authorizes fiscal year 2026 appropriations principally for Department of War programs and military construction, Department of Energy national security programs, Intelligence programs, and Department of State programs; supports a military basic pay increase and other authorities relating to the United States Armed Forces; and provides authorities related to and makes other modifications to national security, foreign affairs, homeland, commerce, judiciary, and other related programs.
The Congressional summary begins:
This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). The bill also sets forth policies and authorities for the Department of State, the Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community (IC).
Followed by listing the areas they consider important in the bill:
authorizes the procurement of various items, including aircraft, ships, and missiles;
sets active duty and reserve component personnel strength levels;
sets policy regarding various aspects of military health care and military compensation;
sets policy regarding DOD acquisitions and acquisition management, including contracting authorities and domestic sourcing;
sets policy for various matters related to DOD interactions with foreign nations, including matters concerning Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific;
sets policy for various matters related to DOD cyber operations, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence;
authorizes specified military construction projects and extends the authorization of certain projects from previous fiscal years;
authorizes the National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Naval Petroleum Reserves, and Maritime Administration;
sets policy regarding the organization and workforce of the State Department;
sets acquisition and personnel policy for the Coast Guard;
sets policy for merchant mariner credentials, vessel safety, and oil pollution response; and
sets policy for the IC regarding artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
It is not so much that President Trump signed the bill into law, it's theStatement by the Presidentaccompanying the notice of signing that is of significance. It starts by acknowledging:
the Act codifies aspects of over a dozen Executive Orders and actions taken by my Administration, including those focused on warfighter lethality, advancing homeland missile defense by fully supporting the Golden Dome for America plan, restoring Americas airspace sovereignty, and providing Federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
So, what is the problem with the Act? Well, it appears that Congress is attempting to legislate what the Executive can and cannot do in direct violation of Article II of the US Constitution (discussed in my October 7, 2025 and October 8, 2025 ANP Articles). In this statement, President Trump is telling Congress that they cannot usurp the President's authority as Commander in Chief and that as President, he will act IAW Article II of the US Constitution in these matters:
Congress is demanding they be given national security information, sensitive national security information on programs, operations, actions, and activities that become compromised or fail.
It demands certain persons be granted security clearances (upon demand, not background investigation).
It attempts to restrict the President's ability to control personnel and material necessary or advisable for military missions.
It demands the president report to them before engaging in military or diplomatic actions, to include withdrawal of troops, which will apparently now only be done when the President decides it's feasible and/or consistent with the US Constitution.
It restricts funding to the Executive Branch until the President provides notice to Congress that they have realigned nuclear weapons platforms, delivery systems, and communications systems in a manner in which Congress demands be done.
It attempts to compel the President or executive branch officials under his supervision, to recommend certain legislative measures to Congress in direct violation of Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution as Congress is attempting to dictate to the President what the President will submit whereas the Constitution says the President has discretion in "such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."
Congress is demanding the President submit budget requests in particular forms or to advance particular objectives, which, again, is in direct violation of the US Constitutions.
President Trump concludes that his Administration will interpret these provisions "in a manner so as to not impair the Presidents ability to manage the executive branch."
On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed EOAdjustments of Certain Rates of Payadjusts the rate of pay for certain government workers. Section 4 specifically addresses members of the uniformed services as the Director of OPM is to assess feasibility of increasing their rate of pay by 3.8% for certain Federal civilian law enforcement personnel IAW 5 USC 5305. Section 5 introduces locality-based comparability payments in Schedule 9. Section 6 adjusts the rate of basic pay for administrative law judges in Schedule 10. Section 7 gives effective dates: Schedule 8 is effective January 1, 2026 and the other schedules are effective on the first applicable pay period on or after January 1, 2026. You can view the tables as a pdf by clicking here. I thought Schedules 6 & 7 were interesting:
On December 18, 2025, the White House published the articleTrump Delivers: Core Inflation Hits Lowest Level in Nearly Five Yearsclaiming inflation is down about 70% from Autopen's Administration. The article calls out Bloomberg and Dow Jones economists over their stance that tariffs show no demonstrable impact on inflation even though wages are up, prices are moderating, and gas prices continue to decrease.
