[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5984-S6003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 3244. Mr. LUJAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him 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 appropriate place in title XXXI, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. ___. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF ENERGY 
                   REGARDING PROTECTION OF CERTAIN NUCLEAR 
                   FACILITIES AND ASSETS FROM UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.

       Section 4510(e)(1)(C) of the Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 
     U.S.C. 2661(e)(1)(C)) is amended by striking ``owned by the 
     United States or contracted to the United States, to'' and 
     inserting ``owned by or contracted to the Department of 
     Energy, including facilities that''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3245. Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Schmitt, and Mr. 
Kelly) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him 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 H of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1095. ELIGIBILITY OF SPOUSES FOR SERVICES UNDER THE 
                   DISABLED VETERANS' OUTREACH PROGRAM.

       Section 4103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``and eligible persons'' after ``eligible veterans''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, and eligible 
     persons,'' after ``Other eligible veterans'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and eligible persons'' 
     after ``veterans'' each place it appears; and
       (C) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by inserting ``or eligible person'' after ``veteran'' 
     each place it appears; and
       (ii) by inserting ``or eligible person's'' after 
     ``veteran's'';
       (2) in subsection (d)(1)--
       (A) by inserting ``and eligible persons'' after ``eligible 
     veterans'' each place it appears; and
       (B) by striking ``non-veteran-related''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Eligible Person Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `eligible person' means--
       ``(1) any spouse described in section 4101(5) of this 
     title; or
       ``(2) the spouse of any person who died while a member of 
     the Armed Forces.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3246. Mr. KAINE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him 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 C of title VIII, add the following:

     SEC. 855. WARM BASE MANUFACTURING PILOT PROGRAM TO MAINTAIN 
                   AND IMPROVE DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING SURGE 
                   CAPACITY FOR WARFIGHTER EMERGENCY MEDICAL-GRADE 
                   PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

       (a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program to be

[[Page S5985]]

     known as the ``Assuring Critical Infrastructure to Supply 
     Warfighter Emergency Medical-grade Personal Protective 
     Equipment Pilot Program''.
       (b) Selection of Installations.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, acting 
     through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland 
     Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, shall select geographically 
     diverse locations in the United States that can surge 
     medical-grade personal protective equipment for warfighters 
     to respond to national or international public health 
     emergencies.
       (2) Prioritization.--
       (A) In general.--In selecting locations under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary of Defense shall give priority to domestic 
     facilities where the Department has already invested funds to 
     transform medical-grade personal protective equipment raw 
     materials into finished products that are essential to 
     maintain warfighter health and safety in the event of a 
     national or international public health emergency.
       (B) Additional priority.--In selecting locations under 
     paragraph (1), preference should be given to installations 
     that--
       (i) have the presence of critical transportation 
     infrastructure immediately adjacent to the selected domestic 
     facility that facilitates expedited inbound transportation of 
     medical-grade personal protective equipment raw materials and 
     outbound transportation of finished medical-grade personal 
     protective equipment;
       (ii) are ISO 13815 certified;
       (iii) are subject to periodic audit by the Food and Drug 
     Administration;
       (iv) have the ability to provide and quickly surge medical-
     grade personal protective equipment for warfighter use;
       (v) have the capacity to support expansion of non-woven 
     fabric production; and
       (vi) can minimize raw material production waste by 
     utilizing a scrap reclamation process.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3247. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him 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 F of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1291. PROHIBITION ON INVESTMENT BY UNITED STATES PERSONS 
                   IN ENERGY SECTOR OF VENEZUELA UNTIL THE 
                   LEGITIMATE RESULTS OF THE JULY 28, 2024, 
                   ELECTION ARE RESPECTED.

       (a) Prohibition.--
       (1) In general.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the following transactions are prohibited:
       (A) Any transaction by a United States person, or an entity 
     owned or controlled by a United States person, to invest, 
     trade, or operate within the energy sector of Venezuela, 
     including the provision of goods, services, or finance to--
       (i) Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., or subsidiaries, 
     representatives, or related companies of Petroleos de 
     Venezuela, S.A.; or
       (ii) the regime of Nicolas Maduro or any nondemocratic 
     successor government in Venezuela.
       (B) Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose 
     of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to 
     violate the prohibition under subparagraph (A).
       (2) Applicability.--The prohibitions under paragraph (1) 
     shall apply--
       (A) to the extent provided by law and regulations, orders, 
     directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this 
     section; and
       (B) notwithstanding any contract entered into or any 
     license or permit granted before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (b) Implementation; Penalties.--
       (1) Implementation.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, may take such 
     actions, including prescribing regulations, as are necessary 
     to implement this section.
       (B) IEEPA authorities.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     exercise the authorities provided to the President under 
     sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic 
     Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to the extent necessary 
     to carry out this section.
       (2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to 
     violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of 
     subsection (a) or any regulation, license, directive, or 
     order issued to carry out that subsection shall be subject to 
     the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 
     206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
     U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an 
     unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.
       (c) Responsibility of Other Agencies.--All agencies of the 
     United States Government shall take all appropriate measures 
     within their authority to carry out the provisions of this 
     section.
       (d) Termination of Prohibition.--The prohibitions under 
     subsection (a) shall terminate on the date on which the 
     President submits to Congress a determination that the regime 
     of Nicolas Maduro has recognized the July 28, 2024, electoral 
     victory of Edmundo Gonzalez and relinquished power to the 
     legitimately democratically elected government in Venezuela.
       (e) United States Person Defined.--In this section, the 
     term ``United States person'' means--
       (1) a United States citizen or alien lawfully admitted for 
     permanent residence to the United States;
       (2) any entity organized under the laws of the United 
     States or any jurisdiction within the United States 
     (including a foreign branch of any such entity); and
       (3) any person physically located in the United States.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3248. Mr. SULLIVAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him 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 C of title VI, add the following:

     SEC. 630. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS THAT 
                   ARISE FROM THE DEATH OF A MEMBER OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES.

       (a) Death Gratuity.--Section 1475(a)(4) of title 10, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``for a period of more 
     than 13 days''.
       (b) Recovery, Care, and Disposition of Remains.--Section 
     1481(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(11) Any person not otherwise covered by this section 
     whose death entitles a survivor of such person to a death 
     gratuity under section 1475 of this title.''.
       (c) Eligibility for Assistance From a Casualty Assistance 
     Officer.--Section 633 of the National Defense Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66; 10 U.S.C. 1475 
     note) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) an individual not described in subparagraph (A) or 
     (B) who is entitled to a death gratuity under section 1475 of 
     title 10, United States Code.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``spouses and dependents'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``survivors''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``spouses and other 
     dependents of deceased members'' and inserting ``such 
     survivors''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``the spouse and 
     other dependents of a deceased member of the Armed Forces'' 
     and inserting ``such a survivor''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to a death that occurs on or after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3249. Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mr. Rounds) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him 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 appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. STUDY AND REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE USE OF 
                   CHINESE-MADE UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLE SYSTEMS 
                   AND PROHIBITION ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
                   PROCUREMENT AND OPERATION OF SUCH SYSTEMS.

       (a) Study and Report on Use in Department of Defense 
     Systems of Chinese-made Unmanned Ground Vehicle Systems.--
       (1) Study and report required.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Defense shall--
       (A) conduct a study on the use in Department of Defense 
     systems of covered unmanned ground vehicle systems made by 
     covered foreign entities; and
       (B) submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
     on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study 
     conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).
       (2) Elements.--The study conducted pursuant to paragraph 
     (1)(A) shall cover the following:
       (A) The extent to which covered unmanned ground vehicle 
     systems made by covered foreign entities are used by the 
     Department, including a list of all such covered unmanned 
     ground vehicle systems.
       (B) The extent to which covered unmanned ground vehicle 
     systems made by covered foreign entities are used by 
     contractors of the Department.
       (C) The nature of the use described in subparagraph (B).

[[Page S5986]]

       (D) An assessment of the national security threats 
     associated with using covered unmanned ground vehicle systems 
     in applications of the Department. Such assessment shall 
     cover concerns relating to the following:
       (i) Cybersecurity.
       (ii) Technological maturity of the systems.
       (iii) Technological vulnerabilities in the systems that may 
     be exploited by foreign adversaries of the United States.
       (E) Actions taken by the Department to identify covered 
     foreign entities that--
       (i) develop or manufacture covered unmanned ground vehicle 
     systems; and
       (ii) have a military-civil nexus on the list maintained by 
     the Department under section 1260H(b) of the William M. (Mac) 
     Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2021 (Public Law 116-283; 10 U.S.C. 113 note).
       (F) The feasibility and advisability of directing the 
     Defense Innovation Unit, or another entity in the Department 
     of Defense, to develop a list of United States manufacturers 
     of covered unmanned ground vehicle systems.
       (G) A recommendation on whether a prohibition on the 
     procurement and operation of covered unmanned ground vehicle 
     systems is in the best interest of the Department.
       (b) Prohibition on Procurement and Operation by Department 
     of Defense of Covered Unmanned Ground Vehicle Systems From 
     Covered Foreign Entities.--
       (1) Prohibition.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, except as provided in paragraph 
     (2), the Secretary of Defense may not procure or operate any 
     covered unmanned ground vehicle system that is manufactured 
     or assembled by a covered foreign entity.
       (B) Applicability to contracted services.--The prohibition 
     under subparagraph (A) with respect to the operation of 
     covered unmanned ground vehicles systems applies to any such 
     system that is being used by the Department of Defense 
     through the method of contracting for the services of such 
     systems.
       (2) Exception.--The Secretary of Defense is exempt from any 
     restrictions under subsection (a) in a case in which the 
     Secretary determines that the procurement or operation--
       (A) is required in the national interest of the United 
     States; and
       (B) is for the sole purposes of--
       (i) research, evaluation, training, testing, or analysis 
     for electronic warfare, information warfare operations, 
     cybersecurity, or the development of unmanned ground vehicle 
     system or counter-unmanned ground vehicle system technology; 
     or
       (ii) conducting counterterrorism or counterintelligence 
     activities, protective missions, Federal criminal or national 
     security investigations (including forensic examinations), 
     electronic warfare, information warfare operations, 
     cybersecurity activities, or the development of unmanned 
     ground vehicle system or counter-unmanned ground vehicle 
     system technology.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Covered foreign country.--The term ``covered foreign 
     country'' means any of the following:
       (A) The People's Republic of China.
       (B) The Russian Federation.
       (C) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
       (D) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
       (2) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign 
     entity'' means an entity that is domiciled in a covered 
     foreign country or subject to influence or control by the 
     government of a covered foreign country, as determined by the 
     Secretary of Defense.
       (3) Covered unmanned ground vehicle system.--The term 
     ``covered unmanned ground vehicle system''--
       (A) means a mechanical device that--
       (i) is capable of locomotion, navigation, or movement on 
     the ground; and
       (ii) operates at a distance from one or more operators or 
     supervisors based on commands or in response to sensor data, 
     or through any combination thereof; and
       (B) includes--
       (i) remote surveillance vehicles, autonomous patrol 
     technologies, mobile robotics, and humanoid robots; and
       (ii) the vehicle, its payload, and any external device used 
     to control the vehicle.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3250. Mr. SULLIVAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him 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 H of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1095. EXTENSION OF THE ALASKA NATIVE VIETNAM ERA 
                   VETERANS LAND ALLOTMENT PROGRAM.

       Section 1119(b)(3)(B) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. 
     Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (43 U.S.C. 
     1629g-1(b)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ``5-year period'' 
     and inserting ``10-year period''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3251. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him 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 appropriate place, insert the following:

     SECTION 1228. SUPPORTING SYRIAN CIVILIANS.

       (a) Short Titles.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Supporting Syrian Civilians Act'' or the ``Caesar Act 
     2.0''.
       (b) Modifications to the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection 
     Act of 2019.--
       (1) Caesar syria civilian protection act of 2019.--Section 
     7412(a) of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 
     (title LXXIV of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2020; 22 U.S.C. 8791 note) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the President shall 
     impose'' and all that follows and inserting the following: 
     ``the President--
       ``(A) shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 
     (b) with respect to a foreign person that the President 
     determines--
       ``(i) knowingly engages, on or after such date of 
     enactment, in an activity described in paragraph (2); or
       ``(ii) is owned or controlled by a foreign person described 
     in clause (i); and
       ``(B) may impose the sanctions described in subsection (b) 
     with respect to a foreign person that the Secretary of State 
     determines knowingly provides, on or after such date of 
     enactment, significant financial, material, or technological 
     support to a foreign person engaging in an activity described 
     in any of subparagraphs (B) through (H) of paragraph (2).'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:

       ``(i) the Government of Syria (including any entity owned 
     or controlled by the Government of Syria), a senior political 
     figure of the Government of Syria, a member of the People's 
     Assembly of Syria, or a senior foreign political figure (as 
     defined in section 101.605 of title 31, Code of Federal 
     Regulations) of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party of Syria, 
     including any such senior foreign political figure who is a 
     member of the Central Command, Central Committee, or Auditing 
     and Inspection Committee of such Party;'';

       (II) in clause (ii), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (III) in clause (iii), by striking the semicolon at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (IV) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(iv) Syria Arab Airlines, Cham Wings, or any foreign 
     person owned or controlled by Syria Arab Airlines or Cham 
     Wings;'';
       (ii) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
       ``(C) knowingly sells or provides aircraft or spare 
     aircraft parts--
       ``(i) to the Government of Syria; or
       ``(ii) on behalf of the Government of Syria to any foreign 
     person operating in an area directly or indirectly controlled 
     by the Government of Syria or foreign forces under the 
     direction or control of the Government of Syria;'';
       (iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (v) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) purposefully engages in or directs--
       ``(i) the significant diversion of valuable goods 
     (including agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and 
     medical devices) or any international humanitarian assistance 
     intended for the people of Syria; or
       ``(ii) the dealing in the significant misappropriation of 
     proceeds from the sale or resale of such significant diverted 
     goods or international humanitarian assistance, as the case 
     may be;
       ``(G) knowingly engages in, or attempts to engage in, the 
     significant seizure, confiscation, theft, or expropriation 
     for personal gain or political purposes of significant 
     property, including real property, in Syria or owned by a 
     citizen of Syria; or
       ``(H) knowingly and directly engages in, or attempts to 
     engage in, a transaction or transactions for or with seized, 
     confiscated, stolen, or expropriated property described in 
     subparagraph (G).''.
       (2) Report on caesar syria civilian protection act of 
     2019.--
       (A) Defined term.--In this paragraph, the term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (i) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (ii) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 
     of the Senate;
       (iii) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (iv) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (B) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 
     following 3 years, the Secretary of the Treasury, with the 
     concurrence of the Secretary of State, shall submit a report 
     to the appropriate congressional committees describing the 
     implementation of sanctions under the Caesar Syria Civilian 
     Protection Act of 2019, as amended by this section.

