Draft Authorization from HASC Apparently Aims to Prevent E-7 Retirements, Stall Planned A-10 Retirements
The House Armed Services Committee has proposed a defense policy bill for 2026, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, allocating at least $211.3 billion for the Air Force and Space Force. This figure does not include additional funding for military personnel, typically accounted for separately. The bill aligns closer to the Pentagon's original budget request, authorizing a total of $848.2 billion for the Department of Defense [4][5].
The bill includes several provisions aimed at bolstering the Air Force's capabilities. The entirety of the Air Force's F-15EX procurement for FY26 is authorized by the reconciliation bill [1]. Lawmakers have also backed multiple provisions meant to bolster the mobility and aerial refueling fleets. The air refueling aircraft floor is raised to 504 aircraft by 2027 [9].
The bill stops the Pentagon from bringing on more than 183 KC-46 Pegasus tankers until a corrective action plan is in place for all of the plane's major design issues [6]. However, no significant investments in new aircraft production are included in the bill [7]. An amendment in the bill presses the Air Force for a report on the next-generation F-47 program [10].
The bill also includes provisions to maintain the Air Force's existing assets. The bill blocks the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes [3], and another provision stops the Air Force from retiring the A-10 "Warthogs" or shrinking the total inventory below 162 planes until Oct. 1, 2027 [8].
The bill authorizes funding for the new Sentinel ground-based nuclear missiles, boosting funding to over $3 billion [6]. The inventory requirement for C-130 aircraft needed for intra-theater airlift is maintained at 271 aircraft [9].
In addition, the bill includes a supplemental insurance plan to help service members cover the cost of cancer treatment [2]. The bill also requires the Air Force to provide details on its top priorities [11]. Eleven amendments made it through the markup for consideration by the full House, including measures barring funds from being used to ignore the recommendations of the panel that suggested new names for military installations commemorating Confederate heroes [12].
The House Armed Services Committee passed its 2026 defense policy bill on July 15 [13]. The Senate's version of the bill, which includes a higher total defense spending, is yet to be finalized. The final bill will need to be agreed upon by both the House and the Senate before it can be sent to the President for signing.
- The defense policy bill for 2026, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, allocates at least $211.3 billion for the Air Force and Space Force, with an additional $848.2 billion for the Department of Defense proposed by the Pentagon.
- The bill includes a supplemental insurance plan to help service members cover the cost of cancer treatment.
- The bill blocks the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes and stops the Air Force from retiring the A-10 "Warthogs" or shrinking the total inventory below 162 planes until Oct. 1, 2027.
- The bill authorizes funding for the new Sentinel ground-based nuclear missiles, boosting the funding to over $3 billion.
- The bill includes provisions for the Air Force's F-15EX procurement for FY26 and several measures meant to bolster the mobility and aerial refueling fleets, raising the air refueling aircraft floor to 504 aircraft by 2027.
- The bill also requires the Air Force to provide details on its top priorities and contains eleven amendments made through the markup for consideration by the full House, including measures that bar funds from being used to ignore the recommendations of the panel that suggested new names for military installations commemorating Confederate heroes.
