[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4699-H4716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019


                             General Leave

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous material on H.R. 5515.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bost). Is there objection to the request 
of the gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 908 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union for the further consideration of the bill, 
H.R. 5515.
  Will the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Amodei) kindly take the chair.

                              {time}  0914


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of 
the bill (H.R. 5515) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2019 
for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes, with Mr. Amodei (Acting Chair) in the 
chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Acting CHAIR. When the Committee of the Whole rose on Wednesday, 
May 23, 2018, amendments en bloc printed in House Report 115-702 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry) had been disposed 
of.

                              {time}  0915


      Amendments En Bloc No. 4 Offered by Mr. Thornberry of Texas

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 908, I 
offer amendments en bloc.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
  Amendments en bloc No. 4 consisting of amendment Nos. 93, 94, 95, 96, 
97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, and 109 
printed in House Report 115-702, offered by Mr. Thornberry of Texas:

            amendment no. 93 offered by mr. cuellar of texas

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

     SEC. 3__. CORE SAMPLING AT JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

       (a) Site Investigation Required.--The Secretary of the Air 
     Force shall conduct a core sampling study along the proposed 
     route of the W-6 wastewater treatment line on Air Force real 
     property, in compliance with best engineering practices, to 
     determine if any regulated or hazardous substances are 
     present in the soil along the proposed route.
       (b) Report Required.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air 
     Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
     Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the 
     results of the core samples taken pursuant to subsection (a).


          amendment no. 94 offered by mr. yarmuth of kentucky

       At the end of subtitle C of title XV, add the following new 
     section:

     SEC. 15__. ENDURING COSTS FUNDED THROUGH OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY 
                   OPERATIONS.

       Beginning with the submission of the annual budget for 
     fiscal year 2020, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress, as a part of 
     the documentation that supports the President's annual budget 
     for the Department of Defense for such fiscal year (as 
     submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United 
     States Code), an estimate for the costs of operations 
     currently supported in part or in whole by funding for 
     overseas contingency operations that are likely to continue 
     beyond such contingency. The Secretary shall ensure that each 
     estimate is consistent with the recommendations included in 
     the Government Accountability Report entitled ``Overseas 
     Contingency Operations: OMB and DOD Should Revise the 
     Criteria for Determining Eligible Costs and Identify the 
     Costs Likely to Endure Long Term'' published January 18, 
     2017.


    amendment no. 95 offered by mr. sean patrick maloney of new york

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

     SEC. 5__. INFORMATION REGARDING COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE 
                   OFFICERS.

       (a) Provision of Information.--The Secretary of Defense, 
     and with respect to members of the Coast Guard, the Secretary 
     of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating when 
     it is not operating as a service in the Navy, shall ensure 
     that a member of the Armed Forces who is separating or 
     retiring from the Armed Forces may elect to have the 
     Department of Defense form DD-214 of the member transmitted 
     to the appropriate county veterans service officer based on 
     the mailing address provided by the member.
       (b) Database.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
     with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall maintain a 
     database of all county veterans service officers.
       (c) County Veterans Service Officer Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``county veterans service officer'' means 
     an employee of a county government, local government, or 
     Tribal government who is covered by section 14.629(a)(2) of 
     title 38, Code of Federal Regulations.


          amendment no. 96 offered by mr. correa of california

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

     SEC. 10__. STUDY ON RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS WITH EXPERIENCE 
                   IN CERTAIN TECHNICAL FIELDS.

       (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
     a study to determine how the Department of Defense can 
     attract and recruit from institutions of higher education, 
     including the institutions described in subsection (b), 
     students with educational backgrounds in science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics, including the fields of 
     artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity.
       (b) Institutions Described.--The institutions described in 
     this subsection are--
       (1) Hispanic Serving Institutions (as defined in section 
     502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a));
       (2) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (as 
     defined in section 322 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1061)); and
       (3) Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander 
     Serving Institutions (as defined in Section 371(c) of such 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c)).
       (c) Report.--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 on the 
     results of the study conducted under subsection (a).


           amendment no. 97 offered by ms. lee of california

       At the end of subtitle C of title XV, add the following new 
     section:

     SEC. 15__. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON USE OF FUNDS 
                   PROVIDED BY OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to Congress a report on how funds 
     authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2018 for 
     overseas contingency operations were obligated.
       (b) Form.--The report under subsection (a) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.


       amendment no. 98 offered by mr. rohrabacher of california

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

     SEC. 12__. SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO DR. SHAKIL AFRIDI.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The attacks of September 11, 2001, killed approximately 
     3,000 people, most of whom were Americans, but also included 
     hundreds of individuals with foreign citizenships, nearly 350 
     New York Fire Department personnel, and about 50 law 
     enforcement officers.
       (2) Downed United Airlines flight 93 was reportedly 
     intended, under the control of the al-Qaeda high-jackers, to 
     crash into the White House or the Capitol in an attempt to 
     kill the President of the United States or Members of the 
     United States Congress.
       (3) The September 11, 2001, attacks were largely planned 
     and carried out by the al-Qaeda terrorist network led by 
     Osama bin

[[Page H4700]]

     Laden and his deputy Ayman al Zawahiri, after which Osama bin 
     Laden enjoyed safe haven in Pakistan from where he continued 
     to plot deadly attacks against the United States and the 
     world.
       (4) Since 2001, the United States has provided more than 
     $30 billion in security and economic aid to Pakistan.
       (5) The United States very generously and swiftly responded 
     to the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake in Pakistan with more than 
     $200 million in emergency aid and the support of several 
     United States military aircraft, approximately 1,000 United 
     States military personnel, including medical specialists, 
     thousands of tents, blankets, water containers and a variety 
     of other emergency equipment.
       (6) The United States again generously and swiftly 
     contributed approximately $150 million in emergency aid to 
     Pakistan following the 2010 Pakistan flood, in addition to 
     the service of nearly twenty United States military 
     helicopters, their flight crews, and other resources to 
     assist the Pakistan Army's relief efforts.
       (7) The United States continues to work tirelessly to 
     support Pakistan's economic development, including millions 
     of dollars allocated towards the development of Pakistan's 
     energy infrastructure, health services and education system.
       (8) The United States and Pakistan continue to have many 
     critical shared interests, both economic and security 
     related, which could be the foundation for a positive and 
     mutually beneficial partnership.
       (9) Dr. Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani physician, is a hero to 
     whom the people of the United States, Pakistan and the world 
     owe a debt of gratitude for his help in finally locating 
     Osama bin Laden before more innocent American, Pakistani and 
     other lives were lost to this terrorist leader.
       (10) Pakistan, the United States and the international 
     community had failed for nearly 10 years following attacks of 
     September 11, 2001, to locate and bring Osama bin Laden, who 
     continued to kill innocent civilians in the Middle East, 
     Asia, Europe, Africa and the United States, to justice 
     without the help of Dr. Afridi.
       (11) The Government of Pakistan's imprisonment of Dr. 
     Afridi presents a serious and growing impediment to the 
     United States' bilateral relations with Pakistan.
       (12) The Government of Pakistan has leveled and allowed 
     baseless charges against Dr. Afridi in a politically 
     motivated, spurious legal process.
       (13) Dr. Afridi is currently imprisoned by the Government 
     of Pakistan, a deplorable and unconscionable situation which 
     calls into question Pakistan's actual commitment to 
     countering terrorism and undermines the notion that Pakistan 
     is a true ally in the struggle against terrorism.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     Dr. Shakil Afridi is an international hero and that the 
     Government of Pakistan should release him immediately from 
     prison.


            amendment no. 99 offered by mr. soto of florida

       On page 469, line 14, insert ``, distributed ledger 
     technologies,'' after ``quantum sciences''.
       On page 469, line 21, insert ``distributed ledger 
     technologies,'' after ``quantum sciences,''.


         amendment no. 100 offered by mr. lipinski of illinois

       Page 201, after line 11, insert the following new section:

     SEC. 626. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN MORALE, WELFARE, AND 
                   RECREATION PRIVILEGES TO CERTAIN VETERANS AND 
                   THEIR CAREGIVERS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Purple 
     Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018''.
       (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) In 2017, the Secretary of Defense determined that the 
     addition of new patron categories to the commissary and 
     exchange systems would support the growth of a robust 
     customer base and help ensure the ability of both systems to 
     provide benefits to members of the Armed Forces and their 
     families.
       (2) The Secretary previously opposed extending commissary 
     and exchange privileges to large patron groups such as 
     disabled veterans.
       (3) In January 2017, the Secretary of Defense approved 
     limited online exchange shopping privileges for all veterans, 
     effective November 11, 2017.
       (4) The Secretary determined that current patrons of 
     exchanges did not perceive the extension of such privileges 
     as diluting the benefit for members of the Armed Forces.
       (5) The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration, 
     awarded to members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded 
     or died in combat, fighting for the United States. Since the 
     modern incarnation of the award was established in 1932, 
     approximately 1,800,000 members of the Armed Forces have been 
     awarded the Purple Heart.
       (c) Commissary Stores and MWR Facilities Privileges for 
     Certain Veterans and Veteran Caregivers.--
       (1) Extension of privileges.--Chapter 54 of title 10, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1065. Use of commissary stores and MWR facilities: 
       certain veterans and caregivers for veterans

       ``(a) Eligibility of Veterans Awarded the Purple Heart.--A 
     veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart shall be permitted 
     to use commissary stores and MWR facilities on the same basis 
     as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or 
     retainer pay.
       ``(b) Eligibility of Veterans Who Are Medal of Honor 
     Recipients.--A veteran who is a Medal of Honor recipient 
     shall be permitted to use commissary stores and MWR 
     facilities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces 
     entitled to retired or retainer pay.
       ``(c) Eligibility of Veterans Who Are Former Prisoners of 
     War.--A veteran who is a former prisoner of war shall be 
     permitted to use commissary stores and MWR facilities on the 
     same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to 
     retired or retainer pay.
       ``(d) Eligibility of Veterans With Service-Connected 
     Disabilities.--A veteran with a service-connected disability 
     shall be permitted to use commissary stores and MWR 
     facilities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces 
     entitled to retired or retainer pay.
       ``(e) Eligibility of Caregivers for Veterans.--A caregiver 
     or family caregiver shall be permitted to use commissary 
     stores and MWR facilities on the same basis as a member of 
     the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
       ``(f) User Fee Authority.--(1) The Secretary of Defense 
     shall prescribe regulations that impose a user fee on 
     individuals who are eligible solely under this section to 
     purchase merchandise at a commissary store or MWR retail 
     facility.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall set the user fee under this 
     subsection at a rate that the Secretary determines will 
     offset any increase in expenses arising from this section 
     borne by the Department of the Treasury on behalf of 
     commissary stores associated with the use of credit or debit 
     cards for customer purchases, including expenses related to 
     card network use and related transaction processing fees.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall deposit funds collected pursuant 
     to a user fee under this subsection in the General Fund of 
     the Treasury.
       ``(4) Any fee under this subsection is in addition to the 
     uniform surcharge under section 2484(d) of this title.
       ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `MWR facilities' includes--
       ``(A) MWR retail facilities, as that term is defined in 
     section 1063(e) of this title; and
       ``(B) military lodging operated by the Department of 
     Defense for the morale, welfare, and recreation of members of 
     the armed forces.
       ``(2) The term `Medal of Honor recipient' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 1074h(c) of this title.
       ``(3) The terms `veteran', `former prisoner of war', and 
     `service-connected' have the meanings given those terms in 
     section 101 of title 38.
       ``(4) The terms `caregiver' and `family caregiver' have the 
     meanings given those terms in section in section 1720G(d) of 
     title 38.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 54 of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``1065. Use of commissary stores and MWR facilities: certain veterans 
              and caregivers for veterans.''.

       (3) Effective date.--Section 1065 of title 10, United 
     States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall take effect at 
     the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriation for Updating EPACS for 
     Military Commissaries.--There is hereby authorized to be 
     appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise 
     appropriated, $500,000 to the Secretary of Defense for the 
     purpose of updating the electronic physical access control 
     system used by military commissaries and exchanges so that 
     the system may recognize and accept veteran health 
     identification cards.
       (e) Sense of Congress Regarding Individuals Awarded the 
     Purple Heart.--It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary 
     of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, should maintain a list of all individuals awarded 
     the Purple Heart.


         amendment no. 101 offered by mr. lipinski of illinois

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

     SEC. 1__. ARMORED COMMERCIAL PASSENGER-CARRYING VEHICLES.

       (a) Implementation of GAO Recommendations.--In accordance 
     with the recommendations of the Government Accountability 
     Office in the report titled ``Armored Commercial Vehicles: 
     DOD Has Procurement Guidance, but Army Could Take Actions to 
     Enhance Inspections and Oversight'' (GAO-17-513), not later 
     than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary of Army shall--
       (1) ensure that in-progress inspections are conducted at 
     the armoring vendor's facility for each procurement of an 
     armored commercial passenger-carrying vehicle until the date 
     on which the Secretary of Defense approves and implements an 
     updated armoring and inspection standard for such vehicles; 
     and
       (2) designate a central point of contact for collecting and 
     reporting information on armored commercial passenger-
     carrying vehicles (such as information on contracts execution 
     and vehicle inspections).

[[Page H4701]]

       (b) Briefing Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
     shall provide to the congressional defense committees a 
     briefing on the progress of the Secretary in implementing 
     Department of Defense Instruction O-2000.16 Volume 1, dated 
     November 2016, with respect to armored commercial passenger-
     carrying vehicles, including--
       (1) whether criteria for the procurement of such vehicles 
     have been established and distributed to the relevant 
     components of the Department; and
       (2) whether a process is in place for ensuring that the 
     relevant components of the Department incorporate those 
     criteria into contracts for such vehicles.


          amendment no. 102 offered by ms. eshoo of california

       Page 877, insert after line 9 the following new section 
     (and redesignate the succeeding sections accordingly):

     SEC. 2822. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING LAND CONVEYANCE, 
                   MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds as follows:
       (1) The Secretary of the Army is proposing to convey 17.1 
     acres of real property in Mountain View, California, known as 
     Shenandoah Square and the existing 126 housing units on such 
     property in order to raise capital to improve other military 
     housing owned by private entities, despite significant 
     military demand for affordable housing in the San Francisco 
     Bay Area from personnel spanning across the Air Force, Army, 
     Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.
       (2) Under the proposed conveyance, the existing 126 housing 
     units at Shenandoah Square would be demolished to allow for 
     the construction of high-density residential housing.
       (3) Shenandoah Square is one of only 3 military housing 
     complexes in the San Francisco Bay Area and is home to many 
     California National Guard personnel serving in the 129th 
     Rescue Wing at Moffett Federal Air Field and civilians who 
     perform mission critical work for the 129th Rescue Wing.
       (4) The San Francisco Bay Area is confronting one of the 
     most severe affordable housing crises in the United States, 
     which has led to a recruitment and retention crisis for the 
     129th Rescue Wing.
       (5) The residents of these units have expressed concern 
     about their displacement from Shenandoah Square, as this 
     property is located in one of the most expensive housing 
     markets in the country, Silicon Valley, and there is great 
     uncertainty about the affordability of new potential housing 
     on the site.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of the Army should explore all possible 
     alternatives to a conveyance of Shenandoah Square, including 
     subleasing the property to an entity that can better develop 
     affordable housing on the property.


            amendment no. 103 offered by ms. soto of florida

       At the end of subtitle B of title II, add the following new 
     section:

     SEC. 2__. PERMANENT EXTENSION AND CODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY 
                   TO CONDUCT TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION FEATURES 
                   ACTIVITIES DURING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF 
                   DEFENSE SYSTEMS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 139 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting before section 2358 the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 2357. Technology protection features activities.

