S. 2296 is the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) on July 15, 2025. The bill sets policies and authorizes spending for Department of Defense programs, military construction, and Department of Energy national security programs for FY2026. As of November 12, 2025, the bill has been held at the desk.
What does this bill actually authorize?
The bill authorizes procurement of aircraft, ships, and missiles, sets active duty and reserve personnel strength levels, and authorizes specific military construction projects. It also extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative through FY2026 and requires DOD to develop a strategy on the national security implications of emerging biotechnologies.
The bill also repeals statutory provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within DOD, including the position of Chief Diversity Officer of DOD.
What does the bill do about UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena)?
Section 1555 requires that existing congressional briefings include details on any UAP intercepts conducted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) or United States Northern Command. Those briefings must cover the number, location, and nature of intercepts, as well as the procedures and protocols followed and any data collected. The first briefing after enactment must reach back to January 1, 2004.
Section 1556 requires the Director of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to issue a consolidated security classification guidance matrix for UAP programs within 180 days of enactment. The goal is to help military personnel and federal employees understand what they can and cannot say when reporting UAP events. AARO must then brief the Senate and House Armed Services Committees within 30 days of issuing that matrix.
Section 1561 consolidates reporting requirements that apply to AARO and updates older statutory language, replacing references to the "unidentified aerial phenomena task force" with "all-domain anomaly resolution office".
What missile defense provisions are included?
The bill includes a subtitle on missile defense covering the Golden Dome missile defense system, inclusion of Hawaii and Alaska in plans for Iron Dome for America, and requirements for Aegis Combat Systems deployment under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. It also addresses assessments of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site and accelerating development of autonomous agents to defend against cruise missiles and unmanned systems.
What cybersecurity and electronic warfare provisions are in the bill?
Title XVI covers cyberspace matters, including a comprehensive cyber workforce strategy, a U.S. Cyber Command artificial intelligence industry collaboration roadmap, and a strategy for deterring cyberattacks against U.S. defense critical infrastructure. The bill also requires integration of electronic warfare into Tier 1 and Tier 2 joint training exercises and addresses electromagnetic spectrum management and testing.