The House of Representatives has passed two new bills, focusing on border security and implementing policies of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The bills enhance criminal penalties for non-U.S. nationals who illegally enter the country and set forth guidelines for the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Energy (DOE).
First, House Resolution (HR) 3486, also known as the Stop Illegal Reentry Act, increases criminal penalties for non-U.S. nationals who illegally enter the United States and then commit a felony or illegally reenter the country.
The bill also establishes a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years and allows a life sentence for an individual who improperly enters or attempts to enter the country and is subsequently convicted of a felony.
HR 3486 increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 2 years to 5 years for repeated improper entry. It also increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 10 to 15 years if an individual was convicted of three or more specified types of misdemeanors before removal.
The second bill, HR 3838, also known as the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and NDAA for FY 2026, is a companion bill to the NDAA. The bill sets forth policies for DOD programs and activities, military construction, and national security programs.
The bill goes further, authorizing appropriations for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and the Naval Petroleum Reserves, and modifies the defense acquisition system to expedite delivery of capabilities to the Armed Forces.
Concerning the DOD, HR 3838 sets policy for various matters related to its interactions with foreign nations concerning Israel. Policy is also set for DOD cyber activities, cyber workforce, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Broadly, the bill authorizes the acquisition or modification of various military items and sets policy for certain procurement programs. It also authorizes research and development programs and sets policy for such activities.
Finally, HR 3838 sets policy for military healthcare, contracting with small businesses and environmental concerns. It authorizes the activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, defense cleanup, nuclear energy, and other defense activities.