[[Page S5987]]

       (C) Elements.--Each report submitted pursuant to 
     subparagraph (B) shall describe--
       (i) all individuals or entities sanctioned under the 
     authorities granted by the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection 
     Act of 2019;
       (ii) all individuals and entities determined to be eligible 
     for sanction under the authorities granted by the Caesar 
     Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 who have not yet been 
     sanctioned under such authorities;
       (iii) all individuals and entities currently under 
     consideration for sanction under the authorities granted by 
     the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019; and
       (iv) the steps taken to explain to financial institutions 
     sanctions liability under the authorities granted by the 
     Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 and the date 
     such steps were taken.
       (D) Form.--Each report required under subparagraph (B) 
     shall be submitted in an unclassified form, but may contain a 
     classified annex that is submitted separately from the 
     unclassified report.
       (3) Exceptions.--Section 7432 of the Caesar Syria Civilian 
     Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 note) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 7432. EXCEPTIONS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Agricultural commodity.--The term `agricultural 
     commodity' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of 
     the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
       ``(2) Good.--The term `good' means any article, natural or 
     manmade substance, material, supply, or manufactured product, 
     including inspection and test equipment, and excluding 
     technical data.
       ``(3) Medical device.--The term `medical device' has the 
     meaning given the term `device' in section 201 of the Federal 
     Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
       ``(4) Medicine.--The term `medicine' has the meaning given 
     the term `drug' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
     Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
       ``(b) Exception to Comply With United Nations Headquarters 
     Agreement and Law Enforcement Activities.--Sanctions under 
     this Act shall not apply with respect to the admission of an 
     alien to the United States if admitting or paroling such 
     alien into the United States is necessary--
       ``(1) to permit the United States to comply with the 
     Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, 
     signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force 
     November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United 
     States, or other applicable international obligations of the 
     United States; or
       ``(2) to carry out or assist authorized law enforcement 
     activity in the United States.
       ``(c) Exception to Comply With Intelligence Activities.--
     Sanctions under this Act shall not apply to any activity 
     subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the 
     National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.) or any 
     authorized intelligence activities of the United States.
       ``(d) Humanitarian Assistance.--Sanctions under this Act 
     shall not apply to--
       ``(1) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the 
     provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, 
     medical devices, or humanitarian assistance, or for other 
     humanitarian purposes; or
       ``(2) transactions that are necessary for, or related to, 
     the activities described in paragraph (1).''.
       (4) Extension of sunset.--Section 7438 of the Caesar Syria 
     Civilian Protection Act of 2019 is amended by striking ``the 
     date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act'' and inserting ``December 31, 2028''.
       (5) Determinations with respect to the syria trust for 
     development.--
       (A) Defined term.--In this paragraph, the term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (i) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (ii) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 
     of the Senate;
       (iii) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (iv) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (B) Determinations.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the President shall--
       (i) determine whether the nonprofit organization chaired by 
     Asma Al-Assad, the First Lady of Syria, known as the ``Syria 
     Trust for Development'' meets the criteria for the imposition 
     of sanctions--

       (I) under section 7412(a) of the Caesar Syria Civilian 
     Protection Act of 2019, as amended by paragraph (1);
       (II) under Executive Order 13894 (84 Fed. Reg. 55851; 
     relating to blocking property and suspending entry of certain 
     persons contributing to the situation in Syria); or
       (III) by nature of being owned or controlled by a person 
     designated under any executive order or regulation 
     administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control; and

       (ii) submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
     each such determination, including a justification for the 
     determination.
       (C) Form.--Each determination required to be submitted 
     under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be submitted in unclassified 
     form, but the justification specified in such paragraph may 
     be included in a classified annex. The unclassified 
     determination shall be made available on a publicly available 
     website of the Federal Government.
       (c) Statement of Policy Regarding the Prohibition of 
     Recognition of the Assad Regime.--It is the policy of the 
     United States--
       (1) to not recognize or normalize relations with any 
     Government of Syria that is led by Bashar al-Assad due to the 
     Assad regime's ongoing crimes against the Syrian people, 
     including failure to meet the criteria outlined in section 
     7431(a) of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 
     (22 U.S.C. 8791 note);
       (2) to actively oppose recognition or normalization of 
     relations by other governments with any Government of Syria 
     that is led by Bashar Al-Assad, including by fully 
     implementing the mandatory primary and secondary sanctions in 
     the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 and 
     Executive Order 13894 (84 Fed. Reg. 55851; relating to 
     blocking property and suspending entry of certain persons 
     contributing to the situation in Syria);
       (3) to continue to actively advance the national interests 
     of the United States in Syria, including--
       (A) counterterrorism and counternarcotic operations;
       (B) the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Syrian 
     people, including earthquake-related early recovery; and
       (C) significant diplomatic efforts towards the advancement 
     of a political solution to the Syrian conflict in adherence 
     with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015); 
     and
       (4) to take all necessary steps to secure--
       (A) the release of Austin Tice and other hostages and 
     unjustly detained United States nationals within Syria; and
       (B) the repatriation of the remains of United States 
     nationals killed by the Assad regime or by the Islamic State 
     in Syria, including Majd Kamalmaz, Kayla Mueller, James 
     Foley, Peter Kassig, and Steven Sotloff.
       (d) Interagency Strategy to Counter Normalization With 
     Assad Regime.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this section:
       (A) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (i) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (ii) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
       (iii) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 
     of the Senate;
       (iv) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (v) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (vi) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (B) Covered transaction.--The term ``covered transaction'' 
     means a transaction, including an investment, grant, 
     contract, or donation (including a loan or other extension of 
     credit) by a foreign person that is a representative, 
     citizen, or entity incorporated exclusively under the laws of 
     the Republic of Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, 
     Jordan, Iraq, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi 
     Arabia, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, or Lebanon to a 
     recipient located in any area of Syria controlled by the 
     Assad regime.
       (2) Report required.--
       (A) Submission.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a 
     period not to exceed 3 years, the Secretary of State, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the heads 
     of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall 
     submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees 
     that describes--
       (i) the steps taken or planned to be taken by foreign 
     governments to normalize or upgrade political, diplomatic, or 
     economic ties with the regime led by Bashar al-Assad in Syria 
     (referred to in this Act as the ``Assad regime''); and
       (ii) the actions taken by the United States Government to 
     counter such steps.
       (B) Elements.--The report submitted pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A) shall include--
       (i) a description of--

       (I) violations of international law and human rights abuses 
     committed by Bashar al-Assad, the Government of the Russian 
     Federation, or the Government of Iran; and
       (II) progress made towards achieving justice for the Syrian 
     people and accountability for the violators;

       (ii) a list, including the identification of--

       (I) any single covered transaction exceeding $2,500,000; 
     and
       (II) any combination of covered transactions by the same 
     source within a 12-month period that exceed $2,500,000, in 
     the aggregate;

       (iii) for each identified single transaction or aggregate 
     transactions, as the case may be, included in the list 
     described in clause (ii), a determination of whether such 
     transaction subjects any of the parties to the transaction to 
     sanctions under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 
     2019, as amended by subsection (b);
       (iv) a description of the steps the United States is taking 
     to actively deter recognition or normalization of relations 
     by other governments with the Assad regime, including 
     specific diplomatic engagements and the use of economic 
     sanctions authorized by Federal statutes or implemented 
     through Executive Orders, including--

       (I) the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 
     U.S.C. 8791 note);
       (II) the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty 
     Restoration Act (22 U.S.C. 2151 note);

[[Page S5988]]

       (III) the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
     Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.);
       (IV) Executive Order 13894 (84 Fed. Reg. 55851; relating to 
     blocking property and suspending entry of certain persons 
     contributing to the situation in Syria);
       (V) the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act 
     (22 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.);
       (VI) the Countering American Adversaries through Sanctions 
     Act (22 U.S.C. 9401 et seq.); and
       (VII) the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (title 
     VIII of Public Law 106-120; 21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.); and

       (v) an assessment of how recognition of, or normalization 
     of relations with, the Assad regime by other governments 
     impacts--

       (I) the national security of the United States;
       (II) the material benefits of such recognition or 
     normalization to the Assad regime;
       (III) the normalizing government prospects for the 
     implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 
     2254;
       (IV) prospects for justice and accountability for war 
     crimes in Syria; and
       (V) the benefits derived by the Government of the Russian 
     Federation or the Government of Iran.

       (3) Temporal scope.--The initial report required under 
     paragraph (2) shall address the period beginning on January 
     1, 2022, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
     Each subsequent report shall address the 1-year period 
     immediately following the last day covered by the most 
     recently submitted report.
       (4) Form.--Each report required under paragraph (2) shall 
     be submitted in an unclassified form, but may contain a 
     classified annex.
       (e) Reports on Manipulation of United Nations by the Assad 
     Regime in Syria.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a 
     period not to exceed 5 years, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives that describes the manipulation of the United 
     Nations by the Assad regime, including--
       (A) a description of conditions, both explicit and 
     implicit, set by the Assad regime with respect to United 
     Nations operations in Syria, including with respect to 
     implementing partners, hiring practices, allocation of grants 
     and contracts, and procurement of goods and services;
       (B) the identification of officials or employees of the 
     United Nations (including funds, programs, and specialized 
     agencies of the United Nations) with ties to the Assad 
     regime, or persons designated for sanctions by United Nations 
     donor countries;
       (C) an account of access restrictions imposed by the Assad 
     regime and the overall impact of such restrictions on the 
     ability of the United Nations to equitably deliver 
     international assistance to target beneficiaries in areas 
     outside the control of the Assad regime;
       (D) a description of ways in which United Nations aid 
     directly benefits the Assad regime and its associates;
       (E) a description of the due diligence mechanisms and 
     vetting procedures in place to ensure entities contracted by 
     the United Nations to ensure goods, supplies, or services 
     provided to Syria do not have links to the Assad regime, 
     known human rights abusers, or persons designated for 
     sanctions by United Nations donor countries;
       (F) the identification of entities affiliated with the 
     Assad regime (including the Syria Trust for Development and 
     the Syrian Arab Red Crescent), foreign government ministries, 
     and private corporations owned or controlled by the Assad 
     regime, which have received United Nations funding, 
     contracts, or grants or have otherwise entered into a 
     formalized partnership with the United Nations;
       (G) an assessment of how the Assad regime sets arbitrary or 
     punitive exchange rates to extract funding from the United 
     Nations, and the total amount extracted by such means; and
       (H) a strategy for--
       (i) reducing the ability of the Assad regime to manipulate 
     or otherwise influence the United Nations and other aid 
     operations in Syria; and
       (ii) ensuring that United States and international aid is 
     delivered in a neutral and impartial manner consistent with 
     basic humanitarian principles.
       (2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (f) Briefing Before Force Posture Change.--Not later than 
     15 days before any decision to withdraw United States forces 
     from any part of Syria where such forces are being deployed, 
     the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall 
     jointly brief the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate, the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
     and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives on the likely impacts of such withdrawal.
       (g) Economic Support Funds for Syria.--
       (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (A) the humanitarian situation in areas of northwest Syria 
     that are not controlled by the Assad regime remains dire, 
     which is due in large part to ongoing attacks, diversion of 
     cross-line assistance, and corruption by the Assad regime;
       (B) Syrian refugees and their host communities--
       (i) are under significant strain due to the prolonged 
     conflict in Syria; and
       (ii) require significant assistance from the international 
     community;
       (C) it remains unsafe for Syrian refugees to return to 
     Syria absent a formal cessation of hostilities and 
     significant implementation of the principles laid out in 
     United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015);
       (D) the forced return of Syrian refugees to Syria absent 
     their consent or the aforementioned conditions violates the 
     principle of non-refoulement; and
       (E) host countries must not forcibly return refugees to 
     Syria without their consent absent a formal cessation of 
     hostilities and significant implementation of the principles 
     laid out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 
     (2015).
       (2) Statement of policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States--
       (A) to provide humanitarian funding to northwest Syria 
     outside of mechanisms controlled by the Assad regime;
       (B) to maintain basic services for communities in northwest 
     Syria outside of Assad regime control;
       (C) to oppose the refoulement or otherwise forcible return 
     of Syrian refugees and provide significant assistance to 
     Syrian refugees and their host communities; and
       (D) to work with partners and allies to support the efforts 
     described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
       (3) Authorization of appropriations for humanitarian 
     assistance for northwest syria.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated, in addition to amounts already appropriated for 
     such purpose, $10,000,000 in Economic Support Funds for the 
     Syria Civil Defense (commonly known as the ``White 
     Helmets'').
       (4) Report and strategy on stabilization funding for 
     northwest syria.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with the Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development, shall submit a report 
     to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     that assesses--
       (i) the feasibility of providing stabilization funding to 
     areas of northwest Syria that are not under the control the 
     Assad regime; and
       (ii) the risks that such funds will be diverted and steps 
     to counter such risks.
       (B) Form.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall 
     be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a 
     classified annex.
       (5) Authorization of appropriations.--
       (A)  Stabilization assistance for northwest syria.--
       (i) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     $20,000,000 in Economic Support Funds for stabilization 
     funding in areas of northwest Syria that are not under the 
     control of the Assad Regime.
       (ii) Briefing required.--None of the funds appropriated 
     pursuant to clause (i) may be expended until a senior 
     official of the Department of State provides a briefing 
     regarding such expenditure to--

       (I) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (II) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (III) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (IV) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.

       (B) Funds for syrian refugees and host communities.--There 
     is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 in Economic 
     Support Funds to support Syrian refugees and host communities 
     in the Middle East and North Africa.
       (h) Countering Captagon Trafficking.--
       (1) Report on strategy implementation.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the 
     following 3 years, the Secretary of State shall submit a 
     report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives describing the implementation of the strategy 
     submitted by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 
     1238(c) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263).
       (B) Elements.--Each report required under subparagraph (A) 
     shall include--
       (i) the amount of funds obligated for the previous fiscal 
     year in support of the strategy referred to in such 
     subparagraph; and
       (ii) a description of how such funds have supported each of 
     the elements described in such strategy.
       (C) Form.--Each report required under subparagraph (A) 
     shall be submitted in an unclassified form, but may contain a 
     classified annex that is transmitted separately from the 
     unclassified report.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated, in addition to any funds already 
     appropriated for such purpose, $10,000,000 from the 
     International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) 
     account to counter the production and trafficking of Captagon 
     in the Middle East and North Africa, especially such 
     trafficking carried out by the Assad Regime and Hezbollah.

[[Page S5989]]

       (i) Briefing on Steps to Free Austin Tice and Repatriate 
     American Remains From Syria.--
       (1) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (A) Austin Tice, an American journalist, was kidnaped on 
     August 14, 2012.
       (B) Majd Kamalmaz, an American psychotherapist, was 
     detained by the Assad regime in February 2017, and 
     subsequently murdered in captivity by the Assad regime.
       (C) Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig, 2 American aid workers, 
     and James Foley and Steven Sotloff, 2 American journalists, 
     were all United States citizens who were murdered in Syria 
     while being held in captivity by the Islamic State.
       (2) Sense of congress.--It is the Sense of Congress that 
     the United States Government should take all necessary 
     steps--
       (A) to secure the release of Austin Tice and other 
     Americans unjustly detained in Syria; and
       (B) to secure the return of the remains of Majd Kamalmaz, 
     Kayla Mueller, James Foley, Peter Kassig, and Steven Sotloff.
       (3) Briefing required.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 
     the following 5 years, the President shall provide a briefing 
     to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     regarding--
       (A) efforts by the United States Government--
       (i) to secure the release of Austin Tice and other unjustly 
     detained Americans in Syria; and
       (ii) to secure the return of the remains of Majd Kamalmaz, 
     Kayla Mueller, James Foley, Peter Kassig, Steven Sotloff, and 
     other United States nationals killed in captivity in Syria; 
     and
       (B) the steps the United States Government is taking to 
     keep the families of such persons informed of its efforts to 
     secure the release of such persons or the return of their 
     remains.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3252. Mrs. SHAHEEN 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 title XII, add the following:

Subtitle G--Supporting Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Republic of 
                                Georgia

     SEC. 1291. SHORT TITLES.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Georgian People's Act'' 
     or the ``GPA Act''.

