[House Report 115-1100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 852
115th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 115-1100
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES
of the
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
for the
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
December 21, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
33-917 WASHINGTON : 2018
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
One Hundred Fifteenth Congress
WILLIAM M. ``MAC'' THORNBERRY, Texas, Chairman
WALTER B. JONES, North Carolina ADAM SMITH, Washington
JOE WILSON, South Carolina ROBERT A. BRADY, Pennsylvania
FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey SUSAN A. DAVIS, California
ROB BISHOP, Utah JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island
MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio RICK LARSEN, Washington
MIKE ROGERS, Alabama JIM COOPER, Tennessee
BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam
K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut
DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado NIKI TSONGAS, Massachusetts
ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia JOHN GARAMENDI, California
MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado JACKIE SPEIER, California
VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri MARC A. VEASEY, Texas
AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii
MO BROOKS, Alabama BETO O'ROURKE, Texas
PAUL COOK, California DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey
BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona
SAM GRAVES, Missouri SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts
ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York COLLEEN HANABUSA, Hawaii
MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona CAROL SHEA-PORTER, New Hampshire
STEPHEN KNIGHT, California JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
STEVE RUSSELL, Oklahoma A. DONALD McEACHIN, Virginia
SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California
RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana ANTHONY G. BROWN, Maryland
TRENT KELLY, Mississippi STEPHANIE N. MURPHY, Florida
MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin RO KHANNA, California
MATT GAETZ, Florida TOM O'HALLERAN, Arizona
DON BACON, Nebraska THOMAS R. SUOZZI, New York
JIM BANKS, Indiana JIMMY PANETTA, California
LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
JODY B. HICE, Georgia
PAUL MITCHELL, Michigan
Jen Stewart, Staff Director
Zach Steacy, Director, Legislative Operations
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
House of Representatives,
Committee on Armed Services,
Washington, DC, December 21, 2018.
Hon. Karen L. Haas,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Haas: Pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, I present herewith the
report on the activities of the Committee on Armed Services for
the 115th Congress.
Sincerely,
William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry, Chairman.
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Powers and Duties................................................ 1
Committee Rules.................................................. 04
Composition of the Committee on Armed Services................... 17
Committee Staff.................................................. 23
Committee Meetings and Hearings.................................. 25
Legislative Activities........................................... 26
Oversight Activities............................................. 35
Publications..................................................... 127
Union Calendar No. 852
115th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 115-1100
======================================================================
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES FOR THE
115TH CONGRESS
_______
December 21, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Thornberry, from the Committee on Armed Services, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
POWERS AND DUTIES
Background
The House Committee on Armed Services, a standing committee
of Congress, was established on January 2, 1947, as a part of
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), by
merging the Committees on Military Affairs and Naval Affairs.
The Committees on Military Affairs and Naval Affairs were
established in 1882. In 1885, jurisdiction over military and
naval appropriations was taken from the Committee on
Appropriations and given to the Committees on Military Affairs
and Naval Affairs, respectively. This practice continued until
July 1, 1920, when jurisdiction over all appropriations was
again placed in the Committee on Appropriations.
In the 93rd Congress, following a study by the House Select
Committee on Committees, the House passed H. Res. 988, the
Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, to be effective January 3,
1975. As a result of those amendments, the jurisdictional areas
of the Committee on Armed Services remained essentially
unchanged. However, oversight functions were amended to require
each standing committee to review and study on a continuing
basis all matters and jurisdiction of the committee. Also, the
Committee on Armed Services was to review and study on a
continuing basis all laws, programs, and Government activities
dealing with or involving international arms control and
disarmament and the education of military dependents in school.
The rules changes adopted by the House (H. Res. 5) on
January 4, 1977, placed new responsibilities in the field of
atomic energy in the Committee on Armed Services. Those
responsibilities involved the national security aspects of
atomic energy previously within the jurisdiction of the Joint
Committee on Atomic Energy. Public Law 95-110, effective
September 20, 1977, abolished the Joint Committee on Atomic
Energy.