       ``(a) Activities.--The Secretary of Defense may carry out 
     activities to develop and incorporate technology protection 
     features in a designated system during the research and 
     development phase of such system.
       ``(b) Cost-sharing.--Any contract for the design or 
     development of a system resulting from activities under 
     subsection (a) for the purpose of enhancing or enabling the 
     exportability of the system, either for the development of 
     program protection strategies for the system or the design 
     and incorporation of exportability features into the system, 
     shall include a cost-sharing provision that requires the 
     contractor to bear half of the cost of such activities, or 
     such other portion of such cost as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate upon showing of good cause.
       ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `designated system' means any system 
     (including a major system, as defined in section 2302(5) of 
     title 10, United States Code) that the Under Secretary of 
     Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment designates for 
     purposes of this section.
       ``(2) The term `technology protection features' means the 
     technical modifications necessary to protect critical program 
     information, including anti-tamper technologies and other 
     systems engineering activities intended to prevent or delay 
     exploitation of critical technologies in a designated 
     system.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 139 of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting before the item relating to section 2358 
     the following new item:

``2357. Technology protection features activities.''.

       (c) Conforming Repeal.--Section 243 of the Ike Skelton 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (10 
     U.S.C. 2358 note) is repealed.


         amendment no. 104 offered by mrs. torres of california

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

     SEC. __. REPORT ON HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, AND EL SALVADOR.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, 
     shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     a report regarding narcotics trafficking corruption and 
     illicit campaign finance in Honduras, Guatemala, and El 
     Salvador.
       (b) Matters to Be Included.--The report required under 
     subsection (a) shall include--
       (1) the names of senior government officials in Honduras, 
     Guatemala, and El Salvador who are known to have committed or 
     facilitated acts of grand corruption or narcotics 
     trafficking;
       (2) the names of elected officials in Honduras, Guatemala, 
     and El Salvador who are known to have received campaign funds 
     that are the proceeds of narco-trafficking or other illicit 
     activities in the last 2 years; and
       (3) the names of individuals in Honduras, Guatemala, and El 
     Salvador who are known to have facilitated the financing of 
     political campaigns in any of the Northern Triangle countries 
     with the proceeds of narco-trafficking or other illicit 
     activities in the last 2 years.
       (c) Form.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
     be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a 
     classified annex.


          amendment no. 105 offered by mr. wittman of virginia

       Page 956, line 19, strike ``2018'' and insert ``2019''.


          amendment no. 106 offered by mr. garrett of virginia

       Page 683, line 15, insert ``foreign'' before ``non-state''.


       amendment no. 107 offered by mr. cicilline of rhode island

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

     SEC. 3__. REPORT ON EFFECTS OF INCREASED AUTOMATION OF 
                   DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE ON MANUFACTURING 
                   WORKFORCE.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the effects of the increased automation of the 
     defense industrial base over the ten-year period beginning on 
     the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act. Such report shall include, for the period covered 
     by the report--
       (1) an estimate of the number of jobs in the United States 
     manufacturing workforce expected to be eliminated due to 
     automation in the defense sector;
       (2) an analysis describing any new types of jobs that are 
     expected to be established as a result of an increasingly 
     automated process, including an estimate of the number of 
     these types of jobs that are expected to be created;
       (3) an analysis of the potential threats to the national 
     security of the United States that are unique to the 
     automation of the defense industry;
       (4) a strategy to assist in providing workforce training 
     and transition preparation for workers who may lose 
     manufacturing jobs in the defense industry due to automation;
       (5) a description of any training necessary for workers 
     affected by automation to more easily transition to new types 
     of jobs within the defense manufacturing industry; and
       (6) any actions taken, or planned to be taken, by the 
     Department of Defense to assist in worker transition.


       amendment no. 108 offered by mr. cicilline of rhode island

       Add at the end of subtitle F of title XII the following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON COUNTRIES AND ENEMY GROUPS AGAINST WHICH 
                   THE UNITED STATES HAS TAKEN MILITARY ACTION.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
     Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate a report that identifies the nations, organizations, 
     and persons against which the United States has taken 
     military action pursuant to the Authorization for Use of 
     Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note).


          amendment no. 109 offered by mrs. demings of florida

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

     SEC. 12__. ENHANCED MILITARY ACTIVITIES.

       (a) NATO Exercises.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with appropriate officials of other member 
     countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, shall 
     seek opportunities to conduct more NATO naval exercises in 
     the Baltic and Black Seas, as well as in the northern 
     Atlantic Ocean, to defend the seas around Europe and deter 
     Russian aggression in those regions.
       (b) Joint Research Projects.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of State, may conduct joint 
     research projects with NATO allies pursuant to the 
     authorities under chapter 138 of title 10, United States 
     Code, including projects through NATO Centers of Excellence, 
     to--

[[Page H4702]]

       (1) improve NATO reconnaissance capabilities to track 
     Russian military exercises;
       (2) enhance NATO anti-submarine warfare capabilities 
     against Russia;
       (3) increase the numbers of modern sensors placed on NATO 
     aircraft, submarines, and surface ships; or
       (4) enhance NATO capabilities to detect and deter Russian 
     information operations.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 908, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Thornberry) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
Smith) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this legislation and 
especially this part of the bill, which includes a provision that 
declares Dr. Afridi an international hero.
  For those who don't remember Dr. Afridi, who now languishes in a 
Pakistani prison, this was the brave soul who helped us identify Osama 
bin Laden, the mastermind of the slaughter of 3,000 Americans on 9/11.
  Pakistan arrested him on trumped up charges, and he now lingers in a 
dungeon, ignored by us, ignored by the world.
  This is an international hero. This is a man with courage.
  It is a disgrace that our country still has relations, when Pakistan 
rubs this in our face. I would hope that this Congress--and, Mr. Chair, 
I thank the gentleman for putting this in the bill that we are 
declaring to the world Dr. Afridi must be freed, and he is a hero, an 
international hero to all of humankind.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).
  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking 
Member Mr. Smith, and I rise in support of this legislation, and in 
particular, in support of amendment No. 202 offered by myself and Mr. 
Castro and Mr. Doggett.
  This amendment requires the Air Force to conduct a core sampling 
study at Lackland Air Force Base to determine potential hazardous 
substances along the route of a wastewater pipeline replacement 
project.
  Project negotiations are being held up because the proposed route 
transects two very old landfills whose contents are unknown. Soil 
sampling to identify potential contaminants along the construction site 
will allow this project to move forward.
  Replacing this crumbling pipeline is critical to avoid continual 
wastewater spills, which impact the environmental health and well-being 
of both the military base and the residents of San Antonio.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, the 
legislation, this en bloc amendment to bring wastewater services to 
over 500,000 residents in San Antonio, a rapidly growing southwest 
community.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Correa).
  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment 96 that 
is included in the en bloc amendment.
  My amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to study how the 
Department of Defense can attract and recruit students from higher 
education institutions with backgrounds in science, technology, 
engineering, mathematics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, 
and cybersecurity.
  To make sure we draw from the best and brightest of our country, this 
study would consist of students from all higher education institutions, 
including but not limited to Hispanic serving institutions, 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Asian American and 
Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions.
  World war III is currently taking place in cyberspace, and that is 
why it is important that we find our young men and women, the best and 
brightest we have, to fight this battle.
  Additionally, with China racing to dominate the artificial 
intelligence space, we must find suitable individuals to keep up with 
China's artificial intelligence advancements and massive investments in 
this area.
  My amendment would ensure that our Nation has the information it 
needs to recruit our brightest and best.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I would inquire of the gentleman 
if he as any more speakers.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chair, I don't have any more speakers.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to ensure 
that Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients, veterans with service-
connected disabilities, and former prisoners of war have access to 
military exchanges, commissaries, and morale, welfare, and recreation 
facilities.
  We should all agree that these heroes of our Armed Forces have done 
more than enough to earn this access. It is our duty as a Nation to not 
only say that we appreciate their service, but also to enact policies 
such as this demonstrating this gratitude.
  A 2017 Defense Department report shows expanding access will not only 
make life easier for these veterans, but will also strengthen the 
commissary and exchange system.
  This amendment has been endorsed by the VFW, American Legion, 
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled 
American Veterans, and AMVETS.
  Mr. Chair, I thank Congressman Walter Jones for joining me on the 
bill and on this amendment. I thank the chair and ranking member for 
including my amendment in this bloc and for their work on this bill, 
and I urge my colleagues to support these amendments.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member and the 
chairman of the Rules Committee for listening to both my concerns and 
the amendments that we have offered. We are very pleased to have at 
least 10 amendments to deal with this important legislation.
  Mr. Chair, I rise to thank the chair and the ranking member of the 
Armed Services Committee for the en bloc amendments.
  I would like to draw particular attention to a few Jackson Lee 
amendments as the Congress prepares to adjourn for Memorial Day. I want 
to thank the men and women who serve in the United States military.
  The Jackson Lee amendment offered in this year's NDAA will provide 
oversight with information or guidance on efforts at K-12 schools on 
Federal military facilities to maintain safety and security from active 
shooters. Just coming from my district and in the neighboring area, the 
Santa Fe tragedy, of which I attended vigils over the weekend and 
listening to children talk about being fearful of guns and going to 
school, has been a very difficult set of circumstances.
  So the Jackson Lee amendment would, in fact, seek an assessment from 
the Secretary of Defense of the strategies that may be used to reduce 
the security threats posed by active shooter incidences at public 
schools and secondary schools.
  Today, the DOD operates 60 schools in seven States, 26,000 military 
connected students, and that is a process where I think the Pentagon 
and the Defense Department can be very, very helpful.
  Jackson Lee amendment No. 91 seeks to have a report 180 days 
following enactment from the Secretary of Defense, which will include 
the Coast Guard, on maternity mortality rates among members of the 
Armed Forces and the Department.
  For every 100,000 births in the United States in 2013, the Centers 
for Disease Control estimated that 17.3 percent of mothers died, the 
highest mortality rate of all industrialized countries by several times 
over.
  I believe we can be very effective in having solutions.
  My amendment No. 68 considers the vital role in the National Guard 
and reservist field when called to service. I work with the National 
Guard. Mr. Chair, I thank the Texas Guard and the National Guard. I 
have seen them in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I believe it is an 
important assessment to continue to remind us of the work that they do, 
civilian soldiers, of course.
  Jackson Lee amendment No. 89 provides a report 220 days after 
enactment on the DOD's capacity to provide survivors of natural 
disasters--we are still

[[Page H4703]]

experiencing the suffering of Hurricane Harvey, and I believe this is a 
major important time.
  It is important as well to deal with cybersecurity, and so I have an 
amendment that seeks an assessment that would consider what occurred in 
1992 following Hurricane Andrew when the DOD stood up emergency 
housing, and to look at those options.
  The same thing with dealing with cybersecurity: I believe that it is 
important for the DOD to deal with the feasibility of creating an 
apprentice program to address the agency's shortages of qualified 
cybersecurity persons.
  Let me just simply say that this legislation will be helpful in 
defining how we answer a lot of hard questions.
  I do want to take note of the fact that I would like to see in the 
State Department and the DOD that we work on better relationships with 
Pakistan and try to discern how we can weave through some of the 
difficult issues that we are addressing and develop that alliance 
again.
  My other amendments deal with raising awareness among students 
traveling abroad; expanding the report required by the bill to include 
information on the opportunities dealing with artificial intelligence, 
dealing with cybersecurity, sharing of Navy desalinization technology 
for civilian applications.
  Something that I have been working on for a number of years: I just 
was in a meeting dealing with the impact of Boko Haram and as well its 
far-reaching impact throughout Africa, north Africa, and the death that 
it has been engaged in. My amendment will be providing for DOD 
assistance to the Nigerian Government in developing a missing persons 
database to report on missing, exploited, and trafficked persons. The 
DOD has provided the kind of assistance that has been allowed by our 
laws, but it is a horrific circumstance.
  Then finally, I have an amendment addressing dangers associated with 
man-made space debris in low Earth orbit to manned and unmanned 
missions.
  Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support our amendments. I thank 
those who have managed this legislation.
  I think the important point I want to make sure is the active 
shooter; the mortality rates dealing with mothers, maternal mortality 
rates and the loss of mothers and the loss of children in the instance 
of child birth. I would ask that my amendments be accepted.
  Mr. Chair, I rise to thank the Chair and Ranking Member of the Rules 
Committee for the inclusion of Jackson Lee Amendments in the Rules for 
H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2019.
  I also thank the Chair and Ranking Member of the Armed Services 
Committee, and their staffs for working with me and my staff to include 
Jackson Lee Amendments in the Amendment En Blocs for H.R. 5515, the 
National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2019.
  As a Member of the House Budget Committee, I am keenly aware of the 
budget pressures caused by Sequestration and repeated government 
shutdowns that have plagued defense and non-defense agencies.
  It is past time for the Congress to engage in an authentic bipartisan 
budget process that puts the national interest over party interest so 
that we can complete the annual appropriations process by September 30, 
2018, and prevent any further government shutdowns.
  I have several amendments to H.R. 5515, the National Defense 
Authorization Act for FY 2019, which will be addressed in my submitted 
statement.
  I would like to draw particular attention to a few Jackson Lee 
Amendments because of their importance to the people whom I serve in 
the 18th Congressional District of Texas, or they are of significance 
to the people who rely upon the resources provided by the National 
Defense Authorization Act to defend our nation.
  As the Congress prepares to adjourn for Memorial Day weekend, I want 
to thank the men and women of the Armed Services, and the dedicated 
civilian professionals of the Department of Defense and its branches 
for their sacrifice and service to our nation.
  I hope that in some small measure that the passage of this bill will 
convey to them the heartfelt respect and appreciation this body has for 
what they do each day to keep our nation and its people safe from harm.
  The Jackson Lee Amendments offered to this year's NDAA will provide 
oversight with information or guidance on:
  1. Efforts at K-12 schools on federal military facilities to maintain 
safety and security from active shooter situations;
  2. Reporting on maternity mortality rates among service women, and 
female dependents of all service members, including the Coast Guard;
  3. Raising awareness among students traveling abroad about 
recruitment tactics used by foreign intelligence agencies seeking to 
snare them into spying against the United States;
  4. Readiness of the National Guard and Reserve for disaster response;
  5. Defense Department's capacity to provide emergency short-term 
housing to disaster survivors;
  6. Development of a cybersecurity apprentice program to provide on 
the job training for certain cybersecurity positions and to support the 
acquisition of cybersecurity certifications;
  7. Expanding a report required by the bill to include information on 
the opportunities and risks associated with advancements Artificial 
Intelligence and its sub-discipline of machine learning;
  8. Reports on cybersecurity threats posed by the achievement of 
stable quantum computing;
  9. Sharing of Navy desalinization technology for civilian 
applications;
  10. Condemning Boko Haram; and providing for DoD assistance to the 
Nigerian government in developing a missing persons database to report 
on missing, exploited and trafficked persons; and
  11. Addressing dangers associated with man-made space debris in low 
earth orbit to manned and unmanned missions.
  The Jackson Lee Amendments that I would like to emphasize include:
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 159, which seeks an assessment, from the 
Secretary of Defense, of the strategies that may be used to reduce the 
security threats posed by active shooter incidents at public elementary 
schools and secondary schools located on the grounds of Federal 
military installations.
  Our nation's military provides for the needs of military families 
including the education of their children.
  Since 1816, a Military Service, the Department of War or the 
Department of Defense has operated schools on military installations.
  Today, the DoD operates 60 schools in 7 states: Alabama, Georgia, 
Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina and Virginia.
  There are 26,000 military connected students attending Domestic 
Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools, which are operated by 
Department of Defense Education Activity, which is located in the 
Office of the Secretary of Defense.
  Local Education Agencies operate about 150 public schools on military 
installations throughout the United States, educating about 80,000 
students.
  As you already know, on Friday, May 18, 2018, the community of Santa 
Fe, Texas became the most recent school to experience an active shooter 
gun violence, which took the lives of eight students and two teachers.
  No parent should have to endure the loss of a child.
  Over the last year we have seen deadly active shooter attacks carried 
out by a lone gunman at K-12 schools, where the shooter was often a 
student.
  The safety and wellbeing of children of our active duty personnel are 
our responsibility.
  This Jackson Lee amendment seeks information on what is being done 
and what can be done to increase school security against activity 
shooters situations in K-12 schools on military installations.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 91, which seeks a report 180 days following 
enactment from the Secretary of DoD, which will include the Coast 
Guard, on maternity mortality rates among members of the Armed Forces 
and the dependents of such members.
  For every 100,000 births in the US in 2013 the Centers for Disease 
Control estimated that 17.3 mothers died, the highest maternal 
mortality rate of all industrialized countries--by several times over.
  Between 1990 and 2015 it is reported that maternal mortality rates 
around the world fell by 30 percent while at the same time in the US, 
the ratio went up nearly 60 percent.
  A 2012, Pentagon report states that mothers delivering at military 
hospitals are more likely to hemorrhage after childbirth than mothers 
at civilian hospitals.
  More than 50,000 babies are born at military hospitals each year, and 
they are twice as likely to be injured during delivery as newborns 
nationwide.
  This Jackson Lee Amendment would provide a clearer understanding of 
the mortality rates of mothers: who were pregnant, undergoing delivery, 
or had delivered a child less than 1 year before their deaths.
  Jackson Lee amendments No. 68 and No. 89 provide additional attention 
to DoD disaster response.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 68, considers the vital role the National 
Guard and Reservist's fill when called to service in disaster response.
  I thank the Texas Guard, National Guard, and Reservists as well as 
the active duty military personnel, including the Coast Guard who

