Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
House Committee Advances Intelligence Authorization Act for 2026, Banning DeepSeek and Creating AI Security Playbook
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill sets the rules and funding for U.S. spy agencies for 2026. It creates a new National Counterintelligence Center to better protect the country from foreign spies and influence. It also sets aside $674.5 million for managing these agencies and $514 million for CIA retirement and disability programs.
- The policy bans the use of the DeepSeek application on any intelligence computer systems to protect national secrets. It also requires the government to create an "AI Security Playbook" to stop foreign countries from stealing American artificial intelligence technology and secrets.
- Congress is requiring new, regular reports on the economic and technological power of China compared to the United States. It also ensures that the U.S. continues to provide intelligence and satellite imagery to help Ukraine defend its territory against Russia.
- New rules are being set for how agencies buy and use "open-source" information, which is data anyone can find online or buy from companies. If an agency accidentally collects information about a U.S. citizen while looking at this public data, they are now required to delete it.
- The bill changes how people are hired and promoted within the intelligence community. It prohibits agencies from requiring employees to engage in political or ideological activism to get a job or a promotion, and it mandates that personnel decisions be based on merit.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 339.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Intelligence. H. Rept. 119-389.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articlesHouse intel chair seeks to reform 'disjointed' counterspy system
The House Intelligence Committee passed a major reform package within the FY2026 Intelligence Authorization Act to create a National Counterintelligence Center. The center aims to unify counterspy activities across the CIA, FBI, and NSA to better combat threats from China and Russia.
US bill calls for sharing Ukraine war lessons with Taiwan
The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 includes a provision directing the U.S. to evaluate and share tactical lessons from the Ukraine conflict with Taiwan. It also mandates continued intelligence and satellite imagery support for Ukraine's defense against Russia.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.