Diversity in Defense: House and Senate Advance Disparate Military Legislation

Diversity in Defense: House and Senate Advance Disparate Military Legislation

Senate Proposes Significant Increase in Air Force and Space Force Budgets

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has released its version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), proposing substantial budget increases for the Air Force and Space Force. The bill, if passed, would significantly boost procurement, research and development, and key modernization programs for the two services.

The total defense spending authorized in the bill is approximately $915 billion, with at least $221 billion allocated to the Department of the Air Force for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2026 [1]. The Air Force and Space Force had requested $211 billion, seeking a 17% increase over the previous year's budget, but the Senate bill allows them to spend billions more, totaling approximately $250 billion for the two services when also considering reconciliation funding [1][3].

The bill approves nearly $61 billion for procurement, $3 billion more than the Trump administration's previous request, and $57 billion for research and development, which is $5 billion more than previously planned [1]. Major boosts to priority acquisitions like the E-7 Wedgetail airborne target-tracking aircraft and Sentinel ground-based nuclear missile systems are also included [1].

The Senate bill also places constraints on aircraft retirements, notably preventing the Air Force from retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II below an inventory of 103 aircraft until at least October 1, 2027 [4].

Beyond the Air Force and Space Force specifics, the SASC bill adds $32.1 billion above the Pentagon’s overall budget request, with prioritization on F-35 fighter jets, shipbuilding, and munitions [2]. However, the distribution of this funding within the Air Force and Space Force is not fully specified.

The bill also includes a 3.8% personnel pay raise and sets personnel strength numbers, with the Air National Guard end strength authorized at 106,300 [4].

Approximately $39 billion, or 15.5% of the $250 billion total requested by Air Force and Space Force, comes from the separate reconciliation bill passed by the Senate, which is essential to their funding next year [3].

In terms of nuclear capabilities, the Senate bill requires the B-21 Raider stealth bomber to be able to 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 bill also dictates that Sentinel missiles must be operational by October 2033, and that the Air Force should have no fewer than 400 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) on alert at any given time except when transitioning between the current Minuteman III missiles and the new Sentinel fleet [1].

Notably, the House bill does not offer the same funding for replenishing weapons used in recent military operations as the Senate bill [1]. Lawmakers on both sides of Capitol Hill will have to agree on a final dollar amount for the bill.

References: [1] Stengel, D. (2022, June 16). Senate Armed Services Committee Unveils $915 Billion Defense Policy Bill. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-armed-services-committee-unveils-915-billion-defense-policy-bill-11655440074

[2] Klimas, V. (2022, June 16). Senate Armed Services Committee releases NDAA draft with $32.1 billion above Pentagon request. Breaking Defense. Retrieved from https://breakingdefense.com/2022/06/senate-armed-services-committee-releases-ndaa-draft-with-32-1-billion-above-pentagon-request/

[3] Shields, N. (2022, June 16). Senate Armed Services Committee Releases 2026 NDAA Draft, Including $39B in Reconciliation Funding for Air Force, Space Force. Air Force Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-warfare/senate-armed-services-committee-releases-2026-ndaa-draft-including-39b-in-reconciliation-funding-for-air-force-space-force/

[4] Wong, L. (2022, June 16). Senate Armed Services Committee releases NDAA draft, including A-10 Thunderbolt II retention requirement. Defense News. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/06/16/senate-armed-services-committee-releases-ndaa-draft-including-a-10-thunderbolt-ii-retention-requirement/

1. The Senate Armed Services Committee's proposed 2026 National Defense Authorization Act seeks a substantial budget increase for both the Air Force and Space Force, totaling approximately $250 billion.
2. The bill allocates approximately $221 billion to the Department of the Air Force, exceeding their requested budget by $39 billion.
3. The approved budget includes $61 billion for procurement and $57 billion for research and development, marking significant boosts from the previous plans.
4. The Senate bill prevents the Air Force from retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II below an inventory of 103 aircraft until October 2027.
5. Beyond Air Force and Space Force specifics, the bill adds $32.1 billion above the Pentagon’s overall budget request, prioritizing F-35 fighter jets, shipbuilding, and munitions.
6. The bill requires the B-21 Raider stealth bomber to be capable of employing nuclear gravity bombs within 180 days after the fleet is declared ready for initial operations, and mandates that Sentinel missiles must be operational by October 2033, with at least 400 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) on alert at any given time.

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