategy for targeting the working capital needs of
second and third-tier suppliers for the submarine industrial
base;
(2) A description of current project funding mechanisms as
well as any efforts to address short-term capital requirements
of second and third tier suppliers; and
(3) Information on engagement with the Office of Strategic
Capital and coordination with the Industrial Base Analysis and
Sustainment program within the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy.
Mission Engineering and Integration Activity
The committee is concerned that the requirements processes,
budget processes, and resource management of the Department of
Defense impede effective and integrated program management of
new and legacy systems across multiple domains. The committee
recognizes the importance of mission-level integration to
achieve truly joint capabilities in contested environments. The
committee is also concerned that the Department continues to
invest in attracting and prototyping innovative technologies,
yet few of these technologies are integrated into programs of
record that are developed and funded by the military
departments. Despite many efforts by Congress to address this
concern, the ``Valley of Death'' between the introduction of
technology and its integration into a program of record remains
a persistent and prevalent threat to businesses attempting to
work with the Department.
Therefore, elsewhere in this Act, the committee includes a
provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a Mission Engineering and Integration Activity (MEIA)
to lead cross-service technical and operational activities to
develop, identify, and analyze integrated technology solutions
to joint operational problems. The committee intends that this
activity focus on rapidly assembling and testing integrated
solutions to cross-service operational challenges while
bridging gaps among emerging prototypes, advanced technologies,
and existing programs.
The committee believes that the MEIA must incorporate four
critical elements: a direct link to combatant command
priorities, a flexible experimentation infrastructure for
testing integrated capabilities, a streamlined transition
mechanism to ensure successful prototypes receive stable multi-
year funding, and close coordination and alignment with program
executive offices that will ultimately field and sustain these
solutions. By pairing joint problem definition, human-centric
experimentation, and timely resource alignment, the committee
believes the MEIA can shift the Department from document-driven
processes to evidence-based decision-making that delivers
improved capability for the warfighter at the speed of
relevance. The committee also believes that the MEIA could
serve as a viable bridge across the Valley of Death for
emerging technology.
Need for Industrial Base Fund Reform
The committee recognizes the critical role that the Defense
Production Act, particularly titles I and III, plays in
addressing emerging challenges to the defense industrial base
(DIB). However, the committee is concerned that these decades-
old authorities and their associated processes are insufficient
to enable the current DIB to respond to rapidly emerging global
economic challenges.
To ensure that the Department of Defense can effectively
respond to modern industrial realities, the committee believes
that the Department's Industrial Base Fund (IBF), established
under section 4817 of title 10, United States Code, should be
strengthened and additional flexibilities provided. The
committee believes that reforming the IBF is essential to
enabling the Department to act swiftly in expanding key supply
chains, mitigating single points of failure, and addressing
critical national security shortfalls within the DIB. A
modernized IBF would enable the Department to prioritize the
most urgent needs and ensure those efforts are appropriately
resourced.
Removing Barriers and Complexity in Use of Other Transaction
Authorities
The committee is concerned that the statutory distinction
between ``traditional'' and ``nontraditional'' defense
contractors in the context of Other Transaction Authorities is
limiting competition, adding complexity to the system, and
impeding the adoption of technology within the Department of
Defense. Maintaining different compliance obligations or
mandatory cost-sharing thresholds based on a firm's
categorization hampers both mid-size businesses and purely
defense-focused ventures that fall between small business
designations and large prime contractors, and places an added
administrative burden on agreements officers.
The committee notes that companies of all types--be they
large integrators, commercial technology giants, industrial
crossovers, venture-backed scale-ups, or mid-size pure-play
defense firms--should be able to propose flexible arrangements,
including voluntary co-investment where commercial payoffs are
anticipated. The committee also recognizes that overhead and
indirect costs are effectively paid on every contract, whether
or not a firm is labeled ``nontraditional.'' The committee
believes that one of the most effective ways to keep these
overhead costs lean is to reduce the burden of compliance with
government-unique regulations. Another method is to foster
robust competition. By removing artificial labels, the
Department of Defense can focus strictly on best-value
evaluations that reward efficiency, innovation, and credible
business models. Freeing the acquisition workforce from
enforcing burdensome rules on who qualifies ensures that they
can focus on the core mission of delivering timely, innovative
capabilities.
Therefore, elsewhere in this Act, the committee includes a
provision that would make amendments to section 4022 of title
10, United States Code to remove distinctions that limit
participation. The committee believes that doing so will yield
the greatest diversity of solutions for urgent defense needs.
This approach comports with the overarching goals of fostering
advanced technology, streamlining acquisition procedures, and
strengthening the defense industrial base by attracting fresh
entrants and retaining established performers, all on an equal
footing.
Transitioning the Department of Defense to Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles for Government Contracting
The committee believes that the Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP) should serve as the baseline
standards of financial accounting and reporting for government
contracting but recognizes that GAAP does not currently address
all of the unique aspects of government contracting that are
currently covered by the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). The
committee is aware that the mission of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) is to establish and improve standards of
financial accounting and reporting. FASB carries out this
mission through a comprehensive and independent process that
encourages broad participation, objectively considers all
stakeholder views, and is subject to oversight by the Financial
Accounting Foundation's Board of Trustees. Whereas CAS is
compliance-driven and focused on auditing government-specified
and outdated businesses systems, GAAP leverages advanced
analytics, AI-driven forecasting, and market-based pricing
models, with a focus on supply chain efficiency, cost
optimization, and supplier relationships.
The committee also recognizes that transitioning the
Department of Defense from the use of CAS to the adoption of
enhanced GAAP for government contracting is complex and will
take time. However, the committee believes this transition is
necessary to reduce or eliminate:
(1) needless redundancy with other regulations;
(2) the cost of compliance driven by extensive
documentation, audits, and administrative requirements;
(3) the implementation cost burden and complexity for
contractors, particularly for small and nontraditional defense
contractors;
(4) the competitive disadvantages that CAS imposes on
contractors who do business with the government compared to
competitors who do not;
(5) delays in contracting due to inconsistent application
of CAS and associated legal challenges; and
(6) the outmoded state of CAS, which has failed to adapt to
modern business practices and technologies.
Therefore, elsewhere in this Act, the committee includes a
provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide recommendations to develop any financial accounting and
reporting standards that the Department would need to augment
GAAP to the degree necessary to support the unique requirements
associated with government contracting.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Alignment of the Defense Acquisition System
Section 1801--Alignment of the Defense Acquisition System With the
Needs of Members of the Armed Forces
This section would make amendments to chapter 205 of title
10, United States Code, to establish that the defense
acquisition system exists to expeditiously provide the United
States Armed Forces with the capabilities necessary to operate
effectively, address evolving threats, and maintain the
military advantage of the United States in the most cost-
effective manner practicable. This section would also make
conforming amendments to sections 139 and 139a of title 10,
related to the responsibilities of the Director of Operational
Test and Evaluation and the Director of Cost Assessment and
Program Evaluation to align with the aforementioned stated
objectives of the acquisition system.
In addition, this section would require the Secretary of
Defense to revise Department of Defense Directive 5000.01 and
any other relevant instructions, policies, or guidance to carry
out the requirements of this section not later than 30 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Section 1802--Program Executive Officer Responsibilities
This section would insert a new section (section 1732) in
chapter 87 of title 10, United States Code, to formally
establish the role of a Program Executive Officer (PEO) as the
senior official responsible for the oversight of the plans,
budgets, and execution of the programs assigned to the
portfolio of such senior official. The provision would also
establish the objectives and specific responsibilities for a
PEO.
Section 1803--Product Support Manager Responsibilities and Requirements
This section would establish a new section (section 1733)
in chapter 87 of title 10, United States Code, to elevate and
strengthen the role of a product support manager as the
individual responsible for managing the support functions
required to field and maintain the readiness and operational
capability of major weapon systems in support of the program
manager's life cycle management responsibilities. This section
would also make further amendments to chapter 87 to establish
the product support manager as a critical acquisition position
and enact minimum education, training, and experience
requirements. This section would require a product support
manager of a major defense acquisition system to accept a
minimum assignment period of not less than four years.
Section 1804--Amendments to Life-Cycle Management and Product Support
This section would renumber section 4324 of title 10,
United States Code, as section 4322, and make amendments to
strengthen and clarify the requirements of the Secretary of
Defense related to life-cycle sustainment planning and product
support to ensure the systems acquired by the Department of
Defense are operationally relevant, reliable, and cost-
effective to operate and maintain. Elsewhere in this Act, the
committee recommends a provision that would strengthen and
clarify the role of a product support manager in implementing
the requirements of section 4322, as amended by this Act.
This section would also reorganize chapter 323 of title 10,
United States Code, to streamline, clarify, and strengthen the
requirements related to life-cycle sustainment. This section
would also make clarifying amendments to section 118 of title
10, United States Code.
Section 1805--Modifications Relating to Life-Cycle and Sustainment
Provisions
This section would modify section 4322 of title 10, United
States Code, as amended by section 1804, and require the
product support manager to include a plan to transition a
covered system to include training simulators in the initial
operational capability and overall fielding of such covered
system. Additionally, this section would require major weapon
systems have a life cycle intellectual property management plan
for product support sufficient to comply with the requirements
of section 2464 associated with the organic industrial base.
Finally, this section would further modify section 4323 of
title 10, United States Code, as redesignated by section 1804
and require mitigation plans for systems that fail to meet
materiel readiness objectives for 3 consecutive years.
Section 1806--Major Capability Activity Areas and Pathfinder Programs
This section would direct the Department of Defense to
develop and implement a phased plan for reorganizing the
structure of relevant defense budget materials around major
capability activity areas (MCAAs), with the goal of increasing
agility, fostering innovation, and providing a clearer line of
sight between strategic objectives and allocated resources.
This section would also require the Secretary to designate at
least two Program Executive Offices as pathfinders and identify
the Program Executive Officer (PEO) with responsibility for
administering each pathfinder. Furthermore, this section would
also provide modified transfer authority within each designated
pathfinder, limited to not more than 40 percent of the total
amount authorized for programs, projects, or activities
included in the pathfinder.
Additionally, this section would require the Secretary, not
later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to provide a report to the congressional defense
committees assessing the effectiveness of the use of a
capability-oriented structure in budget preparation and
execution, the extent to which the use of transfer authority
for the pathfinders affected the speed of addressing emerging
threats and adopting new technologies, and any recommendations
regarding statutory or regulatory changes.
Subtitle B--Requirements Process Reform
Section 1811--Joint Requirements Council
The committee remains concerned that existing statutory
language directing the Joint Requirements Oversight Council
(JROC) to validate discrete program requirements has delayed
the fielding of innovative capabilities. Despite repeated
reform measures and prompting by Congress in several prior
authorization acts, the Joint Capabilities Integration and
Development System remains an overly protracted process that
has neither streamlined time-to-delivery nor facilitated
adequate responsiveness to the combatant commands. The
committee observes that this mechanism, while intended to
ensure jointness, has instead evolved into a bottleneck that
imposes documentation burdens and duplicates service-specific
processes.
Accordingly, this section would amend section 181 of title
10, United States Code, to remove the JROC's statutory
responsibility for requirements validation. Instead, it would
refocus the JROC on identifying and promoting solutions in a
non-prescriptive manner to joint operational problems.
Given these changes in authority, the section would rename
the JROC as the Joint Requirements Council. This section also
would reiterate the importance of retaining civilian oversight
for major acquisition milestones, which remains intact
elsewhere in title 10. It would also maintain the role of each
chief of staff of an armed force as fully responsible for
capability requirements within their service, subject to the
broader guidance of the Department's civilian leadership.
Section 1812--Establishment of the Requirements, Acquisition, and
Programming Integration Directorate
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a Requirements, Acquisition, and Programming
Integration Directorate (RAPID) to serve as the principal forum
to integrate joint capability requirements, resource analysis,
mission-based experimentation, and acquisition program
leadership to develop prioritized recommendations for
addressing joint operational problems. RAPID would provide
prioritized policy and resourcing recommendations to the Deputy
Secretary of Defense to ensure the Armed Forces are equipped
with the capabilities necessary to operate effectively, to
address evolving threats, and to maintain the military
advantage of the United States in the most cost-effective
manner practicable.
This section would also require the Deputy Secretary of
Defense to approve, or approve with modification, a
recommendation from the RAPID within 30 days of receipt. If the
Deputy Secretary rejects a recommendation by the RAPID, this
section would require the Deputy to either direct that
alternative action be taken to address the joint operational
problem or direct the RAPID to take further action to address
such problem.
Furthermore, this section would require the Secretary of
Defense to notify the congressional defense committees if the
Deputy fails to take action to address the joint operational
program within 90 days after the date the Joint Requirements
Council provides a recommendation to the RAPID.
Section 1813--Establishment of the Mission Engineering and Integration
Activity
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, not
later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act, to
establish a Mission Engineering and Integration Activity
(MEIA). The MEIA would lead cross-service activities to
develop, identify, and analyze integrated technology solutions
to address joint operational problems, and would provide
analysis and recommendations to support the Requirements,
Acquisition, and Programming Integration Directorate in the
evaluation of joint capability requirements in accordance with
section 186 of title 10, United States Code. This section would
also require the Secretary to submit to the congressional
defense committees a plan to implement the requirements of this
section not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
Subtitle C--Streamlining Acquisition Processes
Section 1821--Adjustments to Certain Acquisition Thresholds
This section would make revisions to several contracting
thresholds established by title 10 and title 41, United States
Code. The committee believes these adjustments are necessary to
account for economic factors such as inflation and to
streamline government contracting processes.
Section 1822--Clarification of Conditions for Payments for Commercial
Products and Commercial Services
This section would amend section 3805 of title 10, United
States Code, to clarify that a payment under a contract for the
acquisition of services provided in accordance with a
commercially utilized acquisition strategy shall not be
considered an advance payment and shall not be subject to the
conditions of section 3803 of title 10, United States Code.
Nothing in this section would relieve the head of the agency of
the responsibility to determine that the terms and conditions
for payment are in the best interests of the United States or
prevent the head of the agency from obtaining adequate security
for the payments.
This section would also amend section 3324 of title 31,
United States Code, by authorizing the head of an agency to pay
in advance from appropriations available for commercially
available content, and certain charges for information and
communication technologies subscriptions, reservations, or
tenancy (including cloud environments) for which the procuring
agency defines appropriate access and security standards.
Section 1823--Alternative Capability-Based Pricing
This section would provide the head of an agency (as that
term is defined in section 3004 of title 10, United States
Code) the authority to use alternative capability-based
analysis to determine whether the proposed price or fee for a
commercial solution is fair and reasonable.
Section 1824--Matters Related to Cost Accounting Standards
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, not
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
to identify and implement actions necessary to reduce or
eliminate requirements for compliance with Cost Accounting
Standards (CAS) in cases where Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP) would serve as a viable commercial accounting
standard and system.
In addition, this section would amend section 1502 of title
41, United States Code, to adjust the thresholds for mandatory
compliance with CAS to account for economic factors.
Furthermore, this section would amend section 1501 of title 41,
United States Code, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of the Cost Accounting Standards Board in prescribing,
amending, and rescinding cost accounting standards that are
applicable to certain Federal Government contracts.
Section 1825--Review of Commercial Buying Practices
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, not
later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, to conduct a comprehensive review of the Department's
approach to commercial buying and the implementation of the
Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (FASA, Public Law
103-355).
This section would also require the Secretary, not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to
provide the congressional defense committees with a report that
describes the findings from the review and corrective actions
taken by the Secretary to address the matters identified during
the review that are not in compliance with FASA or other
statutory or regulatory requirements intended to advance and
enable the procurement of commercial products and services.
Furthermore, this section would make amendments to section
3455 of title 10, United States Code, to ensure that a product
treated as a commercial product under section 3455 is subject
to the truthful cost or pricing requirements of chapter 271 of
title 10, United States Code, and to clarify certain exceptions
to such cost or pricing requirements provided by section 3703
of title 10, United States Code.
Subtitle D--Matters Relating to Commercial Innovation
Section 1831--Amendment to Other Transaction Authority
This section would amend section 4022 of title 10, United
States Code, to remove limitations on use of Other Transaction
Authority on the basis of how a firm is categorized. With these
limitations removed, a covered official would assess
demonstrated performance and the alignment of capability with
needs of the Department as the primary determinants of the
financial structure of an award. The amendments would retain
existing flexibilities provided to the covered official to
negotiate voluntary cost shares where market opportunities and
commercial returns justify such arrangements. This section
would further amend section 4022 by prohibiting the use of such
authority for contracts exceeding the production of 500 units
of a manufactured or developed product.
Section 1832--Data-as-a-Service Solutions for Weapon System Contracts
This section would amend chapter 323 of title 10, United
States Code, by adding a new section that would require the
Secretary of Defense to ensure that the negotiation of
contracts for the acquisition of a weapon system considers, to
the maximum extent practicable, the negotiation of data-as-a-
service solutions and associated license agreements to
facilitate access to certain information necessary for the
Department of Defense to maintain a core logistics capability
in accordance with section 2464 of such title.
Section 1833--Requirements for Modular Open System Approach and
Modifications to Rights in Technical Data
This section would amend chapter 327 of title 10, United
States Code, to streamline and simplify the requirements for a
modular open system approach to the design and development of a
major weapon system. This section would also make conforming
amendments to section 3771 of title 10, United States Code,
related to intellectual property and data rights in modular
system interfaces.
Section 1834--Bridging Operational Objectives and Support for
Transition Program
This section would require the Director of the Defense
Innovation Unit (DIU) to establish a program to support the
transition of technologies into established capability
development and procurement activities of the military
services. The Bridging Operational Objectives and Support for
Transition (BOOST) program would directly support program
managers and program executive officers (PEOs) by matching
identified technologies with program requirements and serving
as an on-ramp to integration of the needed technology into
programs of record. The committee also intends that the BOOST
program would create an active feedback loop between the
program manager or PEO and the innovator, which would inform
and guide prototyping efforts in the context of an existing
requirement in an established program.
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment and the Director of DIU, to provide
the congressional defense committees a report on the
effectiveness of the BOOST program in accelerating technology
adoption or integration. The report would be due not later than
two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and would
require the Secretary to recommend whether to terminate or
continue the BOOST program beyond December 31, 2030.
Section 1835--Transition to Advanced Manufacturing for Certain Critical
Items
This section would require the Program Executive Officer
for each major weapon system to conduct an assessment of
critical items that could be produced with advanced
manufacturing processes and to submit a plan to the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to
transition production of such critical items to advanced
manufacturing, to the maximum extent practicable.
Subtitle E--Modifications To Strengthen The Industrial Base
Section 1841--Amendments to the Procurement Technical Assistance
Program
This section would make amendments to chapter 388 of title
10, United States Code, to enhance the purpose of the
Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.
Section 1842--Defense Industrial Resilience Consortium
This section would establish the Defense Industrial
Resilience Consortium (IRC) under the authority of the
Secretary of Defense to enhance the resilience, innovation, and
competitiveness of the U.S. defense industrial base. The IRC
would serve as a collaborative forum for cutting-edge
manufacturers, technology developers, supply chain
stakeholders, and research institutions to address critical
challenges related to parts obsolescence, diminishing
manufacturing and sources of supply, and single-source
dependencies within the defense industrial base. The consortium
would address challenges in incorporating products manufactured
through advanced processes into the supply chains of the
Department, and would improve access to advanced manufacturers
in critical sectors of the industrial base, including the
maritime industrial base. The consortium would also serve as a
conduit to help identify and, if needed, provide access to
private-sector industrial capabilities and capacity to support
a surge in demand for defense articles and defense services.
Section 1843--Qualification, Acceptance, and Supply Chain Management of
Products Manufactured Using Advanced Manufacturing
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a working group in the Defense Industrial Resilience
Consortium, established elsewhere in this Act, to develop
recommendations for improving the policies and procedures of
the Department of Defense for the qualification, acceptance,
and management of the supply chains of products manufactured
using advanced manufacturing. This section would also require
the Secretary not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, to submit a report on the
recommendations developed by the working group.
Section 1844--Report on Surge Capacity in the Defense Industrial Base
This section would require the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Industrial Base Policy and the Director of Defense
Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy not later than
March 1, 2026, to jointly submit a report to the congressional
defense committees on the regulations or policies that
disincentivize contractors of the Department of Defense from
maintaining or investing in surge capacity.
DIVISION B--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATIONS
PURPOSE
Division B provides military construction, family housing,
and related authorities in support of the military departments
during fiscal year 2026. As recommended by the committee,
division B would authorize appropriations in the amount of
$18,892,743,000 for construction in support of the Active
Forces, Reserve Components, defense agencies, and the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for
fiscal year 2026.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FAMILY HOUSING OVERVIEW
The Department of Defense requested $16,146,385,000 for
military construction, $410,161,000 for Base Realignment and
Closure activities and $1,854,862,000 for military housing for
fiscal year 2026. The committee recommends authorization of
appropriations of $16,096,385,000 for military construction,
$460,161,000 for Base Realignment and Closure activities, and
$1,854,862,000 for military housing in fiscal year 2026.
Section 2001--Short Title
This section would cite division B of this Act as the
``Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2026''.
Section 2002--Expiration of Authorizations and Amounts Required To Be
Specified by Law
This section would ensure that the authorizations provided
in titles XXI through XXVII of this Act shall expire on October
1, 2028, or the date of the enactment of an Act authorizing
funds for military construction for fiscal year 2029, whichever
is later.
Section 2003--Effective Date
This section would provide that titles XXI through XXVII of
this Act would take effect on October 1, 2025, or the date of
the enactment of this Act, whichever is later.
TITLE XXI--ARMY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
SUMMARY
The budget request contained $2,173,959,000 for Department
of the Army military construction and $606,976,000 for family
housing for fiscal year 2026. The committee recommends
authorization of appropriations of $2,248,759,000 for military
construction and $606,976,000 for family housing for the Army
in fiscal year 2026.
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Explanation of Funding Adjustments
The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the
following projects requested by the Department of the Army but
not contained in the budget request for military construction
and family housing:
(1) $68,000,000 for an Airfield and Rescue Station at Joint
Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and
(2) $115,000,000 for an Access Control Point at Anniston
Army Depot, Alabama.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Army
also included $333,588,000 for design activities. The committee
recommends an authorization of appropriations of $392,888,000,
an increase of $59,300,000, for design activities. The
committee recommends the inclusion of $50,000,000 for Barracks
(Design) at unspecified worldwide locations not contained in
the budget request for military construction. The committee
also recommends the inclusion of funding for the following
design activities requested by the Department of the Army but
not contained in the budget request for military construction:
(1) $9,300,000 for an Automated-Aided Instruction Building
(Design) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Army
included $147,671,000 for Minor Military Construction
activities at unspecified worldwide locations. The committee
recommends an authorization of appropriations of $197,671,000,
an increase of $50,000,000, for Minor Military Construction
activities. The increase includes a committee recommendation to
include $40,000,000 for Laboratories and $10,000,000 for
Demolition activities.
Finally, the committee recommends a reduction of funding
for the following projects contained in the budget requested
submitted by the Department of the Army for military
construction and family housing. However, the committee
supports the authorization of appropriations in an amount
equivalent to the ability of the Army to execute in the year of
the authorization for appropriations. The committee believes
that the Army cannot fully expend the requested funding in
fiscal year 2026, and therefore, consistent with committee
practice, recommends the following reductions:
(1) $128,000,000 from the requested amount for Barracks at
Fort Wainwright, Alaska;
(2) $100,000,000 from the requested amount for an Evidence
Storage Building at Fort Gillem, Georgia;
(3) $71,000,000 from the requested amount for a Pyrotechnic
Production Facility at Crane Army Ammunition Plant, Indiana;
and
(4) $58,000,000 from the requested amount for a Command &
Control Facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 2101--Authorized Army Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects
This section would authorize a list of Army construction
projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized amounts are
listed on an installation-by-installation basis. The State list
contained in this Act is intended to be the binding list of the
specific projects authorized at each location.
Section 2102--Family Housing
This section would authorize new construction and planning
and design of family housing units for the Army for fiscal year
2026.
Section 2103--Authorization of Appropriations, Army
This section would authorize appropriations for Army
military construction levels identified in section 4601 of
division D of this Act.
Section 2104--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2021
Project at Fort Gillem, Georgia
This section would extend the authorization of a certain
fiscal year 2021 project until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2105--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2022 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2022 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2106--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2023
Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2023 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2107--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2025
Project at Smith Barracks, Germany
This section would modify the authorization for a fiscal
year 2025 project.
TITLE XXII--NAVY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
SUMMARY
The budget request contained $6,012,677,000 for Department
of the Navy military construction and $551,705,000 for family
housing for fiscal year 2026. The committee recommends
authorization of appropriations of $6,574,987,000 for military
construction and $551,705,000 for family housing for the
Department of the Navy in fiscal year 2026.
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Explanation of Funding Adjustments
The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the
following projects requested by the Department of the Navy but
not contained in the budget request for military construction
and family housing:
(1) $50,000,000 for PDI: Defense Access Roads at Joint
Region Marianas, Guam;
(2) $45,425,000 for a Communications Center and
Infrastructure at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island,
Florida; and
(3) $78,117,000 for an F-35 Aircraft Engine Repair Facility
at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Navy
included $562,423,000 for design activities. The committee
recommends an authorization of appropriations of $956,311,000,
an increase of $393,888,000, for design activities. The
committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the following
design activities requested by the Navy but not contained in
the budget request for military construction and family
housing:
(1) $33,490,000 for an F-35 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar
(Design) at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California;
(2) $8,900,000 for a Child Development Center (Design) at
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California;
(3) $4,575,000 for a Child Development Center (Design) at
Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida;
(4) $26,515,000 for a Multi Aircraft Paint & Strip (Design)
at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida;
(5) $12,000,000 for an EOD Expeditionary Mine
Countermeasures Facility (Design) at Joint Expeditionary Base
Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia;
(6) $15,000,000 for Power Upgrades--Pier 14 (Design) at
Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia; and
(7) $2,200,000 for Shore Power for Virginia-Class
Submarines (Design) at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown,
Virginia.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Navy
included $282,186,000 for Minor Military Construction
activities at unspecified worldwide locations. The committee
recommends an authorization of appropriations of $332,186,000,
an increase of $50,000,000, for Minor Military Construction
activities. The increase includes a committee recommendation to
include $40,000,000 for Laboratories and $10,000,000 for
Demolition activities.
The committee also does not include a $505,000,000
authorization for a Water Treatment Plant at Joint Base Pearl-
Harbor Hickam requested by the Department of the Navy. The
committee supports the requested authorization of appropriation
for this project, but notes that an authorization in law for
this project already exists.
Finally, the committee recommends a reduction of funding
for the following projects contained in the budget requested
submitted by the Department of the Navy for military
construction. However, the committee supports the authorization
of appropriations in an amount equivalent to the ability of the
Navy to execute in the year of the authorization for
appropriations. The committee believes that the Navy cannot
fully expend the requested funding in fiscal year 2026, and
therefore, consistent with committee practice, recommends the
following reductions:
(1) $145,700,000 from a Trident Refit Facility Warehouse at
Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Washington;
(2) $135,730,000 from PDI: Airfield Pavement Upgrades at
Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking, Hawaii; and
(3) $14,000,000 from a Foreign Materials Exploitation Lab
at National Maritime Intelligence Center, Maryland.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 2201--Authorized Navy Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects
This section would authorize a list of Department of the
Navy construction projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized
amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis.
The State list contained in this Act is intended to be the
binding list of the specific projects authorized at each
location.
Section 2202--Family Housing
This section would authorize construction improvements and
planning and design of family housing units for the Department
of the Navy for fiscal year 2026.
Section 2203--Authorization of Appropriations, Navy
This section would authorize appropriations for Department
of Navy military construction levels identified in section 4601
of division D of this Act.
Section 2204--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2022
Project at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina
This section would extend the authorization of a certain
fiscal year 2022 project until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2205--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2022 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2022 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2206--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2023 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2023 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
TITLE XXIII--AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
SUMMARY
The budget request contained $3,721,473,000 for Department
of the Air Force military construction and $633,995,000 for
family housing for fiscal year 2026. The committee recommends
authorization of appropriations of $3,963,193,000 for military
construction and $633,995,000 for family housing for the
Department of the Air Force in fiscal year 2026.
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Explanation of Funding Adjustments
The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the
following project requested by the Department of the Air Force
but not contained in the budget request for military
construction and family housing:
(1) $41,000,000 for a Combat Arms Training & Maintenance
Complex at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Air
Force also included $573,223,000 for design activities. The
committee recommends an authorization of appropriations of
$625,823,000, an increase of $52,600,000, for design
activities. The committee recommends the inclusion of
$50,000,000 for Barracks (Design) at unspecified worldwide
locations not contained in the budget request for military
construction and family housing. The committee also recommends
the inclusion of funding for the following design activities
requested by the Air Force but not contained in the budget
request for military construction:
(1) $2,600,000 for an F-35 Canopy Repair Facility (Design)
at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Air
Force included $196,700,000 for Unspecified Minor Construction
at unspecified worldwide locations. The committee recommends an
authorization of appropriations of $246,700,000, an increase of
$50,000,000, for Minor Military Construction activities. The
increase includes a committee recommendation to include
$40,000,000 for Laboratories and $10,000,000 for Demolition
activities.
