[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 90 (Monday, June 8, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3866-S3885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 1795. Mr. SCHUMER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. PROHIBITION ON POWDERED ALCOHOL.

       Title I of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 
     U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 118. POWDERED ALCOHOL.

       ``(a) Designation of Certain Chemicals.--The Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of 
     Food and Drugs, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, shall by rule designate any chemical that may be 
     used to convert alcohol in liquid form to alcohol in powder 
     form.
       ``(b) Prohibited Activity.--
       ``(1) Definition.--In this section, the term `powdered 
     alcohol' means any alcohol combined with a chemical 
     designated under subsection (a).
       ``(2) Offense.--It shall be unlawful to make, sell, 
     distribute, or possess powdered alcohol.
       ``(3) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (2) shall 
     be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned for not more than 1 
     year, or both.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1796. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1005. SENSE OF SENATE ON FINDING EFFICIENCIES WITHIN THE 
                   WORKING CAPITAL FUND ACTIVITIES OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

       It is the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Defense 
     should, through the military departments, continue to find 
     efficiencies within the working capital fund activities of 
     the Department of Defense with specific emphasis on 
     optimizing the existing workload plans of such activities to 
     ensure a strong organic industrial base workforce.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1797. Ms. HIRONO (for herself and Mr. Wyden) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 314. PLAN TO ENHANCE MISSION READINESS THROUGH GREATER 
                   ENERGY SECURITY AT CRITICAL MILITARY 
                   INSTALLATIONS.

       (a) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2016, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional 
     defense committees a report with a plan for integrating 
     energy storage, micro-grid technologies, and on-site power 
     generation systems at military installations at risk of 
     interruptions of power due to geographic location, dependence 
     on connections to the electric grid, or other factors 
     determined by the Secretary.
       (b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall 
     be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a 
     classified annex as necessary.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1798. Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Murphy, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Ms. Baldwin, and Mrs. Murray) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to 
the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 608. TREATMENT OF RECEIPT OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING 
                   UNDER NUTRITION PROGRAMS.

       Section 403(k) of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) In determining the eligibility to participate in the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program, the Family 
     Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) program, and other 
     Federal nutrition programs, the value of a housing allowance 
     under this section shall be excluded from any calculation of 
     income, assets, or resources.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1799. Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Wyden, Mr. 
Markey, and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 
1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the end of division A, add the following:

 TITLE XVII--WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

     SEC. 1701. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Legal Justice for 
     Servicemembers Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 1702. IMPROVEMENTS TO WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION 
                   PROCEDURES.

       (a) Actions Treatable as Prohibited Personnel Actions.--
     Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of section 1034 of title 10, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2)(A) The actions considered for purposes of this 
     section to be a personnel action prohibited by this 
     subsection shall include any action prohibited by paragraph 
     (1), including the threat to take any unfavorable action, the 
     withholding or threat to withhold any favorable action, 
     making or threatening to make a significant change in the 
     duties or responsibilities of a member of the armed forces 
     not commensurate with the member's grade, a retaliatory 
     investigation, and the failure of a superior to respond to 
     retaliatory action or harassment by one or more subordinates 
     taken against a member of which the superior knew or should 
     have known.
       ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `retaliatory 
     investigation' means an investigation requested, directed, 
     initiated, or conducted for the primary purpose of punishing, 
     harassing, or ostracizing a member for making a protected 
     communication.
       ``(C) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit 
     the ability of a commander to consult with a superior in the 
     chain of command, an inspector general, or a judge advocate 
     general on the disposition of a complaint against a member of 
     the armed forces for an allegation of collateral misconduct 
     or for a matter unrelated to a protected communication. Such 
     consultation shall provide an affirmative defense against an 
     allegation that a member requested, directed, initiated, or 
     conducted a retaliatory investigation under this section.''.
       (b) Temporary Stay of Personnel Actions.--Subsection (c)(4) 
     of such section is further amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
     and
       (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
     subparagraph (E):
       ``(E)(i) If the Inspector General makes a preliminary 
     determination in an investigation under subparagraph (D) that 
     there are reasonable grounds to believe that a personnel 
     action prohibited by subsection (b) has occurred and the 
     personnel action will

[[Page S3867]]

     result in an immediate hardship to the member alleging the 
     personnel action, the Inspector General may impose a stay of 
     the personnel action of not more than 90 days in order to 
     prevent undue hardship to the member.
       ``(ii) If the Inspector General has not completed the 
     investigation described in clause (i) upon the expiration of 
     the stay of the personnel action with respect to a member 
     imposed by the Inspector General under that clause, the 
     Secretary of the military department concerned or the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, as applicable, may continue 
     the stay of the personnel action with respect to the member 
     for such additional time as is required for the completion of 
     the investigation by the Inspector General.''.
       (c) Periodic Notice to Members on Progress of Inspector 
     General Investigations.--Paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of 
     such section is amended to read as follows:
       ``(3)(A) Not later than 180 days after the commencement of 
     an investigation of an allegation under subsection (c)(4), 
     and every 180 days thereafter until the transmission of the 
     report on the investigation under paragraph (1) to the member 
     concerned, the Inspector General conducting the investigation 
     shall submit a notice on the investigation described in 
     subparagraph (B) to the following:
       ``(i) The member.
       ``(ii) The Secretary of Defense.
       ``(iii) The Secretary of the military department concerned, 
     or the Secretary of Homeland Security in the case of a member 
     of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a 
     service in the Navy.
       ``(B) Each notice on an investigation under subparagraph 
     (A) shall include the following:
       ``(i) A description of the current progress of the 
     investigation.
       ``(ii) An estimate of the time remaining until the 
     completion of the investigation and the transmittal of the 
     report required by paragraph (1) to the member concerned.''.
       (d) Actions in Case of Violations.--Subsection (f)(2) of 
     such section is amended--
       (1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
     following new subparagraph (A):
       ``(A) order such action as is necessary to correct the 
     record of a personnel action prohibited by subsection (b), 
     including referring the report to the appropriate board for 
     the correction of military records;'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding after subparagraph (B) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(C) submit to the Inspector General a report on the 
     actions taken by the Secretary pursuant to this paragraph, 
     and include a summary of the report under this subparagraph 
     (with any personally identifiable information redacted) in 
     the semiannual report to Congress of the Inspector General of 
     the Department of Defense or the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Homeland Security, as applicable, under section 
     5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).''.
       (e) Correction of Records.--Subsection (g) of such section 
     is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as 
     paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) In resolving an application described in paragraph 
     (1) for which there is a report of the Inspector General 
     under subsection (e)(1), a correction board--
       ``(A) shall review the report of the Inspector General;
       ``(B) may request the Inspector General to gather further 
     evidence;
       ``(C) may receive oral argument, examine and cross-examine 
     witnesses, and take depositions; and
       ``(D) shall consider a request by a member or former member 
     in determining whether to hold an evidentiary hearing.''.
       (f) Uniform Standards for Inspector General Investigations 
     of Prohibited Personnel Actions and Other Matters.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Defense shall prescribe uniform standards for 
     the following:
       (A) The investigation of allegations of prohibited 
     personnel actions under section 1034 of title 10, United 
     States Code (as amended by this section), by the Inspector 
     General and the Inspectors General of the military 
     departments.
       (B) The training of the staffs of the Inspectors General 
     referred to in subparagraph (A) on the conduct of 
     investigations described in that subparagraph.
       (2) Use.--Commencing 180 days after prescription of the 
     standards required by paragraph (1), the Inspectors General 
     referred to in that paragraph shall comply with such 
     standards in the conduct of investigations described in that 
     paragraph and in the training of the staffs of such 
     Inspectors General in the conduct of such investigations.

     SEC. 1703. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE 
                   CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS.

       (a) Procedures of Boards.--Paragraph (3) of section 1552(a) 
     of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(3)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(B) If a board makes a preliminary determination that a 
     claim under this section lacks sufficient information or 
     documents to support the claim, the board shall notify the 
     claimant, in writing, indicating the specific information or 
     documents necessary to make the claim complete and reviewable 
     by the board.
       ``(C) If a claimant is unable to provide military personnel 
     or medical records applicable to a claim under this section, 
     the board shall make reasonable efforts to obtain the 
     records. A claimant shall provide the board with documentary 
     evidence of the efforts of the claimant to obtain such 
     records. The board shall inform the claimant of the results 
     of the board's efforts, and shall provide the claimant copies 
     of any records so obtained upon request of the claimant.
       ``(D) Any request for reconsideration of a determination of 
     a board under this section, no matter when filed, shall be 
     reconsidered by a board under this section if supported by 
     materials not previously presented to or considered by the 
     board in making such determination.''.
       (b) Judicial Review of Determinations of Boards.--Paragraph 
     (4) of such section is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(4)'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by inserting 
     ``or subject to review or appeal as described in subparagraph 
     (B)'' after ``Except when procured by fraud''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) A claimant may seek judicial review of a 
     determination of a board under this section in an appropriate 
     court of the United States. The scope of judicial review 
     under this subparagraph shall be as specified in section 706 
     of title 5.''.
       (c) Publication of Final Decisions of Boards.--Such section 
     is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(5) Each final decision of a board under this subsection 
     shall be made available to the public in electronic form on a 
     centralized Internet website. In any decision so made 
     available to the public there shall be redacted all 
     personally identifiable information.''.
       (d) Training of Members of Boards.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned shall 
     develop and implement a comprehensive training curriculum for 
     members of boards for the correction of military records 
     under the jurisdiction of such Secretary in the duties of 
     such boards under section 1552 of title 10, United States 
     Code. The curriculum shall address all areas of 
     administrative law applicable to the duties of such boards.
       (2) Uniform curricula.--The Secretary of Defense and the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly ensure that the 
     curricula developed and implemented pursuant to this 
     subsection are, to the extent practicable, uniform.
       (3) Training.--
       (A) In general.--Each member of a board for the correction 
     of military records shall undergo retraining (consistent with 
     the curriculum developed and implemented pursuant to this 
     subsection) regarding the duties of boards for the correction 
     of military records under section 1552 of title 10, United 
     States Code, at least once every five years during the 
     member's tenure on the board.
       (B) Current members.--Each member of a board for the 
     correction of military records as of the date of the 
     implementation of the curriculum required by paragraph (1) 
     (in this paragraph referred to as the ``curriculum 
     implementation date'') shall undergo training described in 
     subparagraph (A) not later than 90 days after the curriculum 
     implementation date.
       (C) New members.--Each individual who becomes a member of a 
     board for the correction of military records after the 
     curriculum implementation date shall undergo training 
     described in subparagraph (A) by not later than 90 days after 
     the date on which such individual becomes a member of the 
     board.
       (4) Reports.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned shall 
     submit to Congress a report setting forth the following:
       (A) A description and assessment of the progress made by 
     such Secretary in implementing training requirements for 
     members of boards for the correction of military records 
     under the jurisdiction of such Secretary.
       (B) A detailed description of the training curriculum 
     required of such Secretary by paragraph (1).
       (C) A description and assessment of any impediments to the 
     implementation of training requirements for members of boards 
     for the correction of military records under the jurisdiction 
     of such Secretary.
       (5) Secretary concerned defined.--In this subsection, the 
     term ``Secretary concerned'' means a ``Secretary concerned'' 
     as that term is used in section 1552 of title 10, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 1704. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REVIEW OF 
                   INTEGRITY OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
                   WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
     the United States shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
     Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
     report setting forth a review of the integrity of the 
     Department of Defense whistleblower program.
       (b) Elements.--The review for purposes of the report 
     required by subsection (a) shall include the following 
     elements:

[[Page S3868]]

       (1) An assessment of the extent to which the Department of 
     Defense whistleblower program meets Executive branch policies 
     and goals for whistleblower protections.
       (2) A determination and assessment of the causes and 
     impacts of the situation in which some employees in the 
     Office of the Inspector General of the Department Defense 
     believed they could not disclose a suspected violation of 
     law, rule, or regulation without fear of reprisal, as 
     determined in a recent review of the Comptroller General.
       (3) An assessment of the extent to which there have been 
     violations of standards used in regard to the protection of 
     confidentiality provided to whistleblowers by the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Defense.
       (4) An assessment of the extent to which there have been 
     incidents of retaliatory investigations against 
     whistleblowers within the Office of the Inspector General.
       (5) An assessment of the extent to which the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Defense has thoroughly 
     investigated and substantiated allegations within the past 10 
     years against civilian officials of the Department of Defense 
     appointed to their positions by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate, and whether Congress has been notified 
     of the results of such investigations.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1800. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 132, strike lines 21 through 26.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1801. Mr. JOHNSON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE 
                   FEDERAL VACANCIES REFORM ACT OF 1998 WITH 
                   RESPECT TO INSPECTORS GENERAL.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) There are 4 Presidentially-appointed Inspector General 
     vacancies for which a nomination is not pending before the 
     Senate.
       (2) Sections 3345 through 3349d of title 5, United States 
     Code, (in this section referred to as the ``Federal Vacancies 
     Reform Act of 1998'') prohibit an acting officer from serving 
     in that position for longer than 210 days.
       (3) Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, the 
     actions of an acting officer serving beyond the 210-day 
     period ``shall have no force or effect'', but this does not 
     apply to an acting Inspector General.
       (4) The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 provides an 
     exception to the enforcement clause for acting Inspectors 
     General to ensure a President cannot leave a watchdog in 
     place who has no power or authority and therefore provides no 
     mechanism to enforce the 210-day limit for acting Inspectors 
     General.
       (5) For 6 of the 7 Presidentially-appointed Inspector 
     General vacancies, the individual serving in the office in an 
     acting capacity has been serving for more than 210 days, in 
     violation of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that--
       (1) the President should comply with the Federal Vacancies 
     Reform Act of 1998 and fill vacancies of Presidentially-
     appointed positions, including Inspectors General, within 210 
     days of the position becoming vacant; and
       (2) the President cannot avoid this requirement merely by 
     changing the title of an acting officer if that officer still 
     retains the same or substantially similar duties as an acting 
     officer in that office.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1802. Mr. JOHNSON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING NOMINATING A PERMANENT 
                   INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) There are 4 Presidentially-appointed Inspector General 
     vacancies for which a nomination is not pending before the 
     Senate.
       (2) It is vital that Offices of Inspectors General remain 
     independent.
       (3) In the absence of a permanent Inspector General, an 
     Office of Inspector General is run by an acting Inspector 
     General who, no matter how qualified or well-intentioned, is 
     not granted the same protections afforded to an Inspector 
     General who is confirmed by the Senate, as the acting 
     Inspector General--
       (A) is not truly independent;
       (B) may be removed by the head of the agency at any time;
       (C) only serves temporarily and does not drive the policy 
     of the Office; and
       (D) is at a greater risk of compromising the work of the 
     Office to appease the agency or the President.
       (4) One of the current Presidentially-appointed Inspector 
     General vacancies is the Inspector General of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs, which has been vacant since December 31, 
     2013.
       (5) The acting Inspector General of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, who has served in the position since 
     December 31, 2013, is not properly independent from the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, is unresponsive to Congress, 
     lacks transparency to the public, and has lost the trust of 
     whistleblowers at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the President should nominate a permanent Inspector General 
     of the Department of Veterans Affairs not later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1803. Mr. JOHNSON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN 
                   RECONSTRUCTION.

