S. 2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Sponsor
Roger Wicker
Republican · MS
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Nov 12, 2025
Passed the Senate, received in House
Why it matters
If enacted, this bill would shape everything from weapons procurement and base construction to the rules governing who gets admitted to military academies and how military health care is delivered. Communities dealing with DoD-linked PFAS contamination would get a concrete benefit through Section 317’s bottled-water requirement, while other provisions, including the ban on Chinese seafood in commissaries under Section 628 and the athletics restriction in Section 548, signal that Republicans are using the NDAA to hardwire broader political priorities into national security law.
S. 2296 Common Questions
Can military service academies consider race or sex in admissions under the 2026 NDAA?
No. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, service academies may not consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in admissions (Section 547).
Can males play on female sports teams at military academies under S. 2296?
No. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, males are barred from participating in female-designated athletic programs at military service academies (Section 548).
Does the 2026 NDAA ban sex change surgeries in the military health system?
It restricts them. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, performance of sex change surgeries is restricted (Section 706).
Does S. 2296 require bottled water for PFAS contamination near military bases?
Yes. According to S. 2296 Section 317, DoD must provide bottled water to communities with private drinking water contaminated by DoD-related PFAS.
Does the 2026 NDAA ban Chinese seafood from military commissaries?
Yes. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, seafood originating or processed in the People's Republic of China cannot be procured or sold in commissaries (Section 628).
Can the Air Force retire the A-10 under the 2026 NDAA?
No. According to S. 2296 Section 137, retirement of A-10 aircraft is prohibited.
What are the new China computer and printer restrictions in the 2026 NDAA?
The bill phases out DoD acquisition of computers and printers involving entities owned or controlled by China, under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Section 879).
Does S. 2296 create a Pentagon biotechnology office?
Yes. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, a Biotechnology Management Office is established at DoD (Section 231).
Can foreign entities contract with colleges doing DoD-funded research under the 2026 NDAA?
No. According to S. 2296 Section 216, contracts between foreign entities and institutions of higher education conducting DoD-funded research are prohibited.
Does the 2026 NDAA require a 20-year military infrastructure plan?
Yes. Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, military departments must develop and annually update a 20-year infrastructure improvement plan (Section 2801).
Based on S. 2296 bill text
S2296 Legislative Journey
House: Action Taken
Nov 12, 2025
Held at the desk.
Action Taken
Nov 10, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed 77-20
Oct 9, 2025
Passed Senate under the order of 10/9/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 570.
+3 more actions this day
Floor Action
Oct 8, 2025
Considered by Senate.
Floor Action
Oct 6, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6943-6944)
Floor Action
Oct 1, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6889-6893)
Floor Action
Sep 30, 2025
Considered by Senate.
Floor Action
Sep 29, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6805-6813)
Floor Action
Sep 19, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6781-6784)
Floor Action
Sep 17, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6667)
Floor Action
Sep 16, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6625)
Floor Action
Sep 11, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6561)
Floor Action
Sep 10, 2025
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6512)
Floor Action
Sep 4, 2025
Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S6050)
Floor Action
Sep 3, 2025
Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S5989)
Floor Action
Sep 2, 2025
Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S5539)
Action Taken
Aug 2, 2025
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S5522)
Committee Action
Jul 15, 2025
Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Wicker. With written report No. 119-39.
Committee Action
Apr 9, 2025
Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-75, pt. 6.
Committee Action
Apr 8, 2025
Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-75, pt. 5.
Committee Action
Mar 5, 2025
Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-75, pt. 3.
About the Sponsor
Roger Wicker
Republican, MS · 31 years in Congress
Committees: Armed Services, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Commerce, Science, and Transportation
View full profile →
Committee Sponsors
Armed Services Committee
0 of 27 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
14 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 2296 change?
161 changes
Sections Amended
Section 112(a) of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 7013 note; Public Law 118-31)
inserting ``2027,'' after ``fiscal years 2025,''
Section 233 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 10 U.S.C. 4141 note prec.) is repealed. SEC. 213. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ASSIGNMENT TO DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY OF PRIVATE SECTOR PERSONNEL WITH CRITICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPERTISE. Section 232(e) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 10 U.S.C. 4091 note prec.)
striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2030''
Section 545(a) of Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159)
read as follows: ``(a) In General
Section 4403(i) of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Public Law 102-484; 10 U.S.C. 1293 note)
striking ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting ``December 31, 2030''
Section 323 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-239; 126 Stat. 1696)
striking ``program executive officer'' and inserting ``portfolio acquisition executive''
Section 1092(b) of Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159; 10 U.S.C. 149 note)
read as follows: ``(b) Co-chairs
Sections Repealed
122 of William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283; 134 Stat. 3425)
238 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat. 2067)
233 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 10 U.S.C. 4141 note prec.)
333 of William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283; 10 U.S.C. 3062 note)
343 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81; 10 U.S.C. 2701 note)
503(c) of William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283; 10 U.S.C. 573 note)
529 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92; 10 U.S.C. 656 note)
913(b) of William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283; 10 U.S.C. 147 note)
219 of Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 210-1)
1332 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81; 135 Stat. 2007; 10 U.S.C. 301 note)
2887 of Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (division B of Public Law 106- 398; 114 Stat. 1654A-440)
4220 of Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 2538b)
103F of National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3031)
1019 of Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 3364) is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d). (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 6312(d)(1) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (50 U.S.C. 3364 note) is amended by striking ``In conjunction with each briefing provided under section 1019(c) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 3364(c))'' and inserting ``Not later than February 1 each year''. (b) Personnel-level Assessments for the Intelligence Community.-- (1) In general.--Section 506B of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3098)
1261 of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-239) is amended by striking subsection (e). (d) Reports by Director of National Intelligence on National Intelligence University Plan.-- (1) In general.--Section 1033 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3227b)
7003 of Energy Act of 2020 (50 U.S.C. 3372)
501 of Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (division M of Public Law 114-113)
108 of Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6038)
3534(j) of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31)
8343 of William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283)
223(b) of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (30 U.S.C. 3023(b)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``permanent''; and (2) by striking ``the officer's commission shall be revoked and''. SEC. 5708. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. (a) In General.--Section 204 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 3079-1)
1205 of Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d) is abolished. (2) Repeal.--Section 1205 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d)
S. 2296 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Armed Services
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Jul 15, 2025
Passed the Senate, received in House
Nov 12, 2025
S. 2296 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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