Senate Invokes Cloture on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Advances Civil Rights and Indian Land Bills
The Senate convened for a major legislative session, highlighted by the invocation of cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071, which is the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. This procedural vote sets the stage for final consideration of the critical defense spending bill. Additionally, the Senate passed three other bills by unanimous consent: the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act, a bill concerning Indian land disputes in Illinois, and a bill reaffirming the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California. Floor speeches also addressed recent tragedies, healthcare costs, and the importance of medical research.
The invocation of cloture on the National Defense Authorization Act is a significant step towards its final passage, ensuring continued funding and policy direction for the U.S. military. The passage of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act extends vital work in pursuing justice for historical civil rights crimes. The day's proceedings also saw senators highlight pressing national and international issues, including gun violence, anti-Semitism, and the future of healthcare and scientific research, setting the stage for future legislative debates.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
S. 1071Question before the chamber
The pending question was the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071, with cloture having been invoked to limit further debate on this motion.
The case for
Senator Reed, a proponent of the bill, emphasized that it is a forward-looking defense bill that addresses strategic competition with China and Russia, confronts threats from Iran and North Korea, and tackles national phenomena like climate change. He highlighted significant investments in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and hypersonics, as well as the modernization of ships, aircraft, and combat vehicles. Crucially, he noted the bill delivers key wins for servicemembers and their families, including a 3.8-percent pay raise, improved housing, childcare assistance, and expanded programs for traumatic brain injuries. He also pointed to the bill's reaffirmation of America's global role by extending the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and strengthening alliances in Asia, while prohibiting reductions in force posture in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. He also noted the bill compels the Secretary of Defense to submit previously withheld reports and unedited videos related to Caribbean operations, asserting congressional authority.
The case against
No explicit opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act itself was aired in the Record text provided for this day's proceedings. While 20 senators voted against invoking cloture, their specific arguments against the bill were not stated in the provided text.
Disposition
Cloture invoked on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the bill · recorded vote
Cloture was invoked, limiting further debate on the motion to concur.
76-20
Amendments
- An amendment to strike sections 130, 441, 448, and 450 from division C. (Mr. Lee) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to strike a Congressionally Directed Spending project for Repairs and Restoration, Save America's Treasure by Save Lucy Committee, Inc. (Mr. Lee) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment regarding the treatment of funds received by the National Guard Bureau from States as reimbursement for military property, crediting them to specific accounts for repair, maintenance, or similar functions related to assets used by National Guard units under State active duty status. (Mr. Lee) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to insert a Sense of Congress on the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad, affirming its vitality, the unsustainability of extending the Minuteman III lifecycle, and the need for the modernization program to remain funded and active despite a Nunn-McCurdy Act breach. (Mr. Lee) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to strike section 1249. (Mr. Lee) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to strike sections 1249 and 1268. (Mr. Paul) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to protect America's workforce by nullifying Executive Orders 14251 and 14343 relating to exclusions from Federal labor-management relations programs, and ensuring collective bargaining agreements in effect as of March 26, 2025, retain full force and effect. (Mr. Sanders) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to insert 'and position broadcast signal' after 'system' on page 275, line 7, and strike 'to an official whose rank is below a general or flag officer' on page 276, beginning on line 5. (Mr. Hoeven (for Mr. Moran)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to change the effective date of the Act to 7 days after enactment. (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to strike '1 day' and insert '7 days'. (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to strike '7 days' and insert '8 days'. (Mr. Thune) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to extend the authority for modifications to the Second Division Memorial through September 30, 2032. (Ms. Murkowski) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment concerning facilities and administrative costs, establishing a moratorium on modifications to current indirect costs methodology for Federal research awards, and setting new reimbursement determination methods and effective dates. (Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. Cassidy)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, citing her ineligibility due to participation in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. (Mr. Gallego) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to appropriate $160,000,000 to the Forest Service and $600,000,000 to the National Park Service for recovery from the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires in the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park, designated as emergency requirements. (Mr. Gallego (for himself and Mr. Kelly)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to insert text under the heading 'administrative provisions--forest service' to condition funds on the satisfaction of briefing requirements and submission of a report on 'Wildland Fire Consolidation'. (Mr. Sheehy) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to prohibit the deployment of other State National Guard units for the Federal protective mission in California, as announced in the June 7, 2025, Presidential Memorandum. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment requiring congressional oversight of domestic use of the National Guard, mandating reports from the President within 15 days of deployment, including legal basis, effects, law enforcement reports, costs, and a certification of no interference with disaster response. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to limit the use of the National Guard for the Federal protective mission in California, as announced in the June 7, 2025, Presidential memorandum, unless the mission is conducted entirely within that State. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to limit the use of funds for deployments of Armed Forces members for domestic law enforcement purposes without State consent or the invocation of the Insurrection Act. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment requiring the Department of Justice to submit a report on the December 1, 2025, pardon of Mr. Juan Orlando Hernandez, including communications, corroborating claims, evidence of legal errors, a narrative of exonerating evidence, investigation timeline, and the role of Mr. Emil Bove. (Ms. Cortez Masto) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to prohibit oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. (Mr. Padilla) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. (Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Young)) — Ordered to lie on the table
- An amendment titled the 'Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act' or 'ROTOR Act', which includes provisions for ADS-B Out reforms, ADS-B In requirements, repeal of certain manned rotary wing aircraft safety provisions, an Inspector General of the Army audit, safety reviews of airspace, and FAA-DOD safety information sharing. (Mr. Cruz (for himself and Ms. Cantwell)) — Ordered to lie on the table
Who is affected
- Servicemembers and their families: Will receive a 3.8% pay raise, improved housing, childcare assistance, and expanded programs for traumatic brain injuries.
- Defense industry: Will benefit from significant investments in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, hypersonics, and modernization of military assets.
- Allied nations (Ukraine, Taiwan): Will continue to receive security assistance and cooperation.
- Department of Defense: Will receive authorized resources and be compelled to submit withheld reports and videos, increasing transparency.
Cloture Invoked on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
highThe Senate successfully invoked cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, by a recorded vote of 76 yeas to 20 nays. This action limits further debate and allows for a final vote on the measure in the next session.
Civil Rights Cold Case Records Reauthorization Act Passed
mediumThe Senate passed S. 1510, the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act, by unanimous consent. This bill extends the tenure of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board and clarifies its authorities, aiming to protect children and adults from damage stemming from juvenile acts and to prevent unauthorized disclosure of confidential juvenile delinquency records.
Bills Addressing Indian Land Disputes and Reorganization Act Applicability Passed
lowTwo bills related to Indian affairs, S. 550 and S. 748, were passed by unanimous consent. S. 550 provides for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes in Illinois, while S. 748 reaffirms the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California.
Concerns Raised Over Federal Law Enforcement Accountability and Healthcare Costs
mediumSeveral senators used floor time to introduce legislation and deliver speeches on critical issues. Senator Padilla introduced the Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act, aiming to ensure individuals can seek damages for civil rights violations by federal officers. Minority Leader Schumer and Senator Durbin voiced strong concerns about rising healthcare costs, particularly the expiration of ACA tax credits, and cuts to NIH funding, respectively.