       The application of the provisions of section 8L of the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) pursuant to the 
     commencement of Operation Freedom's Sentinel shall not be 
     construed to remove or impede the authority of the Office of 
     the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction 
     (commonly known as ``SIGAR'') under the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) or as established under section 1229 
     of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2008 (Public Law 110-81; 122 Stat. 378).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1804. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 622, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) An unclassified assessment, with a classified annex as 
     necessary, of the facilitation of terrorist activities and 
     operations of foreign fighters through use of social media 
     platforms by the organizations referred to in paragraph (1).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1805. Mr. SESSIONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       After subsection (a) of section 1227, insert the following:
       (b) Department of Defense Concurrence.--- Section 
     602(b)(2)(D) of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 
     U.S.C. 1001 note) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(iii) Written concurrence by the department of defense.--
     After obtaining the approval from the Chief of Mission under 
     clause (i), but prior to the alien's admission to the United 
     States, the alien shall obtain the written concurrence of the 
     Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, 
     Pakistan, and Central Asia, or the written concurrence of the 
     Commander of United States Forces-Afghanistan. Such written

[[Page S3869]]

     concurrence shall include an attestation that the Deputy 
     Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and 
     Central Asia, or the Commander of United States Forces-
     Afghanistan, has personally and independently reviewed the 
     alien's application, and has no concerns regarding the 
     admission of the alien or the dependents of the alien to the 
     United States, or regarding the future danger the alien or 
     the dependents of the alien may pose to the United States 
     after admission.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1806. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 441, between lines 15 and 16, insert the following:
       (3) Required timelines.--The business case analysis 
     required under paragraph (1) shall include suggested 
     timelines for acquiring and implementing information 
     technology services pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of 
     paragraph (2)(A).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1807. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 622, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) An unclassified assessment of the facilitation of 
     terrorist activities and operations of foreign fighters 
     through use of social media platforms by the organizations 
     referred to in paragraph (1).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1808. Ms. AYOTTE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 643. BENEFITS FOR DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES WHO LOSE THEIR RIGHT TO RETIRED PAY FOR 
                   REASONS OTHER THAN DEPENDENT ABUSE.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Families Serve, Too, Military Justice Reform Act of 2015''.
       (b) In General.--Section 1408 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (i), (j), and (k) as 
     subsections (j), (k), and (l), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following new 
     subsection (i):
       ``(i) Benefits for Dependents of Members Losing Right to 
     Retired Pay for Misconduct Other Than Dependent Abuse.--
     (1)(A) If, in the case of a member or former member of the 
     armed forces referred to in paragraph (2)(A), a court order 
     provides (in the manner applicable to a division of property) 
     for the payment of an amount from the disposable retired pay 
     of that member or former member (as certified under paragraph 
     (4)) to an eligible spouse or former spouse of that member or 
     former member, the Secretary concerned, beginning upon 
     effective service of such court order, shall pay that amount 
     in accordance with this subsection to such spouse or former 
     spouse.
       ``(B) If, in the case of a member or former member of the 
     armed forces referred to in paragraph (2)(A), a court order 
     provides for the payment as child support of an amount from 
     the disposable retired pay of that member or former member 
     (as certified under paragraph (4)) to an eligible dependent 
     child of the member or former member, the Secretary 
     concerned, beginning upon effective service of such court 
     order, shall pay that amount in accordance with this 
     subsection to such dependent child.
       ``(2) A spouse or former spouse, or a dependent child, of a 
     member or former member of the armed forces is eligible to 
     receive payment under this subsection if--
       ``(A) the member or former member, while a member of the 
     armed forces and after becoming eligible to be retired from 
     the armed forces on the basis of years of service, has 
     eligibility to receive retired pay terminated as a result of 
     misconduct while a member (other than misconduct described in 
     subsection (h)(2)(A));
       ``(B) in the case of eligibility of a spouse or former 
     spouse under paragraph (1)(A), the spouse or former spouse--
       ``(i) either--
       ``(I) was married to the member or former member at the 
     time of the misconduct that resulted in the termination of 
     retired pay; or
       ``(II) was is receipt of marital support, alimony, or child 
     support from the member or former member as of the time of 
     the misconduct pursuant to a court order; and
       ``(ii) was not, based on the evidence adduced at trial, an 
     aider, abettor, accomplice, or co-conspirator in the 
     misconduct that resulted in the termination of retired pay, 
     as certified in writing to the convening authority by--
       ``(I) the military judge of the court-martial that resulted 
     in the termination of retired pay; or
       ``(II) the staff judge advocate of the convening authority; 
     and
       ``(C) in the case of eligibility of a dependent child under 
     paragraph (1)(B), the dependent child--
       ``(i) had not reached the age of 16 years at the time of 
     the misconduct that resulted in the termination of retired 
     pay; or
       ``(ii) had reached the age of 16 years at the time of the 
     misconduct and was not, based on the evidence adduced at 
     trial, an aider, abettor, accomplice, or co-conspirator in 
     the misconduct that resulted in the termination of retired 
     pay, as certified in writing to the convening authority by--
       ``(I) the military judge of the court-martial that resulted 
     in the termination of retired pay; or
       ``(II) the staff judge advocate of the convening authority.
       ``(3) The amount certified by the Secretary concerned under 
     paragraph (4) with respect to a member or former member of 
     the armed forces referred to in paragraph (2)(A) shall be 
     deemed to be the disposable retired pay of that member or 
     former member for the purposes of this subsection.
       ``(4) Upon the request of a court or an eligible spouse or 
     former spouse, or an eligible dependent child, of a member or 
     former member of the armed forces referred to in paragraph 
     (2)(A) in connection with a civil action for the issuance of 
     a court order in the case of that member or former member, 
     the Secretary concerned shall determine and certify the 
     amount of the monthly retired pay that the member or former 
     member would have been entitled to receive as of the date of 
     the certification--
       ``(A) if the member or former member's eligibility for 
     retired pay had not been terminated as described in paragraph 
     (2)(A); and
       ``(B) if, in the case of a member or former member not in 
     receipt of retired pay immediately before that termination of 
     eligibility for retired pay, the member or former member had 
     retired on the effective date of that termination of 
     eligibility.
       ``(5)(A) Paragraphs (5) through (8) and (10) of subsection 
     (h) shall apply to eligibility of former spouses to payments 
     under this subsection, court orders for the payment of 
     disposable retired pay under this subsection, amounts payable 
     under this subsection, and payments under this subsection in 
     the same manner as such paragraphs apply to such matters 
     under subsection (h).
       ``(B) If a spouse or former spouse or a dependent child 
     eligible or entitled to receive payments under this 
     subsection is eligible or entitled to receive benefits under 
     subsection (h), the eligibility or entitlement of that spouse 
     or former spouse or dependent child to such benefits shall be 
     determined under subsection (h) instead of this subsection.
       ``(6)(A) A spouse or former spouse of a member or former 
     member of the armed forces referred to in paragraph (2)(A), 
     while receiving payments in accordance with this subsection, 
     shall be entitled to receive medical and dental care, to use 
     commissary and exchange stores, and to receive any other 
     benefit that a spouse or a former spouse of a retired member 
     of the armed forces is entitled to receive on the basis of 
     being a spouse or former spouse, as the case may be, of a 
     retired member of the armed forces in the same manner as if 
     the member or former member referred to in paragraph (2)(A) 
     was entitled to retired pay.
       ``(B) A dependent child of a member or former member 
     referred to in paragraph (2)(A) who was a member of the 
     household of the member or former member at the time of the 
     misconduct described in paragraph (2)(A) shall be entitled to 
     receive medical and dental care, to use commissary and 
     exchange stores, and to have other benefits provided to 
     dependents of retired members of the armed forces in the same 
     manner as if the member or former member referred to in 
     paragraph (2)(A) was entitled to retired pay.
       ``(C) If a spouse or former spouse or a dependent child 
     eligible or entitled to receive a particular benefit under 
     this paragraph is eligible or entitled to receive that 
     benefit under another provision of law, the eligibility or 
     entitlement of that spouse or former spouse or dependent 
     child to such benefit shall be determined under such other 
     provision of law instead of this paragraph.
       ``(7) In this subsection, the term `dependent child', with 
     respect to a member or former member of the armed forces 
     referred to in paragraph (2)(A), has the meaning given that 
     term in subsection (h)(11).''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (f) of such section 
     is amended by striking ``subsection (i)'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``subsection (j)''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     and shall apply to a spouse or former spouse, or a dependent 
     child of a member or former member

[[Page S3870]]

     of the Armed Forces whose eligibility to receive retired pay 
     is terminated on or after that date as a result of misconduct 
     while a member.
       (e) Offset.--$57,000,000 of the National Defense Function 
     (050) of unobligated balances from fees collected to defray 
     expenses for the automation of fingerprint identification and 
     criminal justice information services and associated costs of 
     the Federal Bureau of Investigation is hereby permanently 
     cancelled and shall be transferred to the General Fund of the 
     Treasury.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1809. Mr. DAINES submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 10__. CORPS OF ENGINEERS PROJECT REVIEW PROCESS.

       The Corps of Engineers shall not make any determination 
     regarding usual and accustomed fishing places in connection 
     with the Gateway Pacific Terminal project until after the 
     Corps issues a final environmental impact statement required 
     under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) that analyzes the potential impacts from 
     the construction and operation of the proposed project 
     required by the ``Memorandum For the Record, U.S. Army Corps 
     of Engineers Scope of Analysis and Extent of Impact 
     Evaluation for National Environmental Policy Act 
     Environmental Impact Statement'' (dated July 3, 2013).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1810. Mr. HATCH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEFINITION OF AND 
                   POLICY REGARDING SOFTWARE SUSTAINMENT.

       (a) Report on Assessment of Definition and Policy.--Not 
     later than March 15, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the congressional defense committees and the 
     President pro tempore of the Senate a report setting forth an 
     assessment, obtained by the Secretary for purposes of the 
     report, on the definition used by the Department of Defense 
     for and the policy of the Department regarding software 
     maintenance, particularly with respect to the totality of the 
     term ``software sustainment'' in the definition of ``depot-
     level maintenance and repair'' under section 2460 of title 
     10, United States Code.
       (b) Independent Assessment.--The assessment obtained for 
     purposes of subsection (a) shall be conducted by a federally 
     funded research and development center (FFRDC), or another 
     appropriate independent entity with expertise in matters 
     described in subsection (a), selected by the Secretary for 
     purposes of the assessment.
       (c) Elements.--
       (1) In general.--The assessment obtained for purposes of 
     subsection (a) shall address, with respect to software and 
     weapon systems of the Department of Defense (including space 
     systems), each of the following:
       (A) Fiscal ramifications of current programs with regard to 
     the size, scope, and cost of software to the program's 
     overall budget, including embedded and support software, 
     percentage of weapon systems' functionality controlled by 
     software, and reliance on proprietary data, processes, and 
     components.
       (B) Legal status of the Department in regards to adhering 
     to section 2464(a)(1) of such title with respect to ensuring 
     a ready and controlled source of maintenance (sustainment) on 
     software for its weapon systems.
       (C) Operational risks and reduction to materiel readiness 
     of current Department weapon systems related to software 
     costs, delays, re-work, integration and functional testing, 
     defects, and documentation errors.
       (2) Additional matters.--For each of subparagraphs (A) 
     through (C) of paragraph (1), the assessment obtained for 
     purposes of subsection (a) shall include review and analysis 
     regarding sole-source contracts, range of competition, rights 
     in technical data, public and private capabilities, 
     integration lab initial costs and sustaining operations, and 
     total obligation authority costs of software, disaggregated 
     by armed service, for the Department.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1811. Mr. HATCH (for himself and Mr. Inhofe) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

       On page 375, line 4, insert ``, which includes a 
     sustainment strategy,'' after ``strategy''.
       On page 377, line 13, strike ``(d) In this section'' and 
     insert the following:
       ``(9) A sustainment strategy which includes all aspects of 
     the total life cycle management of the weapon system, 
     including product support, logistics, product support 
     engineering, supply chain integration, maintenance, 
     acquisition logistics, and all aspects of software 
     sustainment.
       ``(d) Independent Cost Estimate.--The Director of Cost 
     Analysis and Program Evaluation shall perform an evaluation 
     of the sustainment portion of the acquisition strategy 
     required by subsection (c)(9) prior to the Milestone B 
     decision.
       ``(e) In this section
       On page 410, after line 21, add the following:

     SEC. 852. SUSTAINMENT ENHANCEMENT.

