[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 127 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S4570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 635. Mr. KAINE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 2810, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2018 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 1606 and insert the following:

     SEC. 1606. LAUNCH SUPPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION.

       (a) In General.--In support of the policy outlined in 
     section 2273 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary 
     of Defense shall carry out a program to modernize 
     infrastructure and improve support activities for processing 
     and launch of United States national security space missions 
     from Federal ranges.
       (b) Elements.--The program required by this section shall 
     include--
       (1) investments in infrastructure to improve operations at 
     ranges in the United States that launch national security 
     space missions that may benefit all users, to enhance the 
     overall capabilities of those ranges, to improve safety, and 
     to reduce the long-term cost of operations and maintenance;
       (2) measures to normalize processes, systems, and products 
     across the ranges described in paragraph (1) to minimize the 
     burden on launch providers; and
       (3) improvements in transparency, flexibility, and 
     responsiveness for launch scheduling.
       (c) Consultation.--In carrying out the program required by 
     this section, the Secretary should consult with current and 
     anticipated users of ranges in the United States that launch 
     national security space missions.
       (d) Cooperation.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary should consider partnerships authorized under 
     section 2276 of title 10, United States Code.
       (e) Report.--
       (1) Report required.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the congressional defense committees a report on the plan 
     for the implementation of the launch support and 
     infrastructure modernization program at ranges in the United 
     States that launch national security space missions.
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       (A) a description of plans and the resources needed to 
     improve launch support infrastructure, utilities, support 
     equipment, and range operations;
       (B) a description of plans to streamline and normalize 
     processes, systems, and products at ranges described in 
     paragraph (1) to ensure consistency for range users; and
       (C) recommendations for improving transparency, 
     flexibility, and responsiveness in launch scheduling.
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