Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — By Senator Cotton from Select Committee on Intelligence filed written report. Report No. 119-133. Additional and 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 authorizes funding for fiscal year 2027 for United States Government intelligence activities, the Intelligence Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. It restructures several leadership positions and offices within the intelligence community, transferring the National Intelligence University to the National Defense University and repealing certain advisory councils and programs. The legislation sets strict rules regarding artificial intelligence use, unmasking requests for United States persons, and intelligence sharing with specific foreign allies and adversaries. Furthermore, it establishes technology fellowship programs, limits the use of adversary-produced technology and unmanned vehicles, and updates criminal penalties for espionage and the theft of trade secrets.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill prioritizes and strengthens intelligence cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific and Israel.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill establishes a pilot program to share intelligence regarding threats to artificial intelligence systems.
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill funds a research campaign via the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity on artificial intelligence risks.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill's restrictions on entities controlled by certain nations may disrupt supply chains for small businesses.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 306: This provision requires the Director to provide security direction to intelligence community whistleblowers within seven calendar days after an employee furnishes a required statement. This benefits workers by ensuring timely administrative responses and preventing bureaucratic delays when reporting concerns.
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Section 602: This section establishes formal procedures and strict requirements for handling unmasking requests involving nonpublic information concerning United States persons, including mandatory fact-based justifications and retention of records for at least 10 years. This protects individual privacy rights by adding oversight and accountability to how American citizens' identities are revealed in intelligence reports.
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Section 809: This provision amends parental bereavement leave rules under title 5 of the United States Code to explicitly include any instance of natural or spontaneous loss of an unborn child, such as through miscarriage or stillbirth. This provides supportive leave benefits for federal employees experiencing pregnancy-related losses.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 610: This section prohibits the intelligence community from procuring or operating covered unmanned ground vehicle systems manufactured or assembled by covered foreign countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. While intended for national security, this restriction could potentially increase operational costs or delay the acquisition of specialized robotic tools needed by agencies.
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Section 711: This provision prohibits the acquisition or use of certain artificial intelligence models on national security systems if they fail to comply with specific safety frameworks regarding obscene content or the generation of non-consensual intimate depictions. While this safeguards agency systems from inappropriate material, it may restrict access to advanced AI technologies unless strict and cumbersome waivers or safeguards are successfully implemented.
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.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill prioritizes and strengthens intelligence cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific and Israel. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill establishes a pilot program to share intelligence regarding threats to artificial intelligence systems. Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill includes provisions for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill addresses cyber threats that cause significant financial losses to Americans. Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides protections for parents experiencing pregnancy emergencies like miscarriage or stillbirth. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill allows for increases in compensation and benefits for Federal employees. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill includes provisions for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds a research campaign via the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity on artificial intelligence risks.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill makes countering hostile foreign cyber actors a national intelligence priority to address financial losses from online scams. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill's restrictions on entities controlled by certain nations may disrupt supply chains for small businesses.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates several new biennial reports and notifications to congressional intelligence committees.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aims to mitigate financial losses caused by foreign malicious cybercriminal organizations targeting Americans. Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill provides parental bereavement leave for the loss of an unborn child.
- 8/5/2026
- By Senator Cotton from Select Committee on Intelligence filed written report. Report No. 119-133. Additional and Minority views filed.
- 5/20/2026
- 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. 420.
- Bill introduced.
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.