This Week in Defense — Washington (#21, 2026)

Trump signs directive integrating AI in defense; major arms sales notifications for Canada and Middle East allies; organizational conflict of interest rule in defense acquisition extended; customs enforcement reforms issued; advanced AI cybersecurity actions.

This Week in Defense — Washington (#21, 2026)

May 31, 2026 to June 06, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning national defense, cybersecurity, weapons systems, military commitments, and the Army, Navy and Air Force. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track GR news in industries related to Defense? Don't miss this week's updates in ICT & Cybersecurity and Foreign Affairs. Also consider subscribing to our Defence - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🗳️ Congressional Voting
• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week


🗳️ Congressional voting this week

Defense · May 31 – Jun 6, 2026 · House and Senate roll-calls

Defense: US Congress voting — May 31 – Jun 6, 2026

Congressional voting week of May 31 – Jun 6, 2026. House and Senate votes are shown in separate sections; each section is sorted most-contested first.

3 bills 20.7% avg margin 2 close calls (<20%)

3 bills went to a roll-call vote this week — 2 in the House and 1 in the Senate.

Most contested (House): Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, (Passed, 1.6% margin).

Republicans saw the most party-line defections (12).

This week, congressional votes in both chambers focused on the scope of U.S. military engagement abroad and the recognition of servicemembers' rights. In the House, members considered and narrowly passed a measure directing the President, under the War Powers Resolution, to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran, while a similar resolution to remove forces from Lebanon was rejected by a wide margin. In the Senate, the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act, which addressed religious accommodations for deceased servicemembers, did not secure passage. The week's activity reflected ongoing debates over the President’s war powers and the balance between military commitments and individual rights within the Department of Defense.

HOUSE VOTES 2 bills

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

H.Con.Res. 86 invokes the War Powers Resolution to require the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran, unless Congress specifically authorizes such action. The measure reflects ongoing congressional concern over executive military actions without explicit legislative approval, particularly in the context of escalating tensions with Iran. Its passage signals renewed debate over the balance of war-making authority between Congress and the President.
HCONRES 86 Passed Final vote: Y 215 · N 208 · A 0 Won by 7 votes (1.6%)
1 final vote + 0 amendment votes · first vote 2026-06-03
Party split
Republicans4/207/0Democrats211/0/0Independents0/1/0
Yea Nay Present • marks parties with <75% internal cohesion © Queen Street Analytics
Broke with party on this vote
  • Republicans 4: Tom Barrett (Y), Warren Davidson (Y), Brian Fitzpatrick (Y), Thomas Massie (Y)

Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from Lebanon.

H.Con.Res. 84 invoked the War Powers Resolution to require the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from Lebanon. The measure reflects ongoing congressional debate over the scope of executive authority to deploy military personnel abroad without explicit authorization from Congress. The resolution is part of a broader pattern of legislative efforts to reassert congressional oversight over U.S. military engagements in the Middle East.
HCONRES 84 Failed Final vote: Y 92 · N 324 · A 2 Lost by 232 votes (55.5%)
1 final vote + 0 amendment votes · first vote 2026-06-04
Party split
Republicans1/206/0Democrats •91/117/2Independents0/1/0
Yea Nay Present • marks parties with <75% internal cohesion © Queen Street Analytics
Broke with party on this vote
  • Republicans 1: Thomas Massie (Y)

SENATE VOTES 1 bill

Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act

The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act seeks to address the display and preservation of religious symbols at military cemeteries managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as Arlington National Cemetery. The bill responds to ongoing debates over the role of religious expression in federally managed spaces, particularly regarding memorials honoring fallen service members. Its consideration reflects broader tensions between religious liberty and government neutrality in public institutions.
S 1318 No final vote recorded Latest vote: Y 47 · N 52 · A 0 Latest gap 5 votes (5.0%)
1 roll-call (no final vote recorded) · first vote 2026-06-05
Party split
Republicans46/7/0Democrats1/43/0Independents0/2/0
Yea Nay Present • marks parties with <75% internal cohesion © Queen Street Analytics
Broke with party on this vote
  • Republicans 7: Joshua David Hawley (N), John Neely Kennedy (N), Mike Lee (N), Rand Paul (N), Eric Stephen Schmitt (N), Richard Lynn (Rick) Scott (N), Thomas Hawley (Tommy) Tuberville (N)
  • Democrats 1: John Karl Fetterman (Y)

