Defense Department Spending Bill for 2027

What to know

• The bill cancels about $405 million in already-approved Defense funds, cutting Army ammunition, counter-ISIS training, and Navy and Army research accounts.
• It sets aside $500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, Arrow 3, and short-range ballistic missile defense.
• It provides $1 billion for Taiwan security and another $1 billion to restock U.S. weapons sent to Taiwan.
• The bill bans spending on diversity and inclusion programs, sex-change procedures, or abortion-related fetal tissue research inside the Defense Department.
• The bill renames the Department of Defense to the Department of War and requires all laws and documents to use the new name.
• About $5.25 billion is added for on-site military computers, but none can be spent until 30 days after Congress gets a detailed spending plan.

Heads up

18 buried provisions

Provisions we flagged do not match the bill's stated purpose, or repeat language from bills that did not pass on their own.

Section by section

1. Overall funding authorization for the Department of Defense, fiscal year 2027

   This is the opening clause of the bill. It states that money from the U.S. Treasury will be set aside for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year that ends on September 30, 2027. The full amounts for each program are listed in the sections that follow. This kind of opening clause is standard in annual spending bills.

   Who this affects

   The Department of Defense and all programs, personnel, and contractors funded through it.

   Tradeoff

   Approving this clause allows defense spending to move forward, but the specific dollar amounts and any limits on how money is spent are set in the detailed sections that follow.

   Show the exact bill text

   That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes, namely:

2. Ban on unauthorized publicity and propaganda

   This section says that no money from this appropriations act can be spent on publicity or propaganda unless Congress has specifically approved it. In other words, the Defense Department cannot use these funds to run public relations campaigns or information efforts that Congress did not authorize. This is a standard provision that appears in many appropriations bills each year.

   Who this affects

   The Department of Defense and any other agency receiving funds from this act. Taxpayers are also affected, because it limits how their money can be spent on information activities.

   Tradeoff

   This restriction protects against government-funded propaganda, but it can also limit some communications activities that the military might consider routine outreach.

   Show the exact bill text

   No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall be used for publicity or propaganda purposes not authorized by the Congress.

3. Hiring and pay rules for foreign nationals working for the Defense Department

   This section lets the Defense Department hire and pay people who are not U.S. citizens, even though other laws would normally block that. It caps pay raises for those foreign workers. Raises cannot exceed the percentage raise given to regular U.S. civilian Defense employees, or the raise the host country gives its own workers, whichever is higher. Two groups are left out of these pay caps. Foreign service workers at U.S. embassies get their pay set by the State Department instead. And foreign workers in Turkey face none of these limits at all.

   Who this affects

   Foreign nationals employed by the Defense Department overseas, including both direct hires and indirect hires. U.S. diplomatic mission employees and Defense workers in Turkey are treated differently.

   Tradeoff

   Allowing foreign national hires fills staffing needs at overseas bases, but the pay cap rules mean some workers may get smaller raises than local market conditions might otherwise require.

   Show the exact bill text

   salary increases granted to direct and indirect hire foreign national employees of the Department of Defense funded by this Act shall not be at a rate in excess of the percentage increase authorized by law for civilian employees of the Department of Defense whose pay is computed under the provisions of section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, or at a rate in excess of the percentage increase provided by the appropriate host nation to its own employees, whichever is higher

4. Funding expires at end of fiscal year

   This section sets a general rule for all money provided in this Act. Each dollar must be spent or committed by the end of the current fiscal year. After that deadline, the money can no longer be used. The only exception is when another part of the Act specifically says that certain funds may carry over into future years.

   Who this affects

   Federal agencies and programs funded by this Act. They must plan and obligate their money before the fiscal year ends.

   Tradeoff

   Keeping funds on a one-year clock gives Congress tighter control over spending, but it can pressure agencies to rush decisions near year-end rather than spend money when it is most needed.

   Show the exact bill text

   No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year, unless expressly so provided herein.

5. Limit on spending in the last two months of the fiscal year

   This section sets a cap on how much money from this bill can be spent near the end of the fiscal year. No more than 20 percent of the funds can be spent in the last two months (August and September). This prevents the common practice of rushing to spend leftover money right before the fiscal year closes. There is one exception: this cap does not apply to training costs for reserve military units or Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) summer camps.

   Who this affects

   Defense agencies and program managers who control spending under this bill. Reserve component units and ROTC programs are not affected by the cap.

   Tradeoff

   The cap encourages steady, planned spending throughout the year, but it may limit flexibility for programs that have legitimate reasons to spend funds late in the year.

   Show the exact bill text

   No more than 20 percent of the appropriations in this Act which are limited for obligation during the current fiscal year shall be obligated during the last 2 months of the fiscal year

6. Emergency fund transfers within the Defense Department

   This section lets the Secretary of Defense move up to $3 billion between Defense Department accounts within one budget year. The move requires approval from the Office of Management and Budget. The money can only be shifted for higher-priority needs that were not foreseen when the budget was written. Funds cannot be moved to cover something Congress already said no to. Congress must be told promptly about every transfer. Any request to move money must be submitted before June 30, 2027. Transfers between military personnel accounts do not count toward the $3 billion cap.

   Who this affects

   The Defense Department and its budget managers are directly affected. Congress is affected because it must be notified and its prior decisions must be respected.

   Tradeoff

   This gives the Defense Department flexibility to respond to surprise needs, but it also lets the executive branch shift large sums without a new vote from Congress.

   Show the exact bill text

   the Secretary may, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, transfer not to exceed $3,000,000,000 of working capital funds of the Department of Defense or funds made available in this Act to the Department of Defense for military functions...Provided, That such authority to transfer may not be used unless for higher priority items, based on unforeseen military requirements, than those for which originally appropriated and in no case where the item for which funds are requested has been denied by the Congress

7. Spending tables made legally binding

   This section makes the detailed spending tables in the bill's explanatory statement and classified annex legally binding. Those tables list specific programs, projects, and dollar amounts. The Defense Department must spend money exactly as the tables say. The tables carry the same legal weight as if they were written into the main bill text. Money listed in those tables cannot be freely moved between accounts without following the transfer rules in Section 8005. However, if moving money is needed to actually carry out a program properly, the usual dollar limit on transfers does not apply.

   Who this affects

   The Department of Defense and its agencies. Taxpayers and program recipients benefit from the spending being directed to specific uses.

   Tradeoff

   Locking spending to detailed tables limits Pentagon flexibility to shift funds, but it gives Congress more control over where money actually goes.

   Show the exact bill text

   the obligation and expenditure of amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act for those programs, projects, and activities are hereby required by law to be carried out in the manner provided by such tables to the same extent as if the tables were included in the text of this Act.

8. Spending baseline report before moving funds

   Within 60 days of this law taking effect, the Department of Defense must send a detailed spending report to Congress. The report must show how money was originally requested, how Congress changed it, and what the final amounts are for each program. Until Congress receives that report, the Pentagon cannot move money between accounts or programs. The only exception is if the Secretary of Defense writes to Congress stating that moving the money is an emergency. A few specific accounts, such as environmental cleanup and drug interdiction, are not subject to this hold.

   Who this affects

   The Department of Defense and its program managers who need to shift funds between accounts. Congress also benefits by receiving clearer oversight before any money is moved.

   Tradeoff

   This section gives Congress more oversight of how Pentagon funds are shifted, but it could slow the military's ability to respond quickly to changing needs while waiting for the report.

   Show the exact bill text

   none of the funds provided in this Act shall be available for reprogramming or transfer until the report identified in subsection (a) is submitted to the congressional defense committees, unless the Secretary of Defense certifies in writing to the congressional defense committees that such reprogramming or transfer is necessary as an emergency requirement

9. Defense working capital fund cash limits and transfers

   This section controls how much cash the Defense Department can keep in its working capital funds. These funds pay for goods and services used across military branches. Cash in these funds can only be kept at levels needed for current payments. Money can be moved between these funds. Money can also be moved to accounts for foreign currency changes and operations and maintenance. But the Defense Secretary must get approval from the budget office and notify Congress before any such transfer. The section also limits buying or building up war reserve supplies using these funds. Such purchases require Congress to be notified first, unless the money was directly set aside for that purpose in this Act.

   Who this affects

   The Defense Department and its working capital fund managers are directly affected. Congress and the Office of Management and Budget gain oversight roles over these fund transfers.

   Tradeoff

   Tighter controls on cash balances and transfers give Congress more oversight, but may slow the Defense Department's ability to quickly move funds when needs arise.

   Show the exact bill text

   cash balances in working capital funds of the Department of Defense established pursuant to section 2208 of title 10, United States Code, may be maintained in only such amounts as are necessary at any time for cash disbursements to be made from such funds

10. Congressional notice before starting secret defense programs

    This section says that money from this bill cannot be used to start or significantly change a 'special access program' unless Congress is told 30 days beforehand. Special access programs are highly classified defense efforts with strict limits on who can learn about them. The 30-day window gives the relevant congressional defense committees time to review the plan before any action is taken.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and any agencies using funds from this bill to run classified programs. Congressional defense committees are also directly involved as the required recipients of notice.

    Tradeoff

    Congress gains oversight of secret programs before they start, but the 30-day waiting period could slow down urgent national security activities.

    Show the exact bill text

    Funds appropriated by this Act may not be used to initiate, or materially modify the scope of, a special access program without prior notification 30 calendar days in advance to the congressional defense committees.

11. Multiyear defense contracts: rules and approved weapons programs

    This section sets rules for when the Defense Department can sign multiyear buying contracts. Any multiyear contract over $20 million in a single year, or carrying an unfunded liability over $20 million, requires 30 days' notice to congressional defense committees before award. No multiyear contract over $500 million is allowed unless this law specifically approves it. The government must fund its full financial commitment before starting such a contract. Contracts cannot be canceled without 30 days' notice to Congress. When comparing multiyear versus annual buying, the Pentagon must use a present-value cost analysis. The section also lists specific weapons systems approved for multiyear contracts, including missiles like the Standard Missile-6, Tomahawk Cruise Missile, PATRIOT, and HIMARS-related systems. Contract lengths vary: some programs get up to five years, others up to seven, and newer systems like low-cost hypersonic strike weapons get up to three years. For those newer systems, the Pentagon must certify that testing is complete before signing a contract.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors who build missiles and ships, and the Pentagon offices that manage procurement budgets. Taxpayers are affected because these rules determine how billions in defense spending are committed.

    Tradeoff

    Multiyear contracts can lower per-unit costs through bulk buying, but they lock in long-term spending commitments that are harder to cancel if priorities or budgets change.

    Show the exact bill text

    no part of any appropriation made available to the Department of Defense for this fiscal year or any prior fiscal year shall be available to initiate multiyear procurement contracts for any systems or component thereof if the value of the multiyear contract would exceed $500,000,000 unless specifically provided in this Act

12. Military humanitarian aid and Pacific Islands medical access

    This section sets aside money from the military's operation and maintenance budget for humanitarian and civic assistance. U.S. forces can use these funds for approved humanitarian missions. Military Civic Action Teams can provide help in Pacific Island territories and freely associated states under an existing agreement. The section also allows the Secretary of Defense to let civilian patients from American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Guam receive free medical care and transportation at Defense Health Agency hospitals in Hawaii. That free care is only allowed if the Secretary decides it helps graduate medical education programs at those hospitals.

    Who this affects

    U.S. military units doing humanitarian missions abroad and civilians from several Pacific Island territories who need medical care. Defense Health Agency hospitals in Hawaii are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    Allowing free medical care for Pacific Island civilians at military hospitals supports medical training programs but uses military health resources without reimbursement.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Secretary of Defense may authorize the provision of medical services at such facilities and transportation to such facilities, on a nonreimbursable basis, for civilian patients from American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and Guam.

13. Limits on Defense Modernization Account spending

    This section restricts how money in the Defense Modernization Account can be used. Funds in that account may only be spent for the four specific purposes listed in the law (10 U.S.C. 3136, paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(4)). It also blocks any program funding increases from being moved into the account. This applies to money from this bill and from any past spending bills.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and any programs that might otherwise transfer funds into or draw funds from the Defense Modernization Account.

    Tradeoff

    Tighter rules prevent flexible use of modernization funds, which limits potential misuse but also limits the military's ability to quickly shift money toward new priorities.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated by this or any other Act, including prior year Acts, may be used to obligate and expend funds in the Defense Modernization Account made available in accordance with subsection (c) of section 3136 of title 10, United States Code, except for the purposes described in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(4)

14. Ban on using funds to lobby Congress

    This section bars the use of any money provided by this Act to try to influence Congress. That covers both direct and indirect lobbying efforts. For example, Defense Department officials could not use these funds to run campaigns urging Congress to pass or block a specific bill or budget item. The rule applies to all legislation and appropriations matters currently before Congress.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department agencies, contractors, and any other recipients of funds from this Act. Anyone spending these dollars must avoid using them to pressure or persuade members of Congress.

    Tradeoff

    The rule limits the ability of funded agencies to advocate for their own priorities in Congress, but it also protects against taxpayer money being used for political lobbying.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds made available by this Act shall be used in any way, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional action on any legislation or appropriation matters pending before the Congress.

15. Limit on reducing nuclear delivery vehicles and launchers

    This section blocks the Department of Defense from using funds in this bill to cut the number of nuclear delivery vehicles and launchers. Delivery vehicles include missiles and bombers that carry nuclear warheads. Launchers are the systems that fire or release them. The limit applies to both deployed (active) and non-deployed (stored or reserve) systems. The minimum number allowed is set by a report Congress received under a 2012 defense law. Regular maintenance, upgrades, and refurbishments are still permitted.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and its military branches that manage nuclear weapons systems. It also affects any future arms-reduction decisions by the executive branch.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping these weapons at current levels maintains nuclear deterrence capacity but limits the executive branch's ability to reduce the arsenal, even if future arms-control agreements call for cuts.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds available in this Act to the Department of Defense, other than appropriations made for necessary or routine refurbishments, upgrades, or maintenance activities, shall be used to reduce or to prepare to reduce the number of deployed and non-deployed strategic delivery vehicles and launchers below the levels set forth in the report submitted to Congress in accordance with section 1042 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

16. Defense Mentor-Protégé Program fund transfers

    This section covers the Defense Department's Mentor-Protégé Program. That program helps small or disadvantaged businesses learn from larger defense contractors. Funds set aside for the program in Title III of this bill can be moved to other accounts in the bill. The move must be for carrying out a formal assistance agreement under federal law. The section also requires the Defense Secretary to report to Congress. The report must describe every transfer made under this rule. It must be included with the budget documents submitted for fiscal year 2028.

    Who this affects

    Small and disadvantaged businesses taking part in the Mentor-Protégé Program are affected. Defense Department budget officials and larger contractor 'mentors' are also involved.

    Tradeoff

    Allowing fund transfers gives the program more flexibility, but moving money between accounts makes it harder for Congress to track how original funds are spent.

    Show the exact bill text

    Funds appropriated in title III of this Act for the Department of Defense Pilot Mentor-Protégé Program may be transferred to any other appropriation contained in this Act solely for the purpose of implementing a Mentor-Protégé Program developmental assistance agreement

17. Buy American rule for ship anchor and mooring chain

    This section blocks Defense Department money from buying welded anchor and mooring chain for ships unless it is made in the United States. The chain must also be built mostly from U.S.-made parts. 'Made in the U.S.' covers steps like cutting, heat treating, forging, shot blasting, welding, and quality testing. A product counts as mostly U.S.-made if U.S. parts cost more than foreign parts. There is one exception: if enough domestic supply is not available on time, the head of the buying military service can waive the rule. To do so, they must send written notice to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees explaining that the purchase is needed for national security.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors and suppliers that make anchor and mooring chain for U.S. Navy and other military ships. It also affects foreign suppliers who might otherwise compete for these contracts.

    Tradeoff

    The rule supports U.S. manufacturing jobs and supply chain security, but it may raise costs or cause delays if domestic producers cannot meet military demand on time.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds in this Act may be available for the purchase by the Department of Defense (and its departments and agencies) of welded shipboard anchor and mooring chain unless the anchor and mooring chain are manufactured in the United States from components which are substantially manufactured in the United States

18. Local purchasing rules for alcohol on military bases

    This section sets rules for where military bases can buy beer and wine for resale. Bases in the United States must buy beer and wine from within the same state where the base is located. If a base sits in more than one state, it can buy from any of those states. For bases in states that do not share a border with another state (such as Hawaii and Alaska), the local-purchase rule applies to all alcoholic beverages, not just beer and wine. For bases in states that do share a border, spirits and other non-beer, non-wine drinks can be bought from the most competitive source, considering price and other factors.

    Who this affects

    Military base retail and club operations that sell alcohol, and alcohol distributors and producers in states where bases are located.

