"This subcommittee print supports the DoD’s incredible innovation enterprise, leverages the boundless potential of artificial intelligence, and strengthens and secures our IT networks. Most importantly, it focuses on rapidly delivering these improvements to the warfighter."
Chairman Bacon's Statement as Prepared for Delivery:
Thank you Mr. Chairman, I’d like to thank the members of the subcommittee for their collaboration in putting together a strong Cyber, IT, and Innovation subcommittee print for the FY27 NDAA. I’d also like to thank my friend and Ranking Member Congressman Ro Khanna for his partnership in this effort.
This mark affects several crucial areas of our national defense and takes ambitious strides to maintain our dominance in cyber, IT, and science and technology. The print supports the DoD’s incredible innovation enterprise, leverages the boundless potential of artificial intelligence, and strengthens and secures our IT networks. Most importantly, it focuses on rapidly delivering these improvements to the warfighter.
Taking meaningful steps to bridge the valley of death, this print amends Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) authorities to require more formal collaboration between the DIU and the military services, speeding up the timeline by which cutting-edge technology gets into the hands of the warfighter.
In addition, the print expands the geographical footprint of our nation’s test and evaluation (T&E) enterprise and promotes better coordination between the Department and the T&E community.
Moreover, this portion of the NDAA sets the course for quantum computing by requiring the lessons learned from DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative to inform development and acquisition of future DoD quantum computing systems.
The CITI print also streamlines adoption of new AI tools by directing the Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer to establish a framework to enable rapid adoption and governance of AI systems across the DoD. It also directs the Department to update its policies governing autonomous weapon systems, creating risk-informed requirements for approval, oversight, testing, human involvement, and eventual operational use of such systems.
Additionally, in a time where cyber warfare is more prevalent than ever, this print takes steps to unencumber our cyber defense forces from bureaucracy by requiring a review of DoD’s cybersecurity, IT, network defense, and defensive cyber operations in order to reduce redundancy and create direct accountability in this crucial area of national security.
And, once again, the FY27 NDAA continues the great work of the Quality of Life Panel to deliver quality of life improvements to our servicemembers and their families.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the compilation of this subcommittee print.