With the adoption of H. Res. 658 on July 14, 1977, which
established the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence, the jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed
Service over intelligence matters was changed. That resolution
gave the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence oversight
responsibilities for intelligence and intelligence-related
activities and programs of the U.S. Government. Specifically,
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has exclusive
legislative jurisdiction regarding the Central Intelligence
Agency and the director of Central Intelligence, including
authorizations. Also, legislative jurisdiction over all
intelligence and intelligence-related activities and programs
was vested in the permanent select committee except that other
committees with a jurisdictional interest may request
consideration of any such matters. Accordingly, as a matter of
practice, the Committee on Armed Services shared jurisdiction
over the authorization process involving intelligence-related
activities.
The committee continues to have shared jurisdiction over
military intelligence activities as set forth in rule X of the
Rules of the House of Representatives.
With the adoption of House rules (H. Res. 5) on January 4,
1995, the Committee on National Security was established as the
successor committee to the Committee on Armed Services, and was
granted additional legislative and oversight authority over
merchant marine academies, national security aspects of
merchant marine policy and programs, and interoceanic canals.
Rules for the 104th Congress also codified the existing
jurisdiction of the committee over tactical intelligence
matters and the intelligence related activities of the
Department of Defense.
On January 6, 1999, the House adopted H. Res. 5, rules for
the 106th Congress, in which the Committee on National Security
was redesignated as the Committee on Armed Services.
On January 5, 2012, the House adopted H. Res. 5, rules for
the 112th Congress, which clarified the Committee on Armed
Services jurisdiction over Department of Defense administered
cemeteries.
Constitutional Powers and Duties
The powers and duties of Congress in relation to national
defense matters stem from Article I, section 8 of the United
States Constitution, which provides, among other things that
Congress shall have power:
To raise and support Armies;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make rules for the Government and Regulation of the land
and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the
Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed
in the Service of the United States;
To exercise exclusive Legislation . . . over all Places
purchased . . . for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals,
dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; and
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers.
House Rules on Jurisdiction
Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives
established the jurisdiction and related functions for each
standing committee. Under the rule, all bills, resolutions, and
other matters relating to subjects within the jurisdiction of
any standing committee shall be referred to such committee. The
jurisdiction of the House Committee on Armed Services, pursuant
to clause 1(c) of rule X is as follows:
(1) Ammunition depots; forts; arsenals; and Army, Navy, and
Air Force reservations and establishments.
(2) Common defense generally.
(3) Conservation, development, and use of naval petroleum
and oil shale reserves.
(4) The Department of Defense generally, including the
Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, generally.
(5) Interoceanic canals generally, including measures
relating to the maintenance, operation, and administration of
interoceanic canals.
(6) Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academies.
(7) Military applications of nuclear energy.
(8) Tactical intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of the Department of Defense.
(9) National security aspects of merchant marine, including
financial assistance for the construction and operation of
vessels, maintenance of the U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair
industrial base, cabotage, cargo preference, and merchant
marine officers and seamen as these matters relate to the
national security.
(10) Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits and
privileges of members of the Armed Forces.
(11) Scientific research and development in support of the
armed services.
(12) Selective service.
(13) Size and composition of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps,
and Air Force.
(14) Soldiers' and sailors' homes.
(15) Strategic and critical materials necessary for the
common defense.
(16) Cemeteries administered by the Department of Defense.
In addition to its legislative jurisdiction and general
oversight function, the Committee on Armed Services has special
oversight functions with respect to international arms control
and disarmament and the education of military dependents in
schools.
Investigative Authority and Legislative Oversight
H. Res. 988 of the 93rd Congress, the Committee Reform
Amendments of 1974, amended clause 1(b) of rule XI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, to provide general authority
for each committee to investigate matters within its
jurisdiction. That amendment established a permanent
investigative authority and relieved the committee of the
former requirement of obtaining a renewal of the investigative
authority by a House resolution at the beginning of each
Congress. H. Res. 988 also amended rule X of the Rules of the
House of Representatives by requiring, as previously indicated,
that standing committees are to conduct legislative oversight
in the area of their respective jurisdiction, and by
establishing specific oversight functions for the Committee on
Armed Services.
