[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 82 (Thursday, May 27, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4064-H4077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1404 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union for the further consideration of the bill, 
H.R. 5136.

                              {time}  2218


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of 
the bill (H.R. 5136) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 
for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes, with Mr. Schrader (Acting Chair) in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Acting CHAIR. When the Committee of the Whole rose earlier today, 
amendment No. 47 offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) 
had been disposed of.


            Amendments En Bloc No. 8 Offered by Mr. Skelton

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer 
amendments en bloc No. 8.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
  Amendments en bloc No. 8 offered by Mr. Skelton consisting of 
amendments numbered 56, 58, 59, 65, 69, 71, 76, and 78 printed in House 
Report 111-498:


      Amendment No. 56 offered by Mrs. Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 122, after line 18, insert the following:

     SEC. 359. AUTHORITY TO MAKE EXCESS NONLETHAL SUPPLIES 
                   AVAILABLE FOR DOMESTIC EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Domestic Authority.--Section 2557 of title 10, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by adding at the end the 
     following new sentence: ``In addition, the Secretary may make 
     nonlethal excess supplies of the Department available to 
     support domestic emergency assistance activities.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Excess''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Excess supplies made available under this section to 
     support domestic emergency assistance activities shall be 
     transferred to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The 
     Secretary of Defense may provide assistance in the 
     distribution of such supplies at the request of the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 2557. Excess nonlethal supplies: availability for 
       humanitarian relief, domestic emergency assistance, and 
       homeless veterans assistance''.

       (2) Table of sections.--The item relating to such section 
     in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 152 of 
     such title is amended to read as follows:

``2557. Excess nonlethal supplies: availability for humanitarian 
              relief, domestic emergency assistance, and homeless 
              veterans assistance.''.


        Amendment No. 58 offered by Mrs. Kirkpatrick of Arizona

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 122, after line 18, insert the following:

     SEC. 359. RECOVERY OF MISSING DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROPERTY.

       (a) In General.--Section 2789 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 2789. Recovery of Department of Defense property: 
       unauthorized or improper disposition

       ``(a) Prohibitions.--No member of the armed forces, 
     civilian employee of the Government, employee or agent of a 
     contractor, or any other person may sell, lend, pledge, 
     barter, give, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any clothing, 
     arms, articles, equipment, or any other military or 
     Department of Defense property--
       ``(1) to any person not authorized to receive the property 
     in accordance with applicable requirements established by the 
     Department of Defense or a component thereof; or
       ``(2) in violation of applicable demilitarization 
     regulations of the Department of Defense or a component 
     thereof.
       ``(b) Seizure of Improperly Disposed of Property.--If a 
     member of the armed forces, civilian employee of the 
     Government, employee or agent of a contractor, or any other 
     person has improperly disposed of military or Department of 
     Defense property in violation of subsection (a), any civil or 
     military officer of the United States or any State or local 
     law enforcement official may seize the property, wherever 
     found. Title to military or Department of Defense property 
     disposed of in violation of subsection (a) remains with the 
     United States. Possession of such property by a person who is 
     neither a member of the armed forces nor an official of the 
     United States is prima facie evidence that the property has 
     been disposed of in violation of subsection (a).
       ``(c) Delivery of Seized Property.--Any official who seizes 
     property under subsection (b) and is not authorized to retain 
     it for the United States shall immediately deliver the 
     property to an authorized member of the armed forces or other 
     authorized official of the Department of Defense or the 
     Department of Justice.
       ``(d) Retroactive Enforcement Authorized.--This section 
     shall apply to any military or Department of Defense property 
     which was the subject of unauthorized disposition any time 
     after January 1, 2002. This section shall apply to 
     significant military equipment which was the subject of 
     unauthorized disposition at any time.
       ``(e) Severability Clause.--In the event that any portion 
     of this section is held unenforceable, all other portions of 
     this section shall remain in full force and effect.
       ``(f) Definition.--In this section, the term `significant 
     military equipment' means defense articles on the United 
     States Munitions List for which special export controls are 
     warranted because of their capacity for substantial military 
     utility or capability.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The item relating to such section 
     in the table of sections at

[[Page H4065]]

     the beginning of chapter 165 of such title is amended to read 
     as follows:

``2789. Recovery of Department of Defense property: unauthorized or 
              improper disposition.''.


           Amendment No. 59 offered by Ms. Kosmas of Florida

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 99, after line 23, insert the following:

     SEC. 336. STUDY AND REPORT ON FEASIBILITY OF JOINT USAGE OF 
                   THE NASA SHUTTLE LOGISTICS DEPOT.

       (a) Study.--The Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with 
     the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, shall conduct a study of the feasibility of 
     joint usage of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration Shuttle Logistics Depot in Cape Canaveral, 
     Florida, to supplement requirements for products and services 
     in support of reset initiatives, Advanced Technology 
     Clusters, engineering and reverse engineering analysis, and 
     development of innovative technology and processes to improve 
     product procurement and reduce risk, cost, and cycle time of 
     system delivery.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives a report on the study required under 
     subsection (a).


         Amendment No. 65 offered by Mr. Perriello of Virginia

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 92, after line 24, insert the following:

     SEC. 326. TREATMENT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEALTH 
                   BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT PLANS FOR PURPOSES OF 
                   COST-COMPARISONS OF CONTRACTOR AND CIVILIAN 
                   EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
                   FUNCTIONS.

       Section 2463 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
     subsection (f):
       ``(f) Treatment of Contributions to Health and Retirement 
     Plans.--For purposes of conducting a cost comparison to 
     determine whether to convert a function from contractor 
     performance to performance by Department of Defense civilian 
     employee, the costs of employer contributions made by the 
     Department of Defense or by a contractor towards employer-
     sponsored health benefits and retirement benefits plans shall 
     not be considered unless, in the case of such contributions 
     made by a contractor, the contractor does not receive an 
     advantage for reducing costs for the Department of Defense 
     by--
       ``(1) not making an employer-sponsored health insurance 
     plan available to the contractor employees who perform the 
     function under the contract;
       ``(2) offering to such employees an employer-sponsored 
     health benefits plan that requires the employer to contribute 
     less towards the premium or subscription share than the 
     amount that is paid by the Federal Government for health 
     benefits for civilian employees under chapter 89 of title 5, 
     United States Code; or
       ``(3) offering to such employees a retirement benefit that, 
     in any year, costs less than the annual retirement cost 
     factor applicable to Federal employees under chapter 84 of 
     title 5, United States Code.''.


            Amendment No. 69 offered by Ms. Titus of Nevada

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of subtitle G of title VI, add the following new 
     section:

     SEC. 674. FLEXIBLE COMMENCEMENT DATES FOR AVAILABILITY OF 
                   HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES PERMANENTLY REASSIGNED DURING MORTGAGE 
                   CRISIS.

       (a) Modification of Reassignment, Purchase, and Sale 
     Dates.--Subsection (a)(3) of section 1013 of the 
     Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 
     (42 U.S.C. 3374) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or an earlier end 
     date designated by the Secretary'' and by inserting ``or an 
     earlier start or end date designated by the Secretary under 
     subsection (c)(3)(C) for a specific military base or 
     installation'';
       (2) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``, or a later 
     purchase date designated by the Secretary under subsection 
     (c)(3)(C) for a specific military base or installation'' 
     after ``July 1, 2006''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``between July 1, 
     2006, and September 30, 2012, or an earlier end date 
     designated by the Secretary'' and inserting ``between the 
     purchase date in effect for the military base or installation 
     under subparagraph (D) and the end date in effect for the 
     military base or installation under subparagraph (D)''.
       (b) Modification Process.--Subsection (c)(3) of such 
     section is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(C) Modification of reassignment, purchase, and sale 
     dates.--In exercising the authority under subsection (a)(3) 
     to designate different reassignment, purchase, and sale dates 
     for a specific military base or installation, the Secretary 
     of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development and the Secretary of the Treasury regarding 
     the condition of housing markets in the area of the base or 
     installation so that the Secretary of Defense has the 
     information needed to effectively assist members of the Armed 
     Forces and their families.''.


         Amendment No. 71 offered by Mr. Critz of Pennsylvania

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

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

     SEC. 3__. AUTHORITY FOR PAYMENT OF FULL REPLACEMENT VALUE FOR 
                   LOSS OR DAMAGE TO HOUSEHOLD GOODS IN LIMITED 
                   CASES NOT COVERED BY CARRIER LIABILITY.

       (a) Claims Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 163 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 2740. Property loss: reimbursement of members and 
       civilian employees for full replacement value of household 
       effects when contractor reimbursement not available

       ``The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the 
     military departments, in paying a claim under section 3721 of 
     title 31 arising from loss or damage to household goods 
     stored or transported at the expense of the Department of 
     Defense, may pay the claim on the basis of full replacement 
     value in any of the following cases in which reimbursement 
     for the full replacement value for the loss or damage is not 
     available directly from a carrier under section 2636a of this 
     title:
       ``(1) A case in which--
       ``(A) the lost or damaged goods were stored or transported 
     under a contract, tender, or solicitation in accordance with 
     section 2636a of this title that requires the transportation 
     service provider to settle claims on the basis of full 
     replacement value; and
       ``(B) the loss or damage occurred under circumstances that 
     exclude the transportation service provider from liability.
       ``(2) A case in which--
       ``(A) the loss or damage occurred while the lost or damaged 
     goods were in the possession of an ocean carrier that was 
     transporting, loading, or unloading the goods under a 
     Department of Defense contract for ocean carriage; and
       ``(B) the land-based portions of the transportation were 
     under contracts, in accordance with section 2636a of this 
     title, that require the land carriers to settle claims on the 
     basis of full replacement value.
       ``(3) A case in which--
       ``(A) the lost or damaged goods were transported or stored 
     under a contract or solicitation that requires at least one 
     of the transportation service providers or carriers that 
     handled the shipment to settle claims on the basis of full 
     replacement value pursuant to section 2636a of this title;
       ``(B) the lost or damaged goods have been in the custody of 
     more than one independent contractor or transportation 
     service provider; and
       ``(C) a claim submitted to the delivering transportation 
     service provider or carrier is denied in whole or in part 
     because the loss or damage occurred while the lost or damaged 
     goods were in the custody of a prior transportation service 
     provider or carrier or government entity.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new item:

``2740. Property loss: reimbursement of members and civilian employees 
              for full replacement value of household effects when 
              contractor reimbursement not available.''.

       (b) Effective Date.--Section 2740 of title 10, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with 
     respect to losses incurred after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.