The committee also does not include a $29,000,000
authorization for an Aeromedical Evacuation Compound at
Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, requested by the Department
of the Air Force. The committee supports the requested
authorization of appropriation for this project, but notes that
an authorization in law for this project already exists.
Finally, the committee recommends a reduction of funding
for the following projects contained in the budget requested
submitted by the Department of the Air Force for military
construction. However, the committee supports the authorization
of appropriations in an amount equivalent to the ability of the
Air Force to execute in the year of the authorization for
appropriations. The committee believes that the Air Force
cannot fully expend the requested funding in fiscal year 2026,
and therefore the committee recommends the following
reductions:
(1) $25,000,000 from a MC-130J Hangar/Aircraft Maintenance
Unit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona;
(2) $14,000,000 from a B-21 Radio Frequency Hangar at
Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; and
(3) $12,000,000 for a Pipeline Study Dormitory at
Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 2301--Authorized Air Force Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects
This section would authorize a list of Air Force
construction projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized
amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis.
The State list contained in this Act is intended to be the
binding list of the specific projects authorized at each
location.
Section 2302--Family Housing
This section would authorize new construction,
improvements, and planning and design of family housing units
for the Department of the Air Force for fiscal year 2026.
Section 2303--Authorization of Appropriations, Air Force
This section would authorize appropriations for Air Force
military construction levels identified in section 4601 of
division D of this Act.
Section 2304--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2017
Project at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2017 project until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2305--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2019 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2019 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2306--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2020 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2020 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2307--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2022 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2022 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2308--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2023 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2023 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2309--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2025
Project at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming
This section would modify the authorization for a fiscal
year 2025 project.
TITLE XXIV--DEFENSE AGENCIES MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
SUMMARY
The budget request contained $3,792,301,000 for defense
agency military construction and $53,374,000 for family housing
for fiscal year 2026. The committee recommends authorization of
appropriations of $2,521,871,000 for military construction and
$53,374,000 for family housing for defense agencies in fiscal
year 2026.
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Explanation of Funding Adjustments
The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the
following project requested by the Department of Defense for
military construction:
(1) $44,700,000 for SOF Forward Operating Base Freedom
Upgrades at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The budget request submitted by the Department of Defense
also included $211,001,000 for design activities. The committee
recommends an authorization of appropriations of $219,101,000
an increase of $8,100,000, for design activities. The committee
recommends the inclusion of funding for the following design
activities requested by the Department of Defense but not
contained in the budget request for military construction:
(1) $8,100,000 for SOF Joint Intelligence Center (Design)
at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Finally, the committee recommends a reduction of funding
for the following projects contained in the budget requested
submitted by the Department of Defense for military
construction. However, the committee supports the authorization
of appropriations in an amount equivalent to the ability of the
Department of Defense to execute in the year of the
authorization for appropriations. The committee believes that
the Department of Defense cannot fully expend the requested
funding in fiscal year 2026, and therefore, consistent with
committee practice, recommends the following reductions:
(1) $684,330,000 from Energy Resilience & Conservation
Investment Program at Unspecified Worldwide Locations;
(2) $355,000,000 from NSAW East Campus Building #5 (INC 2)
at Fort Meade, Maryland;
(3) $83,900,000 from PDI: GDS, Command Center (INC) at
Joint Region Marianas, Guam;
(4) $75,000,000 from Ramey Unit School Replacement at Punta
Borinquen, Puerto Rico;
(5) $65,000,000 from a SOF Mission Command Center at Fort
Bragg, North Carolina; and
(6) $60,000,000 from Dexter Elementary School at Fort
Benning, Georgia.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 2401--Authorized Defense Agencies Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects
This section would authorize a list of defense agency
construction projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized
amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis.
The State list contained in this Act is intended to be the
binding list of the specific projects authorized at each
location.
Section 2402--Authorized Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment
Program Projects
This section would contain a list of authorized energy
resilience and conservation investment projects for fiscal year
2026. The authorized amounts are listed on an installation-by-
installation basis. The State list contained in this Act is
intended to be the binding list of the specific projects
authorized at each location.
Section 2403--Authorization of Appropriations, Defense Agencies
This section would authorize appropriations for defense
agencies' military construction at the levels identified in
section 4601 of division D of this Act.
Section 2404--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2019
Project at Iwakuni, Japan
This section would extend the authorization of a certain
fiscal year 2019 project until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2405--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2022 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2022 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2406--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2023 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2023 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2407--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2024
Project at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
This section would modify the authorization for a fiscal
year 2024 project.
Section 2408--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2024
Project at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Missouri
This section would modify the authorization for a fiscal
year 2024 project.
Section 2409--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2025
Project at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
This section would modify the authorization for a fiscal
year 2025 project.
Section 2410--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2025
Project at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
This section would modify the authorization for a fiscal
year 2025 project.
TITLE XXV--INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
SUMMARY
The budget request contained $481,832,000 for the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program (NSIP)
for fiscal year 2026. The committee recommends authorization of
appropriations of $481,832,000 NSIP for fiscal year 2026.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment
Program
Section 2501--Authorized NATO Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects; Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
make contributions to NATO construction and land acquisition
projects using amounts appropriated in the funding table in
section 4601 and any reimbursements from NATO for prior United
States-funded construction.
Subtitle B--Host Country In-Kind Contributions
Section 2511--Republic of Korea Funded Construction Projects
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
accept seven military construction projects totaling $457.0
million pursuant to agreement with the Republic of Korea for
required in-kind contributions.
Section 2512--Republic of Poland Funded Construction Projects
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
accept eight military construction projects totaling $504.2
million pursuant to agreement with the Republic of Poland for
required in-kind contributions.
TITLE XXVI--GUARD AND RESERVE FORCES FACILITIES
SUMMARY
The budget request contained $445,478,000 for National
Guard and Reserve facilities military construction for fiscal
year 2026. The committee recommends authorization of
appropriations of $787,078,000 for National Guard and Reserve
facilities military construction for fiscal year 2026.
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Explanation of Funding Adjustments
The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the
following projects requested by the Department of the Army for
the National Guard and Reserve Components but not contained in
the budget request for military construction and family
housing:
(1) $50,000,000 for an Aviation Support Facility at Fort
Knox, Kentucky; and
(2) $69,000,000 for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at
Salisbury Readiness Complex, North Carolina.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Army
for the National Guard and Reserve Components included
$19,593,000 for design activities. The committee recommends an
authorization of appropriations of $24,593,000, an increase of
$5,000,000, for design activities. The committee also
recommends the inclusion of funding for the following design
activities requested by the Department of the Army for the
Reserve Component but not contained in the budget request for
military construction:
(1) $5,000,000 for an Army Reserve Center Building (Design)
at Camp Bullis, Texas.
The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the
following project requested by the Department of the Navy for
the Reserve Components but not contained in the budget request
for military construction and family housing:
(1) $50,000,000 for a Maintenance Hangar at Naval Air
Station Fort Worth, Texas.
The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the
following project requested by the Department of the Air Force
for the National Guard Component but not contained in the
budget request for military construction and family housing:
(1) $61,000,000 for an ADAL Maintenance Hangar Air National
Guard/Shops at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, New
Jersey.
The budget request submitted by the Department of the Air
Force for the Reserve Component included $270,000 for design
activities. The committee recommends an authorization of
appropriations of $3,470,000, an increase of $3,200,000, for
design activities. The committee recommends the inclusion of
funding for the following design activities requested by the
Department of the Air Force for the Reserve Component but not
contained in the budget request for military construction:
(1) $3,200,000 for an Entry Control Facility (Design) at
Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
The committee also did not include a $42,000,000
authorization for a 512th Operations Group Facility at Dover
Air Force Base, Delaware, requested by the Department of the
Air Force. The committee supports the requested authorization
of appropriation for this project, but notes that an
authorization in law for this project already exists.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 2601--Authorized Army National Guard Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects
This section would authorize a list of Army National Guard
construction projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized
amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis.
The State list contained in this Act is intended to be the
binding list of the specific projects authorized at each
location.
Section 2602--Authorized Army Reserve Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects
This section would authorize a list of Army Reserve
construction projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized
amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis.
The State list contained in this Act is intended to be the
binding list of the specific projects authorized at each
location.
Section 2603--Authorized Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve
Construction and Land Acquisition Projects
This section would authorize a list of Navy Reserve and
Marine Corps Reserve construction projects for fiscal year
2026. The authorized amounts are listed on an installation-by-
installation basis. The State list contained in this Act is
intended to be the binding list of the specific projects
authorized at each location.
Section 2604--Authorized Air National Guard Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects
This section would authorize a list of Air National Guard
construction projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized
amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis.
The State list contained in this Act is intended to be the
binding list of the specific projects authorized at each
location.
Section 2605--Authorized Air Force Reserve Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects
This section would authorize a list of Air Force Reserve
construction projects for fiscal year 2026. The authorized
amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis.
The State list contained in this Act is intended to be the
binding list of the specific projects authorized at each
location.
Section 2606--Authorization of Appropriations, National Guard and
Reserve
This section would authorize appropriations for National
Guard and Reserve military construction at the levels
identified in section 4601 of division D of this Act.
Section 2607--Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year
2023 Projects
This section would extend the authorization of certain
fiscal year 2023 projects until October 1, 2026, or the date of
enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction
for fiscal year 2027, whichever is later.
Section 2608--Modification of Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2023
Project at Tucson International Airport, Arizona
This section would modify the authorization for a fiscal
year 2023 project.
Section 2609--Authority to Carry Out Fiscal Year 2026 Project at Army
Reserve Center Conroe, Texas
This section would provide the authority to carry out a
fiscal year 2026 project.
TITLE XXVII--BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACTIVITIES
SUMMARY
The budget request contained $410,161,000 for activities
related to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) activities in
fiscal year 2026. The committee recommends authorization of
appropriations of $460,161,000 for BRAC activities in fiscal
year 2026.
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Explanation of Funding Adjustments
The budget request submitted by the Department of Defense
for activities related to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
included $410,161,000 for activities related to recommendations
from the previous BRAC rounds. The committee recommends an
authorization of appropriations of $162,791,000, an increase of
$50,000,000, for Navy BRAC activities in fiscal year 2026.
Delays in Base Realignment and Closure Property Transfers and
Environmental Remediation
The committee notes that of the eight installations
identified as closure installations in the 1991 Base
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round, only four have been
completely transferred off the Navy's real estate books. Of the
remaining four installations, ongoing environmental remediation
is the most significant reason for the delay in transfer. The
committee is aware that ensuring appropriate funding levels for
the BRAC account can accelerate the speed at which necessary
response actions are completed. Many communities have already
been forced to wait decades for cleanup and remediation to
finish, with timelines for completion, in some cases, estimated
to now stretch to over 40 years since the installation was
identified for disposal.
The committee notes that one such installation, the former
Hunters Point Naval Shipyard (HPNS), located in the
southeastern portion of San Francisco, operated as a shipyard
repair facility and home of the Naval Radiological Defense
Laboratory. The committee is aware that ongoing delays in
completion have been caused by a variety of factors including
discovery of emerging contaminants such as per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances in soils and contractor fraud,
discovered in late 2016. The committee acknowledges that these
factors have led to cost growth from original cost estimates
and the committee is concerned about the overall effect of
delays on redevelopment that will benefit local economies and
ensure a safe, healthy environment for nearby residents.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Navy to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than January 30, 2026, on the Navy's efforts
to expedite cleanup and turnover of remaining parcels
associated with the former HPNS. The briefing shall include, at
a minimum, the following:
(1) an update on schedule to include key milestones and
estimated eventual completion dates for each parcel;
(2) an update on the status of radiological rework related
to the 2016 contractor fraud by parcel;
(3) an update on required funding to include funding
shortfalls over the last five years that have led to delays,
and estimated funding requirements to stay on the current
schedule; and
(4) any barriers to staying on the current completion
schedule, to include open areas of disagreement between the
Navy and state or federal regulatory agencies that could cause
delay.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 2701--Authorization of Appropriations for Base Realignment and
Closure Activities Funded Through Department of Defense Base Closure
Account
This section would authorize appropriations for ongoing
activities that are required to implement the Base Realignment
and Closure activities authorized by the Defense Base Closure
and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law
101-510), at the levels identified in section 4601 of division
D of this Act.
TITLE XXVIII--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PROVISIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Army Maintained Dam Infrastructure
The committee is aware that the Department of the Army has
control and responsibility for maintaining as many as forty-
seven dams across its infrastructure enterprise, many of which
are assessed to have ``high hazard potential,'' meaning that
their failure could result in significant destruction of
property and the loss of human life. The committee is aware
that these dams fall outside of Army Corps of Engineers Civil
Works. The committee notes that Fort Walker has two such dams,
Smoots Dam and Bowie Dam, that have been identified as having
critical structural degradations that could lead to
catastrophic failure without significant maintenance, and have
exceeded their anticipated service lives.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than January 15, 2026, listing all dams
within the Army's jurisdiction currently listed as having high
hazard potential. This briefing shall include, at a minimum:
(1) the location, age, and material condition of the dam;
(2) an assessment of the repairs required to reduce the
risk of dam failure;
(3) a sustainment plan to mitigate these risks, including
estimated cost of repair; and
(4) the estimated cost of damages to the installation and
surrounding community if the dam fails.
Centralization and Expansion of the Defense Housing Feedback System
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the congressional defense committees not later than
December 31, 2025 on the Department's plan to consolidate all
existing military housing complaint systems into a single,
centralized platform under the Defense Housing Feedback System
(DHFS). The report shall include:
(1) A detailed implementation plan for the consolidation of
housing complaint and feedback mechanisms under DFHS, including
timelines, responsible offices, and funding requirements;
(2) A plan to expand the applicability of the DHFS to all
servicemembers and their families residing in military housing,
including privatized housing, government-owned housing, and
unaccompanied housing;
(3) An outline of procedures to ensure that all
servicemembers are informed of the existence, purpose, and
usage of the DHFS, including the requirement that such
information be distributed to each servicemember on an annual
basis through appropriate command channels and digital
communication platforms; and
(4) A summary of current usage rates, feedback trends, and
system responsiveness within the DHFS and any identified
challenges or gaps in the current system.
The committee encourages the Department to prioritize
transparency, accountability, and ease of access for
servicemembers and families in the revised system.
Compliance with Statutory Requirements for Health, Safety, and
Environmental Hazard Remediation in Military Housing
The committee remains concerned by the Department of
Defense's failure to fully implement statutory requirements
related to health, safety, and environmental hazard
identification and remediation in military housing, as mandated
by sections 3051, 3052, 3053, and 3055 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92). The
Department's Inspector General's Report (DODIG-2025-045) found
that none of the 12 evaluated requirements had been fully
implemented, despite statutory deadlines and congressional
intent to improve the conditions of military housing. These
failures increase health and safety risks for service members
and their families and undermine the Department's ability to
ensure safe and habitable living conditions in military
housing.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Energy, Installations, and Environment, to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 31, 2026,
outlining a corrective action plan to implement the 12
outstanding statutory requirements. The briefing shall include,
at a minimum:
(1) a comprehensive plan of action detailing how the
Department will achieve full implementation of the 12
outstanding statutory requirements, including specific
deadlines, responsible offices, and performance metrics;
(2) a timeline and funding plan to complete all outstanding
housing inspections and assessments, with a breakdown by
military department and housing type; and
(3) a summary of barriers to implementation and a proposal
for strengthening oversight, policy enforcement, and resource
allocation to ensure full compliance with statutory
requirements.
Cost of Extreme Weather Events to Military Installations
The committee is aware that extreme weather and natural
disasters pose a direct threat to the national security of the
United States and are impacting operational readiness. The
Department of Defense must assess the financial cost and the
impact of such events on mission readiness and must develop
plans to mitigate their effects.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives by March 1, 2026, on the financial
impact of extreme weather events on military installations. The
report shall provide:
(1) A summary of costs incurred in the preceding fiscal
year as a result of extreme weather at military installations,
including facility and infrastructure damage; mission-readiness
or operational disruptions; emergency response and recovery
expenditures; and temporary relocation or housing of personnel.
(2) A list of the ten installations incurring the highest
weather-related costs in the preceding fiscal year, with for
each type and date of the event or events; nature and extent of
damage; cost of response and repairs; and source of funds used
for recovery.
(3) An estimate of potential future costs based on
historical trends and projected exposure to extreme weather,
including deferred maintenance or infrastructure reinforcements
needed to reduce risk.
(4) Where applicable, an assessment of cost savings
realized from mitigation efforts undertaken in prior fiscal
years.
(5) Any other cost-related information the Secretary deems
relevant to inform Congress about the fiscal burden posed by
extreme weather on military operations and infrastructure.
Design Build Contracting in Guam
The committee notes that Design Bid Build Contracting is
often a more administratively burdensome process than Design
Build Contracting, and is a process which can be complicated by
the unique challenges facing construction projects in Guam. The
committee commends Department of the Navy efforts to assess the
benefits of Progressive Design Build Contracting as a method of
reducing burdens on contractors. The Committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to the House Armed
Services Committee by December 1, 2025 on feedback received
from contractors involved in military construction in Guam
regarding the Design Build, Design Bid Build, and Progressive
Design Bid Build processes.
Digitization of Maintenance Work Order Management
In Section 233 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense
Authorization Act, the Department of Defense was required to
establish a digital maintenance system. However, the Army is
currently the only service with an adequate digital maintenance
work order management system. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of
the Army, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2026, on the plans to
implement a digital maintenance work order system. The briefing
should include the following information:
(1) the current maintenance work order systems used across
the Department of Defense;
(2) an evaluation of the United States Army's maintenance
work order system, the Army Maintenance Application; and
(3) analysis to determine the considerations, costs,
savings, or benefits of a common digital maintenance work order
system.
Enhance Electrical Grid Resilience on Installations
The committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Energy, Installations, and Environment (ASD(EI&E)) to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 1, 2026, on the feasibility of the
installation of modular composite utility poles at U.S.
military installations. The briefing shall identify U.S.
military installations which have experienced existing utility
pole failures and electrical outages due to excessive ice
loading, high wind conditions, wildfires, environmental
moisture such as from swamps and wetlands, and wildlife
interference and corruption.
Enhancing Access to Affordable Off-Base Housing through Local
Partnerships
The committee is concerned about the continued strain on
military personnel and their families in securing affordable
housing in high cost-of-living and rural areas. Rising rents,
limited on-base housing availability, and a mismatch between
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates and local market
conditions have compounded the challenge. In many metropolitan
and rural areas, military families are increasingly burdened
with high out-of-pocket housing costs, impacting readiness,
retention, and quality of life. The committee believes more can
be done to leverage partnerships between military installations
and local governments to expand off-base housing options and
reduce barriers for servicemembers in accessing affordable
homes.
To address these issues, the committee supports Department
of Defense engagement with cities, housing providers, and
developers to identify innovative ways to facilitate
servicemember access to affordable housing. Additionally, the
committee encourages long-term planning with community
stakeholders to incentivize the construction of affordable off-
base housing in high-demand regions.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than May 31, 2026, on actions taken and planned to
expand access to affordable housing for servicemembers through
partnerships with local governments and housing providers. The
briefing shall include:
(1) a list of high cost-of-living locations and rural
locations near remote and isolated installations where
servicemembers face the greatest housing affordability
challenges;
(2) a summary of any current or planned efforts between
military installations and local municipalities or housing
providers aimed at providing rental relief or lease
flexibility, including establishing memoranda of understanding;
(3) identification of existing public-private partnerships
or community development initiatives that could be leveraged to
support off-base housing for servicemembers;
(4) an assessment of potential incentives that could be
offered by participating landlords or cities, including waived
security deposits, below-BAH rent rates, application fee
discounts, and flexible lease terms;
(5) an overview of Department efforts to collaborate with
local governments and housing developers to incentivize the
construction of affordable off-base housing tailored to
servicemember needs; and
(6) recommendations for any legislative or policy changes
needed to enhance local housing partnerships and reduce housing
insecurity for servicemembers.
Feasibility of a 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center
The committee recognizes the importance of honoring those
who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on
September 11, 2001, and the continued need to educate the
public about the events of that day and the national response
that followed. The committee notes the potential value of
establishing a visitor education center near the 9/11 Pentagon
Memorial to provide historical context and enhance public
understanding of the site's significance. However, the
committee believes additional analysis is necessary before
authorizing construction, including an assessment of available
space, funding sources, infrastructure needs, and the impact on
existing Pentagon operations and transportation access.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army,
in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Executive
Director of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc., to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2026, on the feasibility of constructing a
visitor education center near the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. The
briefing should include:
(1) an assessment of potential locations and site
constraints, including the impact on parking, traffic flow, and
security;
(2) identification of any legal, environmental, or
jurisdictional barriers to construction;
(3) a review of proposed funding mechanisms, including
private, philanthropic, or public sources;
(4) estimated costs and a preliminary construction
timeline; and
(5) input from relevant stakeholders, including the
Department of Defense, Arlington National Cemetery, and
Pentagon Force Protection Agency.
Feasibility of Designating Co-working Facilities for Military Spouses
at Remote Military Installations in the Continental United States
The committee recognizes the growing need for adequate co-
working spaces for military spouses employed in remote work.
The committee understands that military spouses face frequent
relocations, often to bases located in isolated or rural areas.
The committee recognizes that dedicated co-working facilities
on military installations can support economic mobility, reduce
social isolation for military families, and provide essential
functions to alleviate the difficulties of working and
maintaining remote or flexible job opportunities for military
spouses. The committee seeks to ensure that military spouses
have access to reliable high-speed internet access, an
affordable and professional environment to boost productivity,
and access to networking and career development resources,
which can deliver meaningfully support with little additional
investment. The committee urges the Department of Defense to
consider the feasibility of specifically designated military
spouse co-working spaces on remote military installations and
the benefits in terms of improved mission readiness, enhanced
family resiliency, and greater retention. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 27, 2026, on the feasibility of designating co-
working facilities specifically for military spouses at remote
military installations in the continental United States.
Flood Mitigation at Department of Defense Facilities
The committee recognizes that flooding due to extreme
weather events poses a growing threat to military
installations, infrastructure, and readiness. Flooding can
disrupt operations, damage critical assets, and increase long-
term maintenance and repair costs. The committee is concerned
about the adequacy of current flood mitigation strategies
across the Department of Defense. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of
the military departments, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2026, on
current flood mitigation strategies employed by the Department.
The briefing should include an identification of installations
with high flood risk, summarize existing flood mitigation
efforts and infrastructure improvements, outline future plans
for resilience and drainage upgrades, and describe how flood
risk data are integrated into facility planning and
construction decisions.
Government Accountability Office Review of Department of Defense
Facility Sustainment Management
The committee is concerned with how the Department of
Defense manages its real property needs, in particular the poor
quality of the Department's condition and utilization
information that it uses to inform its oversight. High-quality
information regarding the condition and utilization of
facilities is critical to sound decision making regarding use,
maintenance, and funding. The committee is interested in how
the Department is addressing the related issues Government
Accountability Office (GAO) has reported on. Specifically, in
2018 GAO recommended actions to address significant
inaccuracies and omissions in the Department's real property
data, which had complicated Department of Defense's efforts to
reform its real property management. In 2022, GAO recommended
actions to improve the Department's delayed implementation of
the Sustainment Management System, which the Department of
Defense expects will allow it to more frequently assess
facility condition, provide facility maintenance in a more
targeted manner, and better manage the risk of building
maintenance backlogs. Further, in 2023 GAO recommended that the
Department of Defense provide guidance to improve unreliable
building condition assessments of its military barracks.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess the following:
(1) the extent to which the Department of Defense has
processes in place to assess and determine the quality of
condition and utilization of the Department's facilities;
(2) the systems the Department of Defense relies on for
managing facility condition and utilization information,
including those that are used department-wide and those that
are military service or defense agency specific systems, and
any associated challenges with oversight; and
(3) any other matters deemed necessary.
The committee directs the Comptroller General to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services on
preliminary findings from this assessment no later than May 1,
2026, to be followed with a report by a mutually agreed upon
date.
Government Accountability Office Review of Privatized Military Family
Housing Inventory
The committee is concerned with how the Department of
Defense ensures it has reliable information regarding the
inventory and availability of privatized military housing,
which is critical for providing safe and quality housing for
our servicemembers and their families. Private companies own
and operate 99 percent of family housing at domestic military
installations, totaling approximately 203,300 units. Since
2019, questions have been raised about assistance available to
residents, poor housing conditions, and private company
performance. About two-thirds of servicemembers live off base
in non-military, private sector housing and some locations have
critical housing shortages in the community. Some installations
may not have the inventory of military housing needed to
support servicemembers populations and their families. The
committee is also concerned about servicemembers' experiences
with renter's insurance in privatized housing and actions the
Department is taking to assist these servicemembers.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess the following:
(1) the extent to which the Department's inventory of
privatized military housing meets current servicemember housing
needs regarding various factors, such as population, rank, and
family size;
(2) the extent to which the Department has reliable data
and information on privatized housing occupancy rates,
waitlists, and non-active duty tenants;
(3) how the Department monitors housing that is offline for
or uninhabitable due to condition issues;
(4) the Department's process for effective decision making
regarding the need for new or expanded housing;
(5) the extent to which changes in the insurance industry
are impacting privatized partners' ability to acquire adequate
insurance, react to emergent maintenance requirements resulting
from natural disasters, and how rates are impacting the
financial viability of projects in disaster-prone regions;
(6) the extent to which tenants residing in privatized
military housing are required to purchase renter's insurance,
the Department's tracking of that information, and any
associated challenges; and
(7) any other matters deemed necessary.
The committee directs the Comptroller General to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services on
preliminary findings from this assessment not later than May 1,
2026, to be followed with a report by a mutually agreed upon
date.
Government Accountability Office Review of Unified Facilities Criteria
in Military Construction
The committee is concerned about whether the Department of
Defense's military construction (MILCON) standards, the Unified
Facilities Criteria (UFC), align with or impose additional
burdens beyond comparable commercial construction standards.
The committee recognizes that, over the years, the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) has identified areas where the
Department can improve its oversight of its MILCON program. To
plan and manage its MILCON projects, the Department has
established two levels of military construction guidance: the
UFC and military department-level guidance. The committee is
concerned that, despite having clear cost-estimating guidance
and improved project management practices, the Department is
still at risk of running into challenges because of
insufficient project oversight or lack of quality control
information.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Comptroller General
of the United States to conduct a review of the extent to which
the Department's process for developing and updating UFC
applicable to major specified military construction projects
considers and incorporates relevant industry and commercial
construction standards. The review should include, for a select
sample of major military construction projects, the extent to
which select relevant UFC for each project:
(1) imposed any challenges attributable to the relevant UFC
premiums on the project relative to comparable commercial
construction projects;
(2) resulted in inefficiencies, delays, or excessive
regulatory burdens that increased overall project costs; and
(3) compared with widely accepted commercial construction
standards for such projects;
(4) any recommendations the Comptroller General considers
prudent.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services on
preliminary findings from this assessment not later than May 1,
2026, to be followed with a final product by a mutually agreed
upon timeframe.
Infrastructure Requirements at Medical Research Units
The Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) conducts critical
biomedical research to enhance warfighter performance,
resilience, and survivability across a range of operational
environments. This enterprise includes specialized laboratories
focused on infectious diseases, operational and expeditionary
medicine, and environmental health. Within this network, the
Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-D) plays a vital role
in aerospace medical and environmental health research
supporting the readiness of Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
Over the past decade, NAMRU-D has experienced significant
growth in personnel, research funding, and scientific output.
Despite this expansion, the physical infrastructure supporting
the unit has remained unchanged, raising concerns about the
long-term sustainability of its mission-critical operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than March 31, 2026, on a plan to address NMRC
infrastructure requirements. The briefing shall include, at a
minimum, the following:
(1) a review of current facility constraints and their
effects on NMRC research capacity;
(2) an assessment of the long-term infrastructure
requirements of NMRC, including the potential impacts if such
requirements are not met;
(3) an identification of available authorities for
addressing NMRC infrastructure needs, including the Laboratory
Revitalization Program; and
(4) a plan, including dates and milestones, for addressing
infrastructure needs.
Innovative Materials for Housing and Facilities Construction
The committee recognizes the need for new and innovative
approaches to housing and facilities construction for
servicemembers and installations alike. Accordingly, the
committee has provided robust support year-over-year for the
development of next-generation building materials to enable the
Department of Defense and its industry partners to accelerate
building and extend housing service life.
The committee notes that in the process of developing new
and innovative building solutions, the Department of Defense
and the military departments have learned valuable lessons that
could address critical infrastructure needs for the nation.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a publicly available report to the House Committee on
Armed Services, not later than March 1, 2026, outlining the
Department's efforts to develop new and innovative building
materials. The report shall include the following:
(1) An update on the Department's efforts to field
alternative building materials for housing, facilities, and
other physical infrastructure needs;
(2) A description of the projected time and cost savings
gained through use of innovative and advanced building
materials; and
(3) A description of the environmental sustainability and
service-life extension benefits posed by innovative and
advanced building materials.