     SEC. 1292. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) On April 9, 1991, the Republic of Georgia declared 
     independence from the Soviet Union, and on March 24, 1992, 
     the United States and Georgia established formal diplomatic 
     relations.
       (2) Since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has 
     been reaffirmed by the international community and numerous 
     United Nations Security Council resolutions.
       (3) At the 2008 Summit in Bucharest, NATO recognized the 
     aspirations of Georgia to join NATO and committed that 
     Georgia would become a member of the Alliance.
       (4) On August 7, 2008, the Russian Federation invaded 
     Georgia and thereafter occupied 20 percent of its territory, 
     all of which it continues to occupy.
       (5) On January 9, 2009, the United States and Georgia 
     signed the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic 
     Partnership, affirming the close relationship between the 
     United States and Georgia based on the shared principles of 
     democracy, free markets, defense and security cooperation, 
     and cultural exchanges.
       (6) Georgia made significant contributions to the wars in 
     Iraq and Afghanistan and was the largest troop contributor 
     among NATO partners to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission 
     in Afghanistan.
       (7) The United States and Georgia have maintained a strong 
     security partnership, including the U.S.-Georgia Security 
     Cooperation Framework, signed in November 2019, and the 
     Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative, 
     launched in October 2021.
       (8) The United States supports the sovereignty and 
     territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally 
     recognized borders and condemns the continued occupation by 
     Russia of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
       (9) The United States has continuously supported the 
     democratic wishes of the Georgian people, who have long 
     maintained their aspirations to join the European Union and 
     NATO.
       (10) During and following her tenure as United States 
     Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to Georgia between 2020 and 
     2023, Kelly Degnan has been the subject of slander and verbal 
     abuse from members of the Government of Georgia.
       (11) As recently as October 2023, reputable polling 
     indicates that 86 percent of the Georgian public support 
     Georgia becoming a member of the European Union.
       (12) Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 
     February 2022, Georgia--
       (A) has not imposed its own sanctions on Russia; and
       (B) has increased economic ties, including initiating many 
     direct flights to and from Russia;
       (C) has eased visa requirements for Russians visiting 
     Georgia; and
       (D) is perceived as a conduit of Russia's sanctions evasion 
     endeavors.
       (13) Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 
     February 2022, and the subsequent rounds of international 
     sanctions placed on Russia as a result of such invasion, 
     Georgia saw its trade with Russia grow by 34 percent between 
     January and June 2023.
       (14) Georgia's geographic position as both a Black Sea 
     littoral nation and its proximity to the Caspian Sea could 
     further strengthen Georgia's economy by transporting natural 
     gas through the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Project.
       (15) In June 2022, when the Governments of Ukraine and 
     Moldova received candidate status for membership in the 
     European Union, the European Council stated it would only be 
     ready to grant Georgia candidate status once the country has 
     addressed the 12 priorities outlined by the European 
     Commission.
       (16) In December 2023, the European Union granted Georgia 
     the status of candidate country, with the understanding that 
     Georgia would act consistent with the recommendations of the 
     European Commission by continuing to advance the outlined 
     reform priorities and increasing its alignment with the 
     European Union's foreign and security policy positions.
       (17) On February 24, 2023, a foreign agents bill was 
     introduced in the Parliament of Georgia--
       (A) to impose restrictions on civil society organizations, 
     nongovernmental organizations, and independent media 
     organizations; and
       (B) to stigmatize such organizations as ``foreign agents''.
       (18) On March 7, 2023, the Parliament of Georgia 
     accelerated the passage of that bill, which led to--
       (A) large-scale protests that Georgian authorities 
     confronted by deploying tear gas and water cannons; and
       (B) the withdrawal of the bill by the Parliament.
       (19) On April 15, 2024, the foreign agents bill, which was 
     renamed ``the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence'', was 
     reintroduced in the Parliament of Georgia with minor changes 
     that did not reflect the express wishes of the Georgian 
     people, which led to--
       (A) large-scale protests in Tbilisi and around the country;
       (B) harassment and intimidation of civil society activists 
     and journalists; and
       (C) the ejection of opposition parliamentarians from 
     parliamentary hearings.
       (20) On April 29, 2024, former Georgian Prime Minister 
     Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is currently the Honorary Chairman 
     of the ruling Georgian Dream Party, gave a speech in which 
     he--
       (A) harshly attacked American and European partners;
       (B) alleged that the goal of foreign funding of civil 
     society and nongovernmental organizations in Georgia is to 
     deprive Georgia of its state sovereignty; and
       (C) promised to punish opposition political groups.
       (21) In the face of massive, nation-wide protests against 
     the foreign agents law, Georgian authorities have, in some 
     cases, deployed disproportionate force against largely 
     peaceful protestors, including--
       (A) reportedly attacking journalists covering the protests 
     and members of the political opposition; and
       (B) threatening civil society leaders and family members of 
     protestors at their homes.
       (22) On May 14, 2024, the Parliament of Georgia passed the 
     foreign agents bill against the wishes of the Georgian 
     people.
       (23) On May 21, 2024, the Venice Commission issued an 
     opinion regarding Georgia's foreign influence law in which it 
     ``strongly recommend[ed] repealing the Law in its current 
     form, as its fundamental flaws will involve significant 
     negative consequences for the freedoms of association and 
     expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in 
     public affairs as well as the prohibition of 
     discrimination.''.

     SEC. 1293. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It is the policy of the United States--
       (1) to call on all political parties and elected Members of 
     the Parliament of Georgia to continue working on addressing 
     the reform plan outlined by the European Commission to 
     advance Georgia's recently granted candidate status, which 
     the people of Georgia have freely elected to pursue;
       (2) to call on the Government of Georgia to institute the 
     required reforms, which are to be developed through an 
     inclusive and transparent consultation process with 
     opposition parties and civil society organizations;
       (3) to express serious concern that impediments to 
     strengthening the democratic institutions and processes of 
     Georgia, including the foreign agents law, will slow or halt 
     Georgia's progress toward achieving its Euro-Atlantic 
     aspirations, be perceived as stagnating the democratic 
     trajectory of Georgia, and result in negative domestic and 
     international consequences for the Government of Georgia;
       (4) to impose swift consequences on individuals who are 
     directly responsible for leading or have directly and 
     knowingly engaged

[[Page S5990]]

     in leading, actions or policies that significantly undermine 
     the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial 
     integrity of Georgia;
       (5) to emphasize the importance of contributing to 
     international efforts--
       (A) to combat Russian aggression, including through 
     sanctions on trade with Russia and the implementation and 
     enforcement of worldwide sanctions on Russia; and
       (B) to reduce, rather than increase, trade ties between 
     Georgia and Russia;
       (6) to call on all political parties, elected Members of 
     the Parliament of Georgia, and officers of the Ministry of 
     Internal Affairs of Georgia to respect the freedoms of 
     peaceful assembly, association, and expression, including for 
     the press, and the rule of law, and encourage a vibrant and 
     inclusive civil society;
       (7) to call on the Government of Georgia to release all 
     persons detained or imprisoned on politically motivated 
     grounds and drop any pending charges against them;
       (8) to call on the Government of Georgia to ensure that the 
     national elections scheduled for October 2024 are free, fair, 
     and reflective of the will of the Georgian people; and
       (9) to continue impressing upon the Government of Georgia 
     that the United States is committed to sustaining and 
     deepening bilateral relations and supporting Georgia's Euro-
     Atlantic aspirations.

     SEC. 1294. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) Foreign agents law.--The term ``foreign agents law'' 
     means the ``On Transparency of Foreign Influence'' law, which 
     was passed by the Parliament of Georgia in May 2024.
       (3) Georgia.--The term ``Georgia'' means the Republic of 
     Georgia.
       (4) NATO.--The term ``NATO'' means the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of State.

     CHAPTER 1--CONDITIONS ON ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA

                        Subchapter A--Sanctions

     SEC. 1295. DEFINITIONS.

       In this chapter:
       (1) Admission; admitted; alien.--The terms ``admission'', 
     ``admitted'', and ``alien'' have the meanings given such 
     terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1101).
       (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means any 
     individual or entity that is not a United States person.
       (4) Immediate family members.--The term ``immediate family 
     members'' has the meaning given the term ``immediate 
     relatives'' in section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(b)(2)(A)(i)).
       (5) Knowingly.--The term ``knowingly'', with respect to 
     conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has 
     actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the 
     circumstance, or the result.
       (6) United states person.--The term ``United States 
     person'' means--
       (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted 
     for permanent residence to the United States;
       (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States 
     or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a 
     foreign branch of such an entity; or
       (C) any person within the United States.

     SEC. 1295A. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       (a) In General.--It shall be the policy of the United 
     States to support the constitutionally stated aspirations of 
     Georgia to become a member of the European Union and the 
     North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which--
       (1) is made clear under Article 78 of the Constitution of 
     Georgia; and
       (2) is supported by an estimated 86 percent of the citizens 
     of Georgia.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) acts of blocking Euro-Atlantic integration in Georgia, 
     due to undue influence from corrupt or oligarchic forces, 
     constitute a form of corruption;
       (2) the United States should consider travel restrictions 
     or sanctions on individuals responsible for any actions 
     preventing Georgia from moving toward Euro-Atlantic 
     integration, which include acts of violence or intimidation 
     against Georgian citizens, members of civil society, and 
     members of an opposition political party;
       (3) the United States, in response to recent events in 
     Georgia, should reassess whether recent actions undertaken by 
     individuals in Georgia should result in the imposition of 
     sanctions by the United States for acts of significant 
     corruption and human rights abuses; and
       (4) the United States should consider revoking the visas of 
     nationals of Georgia and their family members who--
       (A) live in the United States; and
       (B) are determined to meet the criteria described in 
     section 103(a).

     SEC. 1295B. INADMISSIBILITY OF OFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT OF 
                   GEORGIA AND CERTAIN OTHER INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED 
                   IN BLOCKING EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall identify and 
     make a determination as to whether any of the following 
     foreign persons has knowingly engaged in significant acts of 
     corruption, or acts of violence or intimidation in relation 
     to the blocking of Euro-Atlantic integration in Georgia:
       (1) Any individual who, on or after January 1, 2014, has 
     served as a member of the Parliament of the Government of 
     Georgia or as a current or former senior official of a 
     Georgian political party.
       (2) Any individual who is serving as an official in a 
     leadership position working on behalf of the Government of 
     Georgia, including law enforcement, intelligence, judicial, 
     or local or municipal government.
       (3) An immediate family member of an official described in 
     paragraph (1) or a person described in paragraph (2).
       (b) Current Visas Revoked.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in subsections (d) and 
     (e), the visa or other entry documentation of any alien 
     described in subsection (a) is subject to immediate 
     revocation regardless of the issue date of such visa or 
     documentation.
       (2) Immediate effect.--A revocation of a visa or other 
     entry documentation of any alien pursuant to paragraph (1) 
     shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i))--
       (A) take effect immediately; and
       (B) cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that 
     is in the possession of such alien.
       (c) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall brief the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     about--
       (1) any foreign person for whom the Secretary has 
     determined has knowingly engaged in an activity described in 
     subsection (a); and
       (2) the specific facts that justify each such positive 
     determination.
       (d) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the application of 
     subsection (b) if the Secretary determines that--
       (1) such waiver would serve a compelling national interest; 
     or
       (2) the circumstances which caused the individual to be 
     ineligible for a visa have sufficiently changed.
       (e) Exception to Comply With International Obligations and 
     Law Enforcement Activities.--Subsection (b) shall not apply 
     with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling such alien 
     into the United States is necessary--
       (1) to permit the United States to comply with the 
     Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, 
     signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force 
     November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United 
     States, or other applicable international obligations of the 
     United States; or
       (2) to carry out or assist authorized law enforcement 
     activity in the United States.

        Subchapter B--Improving Bilateral Relations With Georgia

     SEC. 1296. UNITED STATES STRATEGY TOWARD GEORGIA.

       (a) Statement of Policy on Georgia.--It is the policy of 
     the United States--
       (1) given that the Government of Georgia has passed the 
     foreign agents law and other legislation further inhibiting 
     its ability to advance its accession into the European 
     Union--
       (A) to take into consideration these new laws when 
     formulating the United States Government's policy toward 
     Georgia; and
       (B) to review all forms of foreign and security assistance 
     made available to the Government of Georgia; and
       (2) to reevaluate its policy toward the Government of 
     Georgia if the Government of Georgia takes the required 
     steps--
       (A) to reorient itself toward its European Union accession 
     agenda; and
       (B) to advance policy or legislation reflecting the express 
     wishes of the Georgian people.
       (b) 5-year United States Strategy for Bilateral Relations 
     With Georgia.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Administrator of 
     the United States Agency for International Development, in 
     coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal 
     departments and agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a detailed strategy that--
       (1) outlines specific objectives for enhancing bilateral 
     ties which reflect the current domestic political environment 
     in Georgia;
       (2) determines what tools, resources, and funding should be 
     available and assess whether Georgia should remain the 
     second-highest recipient of United States funding in the 
     Europe and Eurasia region;
       (3) determines the extent to which the United States should 
     continue to invest in its partnership with Georgia;
       (4) explore how the United States can continue to support 
     civil society and independent media organizations in Georgia; 
     and

[[Page S5991]]

       (5) determine whether the Government of Georgia remains 
     committed to expanding trade ties with the United States and 
     Europe and whether the United States Government should 
     continue to invest in Georgian projects.

     SEC. 1296A. REPORT ON REVIEW OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO 
                   GEORGIA.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination 
     with the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development and other relevant Federal 
     agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees that--
       (1) outlines all assistance provided by any United States 
     Government agency to the Government of Georgia that primarily 
     provides material aid, reputational advantage, or sustenance 
     to state actors, officials, or their proxies who undermine 
     the democracy of Georgia and enable Russian aggression within 
     and outside of Georgia;
       (2) provides a detailed overview of each project; and
       (3) sets forth associated funding allocations, including 
     projected funding for each project.
       (b) Suspension of Projects.--Not later than 60 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     suspend all programming in Georgia carried out by the 
     Department of State that primarily provide material aid, 
     reputational advantage, or sustenance to state actors, 
     officials, or their proxies who undermine the democracy of 
     Georgia and enable Russian aggression within and outside of 
     Georgia unless the Secretary certifies to the appropriate 
     congressional committees that such programming is in the 
     national security interests in the United States.
       (c) Reprogramming Funds.--The Secretary may reprogram any 
     amounts used for programming that is suspended pursuant to 
     subsection (b) to other initiatives taking place in other 
     countries in the Eurasia region after notifying the 
     appropriate congressional committees.

     SEC. 1296B. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SUSPENSION OF UNITED 
                   STATES-GEORGIA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE.

       It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should 
     suspend the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership 
     Commission, established through the United States-Georgia 
     Charter on Strategic Partnership on January 9, 2009, until 
     after the Government of Georgia takes measures--
       (1) to represent the democratic wishes of the citizens of 
     Georgia; and
       (2) to uphold its constitutional obligation to advance the 
     country towards membership in the European Union and NATO.

     CHAPTER 2--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIAN PEOPLE

     SEC. 1297. STATEMENT OF POLICY IN SUPPORT OF THE GEORGIAN 
                   PEOPLE.

       It is the policy of the United States--
       (1) to continue supporting the ongoing development of 
     democratic values in Georgia, including free and fair 
     elections, freedom of association, an independent and 
     accountable judiciary, an independent media, public-sector 
     transparency and accountability, the rule of law, countering 
     malign influence, and anticorruption efforts;
       (2) to support the sovereignty, independence, and 
     territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally 
     recognized borders;
       (3) to continue to support the Georgian people and civil 
     society organizations that reflect the aspirations of the 
     Georgian people for democracy and a future with the people of 
     Europe;
       (4) to continue supporting the capacity of the Government 
     of Georgia to protect its sovereignty and territorial 
     integrity from further Russian aggression or encroachment;
       (5) to support domestic and international efforts, 
     including polling, pre-election and election-day observation 
     efforts, to support the execution of free and fair elections 
     in Georgia in October 2024;
       (6) to continue supporting the right of the Georgian people 
     to freely engage in peaceful protest, determine their future, 
     and make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and 
     security policy, including regarding Georgia's relationship 
     with other countries and international organizations, without 
     interference, intimidation, or coercion by other countries or 
     those acting on their behalf; and
       (7) to underscore the unwavering bipartisan support from 
     Congress in supporting the democratic aspirations of the 
     Georgian people.

     SEC. 1297A. DEMOCRACY AND RULE-OF-LAW PROGRAMMING.

       (a) Statement of Policy Regarding Effect of National 
     Elections in Georgia.--It is the policy of the United States 
     to undertake efforts, in partnership with the Office for 
     Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization 
     for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to ensure that the 
     national elections in Georgia that are scheduled to be held 
     in October 2024 are conducted in a manner that is free, fair, 
     and reflective of the will of the Georgian people and show 
     evidence of a broader and sustainable democratic trajectory.
       (b) Funding.--From the amounts appropriated to the 
     Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia account under 
     the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related 
     Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, or under the comparable 
     appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025, $50,000,000 is 
     authorized to be made available--
       (1) to strengthen democracy and civil society in Georgia, 
     including for transparency, independent media, rule of law, 
     anti-corruption efforts, countering malign influence, and 
     good governance initiatives; and
       (2) to support the Georgian people's efforts to advance 
     their aspirations for membership in the European Union and 
     Euro-Atlantic integration.
       (c) Review of Support.--In response to the passage of the 
     foreign agents law, the Secretary and the Administrator of 
     the United States Agency for International Development shall 
     undertake a review of efforts to determine--
       (1) how best to continue providing support to civil society 
     and independent media organizations in Georgia; and
       (2) whether additional funds should be allocated to the 
     National Endowment for Democracy for initiatives in Georgia.