The committee derives its authority to conduct oversight
from, among other things, clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules
of the House of Representatives (relating to general oversight
responsibilities), clause 3(b) of rule X (relating to special
oversight functions), and clause 1(b) of rule XI (relating to
investigations and studies).
COMMITTEE RULES
The committee held its organizational meeting on January
12, 2017, and adopted the following rules governing rules and
procedure for oversight hearings conducted by the full
committee and its subcommittees.
(H.A.S.C. 115-1; Committee Print No. 1)
RULE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules
of the Committee on Armed Services (hereinafter referred to in
these rules as the ``Committee'') and its subcommittees so far
as applicable.
(b) Pursuant to clause 2(a)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Committee's rules shall be
publicly available in electronic form and published in the
Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the chair of
the committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.
RULE 2. FULL COMMITTEE MEETING DATE
(a) The Committee shall meet every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.,
when the House of Representatives is in session, and at such
other times as may be fixed by the Chairman of the Committee
(hereinafter referred to as the ``Chairman''), or by written
request of members of the Committee pursuant to clause 2(c) of
rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(b) A Wednesday meeting of the Committee may be dispensed
with by the Chairman, but such action may be reversed by a
written request of a majority of the members of the Committee.
RULE 3. SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING DATES
Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive evidence, and report to the Committee on all matters
referred to it. Insofar as possible, meetings of the Committee
and its subcommittees shall not conflict. A subcommittee
Chairman shall set meeting dates after consultation with the
Chairman, other subcommittee Chairmen, and the Ranking Minority
Member of the subcommittee with a view toward avoiding,
whenever possible, simultaneous scheduling of Committee and
subcommittee meetings or hearings.
RULE 4. JURISDICTION AND MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEES
(a) Jurisdiction
(1) The Committee retains jurisdiction of all subjects
listed in clause 1(c) and clause 3(b) of rule X of the Rules of
the House of Representatives and retains exclusive jurisdiction
for: defense policy generally, ongoing military operations, the
organization and reform of the Department of Defense and
Department of Energy, counter-drug programs, security and
humanitarian assistance (except special operations-related
activities) of the Department of Defense, acquisition and
industrial base policy, technology transfer and export
controls, joint interoperability, detainee affairs and policy,
force protection policy and inter-agency reform as it pertains
to the Department of Defense and the nuclear weapons programs
of the Department of Energy. In addition, the committee will be
responsible for intelligence policy (including coordination of
military intelligence programs), national intelligence
programs, and Department of Defense elements that are part of
the Intelligence Community. While subcommittees are provided
jurisdictional responsibilities in subparagraph (2), the
Committee retains the right to exercise oversight and
legislative jurisdiction over all subjects within its purview
under rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(2) The Committee shall be organized to consist of seven
standing subcommittees with the following jurisdictions:
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces: All Army, Air
Force and Marine Corps acquisition programs (except Marine
Corps amphibious assault vehicle programs, strategic missiles,
space, lift programs, special operations, science and
technology programs, and information technology accounts) and
the associated weapons systems sustainment. In addition, the
subcommittee will be responsible for Navy and Marine Corps
aviation programs and the associated weapons systems
sustainment, National Guard and Army, Air Force and Marine
Corps Reserve modernization, and ammunition programs.
Subcommittee on Military Personnel: Military personnel
policy, Reserve Component integration and employment issues,
military health care, military education, and POW/MIA issues.
In addition, the subcommittee will be responsible for Morale,
Welfare and Recreation issues and programs.
Subcommittee on Readiness: Military readiness, training,
logistics and maintenance issues and programs. In addition, the
subcommittee will be responsible for all military construction,
depot policy, civilian personnel policy, environmental policy,
installations and family housing issues, including the base
closure process, and energy policy and programs of the
Department of Defense.