Limiting MILCON Bottlenecks Through Use of AI
The committee is concerned about delays in the military
construction (MILCON) project lifecycle, particularly those
affecting essential infrastructure such as barracks. These
delays contribute to poor living conditions for servicemembers,
reduce morale, and negatively affect readiness.
The committee recognizes that large-scale additive
construction offers a promising path to improve speed,
flexibility, and cost-effectiveness in delivering MILCON
projects. However, outdated regulatory and approval processes
within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Air Force
Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), and the Naval Facilities
Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) can inhibit innovation and
prolong project timelines.
The committee believes that artificial intelligence (AI)-
enabled software tools can help modernize these processes. AI
systems can identify bottlenecks, enhance decision-making, and
increase efficiency throughout the MILCON lifecycle.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
June 1, 2026, on the Department's strategy to integrate
intelligent software systems into MILCON workflows. The report
shall include the following:
(1) a summary of current efforts by the Department of
Defense to employ AI-enabled tools in planning, design review,
regulatory compliance, and project approvals across USACE,
AFCEC, and NAVFAC;
(2) identification of process chokepoints that limit the
adoption of additive construction technologies;
(3) an assessment of how AI-enabled tools can reduce delays
and accelerate approval and construction timelines,
particularly for additive construction projects; and
(4) a plan with cost estimates, timelines, and
implementation milestones for incorporating intelligent
software tools into MILCON systems, prioritizing commercially
available platforms that could ensure scalability,
interoperability, and timely impact across the services.
Military Construction Needs to Support F-35 Beddown
The committee is aware of the planning required to ensure
new F-35 bases have ramp space, hangars, operations and
maintenance facilities, weapons storage, and simulators to
support both the aircraft and Airmen who will fly and maintain
the F-35s. However, the committee is concerned about the
funding and timeline of new construction at future F-35 bases.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
and Secretary of the Air Force to each provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 13,
2026, on its military construction plan for its remaining F-35
beddown bases. The briefings should include, at a minimum, the
following:
(1) a list of remaining F-35 beddown bases;
(2) a timeline for the arrival of the F-35 aircraft and
personnel at each location;
(3) a breakdown of military construction requirements,
including anticipated design and construction timelines; and
(4) an estimate for achieving both initial and full
operational capability of the F-35 units at each installation.
National Guard Bureau and Reserve Component Infrastructure Deficiencies
The committee recognizes the systemic infrastructure
challenges facing National Guard Bureau (NGB) facilities
nationwide. Many of these installations suffer from outdated
infrastructure, failing utilities, and degraded runways that
compromise operational readiness. The committee recognizes the
challenges experienced at Joint Forces Training Base--Los
Alamitos, where significant pavement and sub-pavement
degradation, inadequate lighting and paint stripe upkeep, and
deteriorating barracks conditions have hindered the base's
ability to support operations effectively. These conditions
reflect broader infrastructure shortfalls across the National
Guard and Reserve components, posing a risk to mission
readiness.
The committee is particularly concerned that NGB and
Reserve Component installations receive lower prioritization in
infrastructure investment compared to Active Component bases.
While the Army's current infrastructure funding model
prioritizes Active Component installations, the committee
believes that NGB and Reserve facilities are too often
relegated to receiving only residual funding. This has resulted
in chronic deferred maintenance, an accumulation of unfunded
infrastructure projects, and increased operational risks at
Guard and Reserve installations. Given the critical role these
bases play in our national defense, the Army must ensure that
its infrastructure investment strategy does not impose
excessive risks on NGB and Reserve facilities.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army,
in coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2026, on the Army's strategy for
prioritizing and addressing infrastructure deficiencies at NGB
and Reserve installations. The report shall include, at a
minimum:
(1) a detailed assessment of infrastructure challenges at
NGB and Reserve installations, including but not limited to
runways, barracks, utilities, and training facilities;
(2) the Army's prioritization process for NGB and Reserve
infrastructure funding relative to Active Component bases,
including an analysis of the current investment strategy, how
projects are ranked, and how risk assessments factor into
funding allocations;
(3) the operational risks associated with underfunding of
NGB and Reserve infrastructure; and
(4) a plan for addressing chronic infrastructure
deficiencies at NGB facilities.
Pathogen Transmission Reduction
The committee continues to be aware of vulnerabilities and
ongoing quality-of-life challenges with respect to military
housing. Despite ongoing improvements, indoor air quality
remains a cause of concern for military housing tenants, as it
is a factor in chronic conditions, including asthma, and it
creates vulnerabilities to airborne biological pathogens,
including Anthrax.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment to provide a
briefing to the House Armed Services Committee no later than
January 31, 2026, on indoor air quality in military family
housing both government owned and privatized, to include the
following:
(1) what efforts are currently underway to incorporate
indoor air quality standards that meet or exceed those set
forth in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air-Conditioning Engineering Standards 61.1, 61.2, or other
applicable consensus indoor air quality standards;
(2) a description of the Department of Defense's guidance
to the military departments on habitability standards related
to air quality in family housing; and
(3) an assessment of which biological contaminants (i.e.
bacteria, viruses, fungi, particulates) are of greatest concern
and for which the Department of Defense is exploring mitigation
or detection measures.
Performance of Privatized Housing Contractors
The committee understands the critical role that privatized
military housing contractors under the Military Housing
Privatization Initiative play in maintaining high quality of
life standards for servicemembers and their families. The
committee acknowledges ongoing concerns about poor and unsafe
housing conditions, including mold, water damage, and other
hazards, and commends the Department's actions to improve
transparency, increase inspections, and strengthen oversight.
The committee recognizes that, despite these efforts to enforce
accountability, significant inconsistencies in housing quality
remain across installations, creating distrust toward the
system and its contractors among tenants.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 27, 2026, on the performance of
privatized military housing contractors. The briefing shall
include:
(1) an analysis of the findings and conclusions produced by
the Department of Defense Military Family Readiness Working
Group for Military Housing authorized by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31);
(2) results from questions regarding servicemembers
satisfaction with housing in the annual military-wide ``status
of forces'' survey over the last five years;
(3) efforts taken by the Department of Defense to implement
the nineteen recommendations from the U.S. Government
Accountability Office's report titled ``DOD Can Further
Strengthen Oversight of Its Privatized Housing Program''
[Reissued with Revisions Apr. 20, 2023]; and
(4) existing barriers to the authorities and processes in
place to establish greater accountability of private military
housing companies for poor conditions.
Power Grid Infrastructure
The committee recognizes that dependable power
infrastructure is essential to military readiness and
operational continuity. In many locations, Department of
Defense installations depend significantly on civilian power
grids, making the stability and security of these systems a
national defense concern. To enhance energy reliability,
Congress has authorized programs such as the Energy Resilience
and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP) and provided
statutory authorities under section 2815 of title 10, United
States Code.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by February 1, 2026, outlining opportunities for the Department
to strengthen power grid infrastructure in support of mission
assurance. The briefing should include, at a minimum, the
following:
(1) an assessment of opportunities to leverage ERCIP and
authorities under section 2815 of title 10, United States Code,
within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of
responsibility;
(2) identification of possible Military Construction
initiatives to improve power infrastructure dependability
within the USINDOPACOM area and Joint Region Marianas; and
(3) any additional considerations the Secretary deems
relevant.
Public-Private Partnership Model for Military Housing in Guam
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments,
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than December 31, 2025, detailing the cost implications
and feasibility of transitioning accompanied and unaccompanied
military housing on Guam to a Public-Private Partnership (P3)
model. The report shall include:
(1) A comparative analysis of projected lifecycle costs for
government-managed versus P3-managed housing over a 30-year
period;
(2) An assessment of initial capital investment
requirements and funding mechanisms under each model;
(3) An evaluation of risk allocation and long-term
operational responsibilities under a P3 structure;
(4) An analysis of market interest and potential barriers
to private-sector participation specific to Guam; and
(5) Legal, logistical, and policy considerations necessary
to support such a transition.
The committee encourages the Department to prioritize
housing readiness, security, and long-term value for the
taxpayer in any future housing development strategy on Guam.
Readiness Impacts and Airfield Infrastructure at Air Mobility Bases
The committee is aware of the important role that air
mobility bases play in supporting power projection worldwide.
Travis Air Force Base (Travis) is one such installation and
performs this critical role in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
(USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility. The committee is
concerned that there is a lack of investment in airfield
infrastructure at air mobility bases generally, and at Travis
in particular. The committee notes that the failure to
modernize the airfield will lower Travis' sortie generation and
throughput in the event of a contingency. For example, the
committee notes that the closure of Runway 21R/03L through
April 2026 has reduced maximum airfield capacity by 75 percent,
forcing all operations onto a single runway and straining
mission execution.
Additionally, the committee notes that the proposed
extension of Taxiway November--essential to enhancing aircraft
flow, improving safety, and supporting future operational
growth--has yet to be programmed, risking prolonged throughput
bottlenecks and impairing air mobility readiness in support of
Indo-Pacific and global operations.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2026 including at a minimum,
the following:
(1) a detailed plan for airfield infrastructure risk
mitigation measures at air mobility bases, to include Travis
Air Force Base, to restore airfield throughput;
(2) infrastructure investments that are required to ensure
that the air mobility bases serving the USINDOPACOM area of
responsibility, including Travis Air Force Base, maintain
sufficient sortie generation capacity to meet Indo-Pacific and
global mobility requirements;
(3) recommended legislative or budgetary actions to
expedite the delivery of critical airfield infrastructure; and
(4) the anticipated operational impacts to sortie-
generation and throughput if necessary airfield infrastructure
improvements are not funded in fiscal year 2027.
Security Camera Feasibility Study in Unaccompanied Housing Buildings
Prior GAO findings in GAO-23-105797, highlighted the
importance of DoD oversight and facility management
improvements, particularly regarding the safety and welfare of
service members living in unaccompanied housing (UH).
Therefore, the committee remains concerned about ongoing
reports of sexual assault and harassment occurring within UH.
While the Department of Defense has taken steps to address the
root causes of these incidents, the committee believes
additional evaluation is needed to assess whether the
installation and proper maintenance of security camera systems
in these environments may enhance safety, deter misconduct, and
support investigations when incidents occur.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Armed Services Committees not
later than March 1, 2026, on the feasibility of installing,
upgrading, and maintaining security cameras in unaccompanied
housing and base installations where sexual assault risk is
most acute. The report should include:
(1) An inventory of current camera installations within
barracks or UH facilities across the Services, disaggregated by
installation;
(2) An assessment of the types of maintenance issues
reported with these systems, how frequently they occur, and how
long after installation they are typically identified;
(3) The annual cost of maintaining security cameras, as
well as estimated costs for upgrades in areas lacking
sufficient coverage;
(4) The estimated costs and storage requirements for
retaining security footage for one year and, if feasible,
alternative retention periods;
(5) The frequency with which security footage is utilized
by military investigative agencies or military prosecutors in
Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) cases; and
(6) An analysis of whether increased use of camera systems
may aid in timely investigation or prosecution of sexual
assault and other criminal activity within UH settings.
Study on Workforce Housing at Naval Shipyards
The committee remains concerned about persistent
recruitment and retention challenges facing the civilian
industrial workforce at the Navy's public shipyards. Increasing
local housing costs, long commute times, and lack of affordable
housing options near shipyard locations are contributing to
workforce shortages that threaten the Navy's ability to conduct
timely ship maintenance and sustain fleet readiness.
The committee notes that the Navy's four public shipyards--
Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia; Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Hawaii; Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard in Maine; and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and
Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Washington--are each
located in high-cost areas where access to affordable workforce
housing may serve as a key factor in employee retention and
performance.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretary of the Navy and the Director of
the Office of Industrial Policy of the Department of Defense,
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by February 1, 2026, on the feasibility, costs, and benefits of
providing apartment-style or dormitory housing for civilian
workers at covered naval shipyards. The briefing should include
the following:
(1) an assessment of the estimated costs of constructing,
maintaining, or leasing apartment-style housing units for
civilian shipyard workers;
(2) an assessment of the potential workforce and economic
benefits of such housing, including expected impacts on
recruitment, retention, and absenteeism;
(3) an evaluation of the feasibility of implementing
workforce housing solutions at each of the four Navy public
shipyards;
(4) an assessment of the operational effects of providing
on-site or nearby housing, including potential effects on
worker availability, morale, and commuting burdens;
(5) a review of options for deducting fair-market or below-
market housing fees directly from employee paychecks, including
legal, administrative, and contractual considerations;
(6) comparisons to similar workforce housing models used by
the Department of Defense or other federal agencies; and
(7) case studies from at least two naval shipyards,
including location-specific data on workforce needs and the
projected effectiveness of workforce housing solutions.
Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems for Department of Defense
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities
The committee supports the Secretary of Defense's Security
Review Follow-on Actions Memorandum, dated June 30, 2023, which
required Department of Defense components to program for
appropriate electronic device detection systems and mitigation
measures in all of the Department's Sensitive Compartmented
Information Facilities (SCIFs) and Special Access Program
Facilities (SAPFs) by September 30, 2024. The committee
acknowledges the importance of programming for appropriate
electronic device detection systems and mitigation measures in
all Department of Defense SCIFs and SAPFs and commends the
Department for recognizing the urgency of this requirement.
However, the committee remains concerned that the
Department of Defense has yet to program for appropriate
electronic device detection systems and mitigation measures in
all SCIFs and SAPFs. The committee recognizes the resources
needed to implement Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems (WIDS)
system at such a scale. For the vast majority of SCIFs and
SAPFs, the necessary infrastructure and WIDS components must be
installed and integrated into existing buildings. However, the
committee notes that the most efficient adoption of electronic
device detection systems for new facilities is to integrate the
WIDS system during the construction of the new facility and
prior to occupancy. The committee believes this approach would
limit disruptions to mission work, reduce the possibility of
deferred installations, and account for the funding
requirements as part of the overall construction costs.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2026, describing how the Department
would integrate WIDS into all new SCIF and SAPF construction
projects. This briefing should include the following:
(1) a list of all planned SCIF and SAPF facilities
currently scheduled for construction;
(2) an analysis of the funding and resource requirements
necessary to ensure the implementation of a WIDS system in all
new SCIF and SAPF construction projects; and
(3) a description of how the Department intends to
incorporate WIDS into new SCIF and SAPF construction projects.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Military Construction Programs
Section 2801--Facility Construction or Repair: Transactions Other Than
Contracts and Grants
This section would provide permanent other transaction
authority for military construction and repair projects.
Section 2802--Supervision of Military Construction Projects
This section would clarify that supervision of military
construction projects may be carried out by any military
department or Government agency approved by the Secretary of
Defense.
Section 2803--Improvements to Water Management and Security on Military
Installations
This section would require the Department of Defense to
establish a risk-based framework to assess and improve water
security at military installations.
Section 2804--Authority to Use Progressive Design-Build Procedures for
Military Construction Projects
This section would allow the Department of Defense to use
the progressive design-build contracting method.
Section 2805--Pilot Program on Use of Additive Construction
Technologies at Army Installations
This section would establish a pilot program to test
additive construction technologies for military construction
projects at Army installations.
Section 2806--Consideration of Modular Construction Methods for
Military Construction Projects with Protective Design Elements
This section would require the Department of Defense to
consider modular construction methods when planning military
construction projects with protective design elements.
Section 2807--Multiyear Contracting Authority for Certain Military
Construction Projects
This section would authorize military departments to use
multiyear contracting authority for unaccompanied housing and
child development center construction projects, provided they
validate cost savings and use standardized designs.
Section 2808--Guidance for Military Construction Projects for
Innovation, Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
This section would require the Department of Defense to
issue guidance for implementing military construction projects
under Section 2810 of title 10, United States Code.
Subtitle B--Military Housing Reforms
Section 2811--Improvements to Department of Defense Housing
Requirements and Market Analysis
This section would allow Department of Defense housing
assessments to consider civilian and contractor needs.
Section 2812--Use of Imitative Substitute Building Materials for
Preservation of Certain Units of Military Housing Under Jurisdiction of
the Department of Defense
This section would allow the Department of Defense to use
cost-effective, modern materials that mimic original ones for
maintaining certain military housing and delay historic
preservation requirements until the housing is 100 years old.
Section 2813--Modification of Certain Requirements With Respect to
Closure of Maintenance Work Orders for Privatized Military Housing
This section would revise section 2891(f)(3) of title 10,
United States Code, to require at least three documented
contact attempts before closing a maintenance ticket, with
tenant notification through multiple channels and final notice
to the housing office, if the tenant does not respond.
Section 2814--Inclusion of Additional Landlord Financial Information in
Certain Annual Report on Privatized Military Housing
This section would require landlords of privatized military
housing to include additional financial information in annual
reports, specifically detailing insurance policy terms and
remedial payments made to tenants following dispute
resolutions.
Section 2815--Continuation of Certain Reporting Requirements With
Respect to Privatized Military Housing
This section would preserve ongoing reporting requirements
related to privatized military housing.
Section 2816--Pilot Program for Emerging Mold Remediation Technologies
This section would establish a pilot program to test and
evaluate new mold monitoring and remediation technologies in
military family housing.
Section 2817--Standardization of Mold Remediation Guidelines Across
Military Departments
This section would require the military departments to
adopt uniform mold remediation guidelines.
Section 2818--Inspections by Qualified Home Inspector of Privatized
Military Housing
This section would require annual independent inspections
of privatized military housing by qualified home inspectors.
Section 2819--Plan To Improve Accuracy, Integration, and
Interoperability of Department of Defense Data With Respect to Real
Property, Infrastructure, Military Unaccompanied Housing
This section would require the Department of Defense to
develop and implement a plan to improve data accuracy,
integration, and tracking for real property, infrastructure,
and unaccompanied housing across all military departments.
Subtitle C--Real Property and Facilities Administration
Section 2821--Modification to Assistance for Public Infrastructure
Projects and Services
This section would amend section 2391 of title 10, United
States Code, and clarify that such section supports military
installations.
Section 2822--Modification of Requirement With Respect to Minimum
Capital Investment for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and
Modernization for Military Departments
This section would allow military departments to count up
to 20 percent of military construction funds used for facility
recapitalization toward their required investment in facilities
sustainment, restoration, and modernization, and updates the
definition of covered facilities to exclude those not fully
owned or funded through non-appropriated or family housing
accounts.
Section 2823--Extension of Authority To Carry Out Department of Defense
Pilot Program for Use of Cost Savings Realized
This section would extend the authority for the Department
of Defense pilot program on use of cost savings realized from
2025 to 2030.
Section 2824--Department of Defense Intergovernmental Support
Agreements for Ordnance Disposal
This section would allow the Department of Defense to enter
into intergovernmental support agreements for the purpose of
ordnance disposal.
Section 2825--Authorities Available for Energy Resilience and
Conservation Investment Program Projects on Privatized Utility Systems
This section would clarify that contributions and sole
source contracts under utility conveyance agreements may use
any available procurement authority, including modifications to
existing service or construction contracts.
Section 2826--Repeal of Construction Requirements Related to
Antiterrorism and Force Protection or Urban-Training Operations
This section would repeal section 2859 of title 10, United
States Code, relating to antiterrorism and force protection
standards for construction.
Section 2827--Repeal of Pilot Program Authorizing Overhead Cost
Reimbursements From Major Range and Test Facility Base Users at Certain
Department of the Air Force Installations
This section would repeal section 2862 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-
81).
Section 2828--Department of Defense Procedures With Respect to Planning
Coordination for Grid Resiliency on Military Installations
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish internal processes to support coordination with
external regulatory and planning entities involved in grid
reliability, transmission infrastructure, and long-term energy
planning to comply with section 2920 of title 10, United States
Code.
Section 2829--Master Plans for Service Academies
This section would require the secretaries concerned to
complete an installation master plan for the service academies
under their respective jurisdictions.
Section 2830--Review of Unified Facilities Criteria Applicable to
Military Construction Projects; Report
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a comprehensive review of Unified Facilities Criteria
to identify outdated or unnecessarily burdensome standards and
recommend revisions to reduce costs and improve efficiency in
military construction projects.
Section 2831--Annual Report on Cost Premium for Construction of Certain
Facilities
This section would require an annual report assessing the
factors contributing to the cost premium associated with
construction of military facilities and recommendations to
reduce costs without compromising mission needs.
Section 2832--Historical Marker Commemorating Effects of Radiation
Exposure at Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range
This section would require the placement of historical
markers at Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile
Range to commemorate the effects of radiation exposure on
communities downwind from the Manhattan Project and the Trinity
Site nuclear test.
Section 2833--Name of Department of the Army Military Installation,
Augusta, Georgia
This section would rename the Army installation in Augusta,
Georgia, as ``Fort Shugart Gordon.''
Section 2834--Name of the Department of the Army Military Installation
Located in Muscogee County and Chattahoochee County, Georgia
This section would rename a Department of the Army military
installation located in Muscogee County and Chattahoochee
County, Georgia as Fort Moore.
Subtitle D--Land Conveyances
Section 2841--Extension of Sunset for Land Conveyance, Sharpe Army
Depot, Lathrop, California
This section would amend the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public
Law 116-283) by striking ``five years'' and inserting ``ten
years.''
Section 2842--Land Conveyance, Former Curtis Bay Depot, Maryland
This section would authorize the conveyance of the former
Curtis Bay Depot.
Subtitle E--Modifications to Unspecified Minor Military Construction
Section 2851--Deadline for Congressional Notification of Decisions to
Carry Out Certain Unspecified Minor Military Construction Projects
This section would modify the congressional notification
requirement for unspecified minor military construction
projects by allowing the Secretary concerned to submit a notice
within 90 days after obligating funds.
Section 2852--Modification to Unspecified Minor Military Construction
Authority for Laboratory Revitalization Projects
This section would raise the unspecified minor military
construction dollar thresholds for the Laboratory
Revitalization Program.
Section 2853--Modification of Authority for Indo-Pacific Posture
Unspecified Minor Military Construction Projects
This section would increase the funding cap for Indo-
Pacific posture unspecified minor military construction
projects from $30.0 million to $50.0 million.
Section 2854--Amendments to Defense Laboratory Modernization Program
This section would raise the Defense Laboratory
Modernization Program fiscal year cap to $300.0 million.
Section 2855--Transfer of Defense Laboratory Modernization Program
Authority to Provision of Law With Respect to Military Construction
Projects for Research, Test, Development, and Evaluation
This section would relocate the Defense Laboratory
Modernization Program authority from section 2805 of title 10,
United States Code, to section 2810 of title 10, United States
Code, to better align it with related construction authorities.
Section 2856--Authority of a Secretary Concerned To Carry Out Certain
Unspecified Minor Military Construction Projects
This section would grant the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretaries of the military departments the ability to carry
out minor military construction projects under the authority of
section 2815 of title 10, United States Code.
Subtitle F--Limitations and Other Matters
Section 2861--Modification to Definition of Military Installation
Resilience
This section would expand the definition of military
installation resilience to include energy and water disruptions
and human-induced environmental hazards.
Section 2862--Requirements Relating to Funds for Construction and
Improvement of Commissary Store Facilities
This section would amend section 2685 of title 10, United
State Code, to clarify that nothing in such section can be
interpreted to prohibit using proceeds from commissary store
sales or appropriated funds to construct or improve the
physical infrastructure of commissary stores or central product
processing facilities of the defense commissary system.
Section 2863--Expansion of Exceptions to Restriction on Development of
Public Infrastructure in Connection With Realignment of Marine Corps
Forces in Asia Pacific Region
This section would expand an exception to allow operations
and maintenance funding for the curation of archaeological and
cultural artifacts in the Asia-Pacific region.
Section 2864--Cooperative Agreements With Respect to Management of Land
and Cultural Resources Located on Military Installations
This section would expand cooperative agreement authority
for managing land, cultural resources, and encroachment on
military installations to include the Department of Homeland
Security for the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a
service in the Navy and update applicable reporting and
congressional committee requirements.
Section 2865--Limitation on the Use of Funds for Implementing Certain
Energy Efficiency Building Codes
This section would prohibit funds from being used to
implement section 305(a)(3)(D) of the Energy Conservation and
Production Act on property owned or leased by the Secretary of
Defense or property used for purposes of national defense.
Section 2866--Limitation on Use of Funds for Contravention or Reversal
of Implementation of Recommendation of Commission on the Naming of
Certain Items of the Department of Defense
This section would limit funds authorized to be
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to be used
to contravene or reverse the implementation of the
recommendations of the commission on the naming of items of the
Department of Defense that commemorate the Confederate States
of America.
Section 2867--Limitation on Use of Funds to Reduce Capabilities or
Staffing of Department of Defense Military Treatment Facilities Located
Inside the United States
This section would limit the downsizing of military
treatment facilities.
Section 2868--Notice Relating to Contracts or Other Agreements To
Establish an Enduring Location in a Foreign Country
This section would require that when the Secretary of
Defense, the Secretary concerned, or a combatant commander
enters into a contract or other agreement to establish an
enduring location in a foreign country, the Secretary of
Defense shall provide notice to the appropriate congressional
committees as to whether such foreign country has committed a
gross violation of human rights.
Section 2869--Designation of Official Responsible for Coordination of
Defense Sites Within Area of Responsibility of Joint Region Marianas
This section would require Joint Region Marianas to
designate an official to manage and coordinate policies for
defense sites throughout the area of operations.
DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORIZATIONS AND
OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE XXXI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Beryllium Manufacturing Capabilities
The committee is aware that the National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA) is undergoing a comprehensive
modernization effort to reconstitute the capabilities of the
nuclear security enterprise (NSE), including beryllium
capabilities. The committee understands commercial industry
capabilities exist for beryllium, which have the potential to
help meet the NSE's mission needs. Accordingly, the committee
directs the Administrator for Nuclear Security to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than December 31, 2025, on the NSE's beryllium manufacturing
capabilities. The briefing shall include the following:
(1) an analysis of its current capacity and future demand
for beryllium capabilities;
(2) an analysis of capability gaps and challenges with
respect to beryllium manufacturing; and
(3) an assessment of the feasibility of commercial industry
manufacturing capabilities to supplement the internal
capabilities of the nuclear security enterprise and reduce
programmatic risk.
Kansas City Non-Nuclear Component Expansion Transformation
The committee continues to support the National Nuclear
Security Administration's (NNSA) effort to increase the Kansas
City National Security Campus' capacity and capability, known
as the Kansas City Non-nuclear Component Expansion
Transformation (KCNExT), and notes NNSA's continued evaluation
of the best approach to gaining new infrastructure in a timely
and cost-effective manner. Accordingly, the committee directs
the Administrator for Nuclear Security to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than April 1,
2026, assessing funding mechanisms for KCNExT, including an
assessment of the relative merits of alternative approaches,
including incremental funding purchase and sale agreements.
Lithium Processing Facility
The committee continues to support the modernization of
lithium processing capabilities as a vital part of a responsive
nuclear security enterprise. The committee notes continued
growth in the estimated cost for the construction of the new
Lithium Processing Facility (LPF) and the National Nuclear
Security Administration's (NNSA) consideration of alternative
approaches for lithium capabilities. However, while the design
for LPF has reached 90% completion, potential alternative
approaches are not well understood and, therefore, accurate
cost, capability, and schedule comparisons between alternative
options may not be feasible. Accordingly, the committee directs
the Administrator for Nuclear Security to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than December
1, 2025, on the NNSA's strategy with respect to recapitalizing
lithium capabilities. The briefing shall include:
(1) an updated cost and schedule estimate for the Lithium
Processing Facility;
(2) an assessment of the remaining use life of Building
9204-2 (Beta-2);
(3) a description of alternative acquisition strategies
under consideration; and
(4) a discussion of potential off-site options for
processing steps, including consideration of associated
feasibility, security, and logistical challenges.
National Nuclear Security Administration Cloud Computing Strategy
The committee notes the ongoing effort by the National
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to modernize its digital
infrastructure and enable closer collaboration between its
geographically dispersed Federal offices, laboratories, plants,
and sites. The committee is interested in a better
understanding of NNSA's long-term plans with respect to
increased utilization of cloud computing capabilities.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Administrator for
Nuclear Security to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services not later than February 2, 2026, on NNSA's
approach to an enterprise-wide cloud computing strategy. The
briefing shall include:
(1) a summary of current enterprise-wide guidance with
respect to utilizing commercial cloud computing capabilities,
including guidance for determining the appropriate mix of on-
premises computing and cloud services;
(2) a description of cloud computing utilization across the
nuclear security enterprise and an assessment of the level of
coordination between federal and contractor activities;
(3) an assessment of the total cost of ownership between
on-premises and commercial cloud that includes such elements as
computing labor, cost to construct and maintain high
performance compute facilities, data centers, power, cooling,
and associated infrastructure;
(4) an assessment of the enterprise's current utilization
level for cloud computing capabilities, compared to commercial
industry best practices and Federal agencies with similar
defense and national security missions; and
(5) an analysis of the feasibility of and potential
efficiencies from establishing a common set of cloud-enabled
software or interoperable digital tools for nuclear weapon
design, production and maintenance activities.
