[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.
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