National Security Legislative Calendar

Key Fiscal Year 2026 National Security Bills

Fiscal Year 2025 Continuing Resolution

The House narrowly approved the full year Continuing Resolution (CR) in a 217-213 vote on March 11. The Senate then had three days to avert government shutdown, which House Speaker Mike Johnson hoped would force Senators into action on an unpopular, partisan CR. He got his wish when enough Democrats voted to proceed to a final vote, a step which required 60 votes.

The vote was controversial, with the Democrats’ divisions represented by Senate Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) first saying he would block consideration of the vote and then changing his mind. Ten Democrats and independents voted with the Republicans in favor of cloture, arguing that a shuttered government would provide President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE operation more of an opportunity to fire people, shut down agencies and block the work of the government. On the final 54-46 vote in favor of the measure, only Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Angus King (I-ME) voted in favor with most Republicans. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to oppose the bill.

While the bill had few national security provisions, it boosted defense spending by $6 billion while cutting non-defense spending by $13 billion from current levels and shifted $185 million from non-proliferation to weapons programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration. That shift impacts most of the national laboratories and efforts to ensure nuclear materials safety, among other things.

Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Bill

On July 11, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved its version of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). SASC authorized $924.7 billion for national defense; the lone vote against the measure was cast by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

On July 15 the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) approved its version of the NDAA. HASC passed the bill 55-2 following nearly 14 hours of debate. Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) voted against passage. The bill authorizes $848.2 billion for the Department of Defense and related military spending across the government.

Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bills

On June 12, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY26 Defense appropriations bill 36-27. The full House passed the legislation on July 18. Discretionary funding stays “flat” at $831.5 billion, but combined with funding allocated via reconciliation, this legislation would lift total military spending over $1 trillion in the next fiscal year. Click here for the Committee summary of the bill. Key provisions include, but are not limited to:

• $13 billion more for President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system
• More than $10 billion for Columbia Class submarines
• $3.8 billion for the B-21 Raider
• $2 billion for the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

Language extending and expanding coverage under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Though not perfect, the language extends RECA by two years and expands eligibility to more people affected by U.S. nuclear weapons testing and production during the Cold War.

Authorization to Use Military Force

June 27, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) offered a war powers amendment to require that any U.S. participation in offensive hostilities against Iran be explicitly authorized by Congress through a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force. The amendment was defeated 53-47. On September 10, the House approved by a vote of 261-167 a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill to repeal the 2002 Iraq War and 1991 Gulf War authorizations.

Aid to Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and Taiwan

After President Trump reversed his position again and said he would approve new weapons for Ukraine (albeit paid for by European allies), many Republican opponents who opposed such aide also switched to support.