       (a) Assessment Expansion of Functions of Assistant 
     Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness to 
     Include Sustainment Functions.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
     a report setting forth an assessment of the feasibility and 
     advisability of--
       (1) assigning to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
     Logistics and Materiel Readiness--
       (A) functions relating to the sustainment strategy required 
     under section 2431a(c)(9) of Title 10, United States Code, as 
     added by section 841 of this Act; and
       (B) functions relating to manufacturing and industrial base 
     policy currently being carried out within the Office of the 
     Secretary of Defense; and
       (2) redesignating such Assistant Secretary (with such 
     functions so assigned and together with the current logistics 
     and material readiness functions of such Assistant Secretary) 
     as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that --
       (1) the Department of Defense does not place sufficient 
     emphasis on sustainment of a weapon system during the entire 
     acquisition process; and
       (2) the Department of Defense should address this 
     deficiency and ensure that all aspect of weapon system 
     sustainment are carefully considered throughout the entire 
     Integrated Defense Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics 
     Life Cycle Management System.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1812. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. PRIORITY ENROLLMENT FOR VETERANS IN CERTAIN 
                   COURSES OF EDUCATION.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 36 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 3680A the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 3680B. Priority enrollment in certain courses

       ``(a) In General.--With respect to an educational 
     assistance program provided for in chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 
     35 of this title or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, if an 
     educational institution administers a priority enrollment 
     system that allows certain students to enroll in courses 
     earlier than other students, the Secretary or a State 
     approving agency may not approve a program of education 
     offered by such institution unless such institution allows a 
     covered individual to enroll in courses at the earliest 
     possible time pursuant to such priority enrollment system.
       ``(b) Covered Individual Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `covered individual' means an individual using 
     educational assistance under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of 
     this title or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, including--
       ``(1) a veteran;
       ``(2) a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty 
     or a member of a reserve component (including the National 
     Guard);
       ``(3) a dependent to whom such assistance has been 
     transferred pursuant to section 3319 of this title; and
       ``(4) any other individual using such assistance.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 3680A the following new item:

``3680B. Priority enrollment in certain courses.''.

[[Page S3871]]

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1813. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. EXPANSION OF YELLOW RIBBON G.I. EDUCATION 
                   ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 3317(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``in paragraphs (1) and (2)'' 
     and inserting ``in paragraphs (1), (2), and (9)''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to academic years beginning after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1814. Mr. BROWN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 236. EXPANSION OF EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT 
                   TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TRANSITION.

       Section 2194(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after ``mathematics,'' the following: 
     ``technology transfer or transition,''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1815. Mr. BROWN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. __. GUIDANCE ON PROCESSING OF REQUESTS FOR EARLY 
                   SEPARATION FROM THE ARMED FORCES FOR MEMBERS 
                   PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAMS OF PUBLIC AND 
                   COMMUNITY SERVICE AFTER SEPARATION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall issue 
     guidance, consistent with the goals specified under section 
     1143a of title 10, United States Code, to the Secretaries of 
     the military departments regarding discharge or release from 
     active duty in the Armed Forces by eligible members who have 
     been accepted into a public and community service program.
       (b) Eligibility for Early Separation.--For purposes of this 
     section, a member of the Armed Forces is eligible for an 
     early separation from the Armed Forces to participate in a 
     program of public and community service if the member--
       (1) is not essential to the performance of the mission of 
     the command to which assigned (as determined by the commander 
     of that command);
       (2) demonstrates that the date on which the member is 
     expected to be discharged or released from active duty in the 
     Armed Forces is within 90 days after the date of commencement 
     of participation in such a program (including participation 
     in training for such program);
       (3) clearly establishes that the specific public and 
     community service program for which the member seeks early 
     separation meets the requirements of the definition specified 
     in subsection (c);
       (4) clearly establishes that a delay of program enrollment 
     would cause undue hardship; and
       (5) provides a statement from an appropriate program 
     official indicating acceptance into the program and 
     reflecting that the latest acceptable date for commencement 
     of participation in the program (including participation in 
     training for such program) falls within the 90-day period 
     preceding the date described in paragraph (2).
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Active duty.--The term ``active duty'' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Public and community service.--The term ``public and 
     community service'' means such service, within the meaning of 
     section 1143a of title 10, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1816. Mr. BROWN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL OF 
                   EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR PURPOSES OF 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED 
                   BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Automatic Approval by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of 
     Degree Programs Approved by Secretary of Education.--Clause 
     (i) of section 3672(b)(2)(A) of title 38, United States Code, 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) A course that is described by section 3675(a) of this 
     title.''.
       (b) Approval by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of Non-Degree 
     Programs Approved by Secretary of Education.--
       (1) In general.--Section 3675 of such title is amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (a); and
       (B) by inserting before subsection (b), the following new 
     subsection (a):
       ``(a) The Secretary or a State approving agency may only 
     approve a course when such course is an eligible program (as 
     defined in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1088)) offered by an institution of higher 
     education (as defined in section 102 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1002)) that has entered into, and is complying with, a 
     program participation agreement under section 487 of such Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 1094).''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--Such title is amended--
       (A) in section 3452(g), by striking ``under the provisions 
     of section 3675 of this title'';
       (B) in section 3501(11), by striking ``under the provisions 
     of section 3675 of this title''; and
       (C) in the heading for section 3675, by striking 
     ``accredited courses'' and inserting ``courses approved by 
     Secretary of Education''.
       (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 3675 and inserting the following 
     new item:

``3675. Approval of courses approved by Secretary of Education.''.

       (c) Approval by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of Non-Degree 
     Programs Not Approved by Secretary of Education.--
       (1) In general.--Subsection (a) of section 3676 of such 
     title is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) No course of education which has not been approved by 
     the Secretary or a State approving agency under section 3675 
     of this title shall be approved for the purposes of this 
     chapter unless--
       ``(1) the course--
       ``(A) does not lead to an associate or higher degree;
       ``(B) was not an eligible program (as defined in section 
     481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088)) at 
     any time during the most recent two-year period; and
       ``(C) is a course that the Secretary or State approving 
     agency determines, in accordance with this section and such 
     regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe and on a case-
     by-case basis, that approval of which would further the 
     purposes of this chapter or any of chapters 30 through 35 of 
     this title; and
       ``(2) the educational institution offering such course 
     submits to the appropriate State approving agency a written 
     application for approval of such course in accordance with 
     the provisions of this chapter.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 3676 of such title is 
     amended--
       (A) in the heading for such section, by striking 
     ``nonaccredited courses'' and inserting ``courses not 
     approved by Secretary of Education''; and
       (B) in subsection (c), in the matter before paragraph (1), 
     by striking ``non-accredited''.
       (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 3676 and inserting the following 
     new item:

``3676. Approval of courses not approved by Secretary of Education.''.

       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on August 1, 2015.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1817. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

[[Page S3872]]

     SEC. 1085. PROHIBITION ON USE BY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF 
                   REVENUES DERIVED FROM EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
                   FURNISHED UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY SECRETARY 
                   OF DEFENSE FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING, OR 
                   RECRUITING.

       (a) In General.--As a condition on the receipt of 
     Department of Defense educational assistance funds, an 
     institution of higher education, or other postsecondary 
     educational institution, may not use revenues derived from 
     Department of Defense educational assistance funds for 
     recruiting or marketing activities described in subsection 
     (b).
       (b) Covered Activities.--Except as provided in subsection 
     (c), the recruiting and marketing activities subject to 
     subsection (a) shall include the following:
       (1) Advertising and promotion activities, including paid 
     announcements in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, 
     billboards, electronic media, naming rights, or any other 
     public medium of communication, including paying for displays 
     or promotions at job fairs, military installations, or 
     college recruiting events.
       (2) Efforts to identify and attract prospective students, 
     either directly or through a contractor or other third party, 
     including contact concerning a prospective student's 
     potential enrollment or application for grant, loan, or work 
     assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) or participation in preadmission or 
     advising activities, including--
       (A) paying employees responsible for overseeing enrollment 
     and for contacting potential students in-person, by phone, by 
     email, or by other internet communications regarding 
     enrollment; and
       (B) soliciting an individual to provide contact information 
     to an institution of higher education, including Internet 
     websites established for such purpose and funds paid to third 
     parties for such purpose.
       (3) Such other activities as the Secretary of Defense may 
     prescribe, including paying for promotion or sponsorship of 
     education or military-related associations.
       (c) Exceptions.--Any activity that is required as a 
     condition of receipt of funds by an institution under title 
     IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et 
     seq.), is specifically authorized under such title, or is 
     otherwise specified by the Secretary of Education, shall not 
     be considered to be a covered activity under paragraph (2).
       (d) Department of Defense Educational Assistance Funds.--In 
     this section, the term ``Department of Defense educational 
     assistance funds'' means funds provided directly to an 
     institution or to a student attending such institution under 
     any of the following provisions of law:
       (1) Chapter 101, 105, 106A, 1606, 1607, or 1608 of title 
     10, United States Code.
       (2) Section 1784a, 2005, or 2007 of such title 10.
       (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed as a limitation on the use by an institution of 
     revenues derived from sources other than Department of 
     Defense educational assistance funds.
       (f) Reports.--As a condition on the receipt of Department 
     of Defense educational assistance funds, each institution of 
     higher education, or other postsecondary educational 
     institution, that derives revenues from Department of Defense 
     educational assistance funds shall submit to the Secretary of 
     Defense and to Congress each year a report that includes the 
     following:
       (1) The institution's expenditures on advertising, 
     marketing, and recruiting.
       (2) A verification from an independent auditor that the 
     institution is in compliance with the requirements of this 
     subsection.
       (3) A certification from the institution that the 
     institution is in compliance with the requirements of this 
     subsection.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1818. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. PROHIBITION ON USE BY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF 
                   REVENUES DERIVED FROM EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
                   FURNISHED UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY SECRETARY 
                   OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR 
                   ADVERTISING, MARKETING, OR RECRUITING.

       Section 3696 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e)(1) The Secretary shall not approve under this chapter 
     any course offered by an educational institution if the 
     educational institution uses for recruiting or marketing 
     activities described in paragraph (2) any revenue derived 
     from educational assistance furnished under any of the 
     following provisions of law:
       ``(A) Chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of this title.
       ``(B) Chapter 101, 105, 106A, 1606, 1607, or 1608 of title 
     10.
       ``(C) Section 1784a, 2005, or 2007 of title 10.
       ``(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the recruiting 
     and marketing activities subject to paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       ``(A) Advertising and promotion activities, including paid 
     announcements in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, 
     billboards, electronic media, naming rights, or any other 
     public medium of communication, including paying for displays 
     or promotions at job fairs, military installations, or 
     college recruiting events.
       ``(B) Efforts to identify and attract prospective students, 
     either directly or through a contractor or other third party, 
     including contact concerning a prospective student's 
     potential enrollment or application for grant, loan, or work 
     assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) or participation in preadmission or 
     advising activities, including--
       ``(i) paying employees responsible for overseeing 
     enrollment and for contacting potential students in-person, 
     by phone, by email, or by other internet communications 
     regarding enrollment; and
       ``(ii) soliciting an individual to provide contact 
     information to an institution of higher education, including 
     Internet websites established for such purpose and funds paid 
     to third parties for such purpose.
       ``(C) Such other activities as the Secretary may prescribe, 
     including paying for promotion or sponsorship of education or 
     military-related associations.
       ``(3) Any activity that is required as a condition of 
     receipt of funds by an institution under title IV of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), is 
     specifically authorized under such title, or is otherwise 
     specified by the Secretary of Education, shall not be 
     considered to be a covered activity under paragraph (2).
       ``(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as a 
     limitation on the use by an institution of revenues derived 
     from sources other than educational assistance furnished 
     under the provisions of law listed in paragraph (1).
       ``(5) The Secretary shall not approve under this chapter 
     any course offered by an educational institution that derives 
     revenue from educational assistance furnished under the 
     provisions of law listed in paragraph (1) unless the 
     educational institution submits to the Secretary and to 
     Congress each year a report that includes the following:
       ``(A) The institution's expenditures on advertising, 
     marketing, and recruiting.
       ``(B) A verification from an independent auditor that the 
     institution is in compliance with the requirements of this 
     subsection.
       ``(C) A certification from the institution that the 
     institution is in compliance with the requirements of this 
     subsection.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1819. Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. 1085. RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF FUNDS FOR RECRUITING 
                   AND MARKETING ACTIVITIES.

       Section 119 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (20 
     U.S.C. 1011m) is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and restrictions 
     on sources of funds for recruiting and marketing activities'' 
     after ``funds'';
       (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``subsections (a) 
     through (c)'' and inserting ``subsections (a), (b), (c), and 
     (e)'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
       (4) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
       ``(e) Restrictions on Sources of Funds for Recruiting and 
     Marketing Activities.--
       ``(1) In general.--An institution of higher education, or 
     other postsecondary educational institution, may not use 
     revenues derived from Federal educational assistance funds 
     for recruiting or marketing activities described in paragraph 
     (2).
       ``(2) Covered activities.--Except as provided in paragraph 
     (3), the recruiting and marketing activities subject to 
     paragraph (1) shall include the following:
       ``(A) Advertising and promotion activities, including paid 
     announcements in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, 
     billboards, electronic media, naming rights, or any other 
     public medium of communication, including paying for displays 
     or promotions at job fairs, military installations, or 
     college recruiting events.
       ``(B) Efforts to identify and attract prospective students, 
     either directly or through a contractor or other third party, 
     including contact concerning a prospective student's 
     potential enrollment or application for grant, loan, or work 
     assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20

[[Page S3873]]

     U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) or participation in preadmission or 
     advising activities, including--
       ``(i) paying employees responsible for overseeing 
     enrollment and for contacting potential students in-person, 
     by phone, by email, or by other internet communications 
     regarding enrollment; and
       ``(ii) soliciting an individual to provide contact 
     information to an institution of higher education, including 
     websites established for such purpose and funds paid to third 
     parties for such purpose.
       ``(C) Such other activities as the Secretary of Education 
     may prescribe, including paying for promotion or sponsorship 
     of education or military-related associations.
       ``(3) Exceptions.--Any activity that is required as a 
     condition of receipt of funds by an institution under title 
     IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et 
     seq.), is specifically authorized under such title, or is 
     otherwise specified by the Secretary of Education, shall not 
     be considered to be a covered activity under paragraph (2).
       ``(4) Federal educational assistance funds.--In this 
     subsection, the term `Federal educational assistance funds' 
     means funds provided directly to an institution or to a 
     student attending such institution under any of the following 
     provisions of law:
       ``(A) Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
       ``(B) Chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of title 38, United 
     States Code.
       ``(C) Chapter 101, 105, 106A, 1606, 1607, or 1608 of title 
     10, United States Code.
       ``(D) Section 1784a, 2005, or 2007 of title 10, United 
     States Code.
       ``(E) Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
     Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.).
       ``(F) The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 
     U.S.C. 3271 et seq.).
       ``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed as a limitation on the use by an institution of 
     revenues derived from sources other than Federal educational 
     assistance funds.
       ``(6) Reports.--Each institution of higher education, or 
     other postsecondary educational institution, that derives 65 
     percent or more of revenues from Federal educational 
     assistance funds shall report annually to the Secretary and 
     to Congress and shall include in such report--
       ``(A) the institution's expenditures on advertising, 
     marketing, and recruiting;
       ``(B) a verification from an independent auditor that the 
     institution is in compliance with the requirements of this 
     subsection; and
       ``(C) a certification from the institution that the 
     institution is in compliance with the requirements of this 
     subsection.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1820. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Mr. Murphy) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 102. OFFSET FOR FUNDING TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL BLACK 
                   HAWK UH-60M HELICOPTERS FOR PURPOSES OF ARMY 
                   NATIONAL GUARD MODERNIZATION.