          Amendment No. 76 offered by Mr. Connolly of Virginia

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 465, after line 23, add the following:

     SEC. 1110. FEDERAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 31 of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     3111 the following:

     ``Sec. 3111a. Federal internship programs

       ``(a) Internship Coordinator.--The head of each agency 
     operating an internship program shall appoint an individual 
     within such agency to serve as an internship coordinator.
       ``(b) Online Information.--
       ``(1) Agencies.--The head of each agency operating an 
     internship program shall make publicly available on the 
     Internet--
       ``(A) the name and contact information of the internship 
     coordinator for such program; and
       ``(B) information regarding application procedures and 
     deadlines for such internship program.
       ``(2) Office of personnel management.--The Office of 
     Personnel Management shall make publicly available on the 
     Internet links to the websites where the information 
     described in paragraph (1) is displayed.
       ``(c) Centralized Database.--The Office shall establish and 
     maintain a centralized electronic database that contains the 
     names, contact information, and relevant skills of 
     individuals who have completed or are nearing completion of 
     an internship program and are currently seeking full-time 
     Federal employment.
       ``(d) Exit Interview Requirement.--The agency operating an 
     internship program

[[Page H4066]]

     shall conduct an exit interview of each intern that completes 
     such program.
       ``(e) Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--The head of each agency operating an 
     internship program shall annually submit to the Office a 
     report assessing such internship program.
       ``(2) Contents.--Each report required under paragraph (1) 
     for an agency shall include, for the 1-year period ending on 
     September 1 of the year in which the report is submitted--
       ``(A) the number of interns that participated in an 
     internship program at such agency;
       ``(B) information regarding the demographic characteristics 
     of interns at such agency, including educational background;
       ``(C) a description of the steps taken by such agency to 
     increase the percentage of interns who are offered permanent 
     Federal jobs and the percentage of interns who accept the 
     offers of such jobs, and any barriers encountered;
       ``(D) a description of activities engaged in by such agency 
     to recruit new interns, including locations and methods;
       ``(E) a description of the diversity of work roles offered 
     within internship programs at such agency;
       ``(F) a description of the mentorship portion of such 
     internship programs; and
       ``(G) a summary of exit interviews conducted by such agency 
     upon completion of an internship program by an intern.
       ``(3) Submission.--Each report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall be submitted to the Office between September 1 and 
     September 30 of each year. Not later than December 30 of each 
     year, the Office shall submit to Congress a report 
     summarizing the information submitted to the Office in 
     accordance with paragraph (1) for such year.
       ``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
       ``(1) the term `internship program' means--
       ``(A) a volunteer service program under section 3111(b); 
     and
       ``(B) the Student Educational Employment Program 
     established under section 213.3202 of title 5, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2009;
       ``(2) the term `intern' means an individual serving in an 
     internship program.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     31 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 3111 the following:

``3111a. Federal internship programs.''.


           Amendment No. 78 offered by Mr. Grayson of Florida

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of title VIII, add the following new section:

     SEC. 839. REQUIREMENT TO JUSTIFY THE USE OF FACTORS OTHER 
                   THAN COST OR PRICE AS THE PREDOMINATE FACTORS 
                   IN EVALUATING COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR DEFENSE 
                   PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS.

       (a) Requirement.--Subparagraph (A) of section 2305(a)(2) of 
     title 10, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i); and
       (2) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new 
     clause:
       ``(iii) in the case of a solicitation in which factors 
     other than cost or price when combined are more important 
     than cost or price, the reasons why assigning at least equal 
     importance to cost or price would not better serve the 
     Government's interest; and''.
       (b) Report.--Section 2305(a)(3) of such title is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) Not later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal 
     year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress, and 
     post on a publicly available website of the Department of 
     Defense, a report describing the solicitations for which a 
     statement pursuant to paragraph (2)(A)(iii) was included.''.

  The Acting CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1404, the gentleman 
from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McKeon) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I urge the committee to adopt the 
amendments en bloc, all of which have been examined by both the 
majority and the minority.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague, the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).
  (Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the en bloc amendments, 
of course.
  When we did this in committee last week, I was called to the floor 
and I didn't get to talk about the little item I had in there to do 
with a study on breast cancer in women soldiers. It passed. I am proud 
of that, and I want to thank you for it. I want to thank the ranking 
member as well. But it occurs to me we need to talk about this just a 
little bit.
  I stand before you as a person that a surgeon told me what I went 
through was Agent Orange, but we didn't do anything about it until way 
down the line.
  I have a lady veteran in my office that went to a reunion after Iraq. 
In that small group, five of the women got breast cancer, and they had 
no connection to anything else in their lives.
  I feel like that we can't just let this go. Fifteen percent of our 
force is women. It is going to be 20 percent in a short time. We have 
to do some things different. So I appreciate the fact that we have 
asked the Department of Defense to take a look at this and see if it is 
something they will study.
  I don't want it to be another Agent Orange. I hope it won't. But I am 
very adamant about supporting the troops, you know that, you know my 
history, and I am not going to ever back off from that. We have to do 
all the things we have to do.
  But the women of the United States Armed Forces deserve some special 
attention in this, and I think that we ought to give some serious 
thought as we go into the future, maybe the very near future, to give 
this consideration beyond what we have done.
  My intuition tells me that this is important. What checking we have 
done, there seems to be a problem, and we ought to get to the bottom of 
it as fast as we can for the sake of these outstanding women that serve 
in our Armed Forces.
  For one little reunion, to find out that five women soldiers are 
afflicted, is kind of a startling thing. It needs some attention, and I 
just would hope that as we go forth, in the time ahead, that we will 
make the effort to be sure that this is looked into, and we don't look 
back a few years from now, like we have on Agent Orange, and say oh, 
my, I wish we had known. It won't cost us that much to find out when we 
decide to do it, and I hope we decide to do it relatively soon.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the gentleman from California 
is recognized for 10 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. I rise in support of this amendment and for purposes 
of engaging in a colloquy with the gentleman from Maryland to clarify 
the intent of his amendment regarding the Army's M915 truck program.
  I would yield to the gentleman.
  Mr. BARTLETT. I thank the gentleman from Oregon for the opportunity 
to clarify my amendment on the M915 truck program.
  It was my intent to submit a request for unanimous consent to 
consider a revised version of my original amendment that had been made 
in order by the Rules Committee. In fact, I read the revised version 
into the official record.
  The revised amendment only encourages the Secretary of the Army to 
consider full and open competition for future M915 truck procurements 
beginning in fiscal year 2012. The revised amendment also requires the 
Secretary of the Army to provide possible courses of action if it helps 
to accelerate meeting the Army's current requirement for M915 trucks.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Reclaiming my time, I want to thank the gentleman for 
his remarks and clarification of the amendment. I want to acknowledge 
that the M915 truck program is a critical asset to the United States 
Army Reserves, and note the current M915 truck program is on cost and 
schedule and meets all performance requirements.
  Mr. Bartlett, would you be willing to work with me on this critical 
issue during your conference deliberations with the Senate regarding 
H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011?
  Mr. BARTLETT. As we proceed to conference with the other body, I 
would welcome the opportunity to work with the gentleman from Oregon on 
this critical issue.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. I thank the gentleman. I appreciate the clarification 
and look forward to working with you.
  Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

[[Page H4067]]

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Skelton for 
the opportunity to offer this amendment to improve Federal internship 
programs, and his staff for their collaboration on the text before us.
  The Federal Government faces a daunting challenge in recruiting and 
retaining the workforce of the future. We actually have a desultory 
record in terms of student internship programs and their retention rate 
when compared to the private sector. I believe this amendment will 
systematize that program, will set some standards that all Federal 
agencies have to meet, and a reporting requirement that will give the 
Congress the information it needs in moving forth.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve.
  Mr. SKELTON. I yield 2 minutes to my friend the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Thank you very much, Mr. 
Chairman.
  I rise for the purpose of a colloquy with the chairman concerning 
amendment No. 15 introduced by the gentleman from Florida. I would ask 
the chairman to confirm that the amendment does not envision any 
shortcuts in the process of checking the background of any Iraqi 
nationals applying to come to the United States, nor does it ask for a 
shortcut in any process designed to protect American national security.
  Mr. SKELTON. That is correct. The amendment is simply asking for a 
plan to speed up the process, as appropriate. The sponsor of the 
amendment believes, as do I, that all appropriate security and 
background checks must be carried out in the right way to best protect 
our national security.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I thank the chairman for that 
clarification.
  Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend the 
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).
  Ms. TITUS. I thank the chairman.
  The purpose of this amendment is to provide the Secretary of Defense 
the flexibility to change the effective date of the Homeowners 
Assistance Program for members of the Armed Forces permanently 
reassigned during the mortgage crisis. The program, as approved by 
Congress last year, allows active-duty servicemembers to be partially 
reimbursed for losses occurring as a result of having to sell their 
home upon being reassigned. Under current law, a servicemember must 
have purchased his or her home before July 1, 2006, in order to qualify 
for assistance.
  My congressional district is home to a number of servicemembers from 
Nellis Air Force Base and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Program at 
Creech Air Force Base.

                              {time}  2230

  Many of these armed servicemembers were assigned to southern Nevada 
at the height of the housing boom when prices were fueled by out-of-
control and reckless speculators. They, and others around the country, 
purchased homes at what was then a fair market price. Now, due to no 
fault of their own, however, many of these homes have lost a 
significant amount of their value. A problem arises because 
servicemembers are now receiving Permanent Change of Station orders and 
are being reassigned to a new area.
  A number of servicemembers from around the world have contacted us 
saying that this date, July 1, 2006, was set too early to achieve the 
intended goals of the program. Accordingly, our amendment provides the 
necessary flexibility to the Secretary of Defense to change this date 
in specific geographic areas where housing price declines trended 
behind the national average.
  It's important to keep in mind that most of these servicemembers had 
no choice in the timing of their transfer and relocation and are, 
therefore, unintended victims of the arbitrary deadline.
  This amendment is modeled after legislation introduced in December, 
which had 27 bipartisan cosponsors. It's also been endorsed by a number 
of military family organizations who recognize its importance.
  I thank Chairman Skelton for his support in working with me, and I 
urge our colleagues to vote for the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from New Jersey 
will control the time.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. KOSMAS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment to 
enable the Department of Defense and NASA cooperation in the 
utilization of a unique strategic capability. The NASA Shuttle 
Logistics Depot (NSLD) employs approximately 300 highly-skilled workers 
who service and fabricate about 700 individual pieces of shuttle 
hardware, including avionics, cargo bay hydraulics, and cockpit 
windows.
  Due to the scheduled ending of the shuttle program later this year or 
early next year, the Space Coast is facing the loss of up to 10,000 
direct jobs. As part of an effort to maintain this unique workforce, 
the NSLD has partnered with DoD on several pilot projects, including 
the fabrication of M2 50 Caliber Machine Gun parts and F-16 wing spar 
attach fittings, in an effort to diversify work, maintain the unique 
skills and capabilities, and fulfill DoD needs.
  In order to allow this important work to go forward, my amendment 
would direct DoD and NASA to conduct a study on the feasibility of 
joint usage of the NSLD so that the military can utilize its unique 
capabilities such as engineering and reverse-engineering analysis and 
development of innovative manufacturing techniques. The facility could 
also take part in developing innovative technology and processes to 
improve product procurement and reduce risk, cost, and cycle time of 
system delivery.
  I urge the adoption of this important amendment in order to enable 
the continued utilization of this unique capability.
  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Chairman, I would advise my friend on the other side 
we have no further speakers, so I will yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered 
by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
  The amendments en bloc were agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 68 Offered by Mr. Teague

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 68 
printed in House Report 111-498.
  Mr. TEAGUE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 68 offered by Mr. Teague:
       Page 219, after line 5, insert the following:

     SEC. 599. INCREASE OF MAXIMUM AGE FOR CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR 
                   MEDICAL CARE UNDER CHAMPVA PROGRAM.