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces: Navy
acquisition programs, Naval Reserve equipment, and Marine Corps
amphibious assault vehicle programs (except strategic weapons,
space, special operations, science and technology programs, and
information technology programs), deep strike bombers and
related systems, lift programs, seaborne unmanned aerial
systems and the associated weapons systems sustainment. In
addition, the subcommittee will be responsible for Maritime
programs under the jurisdiction of the Committee as delineated
in paragraphs 5 and 9 of clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: Strategic weapons (except
deep strike bombers and related systems), space programs
(including national intelligence space programs), ballistic
missile defense, the associated weapons systems sustainment,
and Department of Energy national security programs.
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities: Defense-
wide and joint enabling activities and programs to include:
Special Operations Forces; counter-proliferation and counter-
terrorism programs and initiatives; science and technology
policy and programs; information technology programs; homeland
defense and Department of Defense related consequence
management programs; related intelligence support; and other
enabling programs and activities to include cyber operations,
strategic communications, and information operations; and the
Cooperative Threat Reduction program.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations: Any matter
within the jurisdiction of the Committee, subject to the
concurrence of the Chairman of the Committee and, as
appropriate, affected subcommittee chairmen. The subcommittee
shall have no legislative jurisdiction.
(b) Membership of the Subcommittees
(1) Subcommittee memberships, with the exception of
membership on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations,
shall be filled in accordance with the rules of the Majority
party's conference and the Minority party's caucus,
respectively.
(2) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations shall be filled in
accordance with the rules of the Majority party's conference
and the Minority party's caucus, respectively. Consistent with
the party ratios established by the Majority party, all other
Majority members of the subcommittee shall be appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee, and all other Minority members shall
be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
(3) The Chairman of the Committee and Ranking Minority
Member thereof may sit as ex officio members of all
subcommittees. Ex officio members shall not vote in
subcommittee hearings or meetings or be taken into
consideration for the purpose of determining the ratio of the
subcommittees or establishing a quorum at subcommittee hearings
or meetings.
(4) A member of the Committee who is not a member of a
particular subcommittee may sit with the subcommittee and
participate during any of its hearings but shall not have
authority to vote, cannot be counted for the purpose of
achieving a quorum, and cannot raise a point of order at the
hearing.
RULE 5. COMMITTEE PANELS AND TASK FORCES
(a) Committee Panels
(1) The Chairman may designate a panel of the Committee
consisting of members of the Committee to inquire into and take
testimony on a matter or matters that fall within the
jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee and to report to the
Committee.
(2) No panel appointed by the Chairman shall continue in
existence for more than six months after the appointment. A
panel so appointed may, upon the expiration of six months, be
reappointed by the Chairman for a period of time which is not
to exceed six months.
(3) Consistent with the party ratios established by the
Majority party, all Majority members of the panels shall be
appointed by the Chairman of the Committee, and all Minority
members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee. The Chairman of the Committee shall choose one
of the Majority members so appointed who does not currently
chair another subcommittee of the Committee to serve as
Chairman of the panel. The Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee shall similarly choose the Ranking Minority Member of
the panel.
(4) No panel shall have legislative jurisdiction.
(b) Committee and Subcommittee Task Forces
(1) The Chairman of the Committee, or a Chairman of a
subcommittee with the concurrence of the Chairman of the
Committee, may designate a task force to inquire into and take
testimony on a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the
Committee or subcommittee, respectively. The Chairman and
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or subcommittee shall
each appoint an equal number of members to the task force. The
Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee shall choose one of
the members so appointed, who does not currently chair another
subcommittee of the Committee, to serve as Chairman of the task
force. The Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or
subcommittee shall similarly appoint the Ranking Minority
Member of the task force.
(2) No task force appointed by the Chairman of the
Committee or subcommittee shall continue in existence for more
than three months. A task force may only be reappointed for an
additional three months with the written concurrence of the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or
subcommittee whose Chairman appointed the task force.
(3) No task force shall have legislative jurisdiction.
