Senators’ version of the annual defense policy bill would require the Pentagon to lean into advanced nuclear energy, improve its handling of “forever chemicals” and update its implementation of a major environmental law.
The Senate Armed Services Committee’s fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, unveiled this week, also contains provisions on critical minerals, environmental cleanups and disaster response.
The committee had released a summary of the bill last week but did not unveil the full text until Wednesday. The introduction of the legislation makes it eligible for floor consideration later this year and allows senators to begin drafting amendments.
The bill will change significantly in the coming months and could serve as the vehicle for other important bills lawmakers want to pass before the end of the year.