       (a) Increase.--Section 1781(c) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``twenty-three'' and inserting ``twenty-
     six''; and
       (2) by striking ``twenty-third birthday'' and inserting 
     ``twenty-sixth birthday''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to medical care provided on or after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 1404, the gentleman 
from New Mexico (Mr. Teague) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
  Mr. TEAGUE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer this amendment to 
increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under 
the CHAMPVA program.
  My amendment will ensure that our disabled veterans benefit from one 
of the most popular provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable 
Care Act, allowing dependents to stay on the parents' health care 
insurance until age 26.
  CHAMPVA is the health insurance program for dependents of veterans 
who have been rated permanently and totally disabled and surviving 
dependents of servicemembers whose deaths were due to service-connected 
injuries. Currently, under CHAMPVA, health insurance coverage can be 
provided to dependent children up to the age of 23. Under the PPACA 
that was signed into law earlier this year, individuals with private 
health insurance will be able to provide coverage to their dependent 
children up to the age of 26. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans 
Affairs program and governed by a different section of the United 
States code. It was not altered by the PPACA. As such, the maximum age 
for dependent children under CHAMPVA remains 23.
  Our disabled veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and it 
is our duty to make sure that they and their families have access to 
quality affordable health care. This amendment

[[Page H4068]]

would amend title 38 to increase the maximum age for coverage of 
dependent children under CHAMPVA from 23 to 26. At the very least, we 
must provide these heroes with the same health insurance benefits 
afforded civilians.
  We should correct this wrong immediately. We should do what's right 
for our veterans. Vote ``yes'' on this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, but I do not 
oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from California is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. I do not oppose the amendment; in fact, I support the 
amendment, and I thank the gentleman for taking care of this problem.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ANDREWS. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. TEAGUE. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for offering this 
outstanding amendment. Our side of the committee strongly supports it. 
We think it does a great deal of good for some great heroes. We would 
urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TEAGUE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Teague).
  The amendment was agreed to.


              Amendment No. 81 Offered by Ms. Shea-Porter

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 81 
printed in House Report 111-498.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 81 offered by Ms. Shea-Porter:
       At the end of title VIII, add the following new section:

     SEC. 839. PENALTIES ON CONTRACTORS NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION 
                   TO DATABASES ON CONTRACTS IN IRAQ AND 
                   AFGHANISTAN.

       Section 861 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Penalties.--Any contract in Iraq or Afghanistan 
     entered into or modified after September 1, 2011, shall 
     include a clause requiring the imposition of a penalty, by 
     the department or agency awarding the contract, on any 
     contractor that does not comply with requirements under this 
     section, including requirements in the memorandum of 
     understanding required by subsection (a), to provide 
     information for the common databases identified under 
     subsection (b)(4), including updating the information 
     required. The penalty shall consist of the withholding of 
     award and incentive fees.''.
       Page 304, line 15, strike ``and''.
       Page 304, line 21, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
       Page 304, after line 21, insert the following:
       ``(C) the penalties, if any, imposed by the departments and 
     agency on contractors for failing to comply with requirements 
     under section 861(e), including requirements to provide 
     information for the common databases identified under section 
     861(b)(4).

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 1404, the gentlewoman 
from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) and a Member opposed each will 
control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chair, for too long the American people have been the victims of 
theft and fraud by contractors working in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 
the past few years, Congress has taken steps to rein these contractors 
in. One of these steps was to create a database to keep information on 
these contractors and their subcontractors. Unfortunately, Mr. Chair, 
they are not entering the information.
  My amendment would impose a penalty on those contractors that do not 
comply with the requirement to report this contract information. Their 
noncompliance prevents oversight agencies from conducting proper audits 
and investigations. Therefore, it prevents these agencies from 
uncovering waste and contract fraud. We cannot protect taxpayer dollars 
from theft if we can't follow the money.
  Just this week, a witness before the Commission on Wartime 
Contracting said that the contracting environment in our overseas 
operations was highly vulnerable to fraud. The GAO recently reported 
that Federal agencies face difficult challenges in tracking and 
overseeing contractor personnel and contracts.
  We have been using contractors in both wars for 9 years now. The 
scale of waste and contract fraud is enormous, and the criminal 
activity is diverse: fraud, bribery, kickbacks, extortion, 
embezzlement, theft of cash or equipment, etc cetera. But we have not 
given our Federal agencies all the tools they need to catch these bad 
actors. We often don't even know who we are doing business with.
  This amendment will penalize contractors who do not comply with the 
reporting requirements. Taxpayers are spending billions of dollars in 
Iraq and Afghanistan. They deserve accountability.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying 
bill.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition; 
however, I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. I will support the amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ANDREWS. Will the gentlelady yield?
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. ANDREWS. I'd like to, on behalf of the committee, thank the 
gentlelady for crafting this amendment. I think it's an invaluable tool 
for our investigators and, if necessary, prosecutors, to track down 
fraud, protect our servicemembers, and protect the taxpayers. So we're 
very happy to support this very worthy amendment.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Chair, I want to thank Chairman Skelton for his 
continued work and leadership on this bill. I urge my colleagues to 
support this amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back the 
remainder of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New 
Hampshire will be postponed.

                              {time}  2240


            Amendments En Bloc No. 9 Offered By Mr. Skelton

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer 
amendments en bloc No. 9, including modifications to amendment No. 32.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
  Amendments en bloc No. 9 offered by Mr. Skelton consisting of 
amendments numbered 8, 15, 30, 32, 55, 61, 64, 66, 67, 74, and 77 
printed in House Report 111-498:


         Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Courtney of Connecticut

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

     SEC. 599(A). TRANSFER OF TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS PROGRAM FROM 
                   DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEPARTMENT OF 
                   DEFENSE.

       (a) Transfer of Functions.--
       (1) Transfer.--The responsibility and authority for 
     operation and administration of the Troops-to-Teachers 
     Program in chapter A of subpart 1 of part C of title II of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6671 et seq.), is transferred from the Secretary of Education 
     to the Secretary of Defense.
       (2) Effective date.--The transfer under paragraph (1) shall 
     take effect on the first day of the first month beginning 
     more than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, or on such earlier date as the Secretary of Education 
     and the Secretary of Defense may jointly provide.
       (b) Enactment of Program Authority in Title 10, United 
     States Code.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 58 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

[[Page H4069]]

     ``Sec. 1154. ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS AND FORMER 
                   MEMBERS TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AS TEACHERS: 
                   TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS PROGRAM

