Senate To Vote On Bill Authorizing $925 Billion For Military, National Security
Key Facts
- The Senate began debate on the $925 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, setting funding for U.S. defense and national security programs.
- The bill allocates about $879 billion to the Pentagon, $35 billion to the Department of Energy’s security programs, and $11 billion for other defense activities.
- Provisions include new offices for cybersecurity, nuclear deterrence, and AI oversight, along with major funding for munitions, infrastructure, and global defense initiatives.
- The measure grants a 3.8% military pay raise, strengthens DOD accountability and audit requirements, and awaits reconciliation with the House version amid the ongoing government shutdown.
By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square
(Worthy News) – The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, a $925 billion bill setting funding levels for America’s national defense spending, has finally hit the Senate floor.
The legislation authorizes roughly $879 billion for the Pentagon and about $35 billion for national security programs in the Department of Energy. It also sets aside nearly $11 billion for other defense activities.
“We’re ready to show on both sides of the aisle that the Senate can act in the interest of national security and get something done on a bipartisan basis,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told lawmakers Thursday.
“We have a great product before us,” Wicker added. “It makes huge changes, significant changes, and we need to send the signal that we can do this, get it then coordinated with the House version, which has already been passed, and move it to the President of the United States for his early signature.”
Multiple new offices, groups, and positions within the DOD would be established under the bill, including those focused on cybersecurity; nuclear security, deterrence, and energy; and AI innovation and oversight.
Hundreds of billions of dollars for munitions stocking and defense infrastructure are included, as well as billions for American defense activities in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
The bill also includes significant accountability reforms to how the DOD contracts with third parties and how it fulfills statutory reporting requirements. Additionally, it requires the Pentagon, which has failed seven consecutive audits, to report on current audit progress as the 2028 statutory deadline approaches.
Military members would receive a 3.8% pay raise, and education services for their children would receive a $50 million boost.
Senators will begin voting on dozens of amendments to the 1,454-page bill Thursday evening. Given the current government shutdown, lawmakers may have to delay a vote on passage. Once the bill passes, the Senate must conference with the House to ensure the lower chamber’s version of the NDAA matches their own.
Worthy News reports from a biblical worldview with a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and editorial independence. Learn more about About Worthy News, our Editorial Standards, AI Use Policy, Ownership of Worthy News, News Tips and Corrections, and Worthy News Staff.
💡 Did you know? One of the best ways you can support Worthy News is by simply leaving a comment and sharing this article.
📢 Social media algorithms push content further when there’s more engagement — so every 👍 like, 💬 comment, and 🔄 share helps more people discover the truth. 🙌
Latest Worthy News
Books by George Whitten
Identity in Messiah Revealed https://identityinmessiah.com
A devotional journey calling believers out of self-doubt and into confident, Kingdom-rooted identity in the Messiah.
Get it on Amazon
The Biblical Fall Feasts Revealed https://biblicalfallfeasts.com
An in-depth look at the Biblical fall feasts and their prophetic significance for believers today.
Get it on Amazon