RULE 6. REFERENCE AND CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION
(a) The Chairman shall refer legislation and other matters
to the appropriate subcommittee or to the full Committee.
(b) Legislation shall be taken up for a hearing or markup
only when called by the Chairman of the Committee or
subcommittee, as appropriate, or by a majority of the Committee
or subcommittee, as appropriate.
(c) The Chairman, with approval of a majority vote of a
quorum of the Committee, shall have authority to discharge a
subcommittee from consideration of any measure or matter
referred thereto and have such measure or matter considered by
the Committee.
(d) Reports and recommendations of a subcommittee may not
be considered by the Committee until after the intervention of
three calendar days from the time the report is approved by the
subcommittee and available to the members of the Committee,
except that this rule may be waived by a majority vote of a
quorum of the Committee.
(e) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, shall establish criteria for recommending legislation
and other matters to be considered by the House of
Representatives, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XV of the Rules
of the House of Representatives. Such criteria shall not
conflict with the Rules of the House of Representatives and
other applicable rules.
RULE 7. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
(a) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Committee, or
of any subcommittee, panel, or task force, shall make a public
announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any
hearing or meeting before that body at least one week before
the commencement of a hearing and at least three days before
the commencement of a meeting. However, if the Chairman of the
Committee, or of any subcommittee, panel, or task force, with
the concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member,
determines that there is good cause to begin the hearing or
meeting sooner, or if the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or
task force so determines by majority vote, a quorum being
present for the transaction of business, such chairman shall
make the announcement at the earliest possible date. Any
announcement made under this rule shall be promptly published
in the Daily Digest, promptly entered into the committee
scheduling service of the House Information Resources, and
promptly made publicly available in electronic form.
(b) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, or at the time of an
announcement under paragraph (a) made within 24 hours before
such meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, or of any
subcommittee, panel, or task force shall cause the text of such
measure or matter to be made publicly available in electronic
form as provided in clause 2(g)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
RULE 8. BROADCASTING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
(a) Pursuant to clause 2(e)(5) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Committee shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, provide audio and video coverage of
each hearing or meeting for the transaction of business in a
manner that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings. The Committee shall maintain the recordings of
such coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the
public.
(b) Clause 4 of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives shall apply to the Committee.
RULE 9. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
(a) Each hearing and meeting for the transaction of
business, including the markup of legislation, conducted by the
Committee, or any subcommittee, panel, or task force, to the
extent that the respective body is authorized to conduct
markups, shall be open to the public except when the Committee,
subcommittee, panel, or task force in open session and with a
majority being present, determines by record vote that all or
part of the remainder of that hearing or meeting on that day
shall be in executive session because disclosure of testimony,
evidence, or other matters to be considered would endanger the
national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or would violate any law or rule of the House of
Representatives. Notwithstanding the requirements of the
preceding sentence, a majority of those present, there being in
attendance no fewer than two members of the Committee,
subcommittee, panel, or task force may vote to close a hearing
or meeting for the sole purpose of discussing whether testimony
or evidence to be received would endanger the national
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or would violate any law or rule of the House of
Representatives. If the decision is to proceed in executive
session, the vote must be by record vote and in open session, a
majority of the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force
being present.
(b) Whenever it is asserted by a member of the Committee or
subcommittee that the evidence or testimony at a hearing may
tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, or it is
asserted by a witness that the evidence or testimony that the
witness would give at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate the witness, notwithstanding the requirements of
(a) and the provisions of clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, such evidence or
testimony shall be presented in executive session, if by a
majority vote of those present, there being in attendance no
fewer than two members of the Committee or subcommittee, the
Committee or subcommittee determines that such evidence may
tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. A majority
of those present, there being in attendance no fewer than two
members of the Committee or subcommittee may also vote to close
the hearing or meeting for the sole purpose of discussing
whether evidence or testimony to be received would tend to
defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. The Committee or
subcommittee shall proceed to receive such testimony in open
session only if the Committee or subcommittee, a majority being
present, determines that such evidence or testimony will not
tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and with the approval of
the Chairman, each member of the Committee may designate by
letter to the Chairman, one member of that member's personal
staff, and an alternate, which may include fellows, with Top
Secret security clearance to attend hearings of the Committee,
or that member's subcommittee(s), panel(s), or task force(s)
(excluding briefings or meetings held under the provisions of
committee rule 9(a)), which have been closed under the
provisions of rule 9(a) above for national security purposes
for the taking of testimony. The attendance of such a staff
member or fellow at such hearings is subject to the approval of
the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force as dictated
by national security requirements at that time. The attainment
of any required security clearances is the responsibility of
individual members of the Committee.