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Program.--The term `Program' means the Troops-to-
     Teachers Program authorized by this section.
       ``(2) Member of the armed forces.--The term `member of the 
     armed forces' includes a former member of the armed forces.
       ``(3) Charter school.--The term `charter school' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 5210 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7221i).
       ``(4) Additional terms.--The terms `elementary school', 
     `highly qualified teacher', `local educational agency', 
     `secondary school', and `state' have the meanings given those 
     terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       ``(b) Program Authorization.--The Secretary may carry out a 
     program (to be known as the `Troops-to-Teachers Program')--
       ``(1) to assist eligible members of the armed forces 
     described in subsection (d) to obtain certification or 
     licensing as elementary school teachers, secondary school 
     teachers, or vocational or technical teachers, and to become 
     highly qualified teachers; and
       ``(2) to facilitate the employment of such members--
       ``(A) by local educational agencies or public charter 
     schools that the Secretary of Education identifies as--
       ``(i) receiving grants under part A of title I of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6301 et. seq.) as a result of having within their 
     jurisdictions concentrations of children from low-income 
     families; or
       ``(ii) experiencing a shortage of highly qualified 
     teachers, in particular a shortage of science, mathematics, 
     special education, or vocational or technical teachers; and
       ``(B) in elementary schools or secondary schools, or as 
     vocational or technical teachers.
       ``(c) Placement Assistance and Referral Services.--The 
     Secretary may provide placement assistance and referral 
     services to members of the armed forces who meet the criteria 
     described in subsection (d), including meeting the education 
     qualification requirements under subsection (d)(3)(B). Such 
     members shall not be eligible for financial assistance under 
     paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (e).
       ``(d) Eligibility and Application Process.--
       ``(1) Eligible members.--The following members of the armed 
     forces are eligible for selection to participate in the 
     Program:
       ``(A) Any member who--
       ``(i) on or after October 1, 1999, becomes entitled to 
     retired or retainer pay under this title or title 14;
       ``(ii) has an approved date of retirement that is within 
     one year after the date on which the member submits an 
     application to participate in the Program; or
       ``(iii) has been transferred to the Retired Reserve.
       ``(B) Any member who, on or after January 8, 2002--
       ``(i)(I) is separated or released from active duty after 
     six or more years of continuous active duty immediately 
     before the separation or release; or
       ``(II) has completed a total of at least ten years of 
     active duty service, ten years of service computed under 
     section 12732 of this title, or ten years of any combination 
     of such service; and
       ``(ii) executes a reserve commitment agreement for a period 
     of not less than three years under paragraph (5)(B).
       ``(C) Any member who, on or after January 8, 2002, is 
     retired or separated for physical disability under chapter 61 
     of this title.
       ``(2) Submission of applications.--(A) Selection of 
     eligible members of the armed forces to participate in the 
     Program shall be made on the basis of applications submitted 
     to the Secretary within the time periods specified in 
     subparagraph (B). An application shall be in such form and 
     contain such information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(B) An application shall be considered to be submitted on 
     a timely basis under subparagraph (A)(i), (B), or (C) of 
     paragraph (1) if the application is submitted not later than 
     four years after the date on which the member is retired or 
     separated or released from active duty, whichever applies to 
     the member.
       ``(3) Selection criteria; educational background 
     requirements and honorable service requirement.--(A) Subject 
     to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall prescribe 
     the criteria to be used to select eligible members of the 
     armed forces to participate in the Program.
       ``(B)(i) If a member of the armed forces is applying for 
     assistance for placement as an elementary school or secondary 
     school teacher, the Secretary shall require the member to 
     have received a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an 
     accredited institution of higher education.
       ``(ii) If a member of the armed forces is applying for 
     assistance for placement as a vocational or technical 
     teacher, the Secretary shall require the member--
       ``(I) to have received the equivalent of one year of 
     college from an accredited institution of higher education 
     and have six or more years of military experience in a 
     vocational or technical field; or
       ``(II) to otherwise meet the certification or licensing 
     requirements for a vocational or technical teacher in the 
     State in which the member seeks assistance for placement 
     under the Program.
       ``(C) A member of the armed forces is eligible to 
     participate in the Program only if the member's last period 
     of service in the armed forces was honorable, as 
     characterized by the Secretary concerned. A member selected 
     to participate in the Program before the retirement of the 
     member or the separation or release of the member from active 
     duty may continue to participate in the Program after the 
     retirement, separation, or release only if the member's last 
     period of service is characterized as honorable by the 
     Secretary concerned.
       ``(4) Selection priorities.--In selecting eligible members 
     of the armed forces to receive assistance under the Program, 
     the Secretary shall give priority to members who--
       ``(A) have educational or military experience in science, 
     mathematics, special education, or vocational or technical 
     subjects; and
       ``(B) agree to seek employment as science, mathematics, or 
     special education teachers in elementary schools or secondary 
     schools or in other schools under the jurisdiction of a local 
     educational agency.
       ``(5) Other conditions on selection.--
       ``(A) The Secretary may not select an eligible member of 
     the armed forces to participate in the Program and receive 
     financial assistance unless the Secretary has sufficient 
     appropriations for the Program available at the time of the 
     selection to satisfy the obligations to be incurred by the 
     United States under subsection (e) with respect to the 
     member.
       ``(B) The Secretary may not select an eligible member of 
     the armed forces described in paragraph (1)(B)(i) to 
     participate in the Program under this section and receive 
     financial assistance under subsection (e) unless the member 
     executes a written agreement to serve as a member of the 
     Selected Reserve of a reserve component of the armed forces 
     for a period of not less than three years (in addition to any 
     other reserve commitment the member may have).
       ``(e) Participation Agreement and Financial Assistance.--
       ``(1) Participation agreement.--(A) An eligible member of 
     the armed forces selected to participate in the Program under 
     subsection (b) and receive financial assistance under this 
     subsection shall be required to enter into an agreement with 
     the Secretary in which the member agrees--
       ``(i) within such time as the Secretary may require, to 
     obtain certification or licensing as an elementary school 
     teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical 
     teacher, and to become a highly qualified teacher; and
       ``(ii) to accept an offer of full-time employment as an 
     elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or 
     vocational or technical teacher for not less than three 
     school years with a high-need local educational agency or 
     public charter school, as such terms are defined in section 
     2102 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     6602), to begin the school year after obtaining that 
     certification or licensing.
       ``(B) The Secretary may waive the three-year commitment 
     described in subparagraph (A)(ii) for a participant if the 
     Secretary determines such waiver to be appropriate. If the 
     Secretary provides the waiver, the participant shall not 
     be considered to be in violation of the agreement and 
     shall not be required to provide reimbursement under 
     subsection (f), for failure to meet the three-year 
     commitment.
       ``(2) Violation of participation agreement; exceptions.--A 
     participant in the Program shall not be considered to be in 
     violation of the participation agreement entered into under 
     paragraph (1) during any period in which the participant--
       ``(A) is pursuing a full-time course of study related to 
     the field of teaching at an institution of higher education;
       ``(B) is serving on active duty as a member of the armed 
     forces;
       ``(C) is temporarily totally disabled for a period of time 
     not to exceed three years as established by sworn affidavit 
     of a qualified physician;
       ``(D) is unable to secure employment for a period not to 
     exceed 12 months by reason of the care required by a spouse 
     who is disabled;
       ``(E) is a highly qualified teacher who is seeking and 
     unable to find full-time employment as a teacher in an 
     elementary school or secondary school or as a vocational or 
     technical teacher for a single period not to exceed 27 
     months; or
       ``(F) satisfies the provisions of additional reimbursement 
     exceptions that may be prescribed by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Stipend for participants.--(A) Subject to 
     subparagraph (B), the Secretary may pay to a participant in 
     the Program selected under this section a stipend in an 
     amount of not more than $5,000.
       ``(B) The total number of stipends that may be paid under 
     subparagraph (A) in any fiscal year may not exceed 5,000.
       ``(4) Bonus for participants.--(A) Subject to subparagraph 
     (B), the Secretary may, in lieu of paying a stipend under 
     paragraph (3), pay a bonus of $10,000 to a participant in the 
     Program selected under this section who agrees in the 
     participation agreement under paragraph (1) to become a 
     highly qualified teacher and to accept full-time employment 
     as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or 
     vocational or technical teacher for not less than three 
     school years in a high-need school.

[[Page H4070]]

       ``(B) The total number of bonuses that may be paid under 
     subparagraph (A) in any fiscal year may not exceed 3,000.
       ``(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term `high-need 
     school' means a public elementary school, public secondary 
     school, or public charter school that meets one or more of 
     the following criteria:
       ``(i) At least 50 percent of the students enrolled in the 
     school were from low-income families (as described in 
     subsection (b)(2)(A)(i)).
       ``(ii) The school has a large percentage of students who 
     qualify for assistance under part B of the Individuals with 
     Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 et. seq.).
       ``(5) Treatment of stipend and bonus.--A stipend or bonus 
     paid under this subsection to a participant in the Program 
     shall be taken into account in determining the eligibility of 
     the participant for Federal student financial assistance 
     provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1070 et. seq.).
       ``(f) Reimbursement Under Certain Circumstances.--
       ``(1) Reimbursement required.--A participant in the Program 
     who is paid a stipend or bonus under this subsection shall be 
     required to repay the stipend or bonus under the following 
     circumstances:
       ``(A) The participant fails to obtain teacher certification 
     or licensing, to become a highly qualified teacher, or to 
     obtain employment as an elementary school teacher, secondary 
     school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher as 
     required by the participation agreement under subsection 
     (e)(1).
       ``(B) The participant voluntarily leaves, or is terminated 
     for cause from, employment as an elementary school teacher, 
     secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher 
     during the three years of required service in violation of 
     the participation agreement.
       ``(C) The participant executed a written agreement with the 
     Secretary concerned under subsection (d)(5)(B) to serve as a 
     member of a reserve component of the armed forces for a 
     period of three years and fails to complete the required term 
     of service.
       ``(2) Amount of reimbursement.--A participant required to 
     reimburse the Secretary for a stipend or bonus paid to the 
     participant under subsection (e) shall pay an amount that 
     bears the same ratio to the amount of the stipend or bonus as 
     the unserved portion of required service bears to the three 
     years of required service. Any amount owed by the participant 
     shall bear interest at the rate equal to the highest rate 
     being paid by the United States on the day on which the 
     reimbursement is determined to be due for securities having 
     maturities of 90 days or less and shall accrue from the day 
     on which the participant is first notified of the amount due.
       ``(3) Treatment of obligation.--The obligation to reimburse 
     the Secretary under this subsection is, for all purposes, a 
     debt owing the United States. A discharge in bankruptcy under 
     title 11 shall not release a participant from the 
     obligation to reimburse the Secretary under this 
     subsection.
       ``(4) Exceptions to reimbursement requirement.--A 
     participant shall be excused from reimbursement under this 
     subsection if the participant becomes permanently totally 
     disabled as established by sworn affidavit of a qualified 
     physician. The Secretary may also waive the reimbursement in 
     cases of extreme hardship to the participant, as determined 
     by the Secretary.
       ``(g) Relationship to Educational Assistance Under 
     Montgomery GI Bill.--The receipt by a participant in the 
     Program of a stipend or bonus under this subsection (e) shall 
     not reduce or otherwise affect the entitlement of the 
     participant to any benefits under chapter 30 or 33 of title 
     38 or chapter 1606 of this title.
       ``(h) Participation by States.--
       ``(1) Discharge of state activities through consortia of 
     states.--The Secretary may permit States participating in the 
     Program to carry out activities authorized for such States 
     under the Program through one or more consortia of such 
     States.
       ``(2) Assistance to states.--(A) Subject to subparagraph 
     (B), the Secretary may make grants to States participating in 
     the Program, or to consortia of such States, in order to 
     permit such States or consortia of States to operate offices 
     for purposes of recruiting eligible members of the armed 
     forces for participation in the Program and facilitating the 
     employment of participants in the Program as elementary 
     school teachers, secondary school teachers, and vocational or 
     technical teachers.
       ``(B) The total amount of grants made under subparagraph 
     (A) in any fiscal year may not exceed $5,000,000.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new item:

``1154. Troops-to-Teachers Program.''.

       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1142(b) (4)(C) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``under sections 1152 and 1153 
     of this title and the Troops-to-Teachers Program under 
     section 2302 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672)'' and inserting ``under sections 1152, 
     1153, and 1154 of this title''.
       (d) Termination of Original Program.--
       (1) Termination.--
       (A) Chapter A of subpart 1 of Part C of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6671 et seq.) is 
     repealed.
       (B) The table of contents in section 2 of Part I of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965 is amended by 
     striking the items relating to chapter A of subpart 1 of Part 
     C of said Act.
       (2) Existing agreements.--The repeal of such chapter shall 
     not affect the validity or terms of any agreement entered 
     into before the date of the enactment of this Act under 
     chapter A of subpart 1 of Part C of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6671 et seq.), or 
     to pay assistance, make grants, or obtain reimbursement in 
     connection with such an agreement as in effect before such 
     repeal.
       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the effective date of the transfer under 
     subsection (a).

     SEC. 599B. ENHANCEMENTS TO THE TROOPS TO TEACHERS PROGRAM.