     SEC. 1297B. BRIEFING ON DISINFORMATION AND CORRUPTION IN THE 
                   REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination 
     with such agencies as the Secretary considers relevant, shall 
     brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding--
       (1) the efforts within and outside of Georgia to spread 
     disinformation within Georgia to mischaracterize or undermine 
     the bilateral relationships between the United States and 
     Georgia and the European Union and Georgia;
       (2) sources that have played an active role in advancing 
     disinformation campaigns to erode public support for the 
     United States, the European Union, and NATO within Georgia; 
     and
       (3) efforts undertaken by the Government of Georgia to 
     sanction actors involved in the spread of disinformation that 
     limits its Euro-Atlantic aspirations;
       (4) the extent to which corrupt actors are undermining the 
     ability of political parties and democratic institutions in 
     Georgia to uphold and adhere to the principles of 
     transparency and good governance;
       (5) policy options to assist the Government of Georgia in 
     helping protect democracy and the rule of law by punishing 
     bad actors;
       (6) efforts in Georgia designed--
       (A) to suppress a free and independent media; or
       (B) to harass and intimidate civil society;
       (7) actors responsible for--
       (A) the suppression of a free and independent media in 
     Georgia; or
       (B) harassment and intimidation of civil society in 
     Georgia;
       (8) the Secretary's assessment of--
       (A) the Russian Federation's influence and information 
     operations in Georgia; and
       (B) connections between the influence and operations 
     described in subparagraph (A) and the broader agenda of the 
     Russian Federation in the region; and
       (9) the Secretary's assessment of--
       (A) the People's Republic of China's influence and 
     information operations in Georgia; and
       (B) connections between the influence and operations 
     described in subparagraph (A) and the broader agenda of the 
     People's Republic of China in the region.
       (b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall 
     be submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex.

     SEC. 1297C. SUNSET.

       This subtitle shall cease to have any force or effect 
     beginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3253. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him 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 part I of subtitle F of title V, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 578. REVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESSES AND 
                   PROCEDURES OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION 
                   ACTIVITY.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the Department of Defense 
     Education Activity (in this section referred to as ``DODEA'') 
     shall review the special education processes and procedures 
     in place within DODEA to locate, identify (through screening 
     or other evidence-based tools), evaluate, and refer children 
     with disabilities from birth to age 21 and provide evidence-
     based interventions and supports for students with 
     disabilities.
       (b) Consistency With Existing Law.--The review required by 
     subsection (a) shall be conducted consistent with child-find 
     requirements under Department of Defense Instruction 1342.12, 
     the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1400 et seq.), and part 300 of title 34, Code of Federal 
     Regulations.
       (c) Provision of Special Education Materials and 
     Information to Congress.--As part of the review required by 
     subsection (a), the Director shall provide to the appropriate 
     congressional committees the following:

[[Page S5992]]

       (1) A briefing on the special education processes and 
     procedures of DODEA, particularly those for locating, 
     identifying, evaluating, and referring for specific learning 
     disabilities, including dyslexia.
       (2) Documents, including documents not publicly available, 
     related to subsection (d).
       (d) Provision of Materials and Information to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, as part of the review required by 
     subsection (a), the Director shall provide to the appropriate 
     congressional committees the following information regarding 
     any screening programs of DODEA as that information pertains 
     to locating and identifying, including screening, for early 
     literacy skill development in children in DODEA schools:
       (A) A description of the following:
       (i) The extent to which DODEA ensures that it locates and 
     identifies, including by screening, children enrolled in an 
     elementary school operated by DODEA for deficiencies in early 
     literacy skill development.
       (ii) The extent to which DODEA ensures that it locates, 
     identifies, and screens new enrollees in each such school 
     regardless of year, unless the new enrollee has already been 
     identified with a specific learning disability, including 
     dyslexia.
       (iii) The extent to which DODEA ensures it provides 
     comprehensive literacy instruction (as defined in section 
     2221(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)(1))).
       (iv) The extent to which DODEA provides high-quality 
     training for school personnel, particularly specialized 
     instructional support personnel (as defined in section 
     8101(47)(A)(ii) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(47)(A)(ii))) related to early 
     literacy, reading, and specific learning disabilities, 
     including dyslexia.
       (v) The extent to which DODEA ensures that each district of 
     schools operated by DODEA employs at least one specialized 
     instructional support personnel who specializes in early 
     literacy, reading, and specific learning disabilities, 
     including dyslexia.
       (B) Information with respect to the following:
       (i) The number of children at schools operated by DODEA 
     screened for deficiencies in early literacy skill 
     development, including dyslexia, each year and the grade in 
     which those children were screened.
       (ii) The number and types of early literacy screening tools 
     used by DODEA each year.
       (iii) The total number of children evaluated and identified 
     with specific learning disabilities, disaggregated by 
     dyslexia and other reading disabilities, as applicable, that 
     are served by DODEA.
       (iv) The total number of such children described in 
     subparagraph (C), disaggregated by each subgroup of student 
     (as defined in section 1111(c)(2) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(c)(2))).
       (v) The number of days, on average, from referral from the 
     screening program to evaluation for specific learning 
     disabilities, including dyslexia.
       (vi) The type of professional conducting intervention 
     programs for children with early literacy challenges and 
     specific learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.
       (vii) A list of, and descriptions of materials related to, 
     early literacy and reading interventions used by DODEA to 
     provide special education and related services to children 
     with specific learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.
       (viii) The number of trainings per year provided by DODEA 
     to school personnel on screening for evaluating and providing 
     services to children with early literacy challenges and 
     specific learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.
       (ix) A list of organizations outside of DODEA, if 
     applicable, that are consulted with on such screening 
     programs and related reading intervention programs.
       (2) Protection of personally identifiable information.--The 
     Director shall ensure that any information provided to the 
     appropriate congressional committees under paragraph (1) does 
     not reveal personally identifiable information.
       (e) Assessment of Definitions Used by DODEA.--As part of 
     the review required by subsection (a), the Director shall 
     provide to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     description of how DODEA's definitions of the following terms 
     align with or differ from the following definitions:
       (1) Comprehensive literacy instruction.--The term 
     ``comprehensive literacy instruction'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 2221(b)(1) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)(1)).
       (2) Specific learning disabilities.--The term ``specific 
     learning disabilities'' has the meaning of that term under 
     section 300.309 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations.
       (3) Screening program.--The term ``screening program'' 
     means a screening program that is--
       (A) evidence-based and proven for validity and reliability 
     to measure early literacy and reading skills;
       (B) efficient and low-cost; and
       (C) readily available.
       (4) Evidence-based.--The term ``evidence-based'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 8101(21)(A)(i) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7801(21)(A)(i)).
       (f) Dyslexia Definition Used by DODEA.--As part of the 
     review required by subsection (a), the Director shall provide 
     to the appropriate congressional committee the definition of 
     ``dyslexia'' used by DODEA.
       (g) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
     and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the 
     Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3254. Ms. ERNST 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 appropriate place in title II, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. TRACKING AND REPORTING ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
                   FUNDS PROVIDED TO FOREIGN ENTITIES OF THE 
                   PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA OR FOREIGN ENTITIES 
                   OF CONCERN.

       (a) Tracking.--The Secretary of Defense shall track amounts 
     provided by the Department of Defense to foreign entities 
     located in a foreign country of concern, including the 
     People's Republic of China, or foreign entities of concern in 
     the form of a contract, grant, other transaction agreement, 
     or any other type of funding.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report--
       (1) detailing the actions taken by the Department detailing 
     the actions taken by the Department to carry out subsection 
     (a);
       (2) identifying research funded by the Department in the 
     last three fiscal years that involves a foreign entity or a 
     foreign entity of concern, including--
       (A) the funding agency;
       (B) the type of funding;
       (C) which entities were involved;
       (D) the type of research project, publication, or other 
     funding associated with Department funding sources;
       (E) the amount awarded or provided directly or indirectly, 
     including grants, contracts, loans, cooperative agreements, 
     other transaction agreements, subgrants, all levels of 
     subawards, and other forms of financial assistance; and
       (F) the justification for the funding; and
       (3) addressing--
       (A) what restrictions, if any, are placed upon the 
     Department's basic research awards to performers with 
     research ties to defense entities of foreign countries of 
     concern, and
       (B) what mechanisms, if any, exist to mitigate potential 
     counterintelligence concerns.
       (c) Form.--The report submitted under subsection (b) shall 
     be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a 
     classified annex.
       (d) Public Availability.--The Secretary shall make 
     available to the public on a website of the Department the 
     unclassified portion of the report submitted under subsection 
     (b).
       (e) Definitions of Foreign Country of Concern, Foreign 
     Entity, and Foreign Entity of Concern.--The terms ``foreign 
     country of concern'', ``foreign entity'', and ``foreign 
     entity of concern'' have the meanings given such terms in 
     section 9901 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 
     4651).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3255. Mr. OSSOFF submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him 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 H of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1095. RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL FIX.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Rural emergency hospital fix.--Section 1861(kkk)(3) of 
     the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(kkk)(3)) is amended, 
     in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``October 1, 2020, or'' after ``as of''.
       (2) Implementation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may implement 
     the amendment made by paragraph (1) by program instruction or 
     otherwise.
       (b) Offset.--
       (1) Extending the adjustment to the calculation of hospice 
     cap amounts under the medicare program.--Section 
     1814(i)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395f(i)(2)(B)) is amended--
       (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``2033'' and inserting 
     ``2034''; and
       (B) in clause (iii), by striking ``2033'' and inserting 
     ``2034''.
       (2) Medicare improvement fund.--Section 1898(b)(1) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by 
     striking ``$0'' and inserting ``$286,000,000''.

[[Page S5993]]

  

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3256. Mr. MERKLEY (for himself and Mr. Wyden) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him 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 H of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1095. REAUTHORIZATION OF DESCHUTES RIVER CONSERVANCY 
                   WORKING GROUP.

       (a) Definition of Working Group.--Section 301(a) of the 
     Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-208; 
     110 Stat. 3009-534; 122 Stat. 836) is amended by striking 
     paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) Working group.--The term `Working Group' means the 
     Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group composed of a board 
     of directors of not fewer than 10, but not more than 15, 
     members nominated by the group represented by the member, of 
     whom--
       ``(A) 2 members shall be representatives of the 
     environmental community in the Deschutes River Basin;
       ``(B) 2 members shall be representatives of the irrigated 
     agriculture community in the Deschutes River Basin;
       ``(C) 2 members shall be representatives of the 
     Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of 
     Oregon;
       ``(D) 1 member shall be a representative of the 
     hydroelectric production community in the Deschutes River 
     Basin;
       ``(E) 1 member shall be a representative of 1 of the 
     Federal agencies with authority and responsibility in the 
     Deschutes River Basin;
       ``(F) 1 member shall be a representative of an agency of 
     the State of Oregon with authority and responsibility in the 
     Deschutes River Basin, such as--
       ``(i) the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; or
       ``(ii) the Oregon Water Resources Department; and
       ``(G) 1 member shall be a representative of a unit of local 
     government in the Deschutes River Basin.''.
       (b) Reauthorization; Administrative Costs.--Section 301 of 
     the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
     208; 110 Stat. 3009-534; 122 Stat. 836) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
     ``2032''; and
       (B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``5 percent'' and 
     inserting ``10 percent''; and
       (2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
     ``2032''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3257. Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Padilla) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him 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 H of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1095. ADDITIONS TO THE SMITH RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION 
                   AREA; WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATIONS.

       (a) Additions to the Smith River National Recreation 
     Area.--
       (1) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Smith River National 
     Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460bbb-1) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``referred to in section 
     4(b)'' and inserting ``entitled `Proposed Smith River 
     National Recreation Area' and dated July 1990''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the Six Rivers National 
     Forest'' and inserting ``an applicable unit of the National 
     Forest System''.
       (2) Boundaries.--Section 4(b) of the Smith River National 
     Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460bbb-2(b)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in the first sentence, by inserting ``and on the map 
     entitled `Proposed Additions to the Smith River National 
     Recreation Area' and dated January 23, 2023'' after ``1990''; 
     and
       (ii) in the second sentence, by striking ``map'' and 
     inserting ``maps''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``map'' and inserting 
     ``maps described in paragraph (1)''.
       (3) Administration.--Section 5 of the Smith River National 
     Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460bbb-3) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)--
       (i) in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by striking 
     ``the map'' and inserting ``the maps''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (2)--

       (I) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``area shall be on'' 
     and inserting ``area and any portion of the recreation area 
     in the State of Oregon shall be on roadless''; and
       (II) by adding at the end the following:

       ``(I) The Kalmiopsis Wilderness shall be managed in 
     accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
     seq.).'';
       (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``by the amendments made 
     by section 10(b) of this Act'' and inserting ``within the 
     recreation area''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Study; Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall conduct a 
     study of the area depicted on the map entitled `Proposed 
     Additions to the Smith River National Recreation Area' and 
     dated January 23, 2023, that includes inventories and 
     assessments of streams, fens, wetlands, lakes, other water 
     features, and associated land, plants (including Port-Orford-
     cedar), animals, fungi, algae, and other values, and unstable 
     and potentially unstable aquatic habitat areas in the study 
     area.
       ``(2) Modification of management plans; report.--On 
     completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(A) modify any applicable management plan to fully 
     protect the inventoried values under the study, including to 
     implement additional standards and guidelines; and
       ``(B) submit to Congress a report describing the results of 
     the study.
       ``(e) Wildfire Management.--Nothing in this Act affects the 
     authority of the Secretary (in cooperation with other 
     Federal, State, and local agencies, as appropriate) to 
     conduct wildland fire operations within the recreation area, 
     consistent with the purposes of this Act.
       ``(f) Vegetation Management.--Nothing in this Act prohibits 
     the Secretary from conducting vegetation management projects 
     (including wildfire resiliency and forest health projects) 
     within the recreation area, to the extent consistent with the 
     purposes of the recreation area.
       ``(g) Application of Northwest Forest Plan and Roadless 
     Rule to Certain Portions of the Recreation Area.--Nothing in 
     this Act affects the application of the Northwest Forest Plan 
     or part 294 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations 
     (commonly referred to as the `Roadless Rule') (as in effect 
     on the date of enactment of this subsection), to portions of 
     the recreation area in the State of Oregon that are subject 
     to the plan and those regulations as of the date of enactment 
     of this subsection.
       ``(h) Protection of Tribal Rights.--
       ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act diminishes any right 
     of an Indian Tribe.
       ``(2) Memorandum of understanding.--The Secretary shall 
     seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with 
     applicable Indian Tribes with respect to--
       ``(A) providing the Indian Tribes with access to the 
     portions of the recreation area in the State of Oregon to 
     conduct historical and cultural activities, including the 
     procurement of noncommercial forest products and materials 
     for traditional and cultural purposes; and
       ``(B) the development of interpretive information to be 
     provided to the public on the history of the Indian Tribes 
     and the use of the recreation area by the Indian Tribes.''.
       (4) Acquisition.--Section 6(a) of the Smith River National 
     Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460bbb-4(a)) is amended--
       (A) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``All lands'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(4) Applicable law.--All land'';
       (B) in the third sentence--
       (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(3) Method of acquisition.--The Secretary'';
       (ii) by striking ``or any of its political subdivisions'' 
     and inserting ``, the State of Oregon, or any political 
     subdivision of the State of California or the State of 
     Oregon''; and
       (iii) by striking ``donation or'' and inserting ``purchase, 
     donation, or'';
       (C) in the second sentence, by striking ``In exercising'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Consideration of offers by secretary.--In 
     exercising'';
       (D) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Secretary'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
       (E) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Acquisition of cedar creek parcel.--On the adoption 
     of a resolution by the State Land Board of Oregon and subject 
     to available funding, the Secretary shall acquire all right, 
     title, and interest in and to the approximately 555 acres of 
     land known as the `Cedar Creek Parcel' located in sec. 16, T. 
     41 S., R. 11 W., Willamette Meridian.''.
       (5) Fish and game.--Section 7 of the Smith River National 
     Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460bbb-5) is amended--
       (A) in the first sentence, by inserting ``or the State of 
     Oregon'' after ``State of California''; and
       (B) in the second sentence, by inserting ``or the State of 
     Oregon, as applicable'' after ``State of California''.
       (6) Management planning.--Section 9 of the Smith River 
     National Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460bbb-7) is 
     amended--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Secretary'' 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Revision of Management Plan.--The Secretary''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Smith River National Recreation Area Management Plan 
     Revision.--As soon as practicable after the date of the first 
     revision of the forest plan after the date of enactment of 
     this subsection, the Secretary shall revise the management 
     plan for the recreation area--
       ``(1) to reflect the expansion of the recreation area into 
     the State of Oregon under

