June 4, 2015: Congressional Record publishes “TEXT OF AMENDMENTS”

Volume 161, No. 89 covering the 1st Session of the 114th Congress (2015 - 2016) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“TEXT OF AMENDMENTS” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Senate section on pages S3784-S3844 on June 4, 2015.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

SA 1614. Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Rounds, and Mr. Markey) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1049. REQUIREMENT THAT PASSENGER AIRCRAFT IN CIVIL

RESERVE AIR FLEET HAVE SECONDARY COCKPIT

BARRIERS.

(a) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall require for any passenger aircraft participating in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet--

(1) the installation of a barrier, other than the cockpit door, that prevents access to the flight deck of the aircraft; and

(2) for any such aircraft--

(A) that is equipped with a cockpit door, that the barrier required under paragraph (1) remain locked while--

(i) the aircraft is in flight; and

(ii) the cockpit door separating the flight deck and the passenger area is open; and

(B) that is not equipped with a cockpit door, that the barrier required under paragraph (1) remain locked as determined appropriate by the pilot in command.

(b) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Civil reserve air fleet.--The term ``Civil Reserve Air Fleet'' has the meaning given such term in section 9511 of title 10, United States Code.

(2) Passenger aircraft.--The term ``passenger aircraft'' means a passenger aircraft, as such term is defined in such section 9511, that--

(A) has 75 or more seats; and

(B) has a gross take-off weight of 75,000 pounds or more.

______

SA 1615. Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Moran) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title V, add the following: SEC. 565. CREDIT FOR STATE LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION COSTS

OF MILITARY SPOUSES ARISING BY REASON OF A

PERMANENT CHANGE IN THE DUTY STATION OF THE

MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES TO ANOTHER STATE.

(a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 25D the following new section:

``SEC. 25E. STATE LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION COSTS OF

MILITARY SPOUSE ARISING FROM TRANSFER OF MEMBER

OF ARMED FORCES TO ANOTHER STATE.

``(a) In General.--In the case of an eligible individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the qualified relicensing costs of such individual which are paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year.

``(b) Maximum Credit.--The credit allowed by this section with respect to each change of duty station shall not exceed

$500.

``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--

``(1) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible individual' means any individual--

``(A) who is married to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States at the time that the member moves to another State under a permanent change of station order, and

``(B) who moves to such other State with such member.

``(2) Qualified relicensing costs.--The term `qualified relicensing costs' means costs--

``(A) which are for a license or certification required by the State referred to in paragraph (1) to engage in the profession that such individual engaged in while within the State from which the individual moved, and

``(B) which are paid or incurred during the period beginning on the date that the orders referred to in paragraph (1)(A) are issued and ending on the date which is 1 year after the reporting date specified in such orders.

``(d) Denial of Double Benefit.--The amount of any deduction or other credit allowable under this chapter for any expense taken into account in determining the credit allowed under this section shall be reduced by the amount of the credit under this section.''.

(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such subpart A is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new item:

``Sec. 25E. State licensure and certification costs of military spouse arising from transfer of member of Armed Forces to another State.''.

______

SA 1616. Mr. DONNELLY (for himself and Mr. Bennet) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 716 and insert the following:

SEC. 716. DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN NON-DEPARTMENT MENTAL HEALTH

CARE PROVIDERS WITH KNOWLEDGE RELATING TO

TREATMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND

VETERANS.

(a) Mental Health Provider Readiness Designation.--

(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall develop a system by which any non-Department mental health care provider that meets eligibility criteria established by the Secretary of Defense relating to the knowledge described in paragraph (2) receives a mental health provider readiness designation from the Department of Defense.

(2) Knowledge described.--The knowledge described in this paragraph is the following:

(A) Knowledge and understanding with respect to the culture of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and family members and caregivers of members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

(B) Knowledge with respect to evidence-based treatments that have been approved by the Department for the treatment of mental health issues among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

(b) Availability of Information on Designation.--

(1) Registry.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish and update as necessary a registry that is available to the public of all non-Department mental health care providers that are currently designated under subsection (a)(1).

(2) Provider list.--The Secretary concerned shall update all lists maintained by such Secretary of non-Department mental health care providers that provide mental health care under the laws administered by such Secretary by indicating the providers that are currently designated under subsection

(a)(1).

(3) Publication of information.--The Secretary concerned shall ensure that the registry established and updated under paragraph (1) is available to the public on an Internet website maintained by each such Secretary.

(1) Non-department mental health care provider defined.--The term ``non-Department mental health care provider''--

(A) means a health care provider that--

(i) specializes in mental health;

(ii) is not a health care provider of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs; and

(iii) provides health care to members of the Armed Forces or veterans; and

(B) includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health care providers designated by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(2) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' means the Secretary of Defense with respect to matters concerning the Department of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to matters concerning the Department of Veterans Affairs.

______

SA 1617. Mr. DONNELLY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 713 and insert the following:

SEC. 713. IMPROVEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDED BY

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

DEFENSE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Training on Recognition and Management of Risk of Suicide.--

(1) Initial training.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall ensure that all primary care and mental health care providers under the jurisdiction of such Secretary receive, or have already received, evidence-based training on the recognition and assessment of individuals at risk for suicide and the management of such risk.

(2) Additional training.--The Secretary concerned shall ensure that providers who receive, or have already received, training described in paragraph (1) receive such additional training thereafter as may be required based on evidence-based changes in health care practices.

(b) Assessment of Mental Health Workforce.--

(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report assessing the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs and the long-term mental health care needs of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents for purposes of determining the long-term requirements of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for mental health care providers.

(2) Elements.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the following:

(A) The number of mental health care providers of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs as of the date of the submittal of the report, disaggregated by specialty, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

(B) The number of mental health care providers that are anticipated to be needed by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(C) The types of mental health care providers that are anticipated to be needed by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(D) Locations in which mental health care providers are anticipated to be needed by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(1) In general.--The Secretary concerned shall develop a plan for the development of procedures to compile and assess data relating to the following:

(A) Outcomes for mental health care provided under the laws administered by such Secretary.

(B) Variations in such outcomes among different medical facilities under the jurisdiction of such Secretary.

(C) Barriers, if any, to the implementation by mental health care providers under the jurisdiction of such Secretary of the clinical practice guidelines and other evidence-based treatments and approaches recommended for such providers by such Secretary.

(2) Submittal of plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress each of the plans developed under paragraph (1).

(d) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term

``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives

______

SA 1618. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; as follows:

Amendment No. 1618

In the appropriate place please insert the following:

SENSE OF SENATE.--It is the sense of the Senate that--

(1) the accidental transfer of live Bacillus anthracis. also known as anthrax, from an Army laboratory to more than 28 laboratories located in at least 12 states and three countries discovered in May 2015 represents a serious safety lapse;

(2) the Department of Defense, in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, should continue to investigate the cause of this lapse and determine if protective protocols should be strengthened;

(3) the Department of Defense should reassess standards on a regular basis to ensure they are current and effective to prevent a reoccurrence; and

(4) the Department of Defense should keep Congress apprised of the investigation, any potential public health or safety risk, remedial actions taken and plans to regularly reassess standards.

______

SA 1619. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title V, add the following:

SEC. 524. ESTABLISHMENT OF BREASTFEEDING POLICY FOR THE ARMY.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall develop a comprehensive policy regarding breastfeeding by female members of the Army who are breastfeeding. At a minimum, the policy shall address the following:

(1) The provision of a designated room or area that will provide the member with adequate privacy and cleanliness and that includes an electrical outlet to facilitate the use of a breast pump. Restrooms should not be considered an appropriate location.

(2) An allowance for appropriate breaks, when practicable, to permit the member to breastfeed or utilize a breast pump.

______

SA 1620. Mr. COATS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1264. MILITARY EXCHANGES BETWEEN SENIOR OFFICERS AND

OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program of exchanges of senior military officers and senior officials between the United States and Taiwan designed to improve military to military relations between the United States and Taiwan.

(b) Exchanges Described.--For the purposes of this section, an exchange is an activity, exercise, event, or observation opportunity between members of the Armed Forces and officials of the Department of Defense, on the one hand, and armed forces personnel and officials of Taiwan, on the other hand.

(c) Focus of Exchanges.--The exchanges under the program carried out pursuant to subsection (a) shall include exchanges focused on the following:

(1) Threat analysis.

(2) Military doctrine.

(3) Force planning.

(4) Logistical support.

(5) Intelligence collection and analysis.

(6) Operational tactics, techniques, and procedures.

(7) Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

(d) Civil-military Affairs.--The exchanges under the program carried out pursuant to subsection (a) shall include activities and exercises focused on civil-military relations, including parliamentary relations.

(e) Location of Exchanges.--The exchanges under the program carried out pursuant to subsection (a) shall be conducted in both the United States and Taiwan.

(f) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) The term ``senior military officer'', with respect to the Armed Forces, means a general or flag officer of the Armed Forces on active duty.

(2) The term ``senior official'', with respect to the Department of Defense, means a civilian official of the Department of Defense at the level of Assistant Secretary of Defense or above.

______

SA 1621. Mr. COATS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1024. PROHIBITION ON RETIREMENT OF NUCLEAR POWERED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS BEFORE FIRST REFUELING.

Section 5062 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(e) A nuclear powered aircraft carrier may not be retired before its first refueling.''.

______

SA 1622. Mr. MORAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XVI, add the following:

SEC. 1628. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON REVIEWING AND CONSIDERING

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF COUNCIL OF

GOVERNORS ON CYBER CAPABILITIES OF THE ARMED

FORCES.

It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should review and consider any findings and recommendations of the Council of Governors pertaining to cyber mission force requirements and any proposed reductions in and synchronization of the cyber capabilities of active or reserve components of the Armed Forces.

______

SA 1623. Mr. TESTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 706. PILOT PROGRAM ON EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR

READJUSTMENT COUNSELING FROM DEPARTMENT OF

VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE

SELECTED RESERVE OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) In General.--Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of furnishing counseling under Section 1712A(a) of title 38, United States Code, to any member of the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces who has a behavioral health condition or psychological trauma.

(b) Comprehensive Individual Assessment.--Counseling furnished under the pilot program may include a comprehensive individual assessment under section 1712A(a)(1)(B)(i) of such title.

(c) Confidentiality.--The Secretary shall ensure that the confidentiality of individuals furnished counseling under the pilot program is protected to the same extent as the confidentiality of individuals furnished counseling under section 1712A(a) of such title.

(d) Report.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to the pilot program.

(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) A description of the individuals who benefitted from counseling under the pilot program.

(B) A description of any impediments to the Secretary in furnishing counseling under the pilot program.

(D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of furnishing counseling under the pilot program to all members of the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces who have behavioral health conditions or psychological trauma.

(E) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to the furnishing of counseling to such members.

(e) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``Vet Center'' means a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code.

______

SA 1624. Mr. TESTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title V, add the following:

SEC. 706. PROVISION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH READINESS SERVICES

TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE

BASED ON NEED.

(a) Provision Authorized.--Section 1074a(g) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs

(3) and (4), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2):

``(2) The Secretary concerned may also provide to any member of the Selected Reserve not described in subsection

(d)(1) or (f) care for behavioral health conditions if the Secretary determines, based on the most recent medical exam or mental health assessment of such member, that the receipt of such care by such member will ensure that such member meets applicable standards of medical readiness.''.

(b) Funding.--Subject to applicable provisions of appropriations Acts, amounts available to the Department of Defense for the Defense Health Program shall be available for the provision of behavioral health services under section 1074a(g) of title 10, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)).

(c) Budgeting for Health Care.--In determining the amounts to be required for behavioral health services for members of the Selected Reserve under section 1074a(g) of title 10, United States Code (as so amended), for purposes of the budget of the President for fiscal years after fiscal year 2016, as submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs shall consult with appropriate officials having responsibility for the administration of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, including the Chief of the National Guard Bureau with respect to the National Guard.

______

SA 1625. Mr. TESTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. CREDIT PROTECTIONS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS.

(a) Active Duty Freeze Alerts.--Section 605A of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681c-1) is amended--

(1) in the heading for such section, by striking ``and active duty alerts'' and inserting ``, active duty alerts, and active duty freeze alerts'';

(2) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) as subsections (e) through (i), respectively;

(3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

``(d) Active Duty Freeze Alerts.--Upon the direct request of an active duty military consumer, or an individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of an active duty military consumer, a consumer reporting agency described in section 603(p) that maintains a file on the active duty military consumer and has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester, at no cost to the active duty military consumer while the consumer is deployed, shall--

``(1) include an active duty freeze alert in the file of that active duty military consumer, and also provide that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file, during a period of not less than 12 months, or such longer period as the Bureau shall determine, by regulation, beginning on the date of the request, unless the active duty military consumer or such representative requests that such freeze alert be removed before the end of such period, and the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for such purpose;

``(2) during the 2-year period beginning on the date of such request, exclude the active duty military consumer from any list of consumers prepared by the consumer reporting agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer, unless the consumer requests that such exclusion be rescinded before the end of such period; and

``(3) refer the information regarding the active duty freeze alert to each of the other consumer reporting agencies described in section 603(p), in accordance with procedures developed under section 621(f).'';

(4) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--

(A) by striking ``extended, and active duty alerts'' and inserting ``extended, active duty, and active duty freeze alerts''; and

(B) by striking ``extended, or active duty alerts'' and inserting ``extended, active duty, or active duty freeze alerts'';

(5) in subsection (f), as so redesignated--

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``or active duty alert'' and inserting ``active duty alert, or active duty freeze alert'';

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;

``; and''; and

(D) by adding at the end the following:

``(4) paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d), in the case of a referral under subsection (d)(3).'';

(6) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking ``or active duty alert'' and inserting ``active duty alert, or active duty freeze alert''; and

(7) in subsection (i), as so redesignated, by adding at the end the following:

``(3) Requirements for active duty freeze alerts.--

``(A) Notification.--Each active duty freeze alert under this section shall include information that notifies all prospective users of a consumer report on the consumer to which the freeze alert relates that the consumer does not authorize the establishment of any new credit plan or extension of credit, including any credit under an open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of the consumer, or issuance of an additional card on an existing credit account requested by a consumer, or any increase in credit limit on an existing credit account requested by a consumer.

``(B) Prohibition on users.--No prospective user of a consumer report that includes an active duty freeze alert in accordance with this section may establish a new credit plan or extension of credit, including any credit under an open-end credit plan (as defined in section 103(i)), in the name of the consumer, or issue an additional card on an existing credit account requested by a consumer, or grant any increase in credit limit on an existing credit account requested by a consumer.''.

(b) Rulemaking.--The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall prescribe regulations to define what constitutes appropriate proof of identity for purposes of section 605A(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by subsection (a).

(1) in the heading for such paragraph, by striking ``active duty alert'' and inserting ``active duty alert; active duty freeze alert''; and

(2) by inserting ``and `active duty freeze alert' '' before

``mean''.

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SA 1626. Mr. TESTER (for himself and Mr. Moran) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title V, add the following:

SEC. 1116. ADDITIONAL LEAVE FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE

DISABLED VETERANS.

(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 6329. Disabled veteran leave

``(a) Definitions.--In this section--

``(1) notwithstanding section 6301, the term `employee'--

`(A) has the meaning given such term in section 2105; and

``(B) includes an officer or employee of the United States Postal Service or of the Postal Regulatory Commission;

``(2) the term `service-connected' has the meaning given such term in section 101(16) of title 38; and

``(3) the term `veteran' has the meaning given such term in section 101(2) of title 38.

``(b) Leave Credited.--During the 12-month period beginning on the first day of the employment of an employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated as 30 percent or more disabling, the employee is entitled to leave, without loss or reduction in pay, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability for which sick leave could regularly be used.

``(c) Limitations.--

``(1) Amount of leave.-- The leave credited to an employee under subsection (b) may not exceed 104 hours.

``(2) No carry over.--Any leave credited to an employee under subsection (b) that is not used during the 12-month period described in such subsection may not be carried over and shall be forfeited.

``(d) Certification.--In order to verify that leave credited to an employee under subsection (b) is used for treating a service-connected disability, the employee shall submit to the head of the employing agency a certification, in such form and manner as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe, that the employee used the leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for the disability by a health care provider.''.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--

The table of sections for chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to section 6328 the following:

``6329. Disabled veteran leave.''.

(c) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an employee (as that term is defined in section 6329(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)) hired on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

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SA 1627. Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Coons, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Daines, Mr. Brown, and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title V, add the following:

SEC. 141. C-130 FLEET MODERNIZATION.

(a) Affirmation of Authority To Modernize.--Congress affirms that, for the purposes of modernizing the C-130 aircraft fleet, the Air Force has authority to undertake safety and compliance upgrades in lieu of the C-130 aircraft avionics modernization program of record to meet applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration by 2020.

(b) Replacement of Limitation.--Section 134 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3317) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following new subsection (b):

``(b) Coordination With FAA in Implementation of Alternative Program.--If the Secretary of the Air Force implements in accordance with subsection (a)(2) the alternative communication, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management program described in subsection (a)(1)(3), the Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration in the implementation of such program in order to meet or otherwise satisfy applicable safety and compliance airspace regulations.''

______

SA 1628. Ms. AYOTTE (for herself, Mr. Peters, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Rubio) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 1272, and insert the following:

SEC. 1272. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ANTI-TUNNEL COOPERATION.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Tunnels can be used for criminal purposes, such as smuggling drugs, weapons, or humans, or for terrorist or military purposes, such as launching surprise attacks or detonating explosives underneath civilian or military infrastructure.

(2) Tunnels have been a growing threat on the southern border of the United States for years.

(3) In the conflict in Gaza in 2014, terrorists used tunnels to conduct attacks against Israel.

(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) it is in the national security interests of the United States to develop technology to detect and counter tunnels, and the best way to do this is to partner with other affected countries;

(2) the Administration should, on a joint basis with Israel, carry out research, development, test, and evaluation of anti-tunnel capabilities to detect, map, and neutralize underground tunnels into and directed at the territory of Israel; and

(3) the Administration should use developed anti-tunnel capabilities to better protect the United States and deployed United States military personnel.

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, upon request of the Ministry of Defense of Israel, is authorized to carry out research, development, test, and evaluation, on a joint basis with Israel, to establish anti-tunnel capabilities to detect, map, and neutralize underground tunnels into and directed at the territory of Israel. Such authority includes authority to construct facilities and install equipment necessary to carry out research, development, test, and evaluation so authorized.

(2) Certification.--The activities described in paragraphs

(1) and (3) may be carried out after the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress the following:

(A) The Secretary has finalized a memorandum of understanding or other formal agreement between the United States and Israel regarding sharing of research and development costs for the capabilities described in paragraph

(1).

(B) The understanding or agreement--

(i) requires sharing of costs of projects, including in-kind support, between the United States and Israel;

(ii) establishes a framework to negotiate the rights to any intellectual property developed under the cooperative research and development projects; and

(iii) requires the United States Government to receive quarterly reports on expenditure of funds, if any, by the Government of Israel, including a description of what the funds have been used for, when funds were expended, and an identification of entities that expended the funds.

(3) Assistance.--The Secretary of Defense, upon request of the Government of Israel, is authorized to provide procurement, maintenance, and sustainment assistance to Israel in support of the anti-tunnel capabilities research, development, test, and evaluation activities authorized in paragraph (1).

(d) Reports.--

(1) Initial report.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains a copy of the memorandum of understanding and other documents between the United States and Israel as described in subsection (c)(2).

(2) Quarterly reports.--The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress on a quarterly basis a report that contains a copy of the most recent quarterly report provided by the Government of Israel to the Department of Defense pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(B)(iii).

(e) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

______

SA 1629. Mr. COTTON (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XXXI, add the following:

SEC. 3124. ENSURING UNITED STATES CIVIL NUCLEAR COMPONENTS

ARE NOT ILLEGALLY DIVERTED TO NUCLEAR NAVAL

PROPULSION PROGRAMS.

Section 57 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2077) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(f)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may not make an authorization under subsection b.(2) with respect to a foreign country with a nuclear naval propulsion program unless--

``(A) the Director of National Intelligence and the Chief of Naval Operations jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees an assessment of the risks of diversion, and the likely consequences of such diversion, of the technology and material covered by such authorization; and

``(B) following the date on which such assessment is submitted, the Administrator for Nuclear Security certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that--

``(i) there is sufficient diversion control as part of the authorization; and

``(ii) the authorization presents a minimal risk of diversion of such technology and material to a military program that would degrade the technical advantage of the United States.

``(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to France or the United Kingdom.

``(3) In this subsection, the term `appropriate congressional committees' means the following:

``(A) The congressional defense committees (as defined in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code).

``(B) The Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

``(C) The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.''.

______

SA 1630. Ms. MURKOWSKI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. REQUIREMENT TO CONTACT CERTAIN TRICARE PROVIDERS

TO DETERMINE INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING IN

CHOICE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

AFFAIRS.

(a) Submittal of List.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a list of all health care providers who participate in the TRICARE program and who are not health care providers of the Department of Defense.

(2) Update.--Not less frequently than twice each year after the submittal of the list under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs an update to such list.

(b) Determination of Interest in Participation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall contact each provider included in the list submitted under paragraph (1) or any update to such list submitted under paragraph (2) to determine whether any such provider would be interested in furnishing care to veterans under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).

``TRICARE program'' has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.

______

SA 1631. Ms. MURKOWSKI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. MAINTENANCE BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF

CERTAIN JOINT VENTURES WITH DEPARTMENT OF

DEFENSE.

(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b) and notwithstanding the policy statement of the Department of Veterans Affairs dated May 12, 2015, and entitled ``Veterans Health Administration Hierarchy for Purchased Care'' or any other policy of the Department relating to purchased care for purposes of implementing section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not--

(1) withdraw from any arrangement under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense jointly operate a hospital;

(2) reduce or eliminate staffing, funding, or the provision of other resources to a hospital that is so jointly operated; or

(3) limit the access of veterans to any such hospital.

(b) Exception.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out an action listed in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) with respect to a hospital if the Secretary submits a report to the Secretary of Defense, the appropriate committees of Congress, and each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives who represents the State in which the hospital is located--

(1) providing 180 days advance notice of the intent of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out the action; and

(2) specifying the reasons of the Secretary for carrying out the action.

(c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

______

SA 1632. Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Johnson) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

Subtitle __--Border Security Effectiveness Metrics

SEC. __1. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:

(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term

``appropriate congressional committees'' means--

(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.

(2) Cocaine removal effectiveness rate.--The term ``cocaine removal effectiveness rate'' means the percentage that results from dividing--

(A) the amount of cocaine removed by the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security components inside or outside a transit zone, as the case may be; by

(B) the total documented cocaine flow rate, as contained in Federal drug databases.

(3) Consequence delivery system.--The term ``Consequence Delivery System'' means the series of consequences applied by the Border Patrol to persons unlawfully entering the United States to prevent unlawful border crossing recidivism.

(4) Federal lands.--The term ``Federal lands'' includes all land under the control of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary of the Interior along the international border between the United States and Mexico.

(5) Got away.--The term ``got away'' means an unlawful border crosser who, after making an unlawful entry into the United States, is not turned back or apprehended.

(6) Major violator.--The term ``major violator'' means a person or entity that has engaged in serious criminal activities at any land, air, or sea port of entry, including--

(A) possession of illicit drugs;

(B) smuggling of prohibited products;

(D) weapons possession;

(E) use of fraudulent United States documents; or

(F) other offenses serious enough to result in arrest.

(7) Situational awareness.--The term ``situational awareness'' means knowledge and unified understanding of current unlawful cross-border activity, including--

(A) threats and trends concerning illicit trafficking and unlawful crossings;

(B) the ability to forecast future shifts in such threats and trends;

(D) the operational capability to conduct continuous and integrated surveillance of the international borders of the United States.

(8) Transit zone.--The term ``transit zone'' means the sea corridors of the western Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern Pacific Ocean through which undocumented migrants and illicit drugs transit, either directly or indirectly, to the United States.

(9) Turn back.--The term ``turn back'' means an unlawful border crosser who, after making an unlawful entry into the United States, returns to the country from which such crosser entered.

(10) Unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate.--

(A) In general.--The term ``unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate'' means the percentage that results from dividing--

(i) the number of apprehensions and turn backs; by

(ii) the number of apprehensions, turn backs, and got aways.

(B) Manner of collection.--The data used by the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate shall be collected and reported in a consistent and standardized manner across all Border Patrol sectors, informed by situational awareness.

SEC. __2. METRICS FOR SECURING THE BORDER BETWEEN PORTS OF

ENTRY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Chief of the Border Patrol shall develop metrics, informed by situational awareness, to measure the effectiveness of security between ports of entry. The metrics developed under this subsection shall include--

(1) an unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate, which is informed by situational awareness;

(2) a probability of detection, which compares the estimated total unlawful border crossing attempts not detected by the Border Patrol to the unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate;

(3) a weight-to-frequency rate, which compares the average weight of marijuana seized per seizure by the Border Patrol in any fiscal year to such weight-to-frequency rate for the immediately preceding 5 fiscal years;

(4) a situational awareness achievement metric, which measures the amount of situational awareness achieved in each Border Patrol sector;

(5) an illicit drugs seizure rate, which compares the amount and type of illicit drugs seized by the Border Patrol in any fiscal year to an average of the amount and type of illicit drugs seized by the Border Patrol in the immediately preceding 5 fiscal years;

(6) in consultation with the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the United States Southern Command, a cocaine seizure effectiveness rate, which is the percentage resulting from dividing--

(A) the amount of cocaine seized by the Border Patrol; by

(B) the total documented cocaine flow rate between ports of entry along the Southern land border;

(7) estimates, using alternative methodologies, including recidivism data, survey data, known-flow data, and technologically measured data, of--

(A) total attempted unlawful border crossings;

(B) the rate of apprehension of attempted unlawful border crossers; and

(8) estimates of the impact of the Border Patrol's Consequence Delivery System on the rate of recidivism of unlawful border crossers over multiple fiscal years and an examination of each consequence, including--

(A) voluntary return;

(B) warrant of arrest or notice to appear;

(D) reinstatement of removal;

(E) alien transfer exit program;

(F) streamline;

(G) standard prosecution; and

(H) Operation Against Smugglers Initiative on Safety and Security.