[[Page H4704]]

came to the aid of victims of Hurricane Harvey.
  You saved thousands of lives and Texans will be forever grateful that 
you answered the call to serve our nation as members of the armed 
forces.
  Hurricane Harvey's impact in Texas is still being felt nine months 
later.
  The storm's footprint covered over 9,000 square miles, including the 
city of Houston, Texas.
  Hurricane Harvey dropped over 52 inches of rain in the Houston area 
an over 60 inches were recorded elsewhere in the state.
  At its peak on September 1, 2017, one-third of Houston, our nation's 
fourth largest city, was underwater leaving 34,575 evacuees in shelters 
across Texas.
  Before the flood waters had receded in Houston two other monster 
hurricanes were bearing down on citizens living in the U.S. Virgin 
Islands and Puerto Rico.
  The scope and magnitude of these dueling disasters tested the 
National Guard and Reservists in ways that were new.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 68 requires a readiness report on the 
National Guard and Reservists to make sure they have what they need to 
assist communities in need of disaster assistance during the 2018 
Hurricane Season which begins June 1st.
  Many Texans are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, and the same 
is true of Puerto Rico residents who are attempting to recover from 
Hurricane Maria.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 68 improves the bill's ability to support 
the important mission of the National Guard and Reservists to engage in 
disaster response.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 89 provides a report 220 days after 
enactment on the DoD's capacity to provide survivors of natural 
disasters with emergency short term housing.
  Hurricane Harvey is the largest housing disaster to strike the U.S. 
in our nation's history.
  During Hurricane Harvey over 300,000 structures flooded in 
southeastern Texas, where extreme rainfall hit many areas that are 
densely-populated.
  At its peak on September 1, 2017, one-third of Houston, our nation's 
fourth largest city, was underwater with 34,575 evacuees in shelters 
across Texas.
  The storm and resulting flooding damaged 203,000 homes, of which 
12,700 were destroyed.
  Port Arthur residents were living in tents, after 80 percent of the 
city's housing was flooded by Hurricane Harvey rains, which led to 
acute housing needs.
  The city of Beaumont lost its fresh water supply leading to the 
closure of hospitals and evacuation of patients to hospitals in other 
cities.
  There were significant delays in the provision of enough hotels for 
all of those impacted by the storm.
  However, within weeks hotel rooms were sufficient to address most 
housing needs for those displaced by the storm.
  Unfortunately, the number of hotel rooms in Jefferson County Texas 
was insufficient for the demand for housing, which left residents 
living in tents until housing options could be found.
  This Jackson Lee amendment seeks an assessment that would consider, 
what occurred in 1992 following Hurricane Andrew, when the DoD stood up 
emergency housing in the State of Florida for thousands of Floridians 
who lost their homes to that storm.
  Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 3202, the Cyber 
Vulnerabilities Disclosure Act, which I introduced to address the need 
for effective and aggressive action to deal with the threat of Zero Day 
Events.
  A Zero Day Event describes the situation that network security 
professionals may find themselves when a previously unknown error or 
flow in computing code is exploited by a cybercriminal or terrorist.
  The term ``Zero Day Event'' simply means that there is zero time to 
prepare a defense against a cyberattack.
  H.R. 3202 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a 
report on the policies and procedures developed for coordinating cyber 
vulnerability disclosures.
  I have previously introduced legislation to address the cybersecurity 
workforce shortage in the Federal government.
  On that bill, H.R. 1981, Cyber Security Education and Federal 
Workforce Enhancement Act, establishes the process for looking outside 
of DHS and within its ranks to solve the shortage of cybersecurity 
professionals.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 97 seeks an assessment from the DoD on the 
feasibility of creating an apprentice program to address the agency's 
shortages of qualified cybersecurity professionals for certain 
cybersecurity positions.
  There is a growing shortage of cybersecurity professionals with over 
a quarter-million positions remaining unfilled in the U.S. alone and a 
predicted shortfall of 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals by 2019.
  There are additional Jackson Lee Amendments included in this bill 
that provide reports to the authorizing committees on a range of 
security and safety issues related to technology and innovation, with 
an eye toward the future.
  The world is on the verge of significant breakthroughs in computing, 
space exploration, medical advancements, and innovations in medicine, 
engineering, and know how.
  At the same time we are seeing extreme weather events that are 
causing significant shifts in rainfall patterns in this country and 
around the world that require that we invest in water management and 
desalinization technology to assure reliable access to abundant fresh 
water.
  Artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing are rapidly 
changing areas of computing science that will have direct and 
significant implications for our economy, national defense, and our 
nation's security.
  I have two Jackson Lee Amendments that have been adopted in En Bloc 
Amendments that will provide additional scope to an existing report on 
AI, and another report on the implications for the security of 
computing networks should quantum computing innovation establish more 
stable systems.
  The current stage of computing innovation is akin to the Age of 
Flight at the time of the Wright Brothers.
  We are in the infancy of the Computing Age, the best is yet to come, 
but we should be mindful of the rewards as well as the risks.
  We will have aggressive programs to meet the challenge of achieving 
stable quantum computing because if we are not on the bleeding edge of 
this innovation curve, there could be dire consequences for the 
security of defense, civilian, private sector, and academic computing 
networks, challenges to our leadership in computing advancements, and 
we run the risk of negative economic impacts.
  At best we are the first to achieve these advancements in computing, 
and at worse we are in second place.
  I thank the Committees for including Jackson Lee Amendments Nos. 126 
and 193 in the Amendment En Blocs for H.R. 5515.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 90 directs that the Secretary of DoD will 
provide a report 240 days from enactment of this bill on the risks 
posed by man-made space debris in low-earth orbit, including 
recommendations on remediation of such risks, and outlines of plans to 
reduce the incident of space debris.
  Space debris encompasses both natural and artificial particles.
  This Jackson Lee Amendment would address the risk of man-made space 
debris.
  Man-made objects in Earth's orbit that may no longer serve a useful 
function can include nonfunctional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle 
stages, mission-related debris and fragmentation debris.
  Space debris travels at speeds up to 17,500 miles per hour is fast 
enough a small piece of man-made debris to damage to a satellite or a 
spacecraft.
  There are more than 20,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball or 
orbiting the Earth.
  There are 500,000 pieces of debris the size of a marble or larger.
  There are many millions of pieces of debris that are so small they 
can't be tracked.
  NASA tracks more than 500,000 pieces of man-made space debris in 
Earth's orbit.
  Jackson Lee Amendment seeks a report from the Secretary of Defense on 
the risks posed by man-made space debris, solutions for reducing risks 
and strategies for reducing the incidence of more man-made space debris 
being introduced into space.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 61 on the Rule for H.R. 5515, directs the 
following Secretary of Navy to submit reports to Congress on the 
feasibility of applying desalinization technologies to provide drought 
relief in areas impacted by sharp declines in water availability for 
both military as well as civilian purposes. (listed as No. 482 on the 
Rules Committee Roster)
  In 2010, the United States consumed about 355,000 million gallons of 
water per day.
  Worldwide, some 700 million people do not have access to enough clean 
water.
  In 10 years the number is expected to more than double to 1.8 
billion.
  Two-thirds of the Earth's surface is water, but in fact less than 1 
percent it is available for human use.
  The rest of the water on our planet is either salt water found in 
oceans, fresh water frozen in the polar ice caps, or too inaccessible 
for practical usage.
  While population and demand on freshwater resources are increasing, 
supply will always remain constant.
   And although the water cycle continuously returns water to Earth, it 
is not always returned to the same place, or in the same quantity and 
quality.
  This is why I offered this Jackson Lee Amendment No. 61.
  It is time to plan for the future water needs of our country.

[[Page H4705]]

  There are serious water shortages in some regions of the country and 
the prospects that sustained water shortages due to regional growth and 
climate factors may make it necessary to develop alternative sources 
for water intended for human and agricultural uses.
  If we can harness the technology to convert ocean water into fresh 
water the future of cities and rural communities that depend on water 
can be much brighter.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 88 on the Rule for H.R. 5515, Requires the 
Secretary of Defense to report to Congress programs and procedures 
employed to ensure students studying abroad through Department of 
Defense National Security Education Programs are trained to recognize, 
resist, and report against recruitment efforts by agents of foreign 
governments.
   The number of U.S. students studying abroad for credit during the 
2015-2016 academic year totaled 325,339 students.
  This represents just over 1.6 percent of all U.S. students enrolled 
at institutions of higher education in the United States and about 10 
percent of U.S. graduates.
  Study abroad provides opportunities to students and helps nation's 
economies.
  A recent survey found that almost 40 percent of companies surveyed 
missed international business opportunities because of a lack of 
internationally-co competent personnel.
  However, the opportunities to study in another country come with some 
risks.
  In 2014, the FBI released a 28-minute spy film called ``Game of 
Pawns, '' which was based in part on the real life story of Glenn 
Shriver, who in 2004 was a 22-year-old studying in Shanghai.
  The Michigan native found a seemingly innocent job online--writing 
papers on U.S.-China relations.
  Over time, the job description changed.
  Glenn Shriver accepted $70,000 from Chinese operatives and agreed to 
apply for U.S. government jobs in order to gain access to classified 
information. By then, the FBI was on to him.
  He was arrested in 2010 and pleaded guilty to one count of attempting 
to spy.
  He was sentenced to serve a four-year prison sentence.
  At the time FBI did not say how many students had been turned into 
spies but said they are increasingly being targeted.
  Destinations for U.S. students studying abroad include: Africa; Asia; 
Europe; Latin America; Middle East; and Oceania.
  When 95 percent of consumers live outside of the United States, we 
cannot afford to ignore this essential aspect of higher education.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 88 will provide the tools and education 
needed to U.S. students studying abroad to help them protect themselves 
from attempts the recruitment tactics of foreign agents.
  Thank you to the Committee for the inclusion of these Jackson Lee 
Amendments in the final bill.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, we have no further speakers.
  I urge adoption of the amendments en bloc, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered 
by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).
  The en bloc amendments were agreed to.


      Amendments En Bloc No. 5 Offered by Mr. Thornberry of Texas

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 908, I 
offer amendments en bloc.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
  Amendments en bloc No. 5 consisting of amendment Nos. 110, 111, 112, 
113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, and 
127 printed in House Report 115-702, offered by Mr. Thornberry of 
Texas:


       amendment no. 110 offered by mr. cicilline of rhode island

       Add at the end of subtitle C of title XII the following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON UNITED STATES MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST 
                   SYRIA.

       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 and the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations of the Senate a report regarding the United 
     States military strikes on Syria on April 13, 2018. Such 
     report should address the following:
       (1) An identification of the objectives of such strikes.
       (2) An examination of whether such objectives were 
     achieved.
       (3) An examination of any tactical advantages gained by 
     such strikes.
       (4) An assessment of the extent to which Syrian military 
     operations were affected by such strikes, including if such 
     strikes had any lasting impact on such operations.
       (5) An identification of the legal justification for such 
     strikes.


            amendment no. 111 offered by mr. yoho of florida

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

     SEC. 10__. SALE OF SURPLUS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EQUIPMENT TO 
                   ELIGIBLE FARMERS.

       Section 2576a of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(g) Sale of Equipment to Farmers.--(1) During the three-
     year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the 
     Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, may transfer to eligible farmers equipment of 
     the Department of Defense that is--
       ``(A) appropriate for use by farmers; and
       ``(B) excess to the needs of the Department of Defense.
       ``(2) A farmer is eligible to purchase equipment under this 
     subsection if the farmer is--
       ``(A) a veteran and a new and beginning farmer, as 
     determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(B) submits to the Secretary an application containing 
     such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
       ``(3) Equipment made available for transfer to farmers 
     under this subsection shall be made available to such farmers 
     before such equipment is made available for public sale.
       ``(4) Not later than 60 days after the termination of the 
     authority under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit 
     to Congress a report on this subsection that includes the 
     recommendations of the Secretary regarding the extension or 
     expansion of the program.''.


          amendment no. 112 offered by mr. marshall of kansas

       Page 937, insert after line 12 the following new section:

     SEC. 2845. MODIFICATION TO FIRST DIVISION MONUMENT.