[[Page S5994]]

     section 1095(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2025; and
       ``(2) to include an updated recreation action schedule to 
     identify specific use and development plans for the areas 
     described in the map entitled `Proposed Additions to the 
     Smith River National Recreation Area' and dated January 23, 
     2023.''.
       (7) Streamside protection zones.--Section 11(b) of the 
     Smith River National Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460bbb-
     8(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(24) Each of the river segments described in subparagraph 
     (B) of section 3(a)(92) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1274(a)(92)).''.
       (8) State and local jurisdiction and assistance.--Section 
     12 of the Smith River National Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 
     460bbb-9) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``California or any 
     political subdivision thereof'' and inserting ``California, 
     the State of Oregon, or a political subdivision of the State 
     of California or the State of Oregon'';
       (B) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``California or its political subdivisions'' 
     and inserting ``California, the State of Oregon, or a 
     political subdivision of the State of California or the State 
     of Oregon''; and
       (C) in subsection (c), in the first sentence--
       (i) by striking ``California and its political 
     subdivisions'' and inserting ``California, the State of 
     Oregon, and any political subdivision of the State of 
     California or the State of Oregon''; and
       (ii) by striking ``State and its political subdivisions'' 
     and inserting ``State of California, the State of Oregon, and 
     any political subdivision of the State of California or the 
     State of Oregon''.
       (b) Wild and Scenic River Designations.--
       (1) North fork smith additions, oregon.--
       (A) Finding.--Congress finds that the source tributaries of 
     the North Fork Smith River in the State of Oregon possess 
     outstandingly remarkable wild anadromous fish and 
     prehistoric, cultural, botanical, recreational, and water 
     quality values.
       (B) Designation.--Section 3(a)(92) of the Wild and Scenic 
     Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(92)) is amended--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``scenic'' and 
     inserting ``wild'';
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as 
     clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and indenting 
     appropriately;
       (iii) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
     redesignated), by striking ``The 13-mile'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--The 13-mile''; and
       (iv) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Additions.--The following segments of the source 
     tributaries of the North Fork Smith River, to be administered 
     by the Secretary of Agriculture in the following classes:
       ``(i) The 13.26-mile segment of Baldface Creek from its 
     headwaters, including all perennial tributaries, to the 
     confluence with the North Fork Smith in T. 39 S., R 10 W., T. 
     40 S., R. 10 W., and T. 41 S., R. 11 W., Willamette Meridian, 
     as a wild river.
       ``(ii) The 3.58-mile segment from the headwaters of Taylor 
     Creek to the confluence with Baldface Creek, as a wild river.
       ``(iii) The 4.38-mile segment from the headwaters of the 
     unnamed tributary to Biscuit Creek and the headwaters of 
     Biscuit Creek to the confluence with Baldface Creek, as a 
     wild river.
       ``(iv) The 2.27-mile segment from the headwaters of Spokane 
     Creek to the confluence with Baldface Creek, as a wild river.
       ``(v) The 1.25-mile segment from the headwaters of Rock 
     Creek to the confluence with Baldface Creek, flowing south 
     from sec. 19, T. 40 S., R. 10 W., Willamette Meridian, as a 
     wild river.
       ``(vi) The 1.31-mile segment from the headwaters of the 
     unnamed tributary number 2 to the confluence with Baldface 
     Creek, flowing north from sec. 27, T. 40 S., R. 10 W., 
     Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(vii) The 3.6-mile segment from the 2 headwaters of the 
     unnamed tributary number 3 to the confluence with Baldface 
     Creek, flowing south from secs. 9 and 10, T. 40 S., R. 10 W., 
     Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(viii) The 1.57-mile segment from the headwaters of the 
     unnamed tributary number 4 to the confluence with Baldface 
     Creek, flowing north from sec. 26, T. 40 S., R. 10 W., 
     Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(ix) The 0.92-mile segment from the headwaters of the 
     unnamed tributary number 5 to the confluence with Baldface 
     Creek, flowing north from sec. 13, T. 40 S., R. 10 W., 
     Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(x) The 4.90-mile segment from the headwaters of Cedar 
     Creek to the confluence with North Fork Smith River, as a 
     wild river.
       ``(xi) The 2.38-mile segment from the headwaters of 
     Packsaddle Gulch to the confluence with North Fork Smith 
     River, as a wild river.
       ``(xii) The 2.4-mile segment from the headwaters of 
     Hardtack Creek to the confluence with North Fork Smith River, 
     as a wild river.
       ``(xiii) The 2.21-mile segment from the headwaters of the 
     unnamed creek to the confluence with North Fork Smith River, 
     flowing east from sec. 29, T. 40 S., R. 11 W., Willamette 
     Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(xiv) The 3.06-mile segment from the headwaters of Horse 
     Creek to the confluence with North Fork Smith River, as a 
     wild river.
       ``(xv) The 2.61-mile segment of Fall Creek from the Oregon 
     State border to the confluence with North Fork Smith River, 
     as a wild river.
       ``(xvi)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), the 4.57-
     mile segment from the headwaters of North Fork Diamond Creek 
     to the confluence with Diamond Creek, as a wild river.
       ``(II) Notwithstanding subclause (I), the portion of the 
     segment described in that subclause that starts 100 feet 
     above Forest Service Road 4402 and ends 100 feet below Forest 
     Service Road 4402 shall be administered as a scenic river.
       ``(xvii) The 1.02-mile segment from the headwaters of 
     Diamond Creek to the Oregon State border in sec. 14, T. 40 
     S., R. 10 W., Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(xviii) The 1.14-mile segment from the headwaters of 
     Acorn Creek to the confluence with Horse Creek, as a wild 
     river.
       ``(xix) The 8.58-mile segment from the headwaters of Chrome 
     Creek to the confluence with North Fork Smith River, as a 
     wild river.
       ``(xx) The 2.98-mile segment from the headwaters Chrome 
     Creek tributary number 1 to the confluence with Chrome Creek, 
     0.82 miles upstream from the mouth of Chrome Creek in the 
     Kalmiopsis Wilderness, flowing south from sec. 15, T. 40 S., 
     R. 11 W., Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(xxi) The 2.19-mile segment from the headwaters of Chrome 
     Creek tributary number 2 to the confluence with Chrome Creek, 
     3.33 miles upstream from the mouth of Chrome Creek in the 
     Kalmiopsis Wilderness, flowing south from sec. 12, T. 40 S., 
     R. 11 W., Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(xxii) The 1.27-mile segment from the headwaters of 
     Chrome Creek tributary number 3 to the confluence with Chrome 
     Creek, 4.28 miles upstream from the mouth of Chrome Creek in 
     the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, flowing north from sec. 18, T. 40 
     S., R. 10 W., Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(xxiii) The 2.27-mile segment from the headwaters of 
     Chrome Creek tributary number 4 to the confluence with Chrome 
     Creek, 6.13 miles upstream from the mouth of Chrome Creek, 
     flowing south from Chetco Peak in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness 
     in sec. 36, T. 39 S., R. 11 W., Willamette Meridian, as a 
     wild river.
       ``(xxiv) The 0.6-mile segment from the headwaters of Wimer 
     Creek to the border between the States of Oregon and 
     California, flowing south from sec. 17, T. 41 S., R. 10 W., 
     Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.''.
       (2) Expansion of smith river, oregon.--Section 3(a) of the 
     Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by 
     striking paragraph (111) and inserting the following:
       ``(111) Smith river, california and oregon.--The segment 
     from the confluence of the Middle Fork Smith River and the 
     North Fork Smith River to the Six Rivers National Forest 
     boundary, including the following segments of the mainstem 
     and certain tributaries, to be administered by the Secretary 
     of Agriculture in the following classes:
       ``(A) Mainstem.--The segment from the confluence of the 
     Middle Fork Smith River and the South Fork Smith River to the 
     Six Rivers National Forest boundary, as a recreational river.
       ``(B) Rowdy creek.--
       ``(i) Upper.--The segment from and including the headwaters 
     to the California-Oregon State line, as a wild river.
       ``(ii) Lower.--The segment from the California-Oregon State 
     line to the Six Rivers National Forest boundary, as a 
     recreational river.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3258. Mr. LUJAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him 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 appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. HERMIT'S PEAK/CALF CANYON CLAIMS EXTENSION.

       Section 104 of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire 
     Assistance Act (Public Law 117-180; 136 Stat. 2170) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Not later than 2 years 
     after the date on which regulations are first promulgated 
     under subsection (f)'' and inserting ``Not later than 
     December 31, 2026''; and
       (2) in subsection (d)(4)(C)--
       (A) in clause (vii), by striking ``the date that is 3 years 
     after the date on which the regulations under subsection (f) 
     are first promulgated'' and inserting ``December 31, 2030'';
       (B) by amending clause (viii) to read as follows:
       ``(viii) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
     premium for flood insurance that is required to be paid on or 
     before December 31, 2026, if--

       ``(I) as a result of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, a 
     person that was not required to purchase flood insurance 
     before the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire is required to 
     purchase flood insurance; or
       ``(II) a person did not maintain flood insurance before the 
     Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire but purchased flood insurance 
     after the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire due to fear of 
     heightened flood risk.'';

[[Page S5995]]

       (C) by redesgnating clause (x) as clause (xi); and
       (D) by inserting after clause (ix) the following:
       ``(x) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), costs incurred not 
     later than December 31, 2030 of reasonable efforts, as 
     determined by the Administrator, by the State of New Mexico 
     to design, construct, and operate a center with the purpose 
     of researching, developing and generating native seedlings to 
     successfully regenerate forests destroyed by the Hermit's 
     Peak/Calf Canyon Fire with native species.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3259. Mr. WARNOCK (for himself and Mr. Moran) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him 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 appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. DEFINITION OF SURVIVING SPOUSE FOR PURPOSES OF 
                   VETERANS BENEFITS.

       Paragraph (3) of section 101 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(3) The term `surviving spouse' means (except for 
     purposes of chapter 19 of this title) a person who was the 
     spouse of a veteran at the time of the veteran's death, and 
     who lived with the veteran continuously from the date of 
     marriage to the date of the veteran's death (except where 
     there was a separation which was due to the misconduct of, or 
     procured by, the veteran without the fault of the spouse) and 
     who has not remarried.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3260. Mr. BUDD (for himself and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him 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 appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

     SEC. __. EXPANDING COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   AGREEMENTS TO PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNITED STATES 
                   TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS.

       Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
     Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking``State or local 
     government'' and inserting ``State, local, or territorial 
     government''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Territorial Governments.--For the purposes of this 
     section, the government of a territory of the United States 
     shall be considered a non-Federal party.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3261. Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Blumenthal, 
and Mr. Cornyn) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him 
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 E of title V, add the following:

     SEC. 562. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING FLIGHT TRAINING COURSE 
                   AVAILABILITY FOR UKRANIAN F-16 AIRCRAFT PILOTS.

       It is the sense of Congress that during fiscal year 2025, 
     the Department of Defense should continue to work with 
     international partners to ensure that Ukraine's military 
     aviation needs are being met, including F-16 basic flight 
     training in the United States and at allied nation facilities 
     overseas.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3262. Mr. HICKENLOOPER (for himself and Mr. Daines) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him 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 F of title III, add the following:

     SEC. 358. BRIEFING ON COMMERCIAL AIRLIFT REVIEW BOARD 
                   CERTIFICATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Commander of the United States 
     Transportation Command, in consultation with the Commercial 
     Airlift Review Board, shall brief the Committees on Armed 
     Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives on 
     the certification process and criteria used by the Commercial 
     Airlift Review Board.
       (b) Elements.--
       (1) In general.--The briefing required under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following:
       (A) The total number of requests received for certification 
     by the Commercial Airlift Review Board during the one-year 
     period preceding the date of the briefing, disaggregated by 
     domestic and international certification requests.
       (B) The total number of such requests that were approved, 
     disaggregated by domestic and international certification 
     requests.
       (C) The total number of such requests that are pending as 
     of the date of the briefing, disaggregated by domestic and 
     international certification requests, along with the reason 
     for the delay in making a decision on each such request.
       (D) The total number of such requests that were denied, 
     disaggregated by domestic and international certification 
     requests, along with the reason for the denial decision.
       (2) Additional information.--
       (A) Approvals.--If any approval included under paragraph 
     (1)(B) limits the area of contract performance under such 
     approval, the briefing required under subsection (a) shall 
     include information about all such limitations and the 
     rationale for restricting certification based on area of 
     performance.
       (B) Denials.--If any denial included under paragraph (1)(D) 
     is a repeat denial from an entity previously denied a 
     certification during the one-year period preceding the date 
     of the briefing required under subsection (a), the briefing 
     shall include an explanation of the reason for the repeated 
     denials.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3263. Mrs. SHAHEEN 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 C of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1239. PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND PROSPERITY IN THE WESTERN 
                   BALKANS.--

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act''.
       (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Western Balkans countries (the Republic of Albania, 
     Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic 
     of Kosovo, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia and 
     the Republic of Serbia) form a pluralistic, multi-ethnic 
     region in the heart of Europe that is critical to the peace, 
     stability, and prosperity of that continent.
       (2) Continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the 
     Western Balkans is directly tied to the opportunities for 
     democratic and economic advancement available to the citizens 
     and residents of those seven countries.
       (3) It is in the mutual interest of the United States and 
     the seven countries of the Western Balkans to promote stable 
     and sustainable economic growth and development in the 
     region.
       (4) The reforms and integration with the European Union 
     pursued by countries in the Western Balkans have led to 
     significant democratic and economic progress in the region.
       (5) Despite economic progress, rates of poverty and 
     unemployment in the Western Balkans remain higher than in 
     neighboring European Union countries.
       (6) Out-migration, particularly of youth, is affecting 
     demographics in each Western Balkans country, resulting in 
     population decline in all seven countries.
       (7) Implementing critical economic and governance reforms 
     could help enable investment and employment opportunities in 
     the Western Balkans, especially for youth, and can provide 
     powerful tools for economic development and for encouraging 
     broader participation in a political process that increases 
     trade and prosperity for all.
       (8) Existing regional economic efforts, such as the Common 
     Regional Market, the Berlin Process, and the Open Balkan 
     Initiative, could have the potential to improve the economic 
     conditions in the Western Balkans, while promoting inclusion 
     and transparency.
       (9) Corruption, including among key political leaders, 
     continues to plague the Western Balkans and represents one of 
     the greatest impediments to further economic and political 
     development in the region.
       (10) Disinformation campaigns targeting the Western Balkans 
     undermine the credibility of its democratic institutions, 
     including the integrity of its elections.
       (11) Vulnerability to cyberattacks or attacks on 
     information and communication technology infrastructure 
     increases risks to the functioning of government and the 
     delivery of public services.
       (12) The Department of State, along with other Federal 
     agencies, plays a critical role in defending the national 
     security interests of the United States, including by 
     deploying cyber hunt forward teams at the request of partner 
     nations to reinforce their cyber defenses.

