Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Dec 8: Congressional leaders have released the final compromise version of the fiscal year 2026 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), moving the landmark defence bill toward a vote later this week. The NDAA has served as a cornerstone of US national-security policymaking for more than 60 years.
The newly unveiled legislation authorizes over $890 billion for Pentagon operations and the Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons programmes — around $8 billion more than the Trump administration’s request, according to details shared with reporters. To expedite passage, lawmakers have chosen to advance the measure by attaching it to an unrelated Senate bill, S.1071, which has now become the vehicle for the final text.
The House is expected to take up the must-pass package in the coming days. Despite frequent partisan clashes on Capitol Hill, the NDAA has been passed every year for 64 consecutive years, a record cited by leaders as proof of enduring bipartisan commitment to national defence.
Sunday’s release of the negotiated text signals the final phase of the 2026 authorization process, which saw the House and Senate develop competing drafts before reconciling their differences. The bill’s top-line funding increase reflects congressional support for accelerating modernization efforts and ensuring long-term readiness across both nuclear and conventional forces.
Beyond setting budget levels, the NDAA remains a sweeping policy framework governing nearly all aspects of US defence operations — from Pentagon spending and Department of Energy nuclear activities to personnel matters, intelligence oversight, and broad strategic directives. Numerous reporting requirements and policy guidelines are embedded throughout the legislation.
To streamline procedural hurdles, leaders have inserted the full NDAA into S.1071, a tactic frequently used in recent years to guarantee timely floor consideration and bypass legislative gridlock. This manoeuvre is expected to help secure final approval before the year’s deadlines.
The upcoming House vote will serve as the first major test of the compromise agreement, with Senate action anticipated soon after. If adopted, it will extend Congress’s unbroken six-decade streak of passing the NDAA annually.
The legislation also plays a critical role in shaping US engagement across the Indo-Pacific, influencing force posture, joint exercises, and security-assistance programmes. The 2026 authorization will reinforce the statutory foundations of Washington’s regional strategy, including its increasingly consequential defence partnership with India.