Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 4016
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Economics and Public Finance
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-12-08: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S8522)
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T23:58:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 4016: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026

Purpose

This legislation provides funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It allocates billions of dollars across various categories to support military operations, personnel, equipment procurement, research, and other defense-related activities. The bill also includes general provisions that impose restrictions, authorize fund transfers, and address policy matters such as national security, international cooperation, and domestic prohibitions.

Key Provisions

The bill is organized into eight titles, with detailed appropriations and conditions:

Title I: Military Personnel

Allocates approximately $185.5 billion for pay, allowances, travel, and retirement contributions for active-duty and reserve members across the Army ($52.5 billion), Navy ($40.1 billion), Marine Corps ($16.6 billion), Air Force ($38.1 billion), and Space Force ($1.3 billion). Includes funding for National Guard personnel (Army: $10.2 billion; Air Force: $5.4 billion) and reserve components.

Title II: Operation and Maintenance

Provides about $232.5 billion for day-to-day operations, training, maintenance, and support. Key allocations include Army ($55.7 billion), Navy and Marine Corps ($81.7 billion combined), Air Force ($61.6 billion), Space Force ($4.9 billion), and Defense-Wide ($53.5 billion). Includes special funds such as:

Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund ($357.5 million, available until 2027, for training foreign forces with vetting requirements).
Environmental restoration accounts (e.g., Army: $148 million; Navy: $358 million).
Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid ($118 million).
Cooperative Threat Reduction ($283 million for nonproliferation efforts).

Title III: Procurement

Funds about $106.5 billion for acquiring weapons, vehicles, aircraft, ships, and ammunition. Highlights:

Army aircraft and missiles ($9.6 billion combined).
Navy shipbuilding ($36.9 billion, including Columbia-class submarines and destroyers).
Air Force aircraft ($21.4 billion).
Defense Production Act Purchases ($322 million, with $150 million for biomanufacturing).
National Guard and Reserve Equipment ($800 million, excluding certain aircraft and munitions).

Title IV: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E)

Appropriates roughly $147.7 billion for innovation and testing. Breakdown: Army ($13.6 billion), Navy ($27 billion), Air Force ($51.1 billion), Space Force ($19.1 billion), Defense-Wide ($36.5 billion). Includes operational test and evaluation ($349 million).

Title V: Revolving and Management Funds

Provides $1.7 billion for Defense Working Capital Funds and $5.7 million for the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund (for critical materials stockpiling).

Title VI: Other DoD Programs

Funds health care ($40.9 billion for Defense Health Program), chemical munitions destruction ($213 million), drug interdiction ($1.1 billion), and Inspector General operations ($518 million).

Title VII: Related Agencies

Allocates $514 million for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Fund and $642 million for Intelligence Community Management.

Title VIII: General Provisions

Includes 170+ sections on fund management, such as:

Transfer authority (up to $6 billion with congressional notification).
Prohibitions on using funds for publicity, non-citizen hiring limits, and multiyear contracts without approval.
Buy American requirements for steel, bearings, and ships.
Restrictions on tobacco sales, demilitarization of certain firearms, and relocation of DoD offices.
Additional appropriations (e.g., $49 million for USO and Red Cross; $1.5 billion for readiness improvements).
Policy riders banning funds for DEI initiatives, gender-affirming care, COVID-19 mandates, critical race theory training, and support for certain foreign entities (e.g., Hamas, Wuhan Institute of Virology).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Expands transfer authorities (e.g., Sec. 8005 allows $6 billion in reallocations for unforeseen needs, beyond prior limits).
Introduces new prohibitions, such as bans on funding drag events on bases (Sec. 8144), gender transition procedures for dependents (Sec. 8138), and transfers of Guantanamo detainees (Secs. 8131–8134).
Modifies environmental restoration transfer rules and adds reporting on electronic health records.
Restricts National Intelligence Program budget changes (Sec. 8061) and imposes limits on FFRDC staffing (Sec. 8024).
Authorizes a pilot for capital assistance loans ($4.4 billion potential) via the DoD Credit Program (Sec. 8126).
Reduces overall funding by $8.5 billion through efficiencies, excess cash balances, and cooperation with the Department of Government Efficiency (Secs. 8120, 8154–8157).

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Enhances DoD readiness through procurement and R&D funding but imposes administrative burdens via reporting (e.g., quarterly reports on security cooperation) and restrictions (e.g., no DEI offices, Sec. 8148). Environmental and health programs support long-term sustainability and veteran care.
Citizens: Supports military families via pay raises and health benefits; prohibits certain social policies (e.g., no COVID vaccine mandates, Sec. 8136), potentially affecting recruitment and morale. Taxpayer savings from $8.5 billion in reductions could lower federal spending.
International Relations: Bolsters alliances with $500 million for Israel (Iron Dome, Arrow systems), $500 million for Taiwan security, and $1.3 billion for foreign security forces training. Counter-ISIS and threat reduction funds aid global stability but include vetting to prevent human rights abuses. Prohibitions on aid to adversaries (e.g., North Korea, Sec. 8044) signal U.S. priorities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

DoD Branches and Personnel: Active-duty, reserve, and National Guard members benefit from personnel funding; branches (Army, Navy, etc.) receive targeted operational and procurement support.
Contractors and Industry: Defense firms gain from shipbuilding, aircraft, and R&D contracts; small businesses and Indian tribes receive incentives (Secs. 8019, 8020).
Allies and Partners: Israel, Taiwan, Jordan, and counter-ISIS partners receive direct assistance; restrictions limit aid to groups like Hamas (Sec. 8108).
Congress and Oversight Bodies: Enhanced reporting and transfer limits strengthen congressional control.
U.S. Taxpayers and Veterans: Funding supports national defense while efficiencies aim to reduce costs; health program expansions aid veterans.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces Buy American Act compliance and Arms Export Control Act waivers for security aid, ensuring statutory alignment. Prohibitions on detainee transfers and foreign funding uphold existing laws like the War Powers Resolution (Sec. 8106) and Child Soldiers Prevention Act (Sec. 8107).
Constitutional: Protects free speech and religious beliefs (Sec. 8139 bans discrimination based on views of marriage) and limits executive overreach (e.g., no unauthorized base closures, Sec. 8116). Aligns with First Amendment by restricting censorship partnerships (Sec. 8140).
Political: Reflects priorities on military modernization amid fiscal constraints, with riders addressing cultural issues (e.g., bans on critical race theory, Sec. 8141; no funding for UNRWA, Sec. 8109). Bipartisan elements include readiness boosts and ally support, but social restrictions may spark debate on DoD's role in domestic policy. The bill's $8.5 billion cuts emphasize efficiency without cutting intelligence programs, balancing security and budget discipline.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

Recent Actions

2025-12-08: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S8522)
2025-12-02: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S8433)
2025-11-19: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.
2025-11-18: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S8189)
2025-10-16: Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4016 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 575) entered in Senate.
2025-10-16: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 44. Record Vote Number: 575. (CR S7154) (Roll call 575)
2025-10-14: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S7113-7114)
2025-10-14: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S7113)
2025-07-31: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 136.
2025-07-30: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
2025-07-23: Received in the Senate.
2025-07-18: The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4016.
2025-07-18: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-07-18: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 209 (Roll no. 212). (Roll call 212)
2025-07-18: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 209 (Roll no. 212). (Roll call 212)

Bill Versions

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-07-18 — PDF (160 pages)
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-07-31 — PDF (160 pages)
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-06-16 — PDF (148 pages)