       The aggregate amount authorized to be appropriated for 
     fiscal year 2016 by division A is hereby reduced by 
     $247,500,000, with the amount of the reduction to be achieved 
     through anticipated foreign currency gains in addition to any 
     other anticipated foreign currency gains specified in the 
     funding tables in division D.
       In the funding table in section 4101, in the item relating 
     to ``UH-60 BLACKHAWK M MODEL (MYP)'', strike the amount in 
     the Senate authorized column and insert ``1,683,445''.
       In the funding table in section 4101, insert below the item 
     relating to ``UH-60 BLACKHAWK M MODEL (MYP)'', as part of 
     line item no. 11, an item relating to ``ARNG Modernization--
     15 additional UH-60M aircraft'', with an amount of 
     ``[247,500]'' in the Senate authorized column.
       In the funding table in section 4101, in the item relating 
     to Total Aircraft Procurement, Army, strike the amount in the 
     Senate authorized column and insert ``5,962,857''.
       In the funding table in section 4101, in the item relating 
     to Total Procurement, strike the amount in the Senate 
     authorized column and insert ``112,095,077''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1821. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 540. RECEIPT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH PRIMARY 
                   MARINER DUTIES OF TRAINING THAT COMPLIES WITH 
                   NATIONAL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 2015 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
     (c) and (d), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
     subsection (b):
       ``(b) Members With Primary Mariner Duties.--(1) For 
     purposes of the program under this section, the Secretary of 
     Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall each 
     ensure that members of the armed forces with primary mariner 
     duties receive training that complies with national standards 
     and requirements under the International Convention on 
     Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping 
     (STCW).
       ``(2) The following shall comply with basic training 
     standards under national requirements and the International 
     Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and 
     Watchkeeping:
       ``(A) The recruit training provided to each member of the 
     armed forces.
       ``(B) The training provided to each member of the armed 
     forces who is assigned to a vessel.
       ``(3) Under the program, each member of the armed forces 
     who is assigned to a vessel of at least 100 gross tons (GRT) 
     in a deck or engineering career field shall be provided the 
     following:
       ``(A) A designated path to applicable credentials under the 
     national requirements and the International Convention on 
     Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping 
     consistent with the responsibilities of the position to which 
     assigned.
       ``(B) The opportunity, at Government expense, to attend 
     credentialing programs that provide merchant mariner training 
     not offered by the armed forces.
       ``(4)(A) For purposes of the program, the material 
     specified in subparagraph (B) shall be submitted to the 
     National Maritime Center of the Coast Guard for assessment of 
     the compliance of such material with national requirements 
     and the International Convention on Standards of Training, 
     Certification, and Watchkeeping.
       ``(B) The material specified in this subparagraph is as 
     follows:
       ``(i) The course material of each unclassified course for 
     members of the armed forces in marine navigation, leadership, 
     and operation and maintenance.
       ``(ii) The unclassified qualifications for assignment for 
     deck or engineering positions on waterborne vessels.
       ``(C) The National Maritime Center shall conduct 
     assessments of material for purposes of this paragraph. Such 
     assessments shall evaluate the suitability of material for 
     the service at sea addressed by such material and without 
     regard to the military pay grade of the intended 
     beneficiaries of such material.
       ``(D) If material submitted to the National Maritime Center 
     pursuant to this paragraphs is determined not to comply as 
     described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary offering such 
     material to members of the armed forces shall submit to the 
     Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives a report setting forth the actions to be 
     taken by such Secretary to bring such material into 
     compliance.''.
       (b) Additional Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--Each Secretary concerned shall establish, 
     for members of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of 
     such Secretary, procedures as follows:
       (A) Procedures by which members identify qualification gaps 
     in training and proficiency assessments and complete training 
     or assessments approved by the Coast Guard in addressing such 
     gaps.
       (B) Procedures by which members obtain service records of 
     any service at sea.
       (C) Procedures by which members may submit service records 
     of service at sea and other military qualifications to the 
     National Maritime Center for evaluation and issuance of a 
     Merchant Marine Credential.
       (D) Procedures by which members may obtain a medical 
     certificate for use in applications for Merchant Marine 
     Credentials.
       (2) Use of military drug test results in merchant marine 
     credential applications.--The Secretaries of the military 
     departments and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     jointly establish procedures by which the results of 
     appropriate drug tests administered to members of the Armed 
     Forces by the military departments may be used for purposes 
     of applications for Merchant Marine Credentials.
       (3) Secretary concerned defined.--In this subsection, the 
     term ``Secretary concerned'' has the meaning given that term 
     in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1822. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe

[[Page S3874]]

military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 622. POLICIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ON TRAVEL OF 
                   NEXT OF KIN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DIGNIFIED 
                   TRANSFER OF REMAINS OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                   OF DEFENSE WHO DIE OVERSEAS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) When deployed in combat and non-combat areas, members 
     of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department 
     of Defense are at risk of illness, injury, and death.
       (2) Invitational Travel Authorizations, more commonly known 
     as Invitational Travel Orders, for family members are 
     important to ensure that next of kin may travel to be at the 
     bedside of an ill or injured member of the Armed Forces 
     returning to the United States.
       (3) When a casualty occurs overseas, Invitational Travel 
     Authorizations ensure that next of kin are able to witness 
     the dignified transfer of remains at Dover Port Mortuary, 
     Delaware.
       (4) Department of Defense Instruction 1300.18 and the Joint 
     Federal Travel Regulations provide for Government funded 
     travel for next of kin to witness the dignified transfer of 
     remains at Dover Port Mortuary only when the casualty occurs 
     in a combat area, excluding deaths associated with other 
     operations or training, including humanitarian assistance and 
     disaster relief operations.
       (5) The Department of Defense Instruction and the Joint 
     Federal Travel Regulations do not reflect the realities and 
     risks of modern day deployment and contingency operations, 
     and do not provide relief for the families of members of the 
     Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department 
     involved in so-called ``phase zero operations''.
       (b) Review of Policies.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a 
     review of the current policies of the Department of Defense 
     on the travel for next of kin to participate in the dignified 
     transfer of remains of members of the Armed Forces and 
     civilian employees of the Department who die overseas.
       (2) Elements.--The review required by this subsection shall 
     include the following:
       (A) An assessment of the changes to Department instructions 
     and Federal regulations necessary to provide Government 
     funded travel to the next of kin to participate in the 
     dignified transfer of remains of members of the Armed Forces 
     and civilian employees of the Department who die overseas, 
     regardless whether the death occurred in a combat area or a 
     non-combat area.
       (B) An action plan and timeline for making the changes 
     described in subparagraph (A).
       (c) Modification of Policies.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), not 
     later than February 1, 2016, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     take appropriate actions to modify the policies of the 
     Department in order to provide Government funded travel for 
     the next of kin to participate in the dignified transfer of 
     remains of members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees 
     of the Department of Defense who die overseas, regardless 
     whether the death occurs in a combat area or a non-combat 
     area.
       (2) Exception.--The Secretary is not required to modify the 
     policies of the Department as described in paragraph (1) if, 
     by not later than March, 1, 2016, the Secretary certifies, in 
     writing, to the congressional defense committees that such 
     action is not in the best interest of the United States. The 
     certification shall include the following:
       (A) An assessment and reevaluation by the Secretary of the 
     rational for excluding the next of kin from Government funded 
     travel if the death of a member of the Armed Forces or 
     civilian employee of the Department overseas occurs in a non-
     combat area.
       (B) Recommendations for alternative plans to ensure that 
     the next of kin of members of the Armed Forces and civilian 
     employees of the Department who die overseas in a non-combat 
     area may participate in the dignified transfer of the remains 
     of the deceased at Dover Port Mortuary, including through the 
     actions of appropriate non-governmental organizations.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1823. Mr. SANDERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 222, strike line 17 and all that follows through 
     page 223, line 18, and insert the following:
       ``(3) Automatic and matching contributions.--
       ``(A) Automatic contributions.--The Secretary concerned 
     shall make a contribution described in section 8432(c)(1) 
     under this subsection for the benefit of a member described 
     in paragraph (1) for the first pay period beginning on or 
     after the date on which the member becomes a member described 
     in paragraph (1) (without regard to whether the member has 
     elected to make contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund 
     during such pay period) and each pay period thereafter during 
     which the member serves as a member of the uniformed 
     services.
       ``(B) Matching contributions.--The Secretary concerned 
     shall make a contribution described in section 8432(c)(2) 
     under this subsection for the benefit of a member described 
     in paragraph (1) for any pay period--
       ``(i) that begins on or after the date on which the member 
     becomes a member described in paragraph (1); and
       ``(ii) during which the member described in paragraph (1) 
     makes a contribution to the Thrift Savings Fund.
       On page 228, line 21, strike ``for'' and all that follows 
     through ``service'' on line 24.
       On page 231, line 25, strike ``for'' and all that follows 
     through ``service'' on page 232, line 3.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1824. Mr. SANDERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. OFFSET OF OCO FUNDING.

       (a) In General.--Section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 
     901(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``, as part of the 
     Act containing such a designation, includes 1 or more 
     provisions that increase revenue relative to the baseline for 
     each fiscal year to which the designation relates in a total 
     amount that is not less than the amount so designated under 
     the Act for that fiscal year,'' after ``account basis''.
       (b) Preventing Use for Other Offsets.--
       (1) In general.--Section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-
     Go-Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(d)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(7) Amounts used to offset oco funding.--Neither 
     scorecard maintained by OMB pursuant to this subsection shall 
     include new revenue under a provision in an Act designating 
     amounts as for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on 
     Terrorism for purposes of section 251(b)(2)(A) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 
     U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)), except to the extent the amount of the 
     new revenue for a fiscal year is more than the amount so 
     designated for that fiscal year.''.
       (2) Senate paygo scorecard.--The budgetary effects of new 
     revenue under a provision in an Act designating amounts as 
     for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism 
     for purposes of section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 
     901(b)(2)(A)), shall not be entered on any PAYGO scorecard 
     maintained for purposes of section 201 of S. Con. Res. 21 
     (110th Congress), except to the extent the amount of the new 
     revenue for a fiscal year is more than the amount so 
     designated for that fiscal year.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1825. Mrs. FISCHER (for herself and Mr. Booker) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for miitary construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

                  TITLE XXXV--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

     SEC. 3501. CADET COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS.

       Section 51306(a) of title 46, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``must'' and inserting ``shall'';
       (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) obtain a merchant mariner license, unlimited as to 
     horsepower or tonnage, issued by the United States Coast 
     Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United 
     States, accompanied by the appropriate national and 
     international endorsements and certifications required by the 
     Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and 
     international voyages, without limitation, before graduation 
     from the Academy;'';
       (3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) for at least 6 years after graduation from the 
     Academy, maintain--
       ``(A) a valid merchant mariner license, unlimited as to 
     horsepower or tonnage, issued by the United States Coast 
     Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United 
     States, accompanied by the appropriate national and 
     international endorsements and certifications required by the 
     Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and 
     international voyages, without limitation;

[[Page S3875]]

       ``(B) a valid transportation worker identification 
     credential; and
       ``(C) a United States Coast Guard medical certificate;''; 
     and
       (4) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
       ``(4) apply for, and accept if tendered, an appointment as 
     a commissioned officer in the Navy Reserve (including the 
     Strategic Sealift Officer Program, Navy Reserve), the Coast 
     Guard Reserve, or any other reserve component of an armed 
     force of the United States, and, if tendered the appointment, 
     to serve, meet the participation requirements, and maintain 
     active status in good standing, as determined by the program 
     manager of the appropriate military service, for at least 8 
     years after the date of commissioning;''.

     SEC. 3502. STUDENT INCENTIVE PAYMENT AGREEMENTS.