       (a) Years of Service Requirements.--Subsection (d) of 
     section 1154 title 10, United States Code, as added by 
     section 599A, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
       (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) commencing on or after September 11, 2001, serves at 
     least four years on active duty (as such term is defined in 
     section 101(d)(1) of this title, except that such term does 
     not include a period of service described in paragraphs (1) 
     through (3) of section 3311(d) of title 38) in the Armed 
     Forces (excluding service on active duty in entry level or 
     skills training) and, after completion of such service, is 
     discharged or released as follows:
       ``(i) A discharge from active duty in the armed forces with 
     an honorable discharge.
       ``(ii) A release after service on active duty in the armed 
     forces characterized by the Secretary concerned as honorable 
     service and placement on the retired list, transfer to the 
     Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, or placement on 
     the temporary disability retired list.
       ``(iii) A release from active duty in the armed forces for 
     further service in a reserve component of the armed forces 
     after service on active duty characterized by the Secretary 
     concerned as honorable service.''; and
       (b) Definition of Local Education Agency and Public Charter 
     Schools.--Such section is further amended as follows:
       (1) Clause (i) of subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) receiving grants under part A of title I, a Bureau-
     funded school (as such term is defined in section 1141 of the 
     Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021(3)), or public 
     charter school;''.
       (2) In subsection (e)(1)(A)(ii), by striking ``or public 
     charter school receiving grants under part A of title I of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C.6311 et seq.)'' and inserting ``receiving grants under 
     part A of title I, a Bureau-funded school (as such term is 
     defined in section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 
     (25 U.S.C. 2021(3)) or public charter school''.
       (c) Troops to Teachers Advisory Board.--Such section is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Advisory Board.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of enactment of section 1154 of this title, the 
     Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Defense shall 
     establish an advisory board composed of--
       ``(A) a representative from the Department of Defense;
       ``(B) a representative from the Department of Education;
       ``(C) representatives from 3 State offices that operate to 
     recruit eligible members of the armed forces for 
     participation in the Program and facilitating the employment 
     of participants in the Program as elementary school teachers, 
     secondary school teachers, and vocational or technical 
     teachers; and
       ``(D) a representative from each of 3 veteran service 
     organizations.
       ``(2) Duties.--The advisory board established under 
     subsection (a) shall--
       ``(A) collect, consider, and disseminate feedback from 
     participants and State offices described in subsection (a)(4) 
     on--
       ``(i) the best practices for improving recruitment of 
     eligible members of the Armed Forces in States, local 
     educational agencies, and public charter schools under served 
     by the Program;
       ``(ii) ensuring that high-need local educational agencies 
     and public charter schools are aware of the Program and how 
     to participate in it;
       ``(iii) coordinating the goals of the Program with other 
     Federal, State, and local education needs and programs; and
       ``(iv) other activities that the advisory board deems 
     necessary; and
       ``(B) not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
     of section 1154 of this title, and annually thereafter, 
     prepare and submit a report to the Committees on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions and Armed Services of the 
     Senate and the Committees on Education and Labor and Armed 
     Services of the House of Representatives, which shall 
     include--
       ``(i) information with respect to the activities of the 
     advisory board;
       ``(ii) information with respect to the Program, including--

       ``(I) the number of participants in the Program;

[[Page H4071]]

       ``(II) the number of States participating in the Program;
       ``(III) local educational agencies and schools in where 
     participants are employed;
       ``(IV) the grade levels at which participants teach;
       ``(V) the academic subjects taught by participants;
       ``(VI) rates of retention of participants by the local 
     educational agencies and public charter schools employing 
     participant;
       ``(VII) other demographic information as may be necessary 
     to evaluate the effectiveness of the program; and
       ``(VIII) a review of the stipend and bonus available to 
     participants under paragraphs (3) and (4)(A) of subsection 
     (d); and

       ``(iii) recommendations for--

       ``(I) improvements to local, State, and Federal recruitment 
     and retention efforts;
       ``(II) legislative or executive policy changes to improve 
     the Program, enhance participant experience, and increase 
     participation in the program; and
       ``(III) other changes necessary to ensure that the Program 
     is meeting the purpose described in subsection (b).''.


          Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1237. REPORT ON CERTAIN IRAQIS AFFILIATED WITH THE 
                   UNITED STATES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney 
     General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
     Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
     Development, and the heads of other appropriate Federal 
     agencies (as determined by the Secretary of Defense), shall 
     submit to the Congress a report containing the information 
     described in subsection (b). In preparing such report, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall use available information from 
     organizations and entities closely associated with the United 
     States mission in Iraq that have received United States 
     Government funding through an official and documented 
     contract, award, grant, or cooperative agreement.
       (b) Information.--The information described in this 
     subsection is the following:
       (1) The number of Iraqis who were or are employed by the 
     United States Government in Iraq or who are or were employed 
     in Iraq by an organization or entity closely associated with 
     the United States mission in Iraq that has received United 
     States Government funding through an official and documented 
     contract, award, grant, or cooperative agreement.
       (2) The number of Iraqis who have applied--
       (A) for resettlement in the United States as a refugee 
     under section 1243 of the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007 
     (subtitle C of title XII of division A of Public Law 110-181; 
     122 Stat. 395 et seq.); or
       (B) to enter the United States as a special immigrant under 
     section 1244 of such Act.
       (3) The status of each application described in paragraph 
     (2).
       (4) The estimated number of individuals described in 
     paragraph (1) who have been injured or killed in Iraq.
       (c) Expedited Processing.--The Secretary of Defense, the 
     Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall develop a plan using the report submitted under 
     subsection (a) to expedite the processing of the applications 
     described in subsection (b)(2) in the case of Iraqis at risk 
     as the United States withdraws from Iraq.


           Amendment No. 30 Offered by Mr. Shadegg of Arizona

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 260, after line 19, insert the following:

     SEC. 674. EXCLUSION OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF COMMITTING 
                   CERTAIN SEX OFFENSES FROM RECEIVING CERTAIN 
                   BURIAL-RELATED BENEFITS AND FUNERAL HONORS.

       (a) Prohibition Against Interment or Memorialization in 
     National Cemetery Administration, Arlington National 
     Cemetery, and Certain State Veterans' Cemeteries; Prohibition 
     Against Provision of Presidential Memorial Certificate, Flag, 
     and Headstone or Marker.--Section 2411(b) of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(4) A person who is classified as a tier III sex offender 
     under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.''.
       (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
     construed to terminate any benefit available to any person 
     except those benefits specifically terminated by the 
     amendment made by subsection (a).
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to interments and memorializations 
     that occur on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Constitutional Authority.--The constitutional authority 
     on which this section rests is the power of Congress to make 
     rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval 
     forces, as enumerated in article I, section 8, clause 14 of 
     the United States Constitution.


           Amendment No. 32 Offered by Mr. Holt of New Jersey

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 266, after line 8, insert the following:

     SEC. 706. SUICIDE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE INDIVIDUAL READY 
                   RESERVE AND INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that a veteran who is a 
     member of the Individual Ready Reserve (or who is an 
     individual mobilization augmentee) and is not assigned to a 
     unit that musters regularly and has an established support 
     structure is less likely to be helped by existing suicide 
     prevention programs carried out by the Secretary of Defense 
     and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) In General.--
       (1) Suicide prevention.--Chapter 55 of title 10, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding after section 1074l the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1074m Suicide prevention for members of the Individual 
       Ready Reserve and individual mobilization augmentees

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure 
     that each covered member receives a telephone call described 
     in subsection (b) not less than once every 90 days during the 
     period in which--
       ``(1) the covered member is a member of the Individual 
     Ready Reserve; or
       ``(2) the Secretary determines that the covered member is 
     an individual mobilization augmentee.
       ``(b) Counseling Call.--A telephone call described in this 
     subsection is a call from properly trained personnel to 
     determine the emotional, psychological, medical, and career 
     needs and concerns of the covered member.
       ``(c) Referral.--(1) The personnel making a telephone call 
     described in subsection (b) shall refer a covered member 
     identified as being at-risk of self-caused harm to the 
     nearest military medical treatment facility or accredited 
     TRICARE provider for immediate evaluation and treatment by a 
     qualified mental health care provider.
       ``(2) If a covered member is referred under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary shall confirm that the member has received the 
     evaluation and any necessary treatment.  
       ``(d) Reports.--Not later than January 31 of each year, 
     beginning in 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the number of covered members who have been 
     referred for counseling or mental health treatment under this 
     section, as well as the health and career status of such 
     members.
       ``(e) Covered Member Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `covered member' means--
       ``(1) a member of the Individual Ready Reserve described in 
     section 10144(b) of this title who has deployed to 
     Afghanistan or Iraq in support of a contingency operation; or
       ``(2) a member of a reserve component who the Secretary 
     determines is an individual mobilization augmentee who has 
     deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq in support of a contingency 
     operation.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1074l the following new item:

``1074m. Suicide prevention for members of the Individual Ready Reserve 
              and individual mobilization augmentees.''.


        Amendment No. 55 Offered by Mr. Luetkemeyer of Missouri

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of subtitle H of title V, add the following new 
     section:

     SEC. 5_. REVIEW REGARDING AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO JEWISH 
                   AMERICAN WORLD WAR I VETERANS.

       (a) Review Required.--The Secretary of the Army and the 
     Secretary of the Navy shall review the service records of 
     each Jewish American World War I veteran described in 
     subsection (b) to determine whether that veteran should be 
     posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
       (b) Covered Jewish American War Veterans.--The Jewish 
     American World War I veterans whose service records are to be 
     reviewed under subsection (a) are the following:
       (1) Any Jewish American World War I veteran who was 
     previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy 
     Cross, or other military decoration for service during World 
     War I.
       (2) Any other Jewish American World War I veteran whose 
     name is submitted to the Secretary concerned for such purpose 
     by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America 
     before the end of the one-year period beginning on the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Consultations.--In carrying out the review under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall consult with 
     the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America and 
     with such other veterans service organizations as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate.
       (d) Recommendation Based on Review.--If the Secretary 
     concerned determines, based upon the review under subsection 
     (a) of the service records of any Jewish American World War I 
     veteran, that the award of the Medal of Honor to that veteran 
     is warranted, the Secretary shall submit to the President a 
     recommendation that the President award the Medal of Honor 
     posthumously to that veteran.
       (e) Authority To Award Medal of Honor.--A Medal of Honor 
     may be awarded posthumously to a Jewish American World

[[Page H4072]]

     War I veteran in accordance with a recommendation of the 
     Secretary concerned under subsection (a).
       (f) Waiver of Time Limitations.--An award of the Medal of 
     Honor may be made under subsection (e) without regard to--
       (1) section 3744, 6248, or 8744 of title 10, United States 
     Code; and
       (2) any regulation or other administrative restriction on--
       (A) the time for awarding the Medal of Honor; or
       (B) the awarding of the Medal of Honor for service for 
     which a Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or other 
     military decoration has been awarded.
       (g) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``Jewish American World War I veteran'' means 
     any person who served in the Armed Forces during World War I 
     and identified himself or herself as Jewish on his or her 
     military personnel records.
       (2) The term ``Secretary concerned'' means--
       (A) the Secretary of the Army, in the case of the Army; and
       (B) the Secretary of the Navy, in the case of the Navy and 
     the Marine Corps.
       (3) The term ``World War I'' means the period beginning on 
     April 6, 1917, and ending on November 11, 1918.


           Amendment No. 61 Offered by Ms. Markey of Colorado

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 258, after line 12, insert the following:

     SEC. 674. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR VETERANS FOR PURSUIT OF 
                   GRADUATE AND POST-GRADUATE DEGREES IN 
                   BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SCIENCES.