(d) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, no Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner may be excluded from nonparticipatory attendance
at any hearing of the Committee or a subcommittee, unless the
House of Representatives shall by majority vote authorize the
Committee or subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series
of hearings on a particular article of legislation or on a
particular subject of investigation, to close its hearings to
Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner by the same
procedures designated in this rule for closing hearings to the
public.
(e) The Committee or the subcommittee may vote, by the same
procedure, to meet in executive session for up to five
additional consecutive days of hearings.
RULE 10. QUORUM
(a) For purposes of taking testimony and receiving
evidence, two members shall constitute a quorum.
(b) One-third of the members of the Committee or
subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for taking any action,
with the following exceptions, in which case a majority of the
Committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum:
(1) Reporting a measure or recommendation;
(2) Closing Committee or subcommittee meetings and
hearings to the public;
(3) Authorizing the issuance of subpoenas;
(4) Authorizing the use of executive session
material; and
(5) Voting to proceed in open session after voting to
close to discuss whether evidence or testimony to be
received would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate
any person.
(c) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the
House of Representatives unless a majority of the Committee is
actually present.
RULE 11. THE FIVE-MINUTE RULE
(a) Subject to rule 15, the time any one member may address
the Committee or subcommittee on any measure or matter under
consideration shall not exceed five minutes and then only when
the member has been recognized by the Chairman or subcommittee
chairman, as appropriate, except that this time limit may be
exceeded by unanimous consent. Any member, upon request, shall
be recognized for not more than five minutes to address the
Committee or subcommittee on behalf of an amendment which the
member has offered to any pending bill or resolution. The five-
minute limitation shall not apply to the Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee or subcommittee.
(b)(1) Members who are present at a hearing of the
Committee or subcommittee when a hearing is originally convened
shall be recognized by the Chairman or subcommittee chairman,
as appropriate, in order of seniority. Those members arriving
subsequently shall be recognized in order of their arrival.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chairman and the Ranking
Minority Member will take precedence upon their arrival. In
recognizing members to question witnesses in this fashion, the
Chairman shall take into consideration the ratio of the
Majority to Minority members present and shall establish the
order of recognition for questioning in such a manner as not to
disadvantage the members of either party.
(2) Pursuant to rule 4 and subject to rule 15, a member of
the Committee who is not a member of a subcommittee may be
recognized by a subcommittee chairman in order of their arrival
and after all present subcommittee members have been
recognized.
(3) The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, with
the concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member, may
depart with the regular order for questioning which is
specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this rule provided that
such a decision is announced prior to the hearing or prior to
the opening statements of the witnesses and that any such
departure applies equally to the Majority and the Minority.
(c) No person other than a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner of Congress and committee staff may be seated in
or behind the dais area during Committee, subcommittee, panel,
or task force hearings and meetings.
RULE 12. POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER
(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions
and duties under rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee and any subcommittee is
authorized (subject to subparagraph (b)(1) of this paragraph):
(1) to sit and act at such times and places within
the United States, whether the House is in session, has
recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold hearings, and
(2) to require by subpoena, or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence,
memorandums, papers and documents, including, but not
limited to, those in electronic form, as it considers
necessary.
(b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the
Committee, or any subcommittee with the concurrence of the full
Committee Chairman and after consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee, under subparagraph (a)(2) in
the conduct of any investigation, or series of investigations
or activities, only when authorized by a majority of the
members voting, a majority of the Committee or subcommittee
being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed only by the
Chairman, or by any member designated by the Committee.