       Section 51509 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``(3) Authorized uses.--'' before the last 
     sentence and indenting accordingly;
       (B) in the matter preceding paragraph (3), by striking 
     ``Payments'' and inserting ``(1) In general.--Except as 
     provided in paragraph (2), payments'' and indenting 
     accordingly; and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1), the following:
       ``(2) Exception.--The Secretary may modify the payments 
     made to an individual under paragraph (1), but the total 
     amount of payments to that individual may not exceed 
     $32,000.'';
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``Merchant Marine 
     Reserve'' and inserting ``Strategic Sealift Officer 
     Program'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) obtain a merchant mariner license, without limitation 
     as to tonnage or horsepower, from the United States Coast 
     Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United 
     States, accompanied by the appropriate national and 
     international endorsements and certification required by the 
     Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and 
     international voyages, without limitation, within three 
     months of completion of the course of instruction at the 
     academy the individual is attending;'';
       (B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) for at least 6 years after graduation from the 
     academy, maintain--
       ``(A) a valid merchant mariner license, unlimited as to 
     horsepower or tonnage, issued by the United States Coast 
     Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United 
     States, accompanied by the appropriate national and 
     international endorsements and certifications required by the 
     Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and 
     international voyages, without limitation;
       ``(B) a valid transportation worker identification 
     credential; and
       ``(C) a United States Coast Guard medical certificate;'' 
     and
       (C) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
       ``(4) apply for, and accept, if tendered, an appointment as 
     a commissioned officer in the Navy Reserve (including the 
     Strategic Sealift Officer Program, Navy Reserve), the Coast 
     Guard Reserve, or any other reserve component of an armed 
     force of the United States, and, if tendered the appointment, 
     to serve and meet the participation requirements and to 
     maintain active status in good standing, as determined by the 
     program manager of the appropriate military service, for at 
     least 8 years after the date of commissioning;'';
       (4) by amending subsection (e)(1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) Active duty.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may order an 
     individual to serve on active duty in the armed forces of the 
     United States for a period of not more than 2 years if--
       ``(i) the individual has attended an academy under this 
     section for more than 2 academic years, but less than 3 
     academic years;
       ``(ii) the individual has accepted the payments described 
     in subsection (b) in an amount totaling at least $8,000; and
       ``(iii) the Secretary of Transportation has determined that 
     the individual has failed to fulfill the part of the 
     agreement described in subsection (d)(1).
       ``(B) 3 or more years.--The Secretary of Defense may order 
     an individual to serve on active duty in the armed forces of 
     the United States for a period of not more than 3 years if--
       ``(i) the individual has attended an academy under this 
     section for 3 or more academic years;
       ``(ii) the individual has accepted the payments described 
     in subsection (b) in an amount totaling at least $16,000; and
       ``(iii) the Secretary of Transportation has determined that 
     the individual has failed to fulfill the part of the 
     agreement described in subsection (d)(1).
       ``(C) Hardship waiver.--In cases of hardship as determined 
     by the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of 
     Transportation may waive this paragraph in whole or in 
     part.''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Alternative Service.--
       ``(1) Service as commissioned officer.--An individual who, 
     for the 5-year period following graduation from an academy, 
     serves as a commissioned officer on active duty in an armed 
     force of the United States or as a commissioned officer of 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the 
     Public Health Service shall be excused from the requirements 
     of paragraphs (3) through (5) of subsection (d).
       ``(2) Modification or waiver.--The Secretary may modify or 
     waive any of the terms and conditions set forth in subsection 
     (d) through the imposition of alternative service 
     requirements.''.

     SEC. 3503. FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT TAX ACT.

       Section 3305 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 
     U.S.C. 3305) is amended by striking ``Secretary of Commerce'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``Secretary of 
     Transportation''.

     SEC. 3504. SHORT SEA TRANSPORTATION DEFINED.

       Paragraph (1) of section 55605 of title 46, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) shipped in discrete units or packages that are 
     handled individually, palletized, or unitized for purposes of 
     transportation; or
       ``(D) freight vehicles carried aboard commuter ferry boats; 
     and''.

     SEC. 3505. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR NATIONAL 
                   SECURITY ASPECTS OF THE MERCHANT MARINE FOR 
                   FISCAL YEARS 2016 AND 2017.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2016.--Funds are hereby authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2016, to be available without 
     fiscal year limitation if so provided in appropriations Acts, 
     for the use of the Department of Transportation for Maritime 
     Administration programs associated with maintaining national 
     security aspects of the merchant marine, as follows:
       (1) For expenses necessary for operations of the United 
     States Merchant Marine Academy, $96,028,000, of which--
       (A) $71,306,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     Academy operations;
       (B) $24,722,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     capital asset management at the Academy.
       (2) For expenses necessary to support the State maritime 
     academies, $34,550,000, of which--
       (A) $2,400,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     student incentive payments;
       (B) $3,000,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     direct payments to such academies;
       (C) $1,800,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     training ship fuel assistance payments;
       (D) $22,000,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     maintenance and repair of State maritime academy training 
     vessels;
       (E) $5,000,000 shall remain available until expended for a 
     National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Design Program; and
       (F) $350,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     improving the monitoring of graduates' service obligation.
       (3) For expenses necessary to support Maritime 
     Administration operations and programs, $54,059,000.
       (4) For expenses necessary to dispose of vessels in the 
     National Defense Reserve Fleet, $8,000,000 to remain 
     available until expended.
       (5) For expenses to maintain and preserve a United States-
     flag merchant marine to serve the national security needs of 
     the United States under chapter 531 of title 46, United 
     States Code, $186,000,000.
       (6) For the cost (as defined in section 502(5) of the 
     Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a(5)) of loan 
     guarantees under the program authorized by chapter 537 of 
     title 46, United States Code, $3,135,000, of which $3,135,000 
     shall remain available until expended for administrative 
     expenses of the program.
       (b) Fiscal Year 2017.--Funds are hereby authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2017, to be available without 
     fiscal year limitation if so provided in appropriations Acts, 
     for the use of the Department of Transportation for Maritime 
     Administration programs associated with maintaining national 
     security aspects of the merchant marine, as follows:
       (1) For expenses necessary for operations of the United 
     States Merchant Marine Academy, $96,028,000, of which--
       (A) $71,306,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     Academy operations;
       (B) $24,722,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     capital asset management at the Academy.
       (2) For expenses necessary to support the State maritime 
     academies, $34,550,000, of which--
       (A) $2,400,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     student incentive payments;
       (B) $3,000,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     direct payments to such academies;
       (C) $1,800,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     training ship fuel assistance payments;
       (D) $22,000,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     maintenance and repair of State maritime academy training 
     vessels;
       (E) $5,000,000 shall remain available until expended for a 
     National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Design Program; and
       (F) $350,000 shall remain available until expended for 
     improving the monitoring of graduates' service obligation.
       (3) For expenses necessary to support Maritime 
     Administration operations and programs, $54,059,000.

[[Page S3876]]

       (4) For expenses necessary to dispose of vessels in the 
     National Defense Reserve Fleet, $8,000,000 to remain 
     available until expended.
       (5) For expenses to maintain and preserve a United States-
     flag merchant marine to serve the national security needs of 
     the United States under chapter 531 of title 46, United 
     States Code, $186,000,000.
       (6) For the cost (as defined in section 502(5) of the 
     Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a(5)) of loan 
     guarantees under the program authorized by chapter 537 of 
     title 46, United States Code, $3,135,000, of which $3,135,000 
     shall remain available until expended for administrative 
     expenses of the program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1826. Mr. COTTON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS ON DECISION TO MAINTAIN C-
                   130J AIRCRAFT AT KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, 
                   MISSISSIPPI.

       Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall conduct a 
     business case analysis of the decision to maintain 10 C-130J 
     aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Such 
     analysis shall include consideration of--
       (1) any efficiencies or cost savings that would be achieved 
     by transferring such aircraft to Little Rock Air Force Base, 
     Arkansas;
       (2) any effects of such decision on the operation of the 
     Air Mobility Command; and
       (3) the short-term and long-term costs of maintaining such 
     aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1827. Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. McCain) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to 
the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1283. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE DETERIORATING SITUATION 
                   IN THE MALDIVES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The Maldives, despite its small size, is strategically 
     important given its location in the Indian Ocean.
       (2) Increasing human rights violations in the Maldives fuel 
     instability and therefore pose a threat to regional security 
     issues.
       (3) Since January 2015, President Abdulla Yameen has 
     cracked down on dissent both within his own party and in the 
     political opposition.
       (4) The arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed this 
     year was widely condemned as politically-motivated and his 
     conviction and sentence of 13 years in prison has been 
     condemned by Amnesty International as a ``travesty of 
     justice''.
       (5) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid 
     Ra'ad described ``flagrant irregularities'' in the trial of 
     President Nasheed, including conflicts of interests by the 
     judges and the court's refusal to allow him to present any 
     defense witnesses.
       (6) On May 1, 2015, tens of thousands of protesters took to 
     the streets in Male, Maldives, and were met with violence, 
     tear gas, and stun guns by security forces. More than 200 
     people were arrested.
       (7) In his speech in Sri Lanka on May 2, 2015, Secretary of 
     State John Kerry said ``[W]e've seen even now how regrettably 
     there are troubling signs that democracy is under threat in 
     the Maldives where the former president Nasheed has been 
     imprisoned without due process. And that is an injustice that 
     must be addressed soon''.
       (8) On June 2, 2015, the Government of the Maldives charged 
     three more leaders of opposition parties with terrorism.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Government of the Maldives should immediately release 
     former President Nasheed and all political prisoners in the 
     country, and guarantee human rights for all of the citizens 
     of the Maldives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1828. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 344. FUNDING FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 75TH 
                   ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, 
                   HAWAII.

       Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 
     2016 by section 301 and available for operation and 
     maintenance, Defense-wide, as specified in the funding table 
     in section 4301, up to $2,000,000 may be available for the 
     Department of Defense for the commemoration of the 75th 
     anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1829. Mr. WYDEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1664. FUNDING FOR INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES OF EACH 
                   ELEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

       Section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(40)(A) the total dollar amount proposed in the budget 
     for intelligence or intelligence related activities of each 
     element of the Government engaged in such activities in the 
     fiscal year for which the budget is submitted and the 
     estimated appropriation required for each of the ensuing four 
     fiscal years; and
       ``(B) as used in subparagraph (A), the term `element of the 
     Government' refers to each element of the intelligence 
     community as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security 
     Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1830. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 820, between lines 19 and 20, insert the following:
       (b) Protection of Whistleblowers.--Section 4602(d) of the 
     Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 2702(d)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph (5):
       ``(5) In the case of a protected disclosure relating to the 
     contract described in subsection (b) of section 4446 
     (relating the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization 
     Plant), the owner's agent specified in subsection (a) of that 
     section.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1831. Mr. WYDEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 818, line 25, strike ``and the congressional 
     defense committees'' and insert ``, the congressional defense 
     committees, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
     the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House 
     of Representatives, and the Governors of the States of Oregon 
     and Washington''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1832. Ms. BALDWIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN INSPECTOR GENERAL WORK 
                   PRODUCTS.

       Section 312 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

[[Page S3877]]

       ``(c)(1) Whenever the Inspector General, in carrying out 
     the duties and responsibilities established under the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), issues a work 
     product that makes a recommendation or otherwise suggests 
     corrective action, the Inspector General shall--
       ``(A) submit the work product to--
       ``(i) the Secretary;
       ``(ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the Senate;
       ``(iii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee 
     on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives;
       ``(iv) if the work product was initiated upon request by an 
     individual or entity other than the Inspector General, that 
     individual or entity; and
       ``(v) any member of Congress upon request;
       ``(B) submit all final work products to--
       ``(i) if the work product was initiated upon request by an 
     individual or entity other than the Inspector General, that 
     individual or entity; and
       ``(ii) any Member of Congress upon request; and
       ``(C) not later than 3 days after the work product is 
     submitted in final form to the Secretary, post the work 
     product on the Internet website of the Inspector General.
       ``(2) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     authorize the public disclosure of information that is 
     specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other 
     provision of law.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1833. Ms. BALDWIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1283. REPORT ON ACTIONS OF CERTAIN NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY 
                   ORGANIZATION AND PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE 
                   COUNTRIES ON HOLOCAUST ERA ASSETS AND RELATED 
                   ISSUES.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
     shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, submit 
     to Congress an assessment of the compliance of each covered 
     country with, and the progress of such country toward, the 
     goals and objectives of the 2009 Terezin Declaration on 
     Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues.
       (b) Elements.--The assessment of a country under the report 
     required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
       (1) An assessment of national laws or enforceable policies 
     supporting the goals and objectives of the Terezin 
     Declaration, including--
       (A) the return to the rightful owner of any property that 
     was wrongfully confiscated or transferred to another 
     individual by Nazi, Nazi collaborator, or Communist regimes;
       (B) if return of such property is no longer possible, the 
     provision of comparable substitute property or the payment of 
     equitable compensation to the rightful owner in accordance 
     with principles of justice and through an expeditious claims-
     driven administrative process that is just, transparent, and 
     fair;
       (C) the return to Jewish communities of any religious or 
     communal property that was stolen as a result of the 
     Holocaust or subsequently nationalized by Communist regimes;
       (D) the use of the Washington Conference Principles on 
     Nazi-Confiscated Art, agreed to December 3, 1998, in settling 
     all claims involving publically and privately held movable 
     property.
       (2) An assessment of national administrative and legal 
     processes successfully implementing such laws.
       (3) An assessment of mechanism for and demonstrable 
     progress on the resolution of claims of United States citizen 
     Holocaust survivors and United States citizen family members 
     of Holocaust victims.
       (4) Recommendations for actions to be taken by the country, 
     and the United States Government, to improve country 
     compliance with, and progress toward, the goals and 
     objectives of the Terezin Declaration.
       (c) Covered Country Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``covered country'' means any country that is a signatory or 
     observer to the 2009 Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era 
     Assets and Related Issues among the following:
       (1) A country that is a signatory to the Partnership for 
     Peace Framework Documents, but is not a member of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
       (2) A country that became a member of the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization after January 1, 1999.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1834. Mr. BURR (for himself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to 
the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 565. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS OF EMPLOYEES OF THE 
                   MILITARY CHILD CARE SYSTEM AND PROVIDERS OF 
                   CHILD CARE SERVICES AND YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES 
                   FOR MILITARY DEPENDENTS.

