S. 1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Sponsor
John Cornyn
Republican · TX
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Dec 18, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-60.
The defense bill is law — here's what the Pentagon can and can't do now
Why it matters
For the military services, this law means less freedom to shed aging platforms and reorganize around their own timelines; Congress is explicitly telling the Air Force to keep certain capacity in place, especially fighters and refueling aircraft. For the broader public, the biggest immediate change is automatic Selective Service registration, while the intelligence and national security bureaucracy gets a new technology restriction through Section 6604’s DeepSeek ban on intelligence community systems. Conservatives who wanted DEI rolled back got a clear win, while Pentagon leaders who prefer managerial flexibility and advocates of diversity initiatives took a loss.
What Congress Said
S. 1071 was signed into law on Jan 5, 2026.
S. 1071 also appeared in 12 more Senate floor references and 6 routine cosponsor filings.
S1071 Legislative Journey
Signed into Law
Dec 18, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-60.
+6 more actions this day
Floor Action
Dec 17, 2025
Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered).
Floor Action
Dec 16, 2025
Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S8749)
Floor Action
Dec 15, 2025
Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S8707-8708)
Committee Action
Dec 11, 2025
Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Armed Services the House message to accompany S. 1071 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3963) made in Senate. (CR S8656)
House: Passed 312-112
Dec 10, 2025
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 112 (Roll no. 320). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5136-5510)
+13 more actions this day
House: Committee Action
Dec 9, 2025
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 936 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.
House: Action Taken
Aug 8, 2025
Held at the desk.
Passed
Aug 1, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5475; text: CR S5475)
+3 more actions this day
Committee Action
Mar 14, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
About the Sponsor
John Cornyn
Republican, TX · 24 years in Congress
Committees: United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Finance, the Judiciary
View full profile →
Cosponsors at time of passage (1)
This bill has 1 cosponsor: 1 Republican. Cosponsors represent 1 state: Texas.
Committee Sponsors
Armed Services Committee
0 of 57 committee members cosponsored at the time
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Veterans' Affairs Committee
0 of 19 committee members cosponsored at the time
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
S. 1071 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Armed Services
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Mar 14, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-60.
Dec 18, 2025
About Legisletter
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S. 1071 Common Questions
Does the 2026 NDAA require automatic Selective Service registration?
Yes. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, automatic registration for the Selective Service System is mandated in Section 535.
Can the Air Force retire F-15E aircraft under the 2026 NDAA?
No. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, the Air Force is prohibited from retiring F-15E aircraft in Section 142.
Does the 2026 NDAA ban DeepSeek on intelligence community systems?
Yes. According to S. 1071 Section 6604, use of DeepSeek is prohibited on intelligence community systems.
Can the Pentagon run DEI programs under the 2026 NDAA?
No. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Department of Defense diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are prohibited in Section 901.
Is there a minimum number of Air Force refueling tankers in the 2026 NDAA?
Yes. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Section 141 sets minimum inventory requirements for refueling tankers.
Does the 2026 NDAA stop the Air Force from retiring E-3 AWACS aircraft?
Yes. According to S. 1071 Section 149, the Air Force may not retire E-3 AWACS aircraft.
What are the military housing inspection requirements in the 2026 NDAA?
Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, privatized and government-owned military housing must be inspected by qualified home inspectors under Section 2831.
Does the 2026 NDAA require mold standards for military housing?
Yes. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Section 2830 requires standardized mold remediation guidelines for military housing.
Is Fort Hood Texas mentioned in the 2026 NDAA land provisions?
Yes. According to S. 1071 Section 2865, the bill includes a specific land conveyance or prohibition directive involving Fort Hood, Texas.
Does the 2026 NDAA create a National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institute?
Yes. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Section 224 establishes the National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institute.
Based on S. 1071 bill text
S. 1071 Bill Text
“To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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