National Nuclear Security Administration Plan for Office of Secure
Transportation Modernization
The committee recognizes the critical role of the Office of
Secure Transportation (OST) in supporting the nuclear security
enterprise and the increasing long-term demand for
transportation activities in connection with broader nuclear
modernization efforts. Therefore, the committee directs the
Administrator for Nuclear Security to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than February 15,
2026, on the operational performance and long-term strategy of
the Office of Secure Transportation. The briefing shall
include:
(1) a list of potential investments or modernization
opportunities to enhance operation of the OST;
(2) an analysis of existing transportation options and a
determination on the feasibility of air transportation to
support future OST missions; and
(3) a summary of additional requirements associated with
OST support for ongoing nuclear sustainment and modernization
efforts.
National Nuclear Security Administration Workforce
The committee commends the workforce at the National
Nuclear Security Administration in carrying out one of the most
technically complex and consequential missions of the United
States Government. The committee believes that it is imperative
the NNSA be staffed appropriately to address the increasing
mission workload, to include delivering new nuclear warheads,
at a rate that has not been achieved in decades and modernizing
infrastructure across the entire nuclear weapons enterprise.
The committee encourages the NNSA Administrator to evaluate
mission requirements with workforce availability to ensure the
successful execution of the no-fail mission tasked to the NNSA
to meet Department of Defense requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Administrator of NNSA
to deliver a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than February 1, 2026, on the NNSA workforce required
to successfully execute the mission of the NNSA, to include
increased requirements across weapon development and
infrastructure modernization.
Plan to Modernize Warhead Assembly and Disassembly Operations
The committee recognizes the unique role of the Pantex
Plant as the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA)
sole location for final assembly and disassembly of nuclear
weapons. The committee notes the increasing mission need for
assembly and disassembly activities as major weapon
modernization programs transition to production. Accordingly,
the committee remains concerned that the NNSA has not updated
its facilities at the Pantex Plant to keep pace with this
increasing demand.
Therefore, the committee directs the Administrator,
National Nuclear Security Administration, to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than January
1, 2026, on the NNSA's plan to modernize warhead assembly and
disassembly operations. The briefing shall include, but is not
limited to:
(1) a 10-year forecast of future mission demand for warhead
assembly and disassembly operations;
(2) a prioritized description of current risks and limiting
factors impacting assembly and disassembly operations at the
Pantex Plant;
(3) a description of planned activities and options to
increase capacity and resiliency for weapon assembly and
disassembly;
(4) an analysis of alternative processes and new
technologies that demonstrate the potential to increase
efficiency in weapon assembly and disassembly operations; and
(5) a modernization plan to address the Material Staging
Capability mission needs.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--National Security Programs and Authorizations
Section 3101--National Nuclear Security Administration
This section would authorize appropriations for the
National Nuclear Security Administration of the Department of
Energy for fiscal year 2026 at the levels specified in the
funding table in division D of this Act.
Section 3102--Defense Environmental Cleanup
This section would authorize appropriations for defense
environmental cleanup for the Department of Energy for fiscal
year 2026 at the levels specified in the funding table in
division D of this Act.
Section 3103--Other Defense Activities
This section would authorize appropriations for other
defense activities for the Department of Energy for fiscal year
2026 at the levels specified in the funding table in division D
of this Act.
Section 3104--Nuclear Energy
This section would authorize appropriations for nuclear
energy for the Department of Energy for fiscal year 2026 at the
levels specified in the funding table in division D of this
Act.
Subtitle B--Program Authorizations
Section 3111--Plutonium Pit Production Capacity
This section would codify the National Nuclear Security
Administration's (NNSA) two-site strategy to restore production
of plutonium pits to meet Department of Defense requirements.
Additionally, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Acquisition and Sustainment, as Chair of the Nuclear Weapons
Council, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than April 1, 2026, on an updated assessment
of the Department of Defense's requirements with respect to
plutonium pit production. The briefing shall include the
variables involved in setting production rate and schedule
requirements for plutonium pit production capacity, such as the
impact of production delays, potential pit reuse options, and
producibility of future pit designs, and total costs.
Section 3112--Stockpile Responsiveness and Rapid Capabilities Programs
of the National Nuclear Security Administration
This section would require the Administrator for Nuclear
Security to carry out a Rapid Capabilities Program, and make
certain modifications to the Stockpile Responsiveness Program.
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters
Section 3121--Modification to Reporting Requirements With Respect to
Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Stewardship, Management, and Responsiveness
Plan
This section would reduce the frequency of reports required
by section 2523 of title 50, United States Code.
Section 3122--Assessment of the National Nuclear Security
Administration Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project
This section would require the Deputy Administrator for
Naval Reactors of the National Nuclear Security Administration
to carry out an independent assessment of the Spent Fuel
Handling Facility Project. The committee believes that, in
order to be independent, the assessment should be carried out
by an entity or office independent of the project management
staff, management and operating contractor, and subcontractors
for the project.
Section 3123--Limitation Relating to Reclassification of High-Level
Waste
This section would limit funds from being used to
reclassify certain radioactive waste and provide a waiver.
Section 3124--Notification Requirement With Respect to Nuclear Power in
Guam
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
notify Congress and the Governor of Guam at least 180 days
prior to the placement of nuclear reactor in Guam.
TITLE XXXII--DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 3201--Authorization
This section would authorize $45.0 million for the Defense
Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
TITLE XXXIV--NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVES
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 3401--Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize $13,000,000 for fiscal year
2026 for operation and maintenance of the Naval Petroleum
Reserves.
TITLE XXXV--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Maritime Administration
Section 3501--Authorization of Appropriations for Maritime
Administration
This section would authorize funds for the Maritime
Administration.
Subtitle B--Maritime Infrastructure
Section 3511--Clarification Regarding Use of Port Infrastructure
Development Program Funds to Replace Chinese Port Crane Hardware or
Software
This section would amend section 54301 of title 46, United
States Code, to clarify that projects to remove port crane
hardware or software from the People's Republic of China are
eligible for grants under the Port Infrastructure Development
Program.
Section 3512--Clarification of Certain Authorities Relating to
Deepwater Ports
This section would amend several sections in chapter 29 of
title 33, United States Code, to make the Department of
Transportation the lead agency under the Deepwater Ports Act
for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969. It would also allow the Secretary of Transportation to
issue regulations for such purposes and provisions.
Section 3513--Eligibility of Shore Power Projects Under Port
Infrastructure Development Program
This section would extend the eligibility of cruise vessels
for grants to fund shore power projects under the Port
Infrastructure Development Program through fiscal year 2026.
Subtitle C--Reports
Section 3521--Report on Use of Commercial Contracting Agent for Crewing
and Operation of Military Sealift Command Vessels
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a report to the congressional defense committees on the
potential use of contracted commercial mariners for the
operation of vessels for Military Sealift Command.
Subtitle D--Other Matters
Section 3531--United States Merchant Marine Academy Campus
Modernization Plan
This section would require the Secretary of Transportation
to develop and implement a campus modernization plan for the
United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Section 3532--Cargoes Procured, Furnished, or Financed by United States
Government
This section would amend section 55305 of title 46, United
States Code, to make changes to cargo preference requirements
for cargoes procured, financed, or otherwise obtained for the
Department of Transportation. The Secretary of Transportation
or the recipient of such financing would be required to take
necessary and practicable steps to ensure that 100 percent of
the gross tonnage of that cargo is transported on privately-
owned vessels of the United States.
Section 3533--Treatment of the University of Louisiana Maritime Academy
as a State Maritime Academy
This section would allow the University of Louisiana
Maritime Academy to be provisionally treated as a State
Maritime Academy under chapter 515 of title 46, United States
Code.
Section 3534--Design and Construction of Missile Instrumentation Range
Safety Vessels
This section would authorize the replacement of two missile
instrumentation range safety vessels in the National Defense
Reserve Fleet using a vessel construction manager model and
commercial design standards.
DIVISION D--FUNDING TABLES
Section 4001--Authorization of Amounts in Funding Tables
This section would provide for the allocation of funds
among programs, projects, and activities in accordance with the
tables in division D of this Act, subject to reprogramming
guidance in accordance with established procedures.
Consistent with the previously expressed views of the
committee, this section would also require that a decision by
an agency head to commit, obligate, or expend funds to a
specific entity on the basis of such funding tables be based on
merit-based selection procedures in accordance with the
requirements of section 2304(k) and section 2374 of title 10,
United States Code, and other applicable provisions of law.
SUMMARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026
(In Thousands of Dollars)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House
FY 2026 Request House Change Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCRETIONARY AUTHORIZATIONS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
National Defense Funding, Base Budget Request
Function 051, Department of Defense-Military
Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations
Title I--Procurement
Aircraft Procurement, Army................................. 3,045,199 98,000 3,143,199
Missile Procurement, Army.................................. 6,948,889 -10,000 6,938,889
Weapons & Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army.................... 2,886,534 12,000 2,898,534
Procurement of Ammunition, Army............................ 3,734,235 17,000 3,751,235
Other Procurement, Army.................................... 9,605,566 -180,000 9,425,566
Aircraft Procurement, Navy................................. 17,028,101 -158,700 16,869,401
Weapons Procurement, Navy.................................. 5,597,300 -83,200 5,514,100
Procurement of Ammunition, Navy & Marine Corps............. 1,135,030 -7,600 1,127,430
Shipbuilding & Conversion, Navy............................ 20,840,224 1,276,000 22,116,224
Other Procurement, Navy.................................... 14,569,524 -1,059,000 13,510,524
Procurement, Marine Corps.................................. 3,754,112 21,000 3,775,112
Aircraft Procurement, Air Force............................ 17,729,963 207,400 17,937,363
Missile Procurement, Air Force............................. 4,223,876 -22,100 4,201,776
Procurement of Ammunition, Air Force....................... 784,478 -18,900 765,578
Other Procurement, Air Force............................... 31,504,644 -48,800 31,455,844
Procurement, Space Force................................... 3,393,637 339,675 3,733,312
Procurement, Defense-Wide.................................. 6,048,863 15,000 6,063,863
Subtotal, Title I--Procurement............................. 152,830,175 397,775 153,227,950
Title II--Research, Development, Test and Evaluation
Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Army............. 14,549,223 165,900 14,715,123
Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Navy............. 25,708,049 24,200 25,732,249
Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Air Force........ 52,017,288 1,058,100 53,075,388
Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Space Force...... 15,486,466 -371,216 15,115,250
Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Defense-Wide..... 33,921,939 -442,400 33,479,539
Operational Test & Evaluation, Defense..................... 318,143 318,143
Subtotal, Title II--Research, Development, Test and 142,001,108 434,584 142,435,692
Evaluation................................................
Title III--Operation and Maintenance
Operation & Maintenance, Army.............................. 58,975,065 211,000 59,186,065
Operation & Maintenance, Army Reserve...................... 3,314,178 3,314,178
Operation & Maintenance, Army National Guard............... 8,673,981 15,000 8,688,981
Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund.......................... 357,516 357,516
Operation & Maintenance, Navy.............................. 74,080,120 -112,800 73,967,320
Operation & Maintenance, Marine Corps...................... 11,004,201 11,004,201
Operation & Maintenance, Navy Reserve...................... 1,442,054 1,442,054
Operation & Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve.............. 362,045 362,045
Operation & Maintenance, Air Force......................... 62,429,535 -297,000 62,132,535
Operation & Maintenance, Space Force....................... 5,888,163 5,888,163
Operation & Maintenance, Air Force Reserve................. 4,322,617 4,322,617
Operation & Maintenance, Air National Guard................ 7,332,599 -80,000 7,252,599
Operation & Maintenance, Defense-Wide...................... 55,935,718 -335,156 55,600,562
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces........ 21,243 21,243
DOD Acquisition Workforce Development Fund................. 45,346 45,346
Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid............. 100,793 14,524 115,317
Cooperative Threat Reduction Account....................... 282,830 282,830
Environmental Restoration, Army............................ 148,070 148,070
Environmental Restoration, Navy............................ 357,949 357,949
Environmental Restoration, Air Force....................... 342,149 342,149
Environmental Restoration, Defense......................... 8,885 8,885
Environmental Restoration, Formerly Used Sites............. 235,156 235,156
Subtotal, Title III--Operation and Maintenance............. 295,660,213 -584,432 295,075,781
Title IV--Military Personnel
Military Personnel Appropriations.......................... 181,803,137 -750,000 181,053,137
Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Fund Contributions........ 12,850,165 12,850,165
Subtotal, Title IV--Military Personnel..................... 194,653,302 -750,000 193,903,302
Title XIV--Other Authorizations
Working Capital Fund, Army................................. 20,589 20,589
Working Capital Fund, Navy................................. 381,600 381,600
Working Capital Fund, Air Force............................ 90,262 90,262
National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund................ 5,700 5,700
Working Capital Fund, Defense-Wide......................... 11,969 11,969
Working Capital Fund, DECA................................. 1,527,817 1,527,817
National Defense Sealift Fund.............................. 0 0
Chemical Agents & Munitions Destruction.................... 213,282 213,282
Drug Interdiction and Counter Drug Activities.............. 904,301 904,301
Office of the Inspector General............................ 502,599 19,171 521,770
Defense Health Program..................................... 40,502,123 498,000 41,000,123
Subtotal, Title XIV--Other Authorizations.................. 44,160,242 517,171 44,677,413
Total, Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations.... 829,305,040 15,098 829,320,138
Division B: Military Construction Authorizations
Military Construction
Army....................................................... 2,173,959 74,800 2,248,759
Navy....................................................... 6,012,677 562,310 6,574,987
Air Force.................................................. 3,721,473 241,720 3,963,193
Defense-Wide............................................... 3,792,301 -1,270,430 2,521,871
Army National Guard........................................ 151,880 151,800 303,680
Army Reserve............................................... 42,239 75,600 117,839
Navy and Marine Corps Reserve.............................. 2,255 50,000 52,255
Air National Guard......................................... 188,646 61,000 249,646
Air Force Reserve.......................................... 60,458 3,200 63,658
NATO Security Investment Program........................... 481,832 481,832
Subtotal, Military Construction............................ 16,627,720 -50,000 16,577,720
Family Housing
Construction, Army......................................... 228,558 228,558
Operation & Maintenance, Army.............................. 378,418 378,418
Construction, Navy and Marine Corps........................ 177,597 177,597
Operation & Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps............. 374,108 374,108
Construction, Air Force.................................... 274,230 274,230
Operation & Maintenance, Air Force......................... 359,765 359,765
Operation & Maintenance, Defense-Wide...................... 53,374 53,374
Family Housing Improvement Fund............................ 8,315 8,315
Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund..................... 497 497
Subtotal, Family Housing................................... 1,854,862 0 1,854,862
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure--Army......................... 171,870 171,870
Base Realignment and Closure--Navy......................... 112,791 50,000 162,791
Base Realignment and Closure--Air Force.................... 124,196 124,196
Base Realignment and Closure--Defense-wide................. 1,304 1,304
Subtotal, Base Realignment and Closure..................... 410,161 50,000 460,161
Total, Division B: Military Construction Authorizations.... 18,892,743 0 18,892,743
Total, 051, Department of Defense-Military................. 848,197,783 15,098 848,212,881
Division C: Department of Energy National Security Authorization and Other Authorizations
Function 053, Atomic Energy Defense Activities
Environmental and Other Defense Activities
Nuclear Energy............................................. 160,000 160,000
Defense Uranium Enrichment D&D............................. 278,000 -278,000 0
Weapons Activities......................................... 20,074,400 503,752 20,578,152
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation........................... 2,284,600 5,000 2,289,600
Naval Reactors............................................. 2,346,000 -320,000 2,026,000
Federal Salaries and Expenses.............................. 555,000 555,000
Defense Environmental Cleanup.............................. 6,956,000 53,750 7,009,750
Other Defense Activities................................... 1,182,000 1,182,000
Subtotal, Environmental and Other Defense Activities....... 33,836,000 -35,498 33,800,502
Independent Federal Agency Authorization
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.................... 45,000 45,000
Subtotal, Independent Federal Agency Authorization......... 45,000 0 45,000
Subtotal, 053, Atomic Energy Defense Activities............ 33,881,000 -35,498 33,845,502
Function 054, Defense-Related Activities
Other Agency Authorizations
Maritime Security Program.................................. 372,000 18,000 390,000
Tanker Security Program.................................... 120,000 2,400 122,400
Subtotal, Other Agency Authorizations...................... 492,000 20,400 512,400
Subtotal, 054, Defense-Related Activities.................. 492,000 20,400 512,400
Subtotal, Division C: Department of Energy National 34,373,000 -15,098 34,357,902
Security Authorization and Other Authorizations...........
Total, National Defense.................................... 882,570,783 0 882,570,783
MEMORANDUM: NON-DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS..................... 1,080,000 145,500 1,225,500
Title XIV--Armed Forces Retirement Home (Function 700)..... 77,000 77,000
Title XXXIV--Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves 13,000 13,000
(Function 270)............................................
Title XXXV--Maritime Administration (Function 400)......... 990,000 145,500 1,135,500
MEMORANDUM: TRANSFER AUTHORITIES (NON-ADD)
Title X--General Transfer Authority........................ [10,000,000] [-4,000,000] [6,000,000]
MEMORANDUM: DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS NOT UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE (NON-ADD)
Defense Production Act..................................... 236,923 236,923
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL DEFENSE BUDGET AUTHORITY IMPLICATION
(In Thousands of Dollars)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2026 House
Request House Change Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary, Discretionary Authorizations Within the Jurisdiction of the Armed Services Committee
SUBTOTAL, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (051)........................... 848,197,783 15,098 848,212,881
SUBTOTAL, ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE PROGRAMS (053).................. 33,881,000 -35,498 33,845,502
SUBTOTAL, DEFENSE-RELATED ACTIVITIES (054)...................... 492,000 20,400 512,400
TOTAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE......................................... 882,570,783 0 882,570,783
Scoring adjustments
Transfers to non-Defense budget functions (051)................. -180,000 -180,000
Proposed cancellations (054).................................... -92,000 -92,000
Subtotal, Scoring Adjustments................................... -272,000 0 -272,000
National Defense Discretionary Programs not In the Jurisdiction of the Armed Services Committee or Do Not
Require Additional Authorization
Defense Production Act Purchases................................ 236,923 236,923
Indefinite Account: Disposal of DOD Real Property............... 6,902 6,902
Indefinite Account: Lease of DOD Real Property.................. 33,392 33,392
Subtotal, Budget Sub-Function 051............................... 277,217 0 277,217
Corps of Engineers--Civil Works, Formerly Utilized Sites 200,000 200,000
Remedial Action Program........................................
Subtotal, Budget Sub-Function 053............................... 200,000 0 200,000
Other Discretionary Programs.................................... 9,817,000 9,817,000
Subtotal, Budget Sub-Function 054............................... 9,817,000 0 9,817,000
Total Defense Discretionary Adjustments (050)................... 10,022,217 0 10,022,217
Budget Authority Implication, National Defense Discretionary
Department of Defense--Military (051)........................... 848,295,000 15,098 848,310,098
Atomic Energy Defense Activities (053).......................... 34,081,000 -35,498 34,045,502
Defense-Related Activities (054)................................ 10,217,000 20,400 10,237,400
Total BA Implication, National Defense Discretionary............ 892,593,000 0 892,593,000
National Defense Mandatory Programs, Current Law (CBO Baseline)
Reconciliation funding available under P.L 119-21 (estimated 37,973,000 37,973,000
outlays).......................................................
Concurrent receipt accrual payments to the Military Retirement 25,443,000 25,443,000
Fund...........................................................
Revolving, trust and other DOD Mandatory........................ 1,878,000 1,878,000
Offsetting receipts............................................. -1,789,000 -1,789,000
Subtotal, Budget Sub-Function 051............................... 63,505,000 0 63,505,000
Reconciliation funding available under P.L. 119-21 (estimated 3,885,000 3,885,000
outlays).......................................................
Energy employees occupational illness compensation programs..... 3,348,000 3,348,000
CDC-Wide Activities and Program Support......................... 59,000 59,000
Subtotal, Budget Sub-Function 053............................... 7,292,000 0 7,292,000
Payment to CIA retirement fund.................................. 514,000 514,000
Subtotal, Budget Sub-Function 054............................... 514,000 0 514,000
Total National Defense Mandatory (050).......................... 71,311,000 0 71,311,000
Budget Authority Implication, National Defense Discretionary and Mandatory
Department of Defense--Military (051)........................... 911,800,000 15,098 911,815,098
Atomic Energy Defense Activities (053).......................... 41,373,000 -35,498 41,337,502
Defense-Related Activities (054)................................ 10,731,000 20,400 10,751,400
Total BA Implication, National Defense Discretionary and 963,904,000 0 963,904,000
Mandatory......................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE XLI--PROCUREMENT
SEC. 4101. PROCUREMENT.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC. 4101. PROCUREMENT (In Thousands of Dollars)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2026 Request House Change House Authorized
Line Item ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Qty Cost Qty Cost Qty Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIRCRAFT
PROCUREMENT,
ARMY
FIXED WING
006 HADES PLATFORM, 26,850 26,850
PAYLOADS/PED,
AND
INTEGRATION.
ROTARY
009 AH-64 APACHE 1,669 3 90,000 91,669
BLOCK IIIA
REMAN.
3 [3] [90,000]
additional
aircraft.
013 UH-60 BLACKHAWK 24 732,060 24 732,060
M MODEL (MYP).
017 CH-47 11 618,798 11 618,798
HELICOPTER.
018 CH-47 61,421 61,421
HELICOPTER AP.
MODIFICATION OF
AIRCRAFT
027 AH-64 MODS..... 125,236 125,236
028 SCALABLE 1,257 1,257
CONTROL
INTERFACE
(SCI).
029 CH-47 CARGO 17,709 17,709
HELICOPTER
MODS (MYP).
034 UTILITY 33,659 33,659
HELICOPTER
MODS.
036 NETWORK AND 40,472 40,472
MISSION PLAN.
037 COMMS, NAV 11,566 11,566
SURVEILLANCE.
039 AVIATION 49,475 49,475
ASSURED PNT.
040 GATM ROLLUP.... 4,651 4,651
GROUND SUPPORT
AVIONICS
045 AIRCRAFT 129,167 129,167
SURVIVABILITY
EQUIPMENT.
047 CMWS........... 38,419 38,419
048 COMMON INFRARED 84 225,647 -10,000 84 215,647
COUNTERMEASURE
S (CIRCM).
Prorgam [-10,000]
decrease.
OTHER SUPPORT
050 COMMON GROUND 29,489 29,489
EQUIPMENT.
052 AIRCREW 14,986 14,986
INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS.
053 AIR TRAFFIC 24,213 24,213
CONTROL.
054 LAUNCHER, 2.75 1,611 1,611
ROCKET.
AGILE PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT
057 SMALL UNMANNED 726,034 18,000 744,034
AERIAL SYSTEMS.
FPV/PBAS [18,000]
Systems.
058 FUTURE UNMANNED 118,459 118,459
AERIAL SYSTEMS
(UAS) FAMILY.
059 GRAY EAGLE 12,351 12,351
MODIFICATIONS.
TOTAL 119 3,045,199 3 98,000 122 3,143,199
AIRCRAFT
PROCUREMEN
T, ARMY.
MISSILE
PROCUREMENT,
ARMY
SURFACE-TO-AIR
MISSILE SYSTEM
002 LOWER TIER AIR 637,473 637,473
AND MISSILE
DEFENSE (AMD)
SEN.
004 M-SHORAD-- 44 679,114 44 679,114
PROCUREMENT.
006 MSE MISSILE.... 233 945,905 233 945,905
009 PRECISION 45 160,846 45 160,846
STRIKE MISSILE
(PRSM).
011 INDIRECT FIRE 830,579 -10,000 820,579
PROTECTION
CAPABILITY INC
2-I.
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
012 MID-RANGE 82,407 82,407
CAPABILITY
(MRC).
AIR-TO-SURFACE
MISSILE SYSTEM
015 JOINT AIR-TO- 178 84,667 178 84,667
GROUND MSLS
(JAGM).
017 LONG-RANGE 353,415 353,415
HYPERSONIC
WEAPON.
ANTI-TANK/
ASSAULT
MISSILE SYS
018 JAVELIN (AAWS- 649 329,205 649 329,205
M) SYSTEM
SUMMARY.
019 TOW 2 SYSTEM 11,731 11,731
SUMMARY.
020 GUIDED MLRS 1,125,071 1,125,071
ROCKET (GMLRS).
021 GUIDED MLRS 43,156 43,156
ROCKET (GMLRS)
AP.
022 MLRS REDUCED 4,002 32,339 4,002 32,339
RANGE PRACTICE
ROCKETS (RRPR).
023 HIGH MOBILITY 6 61,503 6 61,503
ARTILLERY
ROCKET SYSTEM
(HIMARS.
MODIFICATIONS
029 PATRIOT MODS... 757,800 757,800
032 STINGER MODS... 428,935 428,935
035 MLRS MODS...... 243,470 243,470
036 HIMARS 54,005 54,005
MODIFICATIONS.
SPARES AND
REPAIR PARTS
038 SPARES AND 6,651 6,651
REPAIR PARTS.
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT &
FACILITIES
040 AIR DEFENSE 12,801 12,801
TARGETS.
AGILE PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT
044 LAUNCHED 67,816 67,816
EFFECTS FAMILY.
TOTAL 5,157 6,948,889 -10,000 5,157 6,938,889
MISSILE
PROCUREMEN
T, ARMY.
PROCUREMENT OF
WEAPONS AND
TRACKED COMBAT
VEHICLES, ARMY
TRACKED COMBAT
VEHICLES
002 ARMORED MULTI 86 554,678 86 554,678
PURPOSE
VEHICLE (AMPV).
004 ASSAULT 4,079 4,079
BREACHER
VEHICLE (ABV).
005 M10 BOOKER..... 64,919 64,919
MODIFICATION OF
TRACKED COMBAT
VEHICLES
008 STRYKER UPGRADE 135,816 135,816
009 BRADLEY FIRE 4,684 4,684
SUPPORT TEAM
(BFIST)
VEHICLE.
010 BRADLEY PROGRAM 157,183 157,183
(MOD).
011 M109 FOV 82,537 82,537
MODIFICATIONS.
012 PALADIN 10 250,238 10 250,238
INTEGRATED
MANAGEMENT
(PIM).
013 IMPROVED 8 155,540 8 155,540
RECOVERY
VEHICLE (M88
HERCULES).
017 JOINT ASSAULT 21 132,637 21 132,637
BRIDGE.
019 ABRAMS UPGRADE 30 740,528 12,000 30 752,528
PROGRAM.
Cart [12,000]
recapitaliz
ation.
021 VEHICLE 107,833 107,833
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS (VPS).
WEAPONS & OTHER
COMBAT
VEHICLES
024 PERSONAL 1,002 1,002
DEFENSE WEAPON
(ROLL).
025 M240 MEDIUM 5 5
MACHINE GUN
(7.62MM).
027 MACHINE GUN, 4 4
CAL .50 M2
ROLL.
028 MORTAR SYSTEMS. 5,807 5,807
029 LOCATION & 9,477 9,477
AZIMUTH
DETERMINATION
SYSTEM (LADS.
031 PRECISION 1,853 1,853
SNIPER RIFLE.
034 NEXT GENERATION 365,155 365,155
SQUAD WEAPON.
036 HANDGUN........ 7 7
MOD OF WEAPONS
AND OTHER
COMBAT VEH
038 M777 MODS...... 2,429 2,429
042 SNIPER RIFLES 19 19
MODIFICATIONS.
043 M119 4,642 4,642
MODIFICATIONS.
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT &
FACILITIES
046 ITEMS LESS THAN 469 469
$5.0M (WOCV-
WTCV).
047 PRODUCTION BASE 104,993 104,993
SUPPORT (WOCV-
WTCV).
TOTAL 155 2,886,534 12,000 155 2,898,534
PROCUREMEN
T OF
WEAPONS
AND
TRACKED
COMBAT
VEHICLES,
ARMY.
PROCUREMENT OF
AMMUNITION,
ARMY
SMALL/MEDIUM
CAL AMMUNITION
001 CTG, 5.56MM, 128,283 128,283
ALL TYPES.
002 CTG, 7.62MM, 62,157 62,157
ALL TYPES.
003 NEXT GENERATION 426,177 426,177
SQUAD WEAPON
AMMUNITION.
004 CTG, HANDGUN, 7,750 7,750
ALL TYPES.
005 CTG, .50 CAL, 78,199 20,000 98,199
ALL TYPES.
Program [20,000]
increase.
006 CTG, 20MM, ALL 25,773 25,773
TYPES.
007 CTG, 25MM, ALL 22,324 22,324
TYPES.
008 CTG, 30MM, ALL 100,392 100,392
TYPES.
009 CTG, 40MM, ALL 131,432 131,432
TYPES.
