[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 127 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4604-S4605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 726. Mr. CASSIDY 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:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. REPORT ON MILITARY TEST AND TRAINING EVENTS 
                   CONDUCTED IN THE AREA EAST OF THE MILITARY 
                   MISSION LINE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.

       (a) In General.--Not later than March 1, 2018, the 
     Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary 
     of Interior, shall submit to the congressional defense 
     committees and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
     House of Representatives a report on military test and 
     training events conducted in

[[Page S4605]]

     the area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of 
     Mexico.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall address the following matters:
       (1) The frequency and impact of test events, exercises, and 
     military operations conducted annually in the ranges and 
     operating areas east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf 
     of Mexico from 2006 to the time of the report.
       (2) The frequency and impact of test events, exercises, and 
     military operations conducted annually from 2006 to the time 
     of the report in the ranges and operating in planning areas 
     where active Outer Continental oil and gas leases currently 
     exist.
       (3) Comparable testing and training areas within the United 
     States and its territories that can replicate the 
     capabilities of the ranges and operating areas east of the 
     Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico.
       (4) Comparable testing and training areas outside the 
     United States which are available for United States military 
     testing and training activities that can replicate the 
     capabilities of the ranges and operating areas east of the 
     Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico.
       (5) The extent to which the services will be able to meet 
     training and test requirements necessary to be prepared to 
     support Operational Plans should the moratorium on oil and 
     gas leasing, pre-leasing, or any related activity east of the 
     Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico not be extended.
       (6) The extent to which the services will be able to meet 
     their training and test requirements, with specific 
     stipulations similar to those in the Gulf of Mexico Central 
     Planning Area, while incorporating potential Department of 
     the Interior priorities east of the Military Mission Line in 
     the Gulf of Mexico.
       (c) Measurement of Frequency and Impact.--For purposes of 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b)--
       (1) frequency shall be measured in duration as calendar 
     days when test events, exercises, and military operations 
     occur; and
       (2) impact shall be measured in areas (as defined by 
     longitude and latitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds) 
     where restrictions or stipulations are imposed for test 
     events, exercises, and military operations.
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