This Week's Congressional Calendar

Federal Government News

National Security Presidential Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence Integration

President Donald J. Trump issued NSPM-11, establishing an integrated strategy for adopting artificial intelligence within the U.S. national security enterprise. The order identifies adoption, adaptation, assurance, and accountability as key pillars and directs the termination of contracts with vendors failing to comply with updated AI requirements. The Department of War is instructed to revise weapon system AI policies, and governance frameworks for AI usage are mandated. Partnerships with the private sector, acquisition of advanced computing resources, and creation of AI test ranges are included. Talent acquisition, training for AI reliability, and robust R&D initiatives are outlined. The Memorandum rescinds earlier guidance and links all compliance to current laws and appropriations.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov
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Fact Sheet: Presidential Directive on AI in the National Security Enterprise

President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum advancing secure and accountable AI systems for national defense and intelligence operations. The directive initiates rapid onboarding of advanced AI models, mandates high-security computing facilities, and establishes a National Security Strategic Reserve for AI talent. Annual reviews of AI guidance, strict controls against unauthorized system modification, and private-sector partnerships for AI security are required. The Secretary of War is tasked with updating standards for autonomous weapon systems. The Memorandum replaces previous AI guidance and stipulates measures for protecting civil liberties in the adoption and use of AI.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Arms Sales Notification: Canada—C-17 Sustainment Contract

The Department of Defense has notified Congress of a proposed $540 million sale to the Government of Canada for major and minor modifications to the C-17 aircraft fleet, aircraft maintenance support equipment, spare parts, ground handling equipment, classified and unclassified software support, and technical engineering services. This procurement aims to bolster the operational readiness and strategic airlift capacity of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Boeing Company is listed as the principal contractor. No offset agreements are currently in place, and no assignment of U.S. technical representatives is required for implementation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Major Defense Acquisition Programs

The Defense Acquisition Regulations System published a notice extending the approved information collection for managing organizational conflicts of interest in major defense acquisition programs. The extension under OMB Control Number 0704-0477 is proposed for three years beyond the current September 2026 expiry and implements Section 207 of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009. Offerors for major defense contracts are required to submit mitigation plans under DFARS 252.209-7008 when conflicts arise. Annual burden is estimated at 2,400 hours, with 20 responding entities and three responses per entity.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Strengthening Customs Enforcement Executive Order

President Trump issued an executive order reforming U.S. customs enforcement. Measures include revising importer eligibility rules, implementing stricter asset and bond requirements for importers of record (IORs), enhanced vetting, detailed data disclosures, and prohibitions against informal entries by foreign IORs. Enforcement is prioritized against forced labor and misclassification, with updated penalty standards and improved disposal procedures for non-compliant goods. The order mandates transparency through annual reports and legislative recommendations and clarifies definitions for U.S. and foreign IORs.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

AI Integration Assessment Bill

Bill 4683 requires the Secretary of Defense to assess the effects of artificial intelligence integration on warfighter effectiveness, skill retention, and operational readiness. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Advanced Manufacturing for Defense Readiness Items

Bill 9091 mandates the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to submit a report and implement a plan for advanced manufacturing in critical readiness items. Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Human Judgment in Autonomous Weapon Systems Bill

Bill 4682 establishes requirements for human judgment in the use of force by autonomous weapon systems used by the Department of Defense. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Hybrid Space Architecture Pilot Program Bill

Bill 4693 directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct an operational pilot program within the Hybrid Space Architecture initiative, evaluating orbital data center services and space-based cloud computing for national security and joint mission needs. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Air and Missile Defense Acquisition Improvement Bill

Bill 4681 mandates the Secretary of Defense to improve air and missile defense acquisition processes. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sources: www.congress.gov
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What We're Reading This Week

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