[[Page S5996]]

       (13) Securing domestic and international cyber networks and 
     ICT infrastructure is a national security priority for the 
     United States, which is exemplified by offices and programs 
     across the Federal Government that support cybersecurity.
       (14) Corruption and disinformation proliferate in political 
     environments marked by autocratic control or partisan 
     conflict.
       (15) Dependence on Russian sources of fossil fuels and 
     natural gas for the countries of the Western Balkans ties 
     their economies and politics to the Russian Federation and 
     inhibits their aspirations for European integration.
       (16) Reducing the reliance of the Western Balkans on 
     Russian natural gas supplies and fossil fuels is in the 
     national interest of the United States.
       (17) The growing influence of China in the Western Balkans 
     could also have a deleterious impact on strategic 
     competition, democracy, and economic integration with Europe.
       (18) In March 2022, President Biden launched the European 
     Democratic Resilience Initiative to bolster democratic 
     resilience, advance anti-corruption efforts, and defend human 
     rights in Ukraine and its neighbors in response to Russia's 
     war of aggression.
       (19) The parliamentary and local elections held in Serbia 
     on December 17, 2023, and their immediate aftermath are cause 
     for deep concern about the state of Serbia's democracy, 
     including due to the final report of the Organization for 
     Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic 
     Institutions and Human Rights, which--
       (A) found ``unjust conditions'' for the election;
       (B) found ``numerous procedural deficiencies, including 
     inconsistent application of safeguards during voting and 
     counting, frequent instances of overcrowding, breaches in 
     secrecy of the vote, and numerous instances of group 
     voting''; and
       (C) asserted that ``voting must be repeated'' in certain 
     polling stations.
       (20) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
     Europe also noted that Serbian officials accused primarily 
     peaceful protestors, opposition parties, and civil society of 
     ``attempting to destabilize the government'', a concerning 
     allegation that threatens the safety of important elements of 
     Serbian society.
       (21) Democratic countries whose values are in alignment 
     with the United States make for stronger and more durable 
     partnerships.
       (c) Sense of Congress.--It is a sense of Congress that the 
     United States should--
       (1) encourage increased trade and investment between the 
     United States and allies and partners in the Western Balkans;
       (2) expand United States assistance to regional integration 
     efforts in the Western Balkans;
       (3) strengthen and expand regional economic integration in 
     the Western Balkans, especially enterprises owned by and 
     employing women and youth;
       (4) work with allies and partners committed to improving 
     the rule of law, energy resource diversification, democratic 
     and economic reform, and the reduction of poverty in the 
     Western Balkans;
       (5) increase United States trade and investment with the 
     Western Balkans, particularly in ways that support countries' 
     efforts--
       (A) to decrease dependence on Russian energy sources and 
     fossil fuels;
       (B) to increase energy diversification, efficiency, and 
     conservation; and
       (C) to facilitate the transition to cleaner and more 
     reliable sources of energy, including renewables, as 
     appropriate;
       (6) continue to assist in the development, within the 
     Western Balkans, of--
       (A) strong civil societies;
       (B) public-private partnerships;
       (C) independent media;
       (D) transparent, accountable, citizen-responsive 
     governance, including equal representation for women and 
     youth;
       (E) political stability; and
       (F) modern, free-market based economies.
       (7) support the expeditious accession of those Western 
     Balkans countries that are not already members to the 
     European Union and to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (referred to in this section as ``NATO'') for countries that 
     desire and are eligible for such membership;
       (8) support--
       (A) maintaining the full European Union Force (EUFOR) 
     mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina as being in the national 
     security interests of the United States;
       (B) encouraging NATO and the European Union to review their 
     mission mandates and posture in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 
     ensure they are playing a proactive role in establishing a 
     safe and secure environment, particularly in the realm of 
     defense;
       (C) working within NATO to encourage contingency planning 
     for an international military force to maintain a safe and 
     secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially if 
     Russia blocks reauthorization of the mission in the United 
     Nations; and
       (D) a strengthened NATO headquarters in Sarajevo;
       (9) continue to support the European Union membership 
     aspirations of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North 
     Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia by supporting meeting the 
     benchmarks required for their accession;
       (10) continue to support the overarching mission of the 
     Berlin Process and locally-driven initiatives that are 
     inclusive of all Western Balkans countries and remains 
     aligned with the objectives and standards laid out by the 
     European Union as requirements for accession to the European 
     Union;
       (11) continue to support the cultural heritage, and 
     recognize the languages, of the Western Balkans;
       (12) coordinate closely with the European Union, the United 
     Kingdom, and other allies and partners on sanctions 
     designations in Western Balkans countries and work to align 
     efforts as much as possible to demonstrate a clear commitment 
     to upholding democratic values;
       (13) expand bilateral security cooperation with non-NATO 
     member Western Balkans countries, particularly efforts 
     focused on regional integration and cooperation, including 
     through the Adriatic Charter, which was launched at Tirana on 
     May 2, 2003;
       (14) increase efforts to combat Russian malign influence 
     campaigns and any other destabilizing or disruptive 
     activities targeting the Western Balkans through engagement 
     with government institutions, political stakeholders, 
     journalists, civil society organizations, and industry 
     leaders;
       (15) develop a series of cyber resilience standards, 
     consistent with the Enhanced Cyber Defence Policy and 
     Readiness Action Plan endorsed at the 2014 Wales Summit of 
     the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to expand cooperation 
     with partners and allies, including in the Western Balkans, 
     on cyber security and ICT infrastructure;
       (16) articulate clearly and unambiguously the United States 
     commitment to supporting democratic values and respect for 
     international law as the sole path forward for the countries 
     of the Western Balkans; and
       (17) prioritize partnerships and programming with Western 
     Balkan countries that demonstrate commitment toward 
     strengthening their democracies and show respect for human 
     rights.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
     the Senate;
       (D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (E) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (F) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) ICT.--The term ``ICT'' means information and 
     communication technology.
       (3) Western balkans.--The term ``Western Balkans'' means 
     the region comprised of the following countries:
       (A) The Republic of Albania.
       (B) Bosnia and Herzegovina.
       (C) The Republic of Croatia.
       (D) The Republic of Kosovo.
       (E) Montenegro.
       (F) The Republic of North Macedonia.
       (G) The Republic of Serbia.
       (4) Western balkans country.--The term ``Western Balkans 
     country'' means any country listed in subparagraphs (A) 
     through (G) of paragraph (3).
       (e) Codification of Sanctions Relating to the Western 
     Balkans.--
       (1) In general.--Each person listed or designated for the 
     imposition of sanctions under an executive order described in 
     paragraph (3) as of the date of the enactment of this Act 
     shall remain so designated, except as provided in paragraphs 
     (4) and (5).
       (2) Continuation of sanctions authorities.--Each authority 
     to impose sanctions provided for under an executive order 
     described in paragraph (3) shall remain in effect.
       (3) Executive orders specified.--The executive orders 
     specified in this paragraph are--
       (A) Executive Order 13219, as amended by Executive Order 
     13304 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property of 
     persons who threaten international stabilization efforts in 
     the Western Balkans); and
       (B) Executive Order 14033 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 
     blocking property and suspending entry into the United States 
     of certain persons contributing to the destabilizing 
     situation in the Western Balkans), as in effect on such date 
     of enactment.
       (4) Termination of sanctions.--
       (A) Executive order 14033.--The President may terminate the 
     application of a sanction authorized under Executive Order 
     14033 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property and 
     suspending entry into the United States of certain persons 
     contributing to the destabilizing situation in the Western 
     Balkans) with respect to a person if the President certifies 
     to the appropriate congressional committees that--
       (i) the person is not engaging in the activity that was the 
     basis for the sanctions or has taken significant verifiable 
     steps toward stopping the activity; and
       (ii) the President has received reliable assurances that 
     the person will not knowingly engage in activity subject to 
     sanctions described in paragraph (1) in the future.
       (B) Rule of construction regarding delisting procedures 
     relating to sanctions authorized under executive orders 13219 
     and 13304.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to modify 
     the delisting procedures used by the Department of the 
     Treasury with respect to sanctions authorized under Executive 
     Order 13219, as amended by Executive

[[Page S5997]]

     Order 13304 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking 
     property of persons who threaten international stabilization 
     efforts in the Western Balkans).
       (5) Waiver.--
       (A) In general.--The President may waive the application of 
     sanctions under this subsection for renewable periods not to 
     exceed 180 days if the President--
       (i) determines that such a waiver is in the national 
     security interests of the United States; and
       (ii) not less than 15 days before the granting of the 
     waiver, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     notice of and justification for the waiver.
       (B) Form.--The waiver described in subparagraph (A) may be 
     transmitted in classified form.
       (6) Exceptions.--
       (A) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under this 
     subsection shall not apply to--
       (i) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the 
     provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, 
     medical devices, humanitarian assistance, or for humanitarian 
     purposes; or
       (ii) transactions that are necessary for, or related to, 
     the activities described in clause (i).
       (B) Compliance with international obligations and law 
     enforcement activities.--Sanctions under this section shall 
     not apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling 
     such alien is necessary--
       (i) to comply with United States obligations under--

       (I) the Agreement between the United Nations and the United 
     States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United 
     Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered 
     into force November 21, 1947;
       (II) the Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna 
     April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967; or
       (III) any other international agreement; or

       (ii) to carry out or assist law enforcement activity in the 
     United States.
       (C) Exception for intelligence activities.--Sanctions under 
     this section shall not apply to--
       (i) any activity subject to the reporting requirements 
     under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
     3091 et seq.); or
       (ii) any authorized intelligence activities of the United 
     States.
       (D) Exception relating to importation of goods.--
       (i) In general.--The requirement to block and prohibit all 
     transactions in all property and interests in property under 
     this section shall not include the authority or a requirement 
     to impose sanctions on the importation of goods.
       (ii) Defined term.--In this subparagraph, the term ``good'' 
     means any article, natural or manmade substance, material, 
     supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test 
     equipment, and excluding technical data.
       (7) Rulemaking.--The President is authorized to promulgate 
     such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out 
     the provisions of this section (which may include regulatory 
     exceptions), including under section 205 of the International 
     Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1704)).
       (8) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to limit the authorities of the President under the 
     International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 
     et seq.).
       (9) Sunset.--This subsection shall cease to have force or 
     effect beginning on the date that is 8 years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (f) Democratic and Economic Development and Prosperity 
     Initiatives.--
       (1) Anti-corruption initiative.--The Secretary of State, 
     through ongoing and new programs, shall develop an initiative 
     that--
       (A) seeks to expand technical assistance in each Western 
     Balkans country, taking into account local conditions and 
     contingent on the agreement of the host country government to 
     develop new national anti-corruption strategies;
       (B) seeks to share best practices with, and provide 
     training to, civilian law enforcement agencies and judicial 
     institutions, and other relevant administrative bodies, of 
     the Western Balkans countries, to improve the efficiency, 
     transparency, and accountability of such agencies and 
     institutions;
       (C) strengthens existing national anti-corruption 
     strategies--
       (i) to combat political corruption, particularly in the 
     judiciary, independent election oversight bodies, and public 
     procurement processes; and
       (ii) to strengthen regulatory and legislative oversight of 
     critical governance areas, such as freedom of information and 
     public procurement, including by strengthening cyber defenses 
     and ICT infrastructure networks;
       (D) includes the Western Balkans countries in the European 
     Democratic Resilience Initiative of the Department of State, 
     or any equivalent successor initiative, and considers the 
     Western Balkans as a recipient of anti-corruption funding for 
     such initiative; and
       (E) seeks to promote the important role of an independent 
     media in countering corruption through engagements with 
     governments of Western Balkan countries and providing 
     training opportunities for journalists on investigative 
     reporting.
       (2) Prioritizing cyber resilience, regional trade, and 
     economic competitiveness.--
       (A) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (i) promoting stronger economic, civic, and political 
     relationships among Western Balkans countries will enable 
     countries to better utilize existing resources and maximize 
     their economic security and democratic resilience by 
     reinforcing cyber defenses and increasing trade in goods and 
     services among other countries in the region; and
       (ii) United States investments in and assistance toward 
     creating a more integrated region ensures political stability 
     and security for the region.
       (B) 5-year strategy for economic development and democratic 
     resilience in western balkans.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
     and the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development, in coordination with the heads of 
     other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees a regional 
     economic development and democratic resilience strategy for 
     the Western Balkans that complements the efforts of the 
     European Union, European nations, and other multilateral 
     financing institutions--
       (i) to consider the full set of tools and resources 
     available from the relevant agencies;
       (ii) to include efforts to ensure coordination with 
     multilateral and bilateral partners, such as the European 
     Union, the World Bank, and other relevant assistance 
     frameworks;
       (iii) to include an initial public assessment of--

       (I) economic opportunities for which United States 
     businesses, or those of other like-minded partner countries, 
     would be competitive;
       (II) legal, economic, governance, infrastructural, or other 
     barriers limiting United States trade and investment in the 
     Western Balkans;
       (III) the effectiveness of all existing regional 
     cooperation initiatives, such as the Open Balkan initiative 
     and the Western Balkans Common Regional Market; and
       (IV) ways to increase United States trade and investment 
     within the Western Balkans;

       (iv) to develop human and institutional capacity and 
     infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies, 
     including clean energy, energy efficiency, agriculture, small 
     and medium-sized enterprise development, health, and cyber-
     security;
       (v) to assist with the development and implementation of 
     regional and international trade agreements;
       (vi) to support women-owned enterprises;
       (vii) to promote government and civil society policies and 
     programs that combat corruption and encourage transparency 
     (including by supporting independent media by promoting the 
     safety and security of journalists), free and fair 
     competition, sound governance, judicial reform, environmental 
     stewardship, and business environments conducive to 
     sustainable and inclusive economic growth; and
       (viii) to include a public diplomacy strategy that 
     describes the actions that will be taken by relevant agencies 
     to increase support for the United States relationship by 
     citizens of Western Balkans countries.
       (C) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide a 
     briefing to the appropriate congressional committees that 
     describes the progress made towards developing the strategy 
     required under subparagraph (B).
       (3) Regional trade and development initiative.--
       (A) Authorization.--The Secretary of State and the 
     Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
     Development, in coordination with the heads of other relevant 
     Federal departments and agencies, may coordinate a regional 
     trade and development initiative for the region comprised of 
     each Western Balkans country and any European Union member 
     country that shares a border with a Western Balkans country 
     (referred to in this subsection as the ``Western Balkans 
     region'') in accordance with this paragraph.
       (B) Initiative elements.--The initiative authorized under 
     subparagraph (A) shall--
       (i) promote private sector growth and competitiveness and 
     increase the capacity of businesses, particularly small and 
     medium-sized enterprises, in the Western Balkans region;
       (ii) aim to increase intraregional exports to countries in 
     the Balkans and European Union member states;
       (iii) aim to increase United States exports to, and 
     investments in, countries in the Balkans;
       (iv) support startup companies, including companies led by 
     youth or women, in the Western Balkans region by--

       (I) providing training in business skills and leadership; 
     and
       (II) providing opportunities to connect to sources of 
     capital;

       (v) encourage and promote inward and outward trade and 
     investment through engagement with the Western Balkans 
     diaspora communities in the United States and abroad;
       (vi) provide assistance to the governments and civil 
     society organizations of Western Balkans countries to 
     develop--

       (I) regulations to ensure fair and effective investment; 
     and
       (II) screening tools to identify and deter malign 
     investments and other coercive economic practices;

[[Page S5998]]

       (vii) review existing assistance programming relating to 
     the Western Balkans across Federal agencies--

       (I) to eliminate duplication; and
       (II) to identify areas of potential coordination within the 
     Western Balkans region;

       (viii) identify areas where application of additional 
     resources could expand successful programs to 1 or more 
     countries in the Western Balkans region by building on the 
     existing experience and program architecture;
       (ix) compare existing single-country sector analyses to 
     determine areas of focus that would benefit from a regional 
     approach with respect to the Western Balkans region; and
       (x) promote intraregional trade throughout the Western 
     Balkans region through--

       (I) programming, including grants, cooperative agreements, 
     and other forms of assistance;
       (II) expanding awareness of the availability of loans and 
     other financial instruments from the United States 
     Government; and
       (III) coordinating access to existing trade instruments 
     available through allies and partners in the Western Balkans 
     region, including the European Union and international 
     financial institutions.