(2) Pursuant to clause 2(m) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, compliance with any subpoena issued
by the Committee or any subcommittee under subparagraph (a)(2)
may be enforced only as authorized or directed by the House of
Representatives.
RULE 13. WITNESS STATEMENTS
(a) Any prepared statement to be presented by a witness to
the Committee or a subcommittee shall be submitted to the
Committee or subcommittee at least 48 hours in advance of
presentation and shall be distributed to all members of the
Committee or subcommittee as soon as practicable but not less
than 24 hours in advance of presentation. A copy of any such
prepared statement shall also be submitted to the Committee in
electronic form. If a prepared statement contains national
security information bearing a classification of Confidential
or higher, the statement shall be made available in the
Committee rooms to all members of the Committee or subcommittee
as soon as practicable but not less than 24 hours in advance of
presentation; however, no such statement shall be removed from
the Committee offices. The requirement of this rule may be
waived by a majority vote of the Committee or subcommittee, a
quorum being present. In cases where a witness does not submit
a statement by the time required under this rule, the Chairman
of the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate, with the
concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member, may
elect to exclude the witness from the hearing.
(b) The Committee and each subcommittee shall require each
witness who is to appear before it to file with the Committee
in advance of his or her appearance a written statement of the
proposed testimony and to limit the oral presentation at such
appearance to a brief summary of the submitted written
statement.
(c) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(5) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, written witness statements, with
appropriate redactions to protect the privacy of the witness,
shall be made publicly available in electronic form not later
than one day after the witness appears.
RULE 14. ADMINISTERING OATHS TO WITNESSES
(a) The Chairman, or any member designated by the Chairman,
may administer oaths to any witness.
(b) Witnesses, when sworn, shall subscribe to the following
oath:
``Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that the
testimony you will give before this Committee (or
subcommittee) in the matters now under consideration
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God?''
RULE 15. QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES
(a) When a witness is before the Committee or a
subcommittee, members of the Committee or subcommittee may put
questions to the witness only when recognized by the Chairman
or subcommittee chairman, as appropriate, for that purpose
according to rule 11 of the Committee.
(b) Members of the Committee or subcommittee who so desire
shall have not more than five minutes to question each witness
or panel of witnesses, the responses of the witness or
witnesses being included in the five-minute period, until such
time as each member has had an opportunity to question each
witness or panel of witnesses. Thereafter, additional rounds
for questioning witnesses by members are within the discretion
of the Chairman or subcommittee chairman, as appropriate.
(c) Questions put to witnesses before the Committee or
subcommittee shall be pertinent to the measure or matter that
may be before the Committee or subcommittee for consideration.
RULE 16. PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MARKUPS
The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the
Committee, subcommittee, or panel will be published officially
in substantially verbatim form, with the material requested for
the record inserted at that place requested, or at the end of
the record, as appropriate. The transcripts of markups
conducted by the Committee or any subcommittee may be published
officially in verbatim form. Any requests to correct any
errors, other than those in transcription, will be appended to
the record, and the appropriate place where the change is
requested will be footnoted. Any transcript published under
this rule shall include the results of record votes conducted
in the session covered by the transcript and shall also include
materials that have been submitted for the record and are
covered under rule 19. The handling and safekeeping of these
materials shall fully satisfy the requirements of rule 20. No
transcript of an executive session conducted under rule 9 shall
be published under this rule.
RULE 17. VOTING AND ROLLCALLS
(a) Voting on a measure or matter may be by record vote,
division vote, voice vote, or unanimous consent.
(b) A record vote shall be ordered upon the request of one-
fifth of those members present.
(c) No vote by any member of the Committee or a
subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter shall be
cast by proxy.
(d) In the event of a vote or votes, when a member is in
attendance at any other committee, subcommittee, or conference
committee meeting during that time, the necessary absence of
that member shall be so noted in the record vote record, upon
timely notification to the Chairman by that member.