    Tradeoff

    Local producers get a guaranteed market on nearby bases, but bases may not always get the lowest price available.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated by this Act shall be used for the support of any nonappropriated funds activity of the Department of Defense that procures malt beverages and wine with nonappropriated funds for resale...on a military installation located in the United States unless such malt beverages and wine are procured within that State...in which the military installation is located

19. Ban on destroying certain military small arms and ammunition

    This section blocks the Department of Defense from spending any of its funds to destroy or permanently disable specific older military firearms. The protected guns include M-1 Carbines, M-1 Garand rifles, M-14 rifles, .22 and .30 caliber rifles, and M-1911 pistols. It also blocks destruction of small arms ammunition and ammunition parts that are legal to sell commercially. There is one exception: the Secretary of the Army can approve destruction if the items are certified as unserviceable or unsafe.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and the Army, which manage these surplus firearms and ammunition. Civilian buyers and gun dealers may also be affected, since these items could potentially enter the commercial market instead of being destroyed.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping these firearms and ammunition intact preserves their potential resale or transfer value, but it also means the military cannot dispose of surplus stock unless items are formally declared unsafe.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds available to the Department of Defense may be used to demilitarize or dispose of M–1 Carbines, M–1 Garand rifles, M–14 rifles, .22 caliber rifles, .30 caliber rifles, or M–1911 pistols, or to demilitarize or destroy small arms ammunition or ammunition components that are not otherwise prohibited from commercial sale under Federal law, unless the small arms ammunition or ammunition components are certified by the Secretary of the Army or designee as unserviceable or unsafe for further use.

20. Limit on moving Defense units within the Washington, D.C. area

    This section caps spending at $500,000 per move when any Defense Department office, unit, or function relocates into or within the National Capital Region in a single fiscal year. The National Capital Region includes Washington, D.C. and nearby areas. If a move would cost more than that, it cannot happen unless the Secretary of Defense signs a written statement to Congress explaining why the move is in the government's best interest.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and any of its offices or units that may need to move within or into the Washington, D.C. area. Taxpayers are also affected because the cap limits how much public money goes toward these relocations.

    Tradeoff

    The cap limits spending on D.C.-area military moves, but the Secretary of Defense can bypass it with a written explanation to Congress, which gives flexibility while still requiring public accountability.

    Show the exact bill text

    No more than $500,000 of the funds appropriated or made available in this Act shall be used during a single fiscal year for any single relocation of an organization, unit, activity or function of the Department of Defense into or within the National Capital Region

21. Incentive payments for contracting with Native American businesses

    This section sets aside $41.8 million from Defense-wide procurement funds. The money goes toward bonus payments for contractors who hire Native American-owned businesses as subcontractors or suppliers. A contractor can receive these bonuses if the contract is worth more than $500,000 and uses Defense Department funds. The rule applies to prime contractors and subcontractors at any level of the contract chain. It covers both goods and services, including commercial items made in whole or in part by qualifying Native American firms.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors and subcontractors who work with Native American-owned businesses. Native American-owned small businesses that supply goods or services to the Defense Department also benefit.

    Tradeoff

    The set-aside rewards contractors for using Native American suppliers, but it directs $41.8 million toward incentive payments rather than other defense needs.

    Show the exact bill text

    $41,821,000 shall be available only for incentive payments authorized by section 504 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1544)

22. Transfer of surplus Air Force housing to Native American tribes

    This section allows the Air Force to give away relocatable housing units that it no longer needs. The units are located at five Air Force bases: Grand Forks, Malmstrom, Mountain Home, Ellsworth, and Minot. They can be transferred at no cost to federally recognized Indian tribes in Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Minnesota, and Washington. A nonprofit program called Operation Walking Shield handles requests from the tribes and settles any disputes over which tribe gets which units. Once a tribe receives housing units, it must remove them from the base within a reasonable time set by the Air Force Secretary.

    Who this affects

    Federally recognized Indian tribes in eight western and northern states may receive free surplus military housing. The Air Force gives up property but at no financial cost to itself.

    Tradeoff

    Tribes gain free housing units they can use in their communities, but the Air Force loses control over where those units go and must rely on Operation Walking Shield to fairly sort out competing requests.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Secretary of the Air Force may convey at no cost to the Air Force, without consideration, to Indian tribes located in the States of Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Minnesota, and Washington relocatable military housing units...that are excess to the needs of the Air Force.

23. Environmental cleanup on tribal lands from military activities

    This section sets aside at least $12 million from Defense Department operating funds. The money can only be used for one purpose: reducing environmental damage on tribal lands caused by military activities. Allowed uses include training and technical assistance for tribes, administrative support, and gathering information about the damage. The funds can also be used to document environmental harm and build a system to rank cleanup priorities and estimate costs.

    Who this affects

    Native American tribes whose lands have been affected by Department of Defense activities. Federal agencies managing the cleanup process are also involved.

    Tradeoff

    At least $12 million is directed to tribal land cleanup, which provides dedicated resources for affected tribes but reduces the flexible pool of general Defense operating funds.

    Show the exact bill text

    not less than $12,000,000 may be made available only for the mitigation of environmental impacts, including training and technical assistance to tribes, related administrative support, the gathering of information, documenting of environmental damage, and developing a system for prioritization of mitigation and cost to complete estimates for mitigation, on Indian lands resulting from Department of Defense activities.

24. Ban on political activities by Defense Media Activity

    This section blocks the Defense Media Activity from using any money in this bill for political or psychological influence campaigns. The Defense Media Activity is the Pentagon office that runs military news, broadcasting, and entertainment services for troops and their families. The ban covers both domestic and international activities. No funds from this appropriations act can go toward shaping political opinions or running influence operations.

    Who this affects

    The Defense Media Activity and any programs or contractors it funds. Military audiences, international audiences, and the general public are indirectly affected because certain media campaigns cannot be run.

    Tradeoff

    The restriction limits government spending on influence operations, but it also limits the military's ability to use media tools for any purpose that could be labeled political or psychological, which could affect some legitimate communication efforts.

    Show the exact bill text

    Funds appropriated by this Act for the Defense Media Activity shall not be used for any national or international political or psychological activities.

25. Civil Air Patrol funding

    This section sets aside at least $87.1 million for the Civil Air Patrol Corporation. Of that total, $62.2 million covers operations, readiness, counter-drug work, and youth drug prevention programs. Another $21.5 million goes toward buying aircraft. A final $3.4 million pays for vehicles. The section also tells the Secretary of the Air Force to waive repayment when the Civil Air Patrol uses funds to help federal, state, or local agencies fight drug trafficking.

    Who this affects

    The Civil Air Patrol Corporation and its volunteers are directly affected. Federal, state, and local agencies that rely on Civil Air Patrol for counter-drug support are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    Dedicated funding keeps the Civil Air Patrol equipped and active, but the reimbursement waiver means the Air Force absorbs costs it might otherwise recover.

    Show the exact bill text

    not less than $87,100,000 shall be available for the Civil Air Patrol Corporation

26. Limits on Defense Research Centers (FFRDCs)

    This section sets rules for federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) that work for the Defense Department. First, no money from this bill can be used to create a new defense FFRDC. Second, board members and paid consultants of these centers cannot be paid with this bill's funds for their board service, though they can receive travel and per diem expenses. A paid consultant also cannot be paid by more than one FFRDC in the same year. Third, defense FFRDCs cannot use any Pentagon funds to build new buildings off military bases, pay cost-sharing on government grants, cover contract cost overruns, or make certain charitable donations. Fourth, the bill caps total spending on professional staff at these centers at about $3 billion, with a sub-cap of about $484 million for defense studies and analysis centers. The Defense Secretary must submit a detailed report on staffing and budget plans for each FFRDC along with the fiscal year 2028 budget request.

    Who this affects

    Defense FFRDCs, their board members, and paid consultants are directly affected. Taxpayers and Pentagon programs that rely on FFRDC research are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    The spending caps and restrictions limit waste and conflicts of interest at these research centers, but they may also constrain the research capacity and staffing levels the Pentagon can draw on.

    Show the exact bill text

    not more than $3,030,615,000 may be funded for professional technical staff-related costs of the defense FFRDCs: Provided , That within such funds, not more than $484,365,000 shall be available for the defense studies and analysis FFRDCs

27. Definition of 'congressional defense committees'

    This section defines a term used throughout the bill. The term 'congressional defense committees' refers to four specific groups in Congress. Those four groups are: the House Armed Services Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Whenever the bill says 'congressional defense committees,' it means these four groups.

    Who this affects

    Members of the four named congressional committees. This definition shapes which committees receive notices, reports, or approvals required elsewhere in the bill.

    Tradeoff

    Using a clear definition keeps the bill consistent, but it limits oversight to only these four committees and excludes other congressional groups.

    Show the exact bill text

    the term congressional defense committees means the Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives, the Armed Services Committee of the Senate, the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

28. Definition of congressional intelligence committees

    This section defines what the phrase 'congressional intelligence committees' means for the rest of this law. It lists four specific groups: the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Whenever another part of this Act uses that phrase, it refers to exactly those four committees.

    Who this affects

    Members of Congress who sit on these four committees. It also affects federal agencies that must report to or coordinate with these committees.

    Tradeoff

    Setting a clear definition makes the law easier to apply consistently, but it limits which congressional oversight bodies are covered by the term.

    Show the exact bill text

    the term congressional intelligence committees means the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives, the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

29. Depot maintenance competitions between military and private firms

    This section lets the Department of Defense hold open competitions for certain repair and maintenance work. The work includes fixing aircraft, vehicles, and ships, as well as making parts and other defense items. Both government-run repair facilities and private companies can bid. A senior official must confirm that all bids fairly count every cost, direct and indirect, for both sides. A standard government rule called OMB Circular A-76, which normally guides how agencies compare public and private work, does not apply to these competitions.

    Who this affects

    Military depot workers at government facilities and private defense contractors who bid on maintenance and repair jobs. Taxpayers also have a stake, since costs and workforce decisions follow from who wins.

    Tradeoff

    Opening the work to competition may lower costs, but it also puts government depot jobs at risk if private firms win the bids.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Department of Defense may acquire the modification, depot maintenance and repair of aircraft, vehicles and vessels as well as the production of components and other Defense-related articles, through competition between Department of Defense depot maintenance activities and private firms

30. Buy American rules for Defense spending

    This section requires the Defense Department to follow the Buy American Act when spending money from this bill. The Buy American Act is a federal law that favors U.S.-made goods in government purchases. If a contractor is caught falsely labeling a foreign product as 'Made in America,' the Defense Secretary must review whether to ban that contractor from future Defense contracts. Congress also expresses its preference that the Defense Department buy American-made equipment whenever those products are price-competitive, quality-competitive, and available on time.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department contractors and suppliers, especially those who sell goods to the military. Any company found to have used false 'Made in America' labels risks being banned from Defense contracts.

    Tradeoff

    Buying American-made goods can support U.S. manufacturers and jobs, but it may limit options or raise costs when foreign products are cheaper or more readily available.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be expended by an entity of the Department of Defense unless the entity, in expending the funds, complies with the Buy American Act.

31. Steel plate must come from the U.S. or Canada

    This section says Defense Department money cannot buy carbon, alloy, or armor steel plate unless the steel was melted and rolled in the United States or Canada. The rule covers all steel plate sold under Federal Supply Class 9515 and all ASTM or AISI standards. A military department secretary can skip this rule for a specific purchase, but only by sending a written notice to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. That notice must explain that enough domestic steel is not available in time and that the purchase is needed for national security. Contracts that were already in place when this law was enacted are not affected.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors who supply steel plate to the military. Foreign steel producers outside the U.S. and Canada cannot sell this type of steel to the Defense Department under this rule.

    Tradeoff

    The rule supports U.S. and Canadian steel industries but may limit options or raise costs if domestic supplies run short.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated or made available in this Act shall be used to procure carbon, alloy, or armor steel plate for use in any Government-owned facility or property under the control of the Department of Defense which were not melted and rolled in the United States or Canada

32. Buy American Act waivers and foreign defense purchases

    This section deals with rules about buying American-made goods for defense. The Defense Department sometimes waives the Buy American Act for certain countries. It does this through special defense trade agreements. Under this section, if a foreign country that has such an agreement treats U.S. products unfairly, the Defense Secretary must cancel that country's waiver. This means the Pentagon would again be required to favor American-made products when buying from that country. The section also requires the Defense Department to report to Congress on all its purchases from foreign companies in fiscal year 2027. That report must break down how much was bought under Buy American waivers, and which legal authority allowed each waiver.

    Who this affects

    Foreign countries with U.S. defense trade agreements, U.S. and foreign defense suppliers, and Congress as the recipient of the required report.

    Tradeoff

    Holding foreign countries to fair trade rules could protect American manufacturers, but canceling waivers may raise costs or limit supply choices for the Pentagon.

    Show the exact bill text

    If the Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the United States Trade Representative, determines that a foreign country which is party to an agreement described in paragraph (2) has violated the terms of the agreement by discriminating against certain types of products produced in the United States that are covered by the agreement, the Secretary of Defense shall rescind the Secretary's blanket waiver of the Buy American Act with respect to such types of products produced in that foreign country.

33. Buy American rule for ball and roller bearings

    This section blocks Defense Department money from buying ball or roller bearings made outside the United States. Ball and roller bearings are small parts that reduce friction in engines, weapons systems, and other equipment. There is a waiver option. A military department secretary can approve a foreign purchase by writing to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees. The waiver requires a written finding that U.S. supplies are not available in time and that the purchase is needed for national security. The rule also has a built-in exception for most commercial off-the-shelf products. However, the domestic-source requirement still applies when ball or roller bearings are bought as finished end items, even if they are commercial products.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors and military procurement offices that buy bearings for weapons systems and equipment. U.S. bearing manufacturers may see more business; foreign suppliers may lose Defense contracts.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping bearing production domestic supports U.S. manufacturing and reduces supply-chain risk, but it can raise costs or cause delays if domestic supply falls short.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used for the procurement of ball and roller bearings other than those produced by a domestic source and of domestic origin

34. Supercomputer purchases must be U.S.-made

    This section blocks Defense Department money from buying supercomputers made outside the United States. There is one exception. The Secretary of Defense can approve a foreign purchase if the needed capability is not available from any U.S. maker. The Secretary must then tell the relevant congressional committees in writing before buying.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department agencies that buy or use supercomputers are directly affected. U.S. and foreign supercomputer makers are also affected by this purchasing rule.

    Tradeoff

    The rule favors U.S. manufacturers but could limit access to foreign supercomputers that may have capabilities not yet available domestically, potentially raising costs or slowing procurement.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds in this Act may be used to purchase any supercomputer which is not manufactured in the United States, unless the Secretary of Defense certifies to the congressional defense committees that such an acquisition must be made in order to acquire capability for national security purposes that is not available from United States manufacturers.

35. Waiver of rules on buying defense items from foreign countries

    This section lets the Secretary of Defense waive, country by country, laws that restrict buying defense items from foreign sources. The waiver is allowed only in two situations. First, the restriction would break an existing cooperative defense program with that country. Second, the restriction would break a reciprocal trade agreement made under federal law. The foreign country also must not discriminate against similar U.S.-made defense items. The waiver applies to new contracts and to options exercised after this law passes. However, some categories are never covered by the waiver. Those categories include public vessel construction, ball and roller bearings, food, clothing, textile materials, and several other specific product groups listed by tariff code.

    Who this affects

    The Secretary of Defense and foreign partner countries with cooperative defense programs or trade agreements. U.S. defense contractors and their subcontractors are also affected, since the waiver changes which foreign-made items the military may buy.

    Tradeoff

    The waiver gives the military more flexibility to honor international defense agreements, but it allows bypassing domestic-source rules that are meant to protect U.S. manufacturers.

    Show the exact bill text

    The Secretary of Defense may, on a case-by-case basis, waive with respect to a foreign country each limitation on the procurement of defense items from foreign sources provided in law if the Secretary determines that the application of the limitation with respect to that country would invalidate cooperative programs entered into between the Department of Defense and the foreign country, or would invalidate reciprocal trade agreements for the procurement of defense items entered into under section 4851 of title 10, United States Code.

36. U.S. flags must be made in America

    This section blocks Defense Department money from buying or making U.S. flags unless those flags qualify as 'covered items' under federal law. That law, known as the Berry Amendment, requires the military to buy certain goods made in the United States. So this section means the Pentagon can only spend money on flags that are manufactured in the U.S. with American materials.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department contractors and suppliers who make or sell U.S. flags. Foreign flag manufacturers would no longer be eligible for Pentagon contracts.

    Tradeoff

    American flag makers gain a guaranteed government customer, but the Pentagon may pay more if domestic suppliers charge higher prices than foreign ones.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds made available in this Act...may be used for the purchase or manufacture of a flag of the United States unless such flags are treated as covered items under section 4862(b) of title 10, United States Code.

37. Overseas military facility recovery funds

    This section allows money held in the Department of Defense Overseas Military Facility Investment Recovery Account to be spent without an expiration date during the current fiscal year. The money can only be used for the specific payments described in federal law under title 10, section 2687a(b)(2). That law covers payments related to overseas military bases that the U.S. has given up or reduced. Normally, government funds expire at the end of a fiscal year. This provision keeps those particular funds available until they are fully spent.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and foreign governments or entities that receive payments when the U.S. closes or reduces overseas military facilities.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping these funds available until spent gives the Pentagon flexibility to make required payments on time, but it also means the money is not returned to the Treasury at year-end.

    Show the exact bill text

    amounts contained in the Department of Defense Overseas Military Facility Investment Recovery Account shall be available until expended for the payments specified by section 2687a(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code.