       (C) Support for regional infrastructure projects.--The 
     initiative authorized under subparagraph (A) should 
     facilitate and prioritize support for regional infrastructure 
     projects, including--
       (i) transportation projects that build roads, bridges, 
     railways and other physical infrastructure to facilitate 
     travel of goods and people throughout the Western Balkans 
     region;
       (ii) technical support and investments needed to meet 
     United States and European Union standards for air travel, 
     including screening and information sharing;
       (iii) the development of telecommunications networks with 
     trusted providers;
       (iv) infrastructure projects that connect Western Balkans 
     countries to each other and to countries with which they 
     share a border;
       (v) the effective analysis of tenders and transparent 
     procurement processes;
       (vi) investment transparency programs that will help 
     countries in the Western Balkans analyze gaps and establish 
     institutional and regulatory reforms necessary--

       (I) to create an enabling environment for trade and 
     investment; and
       (II) to strengthen protections against suspect investments 
     through public procurement and privatization and through 
     foreign direct investments;

       (vii) sharing best practices learned from the United States 
     and other international partners to ensure that institutional 
     and regulatory mechanisms for addressing these issues are 
     fair, nonarbitrary, effective, and free from corruption;
       (viii) projects that support regional energy security and 
     reduce dependence on Russian energy;
       (ix) technical assistance and generating private investment 
     in projects that promote connectivity and energy-sharing in 
     the Western Balkans region;
       (x) technical assistance to support regional collaboration 
     on environmental protection that includes governmental, 
     political, civic, and business stakeholders; and
       (xi) technical assistance to develop financing options and 
     help create linkages with potential financing institutions 
     and investors.
       (D) Requirements.--All programming under the initiative 
     authorized under subparagraph (A) shall--
       (i) be open to the participation of Albania, Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia;
       (ii) be consistent with European Union accession 
     requirements;
       (iii) be focused on retaining talent within the Western 
     Balkans;
       (iv) promote government policies in Western Balkans 
     countries that encourage free and fair competition, sound 
     governance, environmental protection, and business 
     environments that are conducive to sustainable and inclusive 
     economic growth; and
       (v) include a public diplomacy strategy to inform local and 
     regional audiences in the Western Balkans region about the 
     initiative, including specific programs and projects.
       (4) United states international development finance 
     corporation.--
       (A) Appointments.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Chief Executive Officer of the United 
     States International Development Finance Corporation, in 
     collaboration with the Secretary of State, should consider 
     including a regional office with responsibilities for the 
     Western Balkans within the Corporation's plans to open new 
     regional offices.
       (B) Joint report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of 
     the United States International Development Finance 
     Corporation and the Administrator of the United States Agency 
     for International Development shall submit a joint report to 
     the appropriate congressional committees that includes--
       (i) an assessment of the benefits of providing sovereign 
     loan guarantees to countries in the Western Balkans to 
     support infrastructure and energy diversification projects;
       (ii) an outline of additional resources, such as tools, 
     funding, and personnel, which may be required to offer 
     sovereign loan guarantees in the Western Balkans; and
       (iii) an assessment of how the United States International 
     Development Finance Corporation can deploy its insurance 
     products in support of bonds or other instruments issued to 
     raise capital through United States financial markets in the 
     Western Balkans.
       (g) Promoting Cross-cultural and Educational Engagement.--
       (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (A) promoting partnerships between United States 
     universities and universities in the Western Balkans, 
     particularly universities in traditionally under-served 
     communities, advances United States foreign policy goals and 
     requires a whole-of-government approach, including the 
     utilization of public-private partnerships;
       (B) such university partnerships would provide 
     opportunities for exchanging academic ideas, technical 
     expertise, research, and cultural understanding for the 
     benefit of the United States; and
       (C) the seven countries in the Western Balkans meet the 
     requirements under section 105(c)(4) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c(c)(4)).
       (2) University partnerships.--The President, working 
     through the Secretary of State, is authorized to provide 
     assistance, consistent with section 105 of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c), to promote the 
     establishment of partnerships between United States 
     universities and universities in the Western Balkans, 
     including--
       (A) supporting research and analysis on foreign policy, 
     cyber resilience, and disinformation;
       (B) working with partner governments to reform policies, 
     improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers 
     and students, including English language teaching, and to 
     provide quality, inclusive learning materials;
       (C) encouraging knowledge exchanges to help provide 
     individuals, particularly at-risk youth, women, people with 
     disabilities, and other vulnerable, marginalized, or 
     underserved communities, with relevant education, training, 
     and skills for meaningful employment;
       (D) promoting teaching and research exchanges between 
     institutions of higher education in the Western Balkans and 
     in the United States; and
       (E) encouraging alliances and exchanges with like-minded 
     institutions of education within the Western Balkans and the 
     larger European continent.
       (h) Peace Corps in the Western Balkans.--
       (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Peace Corps, whose mission is to promote world peace and 
     friendship, in part by helping the people of interested 
     countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, 
     provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the people of 
     the United States with the people of the Western Balkans.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps should 
     submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees 
     that includes an analysis of current opportunities for Peace 
     Corps expansion in the Western Balkans region.
       (i) Young Balkan Leaders Initiative.--
       (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     regular people-to-people exchange programs that bring 
     religious leaders, journalists, civil society members, 
     politicians, and other individuals from the Western Balkans 
     to the United States will strengthen existing relationships 
     and advance United States interests and shared values in the 
     Western Balkans region.
       (2) BOLD leadership program for young balkans leaders.--
       (A) Sense of congress.--The Department of State, through 
     BOLD, a leadership program for young leaders in certain 
     Western Balkans countries, plays an important role to develop 
     young leaders in improving civic engagement and economic 
     development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and 
     Montenegro.
       (B) Expansion.--BOLD should be expanded, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, to the entire Western Balkans 
     region.
       (3) Authorization.--The Secretary of State should further 
     develop and implement BOLD, which shall hereafter be known as 
     the ``Young Balkan Leaders Initiative'', to promote 
     educational and professional development for young adult 
     leaders and professionals in the Western Balkans who have 
     demonstrated a passion to contribute to the continued 
     development of the Western Balkans region.
       (4) Conduct of initiative.--The goals of the Young Balkan 
     Leaders Initiative shall be--
       (A) to further build the capacity of young Balkan leaders 
     in the Western Balkans in the areas of business and 
     information technology, cyber security and digitization, 
     agriculture, civic engagement, and public administration;
       (B) to support young Balkan leaders by offering 
     professional development, training, and networking 
     opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership, 
     innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights, 
     entrepreneurship, good governance, public administration, and 
     journalism;
       (C) to support young political, parliamentary, and civic 
     Balkan leaders in collaboration on regional initiatives 
     related to good governance, environmental protection, 
     government ethics, and minority inclusion;

[[Page S5999]]

       (D) to provide increased economic and technical assistance 
     to young Balkan leaders to promote economic growth and 
     strengthen ties between businesses, investors, and 
     entrepreneurs in the United States and in Western Balkans 
     countries;
       (E) to tailor such assistance to advance the particular 
     objectives of each United States mission in the Western 
     Balkans within the framework outlined in this subsection; and
       (F) to secure funding for such assistance from existing 
     funds available to each United States Mission in the Western 
     Balkans.
       (5) Fellowships.--Under the Young Balkan Leaders 
     Initiative, the Secretary of State shall award fellowships to 
     young leaders from the Western Balkans who--
       (A) are between 18 and 35 years of age;
       (B) have demonstrated strong capabilities in 
     entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;
       (C) have had a positive impact in their communities, 
     organizations, or institutions, including by promoting cross-
     regional and multiethnic cooperation; and
       (D) represent a cross-section of geographic, gender, 
     political, and cultural diversity.
       (6) Public engagement and leadership center.--Under the 
     Young Balkan Leaders Initiative, the Secretary of State shall 
     take advantage of existing and future public diplomacy 
     facilities (commonly known as ``American Spaces'') to hire 
     staff and develop programming for the establishment of a 
     flagship public engagement and leadership center in the 
     Western Balkans that seeks--
       (A) to counter disinformation and malign influence;
       (B) to promote cross-cultural engagement;
       (C) to provide training for young leaders from Western 
     Balkans countries described in paragraph (5);
       (D) to harmonize the efforts of existing venues throughout 
     Western Balkans countries established by the Office of 
     American Spaces; and
       (E) to annually bring together participants from the Young 
     Balkans Leaders Initiative to provide platforms for regional 
     networking.
       (7) Briefing on certain exchange programs.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional 
     committees that describes the status of exchange programs 
     involving the Western Balkans region.
       (B) Elements.--The briefing required under subparagraph (A) 
     shall--
       (i) assess the factors constraining the number and 
     frequency of participants from Western Balkans countries in 
     the International Visitor Leadership Program of the 
     Department of State;
       (ii) identify the resources that are necessary to address 
     the factors described in clause (i); and
       (iii) describe a strategy for connecting alumni and 
     participants of professional development exchange programs of 
     the Department of State in the Western Balkans with alumni 
     and participants from other countries in Europe, to enhance 
     inter-region and intra-region, people-to-people ties.
       (j) Supporting Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience in the 
     Western Balkans.--
       (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (A) United States support for cybersecurity, cyber 
     resilience, and secure ICT infrastructure in Western Balkans 
     countries will strengthen the region's ability to defend 
     itself from and respond to malicious cyber activity conducted 
     by nonstate and foreign actors, including foreign 
     governments, that seek to influence the region;
       (B) insecure ICT networks that are vulnerable to 
     manipulation can increase opportunities for--
       (i) the compromise of cyber infrastructure, including data 
     networks, electronic infrastructure, and software systems; 
     and
       (ii) the use of online information operations by 
     adversaries and malign actors to undermine United States 
     allies and interests; and
       (C) it is in the national security interest of the United 
     States to support the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of 
     Western Balkans countries.
       (2) Interagency report on cybersecurity and the digital 
     information environment in western balkans countries.--Not 
     later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the heads 
     of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit a report to 
     the appropriate congressional committees that contains--
       (A) an overview of interagency efforts to strengthen 
     cybersecurity and cyber resilience in Western Balkans 
     countries;
       (B) a review of the information environment in each Western 
     Balkans country;
       (C) a review of existing United States Government cyber and 
     digital initiatives that--
       (i) counter influence operations and safeguard elections 
     and democratic processes in Western Balkans countries;
       (ii) strengthen ICT infrastructure and cybersecurity 
     capacity in the Western Balkans;
       (iii) support democracy and internet freedom in Western 
     Balkans countries; and
       (iv) build cyber capacity of governments who are allies or 
     partners of the United States;
       (D) an assessment of cyber threat information sharing 
     between the United States and Western Balkans countries;
       (E) an assessment of--
       (i) options for the United States to better support 
     cybersecurity and cyber resilience in Western Balkans 
     countries through changes to current assistance authorities; 
     and
       (ii) the advantages or limitations, such as funding or 
     office space, of posting cyber professionals from other 
     Federal departments and agencies to United States diplomatic 
     posts in Western Balkans countries and providing relevant 
     training to Foreign Service Officers; and
       (F) any additional support needed from the United States 
     for the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of the following 
     NATO Allies: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and 
     Croatia.
       (k) Relations Between Kosovo and Serbia.--
       (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (A) the Agreement on the Path to Normalization of 
     Relations, which was agreed to by Kosovo and Serbia on 
     February 27, 2023, with the facilitation of the European 
     Union, is a positive step forward in advancing normalization 
     between the two countries;
       (B) Serbia and Kosovo should seek to make immediate 
     progress on the Implementation Annex to the agreement 
     referred to in subparagraph (A);
       (C) once sufficient progress has been made on the 
     Implementation Annex, the United States should consider 
     advancing initiatives to strengthen bilateral relations with 
     both countries, which could include--
       (i) establishing bilateral strategic dialogues with Kosovo 
     and Serbia; and
       (ii) advancing concrete initiatives to deepen trade and 
     investment with both countries; and
       (D) the United States should continue to support a 
     comprehensive final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia based 
     on mutual recognition.
       (2) Statement of policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States Government that--
       (A) it shall not pursue any policy that advocates for land 
     swaps, partition, or other forms of redrawing borders along 
     ethnic lines in the Western Balkans as a means to arbitrate 
     disputes between nation states in the region; and
       (B) it should support pluralistic democracies in countries 
     in the Western Balkans as a means to prevent a return to the 
     ethnic strife that once characterized the region.
       (l) Reports on Russian and Chinese Malign Influence 
     Operations and Campaigns in the Western Balkans.--
       (1) Reports required..--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, and every two years 
     thereafter, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
     heads of other Federal departments or agencies, as 
     appropriate, shall submit a report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees regarding Russian and Chinese malign 
     influence operations and campaigns carried out with respect 
     to Balkan countries that seek--
       (A) to undermine democratic institutions;
       (B) to promote political instability; and
       (C) to harm the interests of the United States and other 
     North Atlantic Treaty Organization member and partner states 
     in the Western Balkans.
       (2) Elements.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph 
     (1) shall include--
       (A) an assessment of the objectives of the Russian 
     Federation and the People's Republic of China regarding 
     malign influence operations and campaigns carried out with 
     respect to Western Balkans countries--
       (i) to undermine democratic institutions, including the 
     planning and execution of democratic elections;
       (ii) to promote political instability; and
       (iii) to manipulate the information environment;
       (B) the activities and roles of the Department of State and 
     other relevant Federal agencies in countering Russian and 
     Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns;
       (C) a comprehensive list identifying--
       (i) each network, entity and individual, to the extent such 
     information is available, of Russia, China, or any other 
     country with which Russia or China may cooperate, that is 
     supporting such Russian or Chinese malign influence 
     operations or campaigns, including the provision of financial 
     or operational support to activities in a Western Balkans 
     country that may limit freedom of speech or create barriers 
     of access to democratic processes, including exercising the 
     right to vote in a free and fair election; and
       (ii) the role of each such entity in providing such 
     support;
       (D) the identification of the tactics, techniques, and 
     procedures used in Russian or Chinese malign influence 
     operations and campaigns in Western Balkans countries;
       (E) an assessment of the effect of previous Russian or 
     Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns that 
     targeted alliances and partnerships of the United States 
     Armed Forces in the Western Balkans, including the 
     effectiveness of such operations and campaigns in achieving 
     the objectives of Russia and China, respectively;
       (F) the identification of each Western Balkans country with 
     respect to which Russia or China has conducted or attempted 
     to conduct a malign influence operation or campaign;
       (G) an assessment of the capacity and efforts of NATO and 
     of each individual Western Balkans country to counter Russian 
     or Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns carried 
     out with respect to Western Balkans countries;
       (H) the efforts by the United States to combat such malign 
     influence operations in

[[Page S6000]]

     the Western Balkans, including through the Countering Russian 
     Influence Fund and the Countering People's Republic of China 
     Malign Influence Fund;
       (I) an assessment of the tactics, techniques, and 
     procedures that the Secretary of State determines are likely 
     to be used in future Russian or Chinese malign influence 
     operations and campaigns carried out with respect to Western 
     Balkans countries; and
       (J) any additional authorities, resources, or activities 
     that could increase the United States Government's capacity 
     to counter Russian and Chinese malign influence operations 
     and campaigns in Western Balkans countries.
       (3) Form.--Each report required under paragraph (1) shall 
     be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a 
     classified annex.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3264. Mr. YOUNG (for himself and Mr. Coons) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him 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 appropriate place, insert the following:

   DIVISION _____--JUDICIAL UNDERSTAFFING DELAYS GETTING EMERGENCIES 
                                 SOLVED

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This division may be cited as the ``Judicial Understaffing 
     Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024'' or the 
     ``JUDGES Act of 2024''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Article III of the Constitution of the United States 
     gives Congress the power to establish judgeships in the 
     district courts of the United States.
       (2) Congress has not created a new district court judgeship 
     since 2003 and has not enacted comprehensive judgeship 
     legislation since 1990.
       (3) This represents the longest period of time since 
     district courts of the United States were established in 1789 
     that Congress has not authorized any new permanent district 
     court judgeships.
       (4) By the end of fiscal year 2022, filings in the district 
     courts of the United States had increased by 30 percent since 
     the last comprehensive judgeship legislation.
       (5) As of March 31, 2023, there were 686,797 pending cases 
     in the district courts of the United States, with an average 
     of 491 weighted case filings per judgeship over a 12-month 
     period.
       (6) To deal with increased filings in the district courts 
     of the United States, the Judicial Conference of the United 
     States requested the creation of 66 new district court 
     judgeships in its 2023 report.

     SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGES FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS.

       (a) Additional Judgeships.--
       (1) 2025.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate--
       (i) 1 additional district judge for the central district of 
     California;
       (ii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district 
     of California;
       (iii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of California;
       (iv) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Delaware;
       (v) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of 
     Florida;
       (vi) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of Indiana;
       (vii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of Iowa;
       (viii) 1 additional district judge for the district of New 
     Jersey;
       (ix) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of New York;
       (x) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of 
     Texas; and
       (xi) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of Texas.
       (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title 
     28, United States Code, is amended--
       (i) by striking the items relating to California and 
     inserting the following:

  ``California:
  Northern...................................  15
  Eastern....................................  7
  Central....................................  28
  Southern...................................  13'';
 

       (ii) by striking the item relating to Delaware and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Delaware.................................  5'';
 

       (iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Florida:
  Northern...................................  4
  Middle.....................................  16
  Southern...................................  17'';
 

       (iv) by striking the items relating to Indiana and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Indiana:
  Northern...................................  5
  Southern...................................  6'';
 

       (v) by striking the items relating to Iowa and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Iowa:
  Northern...................................  3
  Southern...................................  3'';
 

       (vi) by striking the item relating to New Jersey and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New Jersey...............................  18'';
 

       (vii) by striking the items relating to New York and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New York:
  Northern...................................  5
  Southern...................................  29
  Eastern....................................  15
  Western....................................  4''; and
 

       (viii) by striking the items relating to Texas and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Texas:
  Northern...................................  12
  Southern...................................  20
  Eastern....................................  8
  Western....................................  13''.
 