       (a) Authorization.--The Society of the First Infantry 
     Division (an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation 
     under section 501(a) of that code), may make modifications 
     (including construction of additional plaques and stone 
     plinths on which to put the plaques) to the First Division 
     Monument located on Federal land in Presidential Park in 
     District of Columbia that was set aside for memorial purposes 
     of the First Infantry Division, in order to honor the members 
     of the First Infantry Division who paid the ultimate 
     sacrifice during United States operations, including 
     Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, 
     and Operation Enduring Freedom. The First Infantry Division 
     at the Department of the Army shall collaborate with the 
     Department of Defense to provide to the Society of the First 
     Infantry Division the list of names to be added.
       (b) Non-application of Commemorative Works Act.--
     Subsections (b) and (c) of section 8903 of title 40, United 
     States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works 
     Act''), shall not apply to actions taken under subsection (a) 
     of this section.
       (c) Funding.--Federal funds may not be used to pay any 
     expense of the activities of the Society of the First 
     Infantry Division which are authorized by this section.


       amendment no. 113 offered by mr. langevin of rhode island

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

     SEC. 12__. IMPORTANCE OF EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   STATE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) In a world with increasingly complex political and 
     security challenges, bridging the gap between diplomacy and 
     defense is more vital than ever to achieve United States 
     strategic objectives abroad.
       (2) Foreign missions are multifaceted, rapidly evolving, 
     and interconnected.
       (3) Emerging security issues demand that the United States 
     Government be quick, agile, adaptable, comprehensive, and 
     inclusive when navigating foreign partnerships.
       (4) The interagency process continues to be the most 
     efficient and effective means for the United States to 
     quickly adjust to changing circumstances and leverage 
     resources for securing its strategic objectives abroad.
       (5) The Government Accountability Office has found that 
     ``effective interagency rotational assignments can achieve 
     collaboration-related results''.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) United States Government personnel must be able to 
     collaborate across departments and agencies to meet complex 
     national security challenges;
       (2) the United States needs to ensure that its foreign and 
     defense policies are mutually supportive and find ways to 
     most effectively align its strategies;
       (3) exchange programs between the Department of State and 
     Department of Defense are critical for strengthening the 
     capacity of such Departments to promote regional stability 
     around the world while protecting and promoting United States 
     interests;
       (4) Foreign Service officers serving as political advisors 
     provide deep understanding

[[Page H4706]]

     of diplomatic dynamics and issues and can enable, through 
     such exchange programs, the Department of Defense to make 
     effective and sustained contributions to protecting and 
     promoting United States interests; and
       (5) in order to achieve such strategic, operational, and 
     tactical successes, such Foreign Service officers should be 
     embedded forward with Department of Defense personnel to the 
     fullest extent practicable.


       amendment no. 114 offered by mr. langevin of rhode island

       Page 874, insert after line 6 the following:

     SEC. 2815. REPORTS ON BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES SUBJECT TO 
                   EXCEPTIONS TO ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS.

       (a) Annual Report for New Construction.--Not later than 90 
     days after the end of each of the fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023, the Secretary concerned shall submit to the 
     congressional defense committees a report listing each 
     building or facility for which the Secretary first initiated 
     construction during the fiscal year, or for which the 
     Secretary first entered into a lease for the use of the 
     Secretary during the fiscal year, which is subject to one of 
     the accessibility standard exceptions described in subsection 
     (c).
       (b) One-time Report on Current Buildings and Facilities 
     Subject to Exceptions.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned 
     shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
     listing each building or facility constructed or leased by 
     the Secretary during fiscal years 2014 through 2018 which is 
     subject to one of the accessibility standard exceptions 
     described in subsection (c).
       (c) Accessibility Standard Exceptions Described.--The 
     accessibility standard exceptions described in this 
     subsection with respect to a building or facility are as 
     follows:
       (1) The building or facility is leased by the Secretary 
     concerned on a temporary, emergency basis for the use of 
     officials providing disaster assistance.
       (2) The building or facility is located in a foreign 
     country and is constructed in whole or in part with funds 
     provided by the United States, but the Secretary concerned 
     does not control the design criteria and the building or 
     facility is not required to comply with standards under the 
     Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.).
       (3) The building or facility is located in a foreign 
     country and is leased by the Secretary concerned.
       (4) The building or facility is subject to a waiver granted 
     by the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense who 
     represents the Department of Defense on the United States 
     Access Board.


           amendment no. 115 offered by mr. beyer of virginia

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

     SEC. 8__. USE OF LOWEST PRICE TECHNICALLY ACCEPTABLE SOURCE 
                   SELECTION PROCESS.

       (a) Statement of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the 
     United States Government to avoid using lowest price 
     technically acceptable source selection criteria in 
     circumstances that would deny the Government the benefits of 
     cost and technical tradeoffs in the source selection process.
       (b) Revision of Federal Acquisition Regulation.--Not later 
     than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be revised to 
     require that, for solicitations issued on or after the date 
     that is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     lowest price technically acceptable source selection criteria 
     are used only in situations in which--
       (1) an executive agency is able to comprehensively and 
     clearly describe the minimum requirements expressed in terms 
     of performance objectives, measures, and standards that will 
     be used to determine acceptability of offers;
       (2) the executive agency would realize no, or minimal, 
     value from a contract proposal exceeding the minimum 
     technical or performance requirements set forth in the 
     request for proposal;
       (3) the proposed technical approaches will require no, or 
     minimal, subjective judgment by the source selection 
     authority as to the desirability of one offeror's proposal 
     versus a competing proposal;
       (4) the source selection authority has a high degree of 
     confidence that a review of technical proposals of offerors 
     other than the lowest bidder would not result in the 
     identification of factors that could provide value or benefit 
     to the executive agency;
       (5) the contracting officer has included a justification 
     for the use of a lowest price technically acceptable 
     evaluation methodology in the contract file; and
       (6) the executive agency has determined that the lowest 
     price reflects full life-cycle costs, including for 
     operations and support.
       (c) Avoidance of Use of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable 
     Source Selection Criteria in Certain Procurements.--To the 
     maximum extent practicable, the use of lowest price 
     technically acceptable source selection criteria shall be 
     avoided in the case of a procurement that is predominately 
     for the acquisition of--
       (1) information technology services, cybersecurity 
     services, systems engineering and technical assistance 
     services, advanced electronic testing, audit or audit 
     readiness services, or other knowledge-based professional 
     services;
       (2) personal protective equipment; or
       (3) knowledge-based training or logistics services in 
     contingency operations or other operations outside the United 
     States, including in Afghanistan or Iraq.
       (d) Reporting.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for three 
     years, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     on the number of instances in which lowest price technically 
     acceptable source selection criteria is used for a contract 
     exceeding $2,000,000, including an explanation of how the 
     situations listed in subsection (b) were considered in making 
     a determination to use lowest price technically acceptable 
     source selection criteria.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Executive agency.--The term ``executive agency'' has 
     the meaning given that term in section 102 of title 40, 
     United States Code, except that the term does not include the 
     Department of Defense.
       (2) Contingency operation.--The term ``contingency 
     operation'' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of 
     title 10, United States Code.
       (3) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate.


            amendment no. 116 offered by mr. young of alaska

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

     SEC. 10__. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE BASING OF KC-46A AIRCRAFT 
                   OUTSIDE THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES.

       (a) Finding.--Congress finds that the Department of Defense 
     is continuing its process of permanently stationing KC-46A 
     aircraft at installations in the continental United States 
     and forward-basing outside the continental United States.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of the Air Force, as part of the strategic 
     basing process for KC-46A aircraft, should continue to 
     consider the benefits derived from locations outside the 
     continental United States that--
       (1) support day-to-day air refueling operations, operations 
     plans of the combatant commands, and flexibility for 
     contingency operations, and have--
       (A) a strategic location that is essential to the defense 
     of the United States and its interests;
       (B) receivers for boom or probe-and-drogue training 
     opportunities with joint and international partners; and
       (C) sufficient airfield and airspace availability and 
     capacity to meet requirements; and
       (2) possess facilities that--
       (A) take full advantage of existing infrastructure to 
     provide--
       (i) runway, hangars, and aircrew and maintenance 
     operations; and
       (ii) sufficient fuels receipt, storage, and distribution 
     capacities for a 5-day peacetime operating stock; and
       (B) minimize overall construction and operational costs.


            amendment no. 117 offered by mr. dunn of florida

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

     SEC. 1__. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CONVERSION OF F-22 AIRCRAFT.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Accelerating the modernization upgrade of F-22A Block 
     20 training and test aircraft would significantly increase 
     the total available inventory of combat-capable F-22A Block 
     35 fighter aircraft.
       (2) Converting 34 F-22A Block 20 aircraft to a Block 35 
     configuration would drastically improve the readiness and 
     health of the entire F-22A fleet and increase flexibility to 
     manage availability of the combat-coded Block 35 fleet, which 
     is accumulating more operational flight hours than initially 
     anticipated.
       (3) Making the conversions described in paragraph (2) would 
     be a cost-effective way to increase the F-22's combat-capable 
     force by 27 percent.
       (4) If the conversion effort is not included in future base 
     budgets, it would be advisable for the Department of Defense 
     to support the effort as an unfunded priority.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of the Air Force should accelerate 
     modernization of the F-22 Block 20 training and test aircraft 
     as quickly as possible.


           amendment no. 117 offered by mr. brown of maryland

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

     SEC. 2__. MODIFICATION OF FUNDING CRITERIA UNDER HISTORICALLY 
                   BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND MINORITY 
                   INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM.

       Section 2362(d) of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Priority'' and 
     inserting ``Criteria''; and
       (2) by striking ``give priority in providing'' and 
     inserting ``limit''.


         amendment no. 120 offered by mr. khanna of california

       Add at the end of subtitle F of title XII the following:

[[Page H4707]]

  


     SEC. 12__. INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF COALITION PARTNERS 
                   OR UNITED STATES MILITARY OR INTELLIGENCE 
                   PERSONNEL VIOLATED FEDERAL LAW OR DEPARTMENT OF 
                   DEFENSE POLICY WHILE CONDUCTING OPERATIONS IN 
                   YEMEN.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an 
     investigation to determine if coalition partners of the 
     United States or members of the Armed Forces or intelligence 
     personnel violated Federal law, the laws of armed conflict, 
     or Department of Defense policy while conducting operations 
     in Yemen.
       (b) Matters to Be Included.--The investigation required 
     under subsection (a) shall also seek to determine the 
     following:
       (1) Whether any Armed Forces or intelligence personnel 
     interrogated Yemeni citizens in prisons within Yemen or 
     provided questions to foreign personnel for use in such 
     interrogations, and whether such interrogations or actions 
     were consistent with United States law and policy.
       (2) Whether any Armed Forces or intelligence personnel 
     violated the prohibitions of section 362 of title 10, United 
     States Code, while conducting operations in Yemen.
       (3) Whether any United States coalition partners committed 
     gross violations of internationally recognized human rights 
     while conducting operations in Yemen that would make such 
     coalition partners ineligible for any training, equipment, or 
     other assistance for a unit of a foreign security force under 
     section 362 of title 10, United States Code.
       (4) Whether a waiver or exception has been granted to 
     United States coalition partners under section 362 of title 
     10, United States Code, while conducting operations in Yemen.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives a report that contains the findings of the 
     investigation required under this section.
       (2) Form.--The report required under this section shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified 
     annex
       (d) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (1) Coalition partners.--The term ``coalition partners'' 
     has the meaning given such term in paragraph (3) of section 
     948a of title 10, United States Code.
       (2) Gross violations of internationally recognized human 
     rights.--The term ``gross violations of internationally 
     recognized human rights'' has the meaning given such term in 
     subsection (d)(1) of section 502B of the Foreign Assistance 
     Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304).


          amendment no. 121 offered by mr. duncan of tennessee

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

     SEC. ___. REPORT ON AWARDS FOR COST-SAVING IDEAS.

       Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report 
     detailing--
       (1) the total number of awards and commendations presented 
     to any military personnel for a cost-saving idea during the 
     prior fiscal year;
       (2) a total estimate of the total savings as a result of 
     the implementation of cost-saving ideas for which an award or 
     commendation was presented; and
       (3) a description of how the Secretary plans to expand 
     incentive programs for the purpose described in this section 
     and streamline such programs.


           amendment no. 122 offered by mr. bacon of nebraska

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

     SEC. 12_. INCLUSION OF INFLUENCE OPERATIONS IN ANNUAL 
                   MILITARY REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall modify the 
     Department of Defense's respective annual reports to Congress 
     on the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, 
     and Iran to include influence operations as a matter to be 
     included in such reports.
       (b) Amendments to Reports.--(1) Section 1202(b)(14) of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 
     (Public Law 106-65; 10 U.S.C. 113 note) is amended by adding 
     at the end before the period the following: ``, including a 
     description of efforts to use non-military tools, including 
     diplomacy and political coercion, information operations, and 
     economic pressure to gain influence in other countries and 
     advance strategic objectives,''.
       (2) Section 1245(b)(1) of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) a description of efforts to use non-military tools, 
     including diplomacy and political coercion, information 
     operations, and economic pressure to gain influence in other 
     countries and advance strategic objectives.''.
       (3) Section 1245(b) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. 
     ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3566) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(23) A description of efforts of Russia to use non-
     military tools, including diplomacy and political coercion, 
     information operations, and economic pressure to gain 
     influence in other countries and advance strategic 
     objectives.''.


       amendment no. 123 offered by mr. gottheimer of new jersey

       Page 538, after line 25, insert the following:
       (5) To remember the Holocaust, the annihilation of 
     6,000,000 Jews by the Nazi regime, and to pay tribute to the 
     Allied troops who liberated Nazi concentration camps during 
     World War II.
       Page 540, line 17, strike ``(f)(2)'' and insert ``(g)(2)''.
       Page 542, after line 4, insert the following (and 
     redesignate succeeding subsections accordingly):
       (f) Consultation With Director of the United States 
     Holocaust Memorial Museum.--In designing the commemorative 
     program conducted under this section, the Secretary of 
     Defense shall consult with the Director of the United States 
     Holocaust Memorial Museum.


           amendment no. 124 offered by mr. gohmert of texas

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

     SEC. 5__. CHAPLAINCIES OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) Purpose.--The purposes of the chaplaincies of the Armed 
     Forces are--
       (1) to accommodate the religious needs of members of the 
     Armed Forces;
       (2) to provide religious and pastoral care to members of 
     the Armed Forces; and
       (3) to provide advice to commanders of the Armed Forces on 
     the complexities of religion with regard to the respective 
     commander's personnel and mission, as appropriate.
       (b) Requirements.--Each chaplain of the Armed Forces shall 
     be--
       (1) a member of a religious organization;
       (2) of sufficient education and ecclesiastical 
     qualification; and
       (3) qualified to conduct religious observances or 
     ceremonies.


           amendment no. 125 offered by ms. bordallo of guam

       At the end of subtitle D of title VIII (page 361, after 
     line 5), insert the following:

     SEC. 845. SECURITY OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TELECOMMUNICATION 
                   SERVICES.

       In awarding contracts for telecommunication services or 
     installation of telecommunication infrastructure on military 
     installations located in the United States or its 
     territories, the Secretary of Defense shall give preference 
     to American-owned and -operated companies.


         amendment no. 126 offered by ms. jackson lee of texas

       Page 67, line 23, after ``sciences'' insert ``, plans to 
     defend against quantum based attacks,''.


          amendment no. 127 offered by mr. arrington of texas

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

     SEC. 2__. REPORT ON OA-X LIGHT ATTACK AIRCRAFT APPLICABILITY 
                   TO PARTNER NATION SUPPORT.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than February 1, 2019, the 
     Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional 
     defense committees a report on the OA-X light attack aircraft 
     experiment and how the program incorporates partner nation 
     requirements.
       (b) Elements.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
     include a description of--
       (1) how the OA-X light attack experiment will support 
     partner nations' low-cost counter terrorism light attack 
     capability;
       (2) the extent to which the attributes of affordability, 
     interoperability, sustainability, simplicity of maintenance 
     and operations are included in the requirements for the OA-X; 
     and
       (3) how Federal Aviation Administration certification and a 
     reasonable path for military type certifications for 
     commercial derivative aircraft are factored into foreign 
     military sales for a partner nation.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 908, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Thornberry) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
Smith) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I currently have no speakers on this en 
bloc package, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I have no speakers on this. I 
urge adoption of the en bloc amendment, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered 
by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).
  The en bloc amendments were agreed to.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 118 will 
not be offered.

