[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S5085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 5722. Mr. COTTON (for himself, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Blunt) submitted 
an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 5499 submitted by 
Mr. Reed (for himself and Mr. Inhofe) and intended to be proposed to 
the bill H.R. 7900, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2023 
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

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

     SEC. 1214. AUSTRALIA-UNITED STATES LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Indo-Pacific region is among the fastest-growing 
     regions of the world and is the most important region for 
     United States interests.
       (2) The strategic challenges emerging from the Indo-Pacific 
     region require collaboration and cooperative solutions 
     between the United States and its allies and partners.
       (3) Australia has been one of the United States' closest 
     allies for well over 100 years. This ``Mateship'' began with 
     the visit of the American Great White Fleet to Sydney Harbor 
     in 1908. The United States-Australia bond was soon sealed as 
     troops from both countries fought and died together in World 
     War I.
       (4) Since World War I, Australians and Americans--
       (A) have supported each other in every major military 
     conflict in which the United States was involved; and
       (B) have mutually supported each another in intelligence-
     sharing.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States must continue to build and maintain 
     strong relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-
     Pacific region to successfully protect its vital interests 
     and to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region;
       (2) the Australia-United States relationship will continue 
     to be vital throughout the 21st century and beyond;
       (3) as the Australia-United States alliance evolves, it is 
     necessary that emerging leaders in both countries develop a 
     deeper understanding of their ally's view of the world; and
       (4) exchange programs between foreign policy and national 
     security staff from the United States Congress and the 
     Australian Parliament will further bind our nations together.
       (c) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--The majority leader of the Senate, the 
     minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and the minority leader of the House of 
     Representatives, working through a designated nonprofit, such 
     as a think tank, a foundation, or another suitable 
     organization contracted by the Department of Defense 
     competitive award process, shall work with appropriate 
     leaders of the Australian Parliament to establish the 
     Australia-United States Legislative Exchange Program 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Program'').
       (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Program shall be to 
     coordinate annual 1 to 2 week legislative exchanges between 
     United States congressional staff and Australian 
     parliamentary staff that focus on foreign policy, national 
     security, and other issues of mutual interest between both 
     countries.
       (3) Selection of staff.--
       (A) Congressional staff.--In carrying out the Program, the 
     congressional leaders referred to in paragraph (1), in 
     consultation with the head of the nonprofit designated 
     pursuant to paragraph (1), shall jointly select a bipartisan, 
     bicameral group of congressional staff for each exchange 
     described in paragraph (2).
       (B) Parliamentary staff.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     leaders in the Australian Parliament will select a 
     politically balanced group of Australian parliamentary staff 
     who will participate in each exchange described in paragraph 
     (2).
       (4) Venues.--The exchanges described in paragraph (2) shall 
     take place primarily in Washington, D.C. and Canberra, 
     Australia, but may include opportunities for staff--
       (A) to engage in cultural immersion activities; and
       (B) to tour other key regions in each country in accordance 
     with the purposes of the Program.
       (5) Program activities.--Program participants, while 
     visiting the partner country, shall--
       (A) meet with senior executive branch and legislative 
     branch officials, think tank scholars, and nonprofit advocacy 
     groups; and
       (B) participate in specially-designed courses covering the 
     politics and foreign policy issues in such country with the 
     intent to foster a deeper understanding of the political 
     environment in which their counterparts operate.
       (6) Consultation.--In managing the Program on behalf of the 
     congressional leaders referred to in paragraph (1), the head 
     of the nonprofit designated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall 
     consult with, and accepting guidance from, senior staff of 
     the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Armed 
     Services of the House of Representatives, and the Committee 
     on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
       (7) Alumni network.--The head of the nonprofit designated 
     pursuant to paragraph (1) shall establish an alumni network 
     program, in cooperation with a representative of the 
     Australian Parliament, that brings together past alumni of 
     the program for special events or programs that provide for 
     further exchanges and lasting relationships between 
     policymakers and leaders in both countries.
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