[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 124 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 977. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2226, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2024 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title XVI, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 16__. REQUIREMENT TO SUPPORT FOR CYBER EDUCATION AND 
                   WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
                   LEARNING.

       (a) Authority.--The Secretary of Defense shall support the 
     development of foundational expertise in critical cyber 
     operational skills at institutions of higher learning, 
     selected by the Secretary under subsection (b), for current 
     and future members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees 
     of the Department of Defense.
       (b) Selection.--The Secretary shall select institutions of 
     higher learning to receive support under subsection (a) from 
     among institutions of higher learning that meet the following 
     eligibility criteria:
       (1) The institution offers a program from beginning through 
     advanced skill levels to provide future military and civilian 
     leaders of the Armed Forces with operational cyber expertise.
       (2) The institution includes instruction and practical 
     experiences that lead to recognized certifications and 
     degrees in the cyber field.
       (3) The institution has and maintains an educational 
     partnership with an active component of the Armed Forces or a 
     Department component designed to facilitate the development 
     of critical cyber skills for students who may pursue a 
     military career.
       (4) The institution is located in close proximity to a 
     military installation with a cyber mission defined by the 
     Department or the Armed Forces.
       (c) Support.--Under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
     provide, at a minimum, to each institution of higher learning 
     selected by the Secretary under subsection (b) the following 
     support for civilian and military leaders of the Department 
     transitioning into cyber fields at the Department:
       (1) Expansion of cyber educational programs focused on 
     enhancing such transition.
       (2) Hands-on cyber opportunities, including laboratories 
     and security operations centers.
       (3) Direct financial assistance to civilian and military 
     students at the Department to increase access to courses and 
     hands-on opportunities under paragraphs (1) and (2).
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2024.
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