38. Equipment purchase limit for operations and maintenance funds

    This section sets a spending cap on individual equipment items bought with operations and maintenance funds. Normally, the Department of Defense can use those funds to buy items that cost up to $350,000 each. If the Secretary of Defense decides it is needed to support a military commander running a named overseas contingency operation, that cap rises to $500,000 per item.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and military commanders leading named overseas operations. Taxpayers fund these purchases.

    Tradeoff

    Raising the cap gives commanders more flexibility to buy needed equipment quickly, but it also allows more expensive items to be purchased from a budget category that is meant for day-to-day operations rather than long-term investments.

    Show the exact bill text

    appropriations which are available to the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance may be used to purchase items having an investment item unit cost of not more than $350,000

39. Asia Pacific Regional Initiative Program funding

    This section allows up to $18 million from Navy operations and maintenance funds to be used for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative Program. The money goes to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to carry out security cooperation work in the region. Allowed activities include humanitarian assistance and paying costs for training and exercises with foreign military forces. The funds can be used even if other laws set different rules for humanitarian aid, security aid, or joint exercises. However, the money cannot go to any country that is already banned by law from receiving that type of assistance.

    Who this affects

    U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and foreign military and security forces in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries already legally barred from receiving U.S. assistance are excluded.

    Tradeoff

    The program gives the military flexibility to build partnerships and provide aid in the Indo-Pacific, but it bypasses some existing funding rules while keeping in place country-level restrictions.

    Show the exact bill text

    funds may not be obligated to provide assistance to any foreign country that is otherwise prohibited from receiving such type of assistance under any other provision of law.

40. Minimum pricing for tobacco products at military stores

    This section requires the Secretary of Defense to create rules about tobacco pricing at military stores. Military stores in the United States cannot sell tobacco products below the lowest price found at nearby civilian stores. Military stores overseas must price tobacco products within the same range used by U.S.-based military stores.

    Who this affects

    Military service members and their families who shop at on-base stores (called resale outlets or military retail outlets) in the U.S. and overseas.

    Tradeoff

    Removing below-market tobacco prices may reduce tobacco use, but it also removes a price benefit that military shoppers have traditionally had access to.

    Show the exact bill text

    The Secretary of Defense shall issue regulations to prohibit the sale of any tobacco or tobacco-related products in military resale outlets in the United States, its territories and possessions at a price below the most competitive price in the local community

41. Limits on Working Capital Fund purchases

    This section sets two rules about how the Defense Department's internal revolving funds (called Working Capital Funds) can spend money. First, those funds cannot be used this fiscal year to buy new equipment for resale if that equipment would have been paid for through a regular procurement budget in 1994. Second, when the Pentagon builds its fiscal year 2028 budget request to Congress, any equipment currently funded through a procurement account must stay in a procurement account. It cannot be moved into the Working Capital Fund's supply management area or any similar category.

    Who this affects

    The Defense Department and its internal Working Capital Funds are directly affected. Congress is also affected because it receives the budget documents.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping procurement items in dedicated procurement accounts makes spending more transparent to Congress, but it limits the Pentagon's flexibility to manage inventory costs through its revolving funds.

    Show the exact bill text

    none of the appropriations or funds available to the Department of Defense Working Capital Funds shall be used for the purchase of an investment item for the purpose of acquiring a new inventory item for sale or anticipated sale during the current fiscal year or a subsequent fiscal year

42. CIA funding timeframes

    This section sets rules for how long CIA funds can be used. Most CIA money from this act must be spent within the current fiscal year. However, there are exceptions. The Reserve for Contingencies fund stays available until September 30, 2028. The Central Services Working Capital Fund stays available until the money runs out. Funds for advanced research, agent operations, and covert actions approved by the President also stay available until September 30, 2028. Money for building or improving facilities used by the intelligence community stays available until September 30, 2029.

    Who this affects

    The Central Intelligence Agency and other intelligence community agencies that use CIA-funded facilities.

    Tradeoff

    Longer spending windows give the CIA flexibility for complex, long-term work, but they also mean less oversight over how quickly the money is spent.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated by this Act for programs of the Central Intelligence Agency shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year, except for funds appropriated for the Reserve for Contingencies, which shall remain available until September 30, 2028

43. Limits on creating new military field offices and reassigning staff

    This section blocks the use of funds in this bill for two purposes. First, it bars creating new field operating agencies. Second, it bars paying a military member or Defense Department civilian who is moved from a headquarters job but still works at the same headquarters location. A Defense secretary can waive these limits case by case, but must certify to Congress that doing so will cut personnel or financial costs. Four types of agencies are exempt: those funded under the National Intelligence Program, an Army agency that deals with explosive devices and similar threats, an Army agency that manages biometric technology across the Defense Department, and an Air Force agency that runs the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Program.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department military members and civilian employees who are reassigned but stay at the same headquarters location. Defense secretaries who want to create new field offices are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    The section limits new bureaucratic growth and prevents pay for what could be seen as paper reassignments, but it also restricts flexibility when commanders believe a new field office or reassignment is genuinely needed.

    Show the exact bill text

    none of the funds made available by this Act may be used— (1) to establish a field operating agency; or (2) to pay the basic pay of a member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense who is transferred or reassigned from a headquarters activity if the member or employee's place of duty remains at the location of that headquarters.

44. Rules for converting Defense Department jobs to private contractors

    This section sets rules for when the Defense Department can hire private contractors to do work currently done by its civilian employees. Three conditions must all be met first. First, the government must run a public competition that includes a plan showing how the government could do the job most efficiently. Second, an official must confirm that the contractor's cost would be at least 10 percent cheaper, or at least $10 million cheaper, compared to keeping the work in-house. Third, a contractor cannot win the bid by offering workers worse health insurance than what federal employees receive. The section also gives the Defense Department extra flexibility to skip those requirements in specific cases. Those cases include work set aside for nonprofits that employ blind or severely disabled people, or for firms majority-owned by Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The rules do not apply to depot maintenance contracts.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department civilian employees whose jobs might be outsourced, private contractors bidding on Defense work, and workers employed under those contracts who receive health benefits.

    Tradeoff

    The rules protect civilian workers and contractor employees from low-quality health benefits, but they add steps and cost thresholds that can slow or block outsourcing even when a contractor bid might save money.

    Show the exact bill text

    the contractor does not receive an advantage for a proposal that would reduce costs for the Department of Defense by— (A) not making an employer-sponsored health insurance plan available to the workers who are to be employed in the performance of that activity or function under the contract

45. Cancellation of previously approved Defense funds

    This section takes back, or 'rescinds,' money that was already set aside in earlier Defense spending laws. Six specific accounts lose funding. Army ammunition procurement loses about $19 million. A fund to train and equip forces fighting ISIS loses $20 million. Other Army procurement loses $45 million. Army research and development loses $84 million. Navy research and development loses about $94 million. Defense-wide research and development loses about $143 million. The total rescinded is roughly $405 million. Money that Congress previously labeled as an emergency cannot be taken back under this section.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense, including Army and Navy programs focused on ammunition, equipment purchases, and research. It also affects the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip program.

    Tradeoff

    Rescinding these funds reduces defense spending and can free up budget room, but it also cuts money already planned for military research, equipment, and training programs.

    Show the exact bill text

    Procurement of Ammunition, Army , 2025/2027, $19,165,000; Counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Train and Equip Fund , 2026/2027, $20,000,000; Other Procurement, Army , 2026/2028, $45,000,000; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army , 2026/2027, $84,000,000; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy , 2026/2027, $94,200,000; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide , 2026/2027, $142,800,000.

46. Protection of military technician positions from civilian hiring freezes

    This section blocks the use of any funds in the bill to cut authorized job slots for military technicians who hold dual status. Dual-status technicians are federal civilian employees who are also members of the National Guard or Reserve. Administrators sometimes reduce civilian headcount through general workforce freezes or ceilings. This section says those tools cannot be used to shrink technician positions. The only allowed reason to cut these positions is a direct reduction in military force structure, meaning fewer units or troops that need support.

    Who this affects

    Military technicians (dual status) in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, and Air Force Reserve. It also affects Defense Department administrators who manage civilian personnel levels.

    Tradeoff

    Protecting these positions keeps skilled support staff in place for Guard and Reserve units, but it limits the Pentagon's flexibility to reduce its civilian workforce through broad administrative actions.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds available in this Act may be used to reduce the authorized positions for military technicians (dual status) of the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve for the purpose of applying any administratively imposed civilian personnel ceiling, freeze, or reduction on military technicians (dual status), unless such reductions are a direct result of a reduction in military force structure.

47. Ban on funds for North Korea

    This section blocks any money in this bill from being sent to North Korea. No funds can go there unless Congress specifically sets that money aside for that purpose. There is one exception. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency can still use funds for its work. That agency searches for and identifies the remains of U.S. military personnel in North Korea.

    Who this affects

    The U.S. government agencies that handle foreign assistance are affected. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is exempt and can continue its recovery missions.

    Tradeoff

    The ban keeps taxpayer money from going to North Korea, but it still allows the narrow work of finding and returning the remains of missing U.S. service members to continue.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be obligated or expended for assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea unless specifically appropriated for that purpose

48. Limits on moving drug interdiction funds to other agencies

    This section blocks the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency from moving their drug interdiction or counter-drug money to any other federal department or agency. The only exception is if a separate appropriations law specifically allows such a transfer. This applies to any fiscal year in which those funds are available.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency are directly affected. Other federal agencies that might otherwise receive transferred drug-related funds are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    This rule keeps drug-fighting funds within the agencies that received them, which limits flexibility to shift money where it may be needed most.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds available to the Department of Defense for any fiscal year for drug interdiction or counter-drug activities may be transferred to any other department or agency of the United States except as specifically provided in an appropriations law.

49. Grants to United Service Organizations and Red Cross

    This section adds $60,000,000 to the Department of Defense budget. The money is split into two equal grants of $30,000,000 each. One grant goes to the United Service Organizations (USO). The other goes to the American Red Cross. The Secretary of Defense must first decide that giving these grants serves the national interest. Only then can the grants be paid out.

    Who this affects

    The USO and the Red Cross each receive up to $30,000,000. Both groups provide support services to military members and their families.

    Tradeoff

    The grants fund nonprofit services for military personnel, but they add $60,000,000 in federal spending and rely on the Secretary of Defense's judgment to release the funds.

    Show the exact bill text

    $30,000,000 to the United Service Organizations and $30,000,000 to the Red Cross.

50. Small business research funding rules and reporting

    This section covers two programs: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. Both programs require the Pentagon to set aside a share of its outside research budget for small businesses. This section says those set-asides must be taken equally, in proportion, from all programs and activities that use outside research money. It also requires military departments, Defense Agencies, and other relevant Pentagon components to send Congress a detailed report each year. The report must show exactly how much money was set aside from each program and activity during the prior year. The report is due at the same time as the regular budget documents.

    Who this affects

    Small businesses that compete for Pentagon research contracts. Military departments and Defense Agencies that manage outside research budgets.

    Tradeoff

    Spreading the set-asides proportionally keeps the funding burden shared across programs, but it also adds a reporting requirement that takes staff time and resources.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Small Business Innovation Research program and the Small Business Technology Transfer program set-asides shall be taken proportionally from all programs, projects, or activities to the extent they contribute to the extramural budget

51. No Pentagon funds for merger-related employee bonuses

    This section bars the Department of Defense from using any funds in this bill to reimburse contractors for bonus payments made during a business merger or restructuring. Normally, the government can reimburse contractors for certain employee costs. This section blocks that reimbursement when the extra pay is above an employee's regular salary and is tied to a business combination such as a merger or acquisition.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors who merge with or acquire other companies, and their employees who might receive bonuses during those deals.

    Tradeoff

    The government saves money by not covering merger-related bonuses, but contractors must absorb those bonus costs themselves, which could affect how they structure deals.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds available to the Department of Defense under this Act shall be obligated or expended to pay a contractor under a contract with the Department of Defense for costs of any amount paid by the contractor to an employee when— (1) such costs are for a bonus or otherwise in excess of the normal salary paid by the contractor to the employee; and (2) such bonus is part of restructuring costs associated with a business combination.

52. Transfer limit for military personnel pay support

    This section caps at $30 million how much money can be moved from a general Defense-wide operations and maintenance fund to military personnel pay accounts. The transfer is only allowed to support military members who provide services to approved outside organizations under a specific federal law (10 U.S.C. 2012). Once moved, the money blends into the personnel pay account and follows the same spending deadline as that account.

    Who this affects

    Military personnel who perform support services for eligible outside organizations. It also affects Defense-wide program managers who oversee the operations and maintenance budget.

    Tradeoff

    The $30 million cap keeps transfers predictable and limited, but it also restricts how much military labor support can be funded for outside organizations if demand is higher.

    Show the exact bill text

    no more than $30,000,000 of appropriations made in this Act under the heading Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide may be transferred to appropriations available for the pay of military personnel

53. National Guard distance learning equipment sharing

    This section lets the Chief of the National Guard Bureau allow outside people or groups to use National Guard Distance Learning Project equipment. Use is only allowed when the equipment is not already needed by the National Guard. Anyone who uses the equipment must pay for it. The Chief sets the payment amount case by case. Money collected goes back into the Distance Learning Project fund. That money can be used to cover costs from the shared use. The funds do not expire at the end of a fiscal year.

    Who this affects

    Outside individuals or organizations that want to use National Guard distance learning equipment. The National Guard Distance Learning Project also benefits, since it receives the reimbursement money.

    Tradeoff

    Outside users gain access to government equipment, but taxpayers are protected because users must pay, and the money goes back to the program rather than the general fund.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Chief of the National Guard Bureau may permit the use of equipment of the National Guard Distance Learning Project by any person or entity on a space-available, reimbursable basis.

54. Protection of C-40 aircraft from retirement

    This section blocks the use of any federal funds to retire, prepare to retire, or put into storage any C-40 aircraft. There is one exception: if a specific C-40 is wrecked or destroyed in a serious accident (called a Class A mishap), the Air Force Secretary can remove it from service. If that happens, the Secretary must send Congress a written statement confirming the aircraft was taken out of service because of the accident, not because of poor maintenance. The Defense Secretary must also send Congress a report within 90 days. That report must explain how the Department plans to meet travel needs for members of Congress and Cabinet officials in 2027 and 2028.

    Who this affects

    The Air Force and the Department of Defense are directly affected. Members of Congress and Cabinet officials who use C-40 aircraft for official travel are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping C-40 aircraft in service protects official travel capacity, but it limits the military's flexibility to reduce its fleet and cut costs.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or prior Acts may be obligated or expended to retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage or on backup aircraft inventory status any C–40 aircraft.

55. Limits on buying military equipment with research and development funds

    This section limits how the military can spend money from research and development accounts (Title IV funds). Those funds cannot be used to buy finished equipment for active troops to train with or keep in stock. The money can only pay for items used in development, prototyping, and testing before a product is approved. If more items are budgeted than a test plan actually requires, two senior Pentagon officials must certify in writing to Congress that the extra items are truly needed. The Secretary of Defense must also send Congress a report and a certification showing that all research and development spending follows these rules when the next budget is submitted. The Secretary can waive the rule in individual cases by certifying in writing that doing so is in the national security interest.

    Who this affects

    Pentagon officials who manage research and development spending, military service branches, and defense contractors working on new equipment.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping research funds focused on testing saves money and prevents early purchases, but it also limits how quickly the military can build up supplies of new equipment.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated in title IV of this Act may be used to procure end-items for delivery to military forces for operational training, operational use, or inventory requirements

56. Ban on using Defense funds for military family housing repairs

    This section blocks any Defense Department funds from being spent on repairs or maintenance for military family housing. The ban covers all areas inside those homes, even spaces used for official military business. It applies to money from this bill and from other Defense Department spending bills.

    Who this affects

    Military families who live in government-owned housing on or near bases. It also affects the Defense Department's ability to maintain those homes.

    Tradeoff

    Stopping this spending may reduce government costs, but it could also leave military family housing in poor condition if no other funding source covers the repairs.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or other Department of Defense Appropriations Acts may be obligated or expended for the purpose of performing repairs or maintenance to military family housing units of the Department of Defense

57. Congressional notice for large defense innovation projects

    This section adds a waiting period before money can be spent on certain new defense projects. Specifically, it covers new projects under the Defense Innovation Acceleration or Rapid Prototyping programs that cost more than $5 million. Before funds can be used, the Pentagon must send Congress a written report. The report must describe the project, explain how it will be bought and used, and give cost estimates. Congress then gets 15 days to review the report before money is spent. The Secretary of Defense can skip this waiting period, but only by telling Congress in writing that skipping it is in the national interest.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense is directly affected, since it must report to Congress before spending on qualifying projects. Defense contractors and researchers pursuing new rapid-prototyping work over $5 million are also affected, since funding could be delayed.

    Tradeoff

    The waiting period gives Congress more oversight over new defense spending, but it could slow down projects the Pentagon wants to start quickly.

    Show the exact bill text

    funds appropriated in this Act under the heading Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide for any new start Defense Innovation Acceleration (PE 0603838D8Z) or Rapid Prototyping Program (PE 0604331D8Z) demonstration project with a value of more than $5,000,000 may only be obligated 15 days after a report, including a description of the project, the planned acquisition and transition strategy and its estimated annual and total cost, has been provided in writing to the congressional defense committees

58. Classified quarterly reports to Congress

    This section requires the Secretary of Defense to keep sending classified reports to Congress four times a year. The reports go to the Defense subcommittees of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The exact topics covered are not listed here. Instead, they are spelled out in a separate classified document that accompanies this bill.