011 CTG, 50MM, ALL 42,131 42,131
TYPES.
MORTAR
AMMUNITION
012 60MM MORTAR, 38,114 38,114
ALL TYPES.
013 81MM MORTAR, 41,786 41,786
ALL TYPES.
014 120MM MORTAR, 123,144 123,144
ALL TYPES.
TANK AMMUNITION
015 CARTRIDGES, 440,152 440,152
TANK, 105MM
AND 120MM, ALL
TYPES.
ARTILLERY
AMMUNITION
016 ARTILLERY 80,780 80,780
CARTRIDGES,
75MM & 105MM,
ALL TYPES.
017 ARTILLERY 218,877 218,877
PROJECTILE,
155MM, ALL
TYPES.
019 PRECISION 28,995 28,995
ARTILLERY
MUNITIONS.
020 ARTILLERY 168,737 168,737
PROPELLANTS,
FUZES AND
PRIMERS, ALL.
MINES
021 MINES & 42,748 42,748
CLEARING
CHARGES, ALL
TYPES.
022 CLOSE TERRAIN 7,860 7,860
SHAPING
OBSTACLE.
ROCKETS
024 SHOULDER 46,089 46,089
LAUNCHED
MUNITIONS, ALL
TYPES.
025 ROCKET, HYDRA 34,836 34,836
70, ALL TYPES.
OTHER
AMMUNITION
026 CAD/PAD, ALL 12,543 12,543
TYPES.
027 DEMOLITION 21,409 21,409
MUNITIONS, ALL
TYPES.
028 GRENADES, ALL 56,530 -3,000 53,530
TYPES.
Program [-3,000]
decrease.
029 SIGNALS, ALL 36,846 36,846
TYPES.
030 SIMULATORS, ALL 10,821 10,821
TYPES.
MISCELLANEOUS
032 AMMO 4,084 4,084
COMPONENTS,
ALL TYPES.
034 ITEMS LESS THAN 16,799 16,799
$5 MILLION
(AMMO).
035 AMMUNITION 16,219 16,219
PECULIAR
EQUIPMENT.
036 FIRST 18,600 18,600
DESTINATION
TRANSPORTATION
(AMMO).
037 CLOSEOUT 102 102
LIABILITIES.
PRODUCTION BASE
SUPPORT
040 INDUSTRIAL 1,084,611 1,084,611
FACILITIES.
041 CONVENTIONAL 155,050 155,050
MUNITIONS
DEMILITARIZATI
ON.
042 ARMS INITIATIVE 3,885 3,885
TOTAL 3,734,235 17,000 3,751,235
PROCUREMEN
T OF
AMMUNITION
, ARMY.
OTHER
PROCUREMENT,
ARMY
TACTICAL
VEHICLES
002 FAMILY OF 132,793 132,793
SEMITRAILERS.
006 GROUND MOBILITY 308,620 308,620
VEHICLES (GMV).
009 JOINT LIGHT 45,840 45,840
TACTICAL
VEHICLE FAMILY
OF VEHICL.
010 TRUCK, DUMP, 17,000 15,000 32,000
20T (CCE).
Program [15,000]
increase.
011 FAMILY OF 85,490 85,490
MEDIUM
TACTICAL VEH
(FMTV).
012 FAMILY OF COLD 38,001 38,001
WEATHER ALL-
TERRAIN
VEHICLE (C.
013 FIRETRUCKS & 39,761 39,761
ASSOCIATED
FIREFIGHTING
EQUIP.
014 FAMILY OF HEAVY 202,009 202,009
TACTICAL
VEHICLES
(FHTV).
019 TACTICAL 2,660 2,660
WHEELED
VEHICLE
PROTECTION
KITS.
020 MODIFICATION OF 98,728 98,728
IN SVC EQUIP.
NON-TACTICAL
VEHICLES
023 NONTACTICAL 8,462 8,462
VEHICLES,
OTHER.
COMM--JOINT
COMMUNICATIONS
029 TACTICAL 866,347 -100,000 766,347
NETWORK
COMMUNICATION.
Program [-100,000]
decrease.
031 JCSE EQUIPMENT 5,389 5,389
(USRDECOM).
COMM--SATELLITE
COMMUNICATIONS
032 SATELLITE 114,770 114,770
COMMUNICATIONS.
036 DEFENSE 65,591 65,591
ENTERPRISE
WIDEBAND
SATCOM SYSTEMS.
039 ASSURED 212,469 -20,000 192,469
POSITIONING,
NAVIGATION AND
TIMING.
Program [-20,000]
decrease.
COMM--COMBAT
COMMUNICATIONS
046 HANDHELD 478,435 -10,000 468,435
MANPACK SMALL
FORM FIT (HMS).
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
048 ARMY LINK 16 133,836 133,836
SYSTEMS.
051 UNIFIED COMMAND 20,010 20,010
SUITE.
052 COTS 207,402 -3,000 204,402
COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT.
Airborne [7,000]
SATCOM
systems.
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
054 ARMY 110,678 110,678
COMMUNICATIONS
& ELECTRONICS.
COMM--INTELLIGE
NCE COMM
056 CI AUTOMATION 15,290 15,290
ARCHITECTURE-
INTEL.
058 MULTI-DOMAIN 108,655 -20,000 88,655
INTELLIGENCE.
Program [-20,000]
decrease.
INFORMATION
SECURITY
060 INFORMATION 826 826
SYSTEM
SECURITY
PROGRAM-ISSP.
061 COMMUNICATIONS 125,970 125,970
SECURITY
(COMSEC).
066 BIOMETRIC 65 65
ENABLING
CAPABILITY
(BEC).
COMM--BASE
COMMUNICATIONS
070 INFORMATION 209,378 209,378
SYSTEMS.
072 BASE EMERGENCY 50,177 50,177
COMMUNICATION.
074 INSTALLATION 439,373 439,373
INFO
INFRASTRUCTURE
MOD PROGRAM.
ELECT EQUIP--
TACT INT REL
ACT (TIARA)
078 TITAN.......... 236,314 236,314
081 COLLECTION 2,935 2,935
CAPABILITY.
083 DCGS-A-INTEL... 1,087 1,087
085 TROJAN......... 37,968 37,968
086 MOD OF IN-SVC 20,598 20,598
EQUIP (INTEL
SPT).
ELECT EQUIP--
ELECTRONIC
WARFARE (EW)
091 AIR VIGILANCE 9,731 9,731
(AV).
093 FAMILY OF 15,382 15,382
PERSISTENT
SURVEILLANCE
CAP..
094 COUNTERINTELLIG 8,283 8,283
ENCE/SECURITY
COUNTERMEASURE
S.
ELECT EQUIP--
TACTICAL SURV.
(TAC SURV)
096 SENTINEL MODS.. 462,010 -10,000 452,010
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
097 NIGHT VISION 211,056 211,056
DEVICES.
098 SMALL TACTICAL 2,111 2,111
OPTICAL RIFLE
MOUNTED MLRF.
099 BASE 1,801 1,801
EXPEDITIARY
TARGETING AND
SURV SYS.
100 INDIRECT FIRE 27,881 27,881
PROTECTION
FAMILY OF
SYSTEMS.
101 FAMILY OF 103,607 103,607
WEAPON SIGHTS
(FWS).
102 ENHANCED 10,456 10,456
PORTABLE
INDUCTIVE
ARTILLERY FUZE
SE.
104 FORWARD LOOKING 60,765 60,765
INFRARED
(IFLIR).
106 JOINT BATTLE 165,395 -10,000 155,395
COMMAND--PLATF
ORM (JBC-P).
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
107 JOINT EFFECTS 48,715 48,715
TARGETING
SYSTEM (JETS).
109 COMPUTER 6,325 6,325
BALLISTICS:
LHMBC XM32.
110 MORTAR FIRE 3,657 3,657
CONTROL SYSTEM.
111 MORTAR FIRE 3,262 3,262
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
MODIFICATIONS.
112 COUNTERFIRE 40,526 40,526
RADARS.
ELECT EQUIP--
TACTICAL C2
SYSTEMS
113 ARMY COMMAND 723,187 -15,000 708,187
POST
INTEGRATED
INFRASTRUCTURE
(.
Program [-15,000]
decrease.
114 FIRE SUPPORT C2 3,389 3,389
FAMILY.
115 AIR & MSL 33,103 33,103
DEFENSE
PLANNING &
CONTROL SYS.
116 IAMD BATTLE 546,480 546,480
COMMAND SYSTEM.
117 AIAMD FAMILY OF 31,016 31,016
SYSTEMS (FOS)
COMPONENTS.
118 LIFE CYCLE 5,175 5,175
SOFTWARE
SUPPORT (LCSS).
119 NETWORK 244,403 244,403
MANAGEMENT
INITIALIZATION
AND SERVICE.
124 MOD OF IN-SVC 16,595 16,595
EQUIPMENT
(ENFIRE).
ELECT EQUIP--
AUTOMATION
125 ARMY TRAINING 8,262 8,262
MODERNIZATION.
126 AUTOMATED DATA 93,804 93,804
PROCESSING
EQUIP.
129 HIGH PERF 74,708 74,708
COMPUTING MOD
PGM (HPCMP).
130 CONTRACT 468 468
WRITING SYSTEM.
CLASSIFIED
PROGRAMS
131A CLASSIFIED 1,546 1,546
PROGRAMS.
CHEMICAL
DEFENSIVE
EQUIPMENT
138 BASE DEFENSE 143 143
SYSTEMS (BDS).
139 CBRN DEFENSE... 69,739 69,739
BRIDGING
EQUIPMENT
142 TACTICAL 69,863 69,863
BRIDGE, FLOAT-
RIBBON.
ENGINEER (NON-
CONSTRUCTION)
EQUIPMENT
150 ROBOTICS AND 509 509
APPLIQUE
SYSTEMS.
151 RENDER SAFE 14,184 14,184
SETS KITS
OUTFITS.
COMBAT SERVICE
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
153 HEATERS AND 14,288 14,288
ECU'S.
156 GROUND SOLDIER 178,850 -7,000 171,850
SYSTEM.
Program [-7,000]
decrease.
157 MOBILE SOLDIER 15,729 15,729
POWER.
159 FIELD FEEDING 4,500 4,500
EQUIPMENT.
160 CARGO AERIAL 61,224 61,224
DEL &
PERSONNEL
PARACHUTE
SYSTEM.
PETROLEUM
EQUIPMENT
164 DISTRIBUTION 96,020 96,020
SYSTEMS,
PETROLEUM &
WATER.
MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT
165 COMBAT SUPPORT 99,567 99,567
MEDICAL.
MAINTENANCE
EQUIPMENT
166 MOBILE 63,311 63,311
MAINTENANCE
EQUIPMENT
SYSTEMS.
CONSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENT
169 CONSTRUCTION 92,299 92,299
EQUIPMENT.
RAIL FLOAT
CONTAINERIZATI
ON EQUIPMENT
179 ARMY WATERCRAFT 57,342 57,342
ESP.
180 MANEUVER 33,949 33,949
SUPPORT VESSEL
(MSV).
181 ITEMS LESS THAN 18,217 18,217
$5.0M (FLOAT/
RAIL).
GENERATORS
182 GENERATORS AND 89,073 89,073
ASSOCIATED
EQUIP.
MATERIAL
HANDLING
EQUIPMENT
184 FAMILY OF 12,576 12,576
FORKLIFTS.
TRAINING
EQUIPMENT
185 COMBAT TRAINING 49,025 49,025
CENTERS
SUPPORT.
186 TRAINING 189,306 189,306
DEVICES,
NONSYSTEM.
187 SYNTHETIC 166,402 166,402
TRAINING
ENVIRONMENT
(STE).
189 GAMING 7,320 7,320
TECHNOLOGY IN
SUPPORT OF
ARMY TRAINING.
TEST MEASURE
AND DIG
EQUIPMENT
(TMD)
191 INTEGRATED 38,784 38,784
FAMILY OF TEST
EQUIPMENT
(IFTE).
193 TEST EQUIPMENT 51,119 51,119
MODERNIZATION
(TEMOD).
OTHER SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
195 PHYSICAL 136,315 136,315
SECURITY
SYSTEMS (OPA3).
196 BASE LEVEL 19,452 19,452
COMMON
EQUIPMENT.
197 MODIFICATION OF 31,452 31,452
IN-SVC
EQUIPMENT (OPA-
3).
198 BUILDING, PRE- 10,490 10,490
FAB,
RELOCATABLE.
200 SPECIAL 93,777 93,777
EQUIPMENT FOR
TEST AND
EVALUATION.
OPA2
205 INITIAL SPARES-- 7,254 7,254
C&E.
AGILE PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT
207 COUNTER-SMALL 306,568 306,568
UNMANNED
AERIAL SYSTEM
(C-SUAS).
208 ELECTRONIC 24,547 24,547
WARFARE.
209 ELECTRONIC 54,427 54,427
WARFARE AGILE.
210 SOLDIER BORNE 21,919 21,919
SENSOR.
TOTAL 9,605,566 -180,000 9,425,566
OTHER
PROCUREMEN
T, ARMY.
AIRCRAFT
PROCUREMENT,
NAVY
COMBAT AIRCRAFT
002 F/A-18E/F 50,607 50,607
(FIGHTER)
HORNET.
004 JOINT STRIKE 12 1,951,629 12 1,951,629
FIGHTER CV.
005 JOINT STRIKE 401,596 401,596
FIGHTER CV AP.
006 JSF STOVL...... 11 1,787,313 11 1,787,313
007 JSF STOVL AP... 113,744 113,744
008 CH-53K (HEAVY 12 1,707,601 12 1,707,601
LIFT).
009 CH-53K (HEAVY 335,352 335,352
LIFT) AP.
010 V-22 (MEDIUM 47,196 47,196
LIFT).
012 H-1 UPGRADES 8,305 8,305
(UH-1Y/AH-1Z).
014 P-8A POSEIDON.. 13,631 13,631
015 E-2D ADV 4 1,503,556 -300,000 4 1,203,556
HAWKEYE.
Program [-300,000]
decrease.
OTHER AIRCRAFT
023 KC-130J........ 18,017 18,017
027 MQ-4 TRITON.... 133,139 133,139
031 MQ-25.......... 3 407,046 3 407,046
032 MQ-25 AP....... 52,191 52,191
034 MARINE GROUP 5 15,162 15,162
UAS.
036 OTHER SUPPORT 1 19,812 1 19,812
AIRCRAFT.
MODIFICATION OF
AIRCRAFT
039 F-18 A-D UNIQUE 53,809 53,809
040 F-18E/F AND EA- 576,229 576,229
18G
MODERNIZATION
AND SUSTAINM.
041 MARINE GROUP 5 143,695 143,695
UAS SERIES.
042 AEA SYSTEMS.... 25,848 25,848
044 INFRARED SEARCH 175,351 175,351
AND TRACK
(IRST).
045 ADVERSARY...... 21,535 21,535
046 F-18 SERIES.... 756,967 756,967
047 H-53 SERIES.... 69,227 69,227
048 MH-60 SERIES... 115,545 115,545
049 H-1 SERIES..... 149,405 149,405
051 E-2 SERIES..... 143,772 143,772
052 TRAINER A/C 12,151 12,151
SERIES.
054 C-130 SERIES... 144,017 144,017
055 FEWSG.......... 5 5
056 CARGO/TRANSPORT 7,526 7,526
A/C SERIES.
057 E-6 SERIES..... 163,737 163,737
058 EXECUTIVE 66,645 66,645
HELICOPTERS
SERIES.
060 T-45 SERIES.... 173,433 173,433
061 POWER PLANT 18,707 18,707
CHANGES.
062 JPATS SERIES... 21,330 21,330
064 COMMON ECM 91,553 91,553
EQUIPMENT.
065 COMMON AVIONICS 161,376 -16,100 145,276
CHANGES.
Program [-16,100]
decrease.
066 COMMON 8,926 8,926
DEFENSIVE
WEAPON SYSTEM.
067 ID SYSTEMS..... 3,011 3,011
068 P-8 SERIES..... 320,130 320,130
069 MAGTF EW FOR 22,356 22,356
AVIATION.
071 V-22 (TILT/ 319,145 319,145
ROTOR ACFT)
OSPREY.
072 NEXT GENERATION 439,493 -10,000 429,493
JAMMER (NGJ).
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
073 F-35 STOVL 364,774 364,774
SERIES.
074 F-35 CV SERIES. 180,533 180,533
075 QRC............ 24,893 24,893
076 MQ-4 SERIES.... 180,463 180,463
AIRCRAFT SPARES
AND REPAIR
PARTS
084 SPARES AND 2,562,627 250,000 2,812,627
REPAIR PARTS.
F-35B [125,000]
increase.
F-35C [125,000]
increase.
AIRCRAFT
SUPPORT EQUIP
& FACILITIES
085 COMMON GROUND 584,561 -58,400 526,161
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-58,400]
decrease.
086 AIRCRAFT 112,513 -11,200 101,313
INDUSTRIAL
FACILITIES.
Program [-11,200]
decrease.
087 WAR CONSUMABLES 45,153 45,153
088 OTHER 70,770 70,770
PRODUCTION
CHARGES.
089 SPECIAL SUPPORT 130,993 -13,000 117,993
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-13,000]
decrease.
TOTAL 43 17,028,101 -158,700 43 16,869,401
AIRCRAFT
PROCUREMEN
T, NAVY.
WEAPONS
PROCUREMENT,
NAVY
MODIFICATION OF
MISSILES
002 TRIDENT II MODS 2,582,029 2,582,029
STRATEGIC
MISSILES
006 TOMAHAWK....... 12,593 12,593
TACTICAL
MISSILES
007 AMRAAM......... 51 69,913 51 69,913
008 SIDEWINDER..... 146 84,713 146 84,713
009 JOINT ADVANCE 301,858 301,858
TACTICAL
MISSILE (JATM).
010 STANDARD 10 187,420 -65,000 10 122,420
MISSILE.
Reconciliat [-65,000]
ion
adjustment.
012 SMALL DIAMETER 273 86,255 273 86,255
BOMB II.
013 RAM............ 123 122,372 123 122,372
015 JOINT AIR 277 74,152 277 74,152
GROUND MISSILE
(JAGM).
017 AERIAL TARGETS. 182,704 -18,200 164,504
Program [-18,200]
decrease.
019 OTHER MISSILE 3,490 3,490
SUPPORT.
020 LRASM.......... 56 243,217 56 243,217
021 NAVAL STRIKE 16 32,238 16 32,238
MISSILE (NSM).
022 NAVAL STRIKE 3,059 3,059
MISSILE (NSM)
AP.
MODIFICATION OF
MISSILES
025 TOMAHAWK MODS.. 6,283 6,283
026 ESSM........... 305 503,381 305 503,381
028 AARGM-ER....... 147 261,041 147 261,041
029 AARGM-ER AP.... 24,284 24,284
031 STANDARD 32,127 32,127
MISSILES MODS.
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT &
FACILITIES
032 WEAPONS 127,222 127,222
INDUSTRIAL
FACILITIES.
ORDNANCE
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
036 ORDNANCE 37,059 37,059
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
TORPEDOES AND
RELATED EQUIP
039 SSTD........... 4,789 4,789
040 MK-48 TORPEDO.. 7,081 7,081
042 ASW TARGETS.... 38,386 38,386
MOD OF
TORPEDOES AND
RELATED EQUIP
043 MK-54 TORPEDO 1,692 1,692
MODS.
044 MK-48 TORPEDO 31,479 31,479
ADCAP MODS.
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
046 TORPEDO SUPPORT 161,218 161,218
EQUIPMENT.
047 ASW RANGE 4,328 4,328
SUPPORT.
DESTINATION
TRANSPORTATION
048 FIRST 5,346 5,346
DESTINATION
TRANSPORTATION.
GUNS AND GUN
MOUNTS
051 SMALL ARMS AND 9,987 9,987
WEAPONS.
MODIFICATION OF
GUNS AND GUN
MOUNTS
052 CIWS MODS...... 8,122 8,122
053 COAST GUARD 44,455 44,455
WEAPONS.
054 GUN MOUNT MODS. 83,969 83,969
055 LCS MODULE 10 2,200 10 2,200
WEAPONS.
056 AIRBORNE MINE 14,413 14,413
NEUTRALIZATION
SYSTEMS.
SPARES AND
REPAIR PARTS
061 SPARES AND 202,425 202,425
REPAIR PARTS.
TOTAL 1,414 5,597,300 -83,200 1,414 5,514,100
WEAPONS
PROCUREMEN
T, NAVY.
PROCUREMENT OF
AMMUNITION,
NAVY AND
MARINE CORPS
NAVY AMMUNITION
001 GENERAL PURPOSE 30,915 -3,100 27,815
BOMBS.
Program [-3,100]
decrease.
002 JDAM........... 798 61,119 798 61,119
003 AIRBORNE 87,797 87,797
ROCKETS, ALL
TYPES.
004 MACHINE GUN 17,645 17,645
AMMUNITION.
005 PRACTICE BOMBS. 45,049 -4,500 40,549
Program [-4,500]
decrease.
006 CARTRIDGES & 74,535 74,535
CART ACTUATED
DEVICES.
007 AIR EXPENDABLE 98,437 98,437
COUNTERMEASURE
S.
008 JATOS.......... 6,373 6,373
009 5 INCH/54 GUN 24,864 24,864
AMMUNITION.
010 INTERMEDIATE 40,175 40,175
CALIBER GUN
AMMUNITION.
011 OTHER SHIP GUN 43,763 43,763
AMMUNITION.
012 SMALL ARMS & 49,493 49,493
LANDING PARTY
AMMO.
013 PYROTECHNIC AND 9,644 9,644
DEMOLITION.
015 AMMUNITION LESS 1,723 1,723
THAN $5
MILLION.
MARINE CORPS
AMMUNITION
018 MORTARS........ 141,135 141,135
019 DIRECT SUPPORT 26,729 26,729
MUNITIONS.
020 INFANTRY 180,867 180,867
WEAPONS
AMMUNITION.
021 COMBAT SUPPORT 12,936 12,936
MUNITIONS.
022 AMMO 18,467 18,467
MODERNIZATION.
023 ARTILLERY 147,473 147,473
MUNITIONS.
024 ITEMS LESS THAN 15,891 15,891
$5 MILLION.
TOTAL 798 1,135,030 -7,600 798 1,127,430
PROCUREMEN
T OF
AMMUNITION
, NAVY AND
MARINE
CORPS.
SHIPBUILDING
AND
CONVERSION,
NAVY
FLEET BALLISTIC
MISSILE SHIPS
001 COLUMBIA CLASS 1 3,928,828 1 3,928,828
SUBMARINE.
002 COLUMBIA CLASS 5,065,766 5,065,766
SUBMARINE AP.
OTHER WARSHIPS
005 CARRIER 1,046,700 1,046,700
REPLACEMENT
PROGRAM.
006 CARRIER 612,038 612,038
REPLACEMENT
PROGRAM AP.
007 CVN-81......... 1,622,935 1,622,935
008 VIRGINIA CLASS 1 816,705 1,000,000 1 1,816,705
SUBMARINE.
Funding [1,000,000]
shortfall.
009 VIRGINIA CLASS 3,126,816 3,126,816
SUBMARINE AP.
010 CVN REFUELING 1,779,011 1,779,011
OVERHAULS.
012 DDG 1000....... 52,358 52,358
013 DDG-51......... 10,773 1 500,000 1 510,773
One [1] [500,000]
additional
ship.
AUXILIARIES,
CRAFT AND
PRIOR YR
PROGRAM COST
031 TAO FLEET OILER 8,346 8,346
041 OUTFITTING..... 863,846 -250,000 613,846
Program [-250,000]
decrease.
043 SERVICE CRAFT.. 34,602 34,602
044 AUXILIARY 50,000 50,000
PERSONNEL
LIGHTER.
Program [50,000]
increase.
048 AUXILIARY 1 45,000 -24,000 1 21,000
VESSELS (USED
SEALIFT).
Program [-24,000]
decrease.
048A EXPEDITIONARY 250,000 250,000
MEDICAL SHIP.
Afloat [250,000]
medical
capability.
049 COMPLETION OF 1,214,295 -250,000 964,295
PY
SHIPBUILDING
PROGRAMS.
Program [-250,000]
decrease.
34 TAGOS SURTASS 1 612,205 1 612,205
SHIPS.
TOTAL 4 20,840,224 1 1,276,000 5 22,116,224
SHIPBUILDI
NG AND
CONVERSION
, NAVY.
OTHER
PROCUREMENT,
NAVY
SHIP PROPULSION
EQUIPMENT
001 SURFACE POWER 9,978 9,978
EQUIPMENT.
GENERATORS
002 SURFACE 62,004 62,004
COMBATANT HM&E.
NAVIGATION
EQUIPMENT
003 OTHER 96,945 96,945
NAVIGATION
EQUIPMENT.
OTHER SHIPBOARD
EQUIPMENT
004 SUB PERISCOPE, 135,863 135,863
IMAGING AND
SUPT EQUIP
PROG.
005 DDG MOD........ 686,787 686,787
006 FIREFIGHTING 36,488 36,488
EQUIPMENT.
007 COMMAND AND 2,417 2,417
CONTROL
SWITCHBOARD.
008 LHA/LHD MIDLIFE 86,884 -30,000 56,884
Program [-30,000]
decrease.
009 LCC 19/20 19,276 19,276
EXTENDED
SERVICE LIFE
PROGRAM.
010 POLLUTION 22,477 22,477
CONTROL
EQUIPMENT.
011 SUBMARINE 383,062 383,062
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
012 VIRGINIA CLASS 52,039 52,039
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
013 LCS CLASS 2,551 2,551
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
014 SUBMARINE 28,169 28,169
BATTERIES.
015 LPD CLASS 101,042 -25,000 76,042
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-25,000]
decrease.
016 DDG 1000 CLASS 115,267 115,267
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
017 STRATEGIC 38,039 38,039
PLATFORM
SUPPORT EQUIP.
019 DSSP EQUIPMENT. 5,849 5,849
022 UNDERWATER EOD 22,355 22,355
EQUIPMENT.
023 ITEMS LESS THAN 11,691 -12,000 -309
$5 MILLION.
Program [-12,000]
decrease.
024 CHEMICAL 2,607 2,607
WARFARE
DETECTORS.
REACTOR PLANT
EQUIPMENT
026 SHIP 2,392,620 2,392,620
MAINTENANCE,
REPAIR AND
MODERNIZATION.
028 REACTOR 399,603 399,603
COMPONENTS.
OCEAN
ENGINEERING
029 DIVING AND 7,842 7,842
SALVAGE
EQUIPMENT.
SMALL BOATS
031 STANDARD BOATS. 51,546 -66,000 -14,454
Additional [9,000]
40-foot
patrol
boats.
Program [-50,000]
decrease.
Small Boats [-25,000]
reconciliat
ion
adjustment.
PRODUCTION
FACILITIES
EQUIPMENT
032 OPERATING 208,998 208,998
FORCES IPE.
OTHER SHIP
SUPPORT
033 LCS COMMON 38,880 38,880
MISSION
MODULES
EQUIPMENT.
034 LCS MCM MISSION 91,372 91,372
MODULES.
036 LCS SUW MISSION 3,790 3,790
MODULES.
037 LCS IN-SERVICE 203,442 -98,000 105,442
MODERNIZATION.
Program [-98,000]
decrease.
038 SMALL & MEDIUM 54,854 15,000 69,854
UUV.
Torpedo [15,000]
Tube Launch
and
Recovery
Capable
Autonomous
Undersea
Vehicles.
LOGISTIC
SUPPORT
040 LSD MIDLIFE & 4,079 4,079
MODERNIZATION.
SHIP SONARS
043 AN/SQQ-89 SURF 144,425 10,000 154,425
ASW COMBAT
SYSTEM.
Outpost [10,000]
Uncrewed
Surveillanc
e System
Increase.
044 SSN ACOUSTIC 498,597 498,597
EQUIPMENT.
ASW ELECTRONIC
EQUIPMENT
046 SUBMARINE 56,482 56,482
ACOUSTIC
WARFARE SYSTEM.
047 SSTD........... 14,915 14,915
048 FIXED 352,312 352,312
SURVEILLANCE
SYSTEM.
049 SURTASS........ 31,169 31,169
ELECTRONIC
WARFARE
EQUIPMENT
050 AN/SLQ-32...... 461,380 -200,000 261,380
Program [-200,000]
decrease.
RECONNAISSANCE
EQUIPMENT
051 SHIPBOARD IW 379,908 -20,000 359,908
EXPLOIT.
Program [-20,000]
decrease.
052 MARITIME 13,008 13,008
BATTLESPACE
AWARENESS.
OTHER SHIP
ELECTRONIC
EQUIPMENT
053 COOPERATIVE 26,648 26,648
ENGAGEMENT
CAPABILITY.
054 NAVAL TACTICAL 7,972 7,972
COMMAND
SUPPORT SYSTEM
(NTCSS).
055 ATDLS.......... 58,739 58,739
056 NAVY COMMAND 3,489 3,489
AND CONTROL
SYSTEM (NCCS).