[[Page H4708]]

  



      Amendments En Bloc No. 6 Offered by Mr. Thornberry of Texas

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 908, I 
offer amendments en bloc.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
  Amendments en bloc No. 6 consisting of amendment Nos. 128, 129, 130, 
131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, and 
144 printed in House Report 115-702, offered by Mr. Thornberry of 
Texas:


          amendment no. 128 offered by mr. nolan of minnesota

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

     SEC. 8__. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING STEEL PRODUCED IN THE 
                   UNITED STATES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Frequent surges in unfairly trade steel imports have 
     materially injured the iron ore and steel industries in the 
     United States, putting our national, economic, and energy 
     security at risk.
       (2) High-quality American steel products are vital to the 
     success of the United States military and are used in a 
     variety of applications from aircraft carriers to armor plate 
     for tanks as well as critical energy infrastructure like the 
     electrical grid and energy pipelines.
       (3) Domestic producers of defense-related steel products 
     are dependent on the overall financial health of the iron ore 
     and steel industries in the United States.
       (4) The loss of a strong domestic iron ore and steel 
     industry would make the United States dangerously dependent 
     upon foreign sources of steel, such as China.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that a 
     strong domestic iron ore and steel industry is vital to the 
     national security of the United States.


           amendment no. 129 offered by mr. davidson of ohio

       Page 217, after line 17, insert the following:
       ``(iv) A description of the methodology and criteria used 
     by the Secretary to make decisions to close any military 
     medical treatment facility or limit the health services 
     provided by a military medical treatment facility, including 
     input from the affected military department.''.


           amendment no. 130 offered by mr. loebsack of iowa

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

     SEC. 221. STEM JOBS ACTION PLAN.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math in 
     addition to maintenance and manufacturing (collectively 
     referred to in this section as ``STEM'') make up a 
     significant portion of the workforce of the Department of 
     Defense.
       (2) These jobs exist within the organic industrial base, 
     research, development, and engineering centers, life-cycle 
     management commands, and logistics centers of the Department.
       (3) Vital to the continued support of the mission of all of 
     the military services, the Department needs to maintain its 
     STEM workforce.
       (4) It is known that the demographics of personnel of the 
     Department indicate that many of the STEM personnel of the 
     Department will be eligible to retire in the next few years.
       (5) Decisive action is needed to replace STEM personnel as 
     they retire to ensure that the military does not further 
     suffer a skill and knowledge gap and thus a serious readiness 
     gap.
       (b) Assessments and Plan of Action.--The Secretary of 
     Defense, in conjunction with the Secretary of each military 
     department, shall --
       (1) perform an assessment of the STEM workforce for 
     organizations within the Department of Defense, including the 
     numbers and types of positions and the expectations for 
     losses due to retirements and voluntary departures;
       (2) identify the types and quantities of STEM jobs needed 
     to support future mission work;
       (3) determine the shortfall between lost STEM personnel and 
     future requirements;
       (4) analyze and explain the appropriateness and impact of 
     using reimbursable and working capital fund dollars for new 
     STEM hires;
       (5) identify a plan of action to address the STEM jobs gap, 
     including hiring strategies and timelines for replacement of 
     STEM employees; and
       (6) deliver to Congress, not later than December 31, 2019, 
     a report specifying such plan of action.


         amendment no. 131 offered by mr. schneider of illinois

       Page 381, after line 9, insert the following:

     SEC. 861. VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of Defense should coordinate with the 
     Administrator of the Small Business Administration to include 
     relevant aspects of veterans assistance programs of the Small 
     Business Administration in the Transition Assistance Program 
     established under section 1144 of title 10, United States 
     Code.
       (b) Boots to Business Program.--Section 32 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Boots to Business Program.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `covered individual' means--
       ``(i) a member of the Armed Forces, including the National 
     Guard or Reserves;
       ``(ii) an individual who is participating in the Transition 
     Assistance Program established under section 1144 of title 
     10, United States Code;
       ``(iii) an individual who--

       ``(I) served on active duty in any branch of the Armed 
     Forces, including the National Guard or Reserves; and
       ``(II) was discharged or released from such service under 
     conditions other than dishonorable; and

       ``(iv) a spouse or dependent of an individual described in 
     clause (i), (ii), or (iii); and
       ``(B) the term `Vet Center' has the meaning given in 
     section 1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code.
       ``(2) Establishment.--The Administrator shall carry out a 
     program to be known as the `Boots to Business Program' to 
     provide entrepreneurship training to covered individuals.
       ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Boots to Business Program 
     are to--
       ``(A) provide assistance and in-depth training to covered 
     individuals interested in business ownership; and
       ``(B) provide covered individuals with the tools, skills, 
     and knowledge necessary to identify a business opportunity, 
     draft a business plan, identify sources of capital, connect 
     with local resources for small business concerns, and launch 
     a small business concern.
       ``(4) Program components.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Boots to Business Program may 
     include--
       ``(i) a presentation providing exposure to the 
     considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a 
     small business concern;
       ``(ii) an online, self-study course focused on the basic 
     skills of entrepreneurship, the language of business, and the 
     considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a 
     small business concern;
       ``(iii) an in-person classroom instruction component 
     providing an introduction to the foundations of self 
     employment and ownership of a small business concern; and
       ``(iv) in-depth training delivered through online 
     instruction, including an online course that leads to the 
     creation of a business plan.
       ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may--
       ``(i) collaborate with public and private entities to 
     develop course curricula for the Boots to Business Program; 
     and
       ``(ii) modify program components in coordination with 
     entities participating in a Warriors in Transition program, 
     as defined in section 738(e) of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C. 1071 note).
       ``(C) Utilization of resource partners.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall--

       ``(I) ensure that Veteran Business Outreach Centers 
     regularly participate, on a nationwide basis, in the Boots to 
     Business Program; and
       ``(II) to the maximum extent practicable, use a variety of 
     other resource partners and entities in administering the 
     Boots to Business Program.

       ``(ii) Grant authority.--In carrying out clause (i), the 
     Administrator may make grants to Veteran Business Outreach 
     Centers, other resource partners, or other entities to carry 
     out components of the Boots to Business Program.
       ``(D) Availability to department of defense.--The 
     Administrator shall make available to the Secretary of 
     Defense information regarding the Boots to Business Program, 
     including all course materials created for the Boots to 
     Business Program, for inclusion on the website of the 
     Department of Defense relating to the Transition Assistance 
     Program, in the Transition Assistance Program manual, and in 
     other relevant materials available for distribution from the 
     Secretary of Defense.
       ``(E) Availability to veterans affairs.--In consultation 
     with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator 
     shall make available outreach materials regarding the Boots 
     to Business Program for distribution and display at local 
     facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs which shall, 
     at a minimum--
       ``(i) describe the Boots to Business Program and the 
     services provided; and
       ``(ii) include eligibility requirements for participating 
     in the Boots to Business Program.
       ``(5) Review.--The Inspector General of the Administration 
     shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives an annual report 
     regarding the awarding of grants to entities under paragraph 
     (4)(C).
       ``(6) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection and every year thereafter, the 
     Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business 
     and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the

[[Page H4709]]

     House of Representatives a report on the performance and 
     effectiveness of the Boots to Business Program, which may be 
     included as part of another report submitted to such 
     Committees by the Administrator, and which shall include--
       ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
     component of the Boots to Business Program;
       ``(B) the completion rates for each component of the Boots 
     to Business Program;
       ``(C) to the extent possible--
       ``(i) the demographics of program participants, to include 
     gender, age, race, relationship to military, military 
     occupational specialty, and years of service of program 
     participants;
       ``(ii) the number of small business concerns formed or 
     expanded with assistance under the Boots to Business Program;
       ``(iii) the gross receipts of small business concerns 
     receiving assistance under the Boots to Business Program;
       ``(iv) the number of jobs created with assistance under the 
     Boots to Business Program;
       ``(v) the number of referrals to other resources and 
     programs of the Administration;
       ``(vi) the number of program participants receiving 
     financial assistance under loan programs of the 
     Administration;
       ``(vii) the type and dollar amount of financial assistance 
     received by program participants under any loan program of 
     the Administration; and
       ``(viii) results of participant satisfaction surveys, 
     including a summary of any comments received from program 
     participants;
       ``(D) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Boots to 
     Business Program in each region of the Administration during 
     the most recent fiscal year;
       ``(E) an assessment of additional performance outcome 
     measures for the Boots to Business Program, as identified by 
     the Administrator;
       ``(F) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
     improvement of the Boots to Business Program, which may 
     include expansion of the types of individuals who are covered 
     individuals;
       ``(G) an explanation of how the Boots to Business Program 
     has been integrated with other transition programs and 
     related resources of the Administration and other Federal 
     agencies; and
       ``(H) any additional information the Administrator 
     determines necessary.''.


         amendment no. 132 offered by mr. crawford of arkansas

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

     SEC. 10__. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE 
                   DISPOSAL.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) military intelligence programs should be provided 
     additional resources, authorities, and direction with respect 
     to prevention of and response to bombings using explosive 
     ordnance thereby ensuring the safety of the United States and 
     its citizens;
       (2) additional explosive ordnance disposal intelligence 
     personnel are required to improve the ability of the 
     intelligence community to safeguard the United States;
       (3) because of increasing use of explosive ordnance, which 
     includes improvised explosive devices, the Secretary of 
     Defense should make it a priority to enhance explosive 
     ordnance disposal intelligence efforts to protect and 
     safeguard the United States; and
       (4) Congress should work to develop a comprehensive 
     response to the issue of prevention of bombings in 
     recognition of the contributions made by the 122-military 
     explosive ordnance disposal personnel that have died in the 
     line of duty since the attacks on the World Trade Center and 
     the Pentagon.


         amendment no. 133 offered by mr. evans of pennsylvania

       Page 381, after line 9, insert the following:

     SEC. 861. IMPROVEMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Use of Authorized Entrepreneurial Development 
     Programs.--The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.), as 
     amended by this Act, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 48 as section 49; and
       (2) by inserting after section 47 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 48. USE OF AUTHORIZED ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT 
                   PROGRAMS.

       ``(a) Expanded Support for Entrepreneurs.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Administrator shall only deliver entrepreneurial 
     development services, entrepreneurial education, support for 
     the development and maintenance of clusters, or business 
     training through a program authorized under--
       ``(A) section 7(j), 7(m), 8(a), 8(b)(1), 21, 22, 29, or 32 
     of this Act; or
       ``(B) sections 358 or 389 of the Small Business Investment 
     Act of 1958.
       ``(2) Exception.--This section shall not apply to services 
     provided to assist small business concerns owned by an Indian 
     tribe (as such term is defined in section 8(a)(13)).
       ``(b) Annual Report.--Beginning on the first December 1 
     after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the 
     Administrator shall annually report to the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate on all 
     entrepreneurial development activities undertaken in the 
     current fiscal year through a program described in subsection 
     (a). Such report shall include--
       ``(1) a description and operating details for each program 
     and activity;
       ``(2) operating circulars, manuals, and standard operating 
     procedures for each program and activity;
       ``(3) a description of the process used to award grants 
     under each program and activity;
       ``(4) a list of all awardees, contractors, and vendors 
     (including organization name and location) and the amount of 
     awards for the current fiscal year for each program and 
     activity;
       ``(5) the amount of funding obligated for the current 
     fiscal year for each program and activity; and
       ``(6) the names and titles for those individuals 
     responsible for each program and activity.''.
       (b) Marketing of Services.--Section 21 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(o) No Prohibition of Marketing of Services.--The 
     Administrator shall not prohibit applicants receiving grants 
     under this section from marketing and advertising their 
     services to individuals and small business concerns.''.
       (c) Data Collection.--
       (1) In general.--Section 21(a)(3)(A) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(3)(A)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``as provided in this section and'' and 
     inserting ``as provided in this section,''; and
       (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``, and (iv) governing data collection activities 
     related to applicants receiving grants under this section''.
       (2) Annual report on data collection.--Section 21 of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended by subsection 
     (b), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(p) Annual Report on Data Collection.--The Administrator 
     shall report annually to the Committee on Small Business of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small 
     Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate on any data 
     collection activities related to the Small Business 
     Development Center Program.''.
       (3) Working group to improve data collection.--
       (A) Establishment and study.--The Administrator of the 
     Small Business Administration shall establish a group to be 
     known as the ``Data Collection Working Group'' consisting of 
     members from entrepreneurial development grant recipients 
     associations and organizations and officials from the Small 
     Business Administration, to carry out a study to determine 
     the best way to capture data collection and create or revise 
     existing systems dedicated to data collection.
       (B) Report.--Not later than the end of the 180-day period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Data 
     Collection Working Group shall issue a report to the 
     Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of 
     the Senate containing the findings and determinations made in 
     carrying out the study required under paragraph (1), 
     including--
       (i) recommendations for revising existing data collection 
     practices; and
       (ii) a proposed plan for the Small Business Administration 
     to implement such recommendations.
       (d) Fees From Private Partnerships and Cosponsorships.--
     Section 21(a)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     648(a)(3)(C)), as amended by subsection (c), is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Fees From Private Partnerships and Cosponsorships.--A 
     small business development center that participates in a 
     private partnership or cosponsorship with the Administration 
     shall not be prohibited from collecting fees or other income 
     related to the operation of such a private partnership or 
     cosponsorship.''.
       (e) Equity for Small Business Development Centers.--
     Subclause (I) of section 21(a)(4)(C)(v) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(4)(C)(v)) is amended to read as 
     follows:

       ``(I) In general.--Of the amounts made available in any 
     fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than $600,000 
     may be used by the Administration to pay expenses enumerated 
     in subparagraphs (B) through (D) of section 20(a)(1).''.

       (f) Confidentiality Requirements.--Section 21(a)(7)(A) of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(7)(A)) is amended by 
     inserting after ``under this section'' the following: ``to 
     any State, local, or Federal agency, or to any third party''.
       (g) Limitation on Award of Grants to Small Business 
     Development Centers.--
       (1) In general.--Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 648), as amended by subsection (c), is further 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``any women's 
     business center operating pursuant to section 29,''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(q) Limitation on Award of Grants.--Except for not-for-
     profit institutions of higher education, and notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law, the Administrator may not award 
     grants (including contracts and cooperative agreements) under 
     this section to any entity other than those that received 
     grants (including contracts and cooperative agreements) under 
     this section prior to the date of the enactment of this 
     subsection, and that seek to renew such grants (including 
     contracts and cooperative agreements) after such date.''.

[[Page H4710]]

       (2) Rule of construction.--The amendments made by this 
     section may not be construed as prohibiting a women's 
     business center (as described under section 29 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656)) from receiving a subgrant from 
     an entity receiving a grant under section 21 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648).


          amendment no. 134 offered by ms. frankel of florida

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

     SEC. 10__. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RESEARCH ON 
                   WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO SECURITY.

       Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise 
     made available for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 
     2019, $150,000 shall be made available for research on 
     women's contributions to security at the National Defense 
     University Institute for National Strategic Studies.


          amendment no. 135 offered by mr. raskin of maryland

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

     SEC. 2__. FUNDING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CANINE PLASMA FOR 
                   HEMORRHAGIC CONTROL.

