Senate Appropriations Committee reports FY2026 defense appropriations bill, 26‑3

At a Senate Appropriations Committee markup, members voted to report favorably an original bill making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2026.

The committee approved the bill with broad bipartisan backing, reporting a topline allocation of $852,500,000,000 and emphasizing investments in shipbuilding, munitions production, missile defense, and personnel support.

The bill seeks to increase production of critical munitions and rebuild industrial capacity, add procurement funding for Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines and destroyers, and expand air-and-missile defense capacity. Chairman McConnell said the bill “recognizes the administration's intention to restore peace through strength” and highlighted the need for steady, predictable defense investment. Vice Chair Murray said the legislation “makes crucial investments in our military” and praised its provisions for service member pay, childcare and suicide-prevention programs.

Committee remarks and the bill text list several allocations and priorities: $2.1…