057 MINESWEEPING 16,426 16,426
SYSTEM
REPLACEMENT.
059 NAVSTAR GPS 45,701 45,701
RECEIVERS
(SPACE).
060 AMERICAN FORCES 304 304
RADIO AND TV
SERVICE.
AVIATION
ELECTRONIC
EQUIPMENT
062 ASHORE ATC 97,262 -10,000 87,262
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
063 AFLOAT ATC 72,104 72,104
EQUIPMENT.
064 ID SYSTEMS..... 52,171 52,171
065 JOINT PRECISION 5,105 5,105
APPROACH AND
LANDING SYSTEM
(.
066 NAVAL MISSION 60,058 -20,000 40,058
PLANNING
SYSTEMS.
Program [-20,000]
decrease.
OTHER SHORE
ELECTRONIC
EQUIPMENT
068 TACTICAL/MOBILE 64,901 64,901
C4I SYSTEMS.
069 INTELLIGENCE 12,112 12,112
SURVEILLANCE
AND
RECONNAISSANCE
(ISR).
070 CANES.......... 534,324 534,324
071 RADIAC......... 31,289 31,289
072 CANES-INTELL... 46,281 46,281
073 GPETE.......... 33,395 33,395
074 MASF........... 13,205 13,205
075 INTEG COMBAT 11,493 11,493
SYSTEM TEST
FACILITY.
076 EMI CONTROL 3,687 3,687
INSTRUMENTATIO
N.
078 IN-SERVICE 249,656 -20,000 229,656
RADARS AND
SENSORS.
Program [-20,000]
decrease.
SHIPBOARD
COMMUNICATIONS
079 BATTLE FORCE 106,583 106,583
TACTICAL
NETWORK.
080 SHIPBOARD 20,900 20,900
TACTICAL
COMMUNICATIONS.
081 SHIP 162,075 -60,000 102,075
COMMUNICATIONS
AUTOMATION.
Program [-60,000]
decrease.
082 COMMUNICATIONS 11,138 11,138
ITEMS UNDER
$5M.
SUBMARINE
COMMUNICATIONS
083 SUBMARINE 113,115 113,115
BROADCAST
SUPPORT.
084 SUBMARINE 84,584 -20,000 64,584
COMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-20,000]
decrease.
SATELLITE
COMMUNICATIONS
085 SATELLITE 62,943 62,943
COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEMS.
086 NAVY MULTIBAND 63,433 63,433
TERMINAL (NMT).
087 MOBILE ADVANCED 220,453 -50,000 170,453
EHF TERMINAL
(MAT).
Program [-50,000]
decrease.
SHORE
COMMUNICATIONS
088 JOINT 3,389 3,389
COMMUNICATIONS
SUPPORT
ELEMENT (JCSE).
CRYPTOGRAPHIC
EQUIPMENT
089 INFO SYSTEMS 191,239 191,239
SECURITY
PROGRAM (ISSP).
090 MIO INTEL 1,122 1,122
EXPLOITATION
TEAM.
CRYPTOLOGIC
EQUIPMENT
091 CRYPTOLOGIC 7,841 7,841
COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIP.
OTHER
ELECTRONIC
SUPPORT
109 COAST GUARD 61,512 61,512
EQUIPMENT.
SONOBUOYS
112 SONOBUOYS--ALL 249,908 249,908
TYPES.
AIRCRAFT
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
113 MINOTAUR....... 5,191 5,191
114 WEAPONS RANGE 123,435 123,435
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
115 AIRCRAFT 91,284 91,284
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
116 ADVANCED 4,484 4,484
ARRESTING GEAR
(AAG).
117 ELECTROMAGNETIC 16,294 16,294
AIRCRAFT
LAUNCH SYSTEM
(EMALS.
118 METEOROLOGICAL 13,806 13,806
EQUIPMENT.
119 AIRBORNE MCM... 9,643 9,643
121 AVIATION 111,334 111,334
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
122 UMCS-UNMAN 189,553 189,553
CARRIER
AVIATION(UCA)M
ISSION CNTRL.
SHIP GUN SYSTEM
EQUIPMENT
125 SHIP GUN 7,358 7,358
SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT.
SHIP MISSILE
SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
126 HARPOON SUPPORT 209 209
EQUIPMENT.
127 SHIP MISSILE 455,822 -75,000 380,822
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-75,000]
decrease.
128 TOMAHAWK 107,709 107,709
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
FBM SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
129 CPS SUPPORT 67,264 67,264
EQUIPMENT.
130 STRATEGIC 491,179 -100,000 391,179
MISSILE
SYSTEMS EQUIP.
Program [-100,000]
decrease.
ASW SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
131 SSN COMBAT 102,954 102,954
CONTROL
SYSTEMS.
132 ASW SUPPORT 25,721 25,721
EQUIPMENT.
OTHER ORDNANCE
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
133 EXPLOSIVE 24,822 24,822
ORDNANCE
DISPOSAL EQUIP.
134 DIRECTED ENERGY 2,976 2,976
SYSTEMS.
135 ITEMS LESS THAN 3,635 3,635
$5 MILLION.
OTHER
EXPENDABLE
ORDNANCE
136 ANTI-SHIP 19,129 19,129
MISSILE DECOY
SYSTEM.
137 SUBMARINE 77,889 77,889
TRAINING
DEVICE MODS.
138 SURFACE 186,085 186,085
TRAINING
EQUIPMENT.
CIVIL
ENGINEERING
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
141 PASSENGER 3,825 3,825
CARRYING
VEHICLES.
142 GENERAL PURPOSE 5,489 5,489
TRUCKS.
143 CONSTRUCTION & 102,592 -10,000 92,592
MAINTENANCE
EQUIP.
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
144 FIRE FIGHTING 27,675 27,675
EQUIPMENT.
145 TACTICAL 37,262 37,262
VEHICLES.
146 AMPHIBIOUS 38,073 -25,000 13,073
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-25,000]
decrease.
147 POLLUTION 4,009 4,009
CONTROL
EQUIPMENT.
148 ITEMS LESS THAN 127,086 127,086
$5 MILLION.
149 PHYSICAL 1,297 1,297
SECURITY
VEHICLES.
SUPPLY SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
151 SUPPLY 38,838 38,838
EQUIPMENT.
152 FIRST 6,203 6,203
DESTINATION
TRANSPORTATION.
153 SPECIAL PURPOSE 643,618 643,618
SUPPLY SYSTEMS.
TRAINING
DEVICES
155 TRAINING 3,480 3,480
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
156 TRAINING AND 75,048 75,048
EDUCATION
EQUIPMENT.
COMMAND SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
157 COMMAND SUPPORT 34,249 34,249
EQUIPMENT.
158 MEDICAL SUPPORT 12,256 12,256
EQUIPMENT.
160 NAVAL MIP 8,810 8,810
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
161 OPERATING 16,567 16,567
FORCES SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
162 C4ISR EQUIPMENT 36,945 36,945
163 ENVIRONMENTAL 42,860 42,860
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
164 PHYSICAL 166,577 -83,000 83,577
SECURITY
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-83,000]
decrease.
165 ENTERPRISE 42,363 42,363
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY.
OTHER
170 NEXT GENERATION 185,755 -50,000 135,755
ENTERPRISE
SERVICE.
Program [-50,000]
decrease.
171 CYBERSPACE 5,446 5,446
ACTIVITIES.
CLASSIFIED
PROGRAMS
171A CLASSIFIED 41,991 41,991
PROGRAMS.
SPARES AND
REPAIR PARTS
176 SPARES AND 585,865 -110,000 475,865
REPAIR PARTS.
Reconciliat [-110,000]
ion
adjustment.
TOTAL 14,569,524 -1,059,000 13,510,524
OTHER
PROCUREMEN
T, NAVY.
PROCUREMENT,
MARINE CORPS
TRACKED COMBAT
VEHICLES
001 AAV7A1 PIP..... 21 21
002 AMPHIBIOUS 91 790,789 91 790,789
COMBAT VEHICLE
FAMILY OF
VEHICLES.
003 LAV PIP........ 764 764
ARTILLERY AND
OTHER WEAPONS
004 155MM 3 3
LIGHTWEIGHT
TOWED HOWITZER.
005 ARTILLERY 221,897 221,897
WEAPONS SYSTEM.
006 WEAPONS AND 13,401 13,401
COMBAT
VEHICLES UNDER
$5 MILLION.
GUIDED MISSILES
011 NAVAL STRIKE 90 143,711 90 143,711
MISSILE (NSM).
012 NAVAL STRIKE 20,930 20,930
MISSILE (NSM)
AP.
013 GROUND BASED 620,220 620,220
AIR DEFENSE.
014 ANTI-ARMOR 56 32,576 56 32,576
MISSILE-
JAVELIN.
015 FAMILY ANTI- 107 107
ARMOR WEAPON
SYSTEMS
(FOAAWS).
016 ANTI-ARMOR 2,173 2,173
MISSILE-TOW.
017 GUIDED MLRS 6 61,490 6 61,490
ROCKET (GMLRS).
COMMAND AND
CONTROL
SYSTEMS
021 COMMON AVIATION 68,589 68,589
COMMAND AND
CONTROL SYSTEM
(C.
REPAIR AND TEST
EQUIPMENT
022 REPAIR AND TEST 61,264 61,264
EQUIPMENT.
OTHER SUPPORT
(TEL)
023 MODIFICATION 1,108 1,108
KITS.
COMMAND AND
CONTROL SYSTEM
(NON-TEL)
024 ITEMS UNDER $5 202,679 -10,000 192,679
MILLION (COMM
& ELEC).
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
025 AIR OPERATIONS 15,784 15,784
C2 SYSTEMS.
RADAR +
EQUIPMENT (NON-
TEL)
027 GROUND/AIR TASK 79,542 79,542
ORIENTED RADAR
(G/ATOR).
INTELL/COMM
EQUIPMENT (NON-
TEL)
029 ELECTRO 35,396 35,396
MAGNETIC
SPECTRUM
OPERATIONS
(EMSO).
030 GCSS-MC........ 3,303 3,303
031 FIRE SUPPORT 116,304 -16,000 100,304
SYSTEM.
Program [-16,000]
decrease.
032 INTELLIGENCE 67,690 67,690
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
034 UNMANNED AIR 14,991 60,000 74,991
SYSTEMS
(INTEL).
Program [60,000]
increase.
035 DCGS-MC........ 42,946 42,946
036 UAS PAYLOADS... 12,232 12,232
OTHER SUPPORT
(NON-TEL)
040 MARINE CORPS 205,710 205,710
ENTERPRISE
NETWORK (MCEN).
041 COMMON COMPUTER 21,064 21,064
RESOURCES.
042 COMMAND POST 50,549 50,549
SYSTEMS.
043 RADIO SYSTEMS.. 209,444 -8,000 201,444
Program [-8,000]
decrease.
044 COMM SWITCHING 100,712 -5,000 95,712
& CONTROL
SYSTEMS.
Program [-5,000]
decrease.
045 COMM & ELEC 16,163 16,163
INFRASTRUCTURE
SUPPORT.
046 CYBERSPACE 14,541 14,541
ACTIVITIES.
CLASSIFIED
PROGRAMS
048A CLASSIFIED 2,145 2,145
PROGRAMS.
ADMINISTRATIVE
VEHICLES
051 COMMERCIAL 24,699 24,699
CARGO VEHICLES.
TACTICAL
VEHICLES
052 MOTOR TRANSPORT 16,472 16,472
MODIFICATIONS.
053 JOINT LIGHT 138 81,893 138 81,893
TACTICAL
VEHICLE.
ENGINEER AND
OTHER
EQUIPMENT
058 TACTICAL FUEL 33,611 33,611
SYSTEMS.
059 POWER EQUIPMENT 24,558 24,558
ASSORTED.
060 AMPHIBIOUS 9,049 9,049
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
061 EOD SYSTEMS.... 21,069 21,069
MATERIALS
HANDLING
EQUIPMENT
062 PHYSICAL 52,394 52,394
SECURITY
EQUIPMENT.
GENERAL
PROPERTY
063 FIELD MEDICAL 58,768 58,768
EQUIPMENT.
064 TRAINING 63,133 63,133
DEVICES.
065 FAMILY OF 33,644 33,644
CONSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENT.
066 ULTRA-LIGHT 7,836 7,836
TACTICAL
VEHICLE (ULTV).
OTHER SUPPORT
067 ITEMS LESS THAN 35,920 35,920
$5 MILLION.
SPARES AND
REPAIR PARTS
070 SPARES AND 40,828 40,828
REPAIR PARTS.
TOTAL 381 3,754,112 21,000 381 3,775,112
PROCUREMEN
T, MARINE
CORPS.
AIRCRAFT
PROCUREMENT,
AIR FORCE
STRATEGIC
OFFENSIVE
001 B-21 RAIDER.... 2,590,116 2,590,116
002 B-21 RAIDER AP. 862,000 862,000
TACTICAL FORCES
003 F-35........... 24 3,555,503 24 3,555,503
004 F-35 AP........ 531,241 531,241
009 JOINT 17,985 17,985
SIMULATION
ENVIRONMENT.
TACTICAL
AIRLIFT
012 KC-46A MDAP.... 15 2,799,633 -300,000 15 2,499,633
Program [-300,000]
delay.
UPT TRAINERS
017 ADVANCED PILOT 14 362,083 14 362,083
TRAINING T-7A.
HELICOPTERS
019 MH-139A........ 2 4,478 2 4,478
020 COMBAT RESCUE 107,500 107,500
HELICOPTER.
MISSION SUPPORT
AIRCRAFT
023 C-40 FLEET 2 300,000 300,000
EXPANSION.
2 [2] [300,000]
additional
aircraft.
024 CIVIL AIR 3,131 17,800 20,931
PATROL A/C.
Aircraft [17,800]
procurement
increase.
OTHER AIRCRAFT
026 TARGET DRONES.. 20 34,224 20 34,224
034 RQ-20B PUMA.... 6 11,437 6 11,437
STRATEGIC
AIRCRAFT
036 B-2A........... 76,906 76,906
037 B-1B........... 73,893 73,893
038 B-52........... 223,827 223,827
039 LARGE AIRCRAFT 35,165 35,165
INFRARED
COUNTERMEASURE
S.
TACTICAL
AIRCRAFT
041 COLLABORATIVE 15,048 15,048
COMBAT
AIRCRAFT MODS.
042 E-11 BACN/HAG.. 28,797 28,797
043 F-15........... 120,044 120,044
045 F-16 448,116 448,116
MODIFICATIONS.
046 F-22A.......... 977,526 977,526
047 F-35 380,337 380,337
MODIFICATIONS.
048 F-15 EPAW...... 252,607 252,607
050 KC-46A MDAP.... 19,344 19,344
AIRLIFT
AIRCRAFT
051 C-5............ 34,939 34,939
052 C-17A.......... 9,853 9,853
056 OSA-EA 87,515 87,515
MODIFICATIONS.
TRAINER
AIRCRAFT
057 GLIDER MODS.... 159 159
058 T-6............ 247,814 247,814
059 T-1............ 137 137
060 T-38........... 85,381 85,381
OTHER AIRCRAFT
068 C-130.......... 144,041 144,041
070 C-135.......... 124,368 124,368
071 COMPASS CALL... 60,000 60,000
Program [60,000]
increase.
073 CVR (CONNON ULF 79,859 79,859
RECEIVER) INC
2.
074 RC-135......... 231,001 231,001
075 E-3............ 17,291 17,291
076 E-4............ 45,232 45,232
080 H-1............ 17,899 17,899
081 MH-139A MOD.... 4,992 4,992
082 H-60........... 1,749 1,749
083 HH60W 9,150 9,150
MODIFICATIONS.
085 HC/MC-130 365,086 365,086
MODIFICATIONS.
086 OTHER AIRCRAFT. 263,902 -26,400 237,502
Program [-26,400]
decrease.
088 MQ-9 MODS...... 100,923 100,923
090 SENIOR LEADER 24,414 24,414
C3 SYSTEM--
AIRCRAFT.
091 CV-22 MODS..... 78,713 78,713
AIRCRAFT SPARES
AND REPAIR
PARTS
094 INITIAL SPARES/ 973,535 250,000 1,223,535
REPAIR PARTS.
F-35A [250,000]
increase.
COMMON SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
099 AIRCRAFT 156,776 156,776
REPLACEMENT
SUPPORT EQUIP.
POST PRODUCTION
SUPPORT
103 B-2B........... 18,969 18,969
104 B-52........... 111 111
106 C-17A.......... 2,672 2,672
111 F-15........... 5,112 5,112
114 F-16 POST 18,402 18,402
PRODUCTION
SUPPORT.
116 HC/MC-130 POST 17,986 17,986
PROD.
117 JOINT 28,524 28,524
SIMULATION
ENVIRONMENT
POST
PRODUCTION
SUPPORT.
INDUSTRIAL
PREPAREDNESS
122 INDUSTRIAL 19,998 19,998
RESPONSIVENESS.
WAR CONSUMABLES
123 WAR CONSUMABLES 26,323 26,323
OTHER
PRODUCTION
CHARGES
124 OTHER 940,190 -94,000 846,190
PRODUCTION
CHARGES.
Program [-94,000]
decrease.
CLASSIFIED
PROGRAMS
134A CLASSIFIED 16,006 16,006
PROGRAMS.
TOTAL 81 17,729,963 2 207,400 83 17,937,363
AIRCRAFT
PROCUREMEN
T, AIR
FORCE.
MISSILE
PROCUREMENT,
AIR FORCE
MISSILE
REPLACEMENT
EQUIPMENT--BAL
LISTIC
001 MISSILE 35,116 35,116
REPLACEMENT EQ-
BALLISTIC.
002 MISSILE 2,166 2,166
REPLACEMENT EQ-
BALLISTIC AP.
STRATEGIC
005 LONG RANGE 192,409 192,409
STAND-OFF
WEAPON.
006 LONG RANGE 250,300 250,300
STAND-OFF
WEAPON AP.
TACTICAL
007 REPLAC EQUIP & 12,436 12,436
WAR
CONSUMABLES.
008 ADVANCED 340 13,428 340 13,428
PRECISION KILL
WEAPON SYSTEM
(APKWS)
MISSILE.
009 AGM-183A AIR- 387,055 387,055
LAUNCHED RAPID
RESPONSE
WEAPON.
011 JOINT AIR- 144 328,081 144 328,081
SURFACE
STANDOFF
MISSILE.
013 JOINT ADVANCED 368,593 368,593
TACTICAL
MISSILE.
015 LRASM0......... 93 294,401 93 294,401
017 SIDEWINDER (AIM- 173 100,352 173 100,352
9X).
018 AMRAAM......... 226 365,125 226 365,125
021 SMALL DIAMETER 511 41,510 511 41,510
BOMB.
022 SMALL DIAMETER 806 307,743 806 307,743
BOMB II.
023 STAND-IN ATTACK 99 185,324 99 185,324
WEAPON (SIAW).
INDUSTRIAL
FACILITIES
024 INDUSTRIAL 917 917
PREPAREDNESS/
POL PREVENTION.
CLASS IV
025 ICBM FUZE MOD.. 119,376 119,376
027 MM III 14,604 14,604
MODIFICATIONS.
029 AIR LAUNCH 41,393 41,393
CRUISE MISSILE
(ALCM).
MISSILE SPARES
AND REPAIR
PARTS
030 MSL SPRS/REPAIR 5,824 5,824
PARTS
(INITIAL).
031 MSL SPRS/REPAIR 108,249 108,249
PARTS (REPLEN).
SPECIAL
PROGRAMS
033 SPECIAL UPDATE 221,199 -22,100 199,099
PROGRAMS.
Program [-22,100]
decrease.
CLASSIFIED
PROGRAMS
033A CLASSIFIED 828,275 828,275
PROGRAMS.
TOTAL 2,392 4,223,876 -22,100 2,392 4,201,776
MISSILE
PROCUREMEN
T, AIR
FORCE.
PROCUREMENT OF
AMMUNITION,
AIR FORCE
CARTRIDGES
003 CARTRIDGES..... 126,077 126,077
BOMBS
005 GENERAL PURPOSE 189,097 -18,900 170,197
BOMBS.
Program [-18,900]
decrease.
006 MASSIVE 6,813 6,813
ORDNANCE
PENETRATOR
(MOP).
007 JOINT DIRECT 1,500 126,389 1,500 126,389
ATTACK
MUNITION.
009 B61-12 TRAINER. 7,668 7,668
OTHER ITEMS
010 CAD/PAD........ 58,454 58,454
011 EXPLOSIVE 7,297 7,297
ORDNANCE
DISPOSAL (EOD).
012 SPARES AND 636 636
REPAIR PARTS.
014 FIRST 2,955 2,955
DESTINATION
TRANSPORTATION.
015 ITEMS LESS THAN 5,571 5,571
$5,000,000.
FLARES
017 EXPENDABLE 101,540 101,540
COUNTERMEASURE
S.
FUZES
018 FUZES.......... 125,721 125,721
SMALL ARMS
019 SMALL ARMS..... 26,260 26,260
TOTAL 1,500 784,478 -18,900 1,500 765,578
PROCUREMEN
T OF
AMMUNITION
, AIR
FORCE.
PROCUREMENT,
SPACE FORCE
SPACE
PROCUREMENT,
SF
002 AF SATELLITE 68,238 68,238
COMM SYSTEM.
004 COUNTERSPACE 2,027 2,027
SYSTEMS.
006 EVOLVED 64,996 64,996
STRATEGIC
SATCOM (ESS)
AP.
007 FAMILY OF 15,404 15,404
BEYOND LINE-OF-
SIGHT
TERMINALS.
010 GENERAL 1,835 1,835
INFORMATION
TECH--SPACE.
011 GPSIII FOLLOW 109,944 339,675 449,619
ON.
GPS IIIF... [339,675]
012 GPS III SPACE 29,274 29,274
SEGMENT.
013 GLOBAL 870 870
POSTIONING
(SPACE).
017 SPACEBORNE 84,044 84,044
EQUIP (COMSEC).
018 MILSATCOM...... 36,447 36,447
020 SPECIAL SPACE 482,653 482,653
ACTIVITIES.
021 MOBILE USER 48,977 48,977
OBJECTIVE
SYSTEM.
022 NATIONAL 4 1,466,963 4 1,466,963
SECURITY SPACE
LAUNCH.
024 PTES HUB....... 29,949 29,949
026 SPACE 7 648,446 7 648,446
DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY LAUNCH.
027 SPACE DIGITAL 4,984 4,984
INTEGRATED
NETWORK (SDIN).
029 SPACE MODS..... 115,498 115,498
030 SPACELIFT RANGE 64,321 64,321
SYSTEM SPACE.
031 WIDEBAND SATCOM 92,380 92,380
OPERATIONAL
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS.
SPARES
032 SPARES AND 938 938
REPAIR PARTS.
NON-TACTICAL
VEHICLES
033 USSF VEHICLES.. 5,000 5,000
SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
035 POWER 20,449 20,449
CONDITIONING
EQUIPMENT.
TOTAL 11 3,393,637 339,675 11 3,733,312
PROCUREMEN
T, SPACE
FORCE.
OTHER
PROCUREMENT,
AIR FORCE
PASSENGER
CARRYING
VEHICLES
002 PASSENGER 5,557 5,557
CARRYING
VEHICLES.
CARGO AND
UTILITY
VEHICLES
003 MEDIUM TACTICAL 3,938 3,938
VEHICLE.
004 CAP VEHICLES... 1,175 1,175
005 CARGO AND 56,940 56,940
UTILITY
VEHICLES.
SPECIAL PURPOSE
VEHICLES
006 JOINT LIGHT 62,202 62,202
TACTICAL
VEHICLE.
007 SECURITY AND 129 129
TACTICAL
VEHICLES.
008 SPECIAL PURPOSE 68,242 68,242
VEHICLES.
FIRE FIGHTING
EQUIPMENT
009 FIRE FIGHTING/ 58,416 58,416
CRASH RESCUE
VEHICLES.
MATERIALS
HANDLING
EQUIPMENT
010 MATERIALS 18,552 18,552
HANDLING
VEHICLES.
BASE
MAINTENANCE
SUPPORT
011 RUNWAY SNOW 11,045 11,045
REMOV AND
CLEANING EQU.
012 BASE 25,291 25,291
MAINTENANCE
SUPPORT
VEHICLES.
COMM SECURITY
EQUIPMENT(COMS
EC)
015 COMSEC 169,363 -10,000 159,363
EQUIPMENT.
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
INTELLIGENCE
PROGRAMS
017 INTERNATIONAL 5,833 5,833
INTEL TECH &
ARCHITECTURES.
018 INTELLIGENCE 5,273 5,273
TRAINING
EQUIPMENT.
019 INTELLIGENCE 42,257 42,257
COMM EQUIPMENT.
ELECTRONICS
PROGRAMS
020 AIR TRAFFIC 26,390 26,390
CONTROL &
LANDING SYS.
021 NATIONAL 11,810 11,810
AIRSPACE
SYSTEM.
022 BATTLE CONTROL 16,592 16,592
SYSTEM--FIXED.
023 THEATER AIR 27,650 27,650
CONTROL SYS
IMPROVEMEN.
024 3D 103,226 103,226
EXPEDITIONARY
LONG-RANGE
RADAR.
025 WEATHER 31,516 31,516
OBSERVATION
FORECAST.
026 STRATEGIC 82,912 82,912
COMMAND AND
CONTROL.
027 CHEYENNE 22,021 22,021
MOUNTAIN
COMPLEX.
028 MISSION 18,722 18,722
PLANNING
SYSTEMS.
031 STRATEGIC 6,383 6,383
MISSION
PLANNING &
EXECUTION
SYSTEM.
SPCL COMM-
ELECTRONICS
PROJECTS
032 GENERAL 172,085 1,100 173,185
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY.
Barry M [1,100]
Goldwater
Range Land
Mobile
Radio (LMR)
Network
Equipment
and
Installatio
n.
034 AF GLOBAL 1,947 1,947
COMMAND &
CONTROL SYS.
036 MOBILITY 11,648 11,648
COMMAND AND
CONTROL.
037 AIR FORCE 294,747 -16,000 278,747
PHYSICAL
SECURITY
SYSTEM.
Program [-16,000]
decrease.
038 COMBAT TRAINING 231,987 231,987
RANGES.
039 MINIMUM 94,995 94,995
ESSENTIAL
EMERGENCY COMM
N.
040 WIDE AREA 29,617 29,617
SURVEILLANCE
(WAS).
041 C3 116,410 -11,600 104,810
COUNTERMEASURE
S.
Program [-11,600]
decrease.
044 DEFENSE 698 698
ENTERPRISE
ACCOUNTING &
MGT SYS.
046 THEATER BATTLE 442 442
MGT C2 SYSTEM.
047 AIR & SPACE 22,785 -2,300 20,485
OPERATIONS
CENTER (AOC).
Program [-2,300]
decrease.
AIR FORCE
COMMUNICATIONS
050 BASE 79,091 79,091
INFORMATION
TRANSPT
INFRAST (BITI)
WIRED.
051 AFNET.......... 282,907 282,907
052 JOINT 5,930 5,930
COMMUNICATIONS
SUPPORT
ELEMENT (JCSE).
053 USCENTCOM...... 14,919 14,919
054 USSTRATCOM..... 4,788 4,788
055 USSPACECOM..... 32,633 32,633
ORGANIZATION
AND BASE
056 TACTICAL C-E 143,829 143,829
EQUIPMENT.
059 RADIO EQUIPMENT 50,730 50,730
061 BASE COMM 67,015 67,015
INFRASTRUCTURE.
MODIFICATIONS
062 COMM ELECT MODS 76,034 76,034
PERSONAL SAFETY
& RESCUE EQUIP
063 PERSONAL SAFETY 81,782 81,782
AND RESCUE
EQUIPMENT.
DEPOT
PLANT+MTRLS
HANDLING EQ
064 POWER 13,711 13,711
CONDITIONING
EQUIPMENT.
065 MECHANIZED 21,143 21,143
MATERIAL
HANDLING EQUIP.
BASE SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT
066 BASE PROCURED 90,654 90,654
EQUIPMENT.
067 ENGINEERING AND 253,799 -10,000 243,799
EOD EQUIPMENT.
Program [-10,000]
decrease.
068 MOBILITY 95,584 95,584
EQUIPMENT.
069 FUELS SUPPORT 34,794 34,794
EQUIPMENT
(FSE).
070 BASE 59,431 59,431
MAINTENANCE
AND SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT.
SPECIAL SUPPORT
PROJECTS
072 DARP RC135..... 30,136 30,136
073 DCGS-AF........ 87,044 87,044
077 SPECIAL UPDATE 1,178,397 1,178,397
PROGRAM.
CLASSIFIED
PROGRAMS
077A CLASSIFIED 26,920,092 26,920,092
PROGRAMS.
SPARES AND
REPAIR PARTS
080 SPARES AND 1,075 1,075
REPAIR PARTS
(CYBER).
081 SPARES AND 20,330 20,330
REPAIR PARTS.