       (a) Increase.--Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the 
     funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be 
     appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, 
     and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the 
     corresponding funding table in section 4201, for the United 
     States Special Operations Command is hereby increased by 
     $5,000,000 for the development of freeze-dried canine plasma 
     for hemorrhagic control.
       (b) Offset.--Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the 
     funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be 
     appropriated in section 101 for procurement, Defense-wide, as 
     specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4101, 
     for the United States Special Operations Command is hereby 
     reduced by $5,000,000.


          amendment no. 136 offered by ms. frankel of florida

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

     SEC. 10__. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR COUNTERING VIOLENT 
                   EXTREMISM.

       Section 1094(a)(2) of the National Defense Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)(iv), by inserting ``including those 
     led by women or focused on empowering women,'' after 
     ``groups,'';
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
     subparagraph (E):
       ``(E) Goals to--
       ``(i) support women's leadership and full participation in 
     preventing and countering violent extremism;
       ``(ii) reduce gender barriers to peace and security, such 
     as gender-based violence and its harmful effects on 
     individuals and communities; and
       ``(iii) address gender-specific drivers of radicalization 
     and terrorist recruitment strategies.''.


          amendment no. 137 offered by mr. coffman of colorado

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

     SEC. 16__. BRIEFING ON COMMERCIAL SATELLITE SERVICING 
                   CAPABILITIES.

       (a) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, 
     shall jointly provide the Committees on Armed Services of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate, and to any other 
     appropriate congressional committee upon request, a briefing 
     detailing the costs, risks, and operational benefits of 
     leveraging commercial satellite servicing capabilities for 
     national security satellite systems.
       (b) Elements.--The briefing under subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A prioritized list, with rationale, of operational and 
     planned assets of the Department of Defense that could be 
     enhanced by satellite servicing missions.
       (2) The costs, risks, and benefits of integrating satellite 
     servicing capabilities as a part of operational resilience.
       (3) Potential strategies that could allow future national 
     security space systems to leverage commercial in-orbit 
     servicing capabilities where appropriate and feasible.
       (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committee'' 
     means--
       (1) the congressional defense committees;
       (2) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the 
     Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
     and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.


     amendment no. 138 offered by ms. shea-porter of new hamsphire

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

     SEC. 12_. REPORT ON SECURITY COOPERATION PROGRAMS AND 
                   ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN 
                   CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to appropriate congressional committees a report on 
     security cooperation programs and activities of the 
     Department of Defense in the foreign countries specified in 
     subsection (b) that were carried out at any time during the 
     period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on such 
     date of enactment.
       (b) Foreign Countries Specified.--The foreign countries 
     specified in this subsection are the following:
       (1) Afghanistan.
       (2) Iraq.
       (3) Yemen.
       (4) Nigeria.
       (5) Mali.
       (6) Chad.
       (7) Somalia.
       (8) The Philippines.
       (9) Any other country as determined by the Secretary of 
     Defense.
       (c) Matters To Be Included.--The report required under 
     subsection (a) shall include the following:
       (1) Lessons learned and best practices with respect to such 
     security cooperation programs and activities of the 
     Department of Defense.
       (2) Relevant recommendations for future security 
     cooperation programs and activities of the Department of 
     Defense.
       (3) Recommendations for monitoring and evaluation metrics 
     for future security cooperation programs and activities of 
     the Department of Defense.
       (4) Evaluation of the efficacy of the assessment tools used 
     by the Department of Defense and other relevant security 
     cooperation agencies with respect to such security 
     cooperation programs and activities of the Department of 
     Defense for purposes of measuring improvements made by the 
     forces of the foreign countries specified in subsection (b).
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the congressional defense committees; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) Security cooperation programs and activities of the 
     department of defense.--The term ``security cooperation 
     programs and activities of the Department of Defense'' has 
     the meaning given such term in section 301(7) of title 10, 
     United States Code.


           amendment no. 139 offered by ms. sinema of arizona

       Add at the end of subtitle C of title XII the following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON EVOLVING FINANCING MECHANISMS LEVERAGED 
                   BY THE ISLAMIC STATE AND AFFILIATE ENTITIES.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, and the Secretary of State, in coordination with 
     other appropriate Federal officials, shall jointly submit to 
     Congress a report that contains an assessment regarding--
       (1) the current funding mechanisms used by the Islamic 
     State and affiliated entities;
       (2) the most likely future financing mechanisms available 
     to the Islamic State and affiliated entities; and
       (3) United States efforts to deny access to such funding 
     mechanisms.


           amendment no. 140 offered by ms. sinema of arizona

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

     SEC. 3__. REPORT ON WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION CAPABILITIES OF 
                   ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENTS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the Sense of Congress that 
     wildfires endanger national security.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
     to Congress a report on the wildfire suppression capabilities 
     within the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces, 
     including the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Program, 
     and interagency cooperation with the Forest Service and the 
     Department of the Interior.


           amendment no. 141 offered by ms. sinema of arizona

       Page 157, line 12, strike ``and''.
       Page 157, line 14, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
       Page 157, after line 14, insert the following:
       (v) ensure members obtain sufficient financial literacy to 
     effectively leverage conferred benefits and opportunities for 
     employment, education, vocational training, and 
     entrepreneurship.


        amendment no. 142 offered by mr. newhouse of washington

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

     SEC. ___. HANFORD WASTE TANK CLEANUP PROGRAM.

       Section 4442(e) of the Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 
     2622(e)) is amended by striking ``2019'' and inserting 
     ``2024''.


          amendment no. 143 offered by mr. graves of louisiana

       Page 175, after line 17, insert the following new section:

     SEC. 573. ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS OF OPERATION END SWEEP FOR 
                   VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL.

       The Secretary of the military department concerned may, 
     upon the application of an

[[Page H4711]]

     individual who is a veteran who participated in Operation End 
     Sweep, award that individual the Vietnam Service Medal.


          amendment no. 144 offered by mr. schrader of oregon

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

     SEC. 10__. REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN 
                   DEFENSE BUSINESS BOARD STUDY.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
     shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
     on the efforts of the Secretary to implement the 
     recommendations set forth in the study conducted by the 
     Defense Business Board titled ``Transforming Department of 
     Defense's Core Business Processes for Revolutionary Change''.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       (1) a description of the actions carried out by the 
     Secretary of Defense to implement the recommendations set 
     forth in the study described in subsection (a);
       (2) identification of the specific recommendations, if any, 
     that have been implemented by the Secretary;
       (3) the amount of any cost savings achieved as a result of 
     implementing such recommendations;
       (4) identification of any recommendations that have not 
     been implemented; and
       (5) alternative recommendations to transform core business 
     processes that would help the Department of Defense to 
     achieve cost savings.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 908, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Thornberry) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
Smith) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.

                              {time}  0930

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the en bloc 
package, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered 
by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).
  The en bloc amendments were agreed to.


      Amendments En Bloc No. 7 Offered by Mr. Thornberry of Texas

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 908, I 
offer amendments en bloc.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
  Amendments en bloc No. 7 consisting of amendment Nos. 145, 146, 147, 
148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 
162, 163, 164, 165, 166, and 167 printed in House Report 115-702, 
offered by Mr. Thornberry of Texas:


         amendment no. 145 offered by ms. stefanik of new york

       At the end of subtitle G of title V, insert the following 
     new section:

     SEC. 566. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR NONCOMPETITIVE 
                   APPOINTMENTS OF MILITARY SPOUSES BY FEDERAL 
                   AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--During the 2-year period beginning on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, section 3330d of title 5, 
     United States Code, shall be applied--
       (1) without regard to--
       (A) paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subsection (a); and
       (B) subsection (c);
       (2) in subsection (b)(1), by substituting ``a spouse of a 
     member of the Armed Forces on active duty'' for ``a 
     relocating spouse of a member of the Armed Forces''; and
       (3) in subsection (d)(1), by substituting ``subsection 
     (a)(3)'' for ``subsection (a)(6)''.
       (b) OPM Limitation and Reports.--
       (1) Relocating spouses.--With respect to the noncompetitive 
     appointment of a relocating spouse of a member of the Armed 
     Forces under subsection (b)(1) of section 3330d of title 5, 
     United States Code, as modified by subsection (a), the 
     Director of the Office of Personnel Management--
       (A) shall monitor the number of such appointments;
       (B) shall require the head of each agency with authority to 
     make such appointments under such section to submit an annual 
     report to the Director on such appointments, including 
     information on the number of individuals so appointed, the 
     types of positions filled, and the effectiveness of the 
     authority for such appointments; and
       (C) not later than 18 months after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, shall submit a report to the Committee 
     on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Government Affairs of the Senate on the use and effectiveness 
     of such authority.
       (2) Non-relocating spouses.--With respect to the 
     noncompetitive appointment of a spouse of a member of the 
     Armed Forces other than a relocating spouse described in 
     paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Personnel 
     Management--
       (A) shall treat the spouse as a relocating spouse under 
     paragraph (1); and
       (B) may limit the number of such appointments.
       (c) Sunset.--Effective on the date that is two years after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the authority under 
     this section, including the authority provided by the 
     modifications to section 3330d of title 5, United States 
     Code, shall expire.


          amendment no. 146 offered by mr. thornberry of texas

       Page 124, after line 2, insert the following new section:

     SEC. 528. ATTENDING PHYSICIAN TO THE CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 41 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting before section 716 the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 715. Attending Physician to the Congress: grade

       ``A general officer serving as Attending Physician to the 
     Congress, while so serving, holds the grade of major general. 
     A flag officer serving as Attending Physician to the 
     Congress, while so serving, holds the grade of rear admiral 
     (upper half).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting before the 
     item relating the section 716 the following new item:

``715. Attending Physician to Congress: grade''.

       At the end of subtitle A of title V, insert the following 
     new section:

     SEC. 507. GRADES OF CHIEFS OF CHAPLAINS.

       (a) Army.--Section 3073 of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``There''; and
       (2) by adding at the ends the following new subsection:
       ``(b) The Chief of Chaplains, while so serving, holds the 
     grade of major general.''.
       (b) Navy.--Section 5142 of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) The Chief of Chaplains, while so serving, holds the 
     grade of rear admiral (upper half).''.
       (c) Air Force.--Section 8039 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Grade of Chief of Chaplains.--The Chief of Chaplains, 
     while so serving, holds the grade of major general.''.


         amendment no. 147 offered by ms. stefanik of new york

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

     SEC. 10__. NATIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION ON ARTIFICIAL 
                   INTELLIGENCE.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--There is established in the executive 
     branch an independent Commission to review advances in 
     artificial intelligence, related machine learning 
     developments, and associated technologies.
       (2) Treatment.--The Commission shall be considered an 
     independent establishment of the Federal Government as 
     defined by section 104 of title 5, United States Code, and a 
     temporary organization under section 3161 of such title.
       (3) Designation.--The Commission established under 
     paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``National Security 
     Commission on Artificial Intelligence''.
       (4) Membership.--
       (A) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 15 
     members appointed as follows:
       (i) The Secretary of Defense shall appoint 2 members.
       (ii) The Secretary of Commerce shall appoint 1 member.
       (iii) The Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate shall appoint 1 member.
       (iv) The Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate shall appoint 1 
     member.
       (v) The Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
     the House of Representatives shall appoint 1 member.
       (vi) The Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce of the House of Representatives shall appoint 1 
     member.
       (vii) The Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of 
     the Senate shall appoint 1 member.
       (viii) The Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed 
     Services of the Senate shall appoint 1 member.
       (ix) The Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the 
     House of Representatives shall appoint 1 member.
       (x) The Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed Services 
     of the House of Representatives shall appoint 1 member.
       (xi) The Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence 
     of the Senate shall appoint 1 member.
       (xii) The Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the Senate shall appoint 1 member.
       (xiii) The Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives shall appoint 1 
     member.
       (xiv) The Ranking Member of the Permanent Select Committee 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives shall appoint 1 
     member.
       (B) Deadline for appointment.--Members shall be appointed 
     to the Commission under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days 
     after the Commission establishment date.
       (C) Effect of lack of appointment by appointment date.--If 
     one or more appointments under paragraph (1) is not made by

[[Page H4712]]

     the appointment date specified in paragraph (2), the 
     authority to make such appointment or appointments shall 
     expire, and the number of members of the Commission shall be 
     reduced by the number equal to the number of appointments so 
     not made.
       (5) Chair and vice chair.--The Commission shall elect a 
     Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
       (6) Terms.--Members shall be appointed for the life of the 
     Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its 
     powers, and shall be filled in the same manner as the 
     original appointment was made.
       (7) Status as federal employees.--Notwithstanding the 
     requirements of section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, 
     including the required supervision under subsection (a)(3) of 
     such section, the members of the Commission shall be deemed 
     to be Federal employees.
       (b) Duties.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall carry out the review 
     described in paragraph (2). In carrying out such review, the 
     Commission shall consider the methods and means necessary to 
     advance the development of artificial intelligence, machine 
     learning, and associated technologies by the United States to 
     comprehensively address the national security and defense 
     needs of the United States.
       (2) Scope of the review.--In conducting the review 
     paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider the following:
       (A) The competitiveness of the United States in artificial 
     intelligence, machine learning, and other associated 
     technologies, including matters related to national security, 
     defense, public-private partnerships, and investments.
       (B) Means and methods for the United States to maintain a 
     technological advantage in artificial intelligence, machine 
     learning, and other associated technologies related to 
     national security and defense.
       (C) Developments and trends in international cooperation 
     and competitiveness, including foreign investments in 
     artificial intelligence, related machine learning, and 
     computer science fields that are materially related to 
     national security and defense.
       (D) Means by which to foster greater emphasis and 
     investments in basic and advanced research to stimulate 
     private, public, academic and combined initiatives in 
     artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other 
     associated technologies, to the extent that such efforts have 
     application materially related to national security and 
     defense.
       (E) Workforce and education incentives to attract and 
     recruit leading talent in artificial intelligence and machine 
     learning disciplines, including science, technology, 
     engineering, and math programs.
       (F) Risks associated with United States and foreign country 
     advances in military employment of artificial intelligence 
     and machine learning, including international law of armed 
     conflict, international humanitarian law, and escalation 
     dynamics.
       (G) Associated ethical considerations related to artificial 
     intelligence and machine learning as it will be used for 
     future applications related to national security and defense.
       (H) Means to establish data standards, and incentivize the 
     sharing of open training data within related national 
     security and defense data-driven industries.
       (I) Consideration of the evolution of artificial 
     intelligence and appropriate mechanism for managing such 
     technology related to national security and defense.
       (J) Any other matters the Commission deems relevant to the 
     common defense of the Nation.
       (c) Reports.--
       (1) Initial report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
     the President and Congress an initial report on the findings 
     of the Commission and such recommendations that the 
     Commission may have for action by the executive branch and 
     Congress related to artificial intelligence, machine 
     learning, and associated technologies, including 
     recommendations to more effectively organize the Federal 
     Government.
       (2) Annual comprehensive reports.--Not later than one year 
     after the date of this enactment of this Act, and every year 
     thereafter annually, until the date specified in subsection 
     (e), the Commission shall submit a comprehensive report on 
     the review required under subsection (b).
       (3) Form of reports.--Reports submitted under this 
     subsection shall be made publically available, but may 
     include a classified annex.
       (d) Funding.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated 
     by this Act for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of 
     Defense, not more than $10,000,000 shall be made available to 
     the Commission to carry out its duties under this subtitle. 
     Funds made available to the Commission under the preceding 
     sentence shall remain available until expended.
       (e) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on October 
     1, 2020.
       (f) Definition of Artificial Intelligence.--In this 
     section, the term ``artificial intelligence'' includes each 
     of the following:
       (1) Any artificial system that performs tasks under varying 
     and unpredictable circumstances without significant human 
     oversight, or that can learn from experience and improve 
     performance when exposed to data sets.
       (2) An artificial system developed in computer software, 
     physical hardware, or other context that solves tasks 
     requiring human-like perception, cognition, planning, 
     learning, communication, or physical action.
       (3) An artificial system designed to think or act like a 
     human, including cognitive architectures and neural networks.
       (4) A set of techniques, including machine learning that is 
     designed to approximate a cognitive task.
       (5) An artificial system designed to act rationally, 
     including an intelligent software agent or embodied robot 
     that achieves goals using perception, planning, reasoning, 
     learning, communicating, decision-making, and acting.


          amendment no. 148 offered by mr. taylor of virginia

       Page 937, after line 12, insert the following:

     SEC. 2845. DEFENSE ACCESS ROADS RELATING TO CLOSURES DUE TO 
                   SEA LEVEL RISE AND FLOODING.