    Who this affects

    The Secretary of Defense must produce the reports. Members of the House and Senate Appropriations defense subcommittees receive them.

    Tradeoff

    Congress gets regular updates on sensitive defense matters, but the public cannot see what those matters are because the details are classified.

    Show the exact bill text

    The Secretary of Defense shall continue to provide a classified quarterly report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Subcommittees on Defense on certain matters as directed in the classified annex accompanying this Act.

59. National Guard support for missile defense ground systems

    This section creates an exception to a standard rule in federal law. Normally, a law called section 12310(b) limits what duties full-time National Guard members can perform. This section lifts that limit for one specific purpose. National Guard members on full-time duty under Title 32 may now work in support of the ground-based parts of the National Ballistic Missile Defense System. This gives military commanders more flexibility to use National Guard personnel for missile defense tasks.

    Who this affects

    National Guard members serving on full-time Title 32 duty. It also affects the military units that operate ground-based missile defense systems.

    Tradeoff

    Expanding the use of National Guard personnel for missile defense adds workforce flexibility, but it assigns Guard members to duties beyond the limits Congress originally set for full-time Guard service.

    Show the exact bill text

    a servicemember who is a member of the National Guard serving on full-time National Guard duty under section 502(f) of title 32, United States Code, may perform duties in support of the ground-based elements of the National Ballistic Missile Defense System.

60. Restrictions on transferring military armor-piercing ammunition

    This section blocks the use of funds to give certain military ammunition to non-government groups. The blocked ammunition includes center-fire rounds labeled armor penetrator, armor piercing, armor-piercing incendiary, armor-piercing incendiary tracer, general purpose, special purpose (except 9mm), and enhanced performance rounds. There are two exceptions. First, a company may receive the ammo if it has a contract to destroy it and can prove the rounds will be made unusable. Second, a company may receive it to make new ammunition under a Defense Department contract, or to make ammo for export under a State Department export license.

    Who this affects

    Private companies that handle military surplus ammunition are affected. The public is also affected, since this limits how military armor-piercing rounds can leave government control.

    Tradeoff

    The restriction keeps dangerous military-grade rounds from reaching civilian hands, but it limits options for companies that might otherwise find legal uses for surplus ammunition.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided in this Act may be used to transfer to any nongovernmental entity ammunition held by the Department of Defense that has a center-fire cartridge and a United States military nomenclature designation of armor penetrator , armor piercing (AP) , armor piercing incendiary (API) , armor-piercing incendiary tracer (API–T) , general purpose (GP) , special purpose (SP) except 9mm, or enhanced performance round (EPR)

61. National Guard property loan fee waivers for nonprofits

    This section lets the Chief of the National Guard Bureau waive the rental fee when the National Guard lends personal property to certain nonprofit groups. The loan must last one year or less. Groups that qualify include youth, social, and fraternal nonprofits listed in federal law, plus others approved case by case. Without this section, federal law would normally require the government to collect fair-market payment for such loans.

    Who this affects

    Nonprofit youth, social, and fraternal organizations that borrow National Guard equipment or other personal property. The National Guard Bureau and federal taxpayers are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    Nonprofits get free or reduced-cost use of government property, but the federal government gives up rental income it would otherwise collect.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, or their designee, may waive payment of all or part of the consideration that otherwise would be required under section 2667 of title 10, United States Code, in the case of a lease of personal property for a period not in excess of 1 year to any organization specified in section 508(d) of title 32, United States Code, or any other youth, social, or fraternal nonprofit organization

62. Army operations and maintenance special fund

    This section sets aside about $390 million from Army operations and maintenance funds. The money does not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Secretary of Defense can move these funds to other parts of the federal government. The Secretary can also sign contracts for land, construction, personal services, and related work. Those contracts can include protections against certain losses (indemnification). Projects must follow federal, state, and local laws as much as possible, but the Secretary decides when national security requires an exception.

    Who this affects

    The U.S. Army and other federal agencies that may receive transferred funds. Private contractors hired for real property, construction, or services under this authority are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    The flexible spending and transfer authority gives the military more speed and options, but it reduces the normal budget oversight that Congress uses to track how funds are spent.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Secretary of Defense is authorized to transfer such funds to other activities of the Federal Government

63. Limits on changing how intelligence budget funds are managed

    This section blocks the use of any federal funds to change how the National Intelligence Program budget is organized or presented. No money can be used to create new budget accounts, change how budget documents show the intelligence request, or change how funds flow to the agencies that spend them. There is one exception: merging programs at or below a certain internal level is still allowed, as long as it fits the other rules. The Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense may study and propose new budget structures together. Any proposals must go through a counterintelligence risk review. All affected agencies must certify that the new approach would not harm counterintelligence. Within 30 days of getting all certifications, the two officials must share the proposals with the relevant congressional committees.

    Who this affects

    The Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the agencies that receive and spend National Intelligence Program funds. Congressional defense and intelligence committees must also be notified before any changes move forward.

    Tradeoff

    The section keeps the current intelligence budget structure stable and harder for adversaries to read, but it also limits the flexibility of officials to update or modernize how intelligence funds are managed without a lengthy review and congressional notification process.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated in this or any other Act, including prior year Acts, may be used to implement a change to— (1) the appropriations account structure for the National Intelligence Program budget, including through the creation of a new appropriation or new appropriation account

64. Fisher Houses and Suites funding transfer

    This section lets the Army, Navy, and Air Force each move up to $11 million from their regular operating budgets into a special fund for Fisher Houses and Suites. Fisher Houses are free lodging facilities near military hospitals. They allow families to stay close to a wounded or ill service member during medical care. The money comes from each branch's existing Operation and Maintenance funds, not from new spending.

    Who this affects

    Military families who need lodging near military medical centers. It also affects the Army, Navy, and Air Force operating budgets, which are the source of the transferred funds.

    Tradeoff

    Up to $33 million total could be redirected to family lodging support, but that same money would then be unavailable for other day-to-day military operations.

    Show the exact bill text

    not to exceed $11,000,000 from each of the appropriations made in title II of this Act for Operation and Maintenance, Army , Operation and Maintenance, Navy , and Operation and Maintenance, Air Force may be transferred by the military department concerned to its central fund established for Fisher Houses and Suites

65. Fisher House construction grant

    This section sets aside $5 million for the Department of Defense. The money does not expire and must stay available until it is spent. If the Secretary of Defense decides it serves the national interest, the funds go to the Fisher House Foundation as a grant. The Foundation uses the money to build and furnish new Fisher Houses. Fisher Houses give military families a free or low-cost place to stay when a family member is sick or in the hospital.

    Who this affects

    Military families who need housing near a hospital while a service member or veteran receives medical care. The Fisher House Foundation receives and manages the grant money.

    Tradeoff

    The $5 million provides housing support for military families in medical crises, but spending it requires the Secretary of Defense to first decide the grant serves the national interest, adding a step before the money can be used.

    Show the exact bill text

    these funds shall be available only for a grant to the Fisher House Foundation, Inc., only for the construction and furnishing of additional Fisher Houses to meet the needs of military family members when confronted with the illness or hospitalization of an eligible military beneficiary.

66. Navy funds transfer to Stennis Center public service program

    This section allows up to $1 million from the Navy's operation and maintenance budget to be moved to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Development Trust Fund. The Stennis Center is a nonprofit program that trains and develops people for careers in public service. The transfer is optional, not required. The money comes from funds already approved for the Navy.

    Who this affects

    The U.S. Navy loses up to $1 million from its operating budget. People who participate in Stennis Center public service programs may benefit from the added funding.

    Tradeoff

    The transfer supports public service training, but it reduces money available for Navy operations by up to $1 million.

    Show the exact bill text

    up to $1,000,000 shall be available for transfer to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Development Trust Fund

67. Navy Pacific Fleet command structure freeze

    This section blocks the use of Defense Department funds to change who controls U.S. Navy forces in the Pacific. Specifically, it stops Fleet Forces Command from gaining control over those forces. The command structure that existed on October 1, 2004, stays in place. If the Pentagon wants to change it, leaders must send a written proposal to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees first. The change can move forward 30 days after that notice, but only if neither committee objects. Any change also must still allow the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to meet military needs in that region.

    Who this affects

    The U.S. Navy, Fleet Forces Command, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are directly affected. Congress, through the Appropriations Committees, gains a review role over any future changes.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping the older command structure gives Congress oversight and maintains stability, but it also limits the Pentagon's ability to quickly reorganize Navy forces in the Pacific without going through a notification and waiting period.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds available to the Department of Defense may be obligated to modify command and control relationships to give Fleet Forces Command operational and administrative control of United States Navy forces assigned to the Pacific fleet

68. Defense notices sent to appropriations subcommittees

    This section requires that certain Pentagon notices also go to specific subcommittees. Federal law already requires the Defense Department to send notices to the full Appropriations Committees in both the House and Senate. This section adds that those same notices must be sent at the same time to the Defense Subcommittees within each Appropriations Committee. The notices in question are tied to a rule added by the 2023 defense law.

    Who this affects

    Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense. The Pentagon is also affected, because it must send the notices to more recipients.

    Tradeoff

    Subcommittee members get faster access to Defense Department information, but the Pentagon must handle a broader notification requirement.

    Show the exact bill text

    Any notice that is required to be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate under section 3601 of title 10, United States Code...shall be submitted pursuant to that requirement concurrently to the Subcommittees on Defense of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

69. Funding for U.S.-Israel missile defense programs

    This section sets aside $500 million for joint U.S.-Israel missile defense programs. Of that total, $20 million goes to Israel's Iron Dome system, which stops short-range rockets. Another $127 million funds the Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense program, which also covers cruise missile research. An additional $30 million supports building those systems in both the U.S. and Israel. The section sends $150 million to the Arrow 3 upper-tier defense system, with all of it used for co-production in both countries. Finally, $173 million goes to the Arrow System Improvement Program to develop better long-range detection tools on the ground and in the air.

    Who this affects

    U.S. defense contractors involved in co-production and Israeli defense programs. U.S. taxpayers fund the work, and Israel receives the defense systems.

    Tradeoff

    The funding supports a close U.S.-Israel defense relationship and American manufacturing jobs, but it also commits $500 million in taxpayer money to another country's defense needs.

    Show the exact bill text

    $500,000,000 shall be for the Israeli Cooperative Programs: Provided, That of this amount, $20,000,000 shall be for the Secretary of Defense to provide to the Government of Israel for the procurement of the Iron Dome defense system to counter short-range rocket threats

70. Navy shipbuilding cost overrun payments

    This section sets aside about $2.6 billion from the Navy's shipbuilding budget to pay for cost increases on ships that were ordered in earlier years. The ships covered include aircraft carriers, Virginia-class submarines, Columbia-class submarines, destroyers (DDG 51), amphibious transport ships, and fleet oilers. These are not new purchases. The money covers the gap between what ships were originally budgeted to cost and what they actually cost. The funds must be used by September 30, 2027.

    Who this affects

    The U.S. Navy and its shipbuilding contractors are directly affected. Taxpayers fund the cost overruns on ships ordered as far back as 2013.

    Tradeoff

    Paying these overruns keeps shipbuilding programs on track, but it uses funds that could otherwise go toward new ships or other defense needs.

    Show the exact bill text

    Of the amounts appropriated in this Act under the heading "Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy", $2,611,990,000 shall be available until September 30, 2027, to fund prior year shipbuilding costs increases for the following programs

71. Temporary authorization for intelligence funding

    This section treats money in this bill that goes to intelligence activities as officially authorized by Congress. That authorization lasts until a separate Intelligence Authorization Act for 2027 becomes law. Federal law (section 504 of the National Security Act) requires Congress to specifically approve intelligence spending. This section satisfies that requirement on a temporary basis so intelligence work can continue without a gap.

    Who this affects

    Federal intelligence agencies that receive funding through this Defense Department bill. The provision is in effect until a dedicated intelligence authorization law is passed.

    Tradeoff

    Intelligence agencies can keep operating without a funding gap, but the full congressional review process that a standalone Intelligence Authorization Act provides is delayed until that separate bill passes.

    Show the exact bill text

    Funds appropriated by this Act, or made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence activities and intelligence-related activities are deemed to be specifically authorized by the Congress for purposes of section 504 of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3094 ) until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027.

72. Limits on starting new programs with reprogrammed funds

    This section blocks the Department of Defense from moving money around to start a brand-new program, project, or activity. There is one exception: if the new program must begin right away for national security reasons. Even then, the Pentagon must first send written notice to the congressional defense committees before spending any money.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and the congressional defense committees. Taxpayers are also affected because it controls how defense funds can be redirected.

    Tradeoff

    Congress keeps tighter oversight over new spending, but the Pentagon loses some flexibility to quickly launch new efforts without going through a notification step.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided in this Act shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds that creates or initiates a new program, project, or activity unless such program, project, or activity must be undertaken immediately in the interest of national security and only after written prior notification to the congressional defense committees.

73. Ban on nuclear-armed missile defense interceptors

    This section blocks any money in the bill from being spent on nuclear-armed interceptors for missile defense systems. That covers the full range of activities: research, development, testing, evaluation, buying, and deploying such weapons. No funds can move forward on this type of interceptor at any stage.

    Who this affects

    The Department of Defense and any contractors or programs that might pursue nuclear-armed missile defense technology.

    Tradeoff

    This restriction keeps the U.S. from spending on a nuclear missile defense option, which some see as an unnecessary risk and others see as a missed capability.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds in this Act may be used for research, development, test, evaluation, procurement or deployment of nuclear armed interceptors of a missile defense system.

74. Navy ship construction cost adjustment transfers

    This section lets the Secretary of Defense move money between Navy accounts to cover unexpected cost increases in ship construction. These increases can come from inflation, market price swings, or rate changes. The Secretary can move up to $40 million total under this rule. Before any transfer happens, Congress must be notified and given 30 days to respond, unless Congress replies sooner. Moved funds keep the same spending deadline they had originally. This transfer authority is separate from other transfer powers in the bill. The authority expires on September 30, 2031.

    Who this affects

    The Department of the Navy and its ship construction programs are directly affected. Taxpayers and Congress are also affected, since this shifts how already-approved funds are spent.

    Tradeoff

    This gives the Navy flexibility to cover cost increases quickly, but it allows up to $40 million to be redirected from other Navy accounts without new congressional approval.

    Show the exact bill text

    The Secretary of Defense may transfer funds from any available Department of the Navy appropriation (except military construction) to any available Navy ship construction appropriation for the purpose of liquidating necessary changes resulting from inflation, market fluctuations, or rate adjustments for any ship construction program appropriated in law

75. Protection of hurricane hunter squadron funding

    This section blocks the use of any funds in this bill to shrink or shut down the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, an Air Force Reserve unit that flies into hurricanes to collect weather data. The restriction applies only if cutting the unit would reduce its WC-130 aircraft weather mission below the level this bill funds. Outside of hurricane season, the Air Force is allowed to use the squadron for other national defense missions.

    Who this affects

    The Air Force Reserve and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are directly affected. People in hurricane-prone areas also benefit, because the squadron gathers storm data used in forecasts.

    Tradeoff

    The squadron is protected from cuts, which keeps hurricane tracking capacity intact, but limits the Pentagon's flexibility to reallocate those resources elsewhere.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated or made available in this Act shall be used to reduce or disestablish the operation of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the Air Force Reserve, if such action would reduce the WC–130 Weather Reconnaissance mission below the levels funded in this Act

76. Foreign intelligence information use limits

    This section blocks Pentagon funds from being used to combine or share foreign intelligence information unless that information was collected legally. It also requires that any information about U.S. citizens or residents be handled under the privacy rules of the Fourth Amendment. The specific rules come from Executive Order 12333, which sets standards for how intelligence agencies collect and use information. In short, the Defense Department cannot use its budget to work with intelligence data that was gathered improperly.

    Who this affects

    U.S. persons (citizens and legal residents) whose information may appear in foreign intelligence reports. Defense Department agencies and contractors that work with intelligence data.

    Tradeoff

    This rule protects privacy and limits use of improperly gathered data, but it may also slow down the sharing of intelligence when the legal status of collection is unclear.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided in this Act shall be available for integration of foreign intelligence information unless the information has been lawfully collected and processed during the conduct of authorized foreign intelligence activities

77. Time limits on intelligence office spending

    This section sets rules on how long money given to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence can be used. Most of that money must be spent within the current fiscal year. It cannot be saved or moved to future years. There is one exception: funds set aside for research and technology can be used until September 30, 2028. This gives the office more time to carry out longer research projects.

    Who this affects

    The Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the programs it runs. Contractors or researchers working on intelligence research and technology projects may also be affected.

    Tradeoff

    Limiting most funds to one year keeps tighter control over spending, but research projects often take longer than one year, so the exception for research funds gives the office more flexibility at the cost of less near-term oversight.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated by this Act for programs of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year, except for funds appropriated for research and technology, which shall remain available until September 30, 2028.