       (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on 
     January 21, 2025.
       (2) 2027.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate--
       (i) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Arizona;
       (ii) 2 additional district judges for the central district 
     of California;
       (iii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district 
     of California;
       (iv) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of California;
       (v) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of 
     Florida;
       (vi) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of Florida;
       (vii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of Georgia;
       (viii) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Idaho;
       (ix) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of Texas; and
       (x) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of Texas.
       (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title 
     28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1) of this 
     subsection, is amended--
       (i) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Arizona..................................  13'';
 

       (ii) by striking the items relating to California and 
     inserting the following:

  ``California:
  Northern...................................  16
  Eastern....................................  8
  Central....................................  30
  Southern...................................  13'';
 

       (iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Florida:
  Northern...................................  4
  Middle.....................................  17
  Southern...................................  18'';
 

       (iv) by striking the items relating to Georgia and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Georgia:
  Northern...................................  12
  Middle.....................................  4
  Southern...................................  3'';
 

       (v) by striking the item relating to Idaho and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Idaho....................................  3''; and
 

       (vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Texas:
  Northern...................................  13
  Southern...................................  21
  Eastern....................................  8
  Western....................................  13''.
 

       (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on 
     January 21, 2027.
       (3) 2029.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate--
       (i) 1 additional district judge for the central district of 
     California;
       (ii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district 
     of California;
       (iii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of California;
       (iv) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Colorado;
       (v) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Delaware;
       (vi) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Nebraska;
       (vii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district 
     of New York;
       (viii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district 
     of Texas;
       (ix) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of Texas; and
       (x) 1 additional district judge for the western district of 
     Texas.
       (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title 
     28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (2) of this 
     subsection, is amended--
       (i) by striking the items relating to California and 
     inserting the following:

  ``California:
  Northern...................................  17
  Eastern....................................  9
  Central....................................  31
  Southern...................................  13'';
 


[[Page S6001]]

       (ii) by striking the item relating to Colorado and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Colorado.................................  8'';
 

       (iii) by striking the item relating to Delaware and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Delaware.................................  6'';
 

       (iv) by striking the item relating to Nebraska and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Nebraska.................................  4'';
 

       (v) by striking the items relating to New York and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New York:
  Northern...................................  5
  Southern...................................  29
  Eastern....................................  16
  Western....................................  4''; and
 

       (vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Texas:
  Northern...................................  13
  Southern...................................  22
  Eastern....................................  9
  Western....................................  14''.
 

       (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on 
     January 21, 2029.
       (4) 2031.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate--
       (i) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Arizona;
       (ii) 1 additional district judge for the central district 
     of California;
       (iii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district 
     of California;
       (iv) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of California;
       (v) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of California;
       (vi) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of 
     Florida;
       (vii) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of Florida;
       (viii) 1 additional district judge for the district of New 
     Jersey;
       (ix) 1 additional district judge for the western district 
     of New York; and
       (x) 2 additional district judges for the western district 
     of Texas.
       (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title 
     28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (3) of this 
     subsection, is amended--
       (i) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Arizona..................................  14'';
 

       (ii) by striking the items relating to California and 
     inserting the following:

  ``California:
  Northern...................................  18
  Eastern....................................  10
  Central....................................  32
  Southern...................................  14'';
 

       (iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Florida:
  Northern...................................  4
  Middle.....................................  18
  Southern...................................  19'';
 

       (iv) by striking the item relating to New Jersey and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New Jersey...............................  19'';
 

       (v) by striking the items relating to New York and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New York:
  Northern...................................  5
  Southern...................................  29
  Eastern....................................  16
  Western....................................  5''; and
 

       (vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Texas:
  Northern...................................  13
  Southern...................................  22
  Eastern....................................  9
  Western....................................  16''.
 

       (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on 
     January 21, 2031.
       (5) 2033.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate--
       (i) 2 additional district judges for the central district 
     of California;
       (ii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of California;
       (iii) 1 additional district judge for the district of 
     Colorado;
       (iv) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of 
     Florida;
       (v) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of Florida;
       (vi) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of Georgia;
       (vii) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of New York;
       (viii) 1 additional district judge for the southern 
     district of Texas; and
       (ix) 1 additional district judge for the western district 
     of Texas.
       (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title 
     28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (4) of this 
     subsection, is amended--
       (i) by striking the items relating to California and 
     inserting the following:

  ``California:
  Northern...................................  19
  Eastern....................................  10
  Central....................................  34
  Southern...................................  14'';
 

       (ii) by striking the item relating to Colorado and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Colorado.................................  9'';
 

       (iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Florida:
  Northern...................................  5
  Middle.....................................  19
  Southern...................................  19'';
 

       (iv) by striking the items relating to Georgia and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Georgia:
  Northern...................................  13
  Middle.....................................  4
  Southern...................................  3'';
 

       (v) by striking the items relating to New York and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New York:
  Northern...................................  5
  Southern...................................  30
  Eastern....................................  16
  Western....................................  5''; and
 

       (vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Texas:
  Northern...................................  13
  Southern...................................  23
  Eastern....................................  9
  Western....................................  17''.
 

       (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on 
     January 21, 2033.
       (6) 2035.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate--
       (i) 2 additional district judges for the central district 
     of California;
       (ii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of California;
       (iii) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of California;
       (iv) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of 
     Florida;
       (v) 1 additional district judge for the southern district 
     of Florida;
       (vi) 1 additional district judge for the district of New 
     Jersey;
       (vii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district 
     of New York;
       (viii) 2 additional district judges for the western 
     district of Texas.
       (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title 
     28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (5) of this 
     subsection, is amended--
       (i) by striking the items relating to California and 
     inserting the following:

  ``California:
  Northern...................................  20
  Eastern....................................  10
  Central....................................  36
  Southern...................................  15'';
 

       (ii) by striking the items relating to Florida and 
     inserting the following:

  ``Florida:
  Northern...................................  5
  Middle.....................................  20
  Southern...................................  20'';
 

       (iii) by striking the item relating to New Jersey and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New Jersey...............................  20'';
 

       (iv) by striking the items relating to New York and 
     inserting the following:

  ``New York:
  Northern...................................  5
  Southern...................................  30
  Eastern....................................  17
  Western....................................  5''; and
 

       (v) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting 
     the following:

  ``Texas:
  Northern...................................  13
  Southern...................................  23
  Eastern....................................  9
  Western....................................  19''.
 

       (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on 
     January 21, 2035.
       (b) Temporary Judgeships.--
       (1) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate--
       (A) 2 additional district judges for the eastern district 
     of Oklahoma; and
       (B) 1 additional district judge for the northern district 
     of Oklahoma.
       (2) Vacancies not filled.--The first vacancy in the office 
     of district judge in each of the offices of district judge 
     authorized by this subsection, occurring 5 years or more 
     after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the 
     temporary district judgeship created in the applicable 
     district by this subsection, shall not be filled.
       (3) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect on 
     January 21, 2025.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this section and the amendments made by this 
     section--
       (A) for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, $12,965,330;
       (B) for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, $23,152,375;
       (C) for each of fiscal years 2029 and 2030, $32,413,325;
       (D) for each of fiscal years 2031 and 2032, $42,600,370;
       (E) for each of fiscal years 2033 and 2034, $51,861,320; 
     and
       (F) for fiscal year 2035 and each fiscal year thereafter, 
     $61,122,270.

[[Page S6002]]

       (2) Inflation adjustment.--For each fiscal year described 
     in paragraph (1), the amount authorized to be appropriated 
     for such fiscal year shall be increased by the percentage by 
     which--
       (A) the Consumer Price Index for the previous fiscal year, 
     exceeds
       (B) the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year preceding 
     the fiscal year described in subparagraph (A).
       (3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``Consumer 
     Price Index'' means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
     Consumers (all items, United States city average), published 
     by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.

     SEC. 4. ORGANIZATION OF UTAH DISTRICT COURTS.

       Section 125(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``and St. George'' and inserting ``St. George, 
     Moab, and Monticello''.

     SEC. 5. ORGANIZATION OF TEXAS DISTRICT COURTS.

       Section 124(b)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is 
     amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (3), by inserting 
     ``and College Station'' before the period at the end.

     SEC. 6. ORGANIZATION OF CALIFORNIA DISTRICT COURTS.

       Section 84(d) of title 28, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting ``and El Centro'' after ``at San Diego''.

     SEC. 7. GAO REPORTS.

       (a) Judicial Caseloads.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary 
     of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House 
     of Representatives and make publicly available reports--
       (1) evaluating--
       (A) the accuracy and objectiveness of case-related workload 
     measures and methodologies used by the Administrative Office 
     of the United States Courts for district courts of the United 
     States and courts of appeals of the United States;
       (B) the impact of non-case-related activities of judges of 
     the district courts of the United States and courts of 
     appeals of the United States on judicial caseloads; and
       (C) the effectiveness and efficiency of the policies of the 
     Administrative Office of the United States Courts regarding 
     senior judges; and
       (2) providing any recommendations of the Comptroller 
     General with respect to the matters described in paragraph 
     (1).
       (b) Detention Space.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
     Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives a report on an assessment of--
       (1) a determination of the needs of Federal agencies for 
     detention space;
       (2) efforts by Federal agencies to acquire detention space; 
     and
       (3) any challenges in determining and acquiring detention 
     space.

     SEC. 8. PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY OF THE ARTICLE III JUDGESHIP 
                   RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF 
                   THE UNITED STATES REPORT.

       (a) In General.--The Administrative Office of the United 
     States Courts, in consultation with the Judicial Conference 
     of the United States, shall make publicly available on their 
     website, free of charge, the biennial report entitled 
     ``Article III Judgeship Recommendations of the Judicial 
     Conference of the United States''.
       (b) Contents.--The report described in subsection (a) 
     should be released not less frequently than biennially and 
     contain the summaries and all related appendixes supporting 
     the judgeship recommendations of the Judicial Conference of 
     the United States, including--
       (1) the process used by the Judicial Conference in 
     developing the recommendations;
       (2) any caseload and methodology changes;
       (3) judgeship surveys with recommendations; and
       (4) specific information about each court for which the 
     Judicial Conference recommends additional judgeships.
       (c) Submission to Congress.--The Administrative Office of 
     the United States Courts shall submit to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of 
     the House of Representatives copies of the report described 
     in subsection (a).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 3265. Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Mr. Kelly) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him 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 appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. SEMICONDUCTOR PROGRAM.

       Title XCIX of division H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 
     U.S.C. 4651 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 9902 (15 U.S.C. 4652)--
       (A) by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections 
     (i) and (j), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
       ``(h) Authority Relating to Environmental Review.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the provision by the Secretary of Federal financial 
     assistance for a project described in this section that 
     satisfies the requirements under subsection (a)(2)(C)(i) of 
     this section shall not be considered to be a major Federal 
     action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
     (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (referred to in this subsection as 
     `NEPA') or an undertaking for the purposes of division A of 
     subtitle III of title 54, United States Code, if--
       ``(A) the activity described in the application for that 
     project has commenced not later than December 31, 2024;
       ``(B) the Federal financial assistance provided is in the 
     form of a loan or loan guarantee; or
       ``(C) the Federal financial assistance provided, excluding 
     any loan or loan guarantee, comprises not more than 10 
     percent of the total estimated cost of the project.
       ``(2) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
     construed as altering whether an activity described in 
     subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) is considered 
     to be a major Federal action under NEPA, or an undertaking 
     under division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States 
     Code, for a reason other than that the activity is eligible 
     for Federal financial assistance provided under this 
     section.''; and
       (2) in section 9909 (15 U.S.C. 4659), by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(c) Lead Federal Agency and Cooperating Agencies.--
       ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `lead 
     agency' has the meaning given the term in section 111 of NEPA 
     (42 U.S.C. 4336e).
       ``(2) Option to serve as lead agency.--With respect to a 
     covered activity that is a major Federal action under NEPA, 
     and with respect to which the Department of Commerce is 
     authorized or required by law to issue an authorization or 
     take action for or relating to that covered activity, the 
     Department of Commerce shall have the first right to serve as 
     the lead agency with respect to that covered activity under 
     NEPA.
       ``(d) Categorical Exclusions.--
       ``(1) Establishment of categorical exclusions.--Each of the 
     following categorical exclusions is established for the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology with respect 
     to a covered activity and, beginning on the date of enactment 
     of this subsection, is available for use by the Secretary 
     with respect to a covered activity:
       ``(A) Categorical exclusion 17.04.d (relating to the 
     acquisition of machinery and equipment) in the document 
     entitled `EDA Program to Implement the National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1969 and Other Federal Environmental Mandates 
     As Required' (Directive No. 17.02-2; effective date October 
     14, 1992).
       ``(B) Categorical exclusion A9 in Appendix A to subpart D 
     of part 1021 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
     successor regulation.
       ``(C) Categorical exclusions B1.24, B1.31, B2.5, and B5.1 
     in Appendix B to subpart D of part 1021 of title 10, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
       ``(D) The categorical exclusions described in paragraphs 
     (4) and (13) of section 50.19(b) of title 24, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, or any successor regulation.
       ``(E) Categorical exclusion (c)(1) in Appendix B to part 
     651 of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
     successor regulation.
       ``(F) Categorical exclusions A2.3.8 and A2.3.14 in Appendix 
     B to part 989 of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, or 
     any successor regulation.
       ``(2) Additional categorical exclusions.--Notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law, each of the following shall be 
     treated as a category of action categorically excluded from 
     the requirements relating to environmental assessments and 
     environmental impact statements under section 1501.4 of title 
     40, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation:
       ``(A) The provision by the Secretary of any Federal 
     financial assistance for a project described in section 9902, 
     if the facility that is the subject of the project is on or 
     adjacent to a site--
       ``(i) that is owned or leased by the covered entity to 
     which Federal financial assistance is provided for that 
     project; and
       ``(ii) on which, as of the date on which the Secretary 
     provides that Federal financial assistance, substantially 
     similar construction, expansion, or modernization is being or 
     has been carried out, such that the facility would not more 
     than double existing developed acreage or on-site supporting 
     infrastructure.
       ``(B) The provision by the Secretary of Defense of any 
     Federal financial assistance relating to--
       ``(i) the creation, expansion, or modernization of one or 
     more facilities described in the second sentence of section 
     9903(a)(1); or
       ``(ii) carrying out section 9903(b), as in effect on the 
     date of enactment of this subsection.
       ``(C) Any activity undertaken by the Secretary relating to 
     carrying out section 9906, as in effect on the date of 
     enactment of this subsection.
       ``(e) Incorporation of Prior Planning Decisions.--
       ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `prior 
     studies and decisions' means baseline data, planning 
     documents, studies, analyses, decisions, and documentation 
     that

[[Page S6003]]

     a Federal agency has completed for a project (or that have 
     been completed under the laws and procedures of a State or 
     Indian Tribe), including for determining the reasonable range 
     of alternatives for that project.
       ``(2) Reliance on prior studies and decisions.--In 
     completing an environmental review under NEPA for a covered 
     activity, the Secretary may consider and, as appropriate, 
     rely on or adopt prior studies and decisions, if the 
     Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) those prior studies and decisions meet the standards 
     for an adequate statement, assessment, or determination under 
     applicable procedures of the Department of Commerce 
     implementing the requirements of NEPA;
       ``(B) in the case of prior studies and decisions completed 
     under the laws and procedures of a State or Indian Tribe, 
     those laws and procedures are of equal or greater rigor than 
     those of each applicable Federal law, including NEPA, 
     implementing procedures of the Department of Commerce; or
       ``(C) if applicable, the prior studies and decisions are 
     informed by other analysis or documentation that would have 
     been prepared if the prior studies and decisions were 
     prepared by the Secretary under NEPA.
       ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Covered activity.--The term `covered activity' means 
     any activity relating to the construction, expansion, or 
     modernization of a facility, the investment in which is 
     eligible for Federal financial assistance under section 9902 
     or 9906.
       ``(2) NEPA.--The term `NEPA' means the National 
     Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).''.

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