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Defense bill sets 2026 military policy, personnel and weapons priorities

Passed one chamberS. 2296Latest action

Sponsor: Roger F. Wicker · Senator · MS

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
Read the official text

Official title: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

119th Congress

Topics: Security & foreign affairs

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

This bill authorizes 2026 defense policy and spending levels but does not itself release any funding.

40-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

This bill is the National Defense Authorization Act for 2026, setting policy and spending limits for the U.S. military and related programs, including weapons, technology research, base maintenance, and personnel pay and support. It also makes policy changes on health care, housing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, foreign security cooperation, and social issues like diversity programs and academy admissions. Actual funding still requires separate bills.

Who does it affect?

It affects active-duty and reserve military members, their families, civilian Department of Defense employees, defense contractors, and veterans. It also affects taxpayers and U.S. allies like Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel, and NATO members.

Why does it matter?

Because it is authorization rather than funding legislation, its provisions shape future budget decisions and policy without immediately releasing money. It sets the framework that later and defense agencies must follow.

AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJul 15, 2025
  2. Senate committee
  3. Senate vote
  4. HouseYou are here · Nov 12, 2025
  5. The president's desk

Right now: it passed the Senate, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Held at the desk.

Data as of October 21, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. Senate · · Roll call 570

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage of the Bill S. 2296
    Result:
    Bill Passed
    77
    Nay
    20
    0
    3

    Republicans 50 yes, 1 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 26 yes, 18 no, 1 not voting · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  2. Senate · · Roll call 569

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3927 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    47
    Nay
    50
    0
    3

    Republicans 1 yes, 50 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 44 yes, 1 not voting · Independents 2 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  3. Senate · · Roll call 568

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3853 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    10
    Nay
    88
    0
    2

    Republicans 52 no, 1 not voting · Democrats 9 yes, 35 no, 1 not voting · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

9 earlier votes

  1. Senate · · Roll call 567

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3210 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    46
    Nay
    52
    0
    2

    Republicans 52 no, 1 not voting · Democrats 44 yes, 1 not voting · Independents 2 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  2. Senate · · Roll call 566

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3872 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    47
    Nay
    50
    0
    3

    Republicans 1 yes, 50 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 44 yes, 1 not voting · Independents 2 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  3. Senate · · Roll call 565

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3109 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    46
    Nay
    50
    0
    4

    Republicans 50 no, 3 not voting · Democrats 44 yes, 1 not voting · Independents 2 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  4. Senate · · Roll call 564

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3697 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    51
    Nay
    46
    0
    3

    Republicans 48 yes, 3 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 3 yes, 41 no, 1 not voting · Independents 2 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  5. Senate · · Roll call 563

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3535 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    53
    Nay
    43
    0
    4

    Republicans 44 yes, 6 no, 3 not voting · Democrats 8 yes, 36 no, 1 not voting · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  6. Senate · · Roll call 562

    As recorded

    Question
    On the Amendment S.Amdt. 3761 to S.Amdt. 3748 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Amendment Rejected
    14
    Nay
    83
    0
    3

    Republicans 6 yes, 45 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 7 yes, 37 no, 1 not voting · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  7. Senate · · Roll call 512

    As recorded

    Question
    On the S.Amdt. 3849 to S. 2296 (No short title on file)
    Result:
    Motion to Table Agreed to
    51
    Nay
    49
    0
    0

    Republicans 51 yes, 2 no · Democrats 45 no · Independents 2 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  8. Senate · · Roll call 503

    As recorded

    Question
    On the S. 2296
    Result:
    Motion to Proceed Agreed to
    83
    Nay
    13
    0
    4

    Republicans 48 yes, 1 no, 4 not voting · Democrats 34 yes, 11 no · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  9. Senate · · Roll call 500

    As recorded

    Question
    On S. 2296
    Result:
    Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to
    84
    Nay
    14
    0
    2

    Republicans 49 yes, 2 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 34 yes, 11 no · Independents 1 yes, 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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