       (a) Scholarship Program.--
       (1) Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry 
     out a program to provide scholarships to qualifying veterans 
     for pursuit of a graduate or post-graduate degree in 
     behavioral health sciences.
       (2) Designation.--The program carried out under this 
     section shall be known as the ``Department of Veterans 
     Affairs HONOR Scholarship Program'' (in this section referred 
     to as the ``scholarship program'').
       (b) Qualifying Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a 
     qualifying veteran is any veteran who--
       (1) during service on active duty in the Armed Forces, 
     participated for such period as the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall 
     specify for purposes of the scholarship program in a theater 
     of combat or during a contingency operation overseas;
       (2) was retired, discharged, separated, or released from 
     service in the Armed Forces on or after a date (not earlier 
     than August 2, 1990) specified by the Secretary of Defense 
     for purposes of the scholarship program;
       (3) at the time of the submittal of an application to 
     participate in the scholarship program, holds an 
     undergraduate or graduate degree, as applicable, from an 
     institution of higher education that qualifies the veteran 
     for pursuit of a graduate or post-graduate degree in 
     behavioral sciences; and
       (4) meets such other qualifications as the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs may establish for purposes of the 
     scholarship program.
       (c) Application.--Each qualifying veteran seeking to 
     participate in the scholarship program shall submit to the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs an application therefor setting 
     forth such information as the Secretary shall specify for 
     purposes of the scholarship program.
       (d) Agreement.--Each qualifying veteran selected by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs for participation in the 
     scholarship program shall enter into an agreement with the 
     Secretary regarding participation in the scholarship program. 
     The agreement shall contain such terms and conditions as the 
     Secretary shall specify for purposes of the scholarship 
     program.
       (e) Scholarships.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     provide to each qualifying veteran who enters into an 
     agreement under subsection (d) a scholarship for such number 
     of academic years as the Secretary shall specify in the 
     agreement for pursuit of a graduate or post-graduate degree 
     in behavioral health sciences at an institution of higher 
     education offering such degree that is approved by the 
     Secretary for purposes of the scholarship program.
       (2) Elements.--The scholarship provided a qualifying 
     veteran for an academic year shall consist of payment of the 
     following:
       (A) Tuition of the qualifying veteran for pursuit of the 
     graduate or post-graduate degree concerned in the academic 
     year.
       (B) Reasonable educational expenses of the qualifying 
     veteran (including fees, books, and laboratory expenses) in 
     pursuit of such degree in the academic year.
       (C) A stipend in connection with the pursuit of such degree 
     in the academic year in such amount as the Secretary shall 
     specify in the agreement of the qualifying veteran under 
     subsection (d).
       (f) Obligated Service.--Each qualifying veteran who 
     participates in the scholarship program shall, after 
     completion of the graduate or post-graduate degree concerned 
     and as jointly provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     and the Secretary of Defense in the agreement of such 
     qualifying veteran under subsection (d), perform service as 
     follows:
       (1) Such service for the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
     connection with the furnishing of mental health services to 
     veterans, and for such period, as the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall specify in the agreement.
       (2) Such service for the Department of Defense in 
     connection with the furnishing of mental health services to 
     members of the Armed Forces, and for such period, as the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Defense, specify in the agreement.
       (3) Such combination of service described by paragraphs (1) 
     and (2), and for such period, as the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, 
     specify in the agreement.
       (g) Breach of Agreement.--Each qualifying veteran 
     participating in the scholarship who fails to complete 
     satisfactorily the terms of the agreement of such qualifying 
     veteran under subsection (d), whether through failure to 
     obtain the graduate or post-graduate degree concerned or 
     failure to perform service required of the qualifying veteran 
     under subsection (f), shall be liable to the United States in 
     such form and manner as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, specify 
     in the agreement.
       (h) Contingency Operation Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``contingency operation'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code.


            Amendment No. 64 Offered by Mr. Minnick of Idaho

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of title V, add the following new section:

     SEC. 5__. SUPPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO HELP COVER 
                   COSTS OF NEW STATE PROGRAMS UNDER NATIONAL 
                   GUARD YOUTH CHALLENGE PROGRAM.

       Paragraph (2) of section 509(d) of title 32, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) The limitation in paragraph (1) may not be construed 
     as a limitation on the amount of assistance that may be 
     provided to a State program of the Program for a fiscal year 
     from sources other than the Department of Defense. Using 
     funds available to the Department of Education, the Secretary 
     of Education may provide assistance to cover the difference 
     between the amount provided by the Department of Defense and 
     the total costs of operating a new State program of the 
     Program during the first three full fiscal years in which the 
     new State program is in operation.''.


           Amendment No. 66 Offered by Mr. Schrader of Oregon

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 266, after line 8, insert the following:

     SEC. 706. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE 
                   COMPONENTS REGARDING HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

       (a) Provision of Information.--The Secretary of Defense 
     shall ensure that each member of a reserve component of the 
     Armed Forces who is mobilized or demobilized is provided, 
     together with the orders providing for such mobilization or 
     demobilization, a clear and comprehensive statement of the 
     medical care and treatment to which such member is entitled 
     under Federal law by reason of being so mobilized or 
     demobilized.
       (b) Frequency.--The statement required to be provided a 
     member under subsection (a) upon a mobilization or 
     demobilization shall be provided to the member each time the 
     member is mobilized or demobilized, as the case may be.
       (c) Elements.--The statement provided a member under 
     subsection (a) shall include the following:
       (1) A clear, comprehensive statement of the medical care 
     and treatment to which the member is entitled under Federal 
     law by reason of being mobilized or demobilized, as 
     applicable, including--
       (A) the nature and range of the care and treatment to which 
     the member is entitled;
       (B) the departments and agencies of the Federal Government 
     that will provide such care and treatment;
       (C) the period for which such care and treatment will be so 
     provided; and
       (D) the obligations, if any, of the member in connection 
     with the receipt of such care and treatment.
       (2) A clear, comprehensive statement of the health care 
     insurance available under Federal law for the member's 
     family, if any, by reason of the mobilization or 
     demobilization of the member.
       (3) A clear, comprehensive description of the mental health 
     assessments available to the member before, during, and after 
     deployment pursuant to section 708 of the national defense 
     authorization act for fiscal year 2010 (public law 11184; 123 
     Stat. 2376; 10 U.S.C. 1074f note).
       (4) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.


           Amendment No. 67 Offered by Mr. Schrader of Oregon

  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 219, after line 5, insert the following:

[[Page H4073]]

     SEC. 599. STUDY OF TREATMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE 
                   COMPONENTS.

       (a) Study.--The Inspector General of the Department of 
     Defense shall conduct a study of the treatment of members of 
     the reserve components.
       (b) Matters Included.--The study under subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An analysis of the treatment of members of the reserve 
     components--
       (A) at mobilization and demobilization sites of the Army, 
     including warrior transition units and joint medical 
     battalions; and
       (B) during predeployment and postdeployment medical 
     examinations under section 1074(f) of title 10, United States 
     Code.
       (2) An analysis of the quality of care, treatment, and 
     information that members of the reserve components receive 
     before, during, and after deployment.
       (3) An analysis of patterns of treatment of members of the 
     reserve components during the period following a deployment, 
     including during medical examinations or other actions that 
     could affect health care and disability benefits, as compared 
     to the treatment of members of the regular components during 
     such period.
       (4) Identification of any improvements needed so that 
     members of the reserve components and members of the regular 
     components are treated equally.
       (c) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2010, the 
     Inspector General shall submit to the congressional defense 
     committees a report on the study under subsection (a).


            Amendment No. 74 Offered by Mr. Klein of Florida

  The Clerk read as follows:

       Page 296, line 5, add after ``Defense'' the following: ``, 
     beginning 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act,''.
       Page 296, lines 13 and 14, strike ``with actual knowledge, 
     engages'' and insert ``when entering into a contract with the 
     Department of Defense for goods and services, fails to 
     certify to the contracting officer that the entity does not 
     engage''.
       Page 296, line 15, strike ``have been imposed'' and insert 
     ``may be imposed''.
       Page 296, strike line 17 and all that follows through page 
     297, line 22, and insert the following:
       (b) Remedies.--
       (1) In general.--If the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, determines that an 
     entity has submitted a false certification under subsection 
     (a)(2), the Secretary of Defense may terminate a contract 
     with such entity or debar or suspend such entity from 
     eligibility for Department of Defense contracts for a period 
     of not more than 3 years. Any such debarment or suspension 
     shall be subject to the procedures that apply to debarment 
     and suspension under the Federal Acquisition Regulation under 
     subpart 9.4 of part 9 of title 48, Code of Federal 
     Regulations.
       (2) Inclusion on list of parties excluded from federal 
     procurement and nonprocurement programs.--The Administrator 
     of General Services shall include on the List of Parties 
     Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs 
     maintained by the Administrator under part 9 of the Federal 
     Acquisition Regulation issued pursuant to section 25 of the 
     Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 421) each 
     entity that is debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment 
     or suspension by the Secretary on the basis of a 
     determination of a false certification under paragraph (1).
       (c) Waivers.--
       (1) Authority.--The Secretary of Defense may on a case-by-
     case basis waive the requirement that an entity make a 
     certification under subsection (a)(2) if the Secretary 
     determines that it is in the interest of national security to 
     do so.
       (2) Contents of certification.--Upon issuing a waiver under 
     paragraph (1) with respect to an entity, the Secretary of 
     Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of 
     the Senate and House of Representatives, the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives a notification that 
     identifies the entity involved, the nature of the contract, 
     and the rationale for issuing the waiver.


            Amendment No. 77 Offered by Ms. Pingree of Maine

  The Clerk read as follows:

       Page 251, after line 18, insert the following:

     SEC. 654. CONTINUED OPERATION OF COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE 
                   STORES SERVING BRUNSWICK NAVAL AIR STATION, 
                   MAINE.

       The Secretary of Defense shall provide for the continued 
     operation of each commissary or exchange store serving 
     Brunswick Naval Air Station, Maine, through September 30, 
     2011, and may not take any action to reduce or to terminate 
     the sale of goods at such stores during fiscal year 2011.