(b) Metrics Consultation.--In developing the metrics required under subsection (a), the Chief of the Border Patrol shall consult with staff members of the Office of Policy of the Department of Homeland Security and staff members of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. __3. METRICS FOR SECURING THE BORDER AT PORTS OF ENTRY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Field Operations in U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall develop metrics, informed by situational awareness, to measure the effectiveness of security at ports of entry. The metrics developed under this subsection shall include--

(1) an inadmissible border crossing rate, which is measured by dividing--

(A) the number of known inadmissible border crossers who are denied entry, excluding those border crossers who voluntarily withdraw their applications for admission; by

(B) the total estimated number of inadmissible border crossers who attempt entry;

(2) an illicit drugs seizure rate, which compares the amount and type of illicit drugs seized by the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in any fiscal year to an average of the amount and type of illicit drugs seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the immediately preceding 5 fiscal years;

(3) in consultation with the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the United States Southern Command, a cocaine seizure effectiveness rate, which is the percentage resulting from dividing--

(A) the amount of cocaine seized by the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; by

(B) the total documented cocaine flow rate at ports of entry along the Southern land border;

(4) estimates, using alternative methodologies, including survey data and randomized secondary screening data, of--

(A) total attempted inadmissible border crossers;

(B) the rate of apprehension of attempted inadmissible border crossers; and

(5) the number of infractions related to personnel and cargo committed by major violators who are apprehended by the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at ports of entry, and the estimated number of such infractions committed by major violators who are not apprehended;

(6) a measurement of how border security operations affect border crossing times;

(7) the amount and type of illicit drugs seized by the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at United States seaports during the previous fiscal year; and

(8) a cargo scanning rate, which compares the number of cargo containers scanned by the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at each United States seaport during the previous fiscal year to the total number of cargo containers entering the United States at each seaport during the previous fiscal year.

(b) Metrics Consultation.--In developing the metrics required under subsection (a), the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Field Operations shall consult with staff members of the Office of Policy at the Department of Homeland Security and staff members of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. __4. METRICS FOR SECURING THE MARITIME BORDER.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard and the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Air and Marine for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall jointly implement metrics, informed by situational awareness, to measure the effectiveness of security in the maritime environment. The metrics developed under this subsection shall include--

(1) an estimate of the total number of undocumented migrants who were not interdicted by the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security components;

(2) an undocumented migrant interdiction rate, which compares the flow of undocumented migrants interdicted against the total estimated number of undocumented migrants who were not interdicted by the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security components;

(3) an illicit drugs removal rate, which compares the amount and type of illicit drugs removed by the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security components inside a transit zone in any fiscal year to an average of the amount and type of illicit drugs removed by the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security components inside a transit zone for the immediately preceding 5 fiscal years;

(4) an illicit drugs removal rate, which compares the amount and type of illicit drugs removed by the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security components outside a transit zone in any fiscal year to an average of the amount and type of illicit drugs removed by the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security components outside a transit zone for the immediately preceding 5 fiscal years;

(5) a cocaine removal effectiveness rate inside a transit zone and outside a transit zone; and

(6) a response rate, which compares the ability of the maritime security components of the Department of Homeland Security to respond to and resolve known maritime threats, whether inside and outside a transit zone, by placing assets on-scene, to the total number of events with respect to which the Department has known threat information.

(b) Metrics Consultation.--In developing the metrics required under subsection (a), the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Assistant Commissioner for Air and Marine shall consult with staff members of the Office of Policy at the Department of Homeland Security and staff members of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. __5. AIR AND MARINE SECURITY METRICS IN THE LAND DOMAIN.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Air and Marine for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall implement metrics, informed by situational awareness, to measure the effectiveness of security in the aviation environment. The metrics developed under this subsection shall include--

(1) a requirement effectiveness rate, which compares U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine flight hours requirements to the number of flight hours actually flown by such Office;

(2) a funded flight hours effectiveness rate, which compares the number of funded flight hours appropriated to U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine to the number of actual flight hours flown by such Office;

(3) a readiness rate, which compares the number of aviation missions flown by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine to the number of aviation missions cancelled by such Office due to weather, maintenance, operations, or other causes;

(4) the number of subjects detected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine through the use of unmanned aerial systems;

(5) the number of apprehensions assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine through the use of unmanned aerial systems;

(6) the number and quantity of illicit drug seizures assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine through the use of unmanned aerial systems; and

(7) a detailed description of how, where, and for how long data and images collected through the use of unmanned aerial systems by U.S. Customs and Border Protection is collected and stored.

(b) Metrics Consultation.--In developing the metrics required under subsection (a), the Assistant Commissioner for Air and Marine shall consult with staff members of the Office of Policy at the Department of Homeland Security and staff members of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. __6. METRICS FOR SECURING THE BORDER ON FEDERAL LANDS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Chief of the Border Patrol shall develop metrics, informed by situational awareness, to measure the effectiveness of security between ports of entry on Federal lands. The metrics developed under this subsection shall include--

(1) an unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate, which is informed by situational awareness;

(2) a probability of detection, which compares the estimated total unlawful border crossing attempts not detected by the Border Patrol to the unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate;

(4) a situational awareness achievement metric, which measures the amount of situational awareness achieved in each Border Patrol sector;

(6) in consultation with the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the United States Southern Command, a cocaine seizure effectiveness rate, which is the percentage resulting from dividing--

(A) the amount of cocaine seized by the Border Patrol; by

(B) the total documented cocaine flow rate between ports of entry on Federal lands along the Southern land border;

(7) estimates, using alternative methodologies, including recidivism data, survey data, known-flow data, and technologically measured data, of--

(A) total attempted unlawful border crossings;

(B) the rate of apprehension of attempted unlawful border crossers; and

(b) Metrics Consultation.--In developing the metrics required under subsection (a), the Chief of the Border Patrol shall consult with the Office of Policy of the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. __7. EVALUATION BY THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE.

(a) In General.--The metrics required under sections __2 through __6, and the data and methodology used to develop such metrics, shall be provided annually to--

(1) the appropriate congressional committees;

(2) the Comptroller General of the United States; and

(3) the head of a national laboratory within the Department of Homeland Security laboratory network with prior experience in border security, who shall be selected by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after receiving the data and methodology referred to in subsection (a), and annually thereafter for the following 10 years, the Comptroller General of the United States, in consultation with the individual selected under subsection (a)(3), shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that--

(1) analyzes the suitability and statistical validity of such data and methodology; and

(2) includes recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security for other suitable metrics that may be used to measure the effectiveness of border security.

______

SA 1633. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. BORDER SECURITY ON FEDERAL LANDS ALONG THE SOUTHERN

BORDER.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Border security.--The term ``border security'' means--

(A) the functioning and operational capability to conduct continuous and integrated manned or unmanned, monitoring, sensing, or surveillance of 100 percent of Southern border mileage within the Tucson and Yuma sectors or the immediate vicinity of the Southern border within the Tucson and Yuma Sectors; and

(B) the apprehension or turn back of illegal entries across the Southern border in the Tucson and Yuma sectors.

(2) Federal lands.--The term ``Federal lands'' includes all land under the control of the Secretary concerned that is located--

(A) within 100 miles of the international border between the United States and Mexico; and

(B) within the Tucson and Yuma sectors of United States Border Patrol.

(3) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' means--

(A) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Agriculture; and

(B) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Interior.

(b) Support for Border Security Needs.--

(1) In general.--To achieve border security on Federal lands--

(A) notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary concerned shall provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel with immediate access to Federal lands for border security activities, including--

(i) routine motorized patrols; and

(ii) the deployment of communications, surveillance, and detection equipment;

(B) the Secretary concerned may provide education and training to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel on the natural and cultural resources present on individual Federal land units; and

(C) the security activities described in subparagraph (A) shall be conducted, to the maximum extent practicable, in a manner that the Secretary of Homeland Security determines will best protect the natural and cultural resources on Federal lands.

(2) Intermingled state and private land.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any private or State-owned land within the boundaries of Federal lands.

(3) Sunset.--The requirements under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) Report.--Not later than 90 days before the date on which the requirements under subsection (b) are scheduled to terminate, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes--

(1) an analysis of the effectiveness of the actions taken pursuant to such subsection, including the impact of such actions on--

(A) border security activities; and

(B) the natural and cultural resources on impacted Federal lands;

(2) an assessment of the 2006 Memos of Understanding between the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Interior regarding access to Federal and Indian lands for border security activities, including--

(A) how such memoranda, as in force on the date of the enactment of this Act, impacted border security activities;

(B) the best way to improve such memoranda and their application;

(C) specific ways in which such memoranda could be used to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security receives timely access to Federal lands for critical border security activities; and

(D) the number of agency personnel required to effectively and efficiently execute such memoranda;

(3) a sector-by-sector analysis of the expected impact of applying the requirements under subsection (b) to the entire land border of the United States, including--

(A) an assessment of--

(i) how border security activities and natural, cultural, and historic resources on Federal and Indian lands would be impacted, including the potential impact on wildlife, including endangered species;

(ii) any actions the Department of Homeland Security would need to take to mitigate the impact of border security actions, including the estimated costs of such actions; and

(iii) whether lack of access hinders border security; and

(B) an examination of the impact of providing the Department of Homeland Security with increased access to Federal and Indian lands located within--

(i) 25 miles of the United States border;

(ii) 50 miles of the United States border, or

(iii) 100 miles of the United States border; and

(4) a sector-by-sector analysis of--

(A) the costs incurred by each Secretary concerned relating to managing and mitigating for illegal border activity on Federal lands, including the cost of restoring natural resources that were damaged by illegal border activity;

(B) the impact of illegal traffic on wildlife, including endangered species and critical habitat; and

______

SA 1634. Mr. BLUNT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 706. INCLUSION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES NOT

SUBJECTED OR EXPOSED TO OPERATIONAL RISK

FACTORS IN REQUIRED MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT.

Section 1074m(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code is amended by striking ``determines that--'' and all that follows through ``providing such assessment'' and inserting

``determines that providing such assessment''.

______

SA 1635. Mr. BLUNT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title IV, add the following: SEC. 403. LIMITATION ON REDUCTION OF END STRENGTH FOR ACTIVE

DUTY PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any authorized strength specified in any annual national defense authorization Act enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act, the authorized strength for active duty personnel of the Armed Forces for any fiscal year may not be reduced below the applicable number for fiscal year 2016 specified in section 401 until the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits to Congress the report required by section 904(d)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66; 127 Stat. 816; 10 U.S.C. 111 note).

______

SA 1636. Mr. BLUNT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1230. CERTIFICATION ON ACTIONS TO ENSURE SAFETY AND

SECURITY OF DISSIDENTS HOUSED AT CAMP LIBERTY,

IRAQ.

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall certify, in writing, to the congressional defense committees whether the Central Government of Iraq is taking appropriate and sufficient actions to ensure the safety and security of dissidents housed at Camp Liberty, Iraq.

______

SA 1637. Mr. BLUNT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1230. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS TO ARM OR EQUIP THE

IRAQ MILITARY PENDING CERTIFICATION ON ACTIONS

TO ENSURE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF DISSIDENTS

HOUSED AT CAMP LIBERTY, IRAQ.

No amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise available for the Department of Defense may be used to arm or equip any personnel or units of the military forces of Iraq until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees a certification that appropriate actions have been taken to ensure the safety and security of dissidents housed at Camp Liberty, Iraq.

______

SA 1638. Mr. BLUNT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 706. ENHANCEMENT OF ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR

MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) In General.--Section 1074n(b) of title 10, United States Code is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

``(3) include a thorough dialogue between the individual conducting the mental health assessment and the member to determine whether the member has had any experiences that could lead to future mental health concerns;

``(4) include a thorough screening of the member for key indicators of post-traumatic stress and mild to severe traumatic brain injury; and

``(5) include the creation of a recorded, verified history of events, including non-combat related events, for each member to determine the cause and correlation of symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress that may appear months or years after the causal incident.''.

(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a plan for the implementation of paragraphs (3) through (5) of section 1074n(b) of such title, as added by subsection (a)(3) of this section.

(1) the annual mental health assessment for members of the Armed Forces provided under section 1074n of such title can be improved by providing members undergoing such an assessment with a record of events, including non-combat related events, to substantiate latent mental health issues that appear months or years after the causal incident;

(2) some members do not know how to ask for help with mental health concerns in connection with such assessment as conducted as of the date of the enactment of this Act and not all health care providers adequately discuss mental health during such assessment;

(3) the majority of mild traumatic brain injury inducing incidents are not diagnosed during combat deployment, so when symptoms do appear, there is no mechanism for health care providers to link the injury back to the causal incident;

(4) the provision of such assessment as conducted as of the date of the enactment of this Act does not recognize incidents described in paragraph (3) unless the member indicates such incidents on a survey or has a very proactive health care provider;

(5) when latent mental health symptoms appear after a member is discharged, the member is not eligible to receive treatment from the Department without a record of causal justification; and

(6) the Secretary of Defense has an obligation to localize as quickly and efficiently as possible without disrupting military readiness the mental health concerns that persist among members of the Armed Forces unbeknownst to those members and the health care providers of those members.

______

SA 1639. Mr. PORTMAN (for himself and Mr. Brown) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of part II of subtitle D of title V, add the following:

SEC. 540. AUTHORITY FOR UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF

TECHNOLOGY TO CHARGE AND RETAIN TUITION FOR

INSTRUCTION OF PERSONS OTHER THAN AIR FORCE

PERSONNEL DETAILED FOR INSTRUCTION AT THE

INSTITUTE.

(a) Institute Instruction of Persons Other Than Air Force Personnel.--Section 9314a of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsections (a), (c), (d), (e), and

(f) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively;

(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as paragraph (4) of subsection (d), as so redesignated; and

(3) by inserting before subsection (d), as so redesignated, the following new subsections:

``(a) Members of the Armed Forces Other Than the Air Force Who Are Detailed to the Institute.--(1) The Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of Homeland Security shall bear the cost of the instruction at the United States Air Force Institute of Technology that is received by members of the armed forces detailed for that instruction by the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Homeland Security, respectively.

``(2) Members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard may only be detailed for instruction at the Institute on a space-available basis. The Secretary of the Air Force shall charge the Secretary concerned only for such costs and fees in connection with such instruction as the Secretary of the Air Force considers appropriate. Amounts received by the Institute for such instruction shall be retained by the Institute to defray the cost of instruction.

``(b) Federal Civilian Employees Other Than Air Force Employees Who Are Detailed to the Institute.--(1) The United States Air Force Institute of Technology shall charge tuition for the cost of providing instruction at the Institute for any civilian employee of a military department (other than a civilian employee of the Department of the Air Force), of another component of the Department of Defense, or of another Federal agency who is detailed to receive instruction at the Institute.

``(2) The cost of any tuition charged an individual under this subsection shall be borne by the department, agency, or component that details the individual for instruction at the Institute. The Secretary of the Air Force shall charge the Secretary concerned only for such costs and fees in connection with such instruction as the Secretary of the Air Force considers appropriate. Amounts received by the Institute for such instruction shall be retained by the Institute to defray the cost of instruction.

``(c) Nondetailed Persons.--(1) The Secretary of the Air Force may permit persons described in paragraph (2) to receive instruction at the United States Air Force Institute of Technology on a space-available basis. The Secretary of the Air Force shall charge the individuals concerned only for such costs and fees in connection with such instruction as the Secretary considers appropriate. Amounts received by the Institute for such instruction shall be retained by the Institute to defray the cost of instruction.

``(2) Paragraph (1) applies to any of the following persons:

``(A) A member of the armed forces not detailed for that instruction by the Secretary concerned.

``(B) A civilian employee of a military department, of another component of the Department of Defense, of another Federal agency, or of the National Guard of a State not detailed for that instruction by the Secretary concerned or head of the other Department of Defense component, other Federal agency, or the National Guard.

``(C) A United States citizen who is the recipient of a competitively selected Federal or Department of Defense sponsored scholarship or fellowship with a defense focus in areas of study related to the academic disciplines offered by the Institute and which requires a service commitment to the Federal government in exchange for educational financial assistance.

``(3) If a scholarship or fellowship described in paragraph

(2)(C) includes a stipend, the Institute may accept the stipend payment from the scholarship or fellowship sponsor and make a direct payment to the individual.''.

(b) Conforming Amendments Related to Redesignation and Other Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further amended--

(1) in subsection (d), as redesignated by subsection

(a)(1)--

(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Admission Authorized'' and inserting ``Defense Industry Employees'';

(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (b)'' and inserting ``paragraph (4)''; and

(2) in subsection (f)(1), as redesignated by subsection

(a)(1), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' and inserting

``subsection (d)(1)'';

(3) in subsection (g)(1), as redesignated by subsection

(a)(1)--

(A) by striking ``under this section'' and inserting

``under subsections (c) and (d)''; and

(B) by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``who are detailed to receive instruction at the Institute under subsection (b)''; and

(4) in subsection (h), as redesignated by subsection

(a)(1), by striking ``defense industry employees enrolled under this section'' and inserting ``persons enrolled under this section who are not members of the armed forces or Government civilian employees''.

(c) Conditions on Admission of Defense Industry Civilians.--Subsection (e)(2) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended by striking

``will be done on a space-available basis and not require an increase in the size of the faculty'' and inserting ``will not require an increase in the permanently authorized size of the faculty''.

(d) Statutory Reorganization.--Chapter 901 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by transferring subsections (d) and (f) of section 9314 to the end of section 9314b and redesignating such subsections as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and

(2) in subsection 9314, by striking subsection (e).

(e) Clerical Amendments.--

(1) Section headings.--(A) The heading of section 9314 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 9314. United States Air Force Institute of Technology: degree-granting authority''.

(B) The heading of section 9314a of such title is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 9314a. United States Air Force Institute of

Technology: reimbursement and tuition; instruction of persons other than Air Force personnel''.

(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 901 of such title is amended by striking the items relating to sections 9314 and 9314a and inserting the following new items:

``9314. United States Air Force Institute of Technology: degree-granting authority.

``9314a. United States Air Force Institute of Technology: reimbursement and tuition; instruction of persons other than Air Force personnel.''.

______

SA 1640. Ms. MURKOWSKI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XXVIII, add the following:

SEC. 2815. COORDINATION OF HUNTING, FISHING, AND OTHER

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON MILITARY LAND.

(a) Policy Required.--The Secretaries of the military departments shall establish a joint policy under which military installations that control military lands that are open to public access for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities coordinate with State fish and wildlife managers, tribes, local governments, and hunting, fishing, and recreational user groups the periods during which such lands shall be open and closed to the public. To the maximum extent practicable such coordination shall be undertaken sufficiently in advance of the commencement of traditional hunting, fishing, and recreational use seasons in order for State fish and wildlife managers can plan for the opening and closing dates of seasons and the conditions under which fish and wildlife can be taken during the season.

(b) Installation Level Advisory Committees.--The policy established under subsection (a) may authorize the creation of installation level advisory committees on the use of military lands for hunting, fishing, and recreational uses. Any such advisory committee shall not be subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

______

SA 1641. Ms. MURKOWSKI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title I, add the following:

SEC. 152. FUNDING FOR COAST GUARD ICEBREAKER FLEET.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for the Department of Defense such funds as may be necessary to support the maintenance and refurbishment of the Coast Guard icebreaker fleet and the design and construction of new icebreakers.

(b) Transfer Authority.--Funds authorized under this section may be transferred to the Department of Homeland Security.

______

SA 1642. Ms. MURKOWSKI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title XXVIII, add the following:

SEC. 2822. LAND ACQUISITION, FORT GREELY SCHOOL, DELTA

JUNCTION, ALASKA.

(a) Land Acquisition Authorized.--The Secretary of the Army may acquire, without consideration, from the Delta/Greely School District (in this section referred to as the

``District''), all right, title, and interest of the District in and to a parcel of property, including improvements thereon, consisting of the Fort Greely School, Delta Junction, Alaska.

(b) Termination of Ground Lease.--Upon the acquisition authorized under subsection (a), the ground lease between Delta/Greely School District and the Army will be terminated and the District shall be relieved from all liability for the demolition of the building or remediation of the site except for environmental contamination that was the result of sole willful misconduct of the District during the period that the District owned the Fort Greely School.

(c) Additional Terms.--The Secretary of the Army may require such additional terms and conditions in connection with the acquisition under subsection (a) as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

______

SA 1643. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title VI, add the following:

SEC. 622. GUARANTEED TRANSPORTATION FOR NEXT OF KIN TO ATTEND

TRANSFER CEREMONY OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED

FORCES WHO DIE OVERSEAS.

Section 481f(e) of title 37, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2):

``(2) The discretion to authorize transportation under paragraph (1) shall not apply, and the Secretary of the military department concerned is instead required to provide such transportation, whenever the death of the member overseas occurs in the line of duty in a combat or humanitarian relief operation or in combat zone designated by the Secretary of Defense.''.

______

SA 1644. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1257. APPROVAL OF EXPORT LICENCES AND LETTERS OF REQUEST

TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE.

(a) In General.--

(1) Export license applications.--The Secretary of State shall provide the specified congressional committees a detailed list of all export license applications, including requests for marketing licenses, for the sale of defense articles and defense services to Ukraine. The list shall include the date when the application or request was first submitted, the current status of each application or request, and the estimated timeline for adjudication of such applications or requests. The Secretary should give priority to processing these applications and requests.

(2) Letters of request.--The Secretary of State shall also provide the specified congressional committees a detailed list of all pending Letters of Request for Foreign Military Sales to Ukraine, including the date when the letter was first submitted, the current status, and the estimated timeline for adjudication of such letters.

(b) Reports.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the specified congressional committees a report outlining the status of the applications, requests for marketing licenses and Letters of Request described under subsection (a). The report shall terminate upon certification by the President that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Government of Ukraine has been restored or 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, whichever occurs first.

(c) Specified Congressional Committees Defined.--In this subsection, the term ``specified congressional committees'' means--

(1) the congressional defense committees; and

(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

______

SA 1645. Mr. MARKEY proposed an amendment to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EXPORTS OF CRUDE OIL.

It is the sense of Congress that exports of crude oil to allies and partners of the United States should not be determined to be consistent with the national interest and the purposes of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.) if those exports would increase energy prices in the United States for American consumers or businesses or increase the reliance of the United States on imported oil.

______

SA 1646. Mr. LEAHY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title V, add the following:

SEC. 515. ANNUAL REPORT ON PERSONNEL, TRAINING, AND EQUIPMENT

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NON-FEDERALIZED NATIONAL

GUARD TO SUPPORT CIVILIAN AUTHORITIES IN

PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO NON-CATASTROPHIC

DOMESTIC DISASTERS.

(a) Annual Report Required.--Section 10504 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Report.--'' and inserting ``Report on State of the National Guard.--(1)'';

(2) by striking ``(b) Submission of Report to Congress.--'' and inserting ``(2)'';

(3) by striking ``annual report of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau'' and inserting ``annual report required by paragraph (1)''; and

(4) by adding at the end the following new subsection (b):

``(b) Annual Report on Non-federalized Service National Guard Personnel, Training, and Equipment Requirements.--(1) Not later than January 31 of each of calendar years 2016 through 2022, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the officials specified in paragraph (5) a report setting forth the personnel, training, and equipment required by the National Guard during the next fiscal year to carry out its mission, while not Federalized, to provide prevention, protection mitigation, response, and recovery activities in support of civilian authorities in connection with non-catastrophic natural and man-made disasters.

``(2) To determine the annual personnel, training, and equipment requirements of the National Guard referred to in paragraph (1), the Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall take into account, at a minimum, the following:

``(A) Core civilian capabilities gaps for the prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery activities in connection with natural and man-made disasters, as collected by the Department of Homeland Security from the States.

``(B) Threat and hazard identifications and risk assessments of the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the States.

``(3) Personnel, training, and equipment requirements shall be collected from the States, validated by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and be categorized in the report required by paragraph (1) by each of the following:

``(A) Emergency support functions of the National Response Framework.

``(B) Federal Emergency Management Agency regions.

``(4) The annual report required by paragraph (1) shall be prepared in consultation with the chief executive of each State, other appropriate civilian authorities, and the Council of Governors.

``(5) In addition to the congressional defense committees, the annual report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the following officials:

``(A) The Secretary of Defense.

``(B) The Secretary of Homeland Security.

``(C) The Council of Governors.

``(D) The Secretary of the Army.

``(E) The Secretary of the Air Force.

``(F) The Commander of the United States Northern Command.

``(G) The Commander of the United States Cyber Command.''.

(b) Clerical Amendments.--

(1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 10504. Chief of the National Guard Bureau: annual reports''.

(2) Table of contents.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1011 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 10504 and inserting the following new section:

``10504. Chief of the National Guard Bureau: annual reports.''.

______

SA 1647. Mr. MERKLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1230. REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE

AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION OF 2002.

The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; 116 Stat. 1498; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) is hereby repealed.

______

SA 1648. Mr. MERKLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of part II of subtitle D of title V, add the following:

SEC. 540. ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMY FOR TUITION

ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

EFFECTIVE UPON COMPLETION OF INITIAL ENTRY

TRAINING IN THE ARMY.

Notwithstanding Army policy ALARACT 317/2013 or any similar policy, any individual who is enlisted, inducted, or appointed as a member of the Army, including the Army National Guard of the United States and the Army Reserve, after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall be eligible for tuition assistance through the Department of Defense for members of the Armed Forces upon completion of initial entry training, rather than upon completion of one year of service after completion of initial entry training, to the same extent such members would have been eligible for such tuition assistance before the issuance of ALARACT 317/2013.

______

SA 1649. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1264. SENSE OF SENATE ON THE REBALANCE TO THE ASIA-

PACIFIC REGION.

It is the sense of the Senate that--

(1) the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region is right for the United States, and the United States Army is essential to this effort given the importance of land armies in the region;

(2) the Asia-Pacific region is home to 7 of the 10 largest armies in the world, and 21 of the 27 chiefs of defense in the region are army officers;

(3) the dynamic security environment in the Asia-Pacific region demands capabilities the Army has to offer, from supporting humanitarian operations to conducting military exercises with most important regional partners and allies of the United States;

(4) the spending limits in the Budget Control Act of 2011 impose hard choices on the Department of Defense that could force the Army to make strategically unwise cuts to its end strength;

(5) it is the responsibility of Congress to remove defense and non-defense spending limits to give Federal agencies the certainty they need to make sound budgetary decisions; and

(6) despite fiscal pressure, the Army should strengthen its posture in the Asia-Pacific region and make future force structure decisions in line with the commitment of the United States to rebalance to the region.

______

SA 1650. Mr. SCHATZ (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Booker) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title V, add the following:

SEC. 524. REVIEW OF DISCHARGE CHARACTERIZATION OF MEMBERS OF

THE ARMED FORCES DISCHARGED UNDER THE DON'T

ASK, DON'T TELL POLICY.

(a) In General.--In accordance with this section, the appropriate discharge boards--

(1) shall review the discharge characterization of covered members at the request of the covered member; and

(2) if such characterization is any characterization except honorable, may change such characterization to honorable.

(b) Criteria.--In changing the discharge characterization of a covered member to honorable under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that such changes are carried out consistently and uniformly across the military departments using the following criteria:

(1) The original discharge must be based on Don't Ask Don't Tell (in this section referred to as ``DADT'') or a similar policy in place prior to the enactment of DADT.

(2) Such discharge characterization shall be so changed if, with respect to the original discharge, there were no aggravating circumstances, such as misconduct, that would have independently led to a discharge characterization that was any characterization except honorable. For purposes of this paragraph, such aggravating circumstances may not include--

(A) an offense under section 925 of title 10, United States Code (article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), committed by a covered member against a person of the same sex with the consent of such person; or

(B) statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to sexual orientation or identity, or the disclosure of such statements, conduct, or acts, that were prohibited at the time of discharge but after the date of such discharge became permitted.

