Summary
Sets the budget and rules for the U.S. intelligence community for the 2026 fiscal year, including new policies for counter-spying and technology.
What problem does this solve?
U.S. intelligence agencies need yearly funding and updated rules to handle new threats from other countries and groups. This bill gives them the money and new powers they need for 2026, focusing on things like counterintelligence, artificial intelligence, and China.
Who does this affect?
- U.S. Intelligence Community employees
- Federal government contractors
- Technology and data companies
What does this bill do?
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 302
Header:
Establishment, functions, and authorities of the National Counterintelligence Center
Establishes a new National Counterintelligence Center
Creates a central hub within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to direct, coordinate, and carry out all U.S. counter-spying activities to protect against foreign intelligence threats.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 521
Header:
Notice of counterintelligence assessments and investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of candidates for or holders of Federal office
Requires FBI to notify Congress about investigations into politicians
Mandates the FBI to inform congressional leadership within five days of opening a counterintelligence investigation into a federal candidate, officeholder, or certain congressional staff.
Overhauls rules for open-source intelligence
Creates a new framework for how the intelligence community collects and uses publicly and commercially available information, including new oversight roles, budget rules, and required training.
Implements new policies for artificial intelligence
Sets new rules for AI, including prohibiting the use of the 'DeepSeek' application on government systems, creating policies for using classified data to train AI, and developing an 'AI Security Playbook'.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 502
Header:
Improvements to security of Central Intelligence Agency installations
Authorizes the CIA to counter drone threats
Gives the Central Intelligence Agency the authority to detect, disrupt, seize, and even destroy unmanned aircraft systems (drones) that pose a threat to the safety and security of its facilities.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 607
Header:
Requirement to purge incidentally collected publicly available information or commercially available information relating to United States persons
Requires purging of data on U.S. persons
Mandates that intelligence agencies delete any publicly or commercially available information about a U.S. person that is collected by accident.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 702
Header:
Prohibition on requiring political or ideological activism within the intelligence community
Prohibits requiring political activism for promotions
Forbids intelligence agencies from requiring employees to engage in political or ideological activism as a condition for getting a promotion or other positive personnel action.
Focuses intelligence on China
Requires regular assessments of China's power compared to the U.S. and establishes a new National Intelligence Manager position focused solely on China.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 804
Header:
Extension of intelligence community coordinator for Russian atrocities accountability
Extends efforts to hold Russia accountable for atrocities
Extends the role of the intelligence community coordinator for Russian atrocities until the end of 2028, specifically including the forced transfer of Ukrainian children.
What is the real world impact?
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Expands the use of publicly available data
Creates a new framework for using publicly and commercially available information. This could allow for gathering more data on people, including Americans, with potentially less oversight than traditional intelligence collection methods.
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Focuses intelligence efforts on China and Russia
Directs significant resources and creates new positions to specifically monitor and counter threats from the People's Republic of China and Russia. This signals a clear shift in national security priorities toward these two countries.
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Addresses concerns about political bias in intelligence agencies
Includes provisions to prohibit requiring political or ideological activism for promotions and to ensure personnel decisions are based on merit. This may be a response to criticisms that intelligence agencies have become too politicized.
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Strengthens counter-spying efforts
Establishes a new National Counterintelligence Center to lead and coordinate all government efforts to stop spying by foreign countries. This major restructuring suggests that previous efforts were not seen as effective enough.
When does this start?
Authorizes funding for fiscal year 2026, with most rules taking effect when the bill becomes law, while also setting specific deadlines for new reports and actions.
Prohibition on DeepSeek application
Initial standards and guidelines to remove the DeepSeek application from intelligence community systems must be developed within 60 days of the bill becoming law.
Designation of biotechnology officials
The head of each specified intelligence agency must designate a senior official for biotechnology within 90 days.
Policies on AI training data
The President must issue or update policies on using classified information to train AI models within 180 days.
First net assessment of China
The first net assessment of the People's Republic of China's power must be completed and submitted to Congress within 180 days.
Appointment of China mission manager
A National Intelligence Manager for the People's Republic of China must be appointed within 180 days, unless waived.
Open-source intelligence training
A standardized training course on collecting publicly and commercially available information must be established within one year.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 803
Header:
National intelligence estimate of advancements in biotechnology by the People's Republic of China
Report on China's biotechnology
A National Intelligence Estimate on advancements in biotechnology by the People's Republic of China must be produced within one year.