Biotech Further Cemented as Top Tech Priority for Defense
In the House Armed Service Committee markup of the FY27 NDAA, committee members made it clear that biotechnology remains a key component of national security policy by advancing biotechnology provisions.
08 June 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC – The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) released its markup of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill now includes a significant number of provisions that will further advance biotechnology priorities for the defense and intelligence communities in the coming years.
The NSCEB’s April 2025 Action Plan provides a roadmap for increased biotech strength to counter China’s strategic objective to dominate this critical technology. The Pentagon has since made clear that biotechnology is a core technology on par with AI and quantum, and this year’s FY27 defense bill builds on the significant progress made in FY26 to further ensure biotech is able to fully realize its potential for the future of U.S. defense and intelligence operations. See below for a list of key biotechnology provisions in the HASC-passed FY27 NDAA.
“I’m thrilled to see Congress continuing to make biotechnology a top priority for defense,” said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. “Last year’s NDAA built the foundation for smart, strategic biotechnology policy at the Pentagon, and now this HASC-passed version of the FY27 NDAA will continue to strengthen it. These provisions will give our warfighters access to the tools, materials, and capabilities that will define the future of defense in the age of biology.”
Legislative Details
Bill Language
Chairman’s Mark, Sec. 221, Prize Competitions to Support the Research and Development of Biotechnology for the Department of Defense, Requires the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program to award prizes to support research, development, and commercialization of biotechnology capabilities.
Chairman’s Mark, Sec. 223, Pilot Program on Forward Deployable Biomanufacturing Capabilities, Authorizes the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, to carry out a pilot program on forward deployable biomanufacturing.
Chairman’s Mark, Sec. 1108, Pilot Program on Tech Talent Competitiveness, Facilitates the rapid recruitment of innovative talent in critical technology areas, including biotechnology.
Chairman’s Mark, Sec. 1822, Inclusion of Biotechnology in Uses of the Industrial Base Fund, Includes biotechnology and biomanufacturing as an eligible use of authority of the Industrial Base Fund.
Chairman’s Mark, En bloc #4, Pilot Program on Hydrophobin-Based Biomanufactured Treatment as Flame-Resistant and Water-Repellent Treatments for Military Uniforms, Establishes a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility, performance, and scalability of hydrophobin-based biomanufactured treatments for military textiles.
Chairman’s Mark, En bloc #4, Extension and Modification of Annual Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China, Adds biotechnology to the Department of Defense’s annual report on the PRC’s military and security developments.
Chairman’s Mark, En bloc #5, Identification of Supply Chain Dependencies, Requires annual reporting on the extent to which biotechnology obtained or funded by the Department of Defense through covered transactions contains critical supply chain dependencies.
Chairman’s Mark, En bloc #6, Support for Advanced Technologies that Strengthen United States Agricultural Production, Agrifood Systems, and Associated Bioindustrial Manufacturing Capacity, Authorizes the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, to develop technologies that strengthen U.S. agricultural production and bioindustrial manufacturing capacity against national security risks.
CITI Subcommittee, En bloc, Cloud Laboratory Pilot Program, Requires the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to support the establishment of cloud laboratories, with at least one biotechnology-focused laboratory.
CITI Subcommittee, En bloc, Pilot Program on Wastewater Monitoring and Pathogen-Agnostic Monitoring System of Certain Military Installations, Requires the Secretary of Defense to pilot a comprehensive wastewater monitoring system, as well as a pathogen-agnostic monitoring system that leverages emerging biotechnologies.
Report Language
Chairman’s Mark, Commercialization Potential of Shelf-Stable Blood, Directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to provide a briefing on the status of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) shelf-stable blood program.
Chairman’s Mark, Countering Biotechnology Threats from Foreign Adversaries, Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing on current biotechnology threats, including gaps in threat defense and an analysis of foreign adversaries’ biotechnology capabilities.
CITI Subcommittee, En bloc, Biochemical Sensing Technologies for Warfighter Readiness, Directs the Secretary of Defense to report on Department efforts to develop, evaluate, and transition biochemical sensing technologies.
MLP Subcommittee, En bloc #2, Briefing on Expanding Externships and Emerging Technology Opportunities for Federal Scientists and Veterans, Directs a report on opportunities to expand training in biotechnology and other emerging technology industries for federal scientists and separating servicemembers.
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: biotech.senate.gov.
Contacts:
NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov
