National Defense Authorization Act: Pay Raise, Policy and Votes
Congress has passed a defense authorization bill every year for more than six decades, which makes it the most reliable vehicle for unrelated policy riders.
Last updated: (8 days ago)· checked hourly against official records
Where it stands now
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Referred to Senate Armed Services Committee.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits Senate floor vote.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaiting Senate floor debate or committee reporting.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits further action in the Senate.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 authorizes funding for Department of Defense programs and Department of Energy national security activities. It establishes active duty personnel levels, authorizes the procurement of aircraft and ships, and requires the military to create an expedited qualification process for domestic sources of strategic materials like magnets and alloys. The bill also mandates that the Pentagon include foreign military sales demand when planning munitions production and weapon system maintenance. Introduced by Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), the legislation has passed the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
Next step: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaiting further action in the Senate.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 authorizes funding for Department of Defense programs and Department of Energy national security activities. It establishes active duty personnel levels, authorizes the procurement of aircraft and ships, and requires the military to create an expedited qualification process for domestic sources of strategic materials like magnets and alloys. The bill also mandates that the Pentagon include foreign military sales demand when planning munitions production and weapon system maintenance. Introduced by Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), the legislation has passed the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
Next step: Awaits House Armed Services Committee markup.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits Senate floor consideration.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits further Senate floor action or conference committee.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits Senate floor debate and vote.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits Senate floor debate.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Referred to committee.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Referred to Senate committee.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits further consideration in the Senate.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Senate floor debate continues.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Awaits Senate floor debate.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes funding and sets policy for Department of Defense (DOD) activities, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for fiscal year 2026. It mandates the procurement of ships, aircraft, and missiles, sets personnel strength levels for active and reserve forces, and extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. The legislation also repeals several statutory provisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the DOD, including the removal of the Chief Diversity Officer position. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the bill has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.
Next step: Referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
Authorization is not funding
The NDAA authorizes programs and sets policy. It does not hand out money. The actual dollars come from the defense appropriations bill, which can fund less than the NDAA authorizes.
That two-step is why a program can be 'approved by Congress' in the NDAA and still go unfunded.
How it moves
The House and Senate Armed Services committees each write a version, each chamber passes its own, and the differences are reconciled in a conference or an informally negotiated compromise text that both chambers then vote on before it goes to the President.
Amendment fights typically decide the bill's politics: abortion travel policy, diversity offices, drone and AI rules, and aid to allies have all been settled inside the NDAA rather than through separate legislation.
People also ask
What is the NDAA?
The National Defense Authorization Act is the annual bill that authorizes Defense Department programs, troop levels and the military pay raise, and sets defense policy for the coming fiscal year.
What is the military pay raise this year?
The raise is written into the current NDAA text. Tracker items on this page show the bill's status and the vote counts as each chamber acts.