The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act
Dec 29, 2025
Loren Voss, a policy analyst and Lawfare contributor specializing in national security strategy, dives into the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The discussion highlights Congress's push against the Trump administration's defense priorities, emphasizing key provisions like accountability for military actions and the focus on great-power competition. Voss elaborates on the importance of U.S. command within NATO and the implications of recent changes regarding troop deployments and reporting on military operations, ultimately revealing tensions between congressional oversight and executive strategy.
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Congress Reframes National Security Priorities
- The FY26 NDAA reflects Congress pushing back against the administration's downsizing and reframing of national security priorities.
- It reasserts traditional threat framing focused on Russia, China, DPRK, and Iran, diverging from the administration's strategy.
Congress Keeps Expanding Defense Bureaucracy
- Congress added new bureaucracy: an Assistant Secretary for International Armaments Cooperation and a DATA czar for FMS.
- These moves show Congress tends to expand offices even when administrations seek cuts.
Acquisition And Workforce Trade-Offs
- NDAA nudges acquisition reforms and market-based foreign military sales while also easing some hiring authorities.
- It balances bureaucratic growth with modest efficiency measures in personnel and procurement.