Prohibition on the reduction of funding for foreign language training for members of the Armed Forces

(a) Prohibition None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 may be obligated or expended by the Department of Defense to terminate, replace, reduce, or prepare to terminate, replace, or reduce a program of foreign language training or instruction until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees a report on the planned termination, replacement, or reduction, including— (1) an identification of the programs the Secretary is seeking to terminate, replace, or reduce; (2) the intent, scope, and impact of any funding reductions to foreign language training or instruction in relation to the national security interests of the United States; (3) the impact of the termination, replacement, or reduction of the program on existing military linguists and Foreign Area Officers; and (4) a certification that any termination, replacement, or reduction will not negatively impact the operations and mission of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. (b) Programs included For purposes of subsection (a), a program of foreign language training or instruction includes— (1) institutional language training programs conducted by the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center; (2) unit-level or operational foreign language instruction and sustainment training; (3) immersive or in-country language training programs; (4) associated curriculum development, instructional staffing, and digital language training support; and (5) any other program or activity of the Department of Defense that provides foreign language training or instruction to members of the Armed Forces.