This bill provides appropriations and sets strict spending rules for the Department of Defense's military personnel, operations, procurement, research, and related intelligence activities for Fiscal Year 2026.
Ken Calvert
Representative
CA-41
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 provides the budgetary framework for funding all aspects of the U.S. military, including personnel compensation, day-to-day operations, and major equipment procurement. This bill allocates hundreds of billions of dollars across the services while establishing strict rules regarding spending flexibility, domestic sourcing requirements, and specific prohibitions on certain social and political programs. Overall, it funds the immediate readiness and modernization efforts of the DoD and related intelligence agencies for the fiscal year.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrat | 212 | 5 | 206 | 1 |
Republican | 220 | 216 | 3 | 1 |
Defense Bill Locks Down $886 Billion for FY26: Bans Funding for DEI, CRT, and Gender-Affirming Care
This massive piece of legislation, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, is essentially the federal government’s checkbook for the entire military for the next fiscal year. It sets aside an astonishing total of over $886 billion, covering everything from active-duty pay to next-generation fighter jets. The bill’s main purpose is straightforward: ensure the DoD is funded and operational for FY 2026. This funding includes roughly $149 billion for Military Personnel (Title I), nearly $240 billion for Operation and Maintenance (Title II), over $150 billion for Procurement (Title III), and over $137 billion for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (Title IV). Beyond the staggering numbers, this bill is packed with specific policy mandates and restrictions—often called ‘riders’—that dictate what the military can and cannot do with this money, touching on everything from foreign policy to social issues.
Where the Money Goes: Personnel and Procurement
If you have a friend or family member in the service, Title I is the most direct impact. It allocates massive sums to cover pay, allowances, and retirement contributions across all branches, including $52.5 billion for the Army and $40 billion for the Navy. This ensures everyone from active-duty soldiers to National Guard members gets paid on time for their service and training. Title III, Procurement, is where the defense industry sees its payday, dedicating $36.9 billion for Navy shipbuilding (including $6.2 billion for Virginia-class submarines) and $17.9 billion for Air Force aircraft. For everyday workers, this translates directly into jobs in shipyards, aerospace manufacturing plants, and defense supply chains across the country, backed by a commitment to domestic sourcing for key components like steel and bearings (SEC. 8094).
The Policy Riders: New Rules for the DoD
This bill doesn't just fund the military; it imposes a sweeping set of social and administrative policies. One of the most significant changes is a hard ban on funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Specifically, the bill prohibits using any funds for the DoD's DEIA Strategic Plan (SEC. 8149) or for any office dedicated to DEI (SEC. 8150). This means that if you work for the DoD or are a contractor, the military’s focus on these initiatives will be significantly curtailed or eliminated entirely. Similarly, the bill bans funding for any program or training that promotes Critical Race Theory (CRT) or related concepts, such as teaching that the U.S. is inherently racist or that an individual is inherently oppressive based on their race or sex (SEC. 8135).
Healthcare, Speech, and Base Activities
Other provisions hit closer to home for military families and personnel. The bill explicitly bans the use of funds for gender-affirming care, including surgical procedures and hormone therapies (SEC. 8137). For military families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), the bill prohibits using funds for gender transition procedures or even referrals for dependent children (SEC. 8130). Furthermore, the bill includes a strict ban on using funds to enforce COVID-19 mask mandates or vaccine mandates for DoD personnel or DoDEA students (SEC. 8127, SEC. 8128, SEC. 8129). In a nod to online discourse, the bill also prohibits using funds to label lawful American speech as “misinformation” or “disinformation” or to pressure private companies to censor such speech (SEC. 8134).
What the Fine Print Means for You
If you're a small business owner seeking a defense contract, be aware that the bill tightens up 'Buy American' requirements for things like ball bearings, steel, and supercomputers (SEC. 8096, SEC. 8100). If you're bidding on a big contract (over $1 million), the bill also bans the use of mandatory arbitration clauses for claims related to sexual assault or harassment (SEC. 8114), meaning employees have the right to take those claims to court. Finally, the bill includes four separate cuts totaling $5.75 billion, citing efficiencies and excess working capital (SEC. 8168, SEC. 8169, SEC. 8170, SEC. 8171). While these cuts don't target specific programs, they signal a major drive for financial efficiency—or potentially a future squeeze—on the operation and maintenance budgets of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This means that while the overall budget is massive, every dollar will be scrutinized, especially when it comes to non-core missions.