       (a) Employees of Military Child Care System.--Section 1792 
     of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection (d):
       ``(d) Criminal Background Check.--The criminal background 
     check of child care employees under this section that is 
     required pursuant to section 231 of the Crime Control Act of 
     1990 (42 U.S.C. 13041) shall be conducted pursuant to 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense in 
     accordance with the provisions of section 658H of the Child 
     Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858f).''.
       (b) Providers of Child Care Services and Youth Program 
     Services.--Section 1798 of such title is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
     subsection (c):
       ``(c) Criminal Background Check.--A provider of child care 
     services or youth program services may not provide such 
     services under this section unless such provider complies 
     with the requirements for criminal background checks under 
     section 658H of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
     Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858f) for the State in which such 
     services are provided.''.
       (c) Funding.--Amounts for activities required by reason of 
     the amendments made by this section during fiscal year 2016 
     shall be derived from amounts otherwise authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by section 301 and 
     available for operation and maintenance for the Yellow Ribbon 
     Reintegration Program as specified in the funding tables in 
     section 4301.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1835. Ms. AYOTTE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 141. HEI PGU-13/B ROUND 30MILIMETER AMMUNITION.

       (a) Additional Amount for Procurement of Ammunition, Air 
     Force.--
       (1) In general.--The amount authorized to be appropriated 
     for fiscal year 2016 by section 101 is hereby increased by 
     $1,096,000, with the amount of the increase to be available 
     for procurement of ammunition, Air Force, for the purpose of 
     the procurement of HEI PGU-13/B Round 30milimeter ammunition.
       (2) Supplement not supplant.--The amount available under 
     paragraph (1) for the procurement of ammunition specified in 
     that paragraph is in addition to any other amounts available 
     in this Act for procurement of such ammunition.
       (b) Offset.--The amount authorized to be appropriated for 
     fiscal year 2016 by section 301 is hereby decreased by 
     $1,096,000, with the amount of the decrease to be applied 
     against amounts available for operation and maintenance, Air 
     Force, for Morale, Welfare, and Recreation for C.4.4. Golf.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1836. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1264. SENSE OF SENATE ON THE CONTINUED EASING OF 
                   RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF LETHAL MILITARY 
                   EQUIPMENT TO THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM.

       It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) Vietnam is an important emerging partner with which the 
     United States increasingly shares strategic and economic 
     interests, including improving bilateral and multilateral 
     capacity for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, 
     upholding the principles of freedom of the seas and peaceful

[[Page S3878]]

     resolution of international disputes, strengthening an open 
     regional trading order, and maintaining a favorable balance 
     of power in the Asia-Pacific region;
       (2) the Government of Vietnam has recently taken modest but 
     encouraging steps to improve its human rights record, 
     including signing the United Nations Convention Against 
     Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or 
     Punishment, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 
     December 10, 1984, increasing registrations for places of 
     worship, taking greater action to combat human trafficking, 
     reviewing the Criminal Code, and continuing to conduct high-
     level engagement with the United States and international 
     human rights non-governmental organizations;
       (3) in light of growing challenges in the Asia-Pacific 
     region and some steps by the Government of Vietnam to improve 
     its human rights record, in 2014 the Department of State, in 
     close consultation with the United States Senate, took steps 
     to ease the United States prohibition on the sale of lethal 
     military equipment to Vietnam for maritime and costal 
     defense;
       (4) further easing the prohibition on the sale of lethal 
     military equipment to Vietnam at this time, including all 
     platforms that facilitate the ability of the armed forces of 
     Vietnam to operate more effectively on, above, and within its 
     territorial waters, would further United States national 
     security interests, but steps beyond this to ease further the 
     prohibition would require the Government of Vietnam to take 
     significant and sustained steps to protect human rights, 
     including releases of prisoners of conscience and legal 
     reforms;
       (5) the United States Government should continue to support 
     civil society in Vietnam, including advocates for religious 
     freedom, press freedom, and labor rights who seek to use 
     peaceful means to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam that 
     respects human rights and the rule of law; and
       (6) the United States Government should continue to engage 
     the Government of Vietnam in a high-level dialogue and 
     specify what steps on human rights would be necessary for the 
     Government of Vietnam to take in order to continue 
     strengthening the bilateral relationship.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1837. Mr. CORNYN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1664. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE 
                   ATTACKS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President should ensure that all relevant Federal 
     agencies have a full understanding of the electromagnetic 
     pulse threat and are prepared for such a contingency; and
       (2) the United States Government should formulate and 
     maintain a strategy to prepare and protect United States 
     infrastructure against electromagnetic pulse events.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1838. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 643. STANDARDIZATION OF AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE BY DISABILITY 
                   RETIREES WITH LESS THAN 20 YEARS OF SERVICE 
                   UNDER COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION AND 
                   CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF RETIRED PAY AND VETERANS' 
                   DISABILITY COMPENSATION.

       (a) Standardization of Similar Provisions.--Paragraph (2) 
     of section 1414(b) of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) Special rule for retirees with fewer than 20 years of 
     service.--The retired pay of a qualified retiree who is 
     retired under chapter 61 of this title with fewer than 20 
     years of creditable service is subject to reduction by the 
     lesser of--
       ``(A) the amount of the reduction under sections 5304 and 
     5305 of title 38; or
       ``(B) the amount (if any) by which the amount of the 
     member's retired pay under such chapter exceeds the amount 
     equal to 2\1/2\ percent of the member's years of creditable 
     service multiplied by the member's retired pay base under 
     section 1406(b)(1) or 1407 of this title, whichever is 
     applicable to the member.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on July 1, 2015, and shall apply to 
     payments for months beginning on or after that date.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1839. Mr. ISAKSON (for himself and Mr. Perdue) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

       Strike section 604.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1840. Mr. ISAKSON (for himself and Mr. Perdue) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 540. MODIFICATION OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND CONTENT 
                   DELIVERY METHODS FOR PHASE II JOINT 
                   PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION.

       (a) Residency Requirements.--Title 10, United States Code, 
     is amended as follows:
       (1) In section 2154(a)(2), by striking ``in residence at'' 
     and inserting ``by''.
       (2) In section 2156(a), by striking ``at the Joint Forces 
     Staff College may not be less than 10 weeks of resident 
     instruction'' and inserting ``through the Joint Forces Staff 
     College shall be set by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 
     Staff''.
       (b) Delivery Methods.--Section 2154 of such is further 
     amended by adding the following new subsection:
       ``(c) Delivery Methods.--The Secretary is authorized to 
     certify nonresident courses for Phase II instruction, 
     provided the joint acculturation objectives of subsections 
     (b), (c), and (d) of section 2155 of this title are met.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1841. Mr. PERDUE (for himself and Mr. Cotton) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 1209. USE OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO THE VETTED SYRIAN 
                   OPPOSITION TO DEFEND THE SYRIAN PEOPLE AGAINST 
                   THE ASSAD REGIME.

       Section 1209(a) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' 
     McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3541) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph (2):
       ``(2) Defending the Syrian people from attacks by the 
     regime of President Bashir Assad.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1842. Mr. PERDUE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1242. STRATEGY FOR THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE EVENT OF A 
                   COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR AGREEMENT WITH IRAN.

       (a) Strategy Required.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of State, other members of 
     the National Security Council, and the heads of other 
     appropriate departments and agencies of the United States 
     Government, develop a strategy for the United States for the 
     Middle East in the event of a comprehensive nuclear agreement 
     with Iran.
       (b) Elements.--The strategy shall include the following:
       (1) Efforts to counter Iranian-sponsored terrorism in 
     Middle East region.
       (2) Efforts to reassure United States allies and partners 
     in Middle East.
       (3) Efforts to address the potential for a conventional or 
     nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

[[Page S3879]]

       (c) Submittal to Congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
     the date of the entry of Iran into the agreement described in 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit the strategy 
     developed under that subsection to--
       (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence 
     of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1843. Mrs. FEINSTEIN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 
1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. REPORT ON COUNTER-DRUG EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the Congressional Defense Committees a report that 
     describes--
       (1) the counter-narcotics goals of the Department of 
     Defense in Afghanistan; and
       (2) how the Secretary of Defense will coordinate the 
     counter-drug efforts of the Department of Defense with other 
     Federal agencies to ensure an integrated, effective counter-
     narcotics strategy is implemented in Afghanistan.
       (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       (1) a description of the metrics used to evaluate the 
     effectiveness of counter-drug efforts of the Department of 
     Defense in Afghanistan; and
       (2) a description of the process by which the Secretary of 
     Defense will determine whether to continue each of the 
     counter-drug initiatives of the Department of Defense in 
     Afghanistan.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1844. Mr. BENNET submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the end of title X, add the following:

         Subtitle H--Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment

     SECTION 1091. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Federal Cybersecurity 
     Workforce Assessment Act''.

     SEC. 1092. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Armed Services in the House of 
     Representatives;
       (D) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (E) the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of 
     House of Representatives.
       (2) Cybersecurity work category; data element code; 
     specialty area.--The terms ``Cybersecurity Work Category'', 
     ``Data Element Code'', and ``Specialty Area'' have the 
     meanings given such terms in the Office of Personnel 
     Management's Guide to Data Standards.
       (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Office of Personnel Management.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security.

     SEC. 1093. NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE MEASUREMENT 
                   INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--The head of each Federal agency shall--
       (1) identify all positions within the agency that require 
     the performance of information technology, cybersecurity, or 
     other cyber-related functions;
       (2) determine the primary Cybersecurity Work Category and 
     Specialty Area of such positions; and
       (3) assign the corresponding Data Element Code, which shall 
     be added to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity 
     Education's National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework 
     report, in accordance with subsection (b).
       (b) Employment Codes.--
       (1) Procedures.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal agency 
     shall establish procedures--
       (A) to identify open positions that include information 
     technology, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related functions 
     (as defined in the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to 
     Data Standards); and
       (B) to assign the appropriate employment code to each such 
     position, using agreed standards and definitions.
       (2) Code assignments.--Not later than 9 months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal 
     agency shall assign the appropriate employment code to each 
     employee within the agency who carries out information 
     technology, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related functions.
       (c) Progress Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a 
     progress report on the implementation of this section to the 
     appropriate congressional committees.

     SEC. 1094. IDENTIFICATION OF CYBERSECURITY SPECIALTY AREAS OF 
                   CRITICAL NEED.

       (a) In General.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the 
     date on which the employment codes are assigned to employees 
     pursuant to section 1093(b)(2), and annually through 2021, 
     the head of each Federal agency, in consultation with the 
     Director and the Secretary, shall--
       (1) identify information technology, cybersecurity, or 
     other cyber-related Specialty Areas of critical need in the 
     agency's workforce; and
       (2) submit a report to the Director that--
       (A) describes the information technology, cybersecurity, or 
     other cyber-related Specialty Areas identified under 
     paragraph (1); and
       (B) substantiates the critical need designations.
       (b) Guidance.--The Director shall provide Federal agencies 
     with timely guidance for identifying information technology, 
     cybersecurity, or other cyber-related Specialty Areas of 
     critical need, including--
       (1) current Cybersecurity Work Categories and Specialty 
     Areas with acute skill shortages; and
       (2) information technology, cybersecurity, or other cyber-
     related Specialty Areas with emerging skill shortages.
       (c) Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or Other Cyber-
     related Critical Needs Report.--Not later than 18 months 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director, in 
     consultation with the Secretary, shall--
       (1) identify Specialty Areas of critical need for 
     information technology, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related 
     workforce across all Federal agencies; and
       (2) submit a progress report on the implementation of this 
     section to the appropriate congressional committees.

     SEC. 1095. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STATUS REPORTS.

       The Comptroller General of the United States shall--
       (1) analyze and monitor the implementation of sections 1093 
     and 1094; and
       (2) not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
     committees that describes the status of such implementation.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1845. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Congress must address the ongoing, escalating threat 
     posed by cyber attacks from foreign countries and independent 
     or sponsored nefarious actors;
       (2) cyber attacks present one of the most critical national 
     security threats facing the United States;
       (3) vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity of the United 
     States have been exploited to access sensitive and personal 
     information, including data relating to security clearance 
     investigations; and
       (4) in order to protect the most important information 
     systems of the United States, including those in our weapon 
     systems, from cyber threats, Congress must invest in 
     developing the most sophisticated and agile cyber capability 
     in the world.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1846. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

[[Page S3880]]

     SEC. 1614. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR 
                   PLANNING AND ACQUIRING SATELLITE SYSTEMS AND 
                   ARCHITECTURES.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
     that--
       (1) consistent with National Space Policy issued on June 
     28, 2010, the United States Government should make maximum 
     use of mature commercial space capabilities and acquisition 
     practices for national security systems for which the 
     required performance can be met with commodity technology to 
     reduce acquisition timelines and costs, promote competition, 
     capitalize on the pace of commercial technology advances, and 
     avoid unnecessary government-unique investments;
       (2) investments by elements of the intelligence community 
     and the Department of Defense in technology development 
     utilizing a unique, dedicated industrial base should be 
     reserved for cases in which commercial commodity technology 
     does not exist or in which revolutionary technology is judged 
     to be achievable and worth the risk, cost, and time to 
     acquire;
       (3) satellite systems and architectures should be designed 
     in such a way that a number of elements common to multiple 
     spacecraft could be standardized, to reduce costs, simplify 
     execution, and preserve a competitive industrial base;
       (4) the entire overhead satellite architecture of the 
     United States, including programs funded by the Department of 
     Defense or by an element of the intelligence community, 
     commercial providers, and foreign partners, should be viewed 
     and treated as an integrated whole, not simply as a series of 
     independent and unrelated satellite systems;
       (5) deficiencies in, and improvements to, the current state 
     of the space systems architecture, and planning for the 
     future architecture, should receive priority personal 
     attention from the President, the senior national security 
     and scientific advisors to the President, the Director of 
     National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
     Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure that 
     architecture planning--
       (A) meets the needs of the United States in peace time and 
     in war time;
       (B) responsibly stewards the taxpayers' dollars;
       (C) accurately takes into account cost and performance 
     tradeoffs;
       (D) meets realistic requirements;
       (E) produces and fosters excellence, innovation, and 
     competition;
       (F) aims to produce innovative satellite systems in less 
     than 5 years that are able to leverage common, standardized 
     design elements and commercially available technologies;
       (G) takes advantage of rapid advances in commercial 
     technology, innovation, and commercial-like acquisition 
     practices; and
       (H) fosters competition and a robust industrial base.
       (b) Strategy on the United States Overhead Satellite 
     Architecture.--
       (1) Requirement for strategy.--The Director of National 
     Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of 
     the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall develop a strategy, with 
     milestones and benchmarks, to ensure that there is a 
     comprehensive review of policies and practices for planning 
     and acquiring satellite systems and architectures, including 
     under programs of the Department of Defense, programs of 
     elements of the intelligence community, and programs carried 
     out by the commercial satellite industry, and taking into 
     account capabilities of foreign partners, to ensure that such 
     systems and architectures comport with the principles 
     expressed under subsection (a) and in the National Space 
     Policy.
       (2) Report on strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National 
     Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of 
     the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall report to the congressional 
     defense committees, the Select Committee on Intelligence of 
     the Senate, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives on the strategy 
     required by paragraph (1).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1847. Mr. JOHNSON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN RETURN INFORMATION WITH 
                   RESPECT TO IDENTITY THEFT.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (l) of section 6103 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new paragraph:
       ``(23) Disclosure of return information in certain cases of 
     identity theft.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary has reason to believe 
     that there has been a fraudulent use of a social security 
     account number on a statement described in section 6051--
       ``(i) the Secretary shall disclose to the individual who 
     was validly assigned such social security account number--

       ``(I) that the Secretary has reason to believe that the 
     social security account number assigned to such individual 
     has been fraudulently used in the employment context,
       ``(II) that the Secretary has made the disclosure described 
     in clause (ii) to the Director of the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation and the Attorney General with respect to such 
     fraudulent use, and
       ``(III) such other information (other than return 
     information) as the Secretary determines, in consultation 
     with Federal Trade Commission, would be helpful and 
     appropriate to provide to a victim of identity theft, and

       ``(ii) the Secretary shall disclose to the Director of the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Attorney General--

       ``(I) such social security account number,
       ``(II) that the Secretary has reason to believe that such 
     social security account number has been fraudulently used in 
     the employment context, and
       ``(III) the taxpayer identity information of the individual 
     who was assigned such social security account number, the 
     individual believed to have fraudulently used such social 
     security account number, and the employer who made the 
     statement described in section 6051 which included such 
     social security account number.