On December 18, 2025, the White House published the articlePresident Trump Highlights Americas Historic Comeback in Year-End Addresssummarizing President Trump's address to the Nation on December 17, 2025. In just 11 months in office in this 2nd term, there has been what the White House calls "transformative progress" to reduce inflation, reduce costs, secure the border, and honor our military with a special "Warrior Dividend" of $1776.00 (tax free). As he looks to the year ahead President Trump sees even greater prosperity, tax relief (from the OBBB), and renewed respect for our Nation as we begin our trek to the 250th Anniversary of the founding of our country.
On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed EO Ensuring American Space Superioritywith a purpose of setting the framework to pursue space exploration thereby extending the reach of human discovery, secure the Nation's economic and security interests, enhance commercial development, and lay a foundation for a new space age.
The priorities of this space policy are:
Leading the world in space exploration through returning to the Moon by 2028 (Artemis Program) while preparing to visit Mars; establish a permanent lunar outpost by 2030; and enabling commercial launch services.
Securing and defending national and economic security interests by developing and demonstrating missile defense tech by 2028 (pursuant to EO 14186 of January 27, 2025 The Iron Dome for America).
The Iron Dome is proposed to defend from ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles and other advanced aerial attacks. By March 27, 2025, the Secretary of War will produce a report for the architecture of such a system. The US will cooperate on missile defense with its allies and partners.
Create a space economy using free enterprise in coordination with private enterprise.
Enabling the next century of space achievements by optimizing AI, nuclear power (including deploying nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit) by 2030, methods and procedures to clean up space trash, and creating a robust space industrial base.
The implementation will occur in phases (60, 90, 120, and 180 days) to generate and implement a space plan to ensure space superiority.
The accompanying Fact SheetPresident Donald J. Trump Launches a New Age of American Space Achievementexplains that President Trump is setting a bold vision by ordering a return to the Moon by 2028 and establishment of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030 with a lunar surface reactor ready for launch by 2030. The order is seen as securing the US National and economic interests providing a commercial space economy, enabling space capabilities, protecting critical space assets essential for military readiness, and expanding our American presence in space. Finally, the Fact Sheet reviews President Trump's leadership in calling for American achievement in space.
On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed theEO Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Researchacknowledges marijuana has many medical uses with more being discovered every day. Right now it is being used to treat anorexia (due to a medical condition), nausea, vomiting, and pain. The fact that marijuana remains on the Schedule I list restricts scientists from researching these and other medical properties of marijuana. In addition to active ingredients cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydracannabinol (THC)hemp-derived cannabinoid products also contain self-reported pain relief properties. While hemp-derived products are not controlled substances under CSA, they are still subject to the same requirements as other FDA-regulated products. In Public Law 119 Section 781of November 12, 2025, (139 STAT 495 Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026) hemp is described as having not more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinols by dry weight.
The US AG is directed to use the most expeditious manner to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The Trump Administration shall work with Congress to update the definition of hemp products allowing more access to hemp-derived medical products while ensuring Congress can still restrict the sale of products that pose serious health risks. In addition, a regulatory framework will be developed to include an upper limit on milligrams of THC per serving. The Secretary of HHS, Commissioner of FDA, Administrator for Medicare & Medicaid, and the Director of NIH shall collaborate to develop research methods and models IAW Federal law and standards of care.
The accompanying Fact SheetPresident Donald J. Trump is Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research by ordering the US AG to expedite rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substance Act. The schedules are as follows:
Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.
Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are: combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin), cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin
Schedule III drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Schedule III drugs abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but more than Schedule IV. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are: products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone
Schedule IV drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence. Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are: Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Talwin, Ambien, Tramadol
Schedule V drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Some examples of Schedule V drugs are: cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC), Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin
HHS is ordered to develop research methods and models to improve access to hemp-derived products IAW Federal law and informed standards of care. By rescheduling marijuana it enables research. HHS found 30,000 licensed health care practitioners are authorized to recommend medical use of marijuana in 40 states plus DC. This recognizes there is a lack of appropriately designed and conducted research on the medical use of marijuana. The research generated by the EO will pave the way to informed patients and doctors where the uses of marijuana are concerned. President Trump listened to his constituents when they said marijuana has medical uses and that they would like equal access across the nation to use it for medical purposes.
Those are some of the exact words used by Googles censors, aka 'Orwelliancontent police,' in describing many of our controversial stories.Stories later proven to be truthful and light years ahead of the mainstream media. But because we reported those 'inconvenient truths' they're trying to bankrupt ANP.
