Senate Approves 2026 NDAA Amid Government Shutdown Concerns

The Senate recently passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026, despite ongoing government shutdown concerns. The bill, approved by a substantial margin of 77 to 20, paves the way for negotiations between the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

Legislative Details of the 2026 NDAA

After a month of stalled amendments, lawmakers voted on 17 standalone proposals and approved an additional 48 less controversial measures via a bundled voice vote. This legislative effort continues against the backdrop of a government shutdown, which has hampered much of Congress’s activities.

Key Amendments and Proposals

• Identification for Law Enforcement: A proposal from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to require federal law enforcement and service personnel to display visible identification was rejected.
• Military Assistance Restrictions: Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) attempt to limit military support to civilian law enforcement was also dismissed.
• Deployment Authorization: An amendment by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) that sought to restrict the deployment of National Guard units without state consent failed to pass.
• Veterans’ Dental Care: Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) proposal to fund dental care for veterans through redirected Pentagon funds was rejected.
• Investment Restrictions: An amendment by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to limit U.S. investments in technologies that could enhance China’s capabilities was adopted.
• Veterans’ Healthcare Access: Sen. Jerry Moran’s (R-Kan.) initiative to facilitate veterans’ access to nearby military care facilities received support.
• Repeal of Military Force Authorizations: A bipartisan effort led by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) to repeal military force authorizations against Iraq was successful.

Next Steps in the Legislative Process

The 2026 NDAA will now move to conference negotiations. Both the House and Senate armed services committees aim to prioritize acquisition reform. While both proposals include extensive changes to the Pentagon’s operations, they differ considerably, indicating that substantial work lies ahead. Notably, the Senate bill allocates $32 billion more than the Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 budget request.

As deliberations continue, the lawmakers will work to reconcile these differences amid the uncertainties posed by the ongoing government shutdown.