78. Navy shipbuilding funds: spending flexibility rule

    This section sets a special rule for Navy shipbuilding money. Normally, leftover funds from a closed budget account can only be used for very specific purposes. This section says that any Navy shipbuilding sub-account from this bill counts as the same purpose as any Navy shipbuilding sub-account from a prior year. That means old, leftover shipbuilding money can be used more flexibly across different ship programs. However, the total amount spent from those old funds still cannot exceed 1 percent of the original appropriation.

    Who this affects

    The Navy and the Department of Defense. It affects how shipbuilding budget managers can use leftover money from prior-year accounts.

    Tradeoff

    This gives the Navy more flexibility to cover cost overruns across ship programs, but it caps that flexibility at 1 percent of the total appropriation to limit open-ended spending.

    Show the exact bill text

    any subdivision of appropriations made in this Act under the heading Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy shall be considered to be for the same purpose as any subdivision under the heading Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy appropriations in any prior fiscal year, and the 1 percent limitation shall apply to the total amount of the appropriation.

79. Intelligence budget baseline reporting before fund transfers

    This section requires the Director of National Intelligence to send a detailed budget report to Congress within 60 days after the law takes effect. The report must show how money was requested, how Congress changed it, and what was actually approved. It must break down spending by center and project, and flag items of special interest to Congress. Until that report is submitted, no National Intelligence Program money can be moved or transferred to different uses. The only exception is if the Director certifies in writing that an emergency requires the transfer.

    Who this affects

    The Director of National Intelligence and the agencies funded under the National Intelligence Program are directly affected. Congressional intelligence committees gain oversight over how intelligence funds are moved.

    Tradeoff

    Congress gets more visibility into intelligence spending before money is shifted around, but urgent transfers could be delayed until the report is filed unless an emergency is declared.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided for the National Intelligence Program in this Act shall be available for reprogramming or transfer until the report identified in subsection (a) is submitted to the congressional intelligence committees, unless the Director of National Intelligence certifies in writing to the congressional intelligence committees that such reprogramming or transfer is necessary as an emergency requirement.

80. Congressional notice required before shifting intelligence funds

    This section limits how National Intelligence Program money can be moved around without telling Congress first. Before officials can start a new program, cancel a program worth $10 million or more, or move money between accounts, they must notify the congressional intelligence committees 30 days ahead of time. The same 30-day notice is required if the total shifts in funding would change the levels set in a classified budget document. The notice period can be shortened if there is an urgent national security need.

    Who this affects

    Intelligence agency officials who manage National Intelligence Program budgets, and members of the congressional intelligence committees who oversee those budgets.

    Tradeoff

    The rule gives Congress more oversight over intelligence spending, but it can slow down budget moves that officials may consider urgent.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided for the National Intelligence Program in this or any prior appropriations Act shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming or transfer of funds...unless the congressional intelligence committees are notified 30 days in advance of such reprogramming of funds; this notification period may be reduced for urgent national security requirements.

81. Public posting of agency reports

    Any agency that gets money from this bill must post required reports on its public website. The agency head decides if posting serves the national interest. There are two exceptions: reports that could harm national security, and reports with private business information. Before posting, the agency must wait at least 45 days after giving the report to the relevant congressional committees.

    Who this affects

    Federal agencies funded by this bill and the public who may want to read those reports. Congressional committees also have a role, since they receive reports first.

    Tradeoff

    More public access to government reports is weighed against the risk of sharing sensitive national security or business information.

    Show the exact bill text

    Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if— (1) the public posting of the report compromises national security; or (2) the report contains proprietary information.

82. Ban on forced arbitration of sexual harassment and civil rights claims in defense contracts

    This section blocks the use of Defense Department funds for contracts over $1 million unless the contractor agrees to two things. First, the contractor cannot require workers or independent contractors to sign agreements forcing them to settle civil rights or sexual assault claims through private arbitration instead of court. Second, the contractor cannot enforce any existing agreements that already require such arbitration. The same rules apply to subcontractors on contracts over $1 million. The Secretary of Defense can waive these rules for a specific contract if national security would be harmed. Any waiver decision must be sent to Congress and made public at least 15 business days before the contract is awarded.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors and subcontractors with contracts over $1 million, and the employees or independent contractors who work for them.

    Tradeoff

    Workers on large defense contracts gain the right to take civil rights and sexual harassment claims to court, but contractors lose the option to use private arbitration for those disputes, which some argue is faster and cheaper.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be expended for any Federal contract for an amount in excess of $1,000,000, unless the contractor agrees not to— (1) enter into any agreement with any of its employees or independent contractors that requires, as a condition of employment, that the employee or independent contractor agree to resolve through arbitration any claim under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or any tort related to or arising out of sexual assault or harassment

83. Funding transfer for a shared military and veterans health center

    This section sets aside up to $174 million from Defense Department operation and maintenance funds. That money can be moved into a shared fund used by both the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The money supports the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. That center combines a VA medical center, a Navy clinic, and related facilities into one joint federal health site. The section also allows extra funds to be transferred later, as long as the Secretary of Defense notifies the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in writing first.

    Who this affects

    Active-duty military personnel and veterans who use the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois. It also involves both the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Tradeoff

    Pooling funds in one shared account can improve care at joint facilities, but it reduces how much Congress directly controls each dollar transferred.

    Show the exact bill text

    up to $174,000,000, shall be available for transfer to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund

84. Armored and passenger vehicle purchase limits for Defense

    This section lets the Defense Department spend more money per vehicle than normal rules allow. It sets a cap of $700,000 for armored vehicles used to protect people or forces. It sets a cap of $75,000 for regular passenger vehicles used by military and civilian staff in the U.S. Central Command area. All vehicles must be made in the United States. The President can waive that requirement if it is judged necessary.

    Who this affects

    Military and civilian Defense Department employees working in the U.S. Central Command region. It also affects U.S. and foreign vehicle manufacturers who may compete for these contracts.

    Tradeoff

    Allowing higher spending per vehicle may improve security and meet operational needs, but it also raises costs compared to standard government vehicle purchase limits.

    Show the exact bill text

    heavy and light armored vehicles for the physical security of personnel or for force protection purposes up to a limit of $700,000 per vehicle; and (2) passenger motor vehicles up to a limit of $75,000 per vehicle for use by military and civilian employees of the Department of Defense in the United States Central Command area of responsibility

85. Intelligence funding transfer authority

    This section lets the Director of National Intelligence move up to $1.5 billion within the National Intelligence Program budget. The move requires approval from the Office of Management and Budget. It can only be used for higher-priority needs that were not foreseen when the budget was set. The money cannot be moved to fund anything Congress already rejected. Any requests to move funds multiple times must be submitted before June 30, 2027.

    Who this affects

    The Director of National Intelligence and the agencies that receive National Intelligence Program funding. Taxpayers and Congress are also affected, since funds can shift from their original purpose.

    Tradeoff

    This authority gives intelligence leaders flexibility to respond to surprise needs, but it also lets officials redirect large sums away from what Congress originally approved.

    Show the exact bill text

    the Director may, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, transfer not to exceed $1,500,000,000 of the funds made available in this Act for the National Intelligence Program

86. Funding for strategic sealift ships

    This section sets aside $350 million from Navy shipbuilding funds. The money can be used to buy strategic sealift vessels. These are large cargo ships kept ready to move military equipment and supplies in an emergency. The funds go into the National Defense Reserve Fleet, a government-owned fleet of standby ships. The money stays available through September 30, 2031. It can also reimburse a related program at the Department of Transportation called the Ready Reserve Force. One rule is added: these funds cannot be moved into the National Defense Sealift Fund, which is a separate account normally used for this kind of spending.

    Who this affects

    The U.S. Navy and the Maritime Administration at the Department of Transportation are directly affected. Military logistics planners who rely on sealift capacity to move troops and equipment overseas are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    This section provides dedicated money for emergency cargo ships, but it limits spending flexibility by blocking the transfer of these funds into the account normally used to manage sealift programs.

    Show the exact bill text

    none of these funds shall be transferred to the National Defense Sealift Fund for execution.

87. Public posting of Defense Department grant awards

    This section requires the Secretary of Defense to post all grant awards on a public website. The information must be searchable, meaning anyone can look up specific grants online. This applies to grants the Defense Department gives out. The goal is to make spending more visible to the public.

    Who this affects

    The Defense Department must comply with this rule. Members of the public, researchers, and journalists gain the ability to search and view grant award information.

    Tradeoff

    Greater public transparency into how grant money is spent comes with the cost of staff time and resources needed to maintain and update the searchable website.

    Show the exact bill text

    The Secretary of Defense shall post grant awards on a public website in a searchable format.

88. Limits on NSA surveillance of U.S. persons

    This section blocks the National Security Agency (NSA) from using any money in this bill for two specific actions. First, it cannot use a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 acquisition to target a U.S. person. Second, it cannot collect, watch, or store the contents of a U.S. person's electronic communications (such as emails or messages) from a public provider under FISA Section 501. In short, NSA funds from this bill cannot be spent to gather the actual content of Americans' digital messages through these two legal authorities.

    Who this affects

    U.S. persons (citizens and legal residents) whose electronic communications might otherwise be collected. The NSA is directly restricted in how it can spend these funds.

    Tradeoff

    This restriction adds a privacy protection for Americans, but it may limit intelligence tools the NSA uses when investigating foreign threats that involve U.S. persons.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the National Security Agency to— (1) conduct an acquisition pursuant to section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 for the purpose of targeting a United States person; or (2) acquire, monitor, or store the contents...of any electronic communication of a United States person from a provider of electronic communication services to the public pursuant to section 501 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

89. Block unauthorized transfers of Defense programs to other agencies

    This section stops any Defense Department employee from moving a program, project, or activity to a different federal agency without Congress first approving it. If an employee approves or carries out such a move without that approval, their salary cannot be paid with funds from this law or any other law. There are two exceptions: transfers already spelled out in Defense appropriations acts, and transfers in supplemental Defense spending bills are still allowed.

    Who this affects

    Officers and employees of agencies funded by this Defense appropriations act. Any federal program, project, or activity currently financed through this act could be affected if a transfer is attempted.

    Tradeoff

    The section keeps Congress in control of how Defense programs are organized, but it also limits the flexibility of agency leaders to reorganize or streamline operations on their own.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds made available in this or any other Act may be used to pay the salary of any officer or employee of any agency funded by this Act who approves or implements the transfer of administrative responsibilities or budgetary resources of any program, project, or activity financed by this Act to the jurisdiction of another Federal agency not financed by this Act without the express authorization of Congress

90. National Defense Reserve Fleet funding

    This section sets aside up to $881 million from Navy operation and maintenance funds for the National Defense Reserve Fleet. That fleet is a group of older cargo and support ships kept in storage that the U.S. can activate in a national emergency. The money can cover any costs related to running that fleet. It can also be used to pay back the Maritime Administration, a part of the Department of Transportation, for work it does on the fleet through its Ready Reserve Force program. The funds do not expire and can be spent until fully used.

    Who this affects

    The U.S. Navy and the Maritime Administration are the main agencies affected. Shipping and maritime contractors who maintain or operate reserve vessels may also be involved.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping a large reserve fleet ready costs significant money, but it provides a surge capacity of ships that could be needed in a major conflict or emergency.

    Show the exact bill text

    $881,029,000, to remain available until expended, may be used for any purposes related to the National Defense Reserve Fleet

91. U.S.-made parts required for Navy oilers and frigates

    This section sets rules on where certain ship parts must come from. For the TAO Fleet Oiler program (a class of fuel-supply ships), no funds in this bill can pay for new contracts that buy listed components from outside the United States. Those components include pumps, propulsion equipment, engines, reduction gears, propellers, shipboard cranes, spreaders, and anchor chains. This rule applies starting with the seventh ship in that program. For the Navy Frigate program, a similar rule covers a longer list of parts, including air circuit breakers, navigation chart systems, steering controls, lifeboats, and propulsion propellers. The Secretary of the Navy must also use U.S.-made propulsion engines and reduction gears in the Frigate program no later than the eleventh ship.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors who supply ship components, and the U.S. Navy's shipbuilding programs. Foreign manufacturers of the listed parts would be blocked from new contracts funded by this bill.

    Tradeoff

    Requiring U.S.-made parts may support domestic manufacturing jobs, but it could also raise costs or slow production if U.S. suppliers are limited or more expensive.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided in this Act for the TAO Fleet Oiler program shall be used to award a new contract that provides for the acquisition of the following components unless those components are manufactured in the United States: Auxiliary equipment (including pumps) for shipboard services; propulsion equipment (including engines, reduction gears, and propellers); shipboard cranes; spreaders for shipboard cranes; and anchor chains, specifically for the seventh and subsequent ships of the fleet.

92. U.S.-made parts required for certain Navy ship contracts

    This section limits how money in the bill can be spent on two Navy ship programs. The programs are the T-ARC(X) Cable Laying and Repair Ship and the T-AGOS(X) Oceanographic Surveillance Ship. The money covers early work like design studies, engineering, and drafting contract documents. No new contract for that work can be awarded unless it requires that all auxiliary equipment be made in the United States. Auxiliary equipment includes pumps and propulsion shafts.

    Who this affects

    Defense contractors and shipbuilders bidding on Navy ship design and development contracts. Companies that make pumps, propulsion shafts, and related equipment outside the United States would not qualify to supply those parts.

    Tradeoff

    Requiring U.S.-made parts may support domestic manufacturing jobs, but it could also raise costs or reduce the number of companies able to bid on the contracts.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided in this Act...may be used to award a new contract for such activities unless these contracts include specifications that all auxiliary equipment, including pumps and propulsion shafts, are manufactured in the United States.

93. Restriction on moving acquisition workforce funds to rapid prototyping

    This section blocks the Defense Department from moving money out of its Acquisition Workforce Development Account into rapid prototyping funds. The Acquisition Workforce Development Account pays for training and developing the people who manage defense contracts and purchases. The Rapid Prototyping Fund is used to quickly build and test new military technologies. This section says that no money from the workforce account can be shifted into the rapid prototyping fund or into any similar fund run by an individual military branch.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department budget managers who oversee acquisition workforce training funds. It also affects programs that use the Rapid Prototyping Fund for new technology development.

    Tradeoff

    Keeping the funds separate protects money for workforce training, but it limits the Pentagon's flexibility to redirect funds toward rapid technology development.

    Show the exact bill text

    No amounts credited or otherwise made available in this or any other Act to the Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account may be transferred to: (1) the Rapid Prototyping Fund established under section 804(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

94. Ban on government travel card use for gaming or adult entertainment

    This section blocks the use of government travel charge cards by Department of Defense military and civilian employees for two specific purposes. First, it bars spending on gaming. Second, it bars spending on entertainment that features topless or nude performers. These restrictions already exist in Department of Defense financial rules and an existing instruction. This section makes sure no appropriated funds from this bill can be used for those expenses.

    Who this affects

    All military service members and civilian employees of the Department of Defense who carry a government travel charge card.

    Tradeoff

    The restriction limits how employees can use government cards, but it applies rules that already exist in department policy.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for Government Travel Charge Card expenses by military or civilian personnel of the Department of Defense for gaming, or for entertainment that includes topless or nude entertainers or participants

95. Block pornography on government computer networks

    This section says that no money from this Act can be used to run or set up a computer network unless that network is built to block pornography websites. There is an exception for law enforcement agencies and for activities needed for national defense or intelligence. So police, prosecutors, courts, and certain defense and intelligence users are not covered by the block.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department offices and employees who use government computer networks. Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and national defense and intelligence workers are exempt.

    Tradeoff

    The rule adds a website-blocking requirement to all covered networks, which may improve content controls, but requires agencies to implement and maintain filtering systems at some cost and administrative effort.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network is designed to block access to pornography websites.

96. Limits on equipment transfers that hurt military readiness

    This section blocks the Secretary of Defense from spending any funds to hand over certain military equipment if doing so would hurt readiness. The restricted items include motorized vehicles, aircraft, and munitions beyond small arms and ceremonial ammunition. Operational military units and platforms are also covered. The Secretary must make a judgment call. If the transfer would weaken the readiness of the units or equipment involved, the spending is not allowed.

    Who this affects

    The Secretary of Defense and any military units or programs that might send or receive equipment. It also affects any foreign or domestic recipients who might otherwise receive such transfers.

    Tradeoff

    The restriction protects U.S. military readiness but may limit the ability to quickly supply allies or partners with heavy military equipment.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds provided for, or otherwise made available, in this or any other Act, may be obligated or expended by the Secretary of Defense to provide motorized vehicles, aviation platforms, munitions other than small arms and munitions appropriate for customary ceremonial honors, operational military units, or operational military platforms if the Secretary determines that providing such units, platforms, or equipment would undermine the readiness of such units, platforms, or equipment.

97. Blocking federal contracts for companies with unpaid taxes

    This section stops federal agencies from giving money or contracts to corporations that owe overdue federal taxes. The tax debt must have been officially assessed. All court and appeals options must be used up or expired. The company must not be paying the debt under an approved plan. The ban covers contracts, grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cooperation agreements. An agency can make an exception if it has reviewed whether to suspend or remove the company from federal contracting and decided that step is not needed to protect the government.

    Who this affects

    Corporations that owe overdue federal taxes and want to do business with the federal government. Federal agencies that award contracts, grants, or loans are also affected.

