[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2855. Ms. DUCKWORTH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 4638, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2025 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 K of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 599C. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION 
                   OF FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE SENIOR RESERVE 
                   OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2026, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall establish a program using the 
     authority provided under section 2103(b) of title 10, United 
     States Code, to promote the participation of foreign students 
     in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (in this 
     section referred to as the ``Program'').
       (2) Organization.--The Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Defense Security 
     Cooperation Agency, the Secretaries of the military 
     departments, the commanders of the combatant commands, the 
     participant institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps program, and any other individual the 
     Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, shall be 
     responsible for, and shall oversee, the Program.
       (b) Objective.--The objective of the Program is to promote 
     the readiness and interoperability of the United States Armed 
     Forces and the military forces of partner countries by 
     providing a high-quality, cost effective military-based 
     educational experience for foreign students in furtherance of 
     the military-to-military program objectives of the Department 
     of Defense and to enhance the educational experience and 
     preparation of future United States military leaders through 
     increased, extended interaction with highly qualified 
     potential foreign military leaders.
       (c) Activities.--
       (1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary of 
     Defense shall--
       (A) identify to the military services' Senior Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps program the foreign students who, 
     based on criteria established by the Secretary, the Secretary 
     recommends be considered for admission under the Program;
       (B) coordinate with partner countries to evaluate interest 
     in and promote awareness of the Program;
       (C) establish a mechanism for tracking an alumni network of 
     foreign students who participate in the Program; and
       (D) to the extent practicable, work with the participant 
     institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps 
     program and partner countries to identify academic 
     institutions and programs that--
       (i) have specialized academic programs in areas of study of 
     interest to participating countries; or
       (ii) have high participation from or significant diaspora 
     populations from participating countries.
       (d) Strategy.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than September 30, 2025, 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 strategy for the 
     implementation of the Program.
       (2) Elements.--The strategy required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (A) A governance structure for the Program, including--
       (i) the officials tasked to oversee the Program;
       (ii) the format of the governing body of the Program;
       (iii) the functions and duties of such governing body with 
     respect to establishing and maintaining the Program; and
       (iv) mechanisms for coordinating with partner countries 
     whose students are selected to participate in the Program.
       (B) A list of additional authorities, appropriations, or 
     other congressional support necessary to ensure the success 
     of the Program.
       (C) A description of targeted partner countries and 
     participant institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps for the first three fiscal years of the 
     Program, including a rationale for selecting such initial 
     partners.
       (D) A description of opportunities and potential timelines 
     for future Program expansion, as appropriate.
       (E) A description of the mechanism for tracking the alumni 
     network of participants of the Program.
       (F) Any other information the Secretary of Defense 
     considers appropriate.
       (e) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than September 20, 2026, and 
     annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
     the congressional defense committees (as defined in section 
     101 of title 10, United States Code) a report on the Program.
       (2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (A) A narrative summary of activities conducted as part of 
     the Program during the preceding fiscal year.
       (B) An overview of participant Senior Reserve Officers' 
     Training Corps programs, individuals, and countries, to 
     include a description of the areas of study entered into by 
     the students participating in the Program.
       (C) A description of opportunities and potential timelines 
     for future Program expansion, as appropriate.
       (D) Any other information the Secretary of Defense 
     considers appropriate.
       (f) Limitation on Authority.--The Secretary of Defense may 
     not use the authority provided under this section to pay for 
     tuition or room and board for foreign students who 
     participate in the Program.
       (g) Termination.--The Program shall terminate on December 
     31, 2030.
                                 ______