(3) When requesting a review, a covered member, or the member's representative, shall be required to provide either--

(A) documents consisting of--

(i) a copy of the DD-214 form of the member;

(ii) a personal affidavit of the circumstances surrounding the discharge; and

(iii) any relevant records pertaining to the discharge; or

(B) an affidavit certifying that the member, or the member's representative, does not have the documents specified in subparagraph (A).

(4) If a covered member provides an affidavit described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3)--

(A) the appropriate discharge board shall make every effort to locate the documents specified in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph within the records of the Department of Defense; and

(B) the absence of such documents may not be considered a reason to deny a change of the discharge characterization under subsection (a)(2).

(c) Request for Review.--The appropriate discharge board shall ensure the mechanism by which covered members, or their representative, may request to have the discharge characterization of the covered member reviewed under this section is simple and straightforward.

(d) Review.--

(1) In general.--After a request has been made under subsection (c), the appropriate discharge board shall review all relevant laws, records of oral testimony previously taken, service records, or any other relevant information regarding the discharge characterization of the covered member.

(2) Additional materials.--If additional materials are necessary for the review, the appropriate discharge board--

(A) may request additional information from the covered member or the member's representative, in writing, and specifically detailing what is being requested; and

(B) shall be responsible for obtaining a copy of the necessary files of the covered member from the member, or when applicable, from the Department of Defense.

(e) Change of Characterization.--The appropriate discharge board shall change the discharge characterization of a covered member to honorable if such change is determined to be appropriate after a review is conducted under subsection

(d) pursuant to the criteria under subsection (b). A covered member, or the member's representative, may appeal a decision by the appropriate discharge board to not change the discharge characterization by using the regular appeals process of the board.

(f) Change of Records.--For each covered member whose discharge characterization is changed under subsection (e), or for each covered member who was honorably discharged but whose DD-214 form reflects the sexual orientation of the member, the Secretary of Defense shall reissue to the member or the member's representative a revised DD-214 form that reflects the following:

(1) For each covered member discharged, the Separation Code, Reentry Code, Narrative Code, and Separation Authority shall not reflect the sexual orientation of the member and shall be placed under secretarial authority. Any other similar indication of the sexual orientation or reason for discharge shall be removed or changed accordingly to be consistent with this paragraph.

(2) For each covered member whose discharge occurred prior to the creation of general secretarial authority, the sections of the DD-214 form referred to paragraph (1) shall be changed to similarly reflect a universal authority with codes, authorities, and language applicable at the time of discharge.

(g) Status.--

(1) In general.--Each covered member whose discharge characterization is changed under subsection (e) shall be treated without regard to the original discharge characterization of the member, including for purposes of--

(A) benefits provided by the Federal Government to an individual by reason of service in the Armed Forces; and

(B) all recognitions and honors that the Secretary of Defense provides to members of the Armed Forces.

(2) Reinstatement.--In carrying out paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall reinstate all recognitions and honors of a covered member whose discharge characterization is changed under subsection (e) that the Secretary withheld because of the original discharge characterization of the member.

(h) Reports.--

(1) Review.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a review of the consistency and uniformity of the reviews conducted under subsection (a).

(2) Reports.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter for a four-year period, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the reviews under paragraph (1). Such reports shall include any comments or recommendations for continued actions.

(i) Historical Review.--The Secretary of each military department shall ensure that oral historians of the department--

(1) review the facts and circumstances surrounding the estimated 100,000 members of the Armed Forces discharged from the Armed Forces between World War II and September 2011 because of the sexual orientation of the member; and

(2) receive oral testimony of individuals who personally experienced discrimination and discharge because of the actual or perceived sexual orientation of the individual so that such testimony may serve as an official record of these discriminatory policies and their impact on American lives.

(j) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) The term ``appropriate discharge board'' means the boards for correction of military records under section 1552 of title 10, United States Code, or the discharge review boards under section 1553 of such title, as the case may be.

(2) The term ``covered member'' means any former member of the Armed Forces who was discharged from the Armed Forces because of the sexual orientation of the member.

(3) The term ``discharge characterization'' means the characterization under which a member of the Armed Forces is discharged or released, including ``dishonorable'',

``general'', ``other than honorable'', and ``honorable''.

(4) The term ``Don't Ask Don't Tell'' means section 654 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect before such section was repealed pursuant to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-321).

(5) The term ``representative'' means the surviving spouse, next of kin, or legal representative of a covered member.

______

SA 1651. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1283. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

RELATED TO THE SALE AND TRANSFER OF MINE

RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED VEHICLES MRAPS TO

STRATEGIC PARTNERS.

It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) it is in the national security interest of the United States to build relationships with strategic partners through security assistance programs, including the Foreign Military Sales, Excess Defense Articles, and Foreign Military Financing of Direct Commercial Contracts programs;

(2) these security assistance programs incentivize partners to meet the requirements of United States law in order to purchase United States military equipment, secure special access privileges for the United States military, and reassure allies of United States security commitments;

(3) as the United States deepens security ties in key regions, it remains vital that it strike a balance between remaining an attractive security partner and establishing robust oversight over all security assistance programs;

(4) absent robust oversight, sales and transfers of sensitive weapon systems to foreign countries and military units with human rights violations carry the risk of harming United States interests;

(5) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles are a highly sensitive weapon system that have the potential to be used for repressive purposes, including to suppress legitimate domestic civil unrest and peaceful protests; and

(6) the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the Department of State should submit the sale and transfer of MRAP vehicles to foreign countries to the Enhanced End-Use Monitoring process in order to ensure an added layer of compliance and accountability with United States assistance and to deter the misuse of this weapon system.

______

SA 1652. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of title VII, add the following:

Subtitle D--Improvement of Health Care for Women Members of the Armed

Forces

SEC. 741. CONTRACEPTION COVERAGE PARITY UNDER THE TRICARE

PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Section 1074d of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``for Members and Former Members'' after ``Services Available'';

(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (d); and

(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsections:

``(b) Care Related to Prevention of Pregnancy.--Female covered beneficiaries shall be entitled to care related to the prevention of pregnancy described by subsection (d)(3).

``(c) Prohibition on Cost-sharing for Certain Services.--Notwithstanding section 1074g(a)(6) of this title or any other provision of law, cost-sharing may not be imposed or collected for care related to the prevention of pregnancy provided pursuant to subsection (a) or (b), including for any method of contraception provided, whether provided through a facility of the uniformed services, the TRICARE retail pharmacy program, or the national mail-order pharmacy program.''.

(b) Care Related to Prevention of Pregnancy.--Subsection

(d)(3) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (a)(2) of this section, is further amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``(including all methods of contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling in connection therewith)''.

(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1077(a)(13) of such title is amended by striking ``section 1074d(b)'' and inserting ``section 1074d(d)''.

SEC. 742. ACCESS TO BROAD RANGE OF METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

APPROVED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND MILITARY

DEPENDENTS AT MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITIES.

(a) In General.--Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that every military treatment facility has a sufficient stock of a broad range of methods of contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office of Population Affairs of the Department of Health and Human Services, to be able to dispense at any time any such method of contraception to any women members of the Armed Forces and female covered beneficiaries who receive care through such facility.

(b) Covered Beneficiary Defined.--In this section, the term

``covered beneficiary'' has the meaning given that term in section 1072(5) of title 10, United States Code.

SEC. 743. PREGNANCY PREVENTION ASSISTANCE AT MILITARY

TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR WOMEN WHO ARE SEXUAL

ASSAULT SURVIVORS.

(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide in statute, and to enhance, existing regulations that require health care providers at military treatment facilities to consult with survivors of sexual assault once clinically stable regarding options for emergency contraception and any necessary follow-up care, including the provision of the emergency contraception.

(b) In General.--The assistance specified in subsection (c) shall be provided at every military treatment facility to the following:

(1) Any woman who presents at a military treatment facility and states to personnel of the facility that she is a victim of sexual assault or is accompanied by another individual who states that the woman is a victim of sexual assault.

(2) Any woman who presents at a military treatment facility and is reasonably believed by personnel of such facility to be a survivor of sexual assault.

(1) In general.--The assistance specified in this subsection shall include the following:

(A) The prompt provision by appropriate staff of the military treatment facility of comprehensive, medically and factually accurate, and unbiased written and oral information about all methods of emergency contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

(B) The prompt provision by such staff of emergency contraception to a woman upon her request.

(C) Notification to the woman of her right to confidentiality in the receipt of care and services pursuant to this section.

(2) Nature of information.--The information provided pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) shall be provided in language that is clear and concise, is readily comprehensible, and meets such conditions (including conditions regarding the provision of information in languages other than English) as the Secretary may provide in the regulations under this section.

______

SA 1653. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. EXPANSION OF DUTIES OF UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS.

Section 136(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``and health affairs'' and inserting the following: ``health affairs, and the coordination, use, acquisition, or exchange of joint requirements and resources with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and implementation of recommendations made under section 320(c)(1) of title 38''.

______

SA 1654. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title III, add the following:

SEC. 355. BRIEFING ON CHANGING CLIMATE CONDITIONS AND

MILITARY INSTALLATION READINESS.

(a) In General.--Not later than March 1, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall provide a briefing to interested Senators on the Department of Defense's strategy and initiatives to address the impact of changing climate conditions on military installations, including expected increased water shortages and instances of wildfire due to increased drought and flooding due to sea level rise and coastal erosion from storm surges, and efforts to mitigate the associated national security risk and ensure optimal military readiness.

(b) Elements.--The briefing required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements:

(1) An assessment of how changing conditions are affecting operations and military readiness at military installations.

(2) A description of efforts to disseminate and implement best practices across military installations.

(3) An assessment whether the Department of Defense faces challenges in carrying out preparedness and resilience initiatives, and recommendations for legislation needed to increase security on military installations.

(4) A description of opportunities for effective public private partnerships or contracts with industry to address and mitigate the effects of these changing conditions.

______

SA 1655. Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title III, add the following:

SEC. 355. UPGRADES TO LONG-RANGE RADAR ADVERSELY IMPACTED IN

A SIGNIFICANT MANNER BY THE DEVELOPMENT OR

CONSTRUCTION OF WIND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE.

The Secretary of Defense shall upgrade any Long Range Air Route Surveillance Radar that is, or risks being, adversely impacted in a significant manner by the development or construction of wind energy infrastructure.

______

SA 1656. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of section 1227, before the end quote and final period, insert the following:

``(17) Report informing the processing time for applicants.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to shall submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives that includes--

``(A) the number of applicants in the `administrative processing' phase of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa application process, broken down by month, during the most recent 12-month period;

``(B) the shortest and longest period that an application described in subparagraph (A) has been in such phase; and

``(C) a description of the steps that the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security have taken to reduce the length of the administrative processing phase, while maintaining adequate security review and screening of such applications.

______

SA 1657. Mr. PORTMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 1251 and insert the following:

SEC. 1251. UKRAINE SECURITY ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE.

(a) Authority To Provide Assistance.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by title XV and available for overseas contingency operations as specified in the funding tables in division D, $300,000,000 may be available to the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to provide appropriate security assistance and intelligence support, including training, equipment, and logistics support, supplies and services, to military and other security forces of the Government of Ukraine for the purposes as follows:

(1) To enhance the capabilities of the military and other security forces of the Government of Ukraine to defend against further aggression.

(2) To assist Ukraine in developing the combat capability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(3) To support the Government of Ukraine in defending itself against actions by Russia and Russian-backed separatists that violate the ceasefire agreements of September 4, 2014, and February 11, 2015.

(b) Appropriate Security Assistance and Intelligence Support.--For purposes of subsection (a), appropriate security assistance and intelligence support includes the following:

(1) Real time or near real time actionable intelligence, including by lease of such capabilities from United States commercial companies.

(2) Lethal assistance such as anti-armor weapon systems, mortars, crew-served weapons and ammunition, grenade launchers and ammunition, and small arms and ammunition.

(3) Counter-artillery radars, including medium-range and long-range counter-artillery radars that can detect and locate long-range Russian artillery.

(4) Unmanned aerial tactical surveillance systems.

(5) Cyber capabilities.

(6) Counter-electronic warfare capabilities such as secure communications equipment and other electronic protection systems.

(7) Other electronic warfare capabilities.

(8) Training required to maintain and employ systems and capabilities described in paragraphs (1) through (7).

(9) Training for critical combat operations such as planning, command and control, small unit tactics, anti-armor tactics, counter-artillery tactics, logistics, countering improvised explosive devices, battle-field first aid, and medical evacuation.

(10) Training for strategic and operational planning at and above the brigade level.

(1) Training.--Up to 20 percent of the amount described in subsection (a) may be used to support training pursuant to section 1207 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note), relating to the Global Security Contingency Fund.

(2) Limitation.--Not more than 50 percent of the amount described in subsection (a) may be obligated or expended until an amount equal to 20 percent of such amount has been obligated or expended for appropriate security assistance described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) for the Government of Ukraine.

(3) Alternative use of funds.--In the event funds otherwise available pursuant to subsection (a) are not used by reason of the limitation in paragraph (2), such funds may be used at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, with concurrence of the Secretary of State, to provide security assistance and intelligence support, including training, equipment, logistics support, supplies and services to military and other national-level security forces of Partnership for Peace nations other than Ukraine that the Secretary of Defense determines face an elevated risk of Russian military aggression and that the Secretary determines is appropriate to defending their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(d) United States Inventory and Other Sources.--

(1) In general.--In addition to any assistance provided pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense is authorized, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to make available to the Government of Ukraine weapons and other defense articles, from the United States inventory and other sources, and defense services, in such quantity as the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate to achieve the purposes specified in subsection (a).

(2) Replacement.--Amounts for the replacement of any items provided to the Government of Ukraine pursuant to paragraph

(1) may be derived from funds available for this section or from amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense for overseas contingency operations for weapons procurement.

(e) Construction of Authorization.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to constitute a specific statutory authorization for the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein hostilities are clearly indicated by the circumstances.

(f) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State and other appropriate agencies, submit to Congress a report setting forth in detail the following:

(1) The current criteria governing the provision of security assistance and intelligence support to the Government of Ukraine.

(2) The plan, including timelines for delivery, types and quantities of security assistance, and costs, to ensure that such assistance and support are being provided in compliance with the authorized purposes specified in subsection (a).

(g) Termination of Authority.--Assistance may not be provided under the authority in this section after December 31, 2017.

______

SA 1658. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 721. ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIC UNIFORM DRUG FORMULARY

FOR THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO

MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES UNDERGOING

SEPARATION FROM THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish a process to make available to individuals undergoing the transition from the receipt of health care services through the Department of Defense to the receipt of such services through the Department of Veterans Affairs systemic pain and psychotropic drugs that are critical to the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the appropriate and effective provision of health care services to such individuals.

(b) Strategic Uniform Formulary.--

(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish, and from time to time update, a strategic, evidence-based, uniform formulary for the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that includes all appropriate systemic pain and psychotropic drugs that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs jointly determine are critical to the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the appropriate and effective provision of health care services to individuals described in such subsection.

(2) Inapplicability of certain provisions of law.--Section 1074g of title 10, United States Code, shall not apply to the establishing and updating of the formulary required by paragraph (1).

(c) Preservation of Authority.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from each maintaining their own formularies.

(d) Report.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the establishment of the formulary under subsection (b).

(2) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.

______

SA 1659. Ms. COLLINS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 604.

______

SA 1660. Ms. COLLINS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1209. SUPPORT OF FOREIGN FORCES PARTICIPATING IN

OPERATIONS TO DISARM AND END ATROCITIES

COMMITTED BY BOKO HARAM.

(a) Statement of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the United States Government to--

(1) provide timely civilian and military assistance to the Government of Nigeria and regional partners for efforts to assist civilians harmed by Boko Haram;

(2) permit appropriate members and units of the Armed Forces to train, advise, and assist the security forces of regional partners, including Nigeria, as they conduct operations against Boko Haram and operations to reduce and eliminate the safe havens from which terrorist activity can be perpetrated;

(3) support the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to provide security for schools to protect girls seeking an education, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality;

(4) coordinate United States Government efforts with those of other nations and intergovernmental organizations to increase contributions for rescue and recovery efforts and better leverage those contributions to enhance the capacity of the law enforcement and military services of the Government of Nigeria; and

(5) strengthen the operational capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria to enhance public safety and prevent crime and gender-based violence, while strengthening accountability measures to prevent corruption and abuses.

(b) Authority.--The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General may provide logistic support, supplies, and services, communications, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to foreign countries participating in operations to mitigate and eliminate the threat posed by Boko Haram.

(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to be a declaration of war, an authorization for the use of military force, or any similar authority, nor shall it be construed to limit the authority of the President under the Constitution as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

(d) Funding.--

(1) In general.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017 for operation and maintenance, not more than $35,000,000 may be utilized in each such fiscal year to provide support under subsection (b).

(2) Availability of funds across fiscal years.--Amounts available under this subsection for a fiscal year for support under the authority in subsection (b) may be used for support under that authority that begins in such fiscal year but ends in the next fiscal year.

(e) Limitations.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, or the Attorney General may not use the authority in subsection (b) to provide any type of support that is otherwise prohibited by any provision of law.

(2) Military support.--Military support may be provided under the authority in subsection (b) only by the Secretary of Defense.

(3) Eligible countries.--The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, or the Attorney General may not use the authority in subsection (b) to provide support to any foreign country that is otherwise prohibited from receiving such type of support under any other provision of law.

(4) Determination.--The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, or the Attorney General may not use the authority in subsection (b) to provide any type of support to Nigerian forces unless the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determines that the Government of Nigeria is--

(A) undertaking significant efforts to promote the rule of law and hold its security forces accountable for any abuses or criminal activity;

(B) coordinating efforts to combat Boko Haram with neighboring countries;

(D) prioritizing the protection of women and girls from gender-based violence.

(f) Notice to Congress on Eligible Countries for Military Support.--The Secretary of Defense may not provide support under subsection (b) for the national military forces of a country determined to be eligible for such support under that subsection until the Secretary notifies the appropriate committees of Congress of the eligibility of the country for such support.

(g) Notice to Congress on Support to Be Provided.--Not less than 15 days before the date on which funds are obligated to provide support under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a notice setting forth the following:

(1) The type of support to be provided.

(2) The national government to be supported.

(3) The objectives of such support.

(4) The estimated cost of such support.

(5) The intended duration of such support.

(h) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(2) The term ``logistic support, supplies, and services'' has the meaning given that term in section 2350(1) of title 10, United States Code.

(i) Expiration.--The authority provided under this section may not be exercised after September 30, 2017.

______

SA 1661. Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Kaine) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title II, add the following:

SEC. 236. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON DEVELOPING WEAPONS

TECHNOLOGIES.

It is the sense of Congress that railgun and other developing weapons technologies are vital to the future of national security and should be provided the necessary infrastructure to support the continued development of such weapons systems, including all secure space (SCIFs) necessary to incorporate cyber security into weapons systems during development.

______

SA 1662. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XVI, add the following:

SEC. 1614. COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO THE UNITED STATES

OVERHEAD SATELLITE ARCHITECTURE.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The current approach to the overhead satellite architecture of the United States is increasingly unsustainable in the long run due to high and growing costs, long design time, over reliance on large, expensive vehicles that need heavy launch and represent potential single points of failure, an inability to take full advantage of rapid technological innovation in the commercial sector, a lack of commercial-like acquisition practices, a lack of competition, inadequate communications paths and ground processing systems, and the vulnerability to anti-satellite attack without an adequate capability to replace and replenish lost or damaged space vehicles.

(2) The overhead satellite capabilities of the United States are in grave peril due to an over reliance on a big government, centralized planning, and an acquisition model based on a series of 10-year plans.

(3) In past years, the National Reconnaissance Office was the United States model for excellence in acquisition and program management. This was in no small part due to competition within the National Reconnaissance Office between Program A (the Air Force satellite reconnaissance element), Program B (the Central Intelligence Agency satellite reconnaissance element), and Program C (the Navy reconnaissance element), for the best, most innovative, and most cost-effective satellite and aircraft reconnaissance systems, which were delivered on time and under budget. Programs A, B, and C existed from 1962 to 1992.

(4) On September 23, 1971, National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger issued a short memo regarding the President's decision to pursue the first electro-optical imaging (EOI) satellite, to be undertaken ``under a realistic funding program, with a view toward achieving an operational capability in 1976.'' It took almost exactly 5 years to design and launch the first KH-11 satellite into orbit on December 19, 1976. The United States needs to get back to this kind of timeline in designing and launching United States overhead reconnaissance satellites.

(5) The United States cannot afford to wait a decade or more from design to launch of a satellite if the United States is to maintain its technological edge.

(6) The culture of innovation and competition must be fostered and reinforced in the requirements, planning, design, and research and development processes for the United States entire overhead satellite architecture, to take into account and prioritize--

(A) the intelligence requirements of United States warfighters and national policymakers;

(B) the need for resiliency and rapid reconstitution of the architecture in an increasingly contested space environment; and

(C) the ability to leverage rapid developments and innovation in commercial sector satellite, processing and sensor technology.

(7) Space is no longer an uncontested environment, as it had been in the past. The United States must be open to innovative solutions such as distributed, disaggregated architectures that could allow for better resiliency against the space threat, and also allow for ready reconstitution, constant replenishment, and frequent technological refresh.

(8) The current cost-constrained budget environment dictates that the United States can no longer ignore the costs of systems and potentially less expensive alternatives.

(9) In April 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that the United States needed to reform acquisition across the Department of Defense, that the costs of the ``exquisite solution'' were making defense unaffordable, and that ``we needed to shift away from the 99-percent exquisite service-centric platforms that are so costly and so complex that they take forever to build and only then in very limited quantities. With the pace of technological and geopolitical change and the range of possible contingencies, we must look more to the 80 percent multi-service solution that can be produced on time, on budget and in significant numbers.''.

(10) The National Space Policy of the United States of America issued on June 28, 2010, states ``To promote a robust domestic commercial space industry, departments and agencies shall:

``Purchase and use commercial space capabilities and services to the maximum practical extent when such capabilities and services are available in the marketplace and meet United States Government requirements;

``Modify commercial space capabilities and services to meet government requirements when existing commercial capabilities and services do not fully meet these requirements and the potential modification represents a more cost-effective and timely acquisition approach for the government;

``Develop governmental space systems only when it is in the national interest and there is no suitable, cost-effective United States commercial or, as appropriate, foreign commercial service or system that is or will be available;''.

(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--

(1) overhead satellite collection and processing known as commodity overhead satellite collection and processing should be undertaken as much as possible by the commercial sector in order to offload cost and risk from the taxpayer, while national programs should continue their tradition of excellence in innovation to address the truly complex exquisite problem sets and requirements that cannot be addressed by the commercial sector;

(2) overhead satellite architecture should be designed in such a way that a number of elements common to nearly all spacecraft should be standardized, which would bring costs down, simplify execution and preserve the industrial base; and

(3) the entire overhead satellite architecture of the United States, including programs funded by the Department of Defense or by an element of the intelligence community, commercial imagery providers, and foreign partner capabilities, should be viewed and treated as an integrated whole, not simply as a series of satellite systems of the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, or private entities;

(4) the state of the current overhead architecture and planning for the future architecture should receive priority personal attention from the President, the senior national security and scientific advisors to the President, the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure that the architecture--

(A) meets the needs of the United States in peacetime and in wartime; responsibly stewards the taxpayers' dollars;

(B) accurately takes into account cost and performance tradeoffs of the architecture;

(D) produces and fosters excellence, innovation, and competition;

(E) produces innovative satellite systems in under 5 years that are able to leverage common, standardized design elements and commercially available technologies;

(F) takes advantage of rapid advances in commercial technology, innovation, and commercial-like acquisition practices; and

(G) fosters competition and a robust industrial base.

(1) Requirement for strategy.--The Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall develop a strategy, with milestones and benchmarks, to ensure that there is a wholesale review of the entire approach of the United States to overhead satellite architecture, including programs of the Department of Defense that are funded under the Military Intelligence Program, programs of elements of the intelligence community that are funded under the National Intelligence Program, programs carried out by the commercial satellite and imagery sectors, and foreign partner capabilities, to ensure that such architecture comports with the principles of the Sense of Congress in subsection (b).

(2) Report on strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall report to the Committee on Armed Services and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives on the strategy required by paragraph (1).

______

SA 1663. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. MODIFICATION OF FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION TO

ENCOURAGE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS TO HIRE

VETERANS WITH MILITARY TRAINING IN CYBER AND

CYBER-RELATED FIELDS.

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall direct the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to issue proposed rules by not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and, final rules by not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act that amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation--

(1) to require contractors who are subject to the cost accounting standards under the Federal Acquisition Regulation and who received at least $25,000,000 in aggregated contracts in each of the prior two fiscal years to develop and maintain a single company-wide veterans employment plan that, at a minimum, includes--

(A) performance metrics for the hiring and training of veterans;

(B) a plan to hire veterans, with a particular focus on veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001; and

(C) actions that can be used for training veterans for civilian certifications not later than one year after hiring them in skills applicable to Government contracts relating to cyber and cyber related work;

(2) to encourage Federal agencies to modify or waive a skill required for the performance of an awarded contract when the contract supports cyber or cyber-related work and is to be performed by a veteran assigned to work on such contract and the contractor provides training to the veteran in order to meet the modified or waived requirement by not later than one year after the date of such assignment;

(3) to require contractors to validate that--

(A) the veterans hired by the contractors after the date of the enactment of this Act meet the minimum skill qualification requirements under the contract based on military training; and

(B) the contractors provide training to such veterans in order to meet the original qualification requirement of such contract within one year of such assignment; and

(4) to modify such audit, oversight, and allowable cost requirements as may be applicable to Federal contracts to recognize and take into account the actions taken by a contractor under paragraph (3) as being in compliance with the terms and conditions of a contract.

______

SA 1664. Mr. SCHUMER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 811. IMPLEMENTATION OF VALUE-BASED ACQUISITIONS.

(a) Value-based Acquisition Process Required.--

(1) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of each of the military departments shall independently submit to the congressional defense committees a study that proposes methodologies for measuring and optimizing the targeted and returned value of each department's acquisition portfolio, as quantifiable and verifiable as a function of utility, monetary cost, and time-to-capability and for purposes of comprising the disparate capability options that might populate an optimal portfolio.

(2) Scope of Methodology.--The value based acquisition portfolio management methodology proposed under this subsection shall--

(A) consider demonstrated commercial and government best practice for value-centric management, engineering, and procurement;

(B) consider watchdog report recommendations regarding Department of Defense aquisition shortcomings;

(D) address linkages and collaboration across Defense

[PPBS, JCIDS, A&A], Engineering, Procurement, and Sustainment processes; and

(E) provide mathematically robust, tailorable, optimization algorithms suitable for supporting value-based acquisition portfolio investment decisions, and management across the spectrum of Department of Defense programs.

______

SA 1665. Mr. KIRK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 884. USE OF ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL BASE FOR PROCUREMENT OF

CERTAIN ITEMS.

(a) Guidance.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, shall issue feasible policy recommendations that could increase the efficiency and effectiveness within the existing capabilities of the organic industrial base.