    Tradeoff

    The rule protects taxpayer money from going to tax-delinquent companies, but the exception process gives agencies flexibility that could be used inconsistently.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to any corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting such tax liability

98. Open software design requirement for Defense systems

    This section requires that any software built, bought, or run with Defense Department money follow a "modular open systems" design. That means the software must be built in separate, interchangeable parts. A key rule is that the government must own a middle layer that sits between the core software and any vendor-specific code. This applies to funds used for day-to-day operations, buying equipment, or research and development, covering fiscal year 2027 and earlier years.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department contractors and vendors who build or sell software to the military. It also affects government program offices that manage Defense software contracts.

    Tradeoff

    Open, modular software can make it easier to swap vendors and avoid lock-in, but it may increase upfront design costs and complexity for contractors.

    Show the exact bill text

    Any software developed, procured, or operated using covered funds shall adhere to a modular open systems approach as defined in section 4401 of title 10, United States Code, with a Government-owned interface layer that is separate from vendor-specific application logic.

99. Software and Digital Technology Pilot Programs funding limits

    This section sets rules for a specific pool of Defense Department money. That money can only be spent on nine named software pilot programs. These programs cover areas like cyber defense, military command systems, space tracking software, and weapons tools. The money can pay for research, testing, buying, building, updating, and running those programs. No new software pilot programs can be started with Defense funds in fiscal year 2027.

    Who this affects

    Defense Department offices and contractors that run or want to start military software programs. Any team hoping to launch a new software pilot program in 2027 is blocked from doing so.

    Tradeoff

    Limiting funds to nine named programs keeps spending focused and easier to track, but it prevents the military from starting any new software pilot efforts during 2027.

    Show the exact bill text

    None of the funds appropriated by this or prior Department of Defense Appropriations Acts may be obligated or expended to initiate additional Software and Digital Technology Pilot Programs in fiscal year 2027.

100. Block on moving the National Reconnaissance Office into Space Force

     This section stops any money in this bill from being used to transfer the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) into the Space Force. The NRO is the agency that builds and runs U.S. spy satellites. It would stay as a separate organization under current law. The section also makes clear that this block does not stop the NRO from working together with the Space Force or other parts of the Defense Department.

     Who this affects

     The National Reconnaissance Office and the Space Force are directly affected. Defense planners who want to reorganize these agencies are also affected.

     Tradeoff

     Keeping the NRO separate preserves its current structure, but it also prevents any reorganization that might create closer ties or reduce overlap with the Space Force.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to transfer the National Reconnaissance Office to the Space Force

101. Ban on funding for torture

     This section blocks any money in the bill from being used to break U.S. anti-torture laws. Those laws carry out the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The specific rules covered include the federal criminal ban on torture, rules about not sending people to countries where they face torture, and earlier Defense Department rules against cruel treatment. In short, no Defense funds can go toward actions that violate these laws.

     Who this affects

     U.S. military personnel, Defense Department contractors, and any government officials who handle detainees or transfers of people in custody.

     Tradeoff

     The section reinforces existing legal limits on treatment of detainees, but adds no new penalties or enforcement tools beyond what current law already provides.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available in this Act may be used in contravention of the following laws enacted or regulations promulgated to implement the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

102. Ban on aid to the Azov Battalion

     This section blocks any money from this defense bill from being used to help the Azov Battalion. The ban covers weapons, training, and any other form of assistance. The Azov Battalion is a Ukrainian military unit that has faced scrutiny over past ties to far-right groups.

     Who this affects

     This affects U.S. defense and military assistance programs. It applies to any agency or program that could otherwise send arms, training, or support to the Azov Battalion.

     Tradeoff

     The restriction prevents U.S. funds from reaching a specific unit, but it also limits the flexibility of military planners who decide how to allocate aid.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to provide arms, training, or other assistance to the Azov Battalion.

103. Accepting foreign contributions for defense assistance

     This section lets the Defense Secretary accept money, property, and services from foreign governments and other groups. These contributions can be used to provide military assistance under a 2016 law. The money can also replace weapons given to certain partner forces, or recover equipment already provided to them. Before giving support to some groups, the Defense Secretary must consult Congress. The Secretary must also notify Congress in writing when contributions are received and when they are spent, including where the money came from and how it will be used. Notifications must include a timeline for delivering equipment and note if any items need special tracking. Cash contributions go into a Defense-wide account and stay available for two fiscal years. The Secretary must send quarterly reports to Congress on how these funds are used.

     Who this affects

     Foreign governments and other entities that contribute funds or goods. U.S. partner forces and groups receiving military assistance under the 2016 law.

     Tradeoff

     Allowing outside contributions gives the Defense Department more resources for partner assistance, but it requires accepting foreign funds and obligates the department to detailed reporting and congressional oversight.

     Show the exact bill text

     The Secretary of Defense may, in this fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, accept and retain contributions, including money, personal property, and services, from foreign governments and other entities, to carry out assistance authorized by section 1250 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

104. Advance spending for Kuwait defense contributions

     This section lets the Department of Defense spend up to $350 million before it actually receives the money. The spending must be for combined defense activities with Kuwait, as described in federal law (10 U.S.C. 2350j(c)). Kuwait is the only government allowed to provide these contributions. Once Kuwait pays, the money goes back into the same budget account that was used to cover the costs.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and the government of Kuwait. U.S. taxpayers backstop the spending until Kuwait pays.

     Tradeoff

     This allows defense activities to begin quickly without waiting for Kuwait's payment, but it means U.S. funds are at risk if Kuwait does not pay as expected.

     Show the exact bill text

     the Department of Defense is authorized to incur obligations of not to exceed $350,000,000 for purposes specified in section 2350j(c) of title 10, United States Code, in anticipation of receipt of contributions, only from the Government of Kuwait

105. Funding for international security cooperation programs

     This section sets aside about $1.45 billion from Defense-Wide Operation and Maintenance funds. The money goes to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. It can be used to help foreign military forces, groups, or individuals with counterterrorism, crisis response, or capacity-building programs. The funds stay available through September 30, 2028. Before spending any of the money, the Secretary of Defense must give written notice to key congressional committees at least 15 days ahead of time. The Secretary must also send those committees quarterly reports on how the money is being used.

     Who this affects

     Foreign security forces and partner groups receiving U.S. security assistance are directly affected. U.S. taxpayers fund the programs, and Congress receives oversight reports.

     Tradeoff

     The funding supports U.S. partnerships and counterterrorism efforts abroad, but it commits over $1 billion in taxpayer money to foreign groups, with oversight relying on advance notices and quarterly reports rather than direct congressional approval of each action.

     Show the exact bill text

     the Secretary of Defense shall, not less than 15 days prior to obligating funds made available in this section, notify the congressional defense committees in writing of the details of any planned obligation

106. Security aid funding for Jordan and other partners

     This section sets aside $271 million from Defense Department funds for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The money stays available through September 30, 2028. It can be used for specific types of security support listed in a 2016 defense law. At least $150 million of it must go to Jordan. Before spending any of this money, the Secretary of Defense must give Congress written notice at least 15 days in advance. The Secretary must also send quarterly reports to House and Senate appropriations committees on how the money is being used.

     Who this affects

     The Defense Security Cooperation Agency manages the funds. Jordan and other foreign partner countries receive the security support. Congress receives notice and reports.

     Tradeoff

     Providing advance notice and quarterly reports gives Congress oversight, but the 15-day waiting period could slow the response to urgent security needs.

     Show the exact bill text

     not less than $150,000,000 shall be for Jordan: Provided, That the Secretary of Defense shall, not less than 15 days prior to obligating funds made available under this section, notify the congressional defense committees in writing

107. War Powers Resolution compliance

     This section blocks any money in this bill from being used in a way that breaks the War Powers Resolution. That law limits how the President can send U.S. armed forces into combat without Congress approving it. The President must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops. Forces must come home within 60 days unless Congress acts. This section uses the spending bill to reinforce that rule.

     Who this affects

     The executive branch and the military are directly affected. Congress also has a stake because this protects its role in decisions about armed conflict.

     Tradeoff

     This provision reinforces congressional oversight of military deployments, but it does not add new penalties beyond cutting off funding if the rule is broken.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of the War Powers Resolution ( 50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq. ).

108. Ban on funding military training that uses child soldiers

     This section blocks certain Pentagon funds from going to countries that already break child soldier rules. Specifically, it covers three types of aid: surplus U.S. military equipment, security cooperation training under federal law, and peacekeeping support. None of that money can pay for any military training or operation that includes child soldiers. The Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 defines what counts as a child soldier. There is one exception: if a separate part of that same law (section 404) allows the aid, it can still go forward.

     Who this affects

     Countries on the annual list of child soldier violators, and any foreign military units that include child soldiers. U.S. defense and foreign assistance programs that fund those countries are also affected.

     Tradeoff

     Blocking this funding may limit U.S. military influence in countries that use child soldiers, but it also prevents U.S. dollars from supporting those practices.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act for excess defense articles, assistance under section 333 of title 10, United States Code, or peacekeeping operations for the countries designated annually to be in violation of the standards of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 may be used to support any military training or operation that includes child soldiers

109. Ban on funds for Taliban members

     This section blocks any money from this law from going to any member of the Taliban. No Defense Department funds provided by this act can be used to pay, support, or benefit a Taliban member in any way.

     Who this affects

     Any Taliban member who might otherwise receive U.S. Defense Department money. It also affects U.S. military and government personnel who manage those funds.

     Tradeoff

     The ban prevents any accidental or intentional payments to Taliban members, but it also removes flexibility for commanders in cases where small payments might serve a specific U.S. military purpose.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be made available for any member of the Taliban.

110. Rules for transferring funds to friendly foreign countries

     This section sets a rule for a specific type of money transfer. Sometimes the U.S. gives funds to friendly foreign countries to help them run military operations that the U.S. is not directly part of. This section says those transfers must follow the same rules as Section 8005 of this Act. Section 8005 is a standard transfer authority section that sets limits and approval steps for moving money between accounts. By pointing to Section 8005, this section adds oversight and caps to these foreign-support transfers. It applies no matter what other laws might say.

     Who this affects

     U.S. military and Pentagon officials who manage funds sent to friendly foreign nations. It also affects those foreign governments that receive U.S. support for operations the U.S. does not directly join.

     Tradeoff

     Adding this oversight step makes transfers more controlled and traceable, but it may also slow down the process of getting funds to allies quickly.

     Show the exact bill text

     any transfer of funds, appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act, for support to friendly foreign countries in connection with the conduct of operations in which the United States is not participating...shall be made in accordance with section 8005 of this Act.

111. Ban on contracts with Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport

     This section stops the Department of Defense from doing business with Rosoboronexport, a Russian government arms company, or any of its subsidiaries. No contracts, agreements, grants, loans, or loan guarantees are allowed. The Secretary of Defense can issue a waiver, but only after consulting the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence. To grant a waiver, the Secretary must certify in writing to Congress that three things have happened: Rosoboronexport stopped sending weapons to Syria and stopped maintaining Syria's weapons, Russian forces left Ukraine, and Russian agents stopped working to destabilize eastern Ukraine. If a waiver is issued, the Department of Defense Inspector General must review it and report findings to Congress within 90 days.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and any U.S. officials who might otherwise contract with Rosoboronexport are directly affected. Indirectly, it affects Rosoboronexport and its subsidiaries, who are blocked from receiving U.S. defense funds.

     Tradeoff

     The ban protects against funding a Russian arms exporter, but it removes flexibility for Defense officials who might otherwise see a business arrangement as useful, unless strict geopolitical conditions are met.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act may be used by the Secretary of Defense, or any other official or officer of the Department of Defense, to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, or make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to Rosoboronexport or any subsidiary of Rosoboronexport.

112. Reporting foreign government contributions to U.S. military operations

     This section requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress whenever a foreign government sends money to support U.S. troops or military operations. The report must arrive within 30 days of receiving the funds. It must state the amount, the purpose, and the legal authority used to accept the money. Then, at least 15 days before spending those funds, the Secretary must send a second notice explaining how the money will be used. That notice must also say whether the funds support existing activities or new ones.

     Who this affects

     The Secretary of Defense must comply with these reporting rules. Congressional defense committees receive the notices and can review how foreign funds are used.

     Tradeoff

     Congress gains more visibility into foreign funding of U.S. military activities, but the requirement adds reporting steps that could slow how quickly those funds are put to use.

     Show the exact bill text

     not fewer than 15 days prior to obligating such funds, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees in writing a notification of the planned use of such contributions, including whether such contributions would support existing or new stationing or operations of the United States Armed Forces.

113. Quarterly reports on unplanned military activities over $5 million

     This section requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to send a report to Congress every quarter. The report must cover any unplanned military activities or exercises that cost more than $5 million in operation and maintenance funds. Each report must include the title, date, and location of each activity. It must also name the military department and units involved, with an estimate of how many people took part. The report must break down the total cost by budget line item, such as transportation. It must also give a short explanation of what the activity was meant to accomplish. The report must be submitted without classification, but can include a separate classified section if needed.

     Who this affects

     The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Secretaries and Chiefs of each military branch must produce these reports. Congress receives them to help oversee how defense funds are spent.

     Tradeoff

     Congress gains more visibility into unplanned military spending, but the reporting requirement adds work for military leadership each quarter.

     Show the exact bill text

     the total cost of the activity or exercise, by budget line item (with a breakdown by cost element such as transportation)

114. Defense CHIPS fund allocation and oversight

     This section directs how the Defense Department handles money from the CHIPS for America Defense Fund for 2027. Within 45 days of the law passing, the Secretary of Defense must send the money to specific accounts and projects listed in an attached report. The President cannot move any new CHIPS defense money while a temporary funding bill (continuing resolution) is in effect for the Defense Department. The Secretary can move money between projects, but only to support domestic semiconductor programs required by a 2021 defense law. Every three months, the Defense Department must report to Congress on how the money is being spent, including any unspent funds.

     Who this affects

     The Defense Department, the President, and companies or programs receiving semiconductor funding. Congress receives quarterly spending reports.

     Tradeoff

     Tighter congressional control over CHIPS defense spending limits the executive branch's flexibility to shift funds quickly.

     Show the exact bill text

     Within 45 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall allocate amounts made available from the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Defense Fund for fiscal year 2027 pursuant to the transfer authority in section 102(b)(1) of the CHIPS Act of 2022

115. Notification required for opening or closing foreign military bases

     This section requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress within 15 days any time a foreign base is opened or closed. The rule covers all bases abroad where U.S. troops are stationed or operating. It includes temporary bases, permanent bases, and bases owned by foreign countries. The written notification must also explain any changes in personnel, costs, and savings tied to the opening or closing.

     Who this affects

     The Secretary of Defense must act on this rule. Congressional defense committees receive the notifications. U.S. military personnel stationed at foreign bases are also affected.

     Tradeoff

     Congress gets faster oversight of military base changes abroad, but the Pentagon must meet a strict 15-day deadline even in fast-moving situations.

     Show the exact bill text

     Not later than 15 days after the date on which any foreign base that involves the stationing or operations of the United States Armed Forces, including a temporary base, permanent base, or base owned and operated by a foreign country, is opened or closed, the Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional defense committees in writing of the opening or closing of such base

116. Ban on permanent U.S. bases in Iraq and control of Iraqi or Syrian oil

     This section blocks all federal funds from being used for two specific purposes. First, the U.S. government cannot build or set up any permanent military base in Iraq. Second, the U.S. government cannot take control of any oil resources in Iraq or Syria. These restrictions apply to money from this bill and from any other federal law.

     Who this affects

     U.S. military and government agencies that operate in Iraq or Syria. It also affects any contractors or entities that might receive federal funds for these purposes.

     Tradeoff

     The ban limits future military and resource options in the region, but it also prevents the use of public funds for actions that could be seen as long-term occupation or resource seizure.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act shall be obligated or expended by the United States Government for any of the following purposes: (1) To establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq. (2) To exercise United States control over any oil resource of Iraq or Syria.

117. Military support funding for Jordan

     This section allows up to $500 million from the Defense-Wide Operation and Maintenance budget to be spent supporting Jordan's armed forces. The money comes from funds already set aside for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. That agency manages U.S. security assistance to other countries. The section sets a ceiling on spending but does not require all $500 million to be used.

     Who this affects

     The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages the funds. Jordan's military, which would receive the support.

     Tradeoff

     This funding could strengthen a U.S. partner's military, but it redirects up to $500 million from the broader defense operations budget.

     Show the exact bill text

     Up to $500,000,000 of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency may be used to support the armed forces of Jordan.

118. Unlimited embryo storage for seriously injured active-duty service members

     This section updates a 2012 Defense Department policy on assisted reproductive services for active-duty service members who are seriously or severely injured. The original policy placed time limits on how long embryos could be frozen and stored. This section removes those time limits. Service members covered by the policy can now keep their embryos frozen for as long as they choose, with no expiration date set by the department.

     Who this affects

     Active-duty service members with Category II or III serious or severe injuries who use the military's assisted reproductive services program.

     Tradeoff

     Removing the storage time limit gives injured service members more flexibility, but the government may face higher long-term costs for storing embryos indefinitely.

