Skip to content
Govbase
Govbase
Congress·Passed Senate·S. 2296

Senate Passes $900B Defense Bill with AI Rules, Military Family Benefits

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Also known as: GAIN AI Act of 2025

4 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate

7720

House
President
Law

Key Points

  • Congress sets the yearly rules and funding plans for the military, including weapons buying, troop levels, and base construction.

    From policy 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.
    View in full text
  • It includes changes that could affect military families, like updates tied to housing pay, pay statement details, child care options, and a pilot program to give junior enlisted members food coupons for commissary purchases.

    From policy text

    Pilot program to provide coupons to junior enlisted members to purchase food at commissaries
    View in full text
  • It makes health coverage changes in the military health system, including expanding hearing aid eligibility for some children of retired service members on family coverage and setting rules in areas like fertility treatment.

    From policy text

    Expansion of eligibility for hearing aids to include children of retired members of the Uniformed Services enrolled in family coverage under TRICARE Select
    View in full text
  • It adds new guardrails on what the military can buy and from whom, including limits tied to certain foreign-linked tech and equipment, and rules aimed at supply-chain security for things like chips, telecom gear, and other sensitive products.

    From policy text

    Prohibition on prioritizing countries of concern over United States persons for exports of advanced integrated circuits
    View in full text
  • It sets priorities and oversight for national security issues beyond the Pentagon, including intelligence agencies, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence work, and foreign policy tools like sanctions and security assistance for partners.

    From policy text

    Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
    View in full text
National Security Foreign PolicyHealthcareHousingLabor EmploymentTechnology Digital

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Political Response

Milestones

10 milestones34 actions
Nov 12, 2025House

Held at the desk.

Nov 12, 2025House

Received in the House.

Nov 10, 2025Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Oct 9, 2025Senate

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.

Oct 9, 2025

Passed/agreed to in Senate: 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.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

New defense policies and authorized spending levels take effect for fiscal year 2026

Military pay adjustments, updated housing allowance calculations, expanded child care support, and new acquisition rules begin shaping daily life for service members and their families. PFAS cleanup requirements and housing provisions also begin implementation.

short_term

House consideration and conference with Senate version to produce final bill

The bill passed the Senate 77-20 and is now held at the House desk. It must be reconciled with the House version before going to the President. Provisions could change significantly during this process.

Vote Results

12 votes
SenatePassedClotureSep 2, 2025

On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

84
14
Democrat
3411
Republican
492 · 2
Independent
11
View full roll call
SenatePassedProceduralSep 4, 2025

On the Motion to Proceed

83
13
Democrat
3411
Republican
481 · 4
Independent
11
View full roll call
SenatePassedPassageOct 9, 2025

On Passage of the Bill

77
20
Democrat
2618 · 1
Republican
501 · 2
Independent
11
View full roll call

621 Articles

NewsweekCenter

TSA wait times update: Airports with the worst delays Friday

Washington ExaminerCenter Right

TSA wait time in Atlanta hits two hours as shutdown stretches on

The HillCenter

Hegseth hammers European allies, media in staunch Trump defense over Iran war

Fox NewsRight

WATCH: Dem senators make the case for the very bill they're trying to kill

The AtlanticCenter Left

Why the Senate Is Debating a Doomed Elections Bill

Related Bills

20 bills
S. 3163Related bill

A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to seek to engage appropriate officials of Taiwan in a joint program with Taiwan to enable the fielding of uncrewed systems and counter-uncrewed systems capabilities.

Nov 7Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 1988Related bill

A bill to prohibit the participation of males in athletic programs or activities at the military service academies that are designated for women or girls.

Jun 9Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2604Related bill

A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to establish the Artificial General Intelligence Steering Committee, and for other purposes.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2259Related bill

Protecting Military Bases from Connected Vehicles of Concern Act of 2025

Jul 10Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2453Related bill

Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience Authorization Act

Jul 24Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S. 2601Related bill

A bill to improve the planning, programming, and budget coordination for operations of cyber mission force of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2603Related bill

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to designate the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy as principal staff assistant to the Secretary of Defense on matters within the responsibility of the Assistant Secretary, and for other purposes.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2605Related bill

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve recruitment and retention of the cyber workforce of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

H.R. 3917Related bill

To prohibit the participation of males in athletic programs or activities at the military service academies that are designated for women or girls.

Jun 11Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2602Related bill

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the scope of affirmation of authority for cyber operations to include defense of critical infrastructure of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2607Related bill

A bill to prohibit the availability of funds to modify authorities of the Commander of United States Cyber Command, and for other purposes.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2606Related bill

A bill to require the Commander of United States Cyber Command to complete development of a roadmap for industry collaboration on artificial intelligence-enabled cyber capabilities for cyberspace operations of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2599Related bill

A bill to provide for modifications to the State Partnership Program selection analysis.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S. 2600Related bill

A bill to require a Defense Science Board study on optimal organizational structure for digital solutions.

Jul 31Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

H.R. 5990Related bill

Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025

Nov 7Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

H.R. 5938Related bill

Innovation Fund Act

Nov 7Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

S. 3067Related bill

Innovation Fund Act

Oct 28Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

H.R. 5975Related bill

Appraisal Modernization Act

Nov 7Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 6009Related bill

Defense Biotechnology Strategy Act

Nov 10Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

S. 1632Related bill

Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025

May 7Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Bill NumberS 2296
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionHeld at the desk.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.