    Amendment No. 32 Offered by Mr. Holt of New Jersey, as Modified

  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the modification to amendment 
No. 32.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Page 266, after line 8, insert the following:

     SEC. 706. SUICIDE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE INDIVIDUAL READY 
                   RESERVE AND INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that a veteran who is a 
     member of the Individual Ready Reserve (or who is an 
     individual mobilization augmentee) and is not assigned to a 
     unit that musters regularly and has an established support 
     structure is less likely to be helped by existing suicide 
     prevention programs carried out by the Secretary of Defense 
     and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) In General.--
       (1) Suicide prevention.--Chapter 55 of title 10, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding after section 1074l the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1074m Suicide prevention for members of the Individual 
       Ready Reserve and individual mobilization augmentees

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure 
     that each covered member receives a telephone call described 
     in subsection (b) not less than once every 90 days during the 
     period in which--
       ``(1) the covered member is a member of the Individual 
     Ready Reserve; or
       ``(2) the Secretary determines that the covered member is 
     an individual mobilization augmentee.
       ``(b) Counseling Call.--A telephone call described in this 
     subsection is a call from properly trained personnel to 
     determine the emotional, psychological, medical, and career 
     needs and concerns of the covered member.
       ``(c) Referral.--(1) The personnel making a telephone call 
     described in subsection (b) shall refer a covered member 
     identified as being at-risk of self-caused harm to the 
     nearest emergency room for immediate evaluation and treatment 
     by a qualified mental health care provider.
       ``(2) If a covered member is referred under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary shall confirm that the member has received the 
     evaluation and any necessary treatment.  
       ``(d) Reports.--Not later than January 31 of each year, 
     beginning in 2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the number of covered members who have been 
     referred for counseling or mental health treatment under this 
     section, as well as the health and career status of such 
     members.
       ``(e) Covered Member Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `covered member' means--
       ``(1) a member of the Individual Ready Reserve described in 
     section 10144(b) of this title who has deployed to 
     Afghanistan or Iraq in support of a contingency operation; or
       ``(2) a member of a reserve component who the Secretary 
     determines is an individual mobilization augmentee who has 
     deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq in support of a contingency 
     operation.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1074l the following new item:

``1074m. Suicide prevention for members of the Individual Ready Reserve 
              and individual mobilization augmentees.''.

  Mr. McKEON (during the reading). Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous 
consent that we dispense with the reading.
  The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
from California?
  There was no objection.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 1404, the gentleman 
from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McKeon) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I urge the committee to adopt the 
amendments en bloc, all of which have been examined by both the 
majority and the minority.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentlelady from 
California (Ms. Matsui).
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Courtney-
Petri-Matsui amendment regarding Troops to Teachers. The amendment 
includes provisions of the bipartisan 9/11 Troops to Teachers 
Enhancement Act, which I worked on with my colleagues and has 170 
cosponsors.
  Our amendment would make the program more accessible to those 
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, it is the clear 
intent of this amendment to expand the number of school districts 
eligible to participate in the Troops to Teachers program.
  With their proven service, diverse backgrounds, and leadership 
traits, our Nation's veterans can serve their country again by serving 
as teachers in our Nation's most vulnerable schools. Witnessing the 
success of this program in schools in my community has strengthened my 
determination to expand the Troops to Teachers program.
  I urge the Members to vote in support of this amendment.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to 
the amendment; however, I don't intend to oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from California is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.

[[Page H4074]]

  Mr. McKEON. At this time I would like to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg).
  Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the en bloc 
amendment, but in particular in support of my amendment in that 
amendment, number 30.
  Under current American law, veterans are entitled to certain 
emoluments when they pass. These include burial in a veterans cemetery 
or in one of our national cemeteries or in a State cemetery supported 
by veterans' funds, a flag to drape the coffin, a military honor guard, 
and a certificate from the President.
  In 1997, however, following the bombing in Oklahoma City, this 
Congress recognized that those benefits were still accorded to veterans 
who had committed even capital offenses, and they recognized that 
Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, would have been entitled 
under current law to be buried with all of those honors.
  So this Congress, in good judgment, decided to revoke those 
emoluments, those honorary benefits from veterans who had been 
convicted of the violent crime of murder. And, indeed, we revoked it 
for all capital offenses. In 1997, we expanded that and said it would 
be applicable to anybody convicted of a capital offense, whether they 
were sentenced to death or not, but we left a gaping hole in the law.
  My amendment simply seeks to fill that hole. It's a gaping hole which 
says that if you have been convicted of the violent rape of a woman, 
you may still receive all of those honorary emoluments, you may still 
be buried in a veterans cemetery with an American flag, with a 
certificate from the President, and with a military honor guard. That 
dishonors all of our Nation's veterans who are indeed buried in those 
cemeteries as appreciation for their great service to this country.
  I believe, and I believe that this body recognizes that rape is one 
of the most violent of all crimes. It's not committed in the heat of 
passion as murder sometimes is. It is indeed a plotted, carried-out 
crime, a crime of immense violence.
  This issue came to my attention when Jenny Bush, a recent college 
graduate, went home on Halloween evening from her job, entered her 
home, and was accosted there by a man who had entered during the day 
through a first-story window. He taped her with duct tape, held her at 
knifepoint, and violently raped her. Fortunately, her rapist was 
caught, and in the course of the proceedings it was determined that he 
was a serial rapist. He had indeed raped 10 other women, including a 9-
year-old girl. And yet under the law in America, he was entitled, upon 
his death, to receive all of the military honors we give to those who 
have not committed such heinous crimes. That is an injustice, and it is 
an injustice that this amendment corrects.
  This amendment was brought to me by Jenny Bush's father following the 
incident where the rapist, the serial rapist who raped this young lady 
committed suicide on the morning of his sentencing and then was buried 
with all of those military honors.
  I don't think that we should say that our veterans cemeteries are 
open to the burial and to utilization by sex offenders who have 
committed violent rape against America's women. This has been a 3-year 
struggle where we have sought to amend the law.
  I want to thank the Rules Committee for making this amendment in 
order. I want to thank Steve Bush and his daughter Jenny for their 
courage in raising this issue. I want to thank Ann Ream, who is with 
the Voices and Faces Project; Stephanie Hanson and Joanne Archambault 
with End Violence Against Women International for their work in trying 
to help pass this legislation. It seems to me that it is well time for 
us to correct the injustice which exists in our law on this issue. I 
commend the committee for making it possible for us to correct this.
  I want to make it clear that this amendment only takes away those 
honorary emoluments. It does not financially punish the family of the 
perpetrator of these crimes. It simply says that we are not going to 
give these special honors to someone convicted of such a heinous crime 
as rape.
  I want to thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking member 
of the committee. I believe this is something that will in fact honor 
this Congress by recognizing we do not, as a Nation, tolerate violent 
crimes against women. Our Uniform Military Code of Justice indeed 
already provides that rape is in fact a capital crime. So this brings 
our code in line with the current provision of the law.
  The FBI ranks rape second only to murder. And as I have already 
indicated, I believe you can make the argument that rape is indeed a 
more heinous crime than murder because it is always carried out with 
forethought and planning and perpetrated often with great violence, as 
it was against Jenny Bush.
  This legislation mirrors a bill which I have introduced in the 
Congress for the last 3 years called Jenny's Law, named after Jenny 
Bush. It has been officially endorsed by the RAINN Network, which is 
the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, and has also been endorsed 
by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
  I will insert a letter from the Military Order of the Purple Heart in 
support of this amendment for the Record at this point.

                                             Military Order of the


                                                 Purple Heart,

                                   Springfield, VA, March 1, 2010.
     Hon. John Shadegg,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Shadegg: I am writing to inform you that the 
     Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is in total support 
     of H. R. 731 ``Jenny's Law.''
       MOPH shares your view that regardless of the service to 
     America, if following that service, those individuals who are 
     convicted of committing certain sex crimes should not receive 
     certain burial benefits and funeral honors. These individuals 
     should not be eligible for burial in National cemeteries 
     administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, 
     Arlington National Cemetery and certain State Veterans' 
     Cemeteries.
       While these individuals may have served honorably in the 
     Armed Forces, their crimes following that service are so 
     onerous that the crimes, in our opinion, negate that service.
           Respectfully,
                                                    James M. Sims,
                                               National Commander.

  Let me simply conclude that I encourage my colleagues to support the 
en bloc amendment.
  I yield to the ranking member.
  Mr. McKEON. I want to thank the gentleman for bringing this 
amendment. This is something I was totally unaware of. I appreciate his 
work. This is a great addition to the bill. I support it 
wholeheartedly.
  Mr. SHADEGG. Reclaiming my time, let me just briefly say I have spent 
a great deal of my life advocating for the victims of crime. It seems 
to me this is an outrage that exists in current law. The victims of 
crime should not be revictimized. In this case, American law does 
revictimize those victims of rape under these circumstances. I think it 
is high time that we correct it.
  I thank, again, the chairwoman of the Rules Committee and the 
chairman and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee for making 
the correction of this injustice possible.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, a member 
of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. 
Courtney).
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, first of all I want to congratulate 
Chairman Skelton for the outstanding work that he has performed 
bringing this bill onto the floor and, in particular, salute the fact 
that this bill will actually, for the first time since the beginning of 
the Virginia-class submarine program, bring the production level up to 
two submarines a year. That was a target that we were supposed to reach 
as a Nation in 2002. It had been delayed year in and year out. And 
through his leadership, we are finally going to reach that level, which 
will be important for our submarine force and our Navy.

                              {time}  2250

  I also rise in support of the en bloc amendment in particular to talk 
about the Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act that Congresswoman Matsui 
referred to earlier. Again, she described her efforts to try and expand 
the scope of this program to the Title I school district.
  In addition to that, this is an amendment which will move the program 
into the Department of Defense from the Department of Education, a 
place

[[Page H4075]]

