This legislation, titled the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026," authorizes appropriations for the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the U.S. Government, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. It includes a classified Schedule of Authorizations specifying funding amounts and allows for increases in employee compensation and benefits. The bill also places limitations on the transfer and reprogramming of authorized funds within the National Intelligence Program.

Title III addresses various Intelligence Community matters, enhancing security by criminalizing unauthorized access to IC property and granting the CIA authority to protect its facilities from unmanned aircraft. It modifies acquisition authorities and mandates annual surveys on analytic objectivity and training on analytic standards. The bill also requires Senate confirmation for several key intelligence positions, strengthens the Treasury's intelligence office, and prohibits certain activities by the Department of Homeland Security's intelligence programs.

Significant reforms are introduced under Title IV, the "Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness Act of 2025," which modifies the responsibilities of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and mandates a plan to reduce staff at the Office of the DNI. It renames the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence and establishes Assistant Directors, while also reforming the National Intelligence Council. Key organizational changes include transferring the National Counterintelligence and Security Center to the FBI and redesignating the National Counterterrorism Center to include counternarcotics. The bill also moves the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center to the CIA, establishes National Intelligence Task Forces, and repeals several existing IC positions and units to streamline operations.

The legislation addresses matters concerning foreign countries, including declassifying information on foreign assistance to those evading justice and enhancing intelligence sharing on biotechnological threats. It mandates a threat assessment for unmanned aircraft systems near U.S. borders and an assessment of Western Hemisphere partnerships. Specific provisions target the People's Republic of China, focusing on countering CCP influence in Europe, prohibiting contracts with Chinese military biotech companies, and reporting on CCP leadership wealth and agricultural investments in Brazil. The bill also addresses Russian destabilization efforts and sanctions enforcement, alongside plans for counternarcotics collaboration with Mexico and intelligence support for Sudan.

Provisions for emerging technologies establish an Intelligence Community Technology Bridge Fund and aim to enhance biotechnology talent and secure U.S. genomic data. The bill mandates procurement of domestic synthetic DNA/RNA and identifies sites for advanced nuclear technology deployment. It also addresses intelligence gaps in outbound investment screening for biotechnology and expands the functions of the Artificial Intelligence Security Center. Further, the legislation sets policies for AI development and usage, defines high-impact AI systems, and revises guidance for foundation models and critical technology coordination.

Classification reform and security clearances are addressed through requirements for declassification notifications, elimination of compensatory damage caps for retaliatory actions, and process parity for adverse security determinations. The bill also includes reforms for inactive security clearances and mandates protection of classified budget information. Other significant provisions include enhanced whistleblower protections, standard guidelines for reporting anomalous health incidents, and declassification of related intelligence. Finally, the bill covers miscellaneous items such as COVID-19 intelligence declassification, counterintelligence briefings for the Armed Forces, denial of visas to foreign intelligence officers, and reforms to election system security.

Tom Cotton

Intelligence (Select) Committee

Tom Cotton

Intelligence (Select) Committee