       ``(B) Restriction on disclosure to law enforcement.--
       ``(i) Disclosure to other law enforcement officials.--The 
     Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the 
     Attorney General may disclose information received under 
     subparagraph (A)(ii) to appropriate Federal, State, and local 
     law enforcement officials.
       ``(ii) Restriction on use of disclosed information.--Return 
     information disclosed under subparagraph (A)(ii) may be used 
     by Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials only 
     for purposes of carrying out criminal investigations or 
     prosecutions.
       ``(iii) Memorandum of understanding.--For purposes of this 
     paragraph, any return information disclosed under 
     subparagraph (A)(ii) may not be provided to any State or 
     local law enforcement official until such official has 
     entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary 
     that includes the following terms and conditions:

       ``(I) Confidentiality of returns and return information and 
     prohibitions on disclosure described in subsection (a)(3).
       ``(II) Safeguards, restrictions on access, and 
     recordkeeping requirements described in subsection (p)(4).
       ``(III) Application of penalties for unauthorized 
     disclosure of returns and return information under section 
     7213(a)(2).
       ``(IV) Any additional terms and conditions deemed 
     appropriate by the Secretary.''.

       (b) Prevention of Identity Theft.--In the case of an 
     employee for whom the Commissioner of the Social Security 
     Administration has reason to believe that the social security 
     number included on any statement described in section 6051(a) 
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to such 
     employee is not the correct social security number for such 
     employee, the Commissioner shall provide notification to the 
     employer for such employee which includes--
       (1) the name of the employee and the social security number 
     included on such statements; and
       (2) relevant information regarding the availability of the 
     Social Security Number Verification Service for verification 
     of social security numbers.
       (c) Conforming Amendments Related to Disclosure.--
       (1) Confidentiality.--Paragraph (3) of section 6103(a) of 
     such Code is amended by striking ``or (21)'' and inserting 
     ``(21), or (23)''.
       (2) Procedures and recordkeeping related to disclosures.--
     Paragraph (4) of section 6103(p) of such Code is amended by 
     striking ``or (20)'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``(20), or (23)''.
       (3) Unauthorized disclosure or inspection.--Paragraph (2) 
     of section 7213(a) of such Code is amended by striking ``or 
     (21)'' and inserting ``(21), or (23)''.

     SEC. ___. PENALTIES FOR TAX-RELATED IDENTITY THEFT.

       (a) In General.--Section 1028A(c) of title 18, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (11) as 
     paragraphs (10) through (13), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(8) section 286 (relating to conspiracy to defraud the 
     government with respect to claims), section 287 (relating to 
     false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims), section 371 
     (relating to conspiracy to commit an offense or to defraud 
     the United States), section 1001 (relating to statements or 
     entries), section 1341 (relating to frauds and swindles), 
     section 1342 (relating to a fictitious name or address), 
     section 1343 (relating to fraud by wire, radio, or 
     television), or section 1344 (relating to bank fraud), if the 
     felony violation is a tax-related offense punishable under 
     such section;
       ``(9) section 7206 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     (relating to fraud and false statements);''.
       (b) Penalty for Misappropriation of Tax Identification 
     Numbers.--
       (1) In general.--Part I of subchapter B of chapter 68 of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of

[[Page S3881]]

     1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 6720D. MISAPPROPRIATION OF TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

       ``In addition to any penalty provided by law, any person 
     who knowingly or willfully misappropriates another person's 
     tax identification number in connection with any list, 
     return, account, statement, or other document submitted to 
     the Secretary shall pay a penalty of $5,000.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections for part I 
     of subchapter B of chapter 68 of such Code is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 6720D. Misappropriation of tax identification number.''.

       (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to returns and information submitted after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1848. Mr. WICKER (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

       In the funding table in section 4201, in the item relating 
     to the High Performance Computing Modernization Program, 
     strike the amount in the Senate authorized column and insert 
     ``177,159''.
       In the funding table in section 4301, in the item relating 
     to Defense Media Activity, strike the amount in the Senate 
     authorized column and insert ``182,625''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1849. Mr. BURR (for himself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to 
the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 344. REPORT ON USE OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT 
                   FOR MAINTENANCE FOR WHEELED VEHICLE AND TRACKED 
                   VEHICLE FLEETS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall submit 
     to the congressional defense committees a report setting 
     forth an assessment of the use of commercially available 
     equipment to conduct organizational maintenance and combined 
     support maintenance for the wheeled vehicle and tracked 
     vehicle fleets of the National Guard. The report shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An assessment of the use of such equipment for such 
     maintenance on the operational readiness rates of such 
     fleets.
       (2) A comparison of the cost of the use of such equipment 
     for such maintenance with the current cost of such 
     maintenance.
       (3) An assessment of the extent to which the use of such 
     equipment is viable at the State level to reduce maintenance 
     costs and duration to improve readiness of the fleets.
       (4) Such other matters, and such recommendations, as the 
     Chief of the National Guard Bureau considers appropriate.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1850. Mr. PORTMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       Strike section 1251 and insert the following:

     SEC. 1251. UKRAINE SECURITY ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE.

       (a) Authority To Provide Assistance.--Of the amounts 
     authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by title 
     XV and available for overseas contingency operations as 
     specified in the funding tables in division D, $300,000,000 
     may be available to the Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
     with the Secretary of State, to provide appropriate security 
     assistance and intelligence support, including training, 
     equipment, and logistics support, supplies and services, to 
     military and other security forces of the Government of 
     Ukraine for the purposes as follows:
       (1) To enhance the capabilities of the military and other 
     security forces of the Government of Ukraine to defend 
     against further aggression.
       (2) To assist Ukraine in developing the combat capability 
     to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
       (3) To support the Government of Ukraine in defending 
     itself against actions by Russia and Russian-backed 
     separatists that violate the ceasefire agreements of 
     September 4, 2014, and February 11, 2015.
       (b) Appropriate Security Assistance and Intelligence 
     Support.--For purposes of subsection (a), appropriate 
     security assistance and intelligence support includes the 
     following:
       (1) Real time or near real time actionable intelligence, 
     including by lease of such capabilities from United States 
     commercial companies.
       (2) Lethal assistance such as anti-armor weapon systems, 
     mortars, crew-served weapons and ammunition, grenade 
     launchers and ammunition, and small arms and ammunition.
       (3) Counter-artillery radars, including medium-range and 
     long-range counter-artillery radars that can detect and 
     locate long-range artillery.
       (4) Unmanned aerial tactical surveillance systems.
       (5) Cyber capabilities.
       (6) Counter-electronic warfare capabilities such as secure 
     communications equipment and other electronic protection 
     systems.
       (7) Other electronic warfare capabilities.
       (8) Training required to maintain and employ systems and 
     capabilities described in paragraphs (1) through (7).
       (9) Training for critical combat operations such as 
     planning, command and control, small unit tactics, anti-armor 
     tactics, counter-artillery tactics, logistics, countering 
     improvised explosive devices, battle-field first aid, and 
     medical evacuation.
       (10) Training for strategic and operational planning at and 
     above the brigade level.
       (c) Funding Availability and Limitation.--
       (1) Training.--Up to 20 percent of the amount described in 
     subsection (a) may be used to support training pursuant to 
     section 1207 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note), relating to the 
     Global Security Contingency Fund.
       (2) Limitation.--Not more than 50 percent of the amount 
     described in subsection (a) may be obligated or expended 
     until an amount equal to 20 percent of such amount has been 
     obligated or expended for appropriate security assistance 
     described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) 
     for the Government of Ukraine.
       (3) Alternative use of funds.--In the event funds otherwise 
     available pursuant to subsection (a) are not used by reason 
     of the limitation in paragraph (2), such funds may be used at 
     the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, with concurrence 
     of the Secretary of State, to provide security assistance and 
     intelligence support, including training, equipment, 
     logistics support, supplies and services to military and 
     other national-level security forces of Partnership for Peace 
     nations other than Ukraine that the Secretary of Defense 
     determines may face an elevated risk of Russian aggression 
     and that the Secretary determines is appropriate to defending 
     their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
       (d) United States Inventory and Other Sources.--
       (1) In general.--In addition to any assistance provided 
     pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense is 
     authorized, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, 
     to make available to the Government of Ukraine weapons and 
     other defense articles, from the United States inventory and 
     other sources, and defense services, in such quantity as the 
     Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate to achieve 
     the purposes specified in subsection (a).
       (2) Replacement.--Amounts for the replacement of any items 
     provided to the Government of Ukraine pursuant to paragraph 
     (1) may be derived from funds available for this section or 
     from amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department 
     of Defense for overseas contingency operations for weapons 
     procurement.
       (e) Construction of Authorization.--Nothing in this section 
     shall be construed to constitute a specific statutory 
     authorization for the introduction of United States Armed 
     Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein 
     hostilities are clearly indicated by the circumstances.
       (f) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of State and other 
     appropriate agencies, submit to Congress a report setting 
     forth in detail the following:
       (1) The current criteria governing the provision of 
     security assistance and intelligence support to the 
     Government of Ukraine.
       (2) The plan, including timelines for delivery, types and 
     quantities of security assistance, and costs, to ensure that 
     such assistance and support are being provided in compliance 
     with the authorized purposes specified in subsection (a).
       (g) Termination of Authority.--Assistance may not be 
     provided under the authority in this section after December 
     31, 2017.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1851. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 
1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military 
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
for defense activities of the

[[Page S3882]]

Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on 
the table, as follows:

       On page 354, line 19, insert ``, protecting the best 
     interests of taxpayers,'' after ``process''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1852. Mr. UDALL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 58, strike lines 14 through 17 and insert the 
     following:
     services of the Centers;
       ``(C) enhance capabilities by reducing the cost and 
     improving the performance and efficiency of executing 
     laboratory missions; and
       ``(D) expand commercial business ventures based on the core 
     competencies of a Center, as determined by the director of 
     the Center, to promote technology transitions.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1853. Mr. LEE (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Paul, Mr. Cruz, 
and Ms. Collins) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1040. PROHIBITION ON THE INDEFINITE DETENTION OF 
                   CITIZENS AND LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

       Section 4001 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) No citizen or lawful permanent resident shall be 
     imprisoned or otherwise detained by the United States except 
     consistent with the Constitution and pursuant to an Act of 
     Congress that expressly authorizes such imprisonment or 
     detention.'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b)(1) A general authorization to use military force, a 
     declaration of war, or any similar authority, on its own, 
     shall not be construed to authorize the imprisonment or 
     detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful 
     permanent resident of the United States apprehended in the 
     United States.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) applies to an authorization to use 
     military force, a declaration of war, or any similar 
     authority enacted before, on, or after the date of the 
     enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2016.
       ``(3) This section shall not be construed to authorize the 
     imprisonment or detention of a citizen of the United States, 
     a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or any 
     other person who is apprehended in the United States.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1854. Ms. WARREN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 738. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON GAMBLING AND PROBLEM 
                   GAMBLING BEHAVIOR AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES.

       (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study on gambling installations 
     operated by the Department of Defense and problem gambling 
     among members of the Armed Forces.
       (b) Matters Included.--The study conducted under subsection 
     (a) shall include the following:
       (1) With respect to gambling installations (including 
     bingo) operated by each branch of the Armed Forces--
       (A) the number, type, and location of such gambling 
     installations;
       (B) the total amount of cash flow through such gambling 
     installations;
       (C) the amount of revenue generated by such gambling 
     installations; and
       (D) how such revenue is spent.
       (2) An assessment of the prevalence of and particular risks 
     for problem gambling among members of the Armed Forces, 
     including recommendations for policies and programs to be 
     carried out by the Department of Defense to address problem 
     gambling.
       (3) An assessment of the ability and capacity of military 
     health care personnel to adequately diagnose and provide 
     dedicated treatment for problem gambling, including--
       (A) a comparison of treatment programs of the Department 
     for alcohol abuse, illegal substance abuse, and tobacco 
     addiction with treatment programs of the Department for 
     problem gambling; and
       (B) an assessment of whether additional training for 
     military health care personnel on providing treatment for 
     problem gambling would be beneficial.
       (4) An assessment of the financial counseling and related 
     services that are available to members of the Armed Forces 
     and their dependents who are impacted by problem gambling.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
     submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
     the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
       (2) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1855. Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Kirk) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 
proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 355. ELIGIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED, GOVERNMENT-
                   OPERATED ARSENALS FOR ARMAMENT RETOOLING AND 
                   MANUFACTURING SUPPORT (ARMS) INITIATIVE.

