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U.S. Warfighter Wins Big with Increased Access to Biotechnology and Other Emerging Technologies Reshaping the Future of Warfare

U.S. Warfighter Wins Big with Increased Access to Biotechnology and Other Emerging Technologies Reshaping the Future of Warfare 

House Armed Services Committee passes National Defense Authorization Act that makes it easier to quickly and safely develop, scale, and field the biotechnologies that will keep the U.S. warfighter ahead of adversaries on the battlefield of tomorrow.  

 

16 July 2025 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

Washington, DC – The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) passed the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a heavy emphasis on biotechnology that the Department of Defense (DOD) needs to stay dominant on the battlefield of tomorrow. The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) delivered its final report to Congress last spring and applauds the committee for including this critical technology in the final NDAA.  

 

See below for a list of biotechnology provisions included in the HASC-passed NDAA. 

 

“Biotechnology can fundamentally reshape the face of the global battlefield,” said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. “For too long, the Department has been hamstrung in its efforts to access the promise of these critical technologies, and this legislation makes huge strides towards getting our warfighters the tools they need to be successful today and tomorrow. 

 

“The NSCEB applauds the committee for its leadership on biotechnology as an emerging technology on par with artificial intelligence and robotics,” continued Rozo. “We look forward to further collaborating with Congress as we work to increase access to biotechnologies enabling the next wave of conventional military innovation.”  

 

“It is my honor to serve as a commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology where we have spent the last two years examining the intersection of emerging biotech and national security,” said NSCEB Commissioner Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17). “This NDAA includes many recommendations from the comprehensive report we published last spring, and while we have much more work to do, particularly in matters that fall under the jurisdiction of other committees, this is an important and meaningful first step.” 

 

“Biotechnology is one of the next great emerging areas that is going to revolutionize our lives. From how we grow our food, to how we make new medicines, to how we defend ourselves from bioweapons, this technology will be everywhere,” said Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02). “It is imperative that the United States maintain its position as a global leader in biotechnology. China and other bad actors are investing heavily in biotechnology for harmful purposes, and Congress is making it clear that we take this seriously, with the policy and investment to back it up.” 

 

“Virginia is home to both research institutions and small businesses that lead the way in groundbreaking biotech research,” said Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01). “This year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) further invests in workforce training and biotech research – which will enable work with the Department of Defense to develop and research cutting-edge technology, as well as ensuring that the United States remains a leader in biotechnology innovation. This NDAA will enhance our ability to defend the nation against growing threats.” 

 

“The Committee’s bipartisan advancement of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act signifies a turning point for advancing biotechnology as a national security imperative,” said Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). “I was proud to advance several bipartisan provisions to ensure the responsible and ethical development of biotechnology at the Department and to prepare our forces to meet the moment of the bio-revolution. What sets the United States apart from our adversaries is that we will make progress in this key emerging sector while keeping true to our democratic values. As Co-Chair of the Congressional BIOTech Caucus, I will work with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure these provisions make it to the President’s desk.” 

 

Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) commented, “I am proud that my provision leveraging the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program for Biotechnology made it into the FY26 NDAA. This provision requires the Department of Defense to study student scholarships in national security fields that will lead to DoD employment. Too few biotech scholarships have been rewarded and this is a problem for our national defense. My provision works to fix that.  

  

As China races ahead in biotech innovation, we must put our foot on the gas. In fact, China’s construction of biotech labs is surging. The United States cannot afford to fall behind. We must ensure we are keeping pace with emerging technologies, especially in the biotech field. As a nurse practitioner and co-chair of the Women in STEM Caucus, I know that cutting edge innovations in biotech affect every industry from healthcare and agriculture to our national defense. We know that biotech innovations will play a major role in economic development and most importantly in any future military conflict. It is time to strengthen biotech innovation here at home.”  

 

“As the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Readiness subcommittee, I know the critical connection between biotechnology leadership and military readiness,” said Rep. John Garamendi (CA-08), “By creating military products from readily available feedstocks, we can reduce dependence on fragile global supply chains while supporting good paying technical jobs. The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology has given us a roadmap to lead in this important field. This National Defense Authorization Act is a good step. Let’s keep up the momentum.” 

 

Read the NSCEB’s full report here: www.biotech.senate.gov/final-report and contact press@biotech.senate.gov for more information on how biotech is changing the future. 

 

HASC-PASSED BIOTECHNOLOGY PROVISIONS 

 

Bill Language  

 

 

 

 

  • CITI Subcommittee, En bloc #1, Bioindustrial Commercialization Program, Authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a program to incentivize private sector expansion of infrastructural capacity across the United States to manufacture bioindustrial products at commercial scale that are critical for defense and national security needs. 

 

  • CITI Subcommittee, En bloc #1, Biotechnology Supply Chain Resiliency Program, Authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a program to serve as an accelerator for biotechnology and advanced biomanufacturing solutions to create domestic supply chains for defense materials.  

 

  • Chairman’s Mark, En bloc #2, Feasibility Study on Use of Cloud Laboratories, Authorizes a feasibility study of establishing a cloud lab infrastructure to provide authorized researchers with access to high-quality experimental instrumentation and data collection for purposes of generating high-quality data. 

 

  • CITI Subcommittee, En bloc #1, Department of Defense Biotechnology Workforce Training, Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish and carry out training programs for uniformed and civilian personnel develop proficiency in biotechnology and other critical and emerging technologies. 

 

Funding Tables 

  • Sec. 4201 Biotechnology Advancements Research and Development (+4 million) 

  • Sec. 4501 AI Ready Biological Data at Joint Pathology Center (+$20 million) 

 

Report Language 

The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to submit a report describing how the BioIndustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE) is executing on its mandate to develop a network of open-access, precommercial bioindustrial facilities 

 

The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to provide a briefing on the DOD’s efforts and progress toward inter-service and inter-department coordination on biotechnology research. 

 

The committee directs the Director of DARPA to provide a briefing on efforts to promote biotechnology as a solution to supply chain challenges. 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit https://biotech.senate.gov.   

 

Contact: press@biotech.senate.gov