Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Crawford
In Committee
Summary
Creates a Senate‑confirmed National Counterintelligence Center. It would centralize counterintelligence authority and reshape how the intelligence community buys, audits, and trains on open‑source and commercial information.
Show full summary
- Would give the new National Counterintelligence Center broad authorities to direct counterintelligence activities, access IC information, set doctrine and conduct damage assessments, and chair a multiagency Task Force. This affects intelligence operators and agency leaders who carry out counterintelligence missions.
- Would tighten rules for open‑source intelligence, commercially available information, and publicly available information by requiring audits, mandatory training, prior approvals for transfers and reprogramming, and more public budget transparency. This affects DoD and IC buyers and commercial data vendors.
- Would change workforce rules and benefits, add CIA authorities for limited unmanned aircraft system interception with notification and safeguards, and set specific FY2026 authorizations including $674.5 million for the Intelligence Community Management Account and $514.0 million for the CIA retirement fund.
*Would authorize about $1.2 billion in named FY2026 accounts plus additional classified authorizations, increasing FY2026 intelligence spending authority.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
VA coverage for some CIA injuries
If enacted, some CIA employees who are veterans would get VA benefits as if an injury happened on active duty. The covered service would be defined in a classified annex. This would apply to injuries or illnesses from before, on, or after the bill becomes law.
New checks on secret DoD vendors
If enacted, DoD would build a secure system to oversee all commercial vendors and subcontractors that support clandestine work. DoD could withhold some vendor details for security, but must tell defense committees within 7 days and explain why. A plan would be due in 180 days, with full implementation and certification within one year.
Shared cartel intel and drug budget reports
If enacted, the intelligence community and federal law enforcement would use a shared system to track cartel and transnational crime data, with twice‑yearly briefings through 2028. The DNI would also deliver a yearly, consolidated counternarcotics budget summary within 30 days after the classified budget is sent, with totals and detailed breakouts by program.
New workplace rules for intel staff
If enacted, intelligence agencies could not base hiring or promotions on political or ideological activism or on protected traits. The DIA would have to give employees unclassified comments and scores in performance reviews, and finish a review within 30 days for many who leave. DOE staff traveling to certain countries would need to report trips, follow pre‑/post‑travel briefings when requested, and leave DOE devices behind unless approved.
CIA could stop dangerous drones
If enacted, the CIA could detect, seize, or disable a drone over specially designated property when there is a credible threat. It could jam signals, take control, confiscate the drone, or destroy it if needed; seized drones could be forfeited. The CIA would follow FAA‑coordinated guidance, contact FAA before acting, notify the Attorney General within 15 days, and brief Congress within 90 days. This would improve safety but could result in owners losing a drone.
More alerts to Congress on intel moves
If enacted, agencies would give Congress faster, fuller notices on key intelligence actions. The FBI would report counts of U.S. persons on the terrorist watchlist by January 31, 2026, and then yearly for two years; notify leaders within 5 days when it opens a counterintelligence probe of a federal candidate or certain staff; and report major watchlist policy changes within 30 days. NSA would report big shifts in what it collects or shares. The DNI would explain intel impacts of embassy or consulate closures lasting 60+ days, and the CIA would define and report “novel and significant” spending.
Tighter AI and data rules for intel
If enacted, the bill would tighten how the intelligence community uses AI and open‑source data. NSA would create an AI Security Playbook (first report in 180 days, final in one year). DNI would set shared metrics within 270 days and speed AI approvals, with notices if a review runs past 60 days. The bill would set rules for buying and handling commercial data, add audits and training, and hold back 2% of FY2026 ICMA funds until a plan is filed. Agencies would remove the DeepSeek app from national security systems and name biotech leads within 90 days, and defense units would avoid buying the same commercial data twice unless an exception applies.
More NRO buying; NGA and NRO boards end
If enacted, the NRO Director could use a higher deal threshold of $500 million (instead of $75 million) when delegated authority, after giving a 14‑day notice and certifying the deal is essential to national security. The NRO could also buy commercial remote‑sensing imagery and data (not analytics) to meet needs and share it for other national security or civil uses. The NGA and NRO advisory boards would shut down 30 days after enactment.
Short-term authority to move intel funds
If enacted, for 180 days after passage the counterintelligence center could shift staff and reprogram National Intelligence Program funds to stand up new functions. The Director would have to notify the listed committees within 30 days after any transfer or reprogramming.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Crawford
AR • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in