(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing implementation of the guidance issued under subsection (a) and including recommendations to increase efficiency and effectiveness within the existing capabilities of the organic base.

______

SA 1666. Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Markey, Mr. Manchin, and Ms. Warren) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY.

(a) Two Minutes of Silence.--Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 145. Veterans Day

``The President shall issue each year a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the Nation, beginning at--

``(1) 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time;

``(2) 2:11 p.m. eastern standard time;

``(3) 1:11 p.m. central standard time;

``(4) 12:11 p.m. mountain standard time;

``(5) 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time;

``(6) 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time; and

``(7) 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.''.

(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``145. Veterans Day.''.

______

SA 1667. Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Blunt) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1230. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE SECURITY AND PROTECTION

OF IRANIAN DISSIDENTS LIVING IN CAMP LIBERTY,

IRAQ.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The residents of Camp Liberty, Iraq, renounced violence and unilaterally disarmed more than a decade ago.

(2) The United States recognized the residents of the former Camp Ashraf who now reside in Camp Liberty as

``protected persons'' under the Fourth Geneva Convention and committed itself to protect the residents.

(3) The deterioration in the overall security situation in Iraq has increased the vulnerability of Camp Liberty residents to attacks from proxies of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and Sunni extremists associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

(4) The increased vulnerability underscores the need for an expedited relocation process and that these Iranian dissidents will neither be safe nor secure in Camp Liberty.

(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States should--

(1) take prompt and appropriate steps in accordance with international agreements to promote the physical security and protection of Camp Liberty residents;

(2) urge the Government of Iraq to uphold its commitments to the United States to ensure the safety and well-being of those living in Camp Liberty;

(3) urge the Government of Iraq to ensure continued and reliable access to food, clean water, electricity and other energy needs, and any other equipment and supplies necessary to sustain the residents during periods of attack or siege by external forces;

(4) oppose the extradition of Camp Liberty residents to Iran;

(5) implement a strategy to provide for the safe, secure, and permanent relocation of Camp Liberty residents that includes the steps that would need to be taken by the United States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR), and the Camp Liberty residents to potentially relocate some residents to the United States;

(6) encourage the residents of Camp Liberty to fully cooperate with United States, Iraq, and international authorities in the relocation process; and

(7) assist the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in expediting the ongoing resettlement of all residents of Camp Liberty to safe locations outside Iraq.

______

SA 1668. Mr. BOOZMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title III, add the following:

SEC. 332. REPORT ON AIR NATIONAL GUARD MISSION CHANGES AND

IMPACTS TO PUBLIC AIRPORTS.

(a) Report.--

(1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the number of Air National Guard units that have undergone a mission change in the previous 5 years and who are tenants at a public airport.

(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following elements:

(A) A comprehensive list of Air National Guard units, by State, that have undergone a mission change from a flying mission to a remotely piloted aircraft mission, an intelligence mission, or any other type of mission that does not involve operating and maintaining manned aircraft at a public airport in the previous 5 years.

(B) An assessment of which units listed in subparagraph

(A), prior to undergoing a mission change, had an Airport Joint Use Agreement in place with the public airport where the unit is a tenant in order to financially compensate that airport for the use of runways, taxiways, air traffic control towers, crash, rescue and firefighting services, or any other relevant services.

(C) The annual amount for the previous 5 years that each Air National Guard unit listed under subparagraph (B) paid to the public airport at which they are a tenant under that unit's Airport Joint Use Agreement.

(D) An assessment of which units listed under subparagraph

(B) have subsequently canceled their Airport Joint Use Agreement since undergoing a mission change.

(E) A cost assessment, by unit listed in subparagraph (D), of what the rental value is for the property that the unit occupies at the public airport where the unit is a tenant.

(F) An evaluation from the Office of Economic Adjustment on whether and under what circumstances the Office can offer financial assistance to public airports that have an Air National Guard unit as a tenant that has undergone a mission change that resulted in the termination of an Airport Joint Use Agreement.

(b) Definitions.--

(1) In this section, the term ``public airport,'' means an airport that is open to civilian air traffic, both private and commercial.

(2) In this section, the term ``rental value,'' means the amount which, in a competitive market, a well-informed and willing lessee would pay and which a well-informed and willing lessor would accept for the temporary use and enjoyment of the property.

______

SA 1669. Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself, Mr. Donnelly, and Mr. Toomey) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. PROVISION OF STATUS UNDER LAW BY HONORING CERTAIN

MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED

FORCES AS VETERANS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 107 the following new section:

``Sec. 107A. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in the reserve components

``Any person who is entitled under chapter 1223 of title 10 to retired pay for nonregular service or, but for age, would be entitled under such chapter to retired pay for nonregular service shall be honored as a veteran but shall not be entitled to any benefit by reason of this section.''.

(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 107 the following new item:

``107A. Honoring as veterans certain persons who performed service in the reserve components.''.

______

SA 1670. Ms. HIRONO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 653, between lines 17 and 18, insert the following:

(D) Australia.

(E) Japan.

______

SA 1671. Ms. HIRONO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1264. SPECIAL FOREIGN MILITARY SALES STATUS FOR THE

PHILIPPINES.

The Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) is amended--

(1) in sections 3(d)(2)(B), 3(d)(3)(A)(i), 3(d)(5), 21(e)(2)(A), 36(b), 36(c), 36(d)(2)(A), 62(c)(1), and 63(a)(2), by inserting ``the Philippines,'' before ``or New Zealand'' each place it appears;

(2) in section 3(b)(2), by inserting ``the Government of the Philippines,'' before ``or the Government of New Zealand''; and

(3) in section 21(h), by inserting ``the Philippines,'' before ``or Israel'' each place it appears.

______

SA 1672. Ms. BALDWIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 884. ASSESSMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL BASE TO MANUFACTURE

CERTAIN AUXILIARY SHIP COMPONENTS.

(a) Assessment.--The Secretary of the Navy shall conduct an assessment of the ability of the industrial base to manufacture and support the following components for auxiliary ships:

(1) Auxiliary equipment, including pumps, for all shipboard services.

(2) Propulsion system components, including engines, reduction gears, and propellers.

(3) Shipboard cranes and spreaders for shipboard cranes.

(b) Scope.--In conducting the assessment required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall examine the potential cost, schedule, and performance impacts by ship class if procurement of the components described in such subsection were limited to manufacturers in the National Technology and Industrial Base.

(c) Determination Required.--Upon completion of the assessment required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make a determination whether manufacturers of the components described in such subsection should be included in the National Technology and Industrial Base.

(d) Report.--Not later than February 15, 2016, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit a report to the congressional defense committees based on the results of the assessment required under subsection (a) and the determination required under subsection (c).

______

SA 1673. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 738. STUDY ON PROVIDING CONCURRENT CERTIFICATION BY

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF

VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PHYSICIANS SERVING ON

ACTIVE DUTY.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability of providing any member of the Armed Forces on active duty serving as a physician with certification to practice as a physician for the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to facilitate the transition of such member to employment in the Department of Veterans Affairs upon the retirement, separation, or release of such member from the Armed Forces.

(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of providing members of the Armed Forces on active duty serving as physicians with the certification described in subsection

(a).

______

SA 1674. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 721. PILOT PROGRAM ON SHARING OF PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE

AMONG DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF

VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly conduct a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of allowing medical facilities of the Department of Defense and medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs that are located within 40 miles of each other to share primary care physicians for the purpose of performing routine medical care.

(b) Administrative Actions Necessary.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly determine the administrative action required to be taken by each Secretary--

(1) to ensure the sharing of scheduling records and medical records between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(2) to minimize the impact of the pilot program on wait times and patient load at each medical facility participating in the pilot program; and

(3) to maintain a high quality of care at each such medical facility.

(c) Location of Care.--To the maximum extent possible, health care provided to a patient under the pilot program shall be provided at the location in which the patient would have been provided health care if the pilot program was not being carried out.

______

SA 1675. Mr. UDALL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title II, add the following:

SEC. 236. AUTHORIZATION FOR CONDUCT OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

PILOT PROGRAMS.

The Secretary of Defense may carry out one or more pilot programs through the research laboratories of the Department of Defense to expand technology transfer activities by partnering with regional research universities and nonprofit research corporations to spur innovation, economic growth, and a high-tech, diverse workforce.

______

SA 1676. Mr. UDALL (for himself and Mr. Heinrich) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL

ASSISTANCE TO INCLUDE SERVICE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN

ENTRY LEVEL AND SKILL TRAINING UNDER CERTAIN

CIRCUMSTANCES.

(a) For Individuals Who Serve Between 18 and 24 Months.--Section 3311(b)(5)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``excluding'' and inserting

``including''.

(b) For Individuals Who Served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Certain Other Contingency Operations.--Section 3311(b) of such title is amended in paragraphs (6)(A) and (7)(A) by striking

``excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training'' and inserting ``including service on active duty in entry level and skill training for individuals who served on active duty in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, or any other contingency operation (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10) and excluding service on active duty in entry level and skill training for all other individuals''.

______

SA 1677. Mr. UDALL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 738. SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION TO SECRETARY OF VETERANS

AFFAIRS RELATING TO EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE

HAZARDS AND OPEN BURN PITS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such information in the possession of the Secretary of Defense as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers necessary to supplement and support--

(1) the development of information to be included in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry established by the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note); and

(2) research and development activities conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to explore the potential health risks of exposure by members of the Armed Forces to environmental factors in Iraq and Afghanistan, in particular the connection of such exposure to respiratory illnesses such as chronic cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, constrictive bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis.

(b) Inclusion of Certain Information.--The Secretary of Defense shall include in the information submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (a) information on any research and surveillance efforts conducted by the Department of Defense to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of respiratory illnesses among members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to open burn pits while deployed overseas.

______

SA 1678. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. IMPROVED ENUMERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

IN ANY TABULATION OF TOTAL POPULATION BY

SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.

(a) In General.--Section 141 of title 13, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

``(g) Effective beginning with the 2020 decennial census of population, in taking any tabulation of total population by States, the Secretary shall take appropriate measures to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that all members of the Armed Forces deployed abroad on the date of taking such tabulation are--

``(1) fully and accurately counted; and

``(2) properly attributed to the State in which their permanent duty station or homeport is located on such date.''.

(b) Construction.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall not be construed to affect the residency status of any member of the Armed Forces under any provision of law other than title 13, United States Code.

______

SA 1679. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION, TREATMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND

USE, FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY.

(a) In General.--Chapter 449 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the following:

``Sec. 4781. Natural gas production, treatment, management, and use, Fort Knox, Kentucky

``(a) Authority.--The Secretary of the Army (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') may provide, by contract or otherwise, for the production, treatment, management, and use of natural gas located under Fort Knox, Kentucky, without regard to section 3 of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 352).

``(b) Limitation on Uses.--Any natural gas produced pursuant to subsection (a)--

``(1) may only be used to support activities and operations at Fort Knox; and

``(2) may not be sold for use elsewhere.

``(c) Ownership of Facilities.--The Secretary may take ownership of any gas production and treatment equipment and facilities and associated infrastructure from a contractor in accordance with the terms of a contract or other agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a).

``(d) No Application Elsewhere.--

``(1) In general.--The authority provided by this section applies only with respect to Fort Knox, Kentucky.

``(2) Effect of section.--Nothing in this section authorizes the production, treatment, management, or use of natural gas resources underlying any Department of Defense installation other than Fort Knox.

``(e) Applicability.--The authority of the Secretary under this section is effective beginning on August 2, 2007.''.

(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections of chapter 449 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``4781. Natural gas production, treatment, management, and use, Fort

Knox, Kentucky.''.

______

SA 1680. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1065. DECLASSIFICATION AND PUBLIC RELEASE OF CERTAIN

REDACTED PORTIONS OF THE JOINT INQUIRY INTO

INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES BEFORE AND

AFTER THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 2001.

(a) Declassification and Public Release of the Joint Inquiry Into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 2001.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to subsection (b), the President shall declassify and release to the public the previously redacted portions of the report on the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 2001, filed in the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 20, 2002, including all the material under the heading ``Part Four--Findings, Discussion and Narrative Regarding Certain Sensitive National Security Matters''.

(b) Exception for Names and Information of Individuals and Certain Methodologies.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the President is not required to declassify and release to the public the names and identifying information of individuals or specific methodologies described in the report referred to in subsection (a) if such declassification and release would result in imminent lawless action or compromise presently on-going national security operations.

______

SA 1681. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 884. PROCUREMENT OF ANCHOR AND MOORING CHAIN.

Section 2534(a)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``and moorings'' after ``naval vessels''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

``(C) Department of Defense moorings and components.''.

______

SA 1682. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title III, add the following:

SEC. 302. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC

ADJUSTMENT.

(a) Additional Funds for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide.--The amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by section 301 for operation and maintenance is hereby increased by $33,100,000, with the amount of the increase to be available for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, for the Office of Economic Adjustment for the Defense Industry Adjustment.

(b) Offset.--The amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by section 1503 for procurement for overseas contingency operations is hereby reduced by $33,100,000, with the amount of the reduction to be applied to amounts available for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund for Staff and Infrastructure.

______

SA 1683. Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Blunt) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title VII, add the following:

SECTION 706. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL

DISABILITIES UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM.

(a) Behavioral Health Treatment of Developmental Disabilities Under TRICARE.--Section 1077 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(g)(1) Subject to paragraph (4), in providing health care under subsection (a), the treatment of developmental disabilities (as defined in section 102(8) of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002(8))), including autism spectrum disorder, shall include behavioral health treatment, including applied behavior analysis, when prescribed by a physician or psychologist.

``(2) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that--

``(A) except as provided by subparagraph (B)--

``(i) in the case of a State that requires licensing or certification of applied behavioral analysts under State law, applied behavior analysis or other behavioral health treatment is provided by an individual who is licensed or certified to provide such analysis or treatment in accordance with the laws of the State; and

``(ii) in the case of a State other than a State described in clause (i), applied behavior analysis or other behavioral health treatment is provided by an individual who is licensed or certified by an accredited national certification board to provide such analysis or treatment; and

``(B) applied behavior analysis or other behavioral health treatment may be provided by an employee, contractor, or trainee of a person described in subparagraph (A) if the employee, contractor, or trainee meets minimum qualifications, training, and supervision requirements as set forth by the Secretary.

``(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting or otherwise affecting the benefits provided to a covered beneficiary under--

``(A) this chapter;

``(B) title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.); or

``(C) any other law.

``(4)(A) Treatment may be provided under this subsection in a fiscal year only to the extent that amounts are provided in advance in appropriations Acts for the provision of such treatment for such fiscal year in the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account.

``(B) Funds for treatment under this subsection may be derived only from the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account.''.

(b) Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account.--

(1) Establishment.--

(A) In general.--There is hereby established on the books of the Treasury an account to be known as the ``Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account'' (in this subsection referred to as the ``Account'').

(B) Separate account.--The Account shall be a separate account for the Department of Defense, and shall not be a subaccount within the Defense Health Program account of the Department.

(2) Elements.--The Account shall consist of amounts authorized to be appropriated or transferred to the Account.

(3) Excluded sources of elements.--Amounts in the Account may not be derived from transfers from the following:

(A) The Department of Defense Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund under chapter 56 of title 10, United States Code.

(B) The Coast Guard Retired Pay Account.

(D) The Public Health Service Retirement Pay and Medical Benefits for Commissioned Officers Account.

(4) Availability.--Amounts in the Account shall be available for the treatment of developmental disabilities in covered beneficiaries pursuant to subsection (g) of section 1077 of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection

(a)). Amounts in the Account shall be so available until expended.

(5) Funding.--

(A) Authorization of appropriations.--There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for the Department of Defense for the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account, $50,000,000.

(B) Transfer for continuation of existing services.--From amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense for the Defense Health Program for fiscal year 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall transfer to the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account $270,000,000.

______

SA 1684. Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Peters) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of title VII, add the following:

Subtitle D--Reproductive and Fertility Preservation Assistance for

Members of the Armed Forces

SEC. 741. PROVISION OF FERTILITY TREATMENT AND COUNSELING TO

SPOUSES, PARTNERS, AND GESTATIONAL SURROGATES

OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) Fertility Treatment and Counseling.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall furnish fertility treatment and counseling, including through the use of assisted reproductive technology, to a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate of a severely wounded, ill, or injured member of the Armed Forces who has an infertility condition incurred or aggravated while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces.

(2) Eligibility for treatment and counseling.--Fertility treatment and counseling shall be furnished under paragraph

(1) to a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate of a member of the Armed Forces described in such paragraph without regard to the sex or marital status of such member.

(3) In vitro fertilization.--In the case of in vitro fertilization treatment furnished under paragraph (1), the Secretary may furnish not more than three completed cycles or six attempted cycles of in vitro fertilization, whichever occurs first, to a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate described in such paragraph.

(b) Procurement of Gametes.--If a member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a) is unable to provide their gametes for purposes of fertility treatment under subsection

(a), the Secretary shall, at the election of such member, allow such member to receive such treatment with donated gametes and pay or reimburse such member the reasonable costs of procuring gametes from a donor.

(1) to find or certify a gestational surrogate for a member of the Armed Forces or to connect a gestational surrogate with a member of the Armed Forces; or

(2) to find or certify gametes from a donor for a member of the Armed Forces or to connect a member of the Armed Forces with gametes from a donor.

(d) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Fertility treatment.--The term ``fertility treatment'' includes the following:

(A) Procedures that use assisted reproductive technology.

(B) Sperm retrieval.

(D) Artificial insemination.

(E) Embryo transfer.

(F) Such other treatments as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.

(2) Assisted reproductive technology.--The term ``assisted reproductive technology'' includes in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments in which both eggs and sperm are handled when clinically appropriate.

(3) Partner.--The term ``partner'', with respect to a member of the Armed Forces, means an individual selected by the member who agrees to share with the member the parental responsibilities with respect to any child born as a result of the use of any fertility treatment under this section.

SEC. 742. ESTABLISHMENT OF FERTILITY PRESERVATION PROCEDURES

AFTER AN INJURY OR ILLNESS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, shall establish procedures for the retrieval of gametes, as soon as medically appropriate, from a member of the Armed Forces in cases in which the fertility of such member is potentially jeopardized as a result of an injury or illness incurred or aggravated while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces in order to preserve the medical options of such member.

(b) Consent for Retrieval of Gametes.--Gametes may be retrieved from a member of the Armed Forces under subsection

(a) only--

(1) with the specific consent of the member; or

(2) if the member is unable to consent, if a medical professional determines that--

(A) the future fertility of the member is potentially jeopardized as a result of an injury or illness described in subsection (a) or will be potentially jeopardized as a result of treating such injury or illness;

(B) the member lacks the capacity to consent to the retrieval of gametes and is likely to regain such capacity; and

(a) may be used only--

(1) with the specific consent of the member; or

(2) if the member has lost the ability to consent permanently, as determined by a medical professional, as specified in an advance directive or testamentary instrument executed by the member.

(d) Disposal of Gametes.--In accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purpose of this subsection, the Secretary shall dispose of gametes retrieved from a member of the Armed Forces under subsection (a)--

(1) with the specific consent of the member; or

(2) if the member--

(A) has lost the ability to consent permanently, as determined by a medical professional; and

(B) has not specified the use of their gametes in an advance directive or testamentary instrument executed by the member.

SEC. 743. CRYOPRESERVATION AND STORAGE OF GAMETES OF MEMBERS

OF THE ARMED FORCES ON ACTIVE DUTY.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall provide members of the Armed Forces on active duty in the Armed Forces with the opportunity to cryopreserve and store their gametes prior to deployment to a combat zone.

(b) Period of Time.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for the cryopreservation and storage of gametes of any member of the Armed Forces under subsection (a), at no cost to the member, in a facility of the Department of Defense or of a private entity pursuant to a contract under subsection (d) until the date that is one year after the retirement, separation, or release of the member from the Armed Forces.

(2) Continued cryopreservation and storage.--At the end of the one-year period specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall permit an individual whose gametes were cryopreserved and stored in a facility of the Department as described in that paragraph to select, including pursuant to an advance medical directive or military testamentary instrument completed under subsection (c), one of the following options:

(A) To continue such cryopreservation and storage in such facility with the cost of such cryopreservation and storage borne by the individual.

(B) To transfer the gametes to a private cryopreservation and storage facility selected by the individual.

(C) To transfer the gametes to a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs if cryopreservation and storage is available to the individual at such facility.

(3) Disposal of gametes.--If an individual described in paragraph (2) does not make a selection under subparagraph

(A), (B), or (C) of such paragraph, the Secretary may dispose of the gametes of the individual not earlier than the date that is 90 days after the end of the one-year period specified in paragraph (1) with respect to the individual.

(c) Advance Medical Directive and Military Testamentary Instrument.--A member of the Armed Forces who elects to cryopreserve and store their gametes under this section must complete an advance medical directive, as defined in section 1044c(b) of title 10, United States Code, and a military testamentary instrument, as defined in section 1044d(b) of such title, that explicitly specifies the use of their cryopreserved and stored gametes if such member dies or otherwise loses the capacity to consent to the use of their cryopreserved and stored gametes.

(d) Agreements.--To carry out this section, the Secretary may enter into agreements with private entities that provide cryopreservation and storage services for gametes.

SEC. 744. COORDINATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON FURNISHING OF

FERTILITY TREATMENT AND COUNSELING.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall share best practices and facilitate referrals, as they consider appropriate, on the furnishing of fertility treatment and counseling to individuals eligible for the receipt of such counseling and treatment from the Secretaries.

(b) Memoradum of Understanding.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a memorandum of understanding--

(1) providing that the Secretary of Defense will ensure access by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to any gametes of veterans stored by the Department of Defense for purposes of furnishing fertility treatment; and

(2) authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to compensate the Department of Defense for the cryopreservation and storage of gametes of veterans under section 743.

______

SA 1685. Mr. NELSON (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of part II of subtitle D of title VI, add the following:

SEC. 643. THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF PAYMENT OF SPECIAL SURVIVOR

INDEMNITY ALLOWANCES UNDER THE SURVIVOR BENEFIT

PLAN.

Section 1450(m) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in paragraph (2)(I), by striking ``fiscal year 2017'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2017 through 2020''; and

(2) in paragraph (6)--

(A) by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting

``September 30, 2020''; and

(B) by striking ``October 1, 2017'' each place it appears and inserting ``October 1, 2020''.

______

SA 1686. Mr. MORAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of part II of subtitle H of title V, add the following: SEC. 593. REPORT ON EXEMPTION FROM FURLOUGH DURING A LAPSE IN

APPROPRIATIONS FOR POSITIONS FILLED BY

INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND

WEAPON SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than March 1, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall, in coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the exemption from furlough during a lapse in appropriations for positions filled by individuals engaged in military equipment and weapon system maintenance within the Department of Defense, including the position of military technician (dual status) and positions of field and depot level maintenance and engineers.

(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An analysis of the Department of Defense positions described in subsection (a), and the personnel, that were exempted from furlough during the most recent lapse in appropriations for the Department.

(2) An analysis of positions filled by individuals engaged in military equipment and weapon system maintenance within the Department, and the personnel, that were not exempted from the furlough described in paragraph (1).

(3) A cost analysis of the exemption of positions from furlough as described in paragraph (1).

______

SA 1687. Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Heller, Mr. Moran, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Daines, Mr. Risch, and Mr. Roberts) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. PROTECTION AND RECOVERY OF GREATER SAGE GROUSE.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) The term ``Federal resource management plan'' means--

(A) a land use plan prepared by the Bureau of Land Management for public lands pursuant to section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712); or

(B) a land and resource management plan prepared by the Forest Service for National Forest System lands pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).

(2) The term ``Greater Sage Grouse'' means a sage grouse of the species Centrocercus urophasianus.

(3) The term ``State management plan'' means a State-approved plan for the protection and recovery of the Greater Sage Grouse.

(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is--

(1) to facilitate implementation of State management plans over a period of multiple, consecutive sage grouse life cycles; and

(2) to demonstrate the efficacy of the State management plans for the protection and recovery of the Greater Sage Grouse.

(1) Delay required.--Any finding by the Secretary of the Interior under clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(B)) with respect to the Greater Sage Grouse made during the period beginning on September 30, 2015, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act shall have no force or effect in law or in equity, and the Secretary of the Interior may not make any such finding during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2025.

(2) Effect on other laws.--The delay imposed by paragraph

(1) is, and shall remain, effective without regard to any other statute, regulation, court order, legal settlement, or any other provision of law or in equity.

(3) Effect on conservation status.--Until the date specified in paragraph (1), the conservation status of the Greater Sage Grouse shall remain warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), but precluded by higher-priority listing actions pursuant to clause (iii) of section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(B)).

(d) Coordination of Federal Land Management and State Conservation and Management Plans.--

(1) Prohibition on modification of federal resource management plans.--In order to foster coordination between a State management plan and Federal resource management plans that affect the Greater Sage Grouse, upon notification by the Governor of a State with a State management plan, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture may not amend or otherwise modify any Federal resource management plan applicable to Federal lands in the State in a manner inconsistent with the State management plan for a period, to be specified by the Governor in the notification, of at least five years beginning on the date of the notification.

(2) Retroactive effect.--In the case of any State that provides notification under paragraph (1), if any amendment or modification of a Federal resource management plan applicable to Federal lands in the State was issued during the one-year period preceding the date of the notification and the amendment or modification altered management of the Greater Sage Grouse or its habitat, implementation and operation of the amendment or modification shall be stayed to the extent that the amendment or modification is inconsistent with the State management plan. The Federal resource management plan, as in effect immediately before the amendment or modification, shall apply instead with respect to management of the Greater Sage Grouse and its habitat, to the extent consistent with the State management plan.

(3) Determination of inconsistency.--Any disagreement regarding whether an amendment or other modification of a Federal resource management plan is inconsistent with a State management plan shall be resolved by the Governor of the affected State.

(e) Relation to National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.--With regard to any Federal action consistent with a State management plan, any findings, analyses, or conclusions regarding the Greater Sage Grouse or its habitat under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4331 et seq.) shall not have a preclusive effect on the approval or implementation of the Federal action in that State.

(f) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 2021, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the Secretaries' implementation and effectiveness of systems to monitor the status of Greater Sage Grouse on Federal lands under their jurisdiction.

(g) Judicial Review.--Notwithstanding any other provision of statute or regulation, this section, including determinations made under subsection (d)(3), shall not be subject to judicial review.

SEC. ___. IMPLEMENTATION OF LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN RANGE-WIDE

CONSERVATION PLAN AND OTHER CONSERVATION

MEASURES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Candidate conservation agreements.--The terms

``Candidate Conservation Agreement'' and ``Candidate and Conservation Agreement With Assurances'' have the meaning given those terms in--

(A) the announcement of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce entitled ``Announcement of Final Policy for Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances'' (64 Fed. Reg. 32726 (June 17, 1999)); and

(B) sections 17.22(d) and 17.32(d) of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).

(2) Range-wide plan.--The term ``Range-Wide Plan'' means the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide Conservation Plan of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, as endorsed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on October 23, 2013, and published for comment on January 29, 2014 (79 Fed. Reg. 4652).