TOTAL 31,504,644 -48,800 31,455,844
OTHER
PROCUREMEN
T, AIR
FORCE.
PROCUREMENT,
DEFENSE-WIDE
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT, WHS
004 MAJOR 20 475 20 475
EQUIPMENT,
DPAA.
005 MAJOR 164,900 164,900
EQUIPMENT, OSD.
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT, WHS
015 MAJOR 403 403
EQUIPMENT, WHS.
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT,
DISA
016 INFORMATION 6,254 6,254
SYSTEMS
SECURITY.
017 TELEPORT 112,517 112,517
PROGRAM.
019 ITEMS LESS THAN 23,673 23,673
$5 MILLION.
020 DEFENSE 252,370 252,370
INFORMATION
SYSTEM NETWORK.
021 WHITE HOUSE 125,292 125,292
COMMUNICATION
AGENCY.
022 SENIOR 175,264 175,264
LEADERSHIP
ENTERPRISE.
023 JOINT REGIONAL 1,496 1,496
SECURITY
STACKS (JRSS).
024 JOINT SERVICE 54,186 54,186
PROVIDER.
025 FOURTH ESTATE 75,386 75,386
NETWORK
OPTIMIZATION
(4ENO).
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT, DLA
037 MAJOR EQUIPMENT 79,251 79,251
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT,
DCSA
038 MAJOR EQUIPMENT 2,230 2,230
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT, TJS
042 MAJOR 33,090 33,090
EQUIPMENT, TJS.
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT,
MISSILE
DEFENSE AGENCY
044 THAAD.......... 25 523,125 25 523,125
048 BMDS AN/TPY-2 36,530 36,530
RADARS.
049 SM-3 IIAS...... 12 444,835 12 444,835
050 ARROW 3 UPPER 1 100,000 1 100,000
TIER SYSTEMS.
051 SHORT RANGE 1 40,000 1 40,000
BALLISTIC
MISSILE
DEFENSE
(SRBMD).
052 DEFENSE OF GUAM 11,351 11,351
PROCUREMENT.
056 IRON DOME...... 1 60,000 1 60,000
058 AEGIS BMD 17,211 17,211
HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE.
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT,
DHRA
059 PERSONNEL 3,797 3,797
ADMINISTRATION.
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT,
DEFENSE THREAT
REDUCTION
AGENCY
062 VEHICLES....... 911 911
063 OTHER MAJOR 12,023 12,023
EQUIPMENT.
065 DTRA CYBER 1,800 1,800
ACTIVITIES.
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT,
DMACT
070 MAJOR EQUIPMENT 7,258 7,258
MAJOR
EQUIPMENT,
USCYBERCOM
071 CYBERSPACE 73,358 73,358
OPERATIONS.
CLASSIFIED
PROGRAMS
UNDISTRIBUTED
074A CLASSIFIED 1,129,183 1,129,183
PROGRAMS.
AVIATION
PROGRAMS
091 ARMED OVERWATCH/ 6 156,606 6 156,606
TARGETING.
095 ROTARY WING 189,059 189,059
UPGRADES AND
SUSTAINMENT.
096 UNMANNED ISR... 6,858 6,858
097 NON-STANDARD 7,849 7,849
AVIATION.
098 U-28........... 2,031 2,031
099 MH-47 CHINOOK.. 156,934 156,934
100 CV-22 19,692 19,692
MODIFICATION.
101 MQ-9 UNMANNED 12,890 12,890
AERIAL VEHICLE.
102 PRECISION 61,595 61,595
STRIKE PACKAGE.
103 AC/MC-130J..... 236,312 236,312
AMMUNITION
PROGRAMS
106 ORDNANCE ITEMS 116,972 116,972
The bill would:
Authorize appropriations totaling $884.3
billion for 2026, including $882.9 billion for military
functions of the Department of Defense (DoD) and for
the atomic energy defense activities of the Department
of Energy, and $1.4 billion for nondefense activities
Prescribe personnel levels for active-duty
and selected-reserve components of the U.S. Armed
Forces
Extend DoD's authority to pay various
bonuses and allowances to military personnel
Change compensation and health care benefits
for military personnel and their families
Authorize DoD to enter into multiyear
procurement contracts
Impose intergovernmental and private-sector
mandates by expanding an existing mandate under the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and preempting state
laws for supplemental health insurance plans for
TRICARE enrollees
Areas of significant uncertainty include:
Estimating the number of TRICARE
beneficiaries who would use assisted reproductive
technology
Anticipating how DoD would use multiyear
procurement authority
Bill summary: H.R. 3838 would specify authorizations of
appropriations totaling $884.3 billion for 2026. The bill also
includes provisions that would affect the costs of defense
programs that would be funded with discretionary appropriations
in 2026 and future years. Those provisions mainly would affect
force structure, compensation and benefits, and multiyear
procurement of weapons systems. For 2026, those costs are
included in the authorizations specified in the bill for that
year. CBO expects that some costs after 2026 will be covered by
specified authorizations in future National Defense
Authorization Acts.
Estimated federal cost: The estimated budgetary effects of
H.R. 3838 are shown in Table 1. Of the $884.3 billion
authorized for 2026, nearly all--$882.9 billion--would be for
activities within budget function 050 (national defense). The
other $1.4 billion would fall within budget functions 270
(energy), 400 (transportation), and 700 (veterans benefits and
services).
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R.
3838 will be enacted near the start of fiscal year 2026 and
that the authorized amounts will be appropriated in 2026. CBO
estimates that appropriation of the specified amounts would
increase outlays by $868.1 billion over the 2026-2035 period;
those outlays were estimated using historical spending patterns
for similar programs.
Spending subject to appropriation: H.R. 3838 would
specifically authorize appropriations of $884.3 billion for
2026. Almost all of that amount--$882.9 billion--would be for
defense programs; $1.4 billion would be for nondefense programs
(see Table 2).
The amount authorized for defense programs in 2026 would be
$9.6 billion (or 1 percent) less than the $892.6 billion in
discretionary funding that was appropriated for defense in
2025. That 2025 appropriation includes $11.8 billion in funding
that was designated as an emergency requirement--mostly for
shipbuilding and expenses related to natural disasters.
Excluding that emergency-designated funding, the amount
authorized for 2026 would be $2.1 billion more than the amounts
appropriated in 2025. (Those appropriated amounts also exclude
the estimated $153.4 billion in mandatory budget authority that
was provided for defense activities by Public Law 119-21, the
2025 reconciliation legislation enacted on July 4, 2025; those
mandatory amounts are available for obligation through 2029.)
H.R. 3838 would increase authorizations for all major
categories of defense spending except procurement.
Authorizations would increase for the following categories:
military personnel by $11.5 billion (or 6
percent),
operation and maintenance and revolving
funds by $0.5 billion (or less than 1 percent),
research and development by $1.7 billion (or
1 percent), military construction and family housing by
$1.4 billion (or 8 percent), and
atomic energy activities by $0.8 billion (or
3 percent).
Authorizations would decrease for procurement by $13.7
billion (or 8 percent).
For nondefense programs, the bill would specifically
authorize $1.4 billion in 2026. That amount includes $1.1
billion for the Maritime Administration, $163 million for a
Department of Veterans Affairs medical-facility demonstration
fund, $77 million for the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and $13
million for the Naval Petroleum Reserves.
Estimated costs for selected provisions for 2026 through
2030: H.R. 3838 includes provisions that would affect the costs
of various defense programs in future years. The estimated
effects of some of those provisions are shown in Table 3 and
described below. Spending for affected programs and activities
would be subject to the appropriation of the estimated amounts.
The net costs of those defense-related provisions are not added
to the total specified authorizations described above because
CBO expects those activities would be funded from the amounts
specifically authorized in this bill for 2026 and that, over
the 2027-2030 period, the costs associated with those
activities would be specifically authorized in future defense
authorization acts.
Military End Strength. The bill would affect the force
structure of the various military services by setting end-
strength levels for 2026. Assuming those authorized end-
strength levels continue after 2026, those changes would affect
spending in future years.
For 2026, title IV would authorize end-strength levels for
active-duty personnel and personnel in the selected reserve of
1,302,800 and 773,400, respectively. Of those reservists,
91,554 would serve full time on active duty in support of the
reserves. In total, when compared with levels authorized under
current law for 2025, active-duty end strength would increase
by 26,100, and the selected-reserve end strength would increase
by 100. The number of selected reservists who would serve in
full-time support positions would decrease by 627. The
specified end-strength levels for each component of the armed
forces are detailed below along with CBO's estimate of how
those changes would affect costs of the Department of Defense
(DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Those
costs for personnel include components of military compensation
such as basic pay, allowances, bonuses, and health care, as
well as operating costs for training and maintenance.
Active Duty. Section 401 would increase the authorized
number of active-duty personnel by 26,100. End strength would
increase by 12,300 for the Navy, by 11,700 for the Army, by
1,500 for the Air Force, and by 600 for the Space Force. The
end strength authorized for the Marine Corps would remain the
same. CBO estimates that the increase in active-duty personnel
would increase costs to DoD by $22.5 billion over the 2026-2030
period.
Selected Reserve. Under section 411, the authorized end
strengths for the six reserve components in DoD would decrease
by a net of 1,400. Authorized end strength would decrease by
3,800 for the Army Reserve, by 2,000 for the Air National
Guard, and by 200 for the Navy Reserve. End strength would
increase for the Army National Guard by 3,000, for the Marine
Corps Reserve by 1,100, and by 500 for the Air Force Reserve.
CBO estimates that the net decrease would reduce DoD's costs by
$0.4 billion over the 2026-2030 period.
In addition, section 411 would raise the authorized end
strength for the Coast Guard Reserve by 1,500. CBO estimates
that change would increase DHS's costs by $0.4 billion over the
2026-2030 period.
Full-Time Selected Reserve. Section 412 would reduce by 627
the number of reservists who serve full time on active duty in
support of the reserves in 2026 compared with currently
authorized end-strength levels for 2025. That decline in full-
time reservists would decrease DoD's costs by $0.6 billion over
the 2026-2030 period, CBO estimates.
Reserve Technicians. Section 413 would decrease the end
strength for dual-status military technicians by 1,815. Those
personnel are federal civilian employees who are required to
maintain membership in the selected reserve as a condition of
their employment. CBO estimates that spending on salaries for
dual-status positions would decrease by $1.2 billion over the
2026-2030 period. (Changing the number of dual-status
technicians would not change the number of reservists set by
sections 411 and 412, discussed above. Thus, the only budgetary
effects would be the decrease in civilian compensation.)
Defense Compensation and Benefits. H.R 3838 would affect
compensation and benefits for uniformed personnel and civilian
employees of DoD. That compensation includes bonuses and
certain allowances.
Expiring Bonuses and Allowances. Section 611 would extend
for one year DoD's authority to enter into agreements to pay
certain bonuses and allowances to military personnel. The
authority to enter into such agreements currently expires after
December 31, 2025. Some bonuses are paid in lump sums; others
are paid in annual or monthly installments over several years
of military service. Using information from DoD's budget
request for fiscal year 2026, CBO estimates that extending that
authority through December 31, 2026, would cost $13.1 billion
over the 2026-2030 period.
Basic Needs Allowance. Section 621 would require DoD to
exclude the basic allowance for housing from the calculation of
gross household income used to determine eligibility for and
the amount of the basic needs allowance, a monthly payment to
service members whose gross incomes are less than 200 percent
of the federal poverty guidelines. The amount of the basic
needs allowance is the difference between a service member's
monthly gross income and the monthly income level at 200
percent of poverty guidelines for the location in the United
States where the member lives and the size of the member's
household.
On the basis of information from the department about
service members' pay and family sizes, CBO estimates that under
current law, DoD will spend roughly $10 million on the basic
needs allowance, paying about $300 a month, on average, to
3,000 families whose gross incomes--including the housing
allowance--are less than the 200 percent threshold. If the
housing allowance were excluded from the calculation of gross
income, 52,000 families would receive an average of $760 each
month, CBO estimates. Accounting for the time needed to
implement the new policy, CBO anticipates that DoD would begin
making payments using calculations required by the bill in
April 2026 (halfway through the fiscal year). The authority to
pay the basic needs allowance expires after December 31, 2027.
Thus, implementing section 621 would increase costs for the
basic needs allowance by $230 million in 2026 and $805 million
over the 2026-2030 period, CBO estimates.
Military Health System. Title 7 would increase costs paid
from discretionary appropriations for the Military Health
System by requiring DoD to cover costs associated with assisted
reproductive technology (ART), eliminating out-of-pocket costs
for reserve members enrolled in the TRICARE dental program,
adding requirements to annual health assessments, and
increasing reimbursements to children's hospitals.
Assisted Reproductive Technology. Section 703 would require
DoD to provide assisted reproductive technology to active-duty
service members, members of the selected reserve, and their
dependents as part of the regular TRICARE health benefit,
beginning in fiscal year 2028. CBO anticipates that DoD would
provide three services under the provision: in vitro
fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and
gamete retrieval and storage. CBO estimates that implementing
section 703 would cost about $1.8 billion over the 2028-2030
period. Those costs include the cost of births that would
result from IVF and IUI procedures. Costs would be less in the
first year because childbirths will lag the implementation of
the policy. The total estimated costs were reduced to account
for the approximately $50 million that DoD currently spends
each year on limited ART services offered to TRICARE
beneficiaries as part of its medical training programs. The
total estimated cost includes the following components:
CBO estimates that IVF procedures would cost
about $300 million per year. To estimate the cost of
covering IVF, CBO used data from Massachusetts, which
requires private health insurance to cover those
procedures, to project usage rates for the
approximately 900,000 married service members and
unmarried female members. Based on that information and
on pricing made publicly available by various private
clinics, CBO estimates that DoD would cover about
25,000 IVF cycles per year at a cost of $12,000 per
cycle.
CBO estimates that IUI services would cost
about $30 million per year. Using publicly available
data from various private clinics and literature on IUI
prevalence, CBO estimates that DoD would cover about
50,000 IUI procedures per year at an average price of
$600 per procedure. Because ART is generally not
covered by health insurance, the less expensive and
less invasive intrauterine insemination procedures are
a more common option; thus, IUI procedures are four
times more common than IVF. However, if both IUI and
IVF were made available with low out-of-pocket costs,
CBO expects that TRICARE beneficiaries would instead
use IUI at twice the rate of IVF as the general
population. The estimate also includes the likelihood
that some people will undergo IUI before attempting
IVF.
CBO estimates that additional childbirths
associated with covering ART would cost about $250
million per year. Based on a literature review,
information from DoD, and data from Massachusetts
compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, CBO estimates that about a third of IVF
cycles and about a tenth of IUI cycles would result in
a successful childbirth, or about 15,000 births per
year. However, CBO assumes that half of those births
will occur under current law, either because
beneficiaries will pay for ART services themselves or
will eventually have a child without ART. Because
pregnancies involving IVF and IUI have a higher
probability of preterm deliveries and multiple births,
CBO estimates that the average cost of each birth would
be about $30,000--roughly double the cost of a typical
childbirth.
CBO estimates that gamete retrieval and
storage would cost about $70 million per year. Under
the proposal, DoD may cover gamete retrieval and
storage, even in the absence of conditions that cause
infertility, for TRICARE beneficiaries who wish to
delay or preserve their ability to start a family
because of the demands and hazards of military service.
There is significant uncertainty about whether DoD
would extend that benefit and how many people would use
it. Using information on gamete preservation in cancer
patients, with adjustments to account for the
likelihood that TRICARE beneficiaries would probably
use the service at a much lower rate, CBO estimates
that about 10,000 men and 3,000 women would undergo
gamete retrieval each year. Using publicly available
information on pricing for those procedures, CBO
estimates that services for men would cost about $500
for retrieval and $125 annually for storage; the cost
for women would be about $15,000 for retrieval
(multiple cycles are often needed) and about $500
annually for storage.
The estimated costs associated with section 703 are subject
to considerable uncertainty. It is difficult to anticipate the
rules DoD would set for the use of ART services, and to predict
the number of beneficiaries that would ultimately use those
services. As a result, the costs of section 703 could be
significantly more or less than CBO estimated.
Dental Benefits for Selected Reserve. Section 701 would
eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for members of the selected
reserve who choose to participate in the TRICARE dental
program. CBO estimates that implementing that section would
cost about $1.2 billion over the 2026-2030 period. Under
current law, reserve members who participate in the dental
program must pay a portion of the insurance premium, as well as
any copayments or coinsurance. Based on take-up rates for other
reserve health benefits and national statistics on dental care,
CBO estimates those changes would increase participation in the
TRICARE dental program from less than 100,000 currently to
about 425,000 members, and that each enrollee would cost DoD
about $600 per year. (Currently, DoD's share of dental costs
average about $225 per enrolled member.)
Health Assessments. Section 702 would require a sports
physical, electrocardiogram, metabolic panel, thyroid test, and
brain peptide test as part of the annual health assessment for
service members. That health assessment currently consists of a
detailed questionnaire; additional testing is performed only
when deemed necessary by the reviewing physician. CBO estimates
that adding those new requirements would increase costs to DoD
by about $1.0 billion over the 2026-2030 period. CBO estimates
that implementing this section would increase the cost of each
assessment by about $120, on average, the maximum allowable
charges under TRICARE for those additional tests and exams.
Based on the current number of service members, CBO estimates
that about two million periodic health assessments are
performed each year.
Payments to Children's Hospitals. Section 723 would
increase by 30 percent the reimbursements for outpatient
services to children's hospitals that serve many dependents of
active-duty service members. Based on hospital reimbursement
data from DoD, CBO estimates that seven hospitals per year
would qualify for the additional payments, and that those
hospitals currently receive about $175 million per year in
outpatient reimbursements. Higher payments would be made the
year following an eligibility determination, which CBO
anticipates would occur in 2026. Therefore, increasing those
reimbursements by 30 percent would cost about $50 million per
year beginning in 2027 and total $200 billion through 2030.
Multiyear Procurement and Block Buy Contracts. H.R. 3838
would authorize DoD to enter into multiyear procurement
contracts and block buy contracts to purchase certain
helicopters and ships. Multiyear procurement is a special
contracting method that permits the government to enter into
contracts covering acquisitions for more than one year, even
though the total funds required for all years are not
appropriated at the time the contracts are awarded. Contracts
that would cost more than $500 million must be specifically
authorized in both an authorization act and an appropriation
act. Lawmakers sometimes authorize contracts that would cost
less than that threshold. Block buy contracts are also used to
procure items over a period of more than one year, but are not
subject to the same statutory restrictions as multiyear
procurement contracts and do not require authorization in an
appropriation act.
Black Hawk Helicopters. Section 111 would authorize the
Army to enter multiyear contracts beginning in fiscal year 2027
to procure UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The UH-60 is a medium-
lift helicopter that is used to transport military personnel
and supplies. CBO estimates that under such contracts the
service would procure 96 aircraft over the 2027-2030 period at
a cost of $3.3 billion. If the Army enters into a multiyear
contract for 2027-2031, then the service would require
additional appropriations after 2030 to fulfill its contract
obligations.
Aircraft Carriers. Section 121 would authorize the Navy to
enter block buy contracts for not more than two Ford-class
aircraft carriers: CVN-82 and CVN-83. Carriers are the largest
ships in the fleet, and each carries an air wing of about 60
aircraft. CBO estimates that under such contracts, the Navy
would buy one carrier at a cost of $8.9 billion over the 2026-
2030 period. Additional funding would be required to complete
the contract after 2030. The Navy estimates that CVN-81, the
most recently ordered carrier, will cost $15.2 billion by the
time of its expected delivery date in 2032. The Ford-class
program experienced schedule delays and cost growth in recent
years. CBO expects that the cost of each aircraft carrier
procured under the contracts authorized by section 121 would be
similar to or slightly greater than CVN-81.
Columbia-Class Submarines. Section 122 would authorize the
Navy to enter a block buy contract beginning in fiscal year
2026 for not more than five Columbia-class submarines.
Strategic ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), which carry
Trident ballistic missiles, are one component of the United
States' nuclear triad. CBO estimates that under such a
contract, the Navy would order one submarine per year at a cost
of $40.3 billion over the 2026-2030 period. Additional funding
would be required to complete the contract after 2030. The Navy
estimates that SSBN-827, which was ordered in 2024, will cost
$10.7 billion in total. The program experienced schedule delays
and cost growth in recent years. CBO expects that the unit
costs of the five submarines procured under the authority in
section 122 would be similar to the most recently ordered
submarine.
Barges. Section 125 would authorize the Navy to enter
multiyear contracts beginning in fiscal year 2026 to procure
Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing barges, which are vessels
that provide temporary berthing and dining facilities for
sailors when the ships to which they are assigned undergo
maintenance. CBO expects that under such contracts, the Navy
would buy five vessels over the 2026-2030 period at a total
cost of $180 million.
Construction Contracts. Section 2807 would authorize the
DoD to enter into multiyear procurement contracts in fiscal
year 2026 for the construction of military unaccompanied
housing and child development centers. The authority would be
limited to projects that use standardized and repeatable
designs, demonstrate cost savings relative to single-year
contracts, and are included in the current future years defense
program. Based on DoD's plans and the cost of similar
facilities, CBO estimates the department would enter into
contracts for 10 facilities in 2026 at a cost of $750 million
over the 2026-2030 period.
Direct spending and revenues: Several provisions in H.R.
3838, described below, would affect direct spending and
revenues. CBO estimates the effects of those provisions would
not be significant over the 2026-2035 period because they would
affect very few people, would have offsetting effects, or would
involve transactions of very small amounts.
Section 512 would authorize the Marine Corps
to activate certain Selected Reserve personnel for up
to 545 days, an increase of 180 days from the limit in
current law. Some of those Reservists could begin
receiving retired pay earlier as a result.
Sections 211, 515, 818, 820, 856, 871, 876,
904, 1103, 1104, 1233, 1234, 1301, 1603, 1615, and 1842
would allow agencies to accept and spend, without
further appropriation, amounts received from nonfederal
entities for various purposes. Those collections are
classified as offsetting receipts (or reductions in
direct spending). Because CBO does not expect those
agencies to spend all the funds they receive, the net
effect of those sections would be an insignificant
reduction in direct spending.
Sections 331 and 333 would affect DoD's
authority to use working capital funds for capital
investment and minor construction projects at military
depots. Through working capital funds, DoD is
authorized to incur obligations in advance of
appropriations. That type of authority, called contract
authority, is classified as direct spending. Based on
information from DoD about the current use of such
contract authority, CBO estimates that the increase in
direct spending from those provisions would be
insignificant.
Section 534 would require the Selective
Service System to automatically register for the
military draft every male U.S. citizen and permanent
resident between the ages of 18 and 26. Failure to
register under current law constitutes grounds for
civil and criminal penalties and can delay the ability
of some lawful permanent residents to naturalize--that
is, to become American citizens--which in turn can
delay the receipt of some federal benefits. Because
lawful permanent residents would be registered
automatically under section 534, their ability to
naturalize would not be delayed for failure to
register. CBO expects any resulting increase in direct
spending for federal benefits and reductions in
revenues from penalties would be insignificant.
Sections 591 and 592 would authorize awards
of the Medal of Honor that will not occur under current
law. Recipients who are living receive monthly pensions
that are paid from mandatory appropriations, and
surviving spouses of deceased recipients could receive
expanded health benefits or increased survivor
benefits.
Section 651 would allow more people to use
commissary stores on military bases. Newly eligible
patrons using credit or debit cards would be required
to pay a fee to offset the card transaction costs paid
by the Department of the Treasury from mandatory
appropriations.
Sections 705, 706, 707, 746, and 747 would
change the cost of providing health benefits to service
members, military retirees, and their dependents.
Health benefits for military retirees who are eligible
for Medicare or who are from the other uniformed
services (the Coast Guard, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Service)
are paid from mandatory appropriations.
Section 804 would authorize DoD to indemnify
contractors for the loss of work in process if they are
unable to obtain insurance for such losses because of
the classified nature of the contracts. If
indemnification claims exceed available appropriations,
any additional payments would be made from the Judgment
Fund.
Sections 552, 553, 831, 855, 1205, and 1722
affect the number of people who would be subject to
civil or criminal penalties, including fines, for
prohibited conduct. Such penalties are recorded as
revenues, and some of those penalties can be spent
without further appropriation.
Section 1047 would authorize DoD to transfer
ownership of five T-37B aircraft to the Arizona
Aviation Historical Group. Some of those aircraft, or
parts thereof, could be sold as excess defense articles
under current law.
Section 1081 would expand DoD's authority to
seize unmanned aircraft that threaten military
facilities. Proceeds from the sale of such assets are
recorded as revenues, deposited into the Assets
Forfeiture Fund, and later spent without further
appropriation.
Section 1211 would extend through December
31, 2028, the President's authority to transfer
obsolete or surplus defense articles in the War Reserve
Stockpile for Allies to Israel. Those transfers could
affect the Foreign Military Sales program. The Foreign
Military Sales trust fund can receive and expend
amounts without further appropriation.
Section 1514 would revise federal
acquisition regulations, which could affect direct
spending by some federal agencies that are allowed to
use fees, receipts from the sale of goods, and other
collections to cover operating costs.
Section 2842 would authorize the Government
Services Administration to convey 435 acres at the
former Curtis Bay Depot in Maryland to a state
development corporation. CBO anticipates that the sales
price would likely be reduced to account for expected
cleanup costs that would otherwise have been borne by
the government.
Section 3532 would increase outlays from
currently available balances for grant programs at the
Department of Transportation. Changes in outlays from
appropriations that are available under current law are
classified as direct spending. CBO anticipates that any
increase in the costs of such grants would be
insignificant.
Uncertainty: Most estimates for this bill are affected by
some level of uncertainty, but several provisions in particular
are difficult to estimate.
The costs associated with providing assisted reproductive
technology under section 703 could be significantly more or
less than CBO estimated. The costs would depend on the number
of people who use the services and the prices that DoD pays.
The costs associated with multiyear procurement and block
buy contracts under sections 111, 121, 122, 125, and 2807 could
be significantly more or less than CBO estimated. The total
cost of such contracts would depend on unit costs, quantity,
and procurement schedules. In addition, the department has not
estimated any potential savings that could be realized from
using those contracts for the specified programs, and CBO did
not include an assumption of savings in its estimate.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or
revenues. CBO estimates that enacting the bill would change
direct spending and revenues by between -$500,000 and $500,000
over the 2025-2035 period.
Increase in long-term net direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 3838 would not significantly
increase net direct spending in any of the four consecutive 10-
year periods beginning in 2036.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3838 would not
significantly increase on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.
Mandates: H.R. 3838 would impose intergovernmental and
private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (UMRA). CBO estimates that the total cost of those
mandates would not exceed the thresholds established in UMRA
for intergovernmental and private-sector mandates ($103 million
and $206 million in 2025, respectively, adjusted annually for
inflation).
Mandate that applies to intergovernmental and private
entities: Title IV would increase the costs of complying with
existing intergovernmental and private-sector mandates under
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by increasing the
number of active-duty service members relative to current law.
The SCRA requires public and private entities to grant service
members and some reservists while on active duty with various
protections for business and tax transactions, consumer
contracts, and court procedures.
The SCRA, for example, allows service members to maintain a
single state of residence for paying state and local personal
income taxes and to request deferrals for certain state and
local fees. It also requires creditors to charge no more than 6
percent interest on a service member's loan obligations if the
loan originated before the service member began active duty,
and it allows courts to temporarily stay certain civil
proceedings, such as evictions, foreclosures, and
repossessions. SCRA prohibits lenders from using a service
member's personal assets to satisfy a trade or business
liability during a period of military service. It also allows
service members to terminate residential and auto leases and
some consumer contracts under certain conditions.
Under the bill, the number of active-duty service members
covered by SCRA would increase by 26,100, about 2 percent more
than current authorization levels. The cost of the mandate
would depend on various factors like how many service members
use the SCRA, the frequency and duration of their deployment,
and the market rates for car loans and mortgages. CBO estimates
that the incremental cost of compliance for public and private
entities would result in several millions of dollars in lost
revenue each year.
Mandate for intergovernmental entities: Section 708 would
establish a pilot program to offer enrollees of TRICARE
supplemental insurance coverage for otherwise non-covered
expenses. Coverage would be sold by not more than two insurance
companies, and for the coverage offered, the programmatic
requirements of the pilot program would supersede state laws on
the licensing of insurance companies and solvency requirements,
a preemption of state laws. The bill would require companies
participating in the program to be licensed in every state. CBO
estimates that the preemption of state laws would not result in
an increase in expenditures or losses in revenue.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Caroline Dorminey:
Procurement and Security Assistance; William Ma: Operations and
Maintenance, Military Justice; Christopher Mann: Military
Construction and Family Housing; Aldo Prosperi: Research and
Development, Maritime Administration; David Rafferty: Military
Retirement; Dawn Sauter Regan: Military and Civilian Personnel;
Matt Schmit: Specified Authorizations and Military Health Care.
Mandates: Brandon Lever.