       (a) Authority.--Section 210(a)(1) of title 23, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``closures or 
     restrictions'' and inserting ``closures, closures due to sea 
     level rise and flooding, or restrictions''.
       (b) Use of Funds.--Section 210 of title 23, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Beginning in fiscal year 2019, funds appropriated for 
     the purposes of this section shall be available to pay the 
     cost of repairing damage caused to, and for any 
     infrastructure to mitigate the risks posed to, highways by 
     recurrent flooding and sea level rise, if the Secretary shall 
     determine that continued access to a military installation 
     has been impacted by past flooding and projected sea level 
     rise.''.


          amendment no. 149 offered by mr. thornberry of texas

       At the end of subtitle D of title VIII (page 361, after 
     line 5), insert the following new section:

     SEC. 845. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLE 
                   TECHNOLOGY.

        It is the sense of Congress that design, manufacturing, 
     and repair of the technology in unmanned ground vehicles is 
     critical to national security. To that end, the national 
     technology and industrial base periodic defense capability 
     assessments required under section 2505 of title 10, United 
     States Code, as well as the national security strategy for 
     the national technology and industrial base required under 
     section 2501 of such title, should include the unmanned 
     ground vehicles industry.


           amendment no. 150 offered by mr. palmer of alabama

       Page 729, before line 1, insert the following:
       (3) Briefing.--The Secretary of the Air Force shall provide 
     the Committees on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the need to 
     develop additional recruitment measures or Reserve Officer 
     Training Corps programs relating to space career fields.


         amendment no. 151 offered by mr. kelly of pennsylvania

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

     SEC. 12XX. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT 
                   THE ARMS TRADE TREATY.

       (a) In General.--None of the funds authorized to be 
     appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for 
     fiscal year 2019 for the Department of Defense may be 
     obligated or expended to fund a Secretariat or any other 
     international organization established to support the 
     implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, to sustain domestic 
     prosecutions based on any charge related to the Treaty, or to 
     implement the Treaty until the Senate approves a resolution 
     of ratification for the Treaty and implementing legislation 
     for the Treaty has been enacted into law.
       (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to preclude the Department of Defense from 
     assisting foreign countries in bringing their laws, 
     regulations, and practices related to export control up to 
     United States standards.


          amendment no. 152 offered by mr. nolan of minnesota

       Page 175, line 24, insert ``, on a quarterly basis, on a 
     website of the Department'' after ``publicly available''.
       Page 176, line 2, insert ``as of the date of the submittal 
     of the report and the total number of members of the Armed 
     Forces so deployed during the quarter covered by the report'' 
     before the period at the end.
       Page 176, after line 19, insert the following:
       (3) Public availability.--If a waiver is issued under this 
     subsection, notice of such waiver shall be included in the 
     report made publicly available under subsection (a) for the 
     applicable quarter, together with information about the 
     timing of the waiver.


         amendment no. 153 offered by mr. sam johnson of texas

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

     SEC. 7__. STUDY ON REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN FORMER MEMBERS OF 
                   THE ARMED FORCES TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE PART B 
                   TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE FOR LIFE.

       (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Commissioner 
     of Social Security shall jointly

[[Page H4713]]

     submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, the Committee on Ways and 
     Means of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
     Finance of the Senate a report on the requirement that a 
     covered individual enroll in the supplementary medical 
     insurance program under part B of title XVIII of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.) in order to be 
     eligible for TRICARE for Life.
       (b) Matters Included.--The study under subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An analysis of whether the requirement described in 
     such subsection affects covered individuals from returning to 
     work.
       (2) The number of individuals who--
       (A) are retired from the Armed Forces under chapter 61 of 
     title 10, United States Code;
       (B) are entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part 
     A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act pursuant to 
     receiving benefits for 24 months as described in subparagraph 
     (A) or (C) of section 226(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
     426(b)(2)); and
       (C) because of such entitlement, are no longer enrolled in 
     TRICARE Standard, TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Extra, or TRICARE 
     Select.
       (3) The number of covered individuals who would potentially 
     enroll in TRICARE for Life but not enroll in the 
     supplementary medical insurance program under part B of title 
     XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.) if 
     able.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``covered individual'' means an individual--
       (A) who is under 65 years of age;
       (B) who is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under 
     part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A) or (C) of section 226(b)(2) of such Act (42 
     U.S.C. 426(b)(2));
       (C) whose entitlement to a benefit described in 
     subparagraph (A) of such section has terminated due to 
     performance of substantial gainful activity; and
       (D) who is retired under chapter 61 of title 10, United 
     States Code.
       (2) The terms ``TRICARE for Life'', ``TRICARE Extra'', 
     ``TRICARE Standard'', ``TRICARE Select'', and ``TRICARE 
     Prime'' have the meanings given those terms in section 1072 
     of title 10, United States Code.


           amendment no. 154 offered by mr. barr of kentucky

       At the end of subtitle F of title V, insert the following 
     new section:

     SEC. 560. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITIES IN CONNECTION WITH 
                   JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS 
                   PROGRAMS.

       (a) Authority To Convert Otherwise Closing Units to 
     National Defense Cadet Corps Program Units.--If the Secretary 
     of a military department is notified by a local educational 
     agency of the intent of the agency to close its Junior 
     Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) unit, the Secretary 
     shall offer the agency the option of converting the program 
     to a National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) program unit in lieu 
     of closing the unit.
       (b) Flexibility in Administration of Instructors.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretaries of the military 
     departments shall undertake initiatives designed to promote 
     flexibility in the hiring and compensation of instructors for 
     the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program under the 
     jurisdiction of such Secretaries.
       (2) Elements.--The initiatives undertaken pursuant to this 
     subsection may provide for one or more of the following:
       (A) Termination of the requirement for a waiver as a 
     condition of the hiring of well-qualified non-commissioned 
     officers with a bachelor's degree for senior instructor 
     positions within the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
       (B) Specification of a single instructor as the minimum 
     number of instructors required to found and operate a Junior 
     Reserve Officers' Training Corps unit.
       (C) Authority for Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps 
     instructors to undertake school duties, in addition to Junior 
     Reserve Officers' Training Corps duties, at small schools.
       (D) Authority for the payment of instructor compensation 
     for a limited number of Junior Reserve Officers' Training 
     Corps instructors on a 10-month per year basis rather than a 
     12-month per year basis.
       (E) Such other actions as the Secretaries of the military 
     departments consider appropriate.
       (c) Flexibility in Allocation and Use of Travel Funding.--
     The Secretaries of the military departments shall take 
     appropriate actions to provide so-called regional directors 
     of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs 
     located at remote rural schools enhanced discretion in the 
     allocation and use of funds for travel in connection with 
     Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps activities.
       (d) Standardization of Program Data.--The Secretary of 
     Defense shall take appropriate actions to standardize the 
     data collected and maintained on the Junior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps programs in order to facilitate and enhance 
     the collection and analysis of such data. Such actions shall 
     include a requirement for the use of the National Center for 
     Education Statistics (NCES) identification code for each 
     school with a unit under a Junior Reserve Officers' Training 
     Corps program in order to facilitate identification of such 
     schools and their units under the Junior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps programs.
       (e) Authority for Additional Units.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretaries of the military 
     departments may, using amounts authorized to be appropriated 
     by paragraph (2), establish an aggregate of not more than 100 
     units under the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps 
     programs in low-income and rural areas of the United States 
     and areas of the United States currently underserved by the 
     Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs.
       (2) Funding.--There is hereby authorized to be appropriated 
     for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of Defense amounts as 
     follows:
       (A) For Operation and Maintenance, Army, $3,140,000, with 
     the amount available for the Junior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps program of the Army.
       (B) For Operation and Maintenance, Navy, $950,000, with the 
     amount available for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training 
     Corps program of the Navy.
       (C) For Operation and Maintenance, Air Force, $1,000,000, 
     with the amount available for the Junior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps program of the Air Force.
       (D) For Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps, $390,000, 
     with the amount available for the Junior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps program of the Marine Corps.
       (E) For Military Personnel, $1,220,000, of which--
       (i) $500,000 is for the Army for the Junior Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps program of the Army;
       (ii) $270,000 is for the Navy for the Junior Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps program of the Navy;
       (iii) $380,000 is for the Air Force for the Junior Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps program of the Air Force; and
       (iv) $70,000 is for the Marine Corps for the Junior Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps program of the Marine Corps.
       (3) Supplement not supplant.--The amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of 
     Defense by this subsection are in addition to any other 
     amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2019 
     for the Department under any other provision of law.
       (4) Offset.--Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the 
     funding tables in division D--
       (A) the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 101 
     for procurement, as set forth in the corresponding funding 
     table in section 4101, for other procurement, Navy, aircraft 
     support equipment (line 090), is hereby decreased by 
     $3,200,000; and
       (B) the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 101 
     for procurement, as set forth in the corresponding funding 
     table in section 4101, for other procurement, Navy, civil 
     engineering support equipment, items under $5 million (line 
     115), is hereby decreased by $3,500,000.


        amendment no. 155 offered by mr. carbajal of california

       Page 230, line 12, strike ``Management'' and insert 
     ``Medical''.
       Page 231, line 8, strike ``Management'' and insert 
     ``Medical''.


           amendment no. 156 offered by mr. reed of new york

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

     SEC. 3__. REPORT ON RELOCATION OF STEAM TURBINE PRODUCTION 
                   FROM NIMITZ-CLASS AND FORD-CLASS AIRCRAFT 
                   CARRIERS, AND VIRGINIA-CLASS AND COLUMBIA-CLASS 
                   SUBMARINES.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the 
     Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and 
     Logistics, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, 
     Development and Acquisition, shall develop and submit to 
     Congress a report describing the potential impacts on 
     national defense and the manufacturing base resulting from 
     contractors or subcontracts relocating steam turbine 
     production for Nimitz-class and Ford-class aircraft carriers, 
     and Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines. Such report 
     shall address each of the following:
       (1) The overall risk of moving production on our national 
     security including likelihood of production delay or 
     reduction in quality of steam turbines.
       (2) The impact on natural security from a delay in 
     production of aircraft carriers and submarines.
       (3) The impacts on regional suppliers the current 
     production of steam turbines draw on and their ability to 
     perform other contracts should a relocation happen.
       (4) The impact on the national industrial and manufacturing 
     base and loss of a critically skilled workforce resulting 
     from a relocation of production.
       (5) The risk of moving production on total cost of the 
     acquisition.


          amendment no. 157 offered by mr. hastings of florida

       At the end of subtitle F of title V, insert the following 
     new section:

     SEC. 560. TRANSITION OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     coordination with the

[[Page H4714]]

     Secretaries of Veterans Affairs, Labor, Education, and 
     Homeland Security, and the Administrator of the Small 
     Business Administration, shall establish a pilot program 
     through the Transition to Veterans Program Office that 
     fosters contact between veterans and the Department of 
     Defense.
       (b) Contact.--The Secretary of Defense, and with respect to 
     members of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of the Department 
     in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not 
     operating as a service in the Navy, shall direct the Military 
     Transition Assistance Teams of the Department of Defense to 
     contact each veteran from the Armed Forces at least twice 
     during each of the first three months after the veteran 
     separates from the Armed Forces to--
       (1) inquire about the transition of the separated member to 
     civilian life, including--
       (A) employment;
       (B) veterans benefits;
       (C) education;
       (D) family life; and
       (2) hear concerns of the veteran regarding transition.
       (c) Termination.--The Secretary shall complete operation of 
     the pilot program under this section not later than September 
     30, 2019.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 90 days after termination of 
     the pilot program under this section, the Secretary of 
     Defense shall submit a report to Congress regarding such 
     pilot program, including the following, disaggregated by 
     armed force:
       (1) The number of veterans contacted, including how many 
     times such veterans were contacted.
       (2) Information regarding the age, sex, and geographic 
     region of contacted veterans.
       (3) Concerns most frequently raised by the veterans.
       (4) What benefits the contacted veterans have received, and 
     an estimate of the cost to the Federal Government for such 
     benefits.
       (5) How many contacted veterans are employed or have sought 
     employment, including what fields of employment.
       (6) How many contacted veterans are enrolled or have sought 
     to enroll in a course of education, including what fields of 
     study.
       (7) Recommendations for legislation to improve the long-
     term effectiveness of TAP and the well-being of veterans.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``armed force'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.
       (2) The term ``TAP'' means the Transition Assistance 
     Program under sections 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United 
     States Code.
       (3) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 101 of title 38, United States Code.


          amendment no. 158 offered by mr. foster of illinois

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

     SEC. 16__. REPORT ON COUNTERMEASURES TEST PROGRAM.

       Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Director of the Missile Defense Agency shall 
     submit to the congressional defense committees a report on 
     the status of the countermeasures test program. The report 
     shall include an evaluation and response to the 2010 report 
     by the JASON Defense Advisory Panel titled ``MDA 
     Discrimination'', numbered JSR-10.620, with regard to the 
     recommendations of that report on forming a countermeasures 
     test program through an independent agency to--
       (1) challenge the countermeasure efforts of the Missile 
     Defense Agency;
       (2) design countermeasures for the Missile Defense Agency;
       (3) simulate such countermeasures against the national 
     missile defense; and
       (4) as appropriate, in cooperation with the Director, build 
     and test countermeasures in intercept flight tests.


         amendment no. 159 offered by ms. jackson lee of texas

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

     SEC. 5__. ASSESSMENT AND REPORT ON ACTIVE SHOOTER THREAT 
                   MITIGATION AT SCHOOLS LOCATED ON MILITARY 
                   INSTALLATIONS.

       (a) Assessment.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an 
     assessment of strategies that may be used to reduce the 
     security threat posed by active shooter incidents at public 
     elementary schools and secondary schools located on the 
     grounds of Federal military installations.
       (b) Report.--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 
     includes the results of the assessment conducted under 
     subsection (a).


            amendment no. 160 offered by mr. flores of texas

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

     SEC. 2__. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PARTNERSHIPS FOR NEXT 
                   GENERATION HYPERSONICS CAPABILITIES.

       It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Air 
     Force should consider entering into long-term partnerships 
     with institutions of higher education, similar to the 
     partnerships between such institutions and the Army and the 
     Navy, to conduct research and science and engineering 
     education for next generation hypersonics capabilities.


        amendment no. 161 offered by mr. cramer of north dakota

       At the end of subtitle G of title X, insert the following 
     new section:

     SEC. 10__. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN NAMES ON THE VIETNAM VETERANS 
                   MEMORIAL.

