Risch on Priorities Included in FY2026 NDAA

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statements on his priorities that were included in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

State Department Reauthorization
"Continuing to reauthorize the State Department on an annual basis ensures the Department remains accountable to taxpayers, adaptable in the face of modern-day challenges, and equipped to execute a foreign policy that delivers results for the American people. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has for many years passed crucial State Department reauthorization bills, and this year is no different, exercising congressional oversight over the State Department, streamlining its operations, and enabling capabilities critical for the U.S. to remain competitive in the 21st century," said Chairman Risch.

Text of the State Department Reauthorization can be found in section 5001 of the FY2026 NDAA.

Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Reauthorization
"The reauthorization of DFC will sustain and empower the critical work of the organization and give it the tools to more effectively counter China, secure American interests, and protect economic freedom. The DFC plays an essential role in promoting private sector-led economic growth and advancing American interests abroad and is key to President Trump's America First agenda," said Chairman Risch.

Text of the DFC Reauthorization can be found in section 8701 of the FY2026 NDAA.

The International Nuclear Energy Act

"If the U.S. doesn't lead on nuclear energy development, Russia and China will. This bill will give us the tools we need to compete with these authoritarian aggressors and build long-lasting nuclear energy deals that benefit our economy and ensure America remains the leader on nuclear energy for generations to come," said Chairman Rish.
Text of the International Nuclear Energy Act can be found in section 8366 of the FY2026 NDAA.

The BUST FENTANYL Act
"With the support of the Chinese government, China remains the single greatest source of fentanyl and synthetic opioid precursors to Mexican cartels. These opioids then come across our southern border and kill over 100,000 Americans every year. This needs to end, and the perpetrators need to be held accountable," said Chairman Risch. "The BUST FENTANYL Act will leverage the economic might of the United States against these criminals in China to make them think twice before importing drugs that harm our communities."

Text of The BUST FENTANYL Act can be found in section 8311 of the FY2026 NDAA.

The Countering Wrongful Detention Act
"President Trump is working to restore America as a leader on the world stage and ensure we are respected around the globe. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act, which codifies Executive Order 14348 as signed by President Trump, will add firepower to his efforts by hitting countries that wrongfully detain American citizens with strong repercussions, including the potential of sanctions," said Chairman Risch. "We stand with those Americans who were and are wrongfully detained, and we will work to ensure that they are freed and that no other American has to endure this injustice again."

Text of the Countering Wrongful Detention Act can be found in section 8351 of the FY2026 NDAA.

Repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act

"After long and serious consideration, we have worked closely with the Trump Administration to responsibly repeal the Caesar Act, which played an important role in the fall of the Assad Regime. This unconditional repeal removes a significant roadblock to U.S. and international commercial investments in Syria. It also increases reporting and monitoring on benchmarks such as ethnic and religious persecution to ensure Syria remains on the path to becoming a U.S. partner that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous," said Chairman Risch.

Text of the repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act can be found in section 8369 of the FY2026 NDAA.

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