where it has been almost de facto over the last few years in any case. 
And even more importantly, it will shorten the service requirements 
from 6 years to 4 years for our military personnel, which will allow 
many more Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans to participate in this 
program, which, as she indicated, is a program that has provided a 
pathway for some of the finest Americans to participate and be in the 
classroom with all of the qualities of team work, discipline, 
particularly their strengths in the STEM area, which the Troops to 
Teachers Program in its present program's limited scope has 
demonstrated and recruited, again, outstanding teachers into the 
classrooms.
  In addition to that as also introduced, male teachers and minority 
teachers--something which, again, I think is going to benefit our 
public education system greatly. It is an amendment that's been 
endorsed by veterans services organizations across the board from the 
American Legion to the VFW. In addition to that, education groups such 
as NEA and AFT have endorsed this measure.
  And I thank the chairman for including this amendment in the en bloc 
amendment and urge support and passage of the entire en bloc amendment 
in the bill as a whole.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer).
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am proud to rise in 
support of en bloc amendment number 9 and particularly my amendment, 
which is included, which directs a review of the service records of 
eligible Jewish American veterans from World War I.
  I want to particularly thank Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member McKeon, 
and other members of the committee for their support on this important 
issue.
  We owe much to the patriotic Americans who have worn and are wearing 
uniforms of our Nation's Armed Forces. Our country has been blessed to 
have citizens who have selflessly volunteered to defend our Nation and 
freedom. Unfortunately, qualified soldiers have not been considered for 
the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by our 
government, due to discrimination.
  In 2001, Congress passed the Leonard Kravitz Jewish War Veterans Act, 
which had broad bipartisan support. This important piece of legislation 
presented Jewish soldiers the opportunity to receive the Medal of Honor 
for their service in World War II.
  However, Jewish veterans of World War I have faced the same 
discrimination and have not been afforded the opportunity to receive 
recognition for their service. William Shemin, for whom this act is 
named, was a Jewish American who earned the Distinguished Service Cross 
in 1918 for saving three of his fellow soldiers' lives during an 
intense 3-day battle in France while also leading his platoon in combat 
after more senior soldiers were wounded or killed. Shemin passed away 
in 1973 but his daughter, Elsie Shemin Roth, a resident of my district, 
has passionately worked on behalf of her father and other Jewish 
soldiers' legacies.
  This amendment would build on past legislation and recognize the 
sacrifices of Jewish soldiers during World War I.
  I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc amendment number 9 and 
honor the work of these veterans and brave soldiers.
  Mr. SKELTON. I might make a comment about the gentleman from 
Missouri. It was our fellow Missourian, Harry Truman, upon awarding a 
Medal of Honor to a World War II marine, said he would rather have that 
than be President. And it is quite an honor, and it's a good thing that 
you do.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentlelady from 
Colorado (Ms. Markey).
  Ms. MARKEY of Colorado. Thank you, Chairman Skelton.
  I rise today in support of this en bloc amendment, which contains my 
amendment to create a scholarship program for veterans to work toward 
advanced degrees in behavioral health.
  One in three veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have some form of 
invisible injury like PTSD or TBI. The VA has diagnosed nearly 250,000 
vets as having some mental health injury. Yet it is well known that 
less than half of those with these injuries are ever diagnosed or 
treated.
  The Department of Veteran Affairs Honor Scholarship Program is a 
critical investment in the treatment of veterans suffering from 
invisible injuries like posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic 
brain injuries.
  This amendment will help veterans receive professional behavioral 
health training so that they can provide peer-to-peer training to other 
combat veterans. Who better to counsel recently returned veterans than 
those who have shared similar experiences in combat. The veterans who 
have served our country deserve the best possible mental health 
treatment.
  I urge my colleagues to stand with American veterans, to honor 
America's veterans, and to support this amendment.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I guess this is the end of our debate. This 
is the last of the amendments.
  I want to thank the chairman for the good work that he's done on this 
bill. I want to thank all of the staff. Everybody has worked very hard. 
The subcommittee chairs, ranking members, for all of the work that 
they've done to get us to this point.
  I'm sorry that Democratic leadership didn't give us more time to 
debate Don't Ask, Don't Tell so I had to spend a lot of time talking 
about it at other times. In fact the time they gave us for the debate 
was less time than we had to vote on it. Ten minutes to debate, 15 
minutes to vote.
  But I announced with my opening statement that if that amendment 
passed, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell amendment passed, that I would 
reluctantly have to vote against the bill. It will be the first time in 
my 18 years here that I will vote against the defense reauthorization 
bill. And I do that with a very heavy heart.
  But I, again, thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's been a joy, a pleasure, 
working with you, and I appreciate your integrity and the leadership 
that you provide to the committee.
  With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Klein).
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I thank the gentleman from Missouri for his 
great leadership on defense issues.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the en bloc amendment number 9, 
which includes my amendment to H.R. 5136, the Defense Authorization 
Act. As Congress continues to consider robust Iran sanctions, we must 
work every day to ensure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon in the 
meantime.
  Therefore, I've offered an amendment to require Department of Defense 
contractors to certify that they do not conduct business in Iran. For 
months, I and others have been urging the State Department to enforce 
existing law on Iran sanctions, to investigate and punish those 
companies who are breaking the law by investing in Iran's energy sector 
or facilitating a weapons program.
  While the State Department is making progress in these 
investigations, these investments continue. According to the 
Congressional Research Service, several companies have violated the 
Iran Sanctions Act over the last number of years. And according to The 
New York Times, over $107 billion in government contracts have gone to 
companies that are doing business in Iran.
  That is why we cannot wait for companies to be designated as 
violators of the Iran Sanctions Act. Taxpayer money is being spent now 
on goods and services to companies that are thwarting the law. 
Companies must be able to self-certify that they are not conducting 
illegal business in Iran or not do business with the United States 
government.
  All companies with U.S. operations, especially those who receive 
taxpayer funds intended for our national defense, should not be 
undermining U.S. foreign policy and our troops or our national 
security.

                              {time}  2300

  The certification requirement reflects the choice that each of these 
companies must make: either do business with the United States 
Government or do business with Iran. Iran must not get a nuclear 
weapon, not on our watch, and certainly not on our dime.

[[Page H4076]]

  I would like to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for 
their leadership in beginning the fight to prevent U.S. defense 
contractors from contributing to Iran's dangerous nuclear program.
  I urge support of the amendment.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
  Mr. HOLT. I thank the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Mr. 
Skelton, for joining me in this. And I also want to recognize the 
cosponsors, Mr. Bishop and Mr. Himes, for their support of this 
amendment, which seeks to address a serious gap in our military suicide 
prevention efforts, a gap that cost the life of one young constituent 
of mine, Sergeant Coleman Bean of East Brunswick, New Jersey, and has 
cost the lives of an unknown number of others.
  During two tours of duty in Iraq, Coleman saw the horrors of war 
firsthand; and like others, he sought treatment for post-traumatic 
distress disorder when he returned home in 2004. Unfortunately, because 
Coleman was a member of the Individual Ready Reserve, neither the Army 
nor the VA would take the lead on treating him. Tragically, only months 
after returning from his second tour in Iraq, Sergeant Coleman Bean 
took his life in September 2008.
  Our amendment seeks to prevent future such tragedies by requiring the 
Secretary of Defense to ensure that members of the IRR or those who 
serve as Individual Mobilization Augmentees who have completed at least 
one tour in either Iraq or Afghanistan receive a counseling call from 
properly trained personnel not less than once every 90 days so long as 
the servicemember remains in the IRR or as an IMA, to take whatever 
follow-up measures are required to help identify at-risk Reservists, 
and to report to Congress on the program's effectiveness.
  I ask my colleagues to support this important and I think very 
necessary amendment.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I wish to pay special tribute to the 
ranking member, Buck McKeon, a gentleman of the first order who has not 
only continued the bipartisan attitude and bipartisan work in our 
committee, but has made it work very, very well. We all owe him a debt 
of gratitude, and I want to say a special word of thanks to him for his 
excellent work and cooperation in making our committee so bipartisan in 
nature.
  A special thanks also to the fantastic staff that we have. We Members 
take credit for all of the good work that they do. So often they go as 
unsung heroes, but they really make this committee work so well and so 
solidly; and to each one of them, who are professionals, I express deep 
thanks and gratitude.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Chair, the Courtney/Petri/Matsui amendment would 
transfer the successful Troops to Teachers Program back to the 
Department of Defense and make important changes to the program to 
ensure it will continue to provide opportunities for veterans to 
transition into second careers as educators.
  I have been a supporter of the Troops to Teachers program since its 
authorization in the 1994 Defense Authorization Act, and I am proud of 
its success in placing over 12,000 veterans in our Nation's classrooms. 
Troops to Teachers is a unique program that provides veterans with a 
$5,000 stipend to help cover the costs of obtaining a teaching 
certification in exchange for 3 years service in an eligible school. An 
additional bonus of $5,000 is available for teaching in a ``high need 
school.''
  This structure has proven very effective in transitioning qualified 
retiring military personnel into second careers in teaching. Indeed, 
Troops participants fill several critical needs among educators: 80 
percent are male, over one-third are ethnic minorities, and a majority 
bring an expertise in science and math to the classroom. Furthermore, 
these troops also bring valuable life experience and character traits 
that are uncommon in our Nation's classrooms.
  However, the success of this program is in jeopardy without the 
needed changes that are included in the Courtney/Petri/Matsui 
amendment. When the program was transferred to the Education 
Department, a simple drafting error in the 2002 No Child Left Behind 
Act resulted in an Education Department ruling restricting the number 
of school districts in which veterans can fulfill their teaching 
requirement. Since the implementation of this ruling in September 2005, 
retiring military have found the number of schools at which they would 
be eligible to teach drastically reduced.
  The Department's new interpretation locks out schools in many rural 
areas and small communities. This is a shame, especially given the 
success of this program and its ability to meet some of our Nation's 
greatest teaching needs. In my own State of Wisconsin, only 11 out of 
426 school districts qualify for participants to fulfill their teaching 
requirements. A 2006 Government Accountability Report, GAO, of the 
program found that the 2005 ruling had reduced interest and 
participation in the program, as schools in regions where troops lived 
were no longer considered eligible.
  Our amendment would correct this ruling and ensure that veterans 
participating in the Troops to Teachers program receive a $5,000 
stipend for teaching 3 years in any school that is in a district 
receiving Title 1 funds. This would result in a 49 percent increase in 
the number of schools eligible under the program. The amendment does 
not change the criteria for the additional $5,000 bonus, maintaining 
the incentive for troops to teach in the highest need schools.
  Let me be clear, as the language of H.R. 3943 would provide, it is 
the intent of this amendment to strike ``high need'' from the stipend 
participation language in the Troops to Teachers statute. There was a 
late night drafting error that mistakenly did not delete the term 
``high need'' as was contemplated and is consistent with the language 
in H.R. 3943. So as this provision is finalized in conference, it is 
important that this technical change be made to implement the original 
intent of the amendment.
  The amendment also makes the Troops to Teachers Program more 
accessible by reducing the length of service requirements for active 
military. The make-up of our military has drastically changed since 
this program was first authorized 16 years ago. Many of our young men 
and women returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan who would like 
to pursue teaching careers are currently ineligible for the program.
  Third, to ensure continued success of the program the amendment 
creates an advisory board charged with improving awareness, increasing 
participation and ensuring the program meets the needs of schools and 
veterans.
  Earlier this year, Representatives Courtney, Matsui and I introduced 
H.R. 3943, the Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act, that 
contains these needed improvements to the program. This bill has 169 
bipartisan cosponsors and the support of both military and educational 
organizations. These include: the American Legion, National Education 
Association, Association of the United States Army, Association of the 
United States Navy, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National 
Association of the State Boards of Education and many more.
  Finally, our amendment transfers the Troops to Teachers Program back 
to the Department of Defense. Currently, the program is operated by the 
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, DANTES. The 
Department of Education simply transfers funds to DANTES. Both the 
Department of Defense and the Department of Education support this 
transfer, which is reflected in the Administration's Fiscal Year 2011 
budget request.
  I want to thank Representative Courtney and Representative Matsui for 
their work on this amendment, as well as both the Armed Services and 
Education and Labor Committees for their assistance. I urge my 
colleagues to support the amendment.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered 
by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from 
Missouri will be postponed.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.
  The motion was agreed to.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
Deutch) having assumed the chair, Mr. Schrader, Acting Chair of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that 
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5136) to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths 
for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution 
thereon.

[[Page H4077]]



                          ____________________