       Section 4551(2) of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``manufacturing facility, or'' and 
     inserting ``manufacturing facility,''; and
       (2) by inserting ``, or a Government-owned, Government-
     operated arsenal'' before the period at the end.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1856. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1257. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SANCTIONING INDIVIDUALS 
                   CONNECTED TO THE DETAINMENT OF UKRAINIAN 
                   FIGHTER PILOT NADIYA SAVCHENKO.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko was captured 
     on June 17, 2014, in a town in Ukraine north of Luhansk, by 
     armed men loyal to the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's 
     Republic.
       (2) Nadiya Savchenko was subsequently beaten, transported 
     to Voronezh, a town due north of Luhansk in the Russian 
     Federation, and held on falsified charges, including the 
     charge of illegal crossing of the border into the Russian 
     Federation even though she was brought to the Russian 
     Federation forcefully, blindfolded and handcuffed.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the detainment and continued detention of Nadiya 
     Savchenko and the falsified charges that have been brought 
     against her are serious violations of internationally 
     recognized human rights and are offenses for which sanctions 
     may be imposed under the law of the United States; and
       (2) the United States should impose sanctions with respect 
     to the individuals connected to the detainment and continued 
     detention of Nadiya Savchenko.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1857. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such

[[Page S3883]]

fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1257. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON HARMONIZATION OF LISTS OF THE 
                   UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION OF PERSONS 
                   SANCTIONED IN RELATION TO THE AGGRESSION OF THE 
                   RUSSIAN FEDERATION AGAINST UKRAINE.

       It is the sense of Congress that the United States should 
     work with the European Union to harmonize the lists of the 
     United States and the European Union of persons with respect 
     to which sanctions are imposed in relation to the aggression 
     of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1858. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 616, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:
       (g) Expansion of Limitation on Reimbursement of Pakistan 
     Pending Certification on Pakistan.--Subsection (d) of section 
     1227 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2013 is further amended in paragraph (1)(B)(i) by 
     inserting ``, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed,'' after 
     ``the Haqqani Network''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1859. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1274. ASSESSMENT OF THE MILITARY CAPABILITY OF THE 
                   REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the 
     Secretary of State shall jointly submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees an assessment of the military 
     capability of the Republic of Cyprus to defend against 
     threats to its national security, including threats posed by 
     hostile foreign governments and international terrorist 
     groups.
       (b) Elements.--The assessment required under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following elements:
       (1) An analysis of the effect on the national security of 
     Cyprus of the United States policy to deny applications for 
     licenses and other approvals for the export of defense 
     articles and defense services to the armed forces of Cyprus.
       (2) An analysis of the extent to which such United States 
     policy is consistent with overall United States security and 
     policy objectives in the region.
       (3) An assessment of the potential impact of lifting such 
     United States policy.
       (c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
     congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the congressional defense committees; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1860. Mr. DAINES submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1065. REPORT ON THE LOCATION OF C-130 MODULAR AIRBORNE 
                   FIREFIGHTING SYSTEM UNITS.

       Not later than September 30, 2016, the Secretary of the Air 
     Force shall submit to Congress a report setting forth an 
     assessment of the locations of C-130 Modular Airborne 
     Firefighting System (MAFFS) units. The report shall include 
     the following:
       (1) A list of the C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting 
     System units of the Air Force.
       (2) The utilization rates of the units listed under 
     paragraph (1).
       (3) A future force allocation determination with respect to 
     such units in order to achieve the most efficient use of such 
     units
       (4) An assessment of the advisability and feasability of 
     any changes to C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System 
     program to enhance firefighting capabilities.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1861. Mr. PERDUE (for himself and Mr. Cotton) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. 
McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to authorize appropriations for fiscal 
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for 
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table, as 
follows:

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

     SEC. 1209. AUTHORITY FOR SUPPORT FOR THE VETTED SYRIAN 
                   OPPOSITION UPON THEIR RETURN TO SYRIA TO 
                   PROTECT THEM FROM HOSTILE ADVERSARIES.

       Section 1209 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' 
     McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat, 3541) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(l) Support for the Vetted Opposition Upon Return to 
     Syria.--In order to meet the purposes specified in subsection 
     (a), the Secretary of Defense may provide assistance to 
     appropriately vetted elements, groups, and individuals 
     described in that subsection, upon their return to Syria to 
     provide protection to such recipients from hostile 
     adversaries, including the following types of support:
       ``(1) Intelligence.
       ``(2) Logistics.
       ``(3) Defensive supporting fire.
       ``(4) Medical assistance.
       ``(5) Any other support the Secretary of Defense considers 
     appropriate.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1862. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 3124. PROHIBITION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR PROVISION 
                   OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION ASSISTANCE 
                   TO RUSSIAN FEDERATION.

       (a) Prohibition.--None of the funds authorized to be 
     appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for 
     fiscal year 2016 for defense nuclear nonproliferation 
     activities, and none of the funds authorized to be 
     appropriated for defense nuclear nonproliferation activities 
     for any fiscal year before fiscal year 2016 that are 
     available for obligation as of the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, may be obligated or expended to enter into a 
     contract with, or otherwise provide assistance to, the 
     Russian Federation until the President certifies to the 
     appropriate congressional committees that the Russian 
     Federation is in compliance with--
       (1) the Treaty between the United States of America and the 
     Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of 
     Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, signed 
     at Washington December 8, 1987, and entered into force June 
     1, 1988 (commonly referred to as the ``Intermediate-Range 
     Nuclear Forces Treaty'' or ``INF Treaty'');
       (2) the Treaty between the United States of America and the 
     Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and 
     Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed on April 8, 
     2010, and entered into force on February 5, 2011 (commonly 
     referred to as the ``New START Treaty'');
       (3) its obligations under the Presidential Nuclear 
     Initiatives agreed to by President George H.W. Bush and 
     President Boris Yeltsin; and
       (4) its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test 
     Ban Treaty, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 
     September 10, 1996.
       (b) Waiver.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy may waive the 
     prohibition under subsection (a) if the Secretary--
       (A) determines that such a waiver is in the national 
     security interests of the United States; and
       (B) not less than 15 days before the waiver takes effect, 
     submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report, 
     in classified form if necessary, providing the justification 
     for the waiver.
       (2) Nondelegation.--The Secretary may not delegate the 
     waiver authority under paragraph (1).
       (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means the following:
       (1) The congressional defense committees.
       (2) The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.

[[Page S3884]]

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1863. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 209, line 19, strike ``1.3 percent'' and insert 
     ``2.3 percent''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1864. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1637. PROHIBITION ON REDUCTION IN INTERCONTINENTAL 
                   BALLISTIC MISSILE ALERT STATUS.

       (a) Prohibition.--None of the funds authorized to be 
     appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the 
     Department of Defense for fiscal year 2016 may be obligated 
     or expended for reducing, or preparing to reduce, the 
     responsiveness or alert level of the intercontinental 
     ballistic missiles of the United States.
       (b) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the 
     following activities:
       (1) Maintenance or sustainment of intercontinental 
     ballistic missiles.
       (2) Ensuring the safety, security, or reliability of 
     intercontinental ballistic missiles.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1865. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 475, beginning on line 17, strike ``2035; and'' and 
     all that follows through ``(E) Implications'' on line 18 and 
     insert the following: ``2035;
       (D)
       Viz:
       (D) options to address ship classes that begin 
     decommissioning prior to 2035, including Ticonderoga-class 
     guided missile cruisers; and
       (E) implications
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1866. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1264. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR THE PARTICIPATION 
                   OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE NEXT 
                   RIM OF THE PACIFIC NAVAL EXERCISES.

       No amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act or 
     otherwise available for the Department of Defense funds may 
     be obligated or expended for the participation of the 
     People's Republic of China in the next Rim of the Pacific 
     (RIMPAC) naval exercises until the Secretary of Defense 
     certifies to the congressional defense committees that--
       (1) the People's Republic of China has ceased its land 
     reclamation activities on disputed islands located in the 
     South China Sea as well its militarization of those islands, 
     including the building or deployment of surface-to-air 
     missile, coastal defenses, cruise missiles, naval guns, 
     fortified aviation hangars, and artillery; and
       (2) the Republic of China Navy has been invited to 
     participate in the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1867. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       On page 622, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
       (3) An assessment of the facilitation of terrorist 
     activities and operations of foreign fighters through use of 
     social media platforms by the organizations referred to in 
     paragraph (1).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1868. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

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

     SEC. 1085. UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       (a) Requirement to Develop and Deploy UAS Technologies.--
     The Secretary of Defense and the Director of National 
     Intelligence shall work in conjunction with the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, the 
     Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, the heads of other Federal agencies, existing 
     UAS test sites designated by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration, the private sector, and academia on the 
     research and development of technologies to safely detect, 
     identify, and classify potentially threatening UAS in the 
     national air space and to develop mitigation technologies--
       (1) to ensure that, as the commercial use of UAS 
     technologies increases and such technologies are safely 
     integrated into the national air space, the United States is 
     taking full advantage of existing and developmental 
     technologies to detect, identify, classify, track, and 
     counteract potentially threatening UAS, including in and 
     around restricted and controlled air space, such as airports, 
     military training areas, National Special Security Events, 
     and sensitive national security locations; and
       (2) to contribute to the development of intelligence, 
     reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities for national 
     security over widely dispersed and expansive territories.
       (b) UAS Defined.--In this section, the term ``UAS'' means 
     unmanned aerial systems.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1869. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1463 proposed by Mr. McCain to the bill H.R. 1735, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table, as follows:

       Strike section 1103 and insert the following:

     SEC. 1103. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ``NEW 
                   BEGINNINGS'' PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND 
                   WORKFORCE INCENTIVE SYSTEM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   DEFENSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Section 1113 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84) required the 
     Department of Defense to institute a fair, credible, and 
     transparent performance appraisal system, given the name 
     ``New Beginnings'', for employees which--
       (A) links employee bonuses and other performance-based 
     action to employee performance appraisals;
       (B) ensured ongoing performance feedback and dialogue among 
     supervisors, managers, and employees throughout the appraisal 
     period, with timetables for review; and
       (C) developed performance assistance plans to give 
     employees formal training, on-the-job training, counseling, 
     mentoring, and other assistance.
       (2) The military components and Defense Agencies of the 
     Department are currently reviewing the proposed ``New 
     Beginnings'' performance management and workforce incentive 
     system developed in response to section 1113 of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
       (3) The Department anticipates it will begin implementation 
     of the ``New Beginnings'' performance management and 
     workforce incentive system in April 2016.
       (4) The authority in section 1113 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 provided the 
     Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Office of 
     Personnel Management, flexibilities in promulgating 
     regulations to redesign the procedures which are applied by 
     the Department in making appointments to positions within the 
     competitive service in order to--
       (A) better meet mission needs;
       (B) respond to manager needs and the needs of applicants;

[[Page S3885]]

       (C) produce high-quality applicants;
       (D) support timely decisions;
       (E) uphold appointments based on merit system principles; 
     and
       (F) promote competitive job offers.
       (5) In implementing the ``New Beginnings'' performance 
     management and workforce incentive system, section 1113 of 
     the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 
     requires the Secretary to comply with veterans' preference 
     requirements.
       (6) Among the criteria for the ``New Beginnings'' 
     performance management and workforce incentive system 
     authorized by section 1113 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, the Secretary is 
     required to--
       (A) adhere to merit principles;
       (B) include a means for ensuring employee involvement (for 
     bargaining unit employees, through their exclusive 
     representatives) in the design and implementation of the 
     performance management and workforce incentive system;
       (C) provide for adequate training and retraining for 
     supervisors, managers, and employees in the implementation 
     and operation of the performance management and workforce 
     incentive system;
       (D) develop a comprehensive management succession program 
     to provide training to employees to develop managers for the 
     Department and a program to provide training to supervisors 
     on actions, options, and strategies a supervisor may use in 
     administering the performance management and workforce 
     incentive system;
       (E) include effective transparency and accountability 
     measures and safeguards to ensure that the management of the 
     performance management and workforce incentive system is 
     fair, credible, and equitable, including appropriate 
     independent reasonableness reviews, internal assessments, and 
     employee surveys;
       (F) utilize the annual strategic workforce plan required by 
     section 115b of title 10, United States Code; and
       (G) ensure that adequate resources are allocated for the 
     design, implementation, and administration of the performance 
     management and workforce incentive system.
       (7) Section 1113 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2010 also requires the Secretary to develop a 
     program of training--to be completed by a supervisor every 
     three years--on the actions, options, and strategies a 
     supervisor may use in--
       (A) developing and discussing relevant goals and objectives 
     with employees, communicating and discussing progress 
     relative to performance goals and objectives, and conducting 
     performance appraisals;
       (B) mentoring and motivating employees, and improving 
     employee performance and productivity;
       (C) fostering a work environment characterized by fairness, 
     respect, equal opportunity, and attention to the quality of 
     the work of employees;
       (D) effectively managing employees with unacceptable 
     performance;
       (E) addressing reports of a hostile work environment, 
     reprisal, or harassment of or by another supervisor or 
     employee; and
       (F) allowing experienced supervisors to mentor new 
     supervisors by sharing knowledge and advice in areas such as 
     communication, critical thinking, responsibility, 
     flexibility, motivating employees, teamwork, leadership, and 
     professional development, and pointing out strengths and 
     areas of development.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of Defense should proceed with the 
     collaborative work with employee representatives on the ``New 
     Beginnings'' performance management and workforce incentive 
     system and begin implementation of the new system at the 
     earliest possible date.

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