       The Secretary of Defense shall provide for the inclusion on 
     the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the District of Columbia the 
     names of the seventy-four crew members of the USS Frank E. 
     Evans killed on June 3, 1969.


          amendment no. 162 offered by mr. foster of illinois

       Page 817, after line 17, insert the following new 
     subsection:
       (c) CBO Report on Costs Relating to Ballistic, Cruise, and 
     Hypersonic Defenses of the United States.--
       (1) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Congressional 
     Budget Office shall submit to the congressional defense 
     committees a report setting forth the following:
       (A) An estimate of the costs over the 10-year period 
     beginning on the date of the report associated with--
       (i) fielding and maintaining the current and planned 
     ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic defenses of the United 
     States; and
       (ii) implementing any new recommendations of the Ballistic 
     Missile Defense Review with regard to ballistic, cruise, and 
     hypersonic defenses.
       (B) An estimate of the costs to design, launch, maintain, 
     and operate space-based sensors of different constellation 
     sizes ranging from limited to comprehensive.
       (2) Form.--The report under subsection (a) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.


         amendment no. 163 offered by mrs. hartzler of missouri

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

     SEC. 10__. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF COVERED FACILITY OR 
                   ASSET FOR PURPOSES OF PROTECTION FROM UNMANNED 
                   AIRCRAFT.

       Section 130i(j)(3)(C) of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in clause (viii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (2) in clause (ix), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(x) mobility airlift.''.


      amendment no. 164 offered by mr. ben ray lujan of new mexico

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

     SEC. 31__. MANUFACTURING TRADES EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Manufacturing Trades Education 
     Program.--
       (1) The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Labor, may establish a program, to be known as 
     the ``DOE Manufacturing Trades Grant Program Act'', under 
     which the Secretary of Energy provides eligible entities 
     described in paragraph (2), on a competitive basis, grants 
     for technical skills-based training programs, including 
     apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, that provide 
     recognized post-secondary credentials during the 5-year grant 
     period of 2019 through 2024 to support--
       (A) the enhancement of existing programs in manufacturing 
     trades education to further the missions of the Department Of 
     Energy national security laboratories and the NNSA Production 
     Sites; or
       (B) the establishment of new programs in manufacturing 
     trades education that meet such requirements.
       (2) Grants and awards under this section may be made to 
     industry, not-for-profit institutions, institutions of higher 
     education, workforce intermediaries, or to consortia of such 
     institutions or industry.
       (3) If the Secretary establishes the program, the Secretary 
     shall establish the program in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Education, the Director of 
     the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the heads of 
     such other relevant Federal agencies as the Secretary of 
     Energy considers appropriate.
       (4) If the Secretary establishes the program, the Secretary 
     shall ensure that the program is coordinated with Department 
     programs associated with advanced manufacturing activities 
     for missions within the Department Of Energy National 
     Security Laboratories and the NNSA Production Sites.
       (b) Geographical Distribution of Grants and Awards.--In 
     awarding grants and other awards under this section, the 
     Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, avoid 
     geographical and Departmental concentration of awards.
       (c) Covered Programs.--A program of manufacturing trades 
     education supported pursuant to this section shall meet the 
     requirements of this section.
       (d) Components of Program.--The program of education for 
     which such a grant is made shall be a consolidated and 
     integrated multidisciplinary program of education with an 
     emphasis on the following components:
       (1) Multidisciplinary instruction that encompasses the 
     total manufacturing engineering enterprise and that may 
     include--
       (A) manufacturing trades education and training through 
     classroom activities, laboratory, or employer site activities 
     (or a combination thereof), on the job training activities, 
     participation in employer site projects, sponsored pre-
     apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs, cooperative work-
     study programs, and interactions with other

[[Page H4715]]

     industrial facilities, consortia, or such other activities 
     and organizations in the United States and foreign countries 
     as the Secretary considers appropriate;
       (B) Subject Matter Expert development programs;
       (C) recruitment of experienced and licensed professionals 
     that are highly qualified in relevant manufacturing trades to 
     teach or develop manufacturing trade courses and program 
     content;
       (D) presentation of seminars, workshops, and training for 
     the development of specific manufacturing trades skills;
       (E) activities involving interaction between students and 
     industry, including programs for visiting experts from 
     industry or other sites or industry and personnel exchanges 
     between Department Of Energy National Security Laboratories 
     and the NNSA Production Sites;
       (F) development of new, or updating and modification of 
     existing, manufacturing trades curriculum, course offerings, 
     and education programs;
       (G) establishment of programs in manufacturing workforce 
     training that are specific to the unique skills and 
     requirements needed at the Department Of Energy National 
     Security Laboratories and the NNSA Production Sites;
       (H) establishment of joint manufacturing trades education 
     programs with defense laboratories and, depots, national 
     security laboratories, and NNSA production sites; and
       (I) expansion of manufacturing trades training and 
     education programs and outreach for members of the armed 
     forces, dependents and children of such members, veterans, 
     and employees of the Department of Defense, National Security 
     Laboratories, and NNSA production sites.
       (2) Opportunities for students to obtain work experience in 
     manufacturing through such activities as apprenticeship/pre-
     apprenticeship programs, internships, summer job placements, 
     or cooperative work-study programs.
       (3) Faculty and student engagement with industry that is 
     directly related to, and supportive of, the education of 
     students in the manufacturing trades because of--
       (A) the increased understanding of manufacturing challenges 
     and potential solutions; and
       (B) the enhanced quality and effectiveness of the 
     instruction that result from that increased understanding.
       (e) Proposals.--If the Secretary establishes the program, 
     the Secretary shall solicit proposals for grants and other 
     awards to be made pursuant to this section for the support of 
     programs of manufacturing trades education that are 
     consistent with the purposes of this section.
       (f) Merit Competition.--Applications for awards shall be 
     evaluated on the basis of merit pursuant to competitive 
     procedures prescribed by the Secretary.
       (g) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary may select a 
     proposal for an award pursuant to this section if the 
     proposal, at a minimum, does each of the following:
       (1) Provides students access to registered apprenticeship 
     or pre-apprenticeship programs for improving trades education 
     in manufacturing technology.
       (2) Contains innovative approaches for improving trades 
     education in manufacturing technology.
       (3) Demonstrates a strong commitment by the proponents to 
     apply the resources necessary to achieve the objectives for 
     which the award is to be made.
       (4) Provides for effective engagement with industry or 
     government organizations that supports the instruction to be 
     provided in the proposed program and is likely to improve 
     manufacturing capability and technology.
       (5) Demonstrates a significant level of involvement of 
     United States industry in the proposed instructional and 
     research activities.
       (6) Is likely to attract regional students that will 
     provide long careers to the Department Of Energy National 
     Security Laboratories and the NNSA Production Sites and 
     promote careers in manufacturing trades at these locations.
       (7) Proposes to involve fully qualified personnel and 
     employer site subject matter experts who are experienced in 
     manufacturing engineering education and technology.
       (8) Proposes a program that, within 3 years after the award 
     is made, is likely to attract from sources other than the 
     Federal Government the financial and other support necessary 
     to sustain such program.
       (9) Proposes to achieve a significant level of 
     participation by women, members of minority groups, young 
     adults in the age range of 17 to 29, and individuals with 
     disabilities through active recruitment of students from 
     among such persons.
       (10) Trains students in advanced manufacturing trades and 
     in relevant emerging technologies and production processes.
       (h) Institution of Higher Education Defined.--In this 
     section the term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).


       amendment no. 165 offered by mr. mcclintock of california

       Add at the end the following:

DIVISION E--FEES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 
                               PERSONNEL

     SEC. 5101. FEES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES.

       (a) Fees Authorized.--The Secretary may establish and 
     collect fees for medical services provided by National Park 
     Service personnel to persons--
       (1) inside of a unit of the National Park System; and
       (2) outside of a unit of the National Park System.
       (b) National Park Medical Services Fund.--There is hereby 
     established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the 
     ``National Park Medical Services Fund''. The Fund shall 
     consist of--
       (1) donations to the Fund; and
       (2) fees collected under subsection (a).
       (c) Availability of Amounts.--All amounts deposited into 
     the Fund shall be available to the Secretary, to the extent 
     provided in advance by Acts of appropriation, for the 
     following:
       (1) Provision of services listed in subsection (a).
       (2) Preparing needs assessments or other programmatic 
     analyses for medical facilities, equipment, vehicles, and 
     other needs and costs of providing services listed in 
     subsection (a).
       (3) Developing management plans for medical facilities, 
     equipment, vehicles, and other needs and costs of services 
     listed in subsection (a).
       (4) Training related to providing services listed in 
     subsection (a).
       (5) Obtaining or improving medical facilities, equipment, 
     vehicles, and other needs and costs of providing services 
     listed in subsection (a).
       (d) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
       (1) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the National Park 
     Medical Services Fund established by subsection (b).
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.


       amendment no. 166 offered by mr. rohrabacher of california

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

     SEC. 12__. SECURITY COOPERATION WITH ERITREA.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense in consultation with the 
     Secretary of State, shall submit to the congressional defense 
     committees a report on the potential strategic benefits and 
     risks of conducting security cooperation with the Government 
     of Eritrea, including benefits and risks with respect to each 
     of the following:
       (1) Counterterrorism efforts.
       (2) The security situation in the Horn of Africa, the Red 
     Sea region, and Yemen.
       (3) Other national security priorities of the United 
     States.


     amendment no. 167 offered by ms. shea-porter of new hampshire

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

     SEC. 12_. MODIFICATIONS TO CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION 
                   REQUIREMENTS REGARDING SUPPORT FOR OPERATIONS 
                   AND CAPACITY BUILDING.

       (a) Authority to Provide Support for Conduct of 
     Operations.--Section 331(d)(2) of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (H); 
     and
       (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(E) An evaluation of political, social, economic, 
     diplomatic, and historical factors, if any, of the 
     participating country that may impair or inhibit the 
     effectiveness of support to be provided to the participating 
     country.
       ``(F) An assessment of the sustainability of support to be 
     provided to the participating country by the United States.
       ``(G) A description of measures being taken to ensure the 
     participating country does not become dependent on United 
     States assistance to be provided under this section.''.
       (b) Defense Institution Capacity Building.--Section 
     332(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(D) An assessment of the objectives of the United States 
     and foreign countries participating in the program.
       ``(E) An evaluation of political, social, economic, 
     diplomatic, and historical factors, if any, of foreign 
     countries participating in the program that may impair or 
     inhibit the effectiveness of the program.
       ``(F) An assessment of the sustainability of support to be 
     provided to foreign countries participating in the program.
       ``(G) A description of measures being taken to ensure 
     foreign countries participating in the program do not become 
     dependent on United States assistance to be provided under 
     the program.''.
       (c) Foreign Security Forces Capacity Building.--Section 
     333(e) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(8) An evaluation of political, social, economic, 
     diplomatic, and historical factors, if any, of the foreign 
     country that may impair or inhibit the effectiveness of the 
     program.''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 908, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Thornberry) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
Smith) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.

[[Page H4716]]

  Mr. Chairman, I want to take a moment as we approach the conclusion 
of this debate to again express my appreciation to the members of the 
Armed Services Committee, to all of the Members of the House who have 
contributed to this product, as well as to our staff.
  Mr. Chairman, I think many Members do not realize that it requires a 
lot of long, hard, late work on the part of the staff to sift through 
the 578 amendments that were filed for the Rules Committee in order to 
make our floor consideration go as smoothly as it has.
  I want to express again, as I have started our general debate, my 
appreciation to not only our committee staff, who have been doing this 
throughout markup and on to floor consideration, but the Rules 
Committee staff and the leadership staff on both sides that have 
facilitated this product.
  It was a good bill to begin with, but with the assistance of a number 
of Members, it has become a better product, and it is certainly a 
worthy cause for Members to participate in and to show our support for 
the men and women who serve.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I, too, want to thank all the people who worked to put 
together this product. As always, our committee, I think, was a fine 
example, both of how to legislate and how to do it in a bipartisan way, 
starting at the committee process, starting with the chairman's mark.
  As the chairman has mentioned, just about everybody in this House has 
contributed to this product, either in committee or once we got to the 
Rules Committee with the amendments that they offered.
  It took an extraordinary amount of work on behalf of the Members, 
but, most importantly, on behalf of staff to sift through all of those 
amendments, to reach agreements where they could, to set up reasonable 
debate where they couldn't, and they did an outstanding job.
  This is the best staff I have ever worked with. They do an amazing 
job.
  And we all have to remember the baseline reason why we are doing 
this. As the authorizing bill for the Department of Defense, this is 
the bill that sets the policy that helps the men and women who fight 
and serve to protect our country. So it is an incredibly important 
task.
  I want to particularly thank the chairman. It has been a great 
working relationship this year, as always. I think we have an excellent 
product. I look forward to getting it passed today and going to 
conference with the Senate.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan), the distinguished Speaker of the House.
  (Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, this has been a very busy week 
in the House.
  I just came to the floor from a ceremony where I signed three major 
pieces of legislation that are now headed to the President's desk to 
become law.
  This House has been very busy keeping its promises: to unleash our 
economy, to take care of our veterans, to provide hope for the 
terminally ill.
  We just signed those three things that are now on their way to the 
President's desk.
  But perhaps the most important promise that we made was the one that 
we made to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.
  We promised to start rebuilding our military to give them the 
resources that they need to do their jobs, to reassert the United 
States' dominance in our military in the world.
  After tax reform, that was my most important legislative priority, 
because that was our most important legislative priority.
  Mr. Chairman, it is another promise kept.
  Earlier this year, we enacted a historic increase in military 
funding, made possible by the bipartisan budget agreement that came 
before it.
  This allowed us to advance the bill that we have before us right here 
today.
  I want to thank the members of the Armed Services Committee, the 
ranking member, but I especially want to thank Chairman Thornberry for 
his work on this bill and his tireless advocacy for our men and women 
in uniform.
  This National Defense Authorization presents another major step 
toward rebuilding and reforming our military. It will repair the damage 
done over the previous decade. It starts with readiness. It starts with 
readiness because this country has had a readiness crisis that has been 
costing us lives.
  More American servicemembers are being killed in accidents and 
training exercises than on the battlefield. As Secretary Mattis put it, 
he was shocked by the poor state of our readiness. We must reverse 
that.
  This bill invests in training. This bill invests in equipment. It 
grows the size of all branches of our military, and it prioritizes 
missile defense and our nuclear deterrent.
  It is a very dangerous world, and this legislation will help us 
counter the threats, whether they are new or traditional, whether from 
China or Russia or Iran or North Korea.
  But, like I said, we are not just rebuilding our military, we are 
reforming our military. The legislation streamlines the bureaucracy and 
improves the buying practices so that we are not devoting more 
resources to waste, we are devoting more resources to what counts: 
keeping this country strong and keeping this country safe.
  And, of course, we are taking care of our servicemembers and their 
families with the biggest pay raise for our troops in 9 years.
  I am so proud of this legislation. I am so proud of our legislators. 
I am so proud of the chairman for making this moment possible.
  Here we are, not just keeping our promise, but making this a better, 
stronger, safer United States. This will have a lasting impact, and 
this will ensure that America continues to lead in the 21st century.
  Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman and the members of the committee, 
and I urge adoption of this bill.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, with appreciation for the kind words, 
but especially for the commitment from the Speaker, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered 
by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).
  The en bloc amendments were agreed to.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Committee will rise informally.
  The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Ferguson) assumed the chair.

                          ____________________