(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(b) Prohibition on Treatment as Threatened or Endangered Species.--

(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any prior action by the Secretary, the lesser prairie-chicken shall not be treated as a threatened species or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) before January 31, 2021.

(2) Prohibition on proposal.--Effective beginning on January 31, 2021, the lesser prairie-chicken may not be treated as a threatened species or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) unless the Secretary publishes a determination, based on the totality of the scientific evidence, that conservation (as that term is used in that Act) under the Range-Wide Plan and the agreements, programs, and efforts referred to in subsection (c) have not achieved the conservation goals established by the Range-Wide Plan.

(c) Monitoring of Progress of Conservation Programs.--The Secretary shall monitor and annually submit to Congress a report on progress in conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken under the Range-Wide Plan and all related--

(1) Candidate Conservation Agreements and Candidate and Conservation Agreements With Assurances;

(2) other Federal conservation programs administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Department of Agriculture;

(3) State conservation programs; and

(4) private conservation efforts.

SEC. ___. REMOVAL OF ENDANGERED SPECIES STATUS FOR AMERICAN

BURYING BEETLE.

Notwithstanding the final rule of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service entitled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered Status for the American Burying Beetle'' (54 Fed. Reg. 29652 (July 13, 1989)), the American burying beetle shall not be listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

______

SA 1688. Mr. HOEVEN (for himself and Mr. Donnelly) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) Finding.--Congress finds that the United States should establish a more uniform, transparent, and modern process for the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of oil and natural gas pipelines and electric transmission facilities for the import and export of oil and natural gas and the transmission of electricity to and from Canada and Mexico, in pursuit of a more secure and efficient North American energy market.

(b) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Cross-border segment.--The term ``cross-border segment'' means the portion of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility that is located at the national boundary of the United States with Canada or Mexico.

(2) Electric reliability organization.--The term ``Electric Reliability Organization'' has the meaning given the term in section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(a)).

(3) Independent system operator.--The term ``Independent System Operator'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796).

(4) Modification.--The term ``modification'' includes--

(A) a change in ownership;

(B) a volume expansion;

(D) an adjustment to maintain flow (such as a reduction or increase in the number of pump or compressor stations).

(5) Natural gas.--The term ``natural gas'' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717a).

(6) Oil.--The term ``oil'' means petroleum or a petroleum product.

(7) Regional entity.--The term ``regional entity'' has the meaning given the term in section 215(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(a)).

(8) Regional transmission organization.--The term

``Regional Transmission Organization'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796).

(1) Authorization.--Except as provided in paragraph (3) and subsection (g), no person may construct, connect, operate, or maintain a cross-border segment of an oil pipeline or electric transmission facility for the import or export of oil or the transmission of electricity to or from Canada or Mexico without obtaining a certificate of crossing for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the cross-border segment under this section.

(2) Certificate of crossing.--

(A) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after final action is taken under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to a cross-border segment for which a request is received under this section, the relevant official identified under subparagraph

(B), in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, shall issue a certificate of crossing for the cross-border segment unless the relevant official finds that the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the cross-border segment is not in the public interest of the United States.

(B) Relevant official.--The relevant official referred to in subparagraph (A) is--

(i) the Secretary of State with respect to oil pipelines; and

(ii) the Secretary of Energy with respect to electric transmission facilities.

(C) Additional requirement for electric transmission facilities.--In the case of a request for a certificate of crossing for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of a cross-border segment of an electric transmission facility, the Secretary of Energy shall require, as a condition of issuing the certificate of crossing for the request under subparagraph (A), that the cross-border segment of the electric transmission facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with all applicable policies and standards of--

(i) the Electric Reliability Organization and the applicable regional entity; and

(ii) any Regional Transmission Organization or Independent System Operator with operational or functional control over the cross-border segment of the electric transmission facility.

(3) Exclusions.--This section shall not apply to any construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of a cross-border segment of an oil pipeline or electric transmission facility for the import or export of oil or the transmission of electricity to or from Canada or Mexico--

(A) if the cross-border segment is operating for the import, export, or transmission as of the date of enactment of this Act;

(B) if a permit described in subsection (f) for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance has been issued;

(C) if a certificate of crossing for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance has previously been issued under this subsection; or

(D) if an application for a permit described in subsection

(f) for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance is pending on the date of enactment of this Act, until the earlier of--

(i) the date on which the application is denied; or

(ii) July 1, 2016.

(4) Effect of other laws.--

(A) Application to projects.--Nothing in this subsection or subsection (g) affects the application of any other Federal law to a project for which a certificate of crossing for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of a cross-border segment is sought under this subsection.

(B) Energy policy and conservation act.--Nothing in this subsection or subsection (g) shall affect the authority of the President under section 103(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6212(a)).

(d) Importation or Exportation of Natural Gas to Canada and Mexico.--Section 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(c)) is amended--

(1) by striking ``(c) For purposes'' and inserting the following:

``(c) Expedited Application and Approval Process.--

``(1) In general.--For purposes''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

``(2) Deadline for approval of applications relating to canada and mexico.--In the case of an application for the importation or exportation of natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico, the Commission shall approve the application not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of the application.''.

(e) Transmission of Electric Energy to Canada and Mexico.--

(1) Repeal of requirement to secure order.--Section 202 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824a) is amended--

(A) by striking subsection (e); and

(B) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections

(e) and (f), respectively.

(2) Conforming amendments.--

(A) State regulations.--Subsection (e) of section 202 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824a) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)(B)) is amended in the second sentence by striking ``insofar as such State regulation does not conflict with the exercise of the Commission's powers under or relating to subsection 202(e)''.

(B) Seasonal diversity electricity exchange.--Section 602(b) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978

(16 U.S.C. 824a-4(b)) is amended by striking ``the Commission has conducted hearings and made the findings required under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act'' and all that follows through the period at the end of the second sentence and inserting ``the Secretary has conducted hearings and finds that the proposed transmission facilities would not impair the sufficiency of electric supply within the United States or would not impede or tend to impede the coordination in the public interest of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary.''.

(f) No Presidential Permit Required.--

(1) In general.--No Presidential permit (or similar permit) required under an applicable provision described in paragraph

(2) shall be necessary for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility, or any cross-border segment of the pipeline or facility.

(2) Applicable provisions.--Paragraph (1) applies to--

(A) section 301 of title 3, United States Code;

(B) Executive Order 11423 (3 U.S.C. 301 note);

(D) Executive Order 10485 (15 U.S.C. 717b note);

(E) Executive Order 12038 (42 U.S.C. 7151 note); and

(F) any other Executive order.

(g) Modifications to Existing Projects.--No certificate of crossing under subsection (c), or permit described in subsection (f), shall be required for a modification to the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility--

(1) that is operating for the import or export of oil or natural gas or the transmission of electricity to or from Canada or Mexico as of the date of enactment of the Act;

(2) for which a permit described in subsection (f) for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance has been issued; or

(3) for which a certificate of crossing for the cross-border segment of the pipeline or facility has previously been issued under subsection (c).

(h) Effective Date; Rulemaking Deadlines.--

(1) Effective date.--Subsections (c) through (g), and the amendments made by those subsections, take effect on July 1, 2016.

(2) Rulemaking deadlines.--Each relevant official described in subsection (c)(2)(B) shall--

(A) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register notice of a proposed rulemaking to carry out the applicable requirements of subsection (c); and

(B) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register a final rule to carry out the applicable requirements of subsection (c).

______

SA 1689. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1274. REPORT ON ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES

AGAINST HUMANITY IN SYRIA.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and again not later than 180 days after the cessation of violence in Syria, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria.

(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements:

(1) A description of violations of internationally recognized human rights, war crimes, and crimes against humanity perpetrated during the civil war in Syria, including--

(A) an account of incidents that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and all forces fighting on its behalf;

(B) an account of incidents that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by violent extremist groups, anti-government forces, and any other combatants in the conflict;

(C) a description of any incidents that may violate the principle of medical neutrality and, when possible, an identification of the individual or individuals who engaged in or organized such violations; and

(D) where possible, a description of the conventional and unconventional weapons used for such crimes and, the origins of the weapons.

(2) A description of efforts by the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development to ensure accountability for violations of internationally recognized human rights, international humanitarian law, and crimes against humanity perpetrated against the people of Syria by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, violent extremist groups, and other combatants involved in the conflict, including--

(A) a description of initiatives that the United States Government has undertaken to train investigators in Syria on how to document, investigate, and develop findings of war crimes, including the number of United States Government or contract personnel currently designated to work full-time on these issues and an identification of the authorities and appropriations being used to support training efforts;

(B) a description and assessment of Syrian and international efforts to ensure accountability for crimes committed during the Syrian conflict, including efforts to promote a transitional justice process that would include criminal accountability and the establishment of an ad hoc tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators of war crimes committed during the civil war in Syria; and

(C) an assessment of the influence of accountability measures on efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict during the reporting period.

(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) may be in unclassified or classified form, but shall include a publicly available annex.

(d) Appropriate Congressional Committee Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--

(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

______

SA 1690. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 832. EXTENSION OF LIMITATION ON AGGREGATE ANNUAL AMOUNT

AVAILABLE FOR CONTRACT SERVICES.

Section 808 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81; 125 Stat. 1489), as most recently amended by section 813 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3429) is further amended--

(1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``or 2015'' and inserting ``2015, or 2016'';

(2) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``and 2015'' and inserting ``2015, and 2016'';

(3) in subsection (d)(4), by striking ``or 2015'' and inserting ``2015, or 2016''; and

(4) in subsection (e), by striking ``2015'' and inserting

``2016''.

______

SA 1691. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. INTERAGENCY HOSTAGE RECOVERY COORDINATOR.

(a) Interagency Hostage Recovery Coordinator.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall designate an existing Federal officer to coordinate efforts to secure the release of United States persons who are hostages of hostile groups or state sponsors of terrorism. For purposes of carrying out the duties described in paragraph (2), such officer shall have the title of ``Interagency Hostage Recovery Coordinator''.

(2) Duties.--The Coordinator shall have the following duties:

(A) Coordinate and direct all activities of the Federal Government relating to each hostage situation described in paragraph (1) to ensure efforts to secure the release of all hostages in the hostage situation are properly resourced and correct lines of authority are established and maintained.

(B) Establish and direct a fusion cell consisting of appropriate personnel of the Federal Government with purview over each hostage situation described in paragraph (1).

(C) Develop a strategy to keep family members of hostages described in paragraph (1) informed of the status of such hostages and inform such family members of updates, procedures, and policies that do not compromise the national security of the United States.

(b) Limitation on Authority.--The authority of the Coordinator shall be limited to hostage cases outside the United States.

(1) In general.--On a quarterly basis, the Coordinator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the members of Congress described in paragraph (2) a report that includes a summary of each hostage situation described in subsection (a)(1) and efforts to secure the release of all hostages in such hostage situation.

(2) Members of congress described.--The members of Congress described in this paragraph are, with respect to a United States person hostage covered by a report under paragraph

(1), the Senators representing the State, and the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the House of Representatives representing the district, where a hostage described in subsection (a)(1) resides.

(3) Form of report.--Each report under this subsection may be submitted in classified or unclassified form.

(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the Federal Government to make concessions to a state sponsor of terrorism or an organization that the Secretary of State has designated as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189) or any other hostage-takers.

(e) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Coordinator.--The term ``Coordinator'' means the Interagency Hostage Recovery Coordinator designated under subsection (a).

(2) Hostile group.--The term ``hostile group'' means--

(A) a group that is designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a));

(B) a group that is engaged in armed conflict with the United States; or

(3) State sponsor of terrorism.--The term ``state sponsor of terrorism''--

(A) means a country the government of which the Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, or any other provision of law, to be a government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; and

(B) includes North Korea.

______

SA 1692. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1049. SUNSET OF 2001 AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY

FORCE.

The Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, unless reauthorized.

______

SA 1693. Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Udall, Mr. Heinrich, and Mr. Brown) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURES BY THOSE PROFITING

FROM DEFENSE CONTRACTS.

(a) In General.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(j) Disclosure by Defense Contractors .--

``(1) In general.--Every covered entity which makes covered disbursements and received covered transfers in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000 during any calendar year shall, within 48 hours of each disclosure date, file with the Commission a statement containing the information described in paragraph (2).

``(2) Contents of statement.--Each statement required to be filed under this subsection shall be made under penalty of perjury and shall contain the following information:

``(A) The identification of the person making the disbursement or receiving the transfer, of any person sharing or exercising direction or control over the activities of such person, and of the custodian of the books and accounts of the person making the disbursement or receiving the transfer.

``(B) The principal place of business of the person making the disbursement or receiving the transfer, if not an individual.

``(C) The amount of each disbursement or transfer of more than $200 during the period covered by the statement and the identification of the person to whom the disbursement was made or from whom the transfer was received.

``(D) The elections to which the disbursements or transfers pertain and the names (if known) of the candidates involved.

``(E) If the disbursements were paid out of a segregated bank account which consists of funds contributed solely by individuals who are United States citizens or nationals or lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20))) directly to this account for electioneering communications, the names and addresses of all contributors who contributed an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more to that account during--

``(i) in the case of a statement under paragraph (1)(A), during the period described in such paragraph, and

``(ii) in the case of a statement under paragraph (1)(B), the period beginning on the first day of the preceding calendar year and ending on the disclosure date.Nothing in this subparagraph is to be construed as a prohibition on the use of funds in such a segregated account for a purpose other than covered disbursements.

``(F) If the disbursements were paid out of funds not described in subparagraph (E), the names and addresses of all contributors who contributed an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more to the person making the disbursement during--

``(i) in the case of a statement under paragraph (1)(A), during the period described in such paragraph, and

``(ii) in the case of a statement under paragraph (1)(B), the period beginning on the first day of the preceding calendar year and ending on the disclosure date.

``(3) Covered entity.--For purposes of this subsection--

``(A) In general.--The term `covered entity' means--

``(i) any person who is described in subparagraph (B), and

``(ii) any person who owns 5 percent or more of any person described in subparagraph (B).

``(B) Person described.--A person is described in this subparagraph if such person has been awarded a contract from the Department of Defense for the procurement of goods or services during the previous two fiscal years.

``(4) Covered disbursement.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `covered disbursement' means a disbursement for any of the following:

``(A) An independent expenditure.

``(B) A broadcast, cable, or satellite communication (other than a communication described in subsection (f)(3)(B)) which--

``(i) refers to a clearly identified candidate for Federal office;

``(ii) is made--

``(I) in the case of a communication which refers to a candidate for an office other than President or Vice President, during the period beginning on January 1 of the calendar year in which a general or runoff election is held and ending on the date of the general or runoff election (or in the case of a special election, during the period beginning on the date on which the announcement with respect to such election is made and ending on the date of the special election); or

``(II) in the case of a communication which refers to a candidate for the office of President or Vice President, is made in any State during the period beginning 120 days before the first primary election, caucus, or preference election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party is held in any State (or, if no such election or caucus is held in any State, the first convention or caucus of a political party which has the authority to nominate a candidate for the office of President or Vice President) and ending on the date of the general election; and

``(iii) in the case of a communication which refers to a candidate for an office other than President or Vice President, is targeted to the relevant electorate (within the meaning of subsection (f)(3)(C)).

``(C) A transfer to another person for the purposes of making a disbursement described in subparagraph (A) or (B).

``(5) Covered transfer.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `covered transfer' means any amount received by a covered entity for the purposes of making a covered disbursement.

``(6) Disclosure date.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `disclosure date' means--

``(A) the first date during any calendar year by which a person has made covered disbursements and received covered transfers aggregating in excess of $10,000; and

``(B) any other date during such calendar year by which a person has made covered disbursements and received covered transfers aggregating in excess of $10,000 since the most recent disclosure date for such calendar year.

``(7) Contracts to disburse; coordination with other requirements; etc,.--Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs

(5), (6), and (7) of subsection (f) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.''.

(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply to disbursements made, and transfers received, after the date of the enactment of this Act.

______

SA 1694. Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. Wyden) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. SECURE ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a program to develop and support projects designed to foster secure and reliable sources of energy for military installations, including incorporation of advanced energy metering, renewable energy, energy storage, and redundant power systems.

(b) Metrics.--The Secretary of Defense shall develop metrics for assessing the costs and benefits associated with secure energy projects proposed or implemented as part of the program conducted under subsection (a). The metrics shall take into account financial and operational costs associated with sustained losses of power resulting from natural disasters or attacks that damage electrical grids serving military installations.

______

SA 1695. Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. Wyden) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. AUTHORITY TO USE ENERGY SAVINGS INVESTMENT FUND FOR

ENERGY MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES.

Section 2919(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``, to the extent provided for in an appropriations Act,''.

______

SA 1696. Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. Wyden) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. PLAN TO ENHANCE MISSION READINESS THROUGH GREATER

ENERGY SECURITY AT CRITICAL MILITARY

INSTALLATIONS.

(a) Identification of Critical Military Installations.--The Secretary of Defense shall identify ten military installations that are--

(1) critical to mission readiness, and

(2) susceptible to interruptions of power due to geographic location, dependence on connections to the electric grid, or other factors determined by the Secretary.

(b) Report.--

(1) In general.--Not later than September 30, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report with a plan for integrating energy storage, micro-grid technologies, and on-site power generation systems at the military installations identified under subsection (a) to enhance mission readiness.

(2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex as necessary.

______

SA 1697. Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. Wyden) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. STUDY ON IMPLEMENTATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR

CONSIDERATION OF FUEL LOGISTICS SUPPORT

REQUIREMENTS, REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT, AND

ACQUISITION PROCESSES.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report regarding the implementation of section 332 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4420; 10 U.S.C. 2911 note

(in this section referred to as ``section 332'')), including a description of the implementation to date of the requirements for consideration of fuel logistics support requirements in the planning, requirements development, and acquisition processes.

(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements:

(1) A list of acquisition solicitations that incorporate analysis established and developed under section 332.

(2) An analysis of the extent to which Department of Defense planning, requirements development, and acquisition processes incorporate or rely on the fully burdened cost of energy and energy key performance parameters in relation to other metrics.

(3) An estimate of the total fuel costs avoided as a result of inclusion of the fully burdened cost of energy and energy key performance parameter in acquisitions, including an estimate of monetary savings and fuel volume savings.

(4) An analysis of the extent to which energy security requirements of the Department of Defense are enhanced by incorporation of section 332 requirements in the acquisition process, and recommendations for further improving section 332 requirements to further enhance energy security and mission capability requirements.

``energy security'' has the meaning given the term in section 2924(3) of title 10, United States Code.

______

SA 1698. Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, and Mr. Whitehouse) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of section 1533, add the following:

(f) Provision to Certain Foreign Forces Through Other United States Government Agencies.--

(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense should increase efforts to combat the use by the terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) of improvised explosive devices and the illicit smuggling of improvised explosive device precursor materials.

(2) Provision through other agencies.--If jointly agreed upon by the Secretary of Defense and the head of another department or agency of the United States Government, the Secretary of Defense may transfer funds available under subsection (a) to such department or agency for the provision by such department or agency of training, equipment, supplies, and services to ministries and other entities of the Government of Iraq and nations that border Iraq (other than Iran and Syria), as described in that subsection.

______

SA 1699. Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH REPOSITORY FOR OPERATIONAL

ENERGY-RELATED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

(a) Repository Required.--Not later than December 31, 2016, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs and the Secretaries of the military departments, shall establish a centralized repository for all operational energy-related research and development efforts of the Department of Defense, including with respect to the inception, operational, and complete phases of such efforts.

(b) Internet Access.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the repository required by subsection (a) is accessible through an Internet website of the Department of Defense and by all employees of the Department and members of the Armed Forces whom the Secretary determines appropriate, including all program managers involved in such research and development efforts, to enable improved collaboration between military departments on research and development efforts described in subsection (a), enable sharing of best practices and lessons learned relating to such efforts, and reduce redundancy in such efforts.

______

SA 1700. Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. STUDY ON POWER STORAGE CAPACITY REQUIREMENT.

Not later than September 30, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the costs and benefits associated with requiring 25 percent of National Guard and Reserve facilities to have at least a 21-day on-site power storage capacity to assist with providing support to civil authorities in case of manmade or natural disasters.

______

SA 1701. Mr. WYDEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 117, insert between lines 12 and 13, the following

(b) Location of Retirement.--Subsection (f) of such section is further amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;

(2) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``If the Secretary'';

(3) in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (2) of this subsection--

(A) by striking ``, and no suitable adoption is available at the military facility where the dog is location,''; and

(B) in subparagraph (B), as designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting ``within the United States'' after ``to another location''; and

(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):

``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if a United States citizen living abroad adopts the dog at the time of retirement.''.

______

SA 1702. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. EXPANSION OF DUTIES OF UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS.

______

SA 1703. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 636, between lines 12 and 13, insert the following:

(10) Training and best practices to identify and treat post-traumatic stress disorder among Ukrainian Armed Forces and National Guard personnel.

______

SA 1704. Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Reed, Mr. Brown, Mr. Franken, and Mr. Carper) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of part II of subtitle D of title V, add the following:

SEC. 540. AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION REGARDING CIVIL

AND CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS

INVOLVING POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL

INSTITUTIONS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any online consumer tool offered or supported by the Department of Defense that provides information to servicemembers regarding specific postsecondary educational institutions, such as Tuition Assistance DECIDE or any successor or similar program, includes for each such institution an accounting of pending investigations and civil or criminal actions against the institution by Federal agencies and State attorneys general, to the extent such information is publicly available.

(b) Sources of Information.--In gathering publicly available information on investigations and civil or criminal actions described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall--

(1) consult the heads of other Federal agencies and, as practicable, State attorneys general; and

(2) review any reports required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m and 78o(d)), including Form 10-Q and Form 10-K.

(c) Consultation Regarding Presentation.--To ensure that the information required under subsection (a) is presented in the most useful and effective way possible for servicemembers, the Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Education, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and servicemember and consumer advocates.

______

SA 1705. Mr. COATS (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Cornyn) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1264. MILITARY EXCHANGES BETWEEN SENIOR OFFICERS AND

OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense should carry out a program of exchanges of senior military officers and senior officials between the United States and Taiwan designed to improve military to military relations between the United States and Taiwan.

(c) Focus of Exchanges.--The exchanges under the program carried out pursuant to subsection (a) shall include exchanges focused on the following:

(1) Threat analysis.

(2) Military doctrine.

(3) Force planning.

(4) Logistical support.

(5) Intelligence collection and analysis.

(6) Operational tactics, techniques, and procedures.

(7) Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

(e) Location of Exchanges.--The exchanges under the program carried out pursuant to subsection (a) shall be conducted in both the United States and Taiwan.

(f) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) The term ``senior military officer'', with respect to the Armed Forces, means a general or flag officer of the Armed Forces on active duty.

(2) The term ``senior official'', with respect to the Department of Defense, means a civilian official of the Department of Defense at the level of Assistant Secretary of Defense or above.

______

SA 1706. Mr. SESSIONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 645, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:

(4) At the 2006 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit in Riga, North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries committed to endeavor to spend a minimum of two per cent of their national income or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to spending on defense.

(5) At the 2014 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit in Wales, North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries agreed that ``allies currently meeting the NATO guideline to spend a minimum of 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense will aim to continue to do so'' and that ``allies whose current proportion of GDP spent on defense is below this level will: halt any decline in defense expenditure; aim to increase defense expenditure in real terms as GDP grows; aim to move towards the two percent guideline within a decade with a view to meeting their NATO Capability Targets and filling NATO's capability shortfalls''.

(6) In 2015, four out of the 28 North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries, including the United States, meet the two percent target.

On page 646, strike line 16 and insert the following:

spending; and

(5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries are strongly urged to meet their commitment under the Wales Summit Declaration to spend two percent of their Gross Domestic Product on defense.

______

SA 1707. Mr. GARDNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. CIVILIAN AVIATION ASSET MILITARY PARTNERSHIP PILOT

PROGRAM.

(a) Participation.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, may participate in a Civilian Aviation Asset Military Partnership Pilot Program (in this section referred to as the ``Program'') in accordance with this section.

(b) Grant Authority.--Subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out this section, the Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, may make a grant under the Program, on a competitive basis, to an eligible airport to assist a project--

(1) to improve aviation infrastructure; or

(2) to repair, replace, or otherwise improve an eligible tower facility at that airport.

(d) Amount.--The amount provided to each eligible airport that receives a grant under the Program may not exceed

$2,500,000.

(e) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under the Program, an eligible airport shall submit to the Secretary of Defense an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, determines is appropriate. An application shall include, at a minimum, a description of--

(1) the proposed project with respect to which a grant is requested, including estimated costs;

(2) the need for the project at the eligible airport, including how the project will assist both civil aircraft and military aircraft; and

(3) the non-Federal funding available for the project.

(f) Selection and Terms.--The Secretary and the Administrator shall jointly--

(1) select eligible airports to receive grants under the Program; and

(2) establish the terms of each grant made under the Program.

(g) Funding.--

(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of a project assisted with a grant under the Program may not exceed 70 percent. Prioritization shall be given to projects with the lowest Federal share.

(2) Coordination.--With respect to the Federal share of the cost of a project assisted with a grant under the Program, 50 percent of that Federal share shall be paid by the Administrator and 50 percent shall be paid by the Secretary.

(h) Termination.--The Program shall terminate at the end of the third fiscal year in which a grant is made under the Program.

(i) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Aviation infrastructure.--The term ``aviation infrastructure'' means any activity defined under the term

``airport development'' in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code.

(2) Eligible airport.--The term ``eligible airport'' means an airport at which--

(A) military aircraft conduct operations; and

(B) civil aircraft operations are conducted.

(3) Eligible tower facility.--The term ``eligible tower facility'' means a tower facility that--

(A) is located at an eligible airport;

(B) is greater than 30 years of age; and

______

SA 1708. Mr. GARDNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1264. STRATEGY TO PROMOTE UNITED STATES INTERESTS IN THE

INDO-ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.

(a) Strategy.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall develop an overall strategy to promote United States interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Such strategy shall be informed by the following:

(1) The national security strategy of the United States for 2015 set forth in the national security strategy report required under section 108(a)(3) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 5043(a)(3)), as such strategy relates to United States interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

(2) The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), as it relates to United States interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

(3) The 2015 Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review

(QDDR), as it relates to United States interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

(4) The strategy to prioritize United States defense interests in the Asia-Pacific region as contained in the report required by section 1251(a) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3570).

(5) The integrated, multi-year planning and budget strategy for a rebalancing of United States policy in Asia submitted to Congress pursuant to section 7043(a) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014 (division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76)).

(b) Presidential Policy Directive.--The President shall issue a Presidential Policy Directive to appropriate departments and agencies of the United States Government that contains the strategy developed under subsection (a) and includes implementing guidance to such departments and agencies.

(1) Agency priority goals.--In identifying agency priority goals under section 1120(b) of title 31, United States Code, for each appropriate department and agency of the United States Government, the head of such department or agency, or as otherwise determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall take into consideration the strategy developed under subsection (a) and the Presidential Policy Directive issued under subsection (b).