     Show the exact bill text

     the limitation on periods regarding embryo cryopreservation and storage set forth in part III(G) and in part IV(H) of such memorandum shall not apply

119. F-35 aircraft test modifications

     This section lets the Secretary of Defense use money from this Act to modify up to nine F-35 fighter jets for testing. No more than three jets from each of the three F-35 variants can be modified. Before spending any money, the Secretary must get agreement from both the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Navy. The Secretary must also notify the relevant congressional committees at least 30 days before committing any funds. Any movement of money must follow the transfer rules set out elsewhere in this Act.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense, the Air Force, and the Navy are directly involved. Taxpayers fund the modifications through this appropriations bill.

     Tradeoff

     Allowing test modifications gives the military flexibility to improve the F-35, but it requires spending procurement or research funds on aircraft that may not be returned to standard combat use.

     Show the exact bill text

     The Secretary of Defense may obligate funds made available by this Act for procurement or for research, development, test and evaluation for the F–35 Joint Strike Fighter to modify up to nine F–35 aircraft, including up to three F–35 aircraft of each variant, for any test configuration

120. Ban on funding for alternative F-35 engine

     This section blocks all federal money from being used to add an alternative engine to any F-35 fighter jet. The ban applies to funds from this bill and from any other law. Right now, the F-35 uses one engine made by one company. This section prevents the government from spending money to fit a different engine into the aircraft.

     Who this affects

     Defense contractors that might compete to build an alternative F-35 engine are affected. The military and taxpayers are also affected because this limits engine supplier options.

     Tradeoff

     Blocking this spending avoids the cost of developing and integrating a second engine, but it also removes the possibility of competition between engine makers, which could otherwise lower costs or improve performance over time.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act may be obligated to integrate an alternative engine on any F–35 aircraft.

121. Rapid military supply purchases

     This section lets the Secretary of Defense spend up to $650 million from this law's funds to buy supplies and support services quickly in urgent situations. The purchases must fall under specific legal categories set in federal law. One category is capped at $50 million. A separate purpose tied to a 2024 defense law is capped at $100 million. Every time the Secretary uses this authority, Congress must be told promptly.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and its suppliers are directly affected. Congressional defense committees receive notifications of each use.

     Tradeoff

     Faster purchasing can meet urgent military needs more quickly, but it reduces the normal competitive bidding process that helps control costs.

     Show the exact bill text

     The Secretary of Defense may use up to $650,000,000 of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act to the Department of Defense for the rapid acquisition and deployment of supplies and associated support services

122. Defense Innovation Unit flexible spending authority

     This section lets the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) use money from a research and development account in a more flexible way. Normally, research funds must stay within strict category rules. This section lifts that restriction for one specific budget line. DIU can use the money for a wide range of activities, from early research all the way to buying finished equipment for immediate use. However, none of the money can be spent until 15 days after the Secretary of Defense sends Congress a detailed plan explaining how it will be used.

     Who this affects

     The Defense Innovation Unit and the defense committees in Congress are directly involved. The broader public is affected to the extent that DIU projects shape how the military adopts new technology.

     Tradeoff

     Giving DIU more spending flexibility can speed up technology adoption, but it reduces the normal budget category controls that help Congress track how money is spent.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of these funds may be obligated or expended until 15 days after the Secretary of Defense provides the congressional defense committees a detailed execution plan for such funds.

123. Ban on funding for Wuhan Institute of Virology activities

     This section blocks any money from this defense spending bill from going to activities run by or linked to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a research lab in China. No Defense Department funds can support that lab in any way. This applies to direct payments and to any connected activities.

     Who this affects

     Any U.S. defense-funded program or researcher that might work with or fund the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The lab itself also cannot receive any support from these funds.

     Tradeoff

     The ban prevents U.S. defense money from reaching that lab, but it could also block any joint research or information-sharing that some scientists or officials might consider useful.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to support any activity conducted by, or associated with, the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

124. Funding ban on EcoHealth Alliance work in China

     This section blocks Defense Department money from being used for any work done by EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. in China that is supported by the Chinese government. There is one exception: the Secretary of Defense can issue a waiver if doing so serves U.S. national security. If a waiver is granted, the Secretary must notify the relevant congressional defense committees within 14 days. That notice must name the Defense Department office spending the money, state the amount, describe the purpose, identify who receives the funds, and explain why the waiver is in the national security interest.

     Who this affects

     EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. and any Defense Department office that might otherwise fund its China-based research. Congress is also affected because it receives required reports whenever a waiver is granted.

     Tradeoff

     The section restricts a specific organization's access to Defense funding in China, but it preserves flexibility by allowing the Secretary of Defense to override the ban with documented national security justification.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to fund any work to be performed by EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. in China on research supported by the government of China unless the Secretary of Defense determines that a waiver to such prohibition is in the national security interests of the United States

125. Ban on transferring Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil

     This section blocks any federal money from being used to move Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee from Guantanamo Bay to the United States. The ban covers transfers to all U.S. territories and possessions, not just the mainland. It applies to any non-U.S. citizen who is not a member of the U.S. military and who was held at Guantanamo Bay at any point on or after June 24, 2009. The restriction applies to funds from this bill and from any other law.

     Who this affects

     Non-U.S. citizen detainees held at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station. It also affects federal agencies that might otherwise act to transfer or release those detainees.

     Tradeoff

     The ban keeps detainees out of U.S. soil, but it also limits the President's and courts' options for resolving the legal status of long-held detainees.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be used to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who— (1) is not a United States citizen or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and (2) is or was held on or after June 24, 2009, at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by the Department of Defense.

126. Restriction on transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees

     This section blocks any money in the bill from being used to move detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. No detainee can be sent to their home country, another foreign country, or any foreign group. The only exception is if the transfer follows two specific laws. Those laws are from the 2016 and 2019 National Defense Authorization Acts. Both laws set strict conditions and reporting rules before any transfer can happen.

     Who this affects

     People currently held at the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It also affects Department of Defense officials who manage detainee transfers.

     Tradeoff

     This restriction keeps detainees at Guantanamo and limits the executive branch's flexibility to release them, but it also keeps a set of legal transfer options available under prior law.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used to transfer any individual detained at United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the custody or control of the individual's country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity except in accordance with section 1034 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

127. Ban on moving Guantanamo detainees to U.S. facilities

     This section blocks the use of any funds to build, buy, or change a facility inside the United States or its territories. The purpose of that block is to prevent housing Guantanamo detainees there. The ban covers non-U.S. citizens who were held at Guantanamo Bay as of June 24, 2009, and who are in Defense Department custody or detained there. Modifications to the Guantanamo facility itself are still allowed. This restriction applies to money from this bill and any other federal law.

     Who this affects

     Non-U.S. citizen detainees held at Guantanamo Bay as of June 24, 2009. It also affects the Defense Department, which cannot spend funds to prepare any U.S. soil facility for those detainees.

     Tradeoff

     The restriction keeps detainees out of U.S. facilities, but it limits the executive branch's options for managing or closing the Guantanamo detention operation.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be used to construct, acquire, or modify any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual described in subsection (c) for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or under the effective control of the Department of Defense.

128. Ban on closing Guantanamo Bay Naval Station

     This section blocks any money from this bill being used to close or reorganize the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. No funds can pay for planning, studies, or actions that would shut down or restructure the base. The restriction lasts as long as this appropriations act is in effect.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and any federal agency that might plan or carry out a closure or realignment of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station.

     Tradeoff

     Keeping the base open maintains a long-standing U.S. military presence in Cuba, but it prevents the executive branch from deciding on its own to close or reorganize the facility.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to carry out the closure or realignment of the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

129. Limit on selling or retiring U-2 spy planes

     This section blocks the use of any money from this bill to get rid of more than two U-2 aircraft. The U-2 is a high-altitude reconnaissance plane used by the Air Force. The military cannot sell, retire, or even plan to retire more than two of them. Any action to reduce the U-2 fleet beyond two planes is off-limits while this funding law is in effect.

     Who this affects

     The U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense are affected. Any plans to reduce the U-2 fleet must stop at no more than two aircraft.

     Tradeoff

     Keeping the U-2 fleet larger preserves a proven surveillance tool, but it also limits the military's ability to cut costs or shift resources to newer systems.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to divest or prepare to divest more than two U–2 aircraft.

130. Reporting on Defense spending from prior law

     This section requires the Secretary of Defense to send detailed spending plans to Congress each year. The plans must show how money from a prior law (Public Law 119-21) is being used. The reports must break down funds by account, program, and activity. They must also use standard budget documents called P-1, R-1, M-1, and O-1. Beyond the yearly reports, the Secretary must send quarterly updates. Those updates must show how much money is still unspent, committed, or unobligated. This continues until all the money from that prior law is fully spent.

     Who this affects

     The Secretary of Defense must produce the reports. Congressional Appropriations Committees in both the House and Senate receive them.

     Tradeoff

     More detailed reporting gives Congress better oversight of spending, but it also adds ongoing administrative work for the Department of Defense.

     Show the exact bill text

     the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate the following with respect to amounts made available by Public Law 119–21 until all such amounts have been expended

131. Next Generation Fighter program funding protection

     This section requires the Secretary of Defense to spend money on the Next Generation Fighter aircraft program. The money must be used to move the program forward faster toward its first operational use. The section also blocks the Department of Defense from using any federal funds, from this year or past years, to pause, cancel, or stop the program.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and the Navy are directly affected. Taxpayers fund the program, and defense contractors working on the aircraft are also affected.

     Tradeoff

     Locking in funding and blocking any pause or cancellation keeps the program on track but removes the Pentagon's ability to change course if costs rise or priorities shift.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds made available to the Department of Defense for this fiscal year or any prior fiscal year may be used to pause, cancel, or terminate the Next Generation Fighter program.

132. Offshore supply vessel program funding and expansion

     This section sets aside at least $125 million from Navy operations funds for a program that charters civilian offshore supply ships. At least $45 million keeps the existing program running. The program must have contracts lasting one year with up to four one-year renewal options, and at least two ships under charter at a time. An additional $80 million expands the program by chartering more ships, again with at least two vessels. All ships must be built in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and registered under U.S. law. The vessels must be able to carry nearly 500,000 gallons of fuel and offer up to 10,000 square feet of deck space for military gear and personnel. They must also be able to enter shallow ports in the Indo-Pacific region.

     Who this affects

     U.S.-owned and U.S.-built offshore supply vessel operators are eligible to receive charter contracts. The U.S. Navy and military personnel in the Indo-Pacific region are the end users of these logistics services.

     Tradeoff

     The program provides the Navy with flexible, civilian-crewed logistics ships in the Indo-Pacific, but it commits at least $125 million in public funds to multi-year charter contracts with private vessel owners.

     Show the exact bill text

     not less than $125,000,000 shall be made available for the continuation and expansion of the Platform (Offshore) Supply Vessel Program...such time charters shall use existing United States-built offshore supply vessels that are documented under the laws of the United States, owned by a citizen of the United States

133. Protection of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter program funding

     This section locks down money set aside for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter program. Funds for this program cannot be moved to pay for anything else. The Department of Defense also cannot use any current or past-year funds to pause, cancel, or end the program. It also cannot use funds to prepare to take any of those actions.

     Who this affects

     The Army and the Department of Defense are directly affected. Companies that build or support Black Hawk helicopters are also affected.

     Tradeoff

     The program is shielded from cuts or changes, but the Pentagon loses flexibility to move money if other needs arise.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds made available to the Department of Defense for this fiscal year or any prior fiscal year may be used to pause, cancel, or terminate the UH–60 Blackhawk aircraft program or to prepare to pause, cancel, or terminate such program.

134. E-7 Wedgetail aircraft program funding protection

     This section locks in funding for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft program. Money set aside for this program must be spent only on that program. It cannot be moved or shifted to other uses. No Defense Department funds from this year or prior years can be used to pause, cancel, or end the program. Funds also cannot be used to prepare for any of those actions.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and Air Force budget planners are affected. Taxpayers who fund defense spending are also affected.

     Tradeoff

     The program is shielded from cancellation or budget shifts, which provides continuity but limits the Pentagon's flexibility to redirect funds if priorities change.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds made available to the Department of Defense for this fiscal year or any prior fiscal year may be used to pause, cancel, or terminate the E–7 Wedgetail aircraft program or to prepare to pause, cancel, or terminate such program.

135. Taiwan Security Cooperation funding

     This section sets aside $1 billion from Defense-Wide Operation and Maintenance funds for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. The money stays available through September 30, 2028. The Secretary of Defense, with the Secretary of State agreeing, can use the funds to buy weapons, equipment, services, and military training for Taiwan. Any equipment bought but not yet sent to Taiwan can be counted as U.S. military stock, with written notice to Congress. Before spending any of the money, the Defense Department must give Congress 15 days written notice. The Defense Department must also send Congress quarterly reports on how the money is being used.

     Who this affects

     Taiwan receives military assistance. U.S. defense and state agencies manage and oversee the spending. Congress receives notifications and reports.

     Tradeoff

     The funding strengthens Taiwan's defense capacity, but it commits $1 billion in U.S. resources and may affect U.S. relations with other countries in the region.

     Show the exact bill text

     $1,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2028, shall be for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative: Provided, That such funds shall be available to the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to provide assistance, including new procurement of defense articles, services, and military education and training to Taiwan

136. Payment to Micronesia for military land in Yap

     This section lets the Secretary of Defense pay the Federated States of Micronesia up to $140 million. The money covers the cost of acquiring land for U.S. defense sites on the island of Yap. The funds come from the Navy's Operation and Maintenance budget already approved in the bill.

     Who this affects

     The U.S. Navy budget and the Federated States of Micronesia are directly affected. U.S. taxpayers fund the payment.

     Tradeoff

     The U.S. gains access to defense sites in a strategically located Pacific island, but spends up to $140 million from the Navy's operating budget to do so.

     Show the exact bill text

     the Secretary of Defense may reimburse the Federated States of Micronesia in an amount not to exceed $140,000,000 for land acquisition costs for defense sites in Yap.

137. Funding to replenish weapons and services sent to Taiwan

     This section sets aside $1 billion from Defense-Wide Operation and Maintenance funds. The money can be used in two ways. First, it can replace weapons and equipment taken from U.S. military stockpiles and given to Taiwan. Second, it can pay back the Defense Department for military services and training provided to Taiwan or to other countries that helped Taiwan at U.S. request. The funds are available until September 30, 2028. The money can be moved into other Defense Department accounts to buy new equipment or repair old equipment. Congress must be told about any such transfer at least 15 days before it happens. If any transferred funds turn out to be unneeded, they can be moved back to the original account.

     Who this affects

     The U.S. military, which gets its stockpiles replenished. Taiwan and allied countries that received U.S. defense support also benefit from this arrangement.

     Tradeoff

     The funding restores U.S. military readiness after transfers to Taiwan, but it commits up to $1 billion in defense spending over two years for that purpose.

     Show the exact bill text

     $1,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2028, may be used for replacement of defense articles and for reimbursement of defense services provided to or identified for provision to Taiwan

138. Protection of next-generation missile-warning satellite programs

     This section stops the Department of Defense from using any money to pause, cancel, or end two specific satellite programs. The programs are called Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Geosynchronous Earth Orbit and Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar. These are missile-warning satellites. The ban covers current-year funds and funds from any past year as well.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and the defense contractors working on these satellite programs are directly affected. Taxpayers who fund defense programs are also affected.

     Tradeoff

     Keeping these programs running ensures continued investment in missile-warning technology, but it removes the Pentagon's flexibility to redirect funds or change course if costs rise or priorities shift.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available to the Department of Defense for this fiscal year or any prior fiscal year may be used to pause, cancel, or terminate the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Geosynchronous Earth Orbit and the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar programs.

139. Limits on special military construction authority

     This section places restrictions on a special legal power found in section 2808a of federal law. That power lets the Defense Department carry out certain repair and construction projects. Under this section, the Defense Department can only use that power if the project is already approved by some other law. The funding used must also already be approved for that type of project. On top of that, the section blocks the transfer of any money from this bill, several other recent laws, or other military construction and veterans affairs bills into projects under that special power.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and any contractors or military bases involved in repair and construction projects funded by the listed laws.

     Tradeoff

     Restricting this authority limits the Pentagon's flexibility to redirect funds quickly, but also keeps Congress more in control of how military construction money is spent.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or prior Acts, by title I of division D of Public Law 119–37 or by any prior Act making appropriations for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, or by funds made available to the Department of Defense in Public Law 119–21 may be transferred pursuant to the authority in section 2808a of title 10, United States Code.

140. Restriction on selling or retiring F-15 aircraft

     This section blocks any money in the bill from being used to sell, retire, or prepare to retire F-15 fighter jets. There is one exception. The Secretary of Defense can move forward if they first certify to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees that replacement aircraft will keep the same total number of planes at the affected unit and maintain that unit's combat readiness.

     Who this affects

     The U.S. Air Force and any military unit currently flying F-15 aircraft. The Secretary of Defense must act before any divestment can begin.

     Tradeoff

     The section protects unit strength and readiness, but it may slow or block Pentagon plans to retire older aircraft and free up budget for newer programs.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to divest or prepare to divest any F-15 aircraft unless the Secretary of Defense certifies to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate that such aircraft will be replaced in a manner that maintains the current total aircraft assigned at a given unit and the readiness of such unit.

