Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — By Senator Cotton from Select Committee on Intelligence filed written report. Report No. 119-51. Minority views filed.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026," authorizes funding for intelligence activities and the Central Intelligence Agency's retirement and disability system. The legislation implements significant structural changes, such as transferring the National Counterintelligence and Security Center to the FBI and the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center to the CIA. It establishes new policies for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and biotechnology, while addressing matters regarding the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation. The act includes expanded whistleblower protections, new security clearance processes, and requirements for declassification reviews regarding COVID-19. Additionally, it covers election system security, diplomatic limits, and various administrative reforms within the intelligence community.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +6
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill increases intelligence focus on cyber threats, secure biotechnology infrastructure, and election system security.
- Scored +5
Does this make elections run better?
The bill includes pilot programs for security testing of election infrastructure through penetration testing.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates declassification of historical and COVID-related intelligence to increase oversight.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill expands surveillance capabilities regarding unmanned aircraft and sensitive data collection.
- Scored -3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill allows for national security waivers for certain environmental documents.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Employee Compensation: The bill allows for increases in salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees as authorized by law (Section 103).
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Workplace Safety and Climate: It mandates an annual Central Intelligence Agency workplace climate assessment to help prevent and respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment (Section s 314).
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Whistleblower Protections: It provides specific protections for whistleblower disclosures to the office of legislative or congressional affairs (Section 802), prohibits the disclosure of a whistleblower's identity as an act of reprisal (Section 803), expands the definition of "employee" to include former employees or contractors (Section s 801), and creates a private right of action allowing employees or contractors to sue for up to $250,000 for certain retaliatory personnel actions (Section 803).
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Privacy and Civil Liberties: The bill includes requirements for the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency to ensure that actions regarding unmanned aircraft are consistent with the First and Fourth Amendments (Section 302(f)(1)).
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Protection Against Discrimination: It requires the revision of all intelligence community regulations and training to ensure they are consistent with prohibitions against discrimination (Section 331).
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Security of Personal Information: The bill prohibits contractors from collecting or selling location data from devices located at intelligence community locations (Section 321) and provides support to assist the FBI and other agencies in reviewing transactions to prevent foreign entities, specifically from China, from acquiring sensitive biological and genomic data (SEC. 603).
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Improved National Security via Technology: It establishes an Intelligence Community Technology Bridge Fund to help businesses and nonprofits transition research into actual products used by the government (SEC. 601).
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Enhanced Security for Individuals: The bill includes provisions to establish a process for parity regarding adverse security clearance determinations, allowing individuals to use circumstantial evidence to show if a disclosure was a contributing factor (SEC. 703).
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Increased Transparency Regarding Foreign Wealth: It requires the publication of a report on the personal wealth and business interests of the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (SEC. 513).
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Stronger Protection Against Foreign Influence: The legislation creates a strategy for the President to counter the economic, military, and ideological influence of the Chinese Communist Party in Europe (SEC. 511).
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Improved Intelligence Sharing on Threats: It establishes policies for streamlining the sharing of intelligence regarding biotechnological threats to counter foreign weaponization efforts (SEC. 502).
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Increased Transparency on COVID-19: The bill requires a declassification review of intelligence relating to the origins of COVID-19, including research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and efforts to disrupt information sharing (SEC. 1001).
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Public Access to Historical Records: It directs the declassification and release of Church Committee archival files to the public (SEC. 1014).
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Improved Election Security: The bill establishes a pilot program for independent security testing and a vulnerability disclosure program to help secure election infrastructure (SEC. 1013).
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Standardized Health Reporting: It requires the development of standard guidelines for reporting and documenting anomalous health incidents (Section 901).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Penalties for Unauthorized Access: Individuals who enter property marked as closed or restricted belonging to the intelligence community could face fines and imprisonment ranging from 180 days to 10 years (Section 301).
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Increased Surveillance Capabilities: The Central Intelligence Agency is granted authority to detect, monitor, track, and disrupt the control of unmanned aircraft, which includes the ability to intercept communications (Section 302(c)(1)).
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Employment Changes: The bill directs the creation of a plan to reduce the staff of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (Section 403) and mandates transfers of entire centers which may lead to staff reductions at the National Counterintelligence and Security Center and the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center (SEC. 406; SEC. 408).
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Restrictions on Business Partnerships: The bill prohibits intelligence community elements from entering into contracts with certain Chinese military companies engaged in biotechnology, which could impact existing business relationships (SEC. 512).
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Limitations on Research Funding: New restrictions are placed on the use of Intelligence Community Management Account funds for certain entities, such as those receiving support from foreign governments, which could impact specific research and think tank activities (SEC. 411).
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Increased Surveillance of Drone Activity: The "Border Drone Threat Assessment Act" requires assessments of unmanned aircraft systems, which includes evaluating policies regarding the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of persons operating these systems near borders (SEC. 503).
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Restrictions on Diplomatic Privileges: The bill limits the duration that accredited diplomatic and consular personnel from certain nations can receive privileges and immunities (SEC. 1005).
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Visa Denials for Foreign Nationals: It empowers the Secretary of State to deny visas to certain foreign nationals serving in multilateral missions if they are suspected of intelligence activities (SEC. 1003).
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Increased Surveillance and Background Checks: The bill requires background reviews for citizens or agents of certain foreign nations seeking access to Department of Energy facilities (SEC. 1016).
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Environmental Document Waivers: The President is granted authority to waive requirements for environmental documents for certain intelligence community actions, which could impact local environmental oversight (SEC. 1009).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — The bill includes pilot programs for security testing of election infrastructure through penetration testing. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates declassification of historical and COVID-related intelligence to increase oversight. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill implements new restrictions on the collection of sensitive personal and location data. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides more parity in security clearance adjudication processes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of the intelligence community and the President's oversight capacity.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill mandates staff reductions and transfers of responsibilities to streamline government operations. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The Technology Bridge Fund explicitly prioritizes assistance for small business concerns. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — By reducing staff and optimizing agency execution, the bill aims for greater fiscal efficiency.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes protections against the collection and sale of location data and regulates sensitive genomic and biological information. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The establishment of the Technology Bridge Fund supports transitioning research to production.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The Technology Bridge Fund provides assistance to businesses transitioning research to production. Would women be better off under this? — The bill mandates assessments to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and assault.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill increases intelligence focus on cyber threats, secure biotechnology infrastructure, and election system security. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill emphasizes intelligence sharing with allies and partners, specifically in Europe and regarding biotechnology. Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill expands surveillance capabilities regarding unmanned aircraft and sensitive data collection.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill mandates threat assessments for unmanned aircraft systems at or near international borders.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill promotes the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies for secure energy. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allows for national security waivers for certain environmental documents.
- 7/29/2025
- By Senator Cotton from Select Committee on Intelligence filed written report. Report No. 119-51. Minority views filed.
- 7/17/2025
- Select Committee on Intelligence. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Cotton. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 120.
- Introduced in Senate
8 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-5167: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-HR-6195: Intelligence Community Property Security Act of 2025
- 119-S-2194: Intelligence Community Technology Bridge Act of 2025
- 119-S-2227: SPIES Act
- 119-S-2242: Counternarcotics Enhancement Act
- 119-S-2425: Intelligence Community Property Security Act of 2025
- 119-S-3288: A bill to require the Director of National Intelligence to develop a strategy on intelligence coordination and sharing relating to critical and emerging technologies.
- 119-S-3291: Enhanced COVID-19 Transparency Act of 2025