(2) Annual budget.--The President shall, acting through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, ensure that the annual budget submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, includes a separate section that clearly highlights programs and projects that are being funded in the annual budget that relate to the strategy developed under subsection (a) and the Presidential Policy Directive issued under subsection (b).

______

SA 1709. Mr. GARDNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. PROTECTION AND RECOVERY OF GREATER SAGE-GROUSE.

(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--

(1) to allow States--

(A) to determine the appropriate management of sage-grouse species according to State-created conservation and management plans that address the key threats to sage-grouse species and the habitat of sage-grouse species within the States; and

(B) to demonstrate that those Statewide plans can protect and recover sage-grouse species within the States; and

(2) to require the Secretary to implement recommendations contained in Statewide plans for the management of sage-grouse species and the habitat of sage-grouse species on Federal land .

(b) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Covered western state.--The term ``covered Western State'' means each of the States of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

(2) National forest system land.--The term ``National Forest System land'' means the Federal land within the National Forest System, as described in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974

(16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).

(3) Public land.--The term ``public land'' has the meaning given the term ``public lands'' in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).

(4) Sage-grouse species.--The term ``sage-grouse species'' means--

(A) the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)

(including all distinct population segments); and

(B) the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus).

(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--

(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System land; and

(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public land.

(6) Statewide plan.--The term ``Statewide plan'' means a conservation and management plan or plans developed and submitted to the Secretary by a covered Western State for the protection and recovery of any sage-grouse species and the habitat of the sage-grouse species within the covered Western State in response to invitations from the Secretary of the Interior in December 2011 to submit to the Secretary those plans.

(1) List of designees.--

(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after that date of receipt from a covered Western State of a notice described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall provide to the Governor of the covered Western State a list of designees of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture, as applicable, who will represent the Secretary in assisting in the development and implementation of the Statewide plan.

(B) Description of notice.--

(i) In general.--A notice referred to in subparagraph (A) is a notice that a covered Western State--

(I) is initiating, or has previously initiated, development of a Statewide plan in accordance with clause (ii); or

(II) has previously submitted to the Secretary a Statewide plan in accordance with clause (ii).

(ii) Contents.--A notice under this subparagraph shall include--

(I) an invitation to the Secretary to participate in the development or implementation of the Statewide plan of the applicable covered Western State; and

(II) a statement that the covered Western State--

(aa) has prepared or will prepare, by not later than 1 year after the date of submission of the notice, a Statewide plan that will protect and manage sage-grouse species and the habitat of sage-grouse species to the point that designation of sage-grouse species as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is no longer necessary in the covered Western State; and

(bb) will--

(AA) collect monitoring data such as sage-grouse species population trends, fuel reduction, predator control, invasive species control, the condition of sage-grouse species habitat, or other parameters that address the primary threats to sage-grouse species in the covered Western State to address how the threats identified in the Statewide plan are being reduced and how the objectives identified in the Statewide plan are being met; and

(BB) provide to the Secretary relevant data regarding the health of sage-grouse species populations, the condition of sage-grouse species habitat, and activities relating to the implementation of the Statewide plan on an annual basis under this section.

(iii) Timing.--To be eligible to participate in a planning process under this section, not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a covered Western State shall submit to the Secretary a notice described in subparagraph (B).

(2) Access to information.--Not later than 60 days after the date of receipt from a covered Western State of a notice described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall provide to the covered Western State all relevant scientific data, research, and information regarding sage-grouse species and habitat within the covered Western State for use by appropriate State personnel to assist the covered Western State in the development and implementation of the Statewide plan.

(d) Recognition of Statewide Plan.--If the Secretary receives from a covered Western State a Statewide plan by the date that is 1 year after the date of receipt of a notice under subsection (c)(1) from the covered Western State, the Secretary shall--

(1) when taking any action that could impact the sage grouse species or the habitat of the species, manage all public land and National Forest System land within the covered Western State in accordance with the Statewide plan for a period of not less than 6 years, beginning on the date of submission to the Secretary of the Statewide plan in accordance with this section;

(2) annually--

(A) review the Statewide plan using the best available science and data, using the objectives and goals contained in the Statewide plan as a measure of success; and

(B) provide to the Governor of the covered Western State recommendations regarding improvement of the Statewide plan;

(3) use the Statewide plan as the basis for all relevant determinations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);

(4) permit and assist the covered Western State to implement adaptive management, if required by the Statewide plan, to respond to sage-grouse species conditions as indicated by monitoring data, meteorological conditions, or fire or other events necessitating adaptation of the Statewide plan;

(5) require the covered Western State to submit to the Secretary annual reports regarding the implementation of the Statewide plan, including relevant data regarding--

(A) actions carried out pursuant to the Statewide plan; and

(B) population trends, fuel reductions, predator control, invasive species control, the condition of sage-grouse habitat, and other parameters that address the primary threats to sage-grouse species in the covered Western State;

(6) require the covered Western State--

(A) to monitor appropriate sage-grouse species and habitat data for a period of not less than 5 years, beginning on the date of submission of the Statewide plan; and

(B) to submit to the Secretary, not later than 6 years after the date of submission of the Statewide plan and in accordance with applicable scientific protocols, a report that includes--

(i) a description of the status of implementation of the Statewide plan and progress made in achieving the objectives and goals of the Statewide plan, including relevant data regarding sage-grouse species population trends, fuel reductions, predator control, invasive species control, the condition of sage-grouse species habitat, and other parameters that address the primary threats to sage-grouse in the covered Western State;

(ii) an estimate of additional time needed, if any, for implementation of the Statewide plan; and

(iii) necessary modifications to the Statewide plan to enhance the achievement of the objectives and goals of the Statewide plan; and

(7) assist the covered Western State in monitoring and collecting relevant data on Federal land to assess sage-grouse species population trends, fuel reductions, predator control, invasive species control, the condition of sage-grouse species habitat, and other parameters that address the primary threats to sage-grouse in the covered Western State.

(e) Secretarial Actions.--Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of a Statewide plan under this section, and annually thereafter during the period in which the Secretary determines that the applicable covered Western State is implementing the Statewide plan, the Secretary shall--

(1) take necessary steps to maintain or restore the candidate species status for any sage-grouse species in the covered Western State under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), for a period of not less than 6 years--

(A) to allow for appropriate monitoring and collection of data; and

(B) to assess the achievement of the objectives of the Statewide plan;

(2) stay any land use planning activities relating to Federal management of sage-grouse species on public land or National Forest System land within the covered Western State;

(3) take immediate action to amend all Federal land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.) to comply with the Statewide plan with respect to that covered Western State;

(4) manage all public land and National Forest System land with habitat for any sage-grouse species in the covered Western State in a manner consistent with sections 102(a)(12) and 103(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701(a)(12), 1702(c)) and section 4 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974

(16 U.S.C. 1602);

(5) immediately reverse any withdrawals or land use restrictions carried out for purposes of protecting or conserving sage-grouse on public land or National Forest System land that are not consistent with a Statewide plan; and

(6) use State annual reports regarding the implementation of the Statewide plans submitted to the Secretary under subsection (d)(5) to prepare the annual Candidate Notice of Review of the Secretary pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533).

(f) Existing State Plans.--The Secretary shall--

(1) give effect to a Statewide conservation and management plan for the protection and recovery of sage-grouse species within a covered Western State that is submitted by the covered Western State and approved or endorsed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service before the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) for purposes of subsections (d) and (e), treat such a plan as a Statewide plan in accordance with that subsection.

(g) Actions Pursuant to NEPA.--An action proposed to be carried out pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in a covered Western State may not be denied or restricted solely on the basis of the presence or protection of sage-grouse species in the covered Western State, if the action is consistent with the Statewide plan of the covered Western State.

(h) Authority to Extend Plan Implementation.--On review of the report of a covered Western State under subsection

(d)(6)(B), the Secretary may extend the provisions of this Act for a period not to exceed an additional 6 years with the consent of the covered Western State.

______

SA 1710. Mr. KIRK (for himself and Mr. Menendez) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1242. EXTENSION OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996.

Section 13(b) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking

``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2026''.

______

SA 1711. Ms. AYOTTE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 12__. SOUTHEAST ASIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP.

The Act of March 4, 1907 (34 Stat. 1260, chapter 2907; 81 Stat. 584), is amended--

(1) in section 1(w), by striking paragraph (2);

(2) in section 6, by striking subsection (b); and

(3) by repealing section 25.

______

SA 1712. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 213.

______

SA 1713. Mr. FLAKE (for himself and Mr. Toomey) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. LIMITATION ON FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

ALTERNATIVE FUEL AWARDS AND DEPARTMENT OF

DEFENSE ALTERNATIVE FUEL CONTRACTS.

(a) Definition of Alternative Fuel.--In this section, the term ``alternative fuel'' has the meaning given the term in 301 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211).

(b) Limitation.--None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2016 for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended for research and development alternative fuel awards or Department of Defense alternative fuel contracts.

______

SA 1714. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of part I of subtitle H of title V, add the following:

SEC. 584. CONSOLIDATION OF FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS AND

TRAINING FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) Plan Required.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report setting forth a plan for the consolidation of the current financial training programs of the Department of Defense and the military departments for members of the Armed Forces into a single program of financial training for members that--

(1) eliminates duplication and costs in the provision of financial training to members; and

(2) ensures that members receive effective training in financial literacy in as few training sessions as is necessary for the receipt of effective training.

(b) Implementation.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments shall commence implementation of the plan required by subsection (a) 90 days after the date of the submittal of the plan as required by that subsection.

______

SA 1715. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. RESTRICTIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL

MONUMENTS.

Section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(e) Restrictions on the Establishment of National Monuments in Military Operations Areas.--The President shall not establish a national monument under this section on land that is located under the lateral boundaries of a military operations area (as the term is defined in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)), unless--

``(1) the proclamation includes language that ensures that the establishment of the national monument would not place any new limits on--

``(A) low-level overflights of military aircraft;

``(B) the designation of a new unit of special use airspace;

``(C) the use or establishment of a military flight training route;

``(D) any flight operations of military aircraft; or

``(E) any ground-based operations in support of military flight operations; and

``(2) the Secretary of Defense certifies that the establishment of the national monument--

``(A) would not negatively impact any military flight operations in airspace above the national monument; and

``(B) would not reduce the ability of any ground-based operations in support of military flight operations.''.

______

SA 1716. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title XV, add the following:

SEC. 1523. REPROGRAMMING OF CERTAIN FUNDS FOR OPERATION AND

MAINTENANCE FOR OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY

OPERATIONS.

(a) Reprogramming Requirement.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a reprogramming or transfer request in the amount of

$464,017,143 from unobligated funds in the Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide, account and available for the Office of Economic Adjustment, or for transfer to the Secretary of Education, to construct, renovate, repair, or expand elementary and secondary public schools on military installations in order to address capacity or facility condition deficiencies at such schools, to the Operation and Maintenance, Overseas Contingency Operations, account.

(b) Treatment of Reprogramming.--The transfer of an amount pursuant to subsection (a) shall not be deemed to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for operation and maintenance for overseas contingency operations by section 1505.

______

SA 1717. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. INSTALLATION RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT DATABASE.

(a) Limitation.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a searchable database to uniformly report information regarding installation renewable energy projects undertaken since 2010.

(b) Elements.--The database established under subsection

(a) shall include, for each installation energy project--

(1) the estimated project costs;

(2) estimated power generation;

(3) estimated total cost savings;

(4) estimated payback period;

(5) total project costs;

(6) actual power generation;

(7) actual cost savings to date;

(8) current operational status; and

(9) access to relevant business case documents, including the economic viability assessment.

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may, on a case-by-case basis, withhold from inclusion in the database established under subsection (a) information pertaining to individual projects if the Secretary determines that the disclosure of such information would jeopardize operational security.

(2) Required disclosure.--In the event the Secretary withholds information related to one or more renewable energy projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include in the database--

(A) a statement that information has been withheld; and

(B) an aggregate amount for each of paragraphs (1), (2),

(3), (5), (6), and (7) of subsection (b) that includes amounts for all renewable energy projects described under subsection (a), including those with respect to which information has been withheld under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(d) Updates.--The database established under subsection (a) shall be updated not less than quarterly.

______

SA 1718. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XXVIII, add the following:

SEC. 2807. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR MILITARY

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN AREAS OF CONTINGENCY

OPERATIONS.

(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2804 the following new section:

``Sec. 2804a. Certification requirement for military construction projects in areas of contingency operations

``(a) Certification Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Defense may not obligate or expend funds to carry out a military construction project overseas in connection with a contingency operation (as defined in section 101(a)(13) of this title) unless the combatant commander of the area of operations in which such project is to be constructed has certified to the Secretary of Defense that the project is needed for direct support of a contingency operation within that combatant command.

``(2) The restriction under paragraph (1) does not apply to planning and design activities or activities carried out under the authority of section 2805 of this title.

``(b) Certification Guidance.--The Secretary of Defense shall provide guidance regarding the certification required under subsection (a).''.

(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 2804 the following new item:

``2804a. Certification requirement for military construction projects in areas of contingency operations.''.

______

SA 1719. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XXVIII, add the following:

SEC. 2807. USE OF PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS IN MILITARY

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND MILITARY FAMILY

HOUSING PROJECTS.

(a) Requirements.--Section 2852 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(d)(1) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments awarding a construction contract on behalf of the Government, in any solicitations, bid specifications, project agreements, or other controlling documents, shall not--

``(A) require or prohibit bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors to enter into or adhere to agreements with one or more labor organizations; and

``(B) discriminate against or give preference to bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors based on their entering or refusing to enter into such an agreement.

``(2) Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a contractor or subcontractor from voluntarily entering into such an agreement, as is protected by the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).''.

(b) Application of Amendment.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to construction contracts awarded before the date of the enactment of this Act.

______

SA 1720. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title VI, add the following:

SEC. 622. TRANSPORTATION TO TRANSFER CEREMONIES FOR FAMILY

AND NEXT OF KIN OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

WHO DIE OVERSEAS DURING HUMANITARIAN

OPERATIONS.

Section 481f(e)(1) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``(including during a humanitarian relief operation)'' after ``located or serving overseas''.

______

SA 1721. Mr. ROUNDS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of title XI, add the following:

SEC. 1116. MATTERS RELATING TO BIENNIAL STRATEGIC WORKFORCE

PLANS.

(a) Assessment of Intended Use of Special Hiring Authorities and Other Authorities to Support the Worforce.--Subsection (b)(1) of section 115b of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

``(E) the use of special hiring authorities to be made by such Secretary or head of agency in addressing the matters described in this section and of any other authorities that would support the enhancement of the quality of the workforce.''.

(b) Transmittal of Reports to Congress.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended by inserting ``and to Congress'' after ``to the Secretary.''

______

SA 1722. Mr. CRUZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. ENERGY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

(a) Department of Defense Purchase of Energy.--In purchasing energy commodities, including electricity and fuel, the Department of Defense shall take into account--

(1) the reliability of the energy source, with a preference afforded to sources that offer a constant, non-intermittent supply of power; and

(2) the cost of the energy source in comparison with other available and reliable energy sources, with a preference afforded to energy sources that are demonstrated to be more cost-effective in the near term.

(b) Inapplicability of Certain Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuel Requirements.--

(1) Goals on use of renewable energy to meet electricity needs.--Section 2911 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (e).

(2) Federal purchase requirement.--The Department of Defense shall be exempt from the Federal purchase requirement established under section 203 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15852).

(3) Strengthening federal environmental, energy, and transportation management.--The Department of Defense shall be exempt from Executive Order 13423 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note; relating to strengthening Federal environmental, energy, and transportation management).

(4) Federal fleet conservation requirements.--The Department of Defense shall be exempt from Federal fleet conservation requirements established under section 400FF of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6374e).

(5) Federal leadership on energy management.--The Department of Defense shall be exempt from the renewable energy consumption target established by the document entitled ``Federal Leadership on Energy Management: Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies'' and published December 10, 2013 (78 Fed. Reg. 75209).

(6) Planning for federal sustainability in the next decade.--The Department of Defense shall be exempt from Executive Order No. 13693 dated March 19, 2015.

______

SA 1723. Mr. CRUZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of part II of subtitle D of title VI, add the following:

SEC. 643. EQUAL BENEFITS UNDER SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN FOR

SURVIVORS OF RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS WHO DIE

IN THE LINE OF DUTY DURING INACTIVE-DUTY

TRAINING.

(a) Treatment of Inactive-duty Training in Same Manner as Active Duty.--

(1) In general.--Section 1451(c)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(A) in clause (i)--

(i) by inserting ``or 1448(f)'' after ``section 1448(d)''; and

(ii) by inserting ``or (iii)'' after ``clause (ii)''; and

(B) in clause (iii)--

(i) by striking ``section 1448(f) of this title'' and inserting ``section 1448(f)(1)(A) of this title by reason of the death of a member or former member not in line of duty''; and

(ii) by striking ``active''.

(2) Application of amendments.--No annuity benefit under the Survivor Benefit Plan shall accrue to any person by reason of the amendments made by paragraph (1) for any period before the date of the enactment of this Act. With respect to an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan for a death occurring on or after September 10, 2001, and before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall recompute the benefit amount to reflect such amendments, effective for months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Consistent Treatment of Dependent Children.--Section 1448(f) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(5) Dependent children annuity.--

``(A) Annuity when no eligible surviving spouse.--In the case of a person described in paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall pay an annuity under this subchapter to the dependent children of that person under section 1450(a)(2) of this title as applicable.

``(B) Optional annuity when there is an eligible surviving spouse.--The Secretary may pay an annuity under this subchapter to the dependent children of a person described in paragraph (1) under section 1450(a)(3) of this title, if applicable, instead of paying an annuity to the surviving spouse under paragraph (1), if the Secretary concerned, in consultation with the surviving spouse, determines it appropriate to provide an annuity for the dependent children under this paragraph instead of an annuity for the surviving spouse under paragraph (1).''.

(1) In general.--Section 1448(f) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by subsection (b), is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(6) Deemed election to provide an annuity for dependent.--In the case of a person described in paragraph

(1) who dies after November 23, 2003, the Secretary concerned may, if no other annuity is payable on behalf of that person under this subchapter, pay an annuity to a natural person who has an insurable interest in such person as if the annuity were elected by the person under subsection (b)(1). The Secretary concerned may pay such an annuity under this paragraph only in the case of a person who is a dependent of that deceased person (as defined in section 1072(2) of this title). An annuity under this paragraph shall be computed in the same manner as provided under subparagraph (B) of subsection (d)(6) for an annuity under that subsection.''.

(2) Effective date.--No annuity payment under paragraph (6) of section 1448(f) of title 10, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1) of this subsection, may be made for any period before the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d) Availability of Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance.--

(1) Availability.--Section 1450(m)(1)(B) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``or (f)'' after

``subsection (d)''.

(2) Effective date.--No payment under section 1450(m) of title 10, United States Code, by reason of the amendment made by paragraph (1) may be made for any period before the date of the enactment of this Act.

______

SA 1724. Mr. CRUZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1040. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR TRANSFER OR

RELEASE OF INDIVIDUALS DETAINED AT UNITED

STATES NAVAL STATION, GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA, TO

COUNTRIES COVERED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE TRAVEL

WARNINGS.

(a) Finding.--The Senate makes the following findings:

(1) The Department of State issues travel warnings regarding travel to foreign countries for reasons that include ``unstable government, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist attacks''.

(2) These travel warnings are issued to highlight the

``risks of traveling'' to particular countries and are left in place until the situation in the country concerned improves.

(b) Sense of Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--

(1) countries that pose such a significant travel threat to United States citizens that the Department of State feels obliged to issue a travel warning should not be considered an appropriate recipient of any detainee transferred from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and

(2) if a country is subject to a Department of State travel warning, it is highly unlikely that the government of the country can provide the United States Government appropriate security and assurances regarding the prevention of the recidivism of any detainee so transferred.

(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), no amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise available for the Department of Defense may be used, during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2016, to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release of any individual detained in the custody or under the control of the Department of Defense at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay to the custody or control of any country subject to a Department of State travel warning at the time the transfer or release would otherwise occur.

(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any country subject to a travel warning described in that paragraph that is issued solely on the basis of one or more of the following:

(A) Medical deficiencies, infectious disease outbreaks, or other health-related concerns.

(B) A natural disaster.

______

SA 1725. Mr. WICKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 315, between lines 18 and 19, insert the following:

(9) A plan to incorporate into pediatric care from the Department telehealth services that provide real-time audio and video communication between a pediatric patient and a health care provider to ensure continuity of care and affordable access by patients to health care providers who are leading providers in their field, including those patients with rare diseases or complex cases.

______

SA 1726. Mr. WICKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 315, between lines 18 and 19, insert the following:

______

SA 1727. Mr. INHOFE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1257. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON OPERATION ATLANTIC RESOLVE

AND THE EUROPEAN REASSURANCE INITIATIVE.

It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) continued United States commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and our allies in Europe is critical to peace and stability in the region and critical to United States national security;

(2) actions by Russia, including the invasion and occupation of territories of Georgia, the invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, continued violations of allied airspace by Russian military aircraft, and continued unprofessional and potentially dangerous close passes with civilian and military aircraft and vessels by Russia threaten that peace and stability;

(3) Operation Atlantic Resolve, launched in April 2014, demonstrates the steadfast commitment of the United States to our allies in the region against any threat to territorial integrity or sovereignty;

(4) the European Reassurance Initiative, signed into law in December 2014, has improved United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization capability and readiness in Central and Eastern Europe;

(5) pre-positioning ammunition, fuel, and equipment for use in regional training and exercises, as well as improving infrastructure, will enhance North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations and enable Eastern European allies to rapidly receive reinforcements;

(6) increasing the presence of United States forces in the region, including naval forces in the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Barents Seas, through stepped-up rotations, training, and exercises will enhance and improve United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization interoperability and cooperation; and

(7) it is in the United States national interest to continue to these efforts while the threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our allies persists.

______

SA 1728. Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Warner, Mr. Casey, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Nelson, and Mr. Markey) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 652 and insert the following:

SEC. 652. REPORT AND ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL COSTS AND

BENEFITS OF PRIVATIZING DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

COMMISSARIES.

(a) In General.--Not later than February 1, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report assessing the viability of privatizing, in whole or in part, the Department of Defense commissary system. The report shall be so submitted to Congress before the development of any plans or pilot program to privatize defense commissaries or the defense commissary system.

(b) Elements.--The assessment required by subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) A methodology for defining the total number and locations of commissaries.

(2) An evaluation of commissary use by location in the following beneficiary categories:

(A) Pay grades E-1 through E-4.

(B) Pay grades E-5 through E-7.

(D) Pay grades O-1 through O-3.

(E) Pay grades O-4 through O-6.

(F) Pay grades O-7 through O-10.

(G) Military retirees.

(3) An evaluation of commissary use in locations outside the continental United States and in remote and isolated locations in the continental United States when compared with other locations.

(4) An evaluation of the cost of commissary operations during fiscal years 2009 through 2014.

(5) An assessment of potential savings and efficiencies to be achieved through implementation of some or all of recommendations of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.

(6) A description and evaluation of the strategy of the Defense Commissary Agency for pricing products sold at commissaries.

(7) A description and evaluation of the transportation strategy of the Defense Commissary Agency for products sold at commissaries.

(8) A description and evaluation of the formula of the Defense Commissary Agency for calculating savings for its customers as a result of its pricing strategy.

(9) An evaluation of the average savings per household garnered by commissary use.

(10) A description and evaluation of the use of private contractors and vendors as part of the defense commissary system.

(11) An assessment of costs or savings, and potential impacts to patrons and the Government, of privatizing the defense commissary system, including potential increased use of Government assistance programs.

(12) A description and assessment of potential barriers to privatization of the defense commissary system.

(13) An assessment of the extent to which patron savings would remain after the privatization of the defense commissary system.

(14) An assessment of the impact of any recommended changes to the operation of the defense commissary system on commissary patrons, including morale and retention.

(15) An assessment of the actual interest of major grocery retailers in the management and operations of all, or part, of the existing defense commissary system.

(16) An assessment of the impact of privatization of the defense commissary system on off-installation prices of similar products available in the system.

(17) An assessment of the impact of privatization of the defense commissary system, and conversion of the Defense Commissary Agency workforce to non-appropriated fund status, on employment of military family members, particularly with respect to pay, benefits, and job security.

(18) An assessment of the impact of privatization of the defense commissary system on Exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) quality-of-life programs.

(c) Use of Previous Studies.--The Secretary shall consult previous studies and surveys on matters appropriate to the report required by subsection (a), including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The January 2015 Final Report of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.

(2) The 2014 Military Family Lifestyle Survey Comprehensive Report.

(3) The 2013 Living Patterns Survey.

(4) The report required by section 634 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291) on the management, food, and pricing options for the defense commissary system.

(d) Comptroller General Assessment of Report.--Not later than May 1, 2016, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report setting forth an assessment by the Comptroller General of the report required by subsection (a).

______

SA 1729. Mr. HATCH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title I, add the following:

SEC. 152. ADDITIONAL SENSOR SUITES FOR F-22 AND F-35 AIRCRAFT

RADAR CROSS-SECTION FACILITIES.

(a) Assessment of Feasibility of Inclusion of Sensors.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of the feasibility of the inclusion of additional sensor suites to the current radar cross-section facilities for the F-22 aircraft and the F-35 aircraft in order to obtain a prognostic facility capability, benefitting life cycle logistics and sustainment, for low observable aircraft.

(2) Discharge of assessment.--The Secretary shall conduct the assessment through the F-22 Program Office and the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office.

(b) Nature of Sensors Assessed.--The additional sensors assessed for purposes of subsection (a) shall be sensors that use the electromagnetic spectrum to automatically capture sustainment and maintenance data related to system and subsystem health, structural integrity, and signature performance of an aircraft, including structural (surface and subsurface) changes effecting the radar signature to enable precise repairs to its coatings and shape.

(c) Additional Elements of Assessment.--The assessment conducted pursuant to subsection (a) shall also include an assessment of the incorporation of prognostic health management, autonomic logistics, and sustainment functions for the additional sensor suite facility capability described in subsection (a).

(d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report setting forth a plan for the inclusion of additional sensor suites to the current radar cross-section facilities as described in subsection (a). The plan shall take into account the results of the assessment conducted pursuant to this section.

______

SA 1730. Mr. HATCH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REVIEW OF

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFINITION OF AND POLICY

REGARDING SOFTWARE SUSTAINMENT.

(a) Review.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall review the definition used by the Department of Defense for and the policy of the Department regarding software maintenance, particularly with respect to the totality of the term ``software sustainment'' in the definition of ``depot-level maintenance and repair'' under section 2460 of title 10, United States Code.

(b) Elements.--

(1) In general.--The review required by subsection (a) shall address, with respect to software and weapon systems of the Department of Defense (including space systems), each of the following:

(A) Fiscal ramifications of current programs with regard to the size, scope, and cost of software to the program's overall budget, including embedded and support software, percentage of weapon systems' functionality controlled by software, and reliance on proprietary data, processes, and components.