141. Restrictions on removing companies from Chinese military list

     This section blocks the use of any money from this bill to take a company off a specific list of Chinese military companies. That list was created by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. There is one exception: removal is allowed if it follows the rules already written into that law and if Congress gets written notice at least 15 days before the change happens.

     Who this affects

     Companies currently on the Chinese military company list and the Defense Department officials who manage that list.

     Tradeoff

     This rule gives Congress more oversight over the list, but it also makes it harder and slower to remove a company even if new information suggests it no longer belongs there.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to remove a Chinese military company from the list required by section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

142. Autonomous warfare and drone defense research funds

     This section sets aside money from the Defense-Wide Research, Development, Test and Evaluation budget for two specific programs: the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group and a joint task force focused on countering small drones. The money can be used for research, development, testing, buying equipment, and operating those systems. None of the money can be spent until 15 days after the Secretary of Defense gives Congress a detailed spending plan. The funds can also be moved to other defense budget accounts for existing programs. Before any such transfer happens, Congress must be notified at least 15 days in advance. This transfer authority is separate from any other transfer authority in the Act.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense, particularly the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group and the Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems joint task force. Congressional defense committees receive oversight notifications.

     Tradeoff

     This section gives the Pentagon flexibility to move and spend funds quickly on autonomous and drone defense programs, but requires advance notice to Congress before spending or transferring any of the money.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of these funds may be obligated or expended until 15 days after the Secretary of Defense provides the congressional defense committees a detailed execution plan for such funds

143. Pentagon investment sale proceeds go to Treasury

     This section requires the Defense Department to send any money it earns from selling stocks, stock warrants, or similar investments to the federal government's main account, called the general fund of the Treasury. The Defense Department cannot keep or reinvest those earnings on its own. Instead, the money flows into the common pool that Congress controls and can use for any government purpose.

     Who this affects

     The Defense Department is directly affected, as it loses control over proceeds from selling these investments. Taxpayers and Congress are affected because the money enters the shared federal budget rather than staying inside the Pentagon.

     Tradeoff

     Sending the money to the Treasury gives Congress broader control over how it is spent, but it also means the Defense Department cannot use those proceeds to fund its own programs or offset its own costs.

     Show the exact bill text

     Proceeds from the sale by the Secretary of Defense of any equity security, equity warrant, or similar instrument shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.

144. Regular Pentagon spending reports to Congress

     This section requires the Secretary of Defense to send detailed spending reports to the congressional defense committees. The first report is due within 180 days of the law passing. After that, reports must come at least every 60 days. Each report must cover two areas. First, it must show financial and contracting details for every unclassified Pentagon purchasing account, broken down to the sub-activity level. Second, it must show the same details for every unclassified research, development, testing, and evaluation account, broken down to the individual project level.

     Who this affects

     The Secretary of Defense must produce these reports. Members of the congressional defense committees receive them.

     Tradeoff

     More frequent, detailed reports give Congress better oversight of spending, but they also require ongoing staff time and resources from the Defense Department to prepare.

     Show the exact bill text

     Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 60 days thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report

145. Pentagon budget cut tied to AI and process improvements

     This section cuts the total Defense Department budget by $1 billion. The cut is meant to reflect expected savings from updating business processes and using artificial intelligence. However, the cut cannot come from the pay or expenses of civilian government workers. That means the $1 billion must come from other parts of the Defense budget.

     Who this affects

     The Defense Department overall, which must absorb a $1 billion reduction. Civilian federal employees are protected from cuts under this section.

     Tradeoff

     The cut assumes AI and process changes will save money, but if those savings do not appear, the Pentagon must find the $1 billion elsewhere in its budget.

     Show the exact bill text

     The total amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act is hereby reduced by $1,000,000,000 to reflect savings resulting from business process modernization and the deployment of artificial intelligence.

146. Shifting military oversight of Mexico from Northern Command to Southern Command

     Starting 180 days after this law is enacted, no money in this act can be used by U.S. Northern Command for activities involving Mexico. The only exception is work tied to a specific executive order about protecting U.S. territorial integrity. Any unspent funds previously set aside for Mexico-related work at Northern Command would move to U.S. Southern Command instead. This shift requires the President to approve an updated Unified Command Plan. However, the whole transfer can be blocked if the President decides the reassignment is not needed. In that case, the Secretary of Defense must send Congress a written explanation within 30 days. The section also makes clear it does not limit the President's authority as Commander in Chief.

     Who this affects

     U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command are directly affected. Military personnel and programs tied to Mexico-related operations would fall under new command authority.

     Tradeoff

     Moving oversight of Mexico to Southern Command could change how military resources and strategy are organized, but the President retains the power to block the shift and keep current arrangements in place.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the United States Northern Command may be used to carry out any activity with respect to Mexico, except for activities directly related to the planning and operational requirements established under Executive Order 14167

147. Ban on funding for UN Palestinian refugee agency

     This section blocks any money from this bill from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). UNRWA provides food, education, and health services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The ban applies only to funds in this specific Defense Appropriations Act.

     Who this affects

     UNRWA and the Palestinian refugees who rely on its services. It also affects any U.S. programs that might otherwise channel Defense funds through that agency.

     Tradeoff

     Blocking funds reduces U.S. financial support to the agency, which may limit services to Palestinian refugees, but supporters say it prevents U.S. money from going to an organization facing allegations of misconduct.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be made available for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

148. Guided Missile Battleship construction hold

     This section blocks the Navy from signing any construction contract for the first ship of a new Guided Missile Battleship program. The block stays in place until the Secretary of the Navy sends a written certification to Congress. That certification must confirm that the weapon systems planned for the ship have reached a high enough technology readiness level. Technology readiness levels are a standard scale used to measure how mature and tested a technology is before it goes into production.

     Who this affects

     The U.S. Navy and any defense contractors that might bid on building the lead Guided Missile Battleship. Taxpayers who fund defense programs are also indirectly affected.

     Tradeoff

     Requiring a technology maturity certification before construction can start may reduce the risk of cost overruns and delays, but it could also slow down the schedule for delivering the new warship.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract or other agreement that includes a scope of work for the construction of the lead ship of the Guided Missile Battleship program until the date on which the Secretary of the Navy certifies to the congressional defense committees that the weapon systems planned for inclusion in such lead ship are at a sufficiently mature technology readiness level.

149. Extra military readiness funding

     This section sets aside $2.95 billion for the Department of Defense. The money is on top of what is already in the rest of the bill. It can be moved into the day-to-day operating budgets of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, National Guard, and Reserve. The stated purpose is improving readiness. Before any of the money can be spent, the Secretary of Defense must give Congress a detailed plan. The plan must be submitted at least 30 days before spending begins.

     Who this affects

     All U.S. military branches, including the National Guard and Reserve. Congress also plays a role, since it must review the spending plan before funds are released.

     Tradeoff

     The funding adds money for military readiness, but it cannot be spent right away and requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a detailed plan to Congress first.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds provided under this section may be obligated or expended until 30 days after the Secretary of Defense provides the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a detailed execution plan for such funds.

150. Combatant commanders contingency fund

     This section sets aside $3.25 billion for the Department of Defense as a contingency fund. The money can be moved into military personnel accounts, day-to-day operating accounts, or Defense Working Capital Funds. It is meant to cover unexpected needs of the military's combatant commands. The Defense Secretary must give Congress an execution plan before any money is spent. There is a 30-day wait after that plan is delivered before funds can be used. The Secretary must also give Congress at least 15 days' notice before moving money from this fund. Once transferred, the funds follow the same rules and time limits as the account they move into. If any transferred money turns out not to be needed, it can be moved back into this contingency fund.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and its combatant commands (such as U.S. European Command or U.S. Indo-Pacific Command). Congressional defense committees must be notified before funds move.

     Tradeoff

     The fund gives the military quick access to money for unexpected needs, but Congress requires advance notice and an execution plan before any funds are spent or transferred.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds provided under this section may be obligated or expended until 30 days after the date that the Secretary of Defense provides to the congressional defense committees an execution plan

151. Extra Defense Department funding for industrial competition

     This section adds $2.75 billion to the Defense Department beyond what the rest of the bill provides. The money is meant to speed up testing, certifying, and managing technical data for defense products. The goal is to bring more companies into defense contracting. The Defense Secretary cannot spend any of this money until 15 days after giving a detailed spending plan to congressional appropriations committees. The Secretary can move the funds into other defense budget accounts covered by the bill. Before moving money, the Secretary must notify the relevant congressional committees at least 15 days in advance. This transfer power is separate from any other transfer authority in the bill.

     Who this affects

     Defense Department officials who manage contracts and certification programs. Companies that make or want to make products for the military.

     Tradeoff

     The extra money could bring more suppliers into the defense market, but it adds $2.75 billion in spending and relies on the Defense Secretary to plan and report how the funds are used.

     Show the exact bill text

     $2,750,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Defense for innovation, expansion, and acceleration of qualification and certification activities and technical data management to enhance competition in defense industrial base

152. Defense Department on-site computing infrastructure funding

     This section gives the Department of Defense an extra $5.25 billion for on-site computing hardware. The money can pay for servers, network equipment, storage, and related electronics. None of these funds can buy semiconductor products or services from certain foreign companies already restricted under a 2023 defense law. That ban applies even if a waiver was granted under that earlier law. The money cannot be spent until 30 days after the Defense Secretary gives Congress a detailed spending plan. The funds can also be moved into other parts of the defense budget for existing program needs, but Congress must be told at least 15 days before any such transfer happens.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and its contractors who supply computing hardware. Companies that make restricted semiconductors (as defined in the 2023 law) cannot receive any of these funds.

     Tradeoff

     The large investment can speed up military computing capacity, but spending is delayed until Congress reviews a plan, and the chip-purchase ban limits which suppliers can be used.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds provided under this section may be used to purchase covered semiconductor products or services as defined in subsection (j) of section 5949 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, regardless of whether or not a waiver has been issued under subsection (b) of such section

153. Freeze on Army Basic Combat Training moves

     This section blocks the use of any federal money to move, combine, or reorganize Army Basic Combat Training units. The ban applies to funds from this bill and from any other law. No Army Basic Combat Training unit can be relocated to a different base, merged with another unit, or restructured in any way while this restriction is in place.

     Who this affects

     Army Basic Combat Training units and the bases that host them. Communities near those bases may also be affected, since training units bring jobs and spending.

     Tradeoff

     The restriction protects current base communities from losing training missions, but it limits the Army's ability to reorganize training programs to meet changing needs or save money.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act may be used to carry out the relocation, consolidation, or realignment of any Army Basic Combat Training unit.

154. Ban on federal funds for fetal tissue research from induced abortions

     This section blocks any money from this law from being used for research with human fetal tissue. The block applies only when that tissue comes from an induced abortion. Research using fetal tissue from other sources, such as miscarriages, would not be affected by this rule.

     Who this affects

     Scientists and research institutions that receive Defense Department funding and conduct fetal tissue research. It also affects any DoD programs that support such research.

     Tradeoff

     This rule stops one type of federally funded research that some see as medically valuable, but it limits use of public money for research that others find ethically objectionable.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds provided in this Act may be used to conduct or support research using human fetal tissue if such tissue is obtained pursuant to an induced abortion.

155. Ban on funding for sex-change medical procedures

     This section blocks any money from this law from being spent on surgeries or hormone treatments done for the purpose of sex-change procedures. It applies to all funds covered by this Defense Department spending bill. No money from this act, whether directly appropriated or made available in another way, can pay for those treatments.

     Who this affects

     Military service members, their dependents, and any other individuals who would otherwise receive such medical care paid for by Defense Department funds.

     Tradeoff

     The restriction saves federal spending on these procedures but removes a medical coverage option for those in the military health system who seek such care.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for surgical procedures or hormone therapies for the purposes of sex-rejecting procedures.

156. Ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion funding

     This section blocks any money from this law from being spent on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work at the Department of Defense. That includes DEI training, programs, offices, staff positions, and policies. It also blocks funding for anything that promotes Critical Race Theory or ideas linked to it. The ban covers all forms of spending, whether directly appropriated or made available through other means.

     Who this affects

     Department of Defense employees, contractors, and anyone whose work involves DEI programs or related training within the DoD. It also affects offices and staff roles created to run those programs.

     Tradeoff

     Supporters say this removes spending they view as outside the military's core mission, while critics say it could eliminate workforce programs intended to address discrimination and improve unit cohesion.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, training, programs, offices, officers, policies, or any program, project, or activity that promotes or advances Critical Race Theory, or any concept associated with Critical Race Theory.

157. Ban on funds for certain foreign groups

     This section blocks any money from this spending bill from going to members of four named groups: Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Taliban. It applies to all funds in the bill, whether directly appropriated or made available through other means. No person who is a member of any of these groups may receive money under this law.

     Who this affects

     Anyone who is a member of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, or the Taliban. It also affects any program or agency that might otherwise direct funds to such individuals.

     Tradeoff

     The restriction prevents any accidental or indirect funding of these groups, but it does not define how membership is determined, which could create questions about enforcement.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available for any member of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, or the Taliban.

158. Restriction on certain events at military bases

     This section blocks the use of any funds from this law for events held on U.S. military bases or used in military recruiting programs if those events break the Department of Defense ethics rules or are seen as bringing discredit to the military. The section gives two specific examples: drag queen story hours for children and the use of drag queens as military recruiters. No money covered by this law can pay for planning, hosting, or supporting such events.

     Who this affects

     Military installations, military recruiters, and any groups or individuals who organize or take part in events on military property or in recruiting programs.

     Tradeoff

     The restriction limits how military funds can be used for public-facing events, which may prevent some community outreach activities while aiming to keep military programs within existing ethics guidelines.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to promote, host, facilitate, or support events on United States military installations or as part of military recruiting programs that violate the Department of Defense Joint Ethics Regulation or bring discredit upon the military, such as a drag queen story hour for children or the use of drag queens as military recruiters.

159. Block on a 2022 Pentagon policy memo

     This section bars the use of any money from this bill to carry out a specific Pentagon memo dated October 20, 2022. It also bars any follow-up version of that memo. No funds can be used to create or enforce any rule or policy that is substantially similar to that memo. The bill does not name the subject of the memo in this section, so readers would need to look up the October 20, 2022 Department of Defense memo separately to understand what policy is being blocked.

     Who this affects

     The Department of Defense and any agency or official who would implement or enforce the named memo or a similar policy.

     Tradeoff

     Blocking the memo stops the Pentagon from using these funds on that policy, but it does not repeal the underlying memo as law, leaving its long-term status unclear.

     Show the exact bill text

     None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act shall be used to implement, administer, or otherwise carry out the Department of Defense memorandum dated October 20, 2022, or any successor to such memorandum, or to propose, promulgate, or implement any substantially similar rule or policy.

160. Protection for traditional marriage beliefs

     This section bars the federal government from using any appropriated funds to take action against a person because that person believes marriage is only between a man and a woman. The ban covers a wide range of government actions. It includes changing someone's tax status, denying tax exemptions, disallowing charitable deductions, cutting off grants or contracts, revoking licenses or accreditations, and blocking access to federal property or programs. It also requires the federal government to treat a person as accredited, licensed, or certified if the only reason they would lose that status is their belief about marriage.

     Who this affects

     Individuals, religious organizations, schools, and other groups that hold a traditional view of marriage and receive or seek federal funds, licenses, contracts, or accreditations.

     Tradeoff

     The section protects people who hold a traditional marriage belief from federal penalties, but it limits the federal government's ability to enforce anti-discrimination policies against those same people or organizations.

     Show the exact bill text

     none of the funds provided by this Act, or previous appropriations Acts, shall be used in whole or in part to take any discriminatory action against a person, wholly or partially, on the basis that such person speaks, or acts, in accordance with a sincerely held religious belief, or moral conviction, that marriage is, or should be recognized as, a union of one man and one woman.

161. Renaming the Department of Defense to Department of War

     This section changes the official name 'Department of Defense' to 'Department of War' throughout federal law. It also changes 'Secretary of Defense' to 'Secretary of War.' These changes apply across three major titles of the U.S. Code: Title 10 (Armed Forces), Title 32 (National Guard), and Title 37 (Pay and Allowances). Related short-form labels like 'DoD,' 'OSD,' and 'ASD' are updated to match the new name. A few specific sections that reference dated documents or historical agreements are left unchanged. A new legal rule is added stating that any mention of the old name in any U.S. law, regulation, or document automatically means the new name.

     Who this affects

     All federal agencies, military personnel, contractors, and any person or organization that interacts with the department under its current legal name. Any existing contract, rule, or document using the old name would be treated as using the new name.

     Tradeoff

     The rename unifies the department's title with historical usage, but it requires updates across a wide range of laws, regulations, and documents, which takes time and administrative effort.

     Show the exact bill text

     striking 'Department of Defense' each place it appears and inserting 'Department of War'; and (2) striking 'Secretary of Defense' each place it appears and inserting 'Secretary of War'.

162. Zero-dollar appropriation line item

     This section sets a funding amount of zero dollars. It appears as a standalone line in the bill. No money is allocated by this entry. Without more surrounding context, it is not possible to identify which program or account this zero amount applies to.

     Who this affects

     Unknown without additional context. No specific program, agency, or group can be identified from this text alone.

     Tradeoff

     A zero-dollar line may formally zero out a program or serve as a placeholder, but the specific impact cannot be determined from the text provided.

     Show the exact bill text

     8161. $0.