Divergence in Defense Bills: Key Points to Observe for the Air Force as Both House and Senate Progress
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has proposed a significant increase in funding for the Department of the Air Force, allocating at least $221 billion for the Air Force and Space Force, which is approximately $10 billion more than the services' initial request of about $211 billion through the typical annual budget process[1].
In contrast, the House Armed Services Committee's (HASC) version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes about $211.3 billion for the Air Force and Space Force, roughly on par with the services' initial budget request but notably less than the Senate committee’s proposal[3].
The SASC's total defense authorization stands at about $915 billion, higher than the Pentagon’s budget request, with $32.1 billion added for broader defense priorities including F-35s and shipbuilding[2]. The HASC's overall defense authorization is $848.2 billion, lower than the Senate's $915 billion authorization[3].
The Senate bill provides billions more than both the initial request and the House proposal, signaling a stronger emphasis on expanding Air Force and Space Force procurement and research programs. This includes specific boosts to priority programs like the E-7 Wedgetail and Sentinel missile system[1][2][3].
The SASC's bill allows the Air Force and Space Force to spend billions of dollars more than the services had sought for next year, with at least $221 billion for the Department of the Air Force. The bill also adds $678 million to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program that is designing drone wingmen[1].
Senators are pushing the Air Force to buy 34 F-35A Lightning II jets in 2026, instead of the 24 the service requested[1]. The bill also adds $700 million for E-7 Wedgetail prototyping, bringing next year's funding to almost $900 million total[1].
The SASC's bill also includes provisions to bolster aircraft purchases and research-and-development programs, including major boosts to top-priority acquisitions like the E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking jet and Sentinel ground-based nuclear missile[1].
Moreover, the bill puts new guardrails on the military's plan to retire certain workhorse planes, with the Senate bill restricting the number of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes that the Air Force can retire, requiring at least 103[1]. The House requires at least 162[3].
The Senate bill also seeks to exercise greater oversight over the secretive new B-21 Raider stealth bomber and the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile programs, both of which will fall under Global Strike’s purview when they enter operations[1]. The bill requires that the B-21 can employ nuclear gravity bombs within 180 days after the fleet is declared ready for initial operations, and the Long-Range Standoff Weapon within two years after the B-21 or the missile achieves initial operations[1].
The Senate bill also codifies the role of Air Force Global Strike Command in managing the service's nuclear enterprise and protecting it from other commands that could encroach on its job[1]. The bill also adds $149 million to accelerate the design of the Air Force's new nuclear-tipped Long-Range Standoff Weapon, and creates a conventional version of the missile[1].
The Senate bill also withholds a quarter of the Department of the Air Force's 2026 funding until the Secretary of the Air Force reverses changes to the Louisiana-based Integrated Capabilities Command[1]. The bill also authorizes an additional $2 billion, for $4.6 billion in total, for the Sentinel program, while the House version of the bill adds just $400 million, totaling $3 billion next year[1].
The total sum is likely around $46 billion higher when accounting for troop pay and other personnel funding that isn't broken out by service in the legislation[1].
In summary, the Senate Armed Services Committee's version of the 2026 defense policy bill proposes at least $221 billion for the Department of the Air Force, which is approximately $10 billion more than the services' initial request and a significant increase over the House's proposal. The bill bolsters funding for priority programs, puts new guardrails on plane retirements, and increases oversight over secretive programs like the B-21 Raider and Sentinel missile systems.
[1] Defense News, (2022). Senate Armed Services Committee releases 2026 defense policy bill text. [online] Available at: https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/06/09/senate-armed-services-committee-releases-2026-defense-policy-bill-text/
[2] Defense News, (2022). Senate defense bill authorizes $915 billion, $32.1 billion over Pentagon request. [online] Available at: https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/06/08/senate-defense-bill-authorizes-915-billion-32-1-billion-over-pentagon-request/
[3] Defense News, (2022). House defense bill authorizes $211.3 billion for Air Force, Space Force. [online] Available at: https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/06/08/house-defense-bill-authorizes-211-3-billion-for-air-force-space-force/
- The Senate Armed Services Committee has proposed a significant increase in funding for the Department of the Air Force, allocating at least $221 billion, which is approximately $10 billion more than the initial request and a significant increase over the House's proposal.
- The SASC's bill bolsters funding for priority programs, including the E-7 Wedgetail and Sentinel missile system, and adds billions more to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
- Senators are pushing the Air Force to buy 34 F-35A Lightning II jets in 2026, instead of the 24 the service requested, and have set aside additional funding for E-7 Wedgetail prototyping.
- The Senate bill includes provisions to bolster aircraft purchases and research-and-development programs, including major boosts to top-priority acquisitions like the E-7 Wedgetail and Sentinel.
- The Senate bill also puts new guardrails on the military's plan to retire certain workhorse planes, with the Senate bill restricting the number of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes that the Air Force can retire.
- The bill also codifies the role of Air Force Global Strike Command in managing the service's nuclear enterprise and protecting it from other commands, and authorizes additional funding for the design of the Air Force's new nuclear-tipped Long-Range Standoff Weapon.