(B) Legal status of the Department in regards to adhering to section 2464(a)(1) of such title with respect to ensuring a ready and controlled source of maintenance (sustainment) on software for its weapon systems.

(C) Operational risks and reduction to materiel readiness of current Department weapon systems related to software costs, delays, re-work, integration and functional testing, defects, and documentation errors.

(2) Additional matters.--For each of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1), the review required by subsection (a) shall include review and analysis regarding sole-source contracts, range of competition, rights in technical data, public and private capabilities, integration lab initial costs and sustaining operations, and total obligation authority costs of software, disaggregated by armed service, for the Department.

(c) Report.--Not later than March 15, 2016, the Comptroller General shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the President pro tempore of the Senate a report on the policy reviewed under subsection (a) and the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to such review.

______

SA 1731. Mr. PORTMAN (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of title VIII, add the following:

Subtitle F--Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement

SEC. 891. SHORT TITLE.

(a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the

``Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement Act of 2015''.

SEC. 892. DESIGN-BUILD CONSTRUCTION PROCESS IMPROVEMENT.

(a) Civilian Contracts.--

(1) In general.--Section 3309 of title 41, United States Code, is amended--

(A) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

``(b) Criteria for Use.--

``(1) Contracts with a value of at least $750,000.--Two-phase selection procedures shall be used for entering into a contract for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work when a contracting officer determines that the contract has a value of $750,000 or greater, as adjusted for inflation in accordance with section 1908 of this title.

``(2) Contracts with a value less than $750,000.--For projects that a contracting officer determines have a value of less than

$750,000, the contracting officer shall make a determination whether two-phase selection procedures are appropriate for use for entering into a contract for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work when--

``(A) the contracting officer anticipates that 3 or more offers will be received for the contract;

``(B) design work must be performed before an offeror can develop a price or cost proposal for the contract;

``(C) the offeror will incur a substantial amount of expense in preparing the offer; and

``(D) the contracting officer has considered information such as--

``(i) the extent to which the project requirements have been adequately defined;

``(ii) the time constraints for delivery of the project;

``(iii) the capability and experience of potential contractors;

``(iv) the suitability of the project for use of the two-phase selection procedures;

``(v) the capability of the agency to manage the two-phase selection process; and

``(vi) other criteria established by the agency.''; and

(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``The maximum number specified in the solicitation shall not exceed 5 unless the agency determines with respect to'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:

``The maximum number specified in the solicitation shall not exceed 5 unless the head of the contracting activity, delegable to a level no lower than the senior contracting official within the contracting activity, approves the contracting officer's justification that an individual solicitation must have greater than 5 finalists to be in the Federal Government's interest. The contracting officer shall provide written documentation of how a maximum number of offerors exceeding 5 is consistent with the purposes and objectives of the two-phase selection process.''.

(2) Annual reports.--

(A) In general.--Not later than November 30 of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, the head of each agency shall compile an annual report of each instance in which the agency awarded a design-build contract pursuant to section 3309 of title 41, United States Code, during the fiscal year ending in such calendar year, in which--

(i) more than 5 finalists were selected for phase-two requests for proposals; or

(ii) the contract was awarded without using two-phase selection procedures.

(B) Public availability.--The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall facilitate public access to the reports, including by posting them on a publicly available Internet website. A notice of the availability of each report shall be published in the Federal Register.

(b) Defense Contracts.--

(1) In general.--Section 2305a of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(A) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

``(b) Criteria for Use.--

``(2) Contracts with a value less than $750,000.--For projects that a contracting officer determines have a value of less than $750,000, the contracting officer shall make a determination whether two-phase selection procedures are appropriate for use for entering into a contract for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work when--

``(A) the contracting officer anticipates that 3 or more offers will be received for the contract;

``(B) design work must be performed before an offeror can develop a price or cost proposal for the contract;

``(C) the offeror will incur a substantial amount of expense in preparing the offer; and

``(D) the contracting officer has considered information such as--

``(i) the extent to which the project requirements have been adequately defined;

``(ii) the time constraints for delivery of the project;

``(iii) the capability and experience of potential contractors;

``(iv) the suitability of the project for use of the two-phase selection procedures;

``(v) the capability of the agency to manage the two-phase selection process; and

``(vi) other criteria established by the Department of Defense.''; and

``The maximum number specified in the solicitation shall not exceed 5 unless the head of the contracting activity approves the contracting officer's justification that an individual solicitation must have greater than 5 finalists to be in the Federal Government's interest. The contracting officer shall provide written documentation of how a maximum number of offerors exceeding 5 is consistent with the purposes and objectives of the two-phase selection process.''.

(2) Annual reports.--

(A) In general.--Not later than November 30 of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, the Secretary of Defense shall compile an annual report of each instance in which the Department awarded a design-build contract pursuant to section 2305a of title 10, United States Code, during the fiscal year ending in such calendar year, in which--

(i) more than 5 finalists were selected for phase-two requests for proposals; or

(ii) the contract was awarded without using two-phase selection procedures.

(1) Civilian contracts.--Not later than 270 days after the deadline for the final reports required under subsection (f) of section 3309 of title 41, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report analyzing the compliance of the various Federal agencies with the requirements of such section.

(2) Defense contracts.--Not later than 270 days after the deadline for the final reports required under subsection (f) of section 2305a of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (b)(1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report analyzing the compliance of the Department of Defense with the requirements of such section.

SEC. 893. PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF A REVERSE AUCTION FOR THE

AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

SERVICES.

(a) Prohibition.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, in consultation with the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, shall amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to prohibit the use of reverse auctions for awarding contracts for construction and design services.

(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--

(1) the term ``design and construction services'' means--

(A) site planning and landscape design;

(B) architectural and engineering services (including surveying and mapping defined in section 1101 of title 40, United States Code);

(D) performance of construction work for facility, infrastructure, and environmental restoration projects;

(E) delivery and supply of construction materials to construction sites; and

(F) construction or substantial alteration or repair of public buildings or public works; and

(2) the term ``reverse auction'' means, with respect to procurement by an agency--

(A) a real-time auction conducted through an electronic medium between a group of offerors who compete against each other by submitting bids for a contract or task order with the ability to submit revised bids throughout the course of the auction; and

(B) the award of the contract or task order to the offeror who submits the lowest bid.

SEC. 894. ASSURING PAYMENT PROTECTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION

SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS UNDER AN

ALTERNATIVE TO A MILLER ACT PAYMENT BOND.

Chapter 93 of subtitle VI of title 31, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 9310. Individual sureties

``If another applicable law or regulation permits the acceptance of a bond from a surety that is not subject to sections 9305 and 9306 and is based on a pledge of assets by the surety, the assets pledged by such surety shall--

``(1) consist of eligible obligations described under section 9303(a); and

``(2) be submitted to the official of the Government required to approve or accept the bond, who shall deposit the assets with a depository described under section 9303(b).''; and

(2) in the table of sections for such chapter, by adding at the end the following new item:

``9310. Individual sureties.''.

SEC. 895. SBA SURETY BOND GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

Section 411(c)(1) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 694b(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``70'' and inserting ``90''.

______

SA 1732. Mr. DAINES submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following: SEC. 1065. REPORT ON THE LOCATION OF C-130 MODULAR AIRBORNE

FIREFIGHTING SYSTEM UNITS.

Not later than September 30, 2016, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to Congress a report setting forth an assessment of the locations of C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) units. The report shall include the following:

(1) A list of the C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System units of the Air Force.

(2) The utilization rates of the units listed under paragraph (1).

(3) A future force allocation determination with respect to such units in order to achieve the most efficient use of such units

(4) An assessment of opportunities to expand coverage of C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System units in States most prone to wildfires.

______

SA 1733. Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Cassidy) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1065. REPORT ON PLANS FOR THE USE OF DOMESTIC AIRFIELDS

FOR HOMELAND DEFENSE AND DISASTER RESPONSE.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Transportation, submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth an assessment of the plans for airfields in the United States that are required to support homeland defense and local disaster response missions.

(b) Considerations.--The report shall include the following items:

(1) The criteria used to determine the capabilities and locations of airfields in the United States needed to support safe operations of military aircraft in the execution of homeland defense and local disaster response missions.

(2) A description of the processes and procedures in place to ensure that contingency plans for the use of airfields in the United States that support both military and civilian air operations are coordinated among the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies with jurisdiction over those airfields.

(3) An assessment of the impact, if any, to logistics and resource planning as a result of the reduction of certain capabilities of airfields in the United States that support both military and civilian air operations.

(4) A review of the existing agreements and authorities between the Commander of the United States Northern Command and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration that allow for consultation on decisions that impact the capabilities of airfields in the United States that support both military and civilian air operations.

(d) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term

``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(2) Capabilities of airfields.--The term ``capabilities of airfields'' means the length and width of runways, taxiways, and aprons, the operation of navigation aids and lighting, the operation of fuel storage, distribution, and refueling systems, and the availability of air traffic control services.

(3) Airfields in the united states that support both military and civilian air operations.--The term ``airfields in the United States that support both military and civilian air operations'' means the following:

(A) Airports that are designated as joint use facilities pursuant to section 47175 of title 49, United States Code, in which both the military and civil aviation have shared use of the airfield.

(B) Airports used by the military that have a permanent military aviation presence at the airport pursuant to a memorandum of agreement or tenant lease with the airport owner that is in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

______

SA 1734. Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mr. Grassley) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. REPORT ON COUNTER-DRUG EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide a report to Congress that outlines--

(1) the counter-narcotics goals of the Department of Defense in Afghanistan; and

(2) how the Secretary of Defense will coordinate the counter-drug efforts of the Department of Defense with other Federal agencies to ensure an integrated, effective counter-narcotics strategy is implemented in Afghanistan.

(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall--

(1) include information as to how the Secretary of Defense will evaluate the counter-drug efforts of the Department of Defense for success in Afghanistan; and

(2) outline the process by which the Secretary of Defense will determine whether to continue each of the counter-drug initiatives of the Department of Defense in Afghanistan.

______

SA 1735. Ms. HEITKAMP submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 738. STUDY ON REDUCING STIGMA AND IMPROVING TREATMENT OF

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG MEMBERS OF

THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS.

(a) Study.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly conduct a study on reducing the stigma and improving the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

(2) Consultation.--In conducting the study required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with individuals with relevant experience relating to post-traumatic stress disorder, the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families, including the following:

(A) Representatives of military service organizations.

(B) Representatives of veterans service organizations.

(C) Health professionals with experience in treating members of the Armed Forces and veterans with mental illness, including those health professionals who work for the Federal Government and those who do not.

(3) Elements.--In conducting the study required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assess the following:

(A) The feasibility and advisability of strategies to improve the treatment of the full spectrum of post-traumatic stress disorder among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

(B) The feasibility and advisability of strategies to diminish the stigma attached to post-traumatic stress disorder among members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and the public in general.

(C) The impact of the term ``disorder'' on the stigma attached to post-traumatic stress disorder among members of the Armed Forces and veterans, including the impact of dropping the term ``disorder'', when medically appropriate, when referring to post-traumatic stress.

(D) Whether using the term ``disorder'' is the most accurate way to describe post-traumatic stress disorder in instances in which members of the Armed Forces and veterans have experienced traumatic events but have not been formally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

(E) Whether there is a need to update the next version of the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Post-Traumatic Stress published by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(F) Whether there is a need to update information provided to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, including information on Internet websites of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs, on post-traumatic stress disorder to reduce the stigma and more accurately describe the medical conditions for which members of the Armed Forces and veterans are receiving treatment.

(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study required by subsection (a), including recommendations for any actions that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs can take to reduce the stigma and improve the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term

``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(2) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans service organization'' means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.

______

SA 1736. Ms. HEITKAMP (for herself and Mr. Moran) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. VOLUNTARY NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF VETERANS.

(a) Program Required.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a program to facilitate outreach to veterans by covered entities.

(2) Covered entities.--For purposes of this section, a covered entity is any of the following:

(A) The Department of Veterans Affairs.

(B) The agency or department of a State that is the primary agency or department of the State for the administration of benefits and services for veterans in the State.

(D) An Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)).

(3) National directory.--To carry out the program required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--

(A) establish a national directory of veterans as described in subsection (b); and

(B) share information in the directory in accordance with subsection (c).

(b) National Directory.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the national directory required by subsection

(a)(3) using information received from the Secretary of Defense under subsection (d)(4).

(2) Updates.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the national directory includes a mechanism by which a participating individual can update the information in the national directory that pertains to the participating individual.

(3) Disenrollment.--The Secretary shall establish a mechanism by which a participating individual can indicate to the Secretary that the individual would no longer like to receive information from participating entities under the program.

(4) Reenrollment.--The Secretary shall establish a mechanism for the inclusion of information in the national directory of individuals who were previously participating individuals but who had made an indication under paragraph

(3) and subsequently indicate that they would like to receive information from participating entities under the program.

(5) Privacy and security.--The Secretary shall take such actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect--

(A) the privacy of individuals participating in the program; and

(B) the security of the information stored in the national directory.

(6) Ebenefits.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use the system and architecture of the eBenefits Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs to support and operate the national directory as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(1) Sharing of directory information.--

(A) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in order to connect participating individuals with information about the programs they could be eligible for or services, support, and information they may be interested in receiving, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may share, under the program established under subsection (a)(1), information in the national directory concerning such individuals with entities applicable to participating individuals.

(B) Entities applicable to participating individuals.--For purposes of this subsection, an entity that is applicable to a participating individual is a covered entity from whom a participating individual has expressed interest in receiving information under the program.

(C) Updated information.--In a case in which a participating individual updates the information pertaining to the participating individual under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall transmit such information to each entity applicable to the participating individual.

(D) Notification of disenrollment.--In a case in which a participating individual indicates to the Secretary under subsection (b)(3) that the individual would no longer like to receive information from participating entities under the program, the Secretary shall inform each entity applicable to the participating individual that the individual would no longer like to receive information from the entity under the program.

(2) Limitations.--

(A) Limitations on the secretary.--

(i) Information shared.--Under the program, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may only share from the national directory the following:

(I) The name of a participating individual.

(II) The e-mail address of a participating individual.

(III) The postal address of a participating individual.

(IV) The phone number of a participating individual.

(ii) Prohibition on sale of information.--The Secretary may not sell any information collected under this section.

(iii) Entities.--The Secretary may not share any information collected under the program with any entity that is not a participating entity.

(B) Limitations on participating entities.--

(i) Sharing with third-party and for-profit entities.--As a condition of participation in the program, a participating entity shall agree not to share any information the participating entity receives under the program with any third-party or for-profit entities.

(ii) Purchases of products or services.--As a condition of participation in the program, a participating entity shall agree not to include in any information sent by the participating entity to a participating individual a requirement that the participating individual or the family of the participating individual purchase a product or service.

(iii) Political communication.--As a condition of participation in the program, a participating entity shall agree not to use any information received under the program for any political communication.

(3) Disenrollment by participating entities.--The Secretary shall establish a mechanism by which a participating entity may indicate to the Secretary that the participating entity would no longer like to receive information about participating individuals from the national directory.

(4) Sense of congress.--

(A) Consolidation of requests.--It is the sense of Congress that covered entities described in subsection (a)(2)(C) who are located in the same region should work together in a manner such that only one of them requests receipt of information under the program.

(B) Collaboration.--It is the sense of Congress that covered entities described in subsection (a)(2)(C) should work with third parties, such as veterans service organizations, military community groups, and other entities with an interest in assisting veterans, to develop the information the covered entities send to participating individuals under the program.

(5) Publicity.--The Secretary shall develop a plan to publicize the program and inform covered entities of the benefits of participating in the program.

(d) Collection of Contact Information.--

(1) In general.--To each member of the Armed Forces separating from service in the Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense shall provide a form for the collection of information to be included in the national directory established under subsection (a).

(2) Form.--

(A) Development.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, develop the form provided under paragraph (1).

(B) Elements.--The form developed under subparagraph (A) shall allow a member of the Armed Forces who is in the process of separating from service in the Armed Forces to indicate the following:

(i) Where the member intends to reside after separation.

(ii) How the individual can best be contacted, such as a telephone number, an e-mail address, or a postal address.

(iii) For which types of benefits and services the member would like to receive communication and outreach, such as health care, education, employment, and housing.

(iv) From which of the following the member would like to receive the communication and outreach specified under clause

(iii):

(I) The Department of Veterans Affairs.

(II) The agency or department of the State in which the member intends to reside after separation that is the primary agency or department of the State for the administration of benefits and services for veterans in the State.

(III) A political subdivision of a State.

(i) Information provided to agencies and departments described in subparagraph (B)(iv)(III) will only be provided as authorized and upon request by such agencies and departments.

(ii) Political subdivisions of States that receive information under the program established under subsection

(a) may--

(I) share such information with such nonprofit organizations as the political subdivisions consider appropriate; and

(II) work with such organizations to provide the veterans with relevant information about benefits and services offered by such organizations.

(iii) Information provided on the form developed under subparagraph (A) will never be sold, provided to a for-profit entity, or used to send any sort of political communication.

(D) Manner.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the form provided under paragraph (1) is not primarily electronic in nature.

(3) Voluntary participation.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that completion of the form provided under paragraph (1) is voluntary and submittal of such form to the Secretary by a member of the Armed Forces shall be considered an indication to the Secretary that the member would like to receive information from participating entities under the program.

(4) Transmittal of information to secretary of veterans affairs.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which a member of the Armed Forces who submitted information to the Secretary of Defense under this subsection separates from service in the Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense shall transmit such information to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(5) Privacy and security.--The Secretary of Defense shall take such actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect--

(A) the privacy of individuals who submit information under this subsection; and

(B) the security of such information--

(i) while it is in the possession of the Secretary; and

(ii) while it is in transit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(6) Integration with transition assistance program.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly take such actions as the secretaries consider appropriate to integrate the collection of information under this subsection into the Transition Assistance Program.

(e) Report.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the program established under subsection (a)(1).

(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include an examination and assessment of the following:

(A) The signup process and the effectiveness of the forms developed and provided under subsection (d).

(B) The ways in which contact information is transferred from the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the program and the plans of the secretaries to overcome challenges encountered by the secretaries in transferring such information.

(a)(2)(C) participating in the program and any challenges they report in receiving the contact information from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the program.

(D) The effectiveness of efforts of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to protect the personal information of participating individuals.

(E) The effectiveness of efforts of covered entities described in subsection (a)(2)(C) to protect the personal information of participating individuals.

(F) Whether additional limitations on the use of information collected under the program are necessary to protect participating individuals from unwanted contact, or contact that is inconsistent with the program.

(G) Whether participating individuals are benefitting by participating in the program and whether changing the program would improve such benefits.

(H) The overall participation in the program, utilization of the program, and how such participation and utilization could be improved.

(I) Such other matters as the secretaries consider appropriate.

(3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the following:

(A) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(B) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(f) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Participating entity.--The term ``participating entity'' means a covered entity that has indicated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that the covered entity would like to receive information about participating individuals from the national directory and has made no subsequent indication that the covered entity would like to stop receiving such information.

(2) Participating individual.--The term ``participating individual'' means an individual with respect to whom information is stored in the national directory and who has indicated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of Defense that the individual would like to receive information from participating entities under the program and has made no subsequent indication that the individual would like to stop receiving such information.

______

SA 1737. Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Booker) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ____. NOTICE OF STATUS AS AN ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY

CONSUMER.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) is amended--

(1) in section 605, by adding at the end the following:

``(i) Notice of Status as an Active Duty Military Consumer.--

``(1) In general.--With respect to an item of adverse information about a consumer, if the action or inaction that gave rise to the item occurred while the consumer was an active duty military consumer, the consumer may provide appropriate proof, including official orders, to a consumer reporting agency that the consumer was an active duty military consumer at the time such action or inaction occurred, and any consumer report provided by the consumer reporting agency that includes the item shall clearly and conspicuously disclose that the consumer was an active duty military consumer when the action or inaction that gave rise to the item occurred.

``(2) Model form.--The Bureau shall prepare a model form, which shall be made publicly available, including in an electronic format, by which a consumer may--

``(A) notify, and provide appropriate proof to, a consumer reporting agency in a simple and easy manner, including electronically, that the consumer is or was an active duty military consumer; and

``(B) provide contact information of the consumer for the purpose of communicating with the consumer while the consumer is an active duty military consumer.

``(3) No adverse consequences.--A notice, pursuant to a model form or otherwise, that a consumer is or was an active duty military consumer shall not itself (without regard to other considerations) provide the basis for any of the following:

``(A) With respect to a credit transaction between a creditor and the consumer--

``(i) a denial or revocation of credit by the creditor;

``(ii) a change by the creditor in the terms of an existing credit arrangement; or

``(iii) a refusal by the creditor to grant credit to the consumer in substantially the amount or on substantially the terms requested.

``(B) An adverse report relating to the creditworthiness of the consumer by or to a person engaged in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information.

``(C) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, an annotation in a consumer's record by a creditor or a person engaged in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information, identifying the consumer as an active duty military consumer.'';

(2) in section 605A--

(A) in subsection (c)--

(i) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking ``Upon'' and inserting the following:

``(1) In general.--Upon''; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

``(2) Negative information notification.--If a consumer reporting agency receives an item of adverse information about a consumer who has provided appropriate proof that the consumer is an active duty military consumer, the consumer reporting agency shall notify the consumer, according to a frequency, manner, and timeliness determined by the Bureau or specified by the consumer--

``(A) that the consumer reporting agency has received the item of adverse information, along with a description of the item; and

``(B) the method by which the consumer may dispute the validity of the item.

``(3) Contact information for active duty military consumers.--

``(A) In general.--If a consumer who has provided appropriate proof to a consumer reporting agency that the consumer is an active duty military consumer provides the consumer reporting agency with contact information for the purpose of communicating with the consumer while the consumer is an active duty military consumer, the consumer reporting agency shall use such contact information for all communications while the consumer is an active duty military consumer.

``(B) Direct request.--Unless the consumer opts out, the provision of appropriate proof that a consumer is an active duty military consumer shall be treated as a direct request for an active duty alert under paragraph (1).

``(4) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that any person making use of a consumer report that contains an item of adverse information should, if the action or inaction that gave rise to the item occurred while the consumer was an active duty military consumer, take such fact into account when evaluating the creditworthiness of the consumer.''; and

(B) in subsection (e), by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

``(3) subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (c)(1), in the case of a referral under subsection (c)(1)(C).''; and

(3) in section 611(a)(1), by adding at the end the following:

``(D) Notice of dispute related to active duty military consumers.--With respect to an item of information described under subparagraph (A) that is under dispute, if the consumer to whom the item relates has notified the consumer reporting agency, and has provided appropriate proof, that the consumer was an active duty military consumer at the time the action or inaction that gave rise to the disputed item occurred, the consumer reporting agency shall--

``(i) include such fact in the file of the consumer; and

``(ii) indicate such fact in each consumer report that includes the disputed item.''.

______

SA 1738. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 419, line 22, insert ``, or that the item no longer meets the definition of a commercial item'' after ``based on inadequate information''.

______

SA 1739. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION FOR

INVESTIGATIONS RELATING TO WHISTLEBLOWER

RETALIATION.

(a) Definition.--In this section--

(1) the term ``covered employee'' means a whistleblower who is an employee of the Department of Defense or a military department, or an employee of a contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or subgrantee thereof;

(2) the term ``covered investigation'' means an investigation carried out by an Inspector General of a military department or the Inspector General of the Department of Defense relating to--

(A) a retaliatory personnel action taken against a member of the Armed Forces under section 1034 of title 10, United States Code; or

(B) any retaliatory action taken against a covered employee; and

(3) the term ``military department'' means each of the departments described in section 104 of title 5, United States Code.

(b) Certification Requirement.--

(1) In general.--Each investigator involved in a covered investigation shall submit to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense or the Inspector General of the military department, as applicable, a certification that there was no conflict of interest between the investigator, any witness involved in the covered investigation, and the covered employee or member of the Armed Forces, as applicable, during the conduct of the covered investigation.

(2) Standardized form.--The Inspector General of the Department of Defense shall develop a standardized form to be used by each investigator to submit the certification required under paragraph (1).

(3) Investigative file.--Each certification submitted under paragraph (1) shall be included in the file of the applicable covered investigation.

______

SA 1740. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 564, after line 25, add the following:

(d) Report.--

(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``covered employee'' has the meaning given that term in section 1599e of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection

(a)(1).

(2) Contents.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report regarding covered employees hired into a probationary status during the 10-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act, which shall include the number of covered employees--

(A) hired during the period;

(B) whose appointment became final after the probationary period;

(C) who were subject to disciplinary action or termination during the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the appointment of the covered employee became final;

(D) who were subject to disciplinary action during the probationary period;

(E) who were terminated before the appointment of the covered employee became final; and

(F) who, after being subject to disciplinary action or terminated, raised a claim that the disciplinary action or termination was taken because of a disclosure of information by the covered employee that the covered employee reasonably believed evidenced--

(i) any violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or

(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

______

SA 1741. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 354, beginning on line 11, strike ``policy.'' and all that follows through line 20 and insert the following:

``policy, with at least one member representing the interests of the taxpayer. In making appointments to the advisory panel, the Under Secretary shall ensure that the members of the panel reflect diverse experiences in the public and private sectors.

(1) review the acquisition regulations applicable to the Department of Defense with a view toward streamlining and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the defense acquisition process, maintaining defense technology advantage, and protecting the best interests of the taxpayer; and

______

SA 1742. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 884. PROTECTION FOR CONTRACTORS AND GRANTEES FROM

REPRISAL FOR DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.

(a) Elimination of Sunset Provision.--Section 4712 of title 41, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection

(i).

(b) Extension of Protections to Grantees.--Such section is further amended--

(1) by striking ``subcontractor, or grantee'' each place it appears and inserting ``subcontractor, grantee, or subgrantee''; and

(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``, and grantees'' and inserting ``, grantees, and subgrantees''.

______

SA 1743. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title VIII, add the following:

SEC. 884. EXTENSION OF WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR DEFENSE

CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES TO EMPLOYEES OF

CONTRACTORS OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE INTELLIGENCE

COMMUNITY.

(a) Contractors of DoD and Related Agencies.--Subsection

(e) of section 2409 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``(e) Disclosures With Respect to Elements of Intelligence Community and Intelligence-related Activities.--(1) Any disclosure under this section by an employee of a contractor, subcontractor, or grantee of an element of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)) with respect to an element of the intelligence community or an activity of an element of the intelligence community shall comply with applicable provisions of section 17(d)(5) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 3517(d)(5)) and section 8H of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)

``(2) Any disclosure described in paragraph (1) of information required by Executive order to be kept classified in the interests of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs that is made to a court shall be treated by the court in a manner consistent with the interests of the national security of the United States, including through the use of summaries or ex parte submissions if the element of the intelligence community awarding the contract or grant concerned advises the court that the national security interests of the United States warrant the use of such summaries or submissions.''.