Estimate reviewed by: David Newman, Chief, Defense,
International Affairs, and Veterans' Affairs Cost Estimates
Unit; Kathleen FitzGerald, Chief, Public and Private Mandates
Unit; Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget
Analysis.
Estimate approved by: Phillip L. Swagel, Director,
Congressional Budget Office.
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 3838
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2025-2030 2025-2035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation
Specified Authorizations for Defense
Appropriations:
Authorization..................... 0 882,916 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 882,916 882,916
Estimated Outlays................. 0 523,923 213,338 69,922 33,082 14,067 6,833 3,106 1,646 599 235 854,332 866,751
Specified Authorizations for
Nondefense Appropriations:
Authorization..................... 0 1,389 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,389 1,389
Estimated Outlays................. 0 464 171 153 190 187 142 66 11 0 0 1,165 1,384
Total Changes:
Authorization................. 0 884,305 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 884,305 884,305
Estimated Outlays............. 0 524,387 213,509 70,075 33,272 14,254 6,975 3,172 1,657 599 235 855,497 868,135
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The amounts shown here would be specifically authorized by the bill. Some provisions in the bill also would affect the costs of defense programs in 2026
and future years but would not specifically authorize appropriations for those years. Estimates for some of those provisions, which are shown in Table
3, are not included above because CBO expects authorizations of appropriations for those costs would be provided in subsequent defense authorization
acts.
In addition to the amounts shown here, enacting H.R. 3838 would affect direct spending and revenues by insignificant amounts over the 2026-2035 period.
Table 2.--SPECIFIED AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRATIONS IN H.R. 3838
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2025-2030 2025-2035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIFIED AUTHORIZATIONS FOR DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Department of Defense Military
Personnel:
Authorization..................... 0 193,903 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 193,903 193,903
Estimated Outlays................. 0 180,867 10,863 362 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 192,092 192,092
Operation and Maintenance:
Authorization..................... 0 338,359 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 338,359 338,359
Estimated Outlays................. 0 221,076 88,070 12,896 4,868 2,110 935 29 0 0 0 329,020 329,984
Procurement:
Authorization..................... 0 153,441 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 153,441 153,441
Estimated Outlays................. 0 35,538 42,314 34,299 20,881 8,694 4,132 2,371 1,475 492 197 141,726 150,393
Research and Development:
Authorization..................... 0 142,436 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 142,436 142,436
Estimated Outlays................. 0 64,381 57,613 13,296 3,399 1,174 612 142 0 0 0 139,863 140,617
Military Construction and Family
Housing:
Authorization..................... 0 18,893 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18,893 18,893
Estimated Outlays................. 0 1,165 3,511 5,073 3,914 2,084 1,154 564 171 107 38 15,747 17,781
Revolving Funds:
Authorization..................... 0 2,038 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,038 2,038
Estimated Outlays................. 0 1,653 332 44 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 2,038 2,038
Subtotal, Department of Defense:
Authorization................. 0 849,070 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 849,070 849,070
Estimated Outlays............. 0 504,680 202,703 65,970 33,069 14,064 6,833 3,106 1,646 599 235 820,486 832,905
Atomic Energy Defense Activitiesa:
Authorization..................... 0 33,846 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33,846 33,846
Estimated Outlays................. 0 19,243 10,635 3,952 13 3 0 0 0 0 0 33,846 33,846
Total Specified Authorizations for
Defense Appropriations:
Authorization................. 0 882,916 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 882,916 882,916
Estimated Outlays............. 0 523,923 213,338 69,922 33,082 14,067 6,833 3,106 1,646 599 235 854,332 866,751
SPECIFIED AUTHORIZATIONS FOR NONDEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
Maritime Administration:
Authorization..................... 0 1,136 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,136 1,136
Estimated Outlays................. 0 265 130 148 187 186 142 66 11 0 0 916 1,135
Veterans Health Administration:
Authorization..................... 0 163 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 163 163
Estimated Outlays................. 0 133 20 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 159 159
Armed Forces Retirement Home:
Authorization..................... 0 77 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 77 77
Estimated Outlays................. 0 62 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 77 77
Naval Petroleum Reserves:
Authorization..................... 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 13
Estimated Outlays................. 0 4 6 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 13
Total Specified Authorizations for
Non-Defense Appropriations:
Authorization................. 0 1,389 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,389 1,389
Estimated Outlays............. 0 464 171 153 190 187 142 66 11 0 0 1,165 1,384
Total Specified Authorizations:
Authorization................. 0 884,305 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 884,305 884,305
Estimated Outlays............. 0 524,387 213,509 70,075 33,272 14,254 6,975 3,172 1,657 599 235 855,497 868,135
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table reflects specified authorizations of appropriations in the bill. Various provisions of the bill also would authorize activities and provide
authorities that would affect costs in 2026 and in future years. Because the bill would not specifically authorize appropriations to cover those
costs, they are not included in this table. Table 3 provides the estimated costs of some of those provisions.
a Primarily for the atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy.
TABLE 3.--ESTIMATED COSTS FOR SELECTED PROVISIONS IN H.R. 3838
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2025-2030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILITARY FORCE STRUCTURE
Active-Duty End Strengths................ 0 2,420 4,870 4,920 5,060 5,210 22,480
Selected Reserve End Strengths:
Department of Defense................ 0 -40 -70 -80 -80 -80 -350
Coast Guard.......................... 0 40 80 80 90 90 380
Full-Time Selected Reserve End Strengths. 0 -60 -120 -120 -120 -130 -550
Reserve Technician End Strengths......... 0 -120 -250 -260 -260 -270 -1,160
DEFENSE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Expiring Bonuses and Allowances.......... 0 4,370 3,340 2,430 2,310 630 13,080
Basic Needs Allowance.................... 0 230 460 115 0 0 805
MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM
Assisted Reproductive Technology......... 0 0 0 330 700 720 1,750
Dental Benefits for Selected Reserve..... 0 120 250 260 270 280 1,180
Health Assessments....................... 0 110 220 230 240 240 1,040
Payments to Children's Hospitals......... 0 0 50 50 50 50 200
MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS AND BLOCK BUY CONTRACTS
Black Hawk Helicopters................... 0 0 810 820 840 860 3,330
Aircraft Carriers........................ 0 600 1,100 1,700 2,500 3,000 8,900
Columbia Class Submarines................ 0 9,000 10,100 8,800 6,700 5,700 40,300
Barges................................... 0 35 70 0 75 0 180
Construction Contracts................... 0 140 250 180 120 60 750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts shown for defense programs and activities in this table for 2026 are included in the amounts that would
be specifically authorized to be appropriated by the bill (as shown in Table 2 and summarized in Table 1).
Associated costs for defense programs after 2026 would not be specifically authorized by H.R. 3838 (and
therefore, are not included in Tables 1 and 2); rather, CBO expects those amounts would be covered by
specified authorizations in future National Defense Authorization Acts.
STATEMENT REQUIRED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL
BUDGET ACT
Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, and section 308(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344):
(1) this legislation does not provide budget authority
subject to an allocation made pursuant to section 302(b) of
Public Law 93-344;
(2) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Estimate included
in this report pursuant to clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives contains CBO's projection
of how this legislation will affect the levels of budget
authority, budget outlays, revenues, and tax expenditures for
fiscal year 2026 and for the ensuing 5 fiscal years; and
(3) the CBO Estimate does not identify any new budget
authority for assistance to state and local governments by this
measure at the time that this report was filed.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Congressional Budget Office
estimate included in this report satisfies the requirement for
the committee to include an estimate by the committee of the
costs incurred in carrying out this bill.
DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS
The following table is submitted in compliance with clause
9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
lists the congressional earmarks (as defined in paragraph (e)
of clause 9) contained in the bill or in this report. Neither
the bill nor the report contain any limited tax benefits or
limited tariff benefits as defined in paragraphs (f) or (g) of
clause 9 of rule XXI.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
(Community Project Funding Items)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMOUNT
(Dollars
TITLE AGENCY PROJECT NAME PROJECT LOCATION in MEMBER(S)
Thousands)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4601 Army Access Control Point Anniston Army Depot, AL 115,000 Rogers, Mike (AL)
4601 Army Automated-Aided Instruction Building (Design) Fort Sill, OK 9,300 Cole, Tom (OK)
4601 Army Airfield Fire and Rescue Station Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 68,000 Strickland, Marilyn
(WA)
4601 Navy F-35 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar (Design) Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA 33,490 Fong, Vince (CA)
4601 Navy Child Development Center (Design) Naval Air Weapons Station China 8,900 Fong, Vince (CA)
Lake, CA
4601 Navy Communications Center and Infrastructure Marine Corps Support Facility 45,425 Rutherford, John H.
Blount Island, FL (FL)
4601 Navy Child Development Center (Design) Naval Air Station Jacksonville, 4,575 Rutherford, John H.
FL (FL)
4601 Navy Multi Aircraft Paint & Strip (Design) Naval Air Station Jacksonville, 26,515 Rutherford, John H.
FL (FL)
4601 Navy F-35 Aircraft Engine Repair Facility Naval Air Station Jacksonville, 78,117 Rutherford, John H.
FL (FL)
4601 Navy PDI: Defense Access Roads Joint Region Marianas, GU 50,000 Moylan, James C.
(GU)
4601 Navy EOD Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures Facility Joint Expeditionary Base Little 12,000 Kiggans, Jennifer A.
(Design) Creek-Fort Story, VA (VA)
4601 Navy Power Upgrades - Pier 14 (Design) Naval Station Norfolk, VA 15,000 Kiggans, Jennifer A.
(VA)
4601 Navy Shore Power for Virginia-Class Submarines (Design) Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, 2,200 Wittman, Robert J.
VA (VA)
4601 Air Force Combat Arms Training & Maintenance Complex Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, 41,000 Davis, Donald (NC)
NC
4601 Air Force F-35 Canopy Repair Facility (Design) Hill Air Force Base, UT 2,600 Moore, Blake D. (UT)
4601 Defense-Wide SOF Joint Intelligence Center (Design) Fort Bragg, NC 8,100 Hudson, Richard (NC)
4601 Defense-Wide SOF Forward Operating Base Freedom Upgrades Fort Bragg, NC 44,700 Hudson, Richard (NC)
4601 Army National Guard Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Salisbury Readiness Complex, NC 69,000 Hudson, Richard (NC)
4601 Air National Guard ADAL Maintenance Hangar Air National Guard/Shops Atlantic City Air National Guard 61,000 Van Drew, Jefferson
Base, NJ (NJ)
4601 Army Reserve Aviation Support Facility Fort Knox, KY 50,000 Guthrie, Brett (KY)
4601 Army Reserve Army Reserve Center Building (Design) Camp Bullis, TX 5,000 Gonzales, Tony (TX)
4601 Navy and Marine Corps Maintenance Hangar Naval Air Station Fort Worth, TX 50,000 Ellzey, Jake (TX)
Reserve
4601 Air Force Reserve Entry Control Facility (Design) Dobbins Air Reserve Base, GA 3,200 Loudermilk, Barry
(GA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, this legislation results from
hearings and other oversight activities conducted by the
committee pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of rule X. The findings
are reflected in the body of this report.
GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
With respect to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the general goals and objectives
of H.R. 3838 are to maintain the national defense, to prepare
the United States to meet current and future challenges to the
national defense, and to accomplish each of those goals and
objectives in a responsible manner.
The bill authorizes $892.6 billion of discretionary funding
to support national defense requirements. The bill authorizes
funding sufficient to provide a 3.8 percent pay raise for
servicemembers, to invest in key maintenance and readiness
areas, and to modernize the force to deter adversaries.
The bill continues the longstanding work of the Committee
on Armed Services to provide U.S. military forces with
sufficient resources to maintain the national defense, and it
fulfills the committee's duties under Article I, Section 8, of
the Constitution.
STATEMENT OF FEDERAL MANDATES
The committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
Consistent with the requirements of section 5(b) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, the committee finds that the
functions of the proposed advisory committee authorized in the
bill are not currently being performed, nor could they be
performed, by one or more agencies, an advisory committee
already in existence, or by enlarging the mandate of an
existing advisory committee.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The committee finds that this legislation does not relate
to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, no provision of
H.R. 3838 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the Federal
Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program,
a program that was included in any report from the Government
Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of
Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a program
identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance.
COMMITTEE VOTES
In accordance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, recorded votes were taken with
respect to the committee's consideration of H.R. 3838. The
record of these votes is contained in the following pages.
The committee ordered H.R. 3838 to be reported to the House
with a favorable recommendation by a vote of 55-2, a quorum
being present.
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 1
h.r. 3838
On Jacobs Log 5225r1--Requires the establishment of human
rights offices within each geographic combatant command.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 2
h.r. 3838
On Courtney Log 4933--This section would prohibit funds for
use of retrofitting or transferring an executive aircraft from
a foreign entity.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 3
h.r. 3838
On Ryan Log 5494--Funding limitation until completion of
review of laws and DoD policies on classified information and
certification by SECDEF.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 26 31 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 4
h.r. 3838
On Jacobs Log 5619--Prohibits SecDef from communicating
about classified material using personal devices and insecure
methods, and states no funds can be used to install, maintain,
or support any communications infrastructure in DoD facilities
that are not in compliance with relevant standards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 5
h.r. 3838
On Moulton Log 5659--Expresses the Sense of Congress that
sharing national defense information on an unsecured messaging
platform poses risk to mission and risk to service members, and
that senior leadership who shares such information should
assume responsibility and accept appropriate consequences.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 28 29 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 6
h.r. 3838
On McCormick Log 4839r1--Striking Subsection (C) - Sunset,
Sec. 1555 of the FY24 NDAA (PL 118-31) - Modification to
Certification Requirement Regarding Contracting for Military
Recruiting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). ...... x ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) ...... x ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). ...... x ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). ...... x ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... ...... x ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ x ....... ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. x ....... ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). ...... x ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). ...... x ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Strickland ...... x ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. x ....... ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. ...... x ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. x ....... ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). ...... x ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). ...... x ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Goodlander ...... x ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Whitesides ...... x ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 30 27 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 7
h.r. 3838
On Mace Log 4820--Exclusive use of merit in military
personnel decisions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). ...... x ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) ...... x ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). ...... x ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). ...... x ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... ...... x ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ x ....... ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. x ....... ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). ...... x ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). ...... x ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Strickland ...... x ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. x ....... ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. ...... x ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. x ....... ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). ...... x ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). ...... x ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Goodlander ...... x ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Whitesides ...... x ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 30 27 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 8
h.r. 3838
On Mace Log 4821--Service Academy admission reform.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). ...... x ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) ...... x ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). ...... x ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). ...... x ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... ...... x ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ x ....... ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. x ....... ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). ...... x ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). ...... x ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Strickland ...... x ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. x ....... ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. ...... x ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. x ....... ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). ...... x ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). ...... x ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Goodlander ...... x ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Whitesides ...... x ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 29 28 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 9
h.r. 3838
On Mace Log 5501--Prohibition on DEI programs and offices
at the Department of Defense.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). ...... x ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) ...... x ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). ...... x ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). ...... x ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... ...... x ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ x ....... ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. x ....... ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). ...... x ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). ...... x ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Strickland ...... x ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. x ....... ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. ...... x ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. x ....... ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). ...... x ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). ...... x ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Goodlander ...... x ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Whitesides ...... x ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 30 27 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 10
h.r. 3838
On Cisneros Log 5278--Directing DoD from banning Military
Service Academies that have identity based clubs that do not
require DoD funding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 11
h.r. 3838
On Vasquez Log 5339r1--Prohibits DOD funds from being used
to construct new border wall in areas where it doesn't
currently exist until a cost analysis and feasibility study
have been completed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 25 32 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 12
h.r. 3838
On Jacobs Log 5627r2--None of the funds authorized to be
appropriated to the SecDef for Quality of Life infrastructure
from the FSRM account can be used for operations at the
Southern Border.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 13
h.r. 3838
On Jacobs Log 5628r1--None of the funds for Quality of Life
infrastructure from the FSRM account can be used for deployment
of Department of Defense personnel to any location in the
United States, its territories, or possessions in support of
civilian immigration enforcement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 14
h.r. 3838
On Garamendi Log 5513r1--Restrict funds authorized for the
Sentinel program until the completion of Milestone B.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). ...... x ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). ...... x ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). ...... x ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). ...... x ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). ...... x ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides ...... x ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 15 42 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 15
h.r. 3838
On Garamendi Log 5466r2--In the plan required to be
submitted to Congress following a failure to meet plutonium pit
production goals, allow the Chairman of the Nuclear Weapons
Council to propose alternatives for Congressional
consideration.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 26 31 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 16
h.r. 3838
On Cisneros Log 5280r2--Increases Navy Tuition Assistance
to match FY25 authorization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 17
h.r. 3838
On Moulton Log 5527r1--To amend section 1641 to include
additional language on nuclear deterrence.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 18
h.r. 3838
On Moulton Log 5518--Prohibits funds from being spent to
design or develop a space-based interceptor capability until
the Secretary of Defense submits an architecture plan,
estimated lifecycle cost, and Presidential certification of no
negative impact to strategic stability with near-peer
adversaries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). ...... x ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 23 34 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 19
h.r. 3838
On Sorensen Log 5176r1--Codifies the exemptions to OPM's
DoD hiring freeze, which includes the OIB workforce, dual
status military technicians, school and childcare staff, and
installation fire and safety positions, for FY26.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 20
h.r. 3838
On Vindman Log 5606--Restricts the use of FY26 DoD funds
for personnel actions involving Office of Inspector General
employees unless there is documented cause, and affirms the
Inspector General's authority to manage staff in line with
existing regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 21
h.r. 3838
On Strickland Log 5110r1--Prohibiting Nepotism at DOD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 22
h.r. 3838
On Moulton Log 5407r4--Requires a written report
documenting performance concerns prior to the removal of an
officer above the pay grade of O-8.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 28 29 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 23
h.r. 3838
On Norcross Log 5206--Prohibits FY2026 funds for the
Department of Defense from being spent to implement EO 14251
(related to Exclusions from Federal labor management relation
programs) in order to preserve the collective bargaining rights
of DoD employees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 30 27 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 24
h.r. 3838
On Smith Log 5620--Increases the amount for DSCA, Line 350,
USAI, by $100M.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ x ....... ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. x ....... ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. x ....... ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 47 10 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 25
h.r. 3838
On Smith Log 5615--Would prohibit the use of funds to treat
as stocks of the U.S. any equipment that has been procured for
Ukraine and has not yet transferred to the military forces,
national security forces, or other assisted governmental
entities of Ukraine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 26
h.r. 3838
On Smith Log 5616--Would prohibit the use of funds to treat
as stocks of the U.S. any equipment that has been procured for
countries in the AOR of EUCOM and has not yet transferred to
the military forces, national security forces, or other
assisted governmental entities of such countries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 27
h.r. 3838
On Moulton Log 5626--Prohibits the pause, postponement, or
termination of lethal aid to Ukraine by the Secretary of
Defense unless approved by the President.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 28
h.r. 3838
On Smith Log 5582r2--Would prohibit the use of funds to
invade or seize territory from Canada, the Republic of Panama,
or Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 29
h.r. 3838
On Ryan Log 5117r3--Prohibition on certain political
activities by members of the armed forces.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 30
h.r. 3838
On Sherrill Log 5455--Prior to the deployment of the
National Guard from one state/territory to another state/
territory, both chief executive officers of each state must
agree to the activation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 31
h.r. 3838
On Sherrill Log 5618--Repeals the language in Title X
Section 1093 restricting abortion to rape, incest, and life of
the mother. This would allow the DoD to use available funds and
facilities to perform abortions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 27 30 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 32
h.r. 3838
On Sherrill Log 5586r1--This amendment would codify women
serving in combat roles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 26 31 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 33
h.r. 3838
On Luttrell Log 4967--To prevent any funds to furnish
cluster munitions, to export cluster munitions, or sell/
transfer cluster munitions or its technology.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). ...... x ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) ...... x ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). ...... x ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). ...... x ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). ...... x ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland ...... x ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... ...... x ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). ...... x ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander ...... x ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides ...... x ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. ...... x ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... ...... x ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 15 42 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 34
h.r. 3838
On Strickland Log 5113r1--Limitation on use of funds for
contravention or reversal of implementation of recommendations
of Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of
Defense.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... x ...... ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ ....... x ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. ....... x ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. ....... x ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. ....... x ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ ....... x ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. ....... x ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ ....... x ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... ....... x ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. ....... x ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. ....... x ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... ....... x ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... ....... x ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 29 28 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
committee on armed services
recorded vote no. 35
h.r. 3838
On Motion to Report the Bill Favorably to the House as
Amended.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Aye No Present Member Aye No Present
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Rogers (AL)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Smith (WA).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Wilson (SC)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Courtney (CT). x ...... ...........
Mr. Turner (OH)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Garamendi (CA) x ...... ...........
Mr. Wittman (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Norcross (NJ). x ...... ...........
Mr. Scott (GA)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Moulton (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Graves (MO)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Carbajal (CA). x ...... ...........
Ms. Stefanik (NY).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Khanna (CA)... ...... x ...........
Dr. DesJarlais (TN)............ x ....... ............ Mr. Keating (MA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Kelly (MS)................. x ....... ............ Ms. Houlahan (PA). x ...... ...........
Mr. Bacon (NE)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Crow (CO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Bergman (MI)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Sherrill (NJ). x ...... ...........
Dr. Jackson (TX)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Golden (ME)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Fallon (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Jacobs (CA)... ...... x ...........
Mr. Gimenez (FL)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Strickland x ...... ...........
(WA).
Ms. Mace (SC).................. x ....... ............ Mr. Ryan (NY)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Finstad (MN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Vasquez (NM).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Luttrell (TX).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Deluzio (PA).. x ...... ...........
Mrs. Kiggans (VA).............. x ....... ............ Ms. Tokuda (HI)... x ...... ...........
Mr. Moylan (GU)................ x ....... ............ Mr. Davis (NC).... x ...... ...........
Mr. Mills (FL)................. x ....... ............ Mr. Cisneros (CA). x ...... ...........
Dr. McCormick (GA)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Sorensen (IL). x ...... ...........
Mr. Gooden (TX)................ x ....... ............ Ms. Goodlander x ...... ...........
(NH).
Mr. Higgins (LA)............... x ....... ............ Ms. Elfreth (MD).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Van Orden (WI)............. x ....... ............ Mr. Whitesides x ...... ...........
(CA).
Mr. McGuire (VA)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Tran (CA)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Harrigan (NC).............. x ....... ............ Mr. Vindman (VA).. x ...... ...........
Mr. Messmer (IN)............... x ....... ............ Mr. Bell (MO)..... x ...... ...........
Mr. Schmidt (KS)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Crank (CO)................. x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
Mr. Hamadeh (AZ)............... x ....... ............ ...... ...... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded Vote Total: ....... ....... 55 2 0 ...... ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
The committee has taken steps to make available the
analysis of changes in existing law made by the bill, as
required by clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, and will make the analysis available as
soon as possible.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
Following the passage of this year's National Defense
Authorization Act by the House Armed Services Committee, I
write to share my additional views and concerns with the bill
as marked up by the full committee. The National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 authorizes
commendable investments in our military's infrastructure,
energy resilience, water management, barracks construction, and
pay and services for our service members. Additionally, this
act directs the Department of Defense to improve and enhance
the maintenance and sustainment of the military's various
weapons systems while bolstering our global supply chain.
I applaud the committee's efforts on this bipartisan
legislation. However, I must register my severe disappointment
with elements of this bill, including provisions that risk
needlessly harming our service members and politicizing the
service. I also must voice my concern about the committee's
continued support for the Sentinel and plutonium modernization
programs, further straining our nation's finances without a
commensurate increase in stability or security.
Nuclear Modernization
As I noted in my additional views last year, I continue to
have grave concerns about the direction of the United States'
nuclear enterprise. When making decisions regarding such
destructive weapons, it is vital that Congress exercise the
powers of oversight granted to it by the United States
Constitution. Congress has once again failed to demand fresh
thinking or attainable plans from the Department of Defense or
the National Nuclear Security Administration.
For the ninth consecutive year, the committee has voted to
require a minimum of 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles to
be kept on-alert at all times. This rigid statutory requirement
deprives administrations of the flexibility needed to adapt
U.S. nuclear posture to evolving security environments.
Decisions about force structure and posture should be guided by
strategic assessments, not codified through arbitrary
legislative mandates. Instead of promoting aims control, risk
reduction, or nonproliferation, this policy doubles down on
Cold War-era assumptions that do not reflect today's security
realities.
Another program that requires far greater oversight is the
Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program. Initially
estimated at $60 billion, the program is now estimated to cost
U.S. taxpayers over $140 billion. I suspect this estimate will
continue to grow, and yet we remain unwilling to consider or
explore new options. At best, most alternatives proposed
resemble rearranging chairs on a sinking ship more than trying
to find new ways to keep the ship afloat. The American deserve
better than the same old failing strategies. After the program
triggered a Nunn-McCurdy breach, the Air Force must redo its
Milestone B certification of the Sentinel program. Rather than
exercising the power of the purse to reign in this out-of-
control program, my colleagues chose to provide additional
billions of dollars in this bill. This is in addition to the
$2.5 billion provided to Sentinel in reconciliation. If the
program cannot meet basic acquisition milestones within
existing funding levels, Congress should not reward that
failure with further increases. At the very least, future
appropriations should be contingent upon successful completion
of the Milestone B recertification.
There are also numerous issues with the Plutonium
Modernization program. The bill continues to maintain statutory
requirements that the National Nuclear Security Administration
(NNSA) has repeatedly and publicly acknowledged it cannot meet.
I continue to urge my colleagues to reconsider these arbitrary,
infeasible timelines. Failing to meet these deadlines
underlines the credibility of the law and of the entire nuclear
enterprise.
Further, these costly requirements are not driven by
strategic necessity. The Department of Defense has plans to
repurpose a number of existing plutonium pits for the W-88
warhead. The Department of Defense is already pursuing options
to reuse existing plutonium pits, including for warheads such
as the W88. If pit reuse is viable, then there is no compelling
justification for a costly rush to produce new ones at scale.
The Government Accountability Office has estimated that meeting
the 80-pit-per-year target will cost at least $24 billion. That
is $24 billion for a timeline we know cannot be met and for
capabilities that may not be needed. Continuing to authorize
billions for an unreachable target undermines both fiscal
discipline and strategic credibility.
I urge my colleagues to take a hard look at these programs
and consider whether they reflect the most responsible and
effective use of taxpayer dollars. We must pursue a nuclear
modernization strategy grounded in strategic need, fiscal
reality, and international stability. We must reject the
inertia and political posturing that leads to repeated multi-
billion-dollar authorizations for failing programs. We owe it
to the American people to get this right.
Women's Reproductive Healthcare Access
I am also disappointed that the committee did not use the
Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to restore
full reproductive healthcare access for military personnel and
their families. Last year's National Defense Authorization Act
included a cruel, harmful provision to roll back reproductive
healthcare within the military health system, risking the
health and well being of over 230,000 members in uniform. We
cannot ask our service members to risk their lives for our
country while denying them basic access to reproductive care.
Every person, including our service members, deserves access to
safe, affordable reproductive health services. Our deeply
personal health decisions belong to us. I will continue to push
my colleagues to protect the fundamental right to choose and
ensure all service members have access to the reproductive
healthcare they need.
Congressional Oversight
Beyond these individual programs, I am disappointed that
the committee did not use the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense
Authorization Act to create stronger guardrails on spending
allocated to the Defense Department via the reconciliation
package (H.R. 1) passed earlier this year. That bill provides
over $150 billion to the Department of Defense with very little
specificity or guardrails on how that money will be spent. It
is vital that Congress act to strengthen our ability to oversee
spending, both to provide for national security and to prevent
waste, fraud, and abuse of hard-earned taxpayer money. I remain
concerned that this situation is ripe for abuse, and I will
continue to push my colleagues to enact a legislative solution
to provide greater Congressional oversight of taxpayer funds.
Politicization of the Military and Military Academies
I have strong concerns about the creeping politicization of
our military. Whatever our political differences, our country
has long adhered to the principle that our military is a non-
partisan entity which supports and defends the Constitution,
regardless of party. This ideal must be upheld. I was
disappointed to see that the committee failed to utilize the
Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to ensure
compliance or implement crucial reforms to the Insurrection Act
and the Posse Comitatus Act. President Donald Trump's threats
to invoke the Insurrection Act indicate an urgent need for
congressional reform to ensure that the military is only
deployed in accordance with the law.
Clear legal frameworks governing the military's role in
domestic law enforcement are necessary to safeguard our
democratic principles and prevent further politicization. Our
military should never be an instrument of personal or political
power, and our servicemembers deserve better than to be used as
political pawns. I urge my colleagues to carefully consider the
grave dangers of a politicized military, and the meaningful
role Congress can play in preventing further abuse.
Sincerely,
John Garamendi,
Member of Congress.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
Please include this information as Additional Views in the
report to accompany H.R. 3838. On the recorded vote on Log 5620
(Recorded Vote #24), I mistakenly voted AYE, when I intended to
vote NO.
Regards,
Morgan Luttrell,
Member of Congress.