(b) Pilot Program on Other Contractor Employees.--Subsection (f) of section 4712 of title 41, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``(f) Disclosures With Respect to Elements of Intelligence Community and Intelligence-related Activities.--

``(1) Manner of disclosures.--Any disclosure under this section by an employee of a contractor, subcontractor, or grantee of an element of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947

(50 U.S.C. 3003(4)) with respect to an element of the intelligence community or an activity of an element of the intelligence community shall comply with applicable provisions of section 17(d)(5) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 3517(d)(5)) and section 8H of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)

``(2) Treatment by courts.--Any disclosure described in paragraph (1) of information required by Executive order to be kept classified in the interests of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs that is made to a court shall be treated by the court in a manner consistent with the interests of the national security of the United States, including through the use of summaries or ex parte submissions if the element of the intelligence community awarding the contract or grant concerned advises the court that the national security interests of the United States warrant the use of such summaries or submissions.''.

______

SA 1744. Mrs. FEINSTEIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY

PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

FOR WHICH AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATED.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:

(1) The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113-235) appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs--

(A) $35,000,000 to make seismic corrections to Building 205 in the West Los Angeles Medical Center of the Department in Los Angeles, California, which, according to the Department, is a building that is designated as having an exceptionally high risk of sustaining substantial damage or collapsing during an earthquake;

(B) $101,900,000 to replace the community living center and mental health facilities of the Department in Long Beach, California, which, according to the Department, are designated as having an exceptionally high risk of sustaining substantial damage or collapsing during an earthquake;

(C) $187,500,000 to replace the existing spinal cord injury clinic of the Department in San Diego, California, which, according to the Department, is designated as having an extremely high risk of sustaining major damage during an earthquake; and

(D) $122,400,000 to make renovations to address substantial safety and compliance issues at the medical center of the Department in Canandaigua, New York, and for the construction of a new clinic and community living center at such medical center.

(2) The Department is unable to obligate or expend the amounts described in paragraph (1) because it lacks an explicit authorization by an Act of Congress pursuant to section 8104(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, to carry out the major medical facility projects described in such paragraph.

(3) Among the major medical facility projects described in paragraph (1), three are critical seismic safety projects in California.

(4) Every day that the critical seismic safety projects described in paragraph (3) are delayed puts the lives of veterans and employees of the Department at risk.

(5) According to the United States Geological Survey--

(A) California has a 99 percent chance or greater of experiencing an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater in the next 30 years;

(B) even earthquakes of less severity than magnitude 6.7 can cause life threatening damage to seismically unsafe buildings; and

(b) Authorization.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the major medical facility projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs specified in the explanatory statement accompanying the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113-235) at the locations and in the amounts specified in such explanatory statement, including by obligating and expending such amounts.

______

SA 1745. Mr. PETERS (for himself, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Wyden) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ALTERNATIVE

FUELED VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND.

(a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the ``Department of Defense Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Fund''.

(b) Deposits.--The Fund shall consist of the following:

(1) Amounts appropriated to the Fund.

(2) Amounts earned through investment under subsection (c).

(3) Any other amounts made available to the Fund by law.

(c) Investments.--The Secretary shall invest any part of the Fund that the Secretary decides is not required to meet current expenses. Each investment shall be made in an interest-bearing obligation of the United States Government, or an obligation that has its principal and interest guaranteed by the Government, that the Secretary decides has a maturity suitable for the Fund.

(d) Use of Funds.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available to the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, to install, operate, and maintain alternative fuel dispensing stations for use by alternative fueled vehicles of the Department of Defense and other infrastructure necessary to fuel alternative fueled vehicles of the Department.

(e) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Alternative fuel.--The term ``alternative fuel'' has the meaning given such term in section 32901 of title 49, United States Code.

(2) Alternative fueled vehicle.--The term ``alternative fueled vehicle'' means a vehicle that operates on alternative fuel.

(3) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the fund established under subsection (a).

______

SA 1746. Mr. PETERS (for himself, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Wyden) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title III, add the following:

SEC. 314. AUTHORIZATION FOR RESEARCH TO IMPROVE MILITARY

VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE FUEL ECONOMY OR

REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION OF MILITARY VEHICLES

USED IN COMBAT.

(a) Research Authorized.--The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and in collaboration with the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Navy, may carry out research to improve military vehicle technology to increase fuel economy or reduce fuel consumption of military vehicles used in combat.

(b) Previous Successes.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that research carried out under subsection (a) takes into account the successes of, and lessons learned during, the development of the Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Alpha and Bravo programs to identify, assess, develop, demonstrate, and prototype technologies that support increasing fuel economy and decreasing fuel consumption of light tactical vehicles, while balancing survivability.

______

SA 1747. Mr. CASEY (for himself and Ms. Ayotte) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1209. SUPPORT FOR SECURITY OF AFGHAN WOMEN AND GIRLS.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Through the sacrifice and dedication of members of the Armed Forces, civilian personnel, and our Afghan partners as well as the American people's generous investment, oppressive Taliban rule has given way to a nascent democracy in Afghanistan. It is in our national security interest to help prevent Afghanistan from ever again becoming a safe haven and training ground for international terrorism and to solidify and preserve the gains our men and women in uniform fought so hard to establish.

(2) The United States through its National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security has made firm commitments to support the human rights of the women and girls of Afghanistan. The National Action Plan states that ``the engagement and protection of women as agents of peace and stability will be central to United States efforts to promote security, prevent, respond to, and resolve conflict, and rebuild societies''.

(3) As stated in the Department of Defense's October 2014 Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) ``maintain a robust program dedicated to improving the recruitment, retention, and treatment of women in the Afghan National Security Forces

(ANSF), and to improving the status of Afghan women in general''.

(4) According to the Department of Defense's October 2014 Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan, the ``Afghan MoI showed significant support for women in the MoI and is taking steps to protect and empower female police and female MoI staff''. Although some positive steps have been made, progress remains slow to reach the MoI's goal of recruiting 10,000 women in the Afghan National Police (ANP) in the next 10 years.

(5) According to Inclusive Security, women only make up approximately 1 percent of the Afghan National Police. There are about 2,200 women serving in the police force, fewer than the goal of 5,000 women set by the Government of Afghanistan.

(6) According to the International Crisis Group, there are not enough female police officers to staff all provincial Family Response Units (FRUs). United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan and the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees found that ``in the absence of Family Response Units or visible women police officers, women victims almost never approach police stations willingly, fearing they will be arrested, their reputations stained or worse''.

(b) Sense of Congress on Promotion of Security of Afghan Women.--It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) it is in the national security interests of the United States to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a safe haven and training ground for international terrorism;

(2) as an important part of a strategy to achieve this objective and to help Afghanistan achieve its full potential, the United States Government should continue to regularly press the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to commit to the meaningful inclusion of women in the political, economic, and security transition process and to ensure that women's concerns are fully reflected in relevant negotiations;

(3) the United States Government and the Government of Afghanistan should reaffirm their commitment to supporting Afghan civil society, including women's organizations, as agreed to during the meeting between the International Community and the Government of Afghanistan on the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework (TMAF) in July 2013;

(4) the United States Government should continue to support and encourage efforts to recruit and retain women in the Afghan National Security Forces, who are critical to the success of NATO's Resolute Support Mission and future Enduring Partnership mission; and

(5) the United States should bid on no less than one gender advisor billet within the Resolute Support Mission Gender Advisory Unit and continue to work with other countries to ensure that the Resolute Support Mission Gender Advisory Unit billets are fully staffed.

(1) Reporting requirement.--The Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, shall include in the report required under section 1225 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3550)--

(A) an assessment of the security of Afghan women and girls, including information regarding efforts to increase the recruitment and retention of women in the ANSF; and

(B) an assessment of the implementation of the plans for the recruitment, integration, retention, training, treatment, and provision of appropriate facilities and transportation for women in the ANSF, including the challenges associated with such implementation and the steps being taken to address those challenges.

(2) Plan required.--

(A) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to the extent practicable, support the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to promote the security of Afghan women and girls during and after the security transition process through the development and implementation by the Government of Afghanistan of an Afghan-led plan that should include the elements described in this paragraph.

(B) Training.--The Secretary of Defense, working with the NATO-led Resolute Support mission should encourage the Government of Afghanistan to develop--

(i) measures for the evaluation of the effectiveness of existing training for Afghan National Security Forces on this issue;

(ii) a plan to increase the number of female security officers specifically trained to address cases of gender-based violence, including ensuring the Afghan National Police's Family Response Units (FRUs) have the necessary resources and are available to women across Afghanistan;

(iii) mechanisms to enhance the capacity for units of National Police's Family Response Units to fulfill their mandate as well as indicators measuring the operational effectiveness of these units;

(iv) a plan to address the development of accountability mechanisms for ANA and ANP personnel who violate codes of conduct related to the human rights of women and girls, including female members of the ANSF; and

(v) a plan to develop training for the ANA and the ANP to increase awareness and responsiveness among ANA and ANP personnel regarding the unique security challenges women confront when serving in those forces.

(C) Enrollment and treatment.--The Secretary of Defense, in cooperation with the Afghan Ministries of Defense and Interior, shall seek to assist the Government of Afghanistan in including as part of the plan developed under subparagraph

(A) the development and implementation of a plan to increase the number of female members of the ANA and ANP and to promote their equal treatment, including through such steps as providing appropriate equipment, modifying facilities, and ensuring literacy and gender awareness training for recruits.

(D) Allocation of funds.--

(i) In general.--Of the funds available to the Department of Defense for the Afghan Security Forces Fund for Fiscal Year 2016, no less than $10,000,000 should be used for the recruitment, integration, retention, training, and treatment of women in the ANSF as well as the recruitment, training, and contracting of female security personnel for future elections.

(ii) Types of programs and activities.--Such programs and activities may include--

(I) efforts to recruit women into the ANSF, including the special operations forces;

(II) programs and activities of the Afghan Ministry of Defense Directorate of Human Rights and Gender Integration and the Afghan Ministry of Interior Office of Human Rights, Gender and Child Rights;

(III) development and dissemination of gender and human rights educational and training materials and programs within the Afghan Ministry of Defense and the Afghan Ministry of Interior;

(IV) efforts to address harassment and violence against women within the ANSF;

(V) improvements to infrastructure that address the requirements of women serving in the ANSF, including appropriate equipment for female security and police forces, and transportation for policewomen to their station

(VI) support for ANP Family Response Units; and

(VII) security provisions for high-profile female police and army officers.

______

SA 1748. Mr. PETERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title V, add the following:

SEC. 524. REVIEW OF CHARACTERIZATION OR TERMS OF DISCHARGE

FROM THE ARMED FORCES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH

MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS ALLEGED TO AFFECT TERMS

OF DISCHARGE.

Section 1553(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(3)(A) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2), in the case of a former member described in subparagraph (B), the board shall--

``(i) review medical evidence of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or a civilian health care provider that is presented by the former member; and

``(ii) review the case with a presumption of administrative irregularity and place the burden on the Secretary concerned to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that no error or injustice occurred.

``(B) A former member described in this subparagraph is a former member described in paragraph (1) or a former member whose application for relief is based in whole or in part on matters relating to post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury as supporting rationale or as justification for priority consideration whose post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury is related to combat or military sexual trauma, as determined by the Secretary concerned.''.

______

SA 1749. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following: SEC. 1085. SENSE OF SENATE ON MISUSE OF GOVERNMENT TRAVEL

CHARGE CARDS.

It is the sense of the Senate that--

(1) a finding in a May 2015 report of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense that personnel charged nearly

$1,000,000 to government travel charge cards for personal use at casinos and adult entertainment establishments over a one year period demonstrates serious misuse of government travel charge cards, does not comport with the values of the Department, and requires additional oversight to prevent future misuse;

(2) the Director of the Defense Travel Management Office should work with the Armed Forces, the Defense Agencies, and representatives of financial institutions to determine how to prevent and identify the inappropriate personal use of the government travel charge cards under those and similar circumstances; and

(3) the Department of Defense should work to expeditiously address any outstanding recommendations in the report of the Inspector General described in paragraph (1).

______

SA 1750. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH PROGRAM.

(a) Requirement to Develop and Deploy UAS Technologies.--The Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence shall work in conjunction with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the heads of other Federal agencies, existing UAS test sites designated by the Federal Aviation Administration, the private sector, and academia on the research and development of technologies to safely detect, identify, classify, and deconflict UAS in the national air space, integrate UAS, and deploy proven UAS mitigation technologies--

(1) to ensure that UAS operate safely in the national air space;

(2) to ensure that, as the commercial use of UAS technologies increase and are safely integrated into the national air space, the United States is taking full advantage of existing and developmental technologies to detect, identify, classify, track, and counteract UAS in and around restricted and controlled air space, such as airports, military training areas, National Special Security Events, and sensitive national security locations;

(3) to yield important insights for the Department of Defense, intelligence community, Department of Homeland Security, and civilian and private sector applications;

(4) to provide intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities over widely dispersed and expansive territories; and

(5) to improve methods for protecting privacy and civil liberties related to the use of UAS.

(b) UAS Defined.--In this section, the term ``UAS'' means unmanned aerial systems.

______

SA 1751. Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. Menendez) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 721. PROHIBITION ON TERMINATION OF VETS4WARRIORS

PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may not terminate the peer support program of the Department of Defense known as the Vets4Warriors program unless the Secretary determines, through a public process established by the Secretary, that members of the Armed Forces will receive adequate mental health care and resources in the absence of such program.

(b) Evaluation of Effectiveness.--The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of peer-to-peer counseling in assisting members of the Armed Forces and their families.

______

SA 1752. Mr. HEINRICH (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Graham, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Markey, Mr. Udall, Mr. Nelson, and Mr. Moran) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title III, add the following:

SEC. 355. STARBASE PROGRAM.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The budget of the President for fiscal year 2016 requested no funding for the Department of Defense STARBASE program.

(2) The purpose of the STARBASE program is to improve the knowledge and skills of students in kindergarten through 12th grade in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

(STEM) subjects, to connect them to the military, and to motivate them to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and possible military careers as they continue their education.

(3) The STARBASE program currently operates at 76 locations in 40 States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, primarily on military installations.

(4) To date, nearly 750,000 students have participated in the STARBASE program.

(5) The STARBASE program is a highly effective program run by dedicated members of the Armed Forces and strengthens the relationships between the military, communities, and local school districts.

(6) The budget of the President for fiscal year 2016 seeks to eliminate funding for the STARBASE program for that fiscal year due to a reorganization of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs throughout the Federal Government.

(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the STARBASE program should continue to be funded by the Department of Defense.

(c) Funding.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by section 301 and available for the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, as specified in the funding table in section 4301--

(1) the amount available for the STARBASE program is hereby increased by $25,000,000; and

(2) the amount available by reason of increased bulk fuel cost savings is hereby decreased by $25,000,000.

______

SA 1753. Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Markey, Ms. Ayotte, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Menendez) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. HONORING AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR AND MISSING IN

ACTION.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:

(1) In recent years, commemorative chairs honoring American Prisoners of War/Missing in Action have been placed in prominent locations across the United States.

(2) The United States Capitol is an appropriate location to place a commemorative chair honoring American Prisoners of War/Missing in Action.

(b) Placement of a Chair in the United States Capitol Honoring American Prisoners of War/Missing in Action.--

(1) Obtaining chair.--The Architect of the Capitol shall enter into an agreement to obtain a chair featuring the logo of the National League of POW/MIA Families under such terms and conditions as the Architect considers appropriate and consistent with applicable law.

(2) Placement.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Architect shall place the chair obtained under paragraph (1) in a suitable permanent location in the United States Capitol.

(1) Donations.--The Architect of the Capitol may--

(A) enter into an agreement with any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code to solicit private donations to carry out the purposes of this section; and

(B) accept donations of funds, property, and services to carry out the purposes of this section.

(2) Costs.--All costs incurred in carrying out the purposes of this section shall be paid for with private donations received under paragraph (1).

______

SA 1754. Mrs. ERNST submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) Deputy Director for Management.--

(1) Additional functions.--Section 503 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(c) Program and Project Management.--

``(1) Requirement.--Subject to the direction and approval of the Director, the Deputy Director for Management or designee shall--

``(A) adopt governmentwide standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management for executive agencies;

``(B) oversee program and project management for the standards, policies, and guidelines established under subparagraph (A);

``(C) chair the Program Management Policy Council established under section 1126(b);

``(D) issue regulations and establish standards and policies for executive agencies, in accordance with nationally accredited standards for program and project management planning and delivery issues;

``(E) engage with the private sector;

``(F) conduct portfolio reviews to address programs identified as high risk by the Government Accountability Office;

``(G) not less than annually, conduct portfolio reviews of agency programs in coordination with Project Management Improvement Officers designated under section 1126(a)(1); and

``(H) establish a 5-year strategic plan for program and project management.

``(2) Application to department of defense.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the Department of Defense to the extent that the provisions of that paragraph are substantially similar to or duplicative of the provisions under section 810 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.''.

(2) Deadline for standards, policies, and guidelines.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue the standards, policies, and guidelines required under section 503(c) of title 31, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1).

(3) Regulations.--Not later than 150 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Program Management Policy Council established under section 1126(b) of title 31, United States Code, as added by subsection (b)(1), and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall issue any regulations as are necessary to implement the requirements of section 503(c) of title 31, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1).

(b) Program Management Improvement Officers and Program Management Policy Council.--

(1) Amendment.--Chapter 11 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 1126. Program Management Improvement Officers and

Program Management Policy Council

``(a) Program Management Improvement Officers.--

``(1) Designation.--The head of each agency described in section 901(b) shall designate a senior executive of the agency as the Program Management Improvement Officer of the agency. The Program Management Improvement Officer shall report directly to the head of the agency.

``(2) Functions.--The Program Management Improvement Officer of an agency designated under paragraph (1) shall--

``(A) implement program management policies established by the agency under section 503(c); and

``(B) develop a written strategy for enhancing the role of program managers within the agency that includes the following:

``(i) Enhanced training and educational opportunities for program managers.

``(ii) Mentoring of current and future program managers by experienced senior executives and program managers within the agency.

``(iii) Improved career paths and career opportunities for program managers.

``(iv) Incentives for the recruitment and retention of highly qualified individuals to serve as program managers.

``(v) Improved resources and support, including relevant competencies encompassed with program and project management within the private sector for program managers.

``(vi) Improved means of collecting and disseminating best practices and lessons learned to enhance program management across the agency.

``(vii) Common templates and tools to support improved data gathering and analysis for program management and oversight purposes.

``(3) Application to department of defense.--This subsection shall not apply to the Department of Defense to the extent that the provisions of this subsection are substantially similar to or duplicative of the provisions under section 810 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.

``(b) Program Management Policy Council.--

``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Office of Management and Budget a council to be known as the `Program Management Policy Council' (in this section referred to as the `Council').

``(2) Purpose and functions.--The Council shall act as the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to program and project management. The Council shall--

``(A) advise and assist the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget;

``(B) review programs identified as high risk by the General Accountability Office and make recommendations for actions to be taken by the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget or designee;

``(C) discuss topics of importance to the workforce, including--

``(i) career development and workforce development needs;

``(ii) policy to support continuous improvement in program and project management; and

``(iii) major challenges across agencies in managing programs;

``(D) advise on the development and applicability of standards governmentwide for program management transparency; and

``(E) review the information published on the website of the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to section 1122.

``(3) Membership.--

``(A) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of the following members:

``(i) Five members from the Office of Management and Budget as follows:

``(I) The Deputy Director for Management.

``(II) The Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government.

``(III) The Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

``(IV) The Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management.

``(V) The Director of the Office of Performance and Personnel Management.

``(ii) The Program Management Improvement Officer from each agency described in section 901(b).

``(iii) Other individuals as determined appropriate by the Chairperson.

``(B) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--

``(i) In general.--The Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget shall be the Chairperson of the Council. A Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the members and shall serve a term of not more than 1 year.

``(ii) Duties.--The Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Council, determine the agenda of the Council, direct the work of the Council, and establish and direct subgroups of the Council as appropriate.

``(4) Meetings.--The Council shall meet not less than twice per fiscal year and may meet at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of the members of the Council.

``(5) Support.--The head of each agency with a Project Management Improvement Officer serving on the Council shall provide administrative support to the Council, as appropriate, at the request of the Chairperson.

``(6) Committee duration.--Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.''.

(2) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each agency described in section 901(b) of title 31, United States Code, shall submit to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget a report containing the strategy developed under section 1126(a)(2)(B) of such title, as added by paragraph

(1).

(1) Definition.--In this section, the term ``agency'' means each agency described in section 901(b) of title 31, United States Code.

(2) Regulations required.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall issue regulations that--

(A) identify key skills and competencies needed for a program and project manager in an agency;

(B) establish a new job series for program and project management within an agency; and

______

SA 1755. Mr. BURR (for himself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1085. DESIGNATION OF AMERICAN WORLD WAR II CITIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall designate at least one city in the United States each year as an ``American World War II City''.

(b) Criteria for Designation.--After the designation made under subsection (c), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall make each designation under subsection (a) based on the following criteria:

(1) Contributions by a city to the war effort during World War II, including those related to defense manufacturing, bond drives, service in the Armed Forces, and the presence of military facilities within the city.

(2) Efforts by a city to preserve the history of the city's contributions during World War II, including through the establishment of preservation organizations or museums, restoration of World War II facilities, and recognition of World War II veterans.

(c) First American World War II City.--The city of Wilmington, North Carolina, is designated as an ``American World War II City''.

(d) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

______

SA 1756. Ms. WARREN (for herself and Mr. Merkley) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 721. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF PROBLEM GAMBLING

BEHAVIOR AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND

VETERANS.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Gambling addiction, or problem gambling, is a public health disorder characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, loss of control, restlessness, or irritability when attempting to stop gambling, and continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting serious, negative consequences.

(2) Over 6,000,000 adults met criteria for a gambling problem in 2013.

(3) According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, it is estimated that between 36,000 and 48,000 members of the Armed Forces on active duty meet criteria for a gambling problem.

(4) The Department of Defense operates an estimated 3,000 slot machines at military installations overseas that are available to members of the Armed Forces and their families.

(5) It is estimated that these slot machines generate more than $100,000,000 in revenue for the Department of Defense, which is used for further recreational activities for members of the Armed Forces.

(6) The United States Army operates bingo games on military installations in the United States, which generate millions of dollars per year.

(7) The Department of Defense does not currently have treatment programs for members of the Armed Forces with problem gambling behaviors, although it does operate treatment programs for alcohol abuse, illegal substance abuse, and tobacco addiction.

(8) The Department of Veterans Affairs provides behavioral addiction treatment to veterans but has limited programs directed at problem gambling.

(9) Individuals with problem gambling behavior have higher incidences of bankruptcy, domestic abuse, and suicide.

(10) People who engage in problem gambling have high rates of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.

(11) Because many veterans are often at high risk for co-occuring substance abuse and mental health disorders, it is critical that they receive adequate treatment for such disorders.

(12) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition, published in May 2013) includes problem gambling as a behavioral addiction. This reflects research findings that gambling disorders are similar to substance-related disorders in clinical expression, brain origin, comorbidity, physiology, and treatment.

(b) Policies and Programs to Prevent and Treat Gambling Problems.--

(1) Department of defense.--The Secretary of Defense shall develop policies on prevention, education, and treatment of problem gambling, including the following elements:

(A) Prevention programs for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

(B) Responsible gaming education for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

(C) Establishment of a center of excellence for the residential treatment of the most severe cases of problem gambling among members of the Armed Forces.

(D) Policy and programs to integrate problem gambling into existing mental health and substance abuse programs of the Department of Defense in order to--

(i) prevent problem gambling among members of the Armed Forces and their families;

(ii) provide responsible gaming educational materials to members of the Armed Forces and their family members who gamble; and

(iii) train existing substance abuse and mental health counselors to provide treatment for problem gambling within current mental health and substance abuse treatment programs for members of the Armed Forces.

(E) Assessment of gambling problems among members of the Armed Forces, factors related to the development of such problems (including co-occurring disorders such as substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, stress, and sensation seeking), and the social, health, and financial impacts of gambling on members of the Armed Forces by incorporating questions on problem gambling behavior into ongoing research efforts as appropriate, including restoring such questions into the Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel conducted by the Department of Defense.

(2) Department of veterans affairs.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop policies on prevention, education, and treatment of problem gambling, including the following elements:

(A) Prevention programs for veterans and their dependents.

(B) Responsible gaming education for veterans and their dependents.

(C) Establishment of a center of excellence for the residential treatment of the most severe cases of problem gambling among veterans.

(D) Policy and programs to integrate problem gambling into existing mental health and substance abuse programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to--

(i) prevent problem gambling among veterans and their families;

(ii) provide responsible gaming educational materials to veterans and their family members who gamble; and

(iii) train existing substance abuse and mental health counselors to provide treatment for problem gambling within current mental health and substance abuse treatment programs for veterans.

(E) Financial counseling and related services for veterans impacted by problem gambling.

(3) Consultation.--The Secretary of Defense shall develop the policies described in paragraph (1) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop the policies described in paragraph (2) in coordination with the Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health.

(4) Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act--

(A) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on efforts undertaken pursuant to paragraph (1); and

(B) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on efforts undertaken pursuant to paragraph (2).

(c) Use of Certain Amounts by Department of Defense.--Of the aggregate amount collected each fiscal year by morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities of the Department of Defense from the operation of slot machines and bingo games, an amount equal to one percent of such amount shall be available to the Secretary of Defense carry out the policy and programs described in subsection (b)(1)(D).

(d) Comptroller General Study on Gambling and Problem Gambling Among Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans.--

(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on problem gambling among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

(2) Matters included.--The study conducted under paragraph

(1) shall include the following:

(A) With respect to gambling installations (including bingo) operated by each branch of the Armed Forces--

(i) the number, type, and location of such gambling installations;

(ii) the total amount of cash flow through such gambling installations;

(iii) the amount of revenue generated by such gambling installations; and

(iv) how such revenue is spent.

(B) An assessment of the prevalence of problem gambling among members of the Armed Forces and veterans, including recommendations for policies and programs to be carried out by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to address problem gambling.

(3) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).

(e) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--

(1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

______

SA 1757. Ms. WARREN (for herself and Mr. Merkley) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle B of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 721. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF PROBLEM GAMBLING

BEHAVIOR AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

(2) Over 6,000,000 adults met criteria for a gambling problem in 2013.

(3) According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, it is estimated that between 36,000 and 48,000 members of the Armed Forces on active duty meet criteria for a gambling problem.

(4) The Department of Defense operates an estimated 3,000 slot machines at military installations overseas that are available to members of the Armed Forces and their families.

(6) The United States Army operates bingo games on military installations in the United States, which generate millions of dollars per year.

(8) Individuals with problem gambling behavior have higher incidences of bankruptcy, domestic abuse, and suicide.

(9) People who engage in problem gambling have high rates of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.

(10) Because many members of the Armed Forces and veterans are often at high risk for co-occuring substance abuse and mental health disorders, it is critical that they receive adequate treatment for such disorders.

(11) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition, published in May 2013) includes problem gambling as a behavioral addiction. This reflects research findings that gambling disorders are similar to substance-related disorders in clinical expression, brain origin, comorbidity, physiology, and treatment.