(e) The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, as
appropriate, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member or the most senior Minority member who is present at the
time, may elect to postpone requested record votes until such
time or point at a markup as is mutually decided. When
proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any
intervening order for the previous question, the underlying
proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment
to the same extent as when the question was postponed.
RULE 18. COMMITTEE REPORTS
(a) If, at the time of approval of any measure or matter by
the Committee, any member of the Committee gives timely notice
of intention to file supplemental, Minority, additional or
dissenting views, all members shall be entitled to not less
than two calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays except when the House is in session on such days) in
which to file such written and signed views with the Staff
Director of the Committee, or the Staff Director's designee.
All such views so filed by one or more members of the Committee
shall be included within, and shall be a part of, the report
filed by the Committee with respect to that measure or matter.
(b) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report
any measure or matter, and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, the total number of votes cast for and
against, the names of those voting for and against, and a brief
description of the question, shall be included in the Committee
report on the measure or matter. (c) Not later than 24 hours
after the adoption of any amendment to a measure or matter
considered by the Committee, the Chairman shall cause the text
of each such amendment to be made publicly available in
electronic form as provided in clause 2(e)(6) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives.
RULE 19. PUBLIC INSPECTION OF COMMITTEE ROLLCALLS
The result of each record vote in any meeting of the
Committee shall be made available by the Committee for
inspection by the public at reasonable times in the offices of
the Committee and also made publicly available in electronic
form within 48 hours of such record vote pursuant to clause
2(e)(1)(B)(i) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. Information so available shall include a
description of the amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition and the name of each member voting for and each
member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or
proposition and the names of those members present but not
voting.
RULE 20. PROTECTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Except as provided in clause 2(g) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, all national security
information bearing a classification of Confidential or higher
which has been received by the Committee or a subcommittee
shall be deemed to have been received in executive session and
shall be given appropriate safekeeping.
(b) The Chairman of the Committee shall, with the approval
of a majority of the Committee, establish such procedures as in
his judgment may be necessary to prevent the unauthorized
disclosure of any national security information that is
received which is classified as Confidential or higher. Such
procedures shall, however, ensure access to this information by
any member of the Committee or any other Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner of the House of Representatives, staff of
the Committee, or staff designated under rule 9(c) who have the
appropriate security clearances and the need to know, who has
requested the opportunity to review such material.
(c) The Chairman of the Committee shall, in consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member, establish such procedures as
in his judgment may be necessary to prevent the unauthorized
disclosure of any proprietary information that is received by
the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force. Such
procedures shall be consistent with the Rules of the House of
Representatives and applicable law.
RULE 21. COMMITTEE STAFFING
The staffing of the Committee, the standing subcommittees,
and any panel or task force designated by the Chairman or
chairmen of the subcommittees shall be subject to the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
RULE 22. COMMITTEE RECORDS
The records of the Committee at the National Archives and
Records Administration shall be made available for public use
in accordance with rule VII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority
Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause
4(b) of rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise available, and
the matter shall be presented to the Committee for a
determination on the written request of any member of the
Committee.
RULE 23. HEARING PROCEDURES
Clause 2(k) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives shall apply to the Committee.
RULE 24. COMMITTEE ACTIVITY REPORTS
Not later than January 2nd of each odd-numbered year the
Committee shall submit to the House a report on its activities,
pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
FULL COMMITTEE
Pursuant to H. Res. 6 (agreed to on January 3, 2017), H.
Res. 34 (agreed to on January 9, 2017), H. Res. 36 (agreed to
on January 10, 2017), H. Res. 45 (agreed to on January 11,
2017), H. Res. 95 (agreed to on February 7, 2017), H. Res. 412
(agreed to on June 27, 2017), H. Res. 439 (agreed to on July
12, 2017), H. Res. 685 (agreed to on January 11, 2018), and H.
Res. 844 (agreed to on April 25, 2018), the following Members
have served on the Committee on Armed Services in the 115th
Congress:
WILLIAM M. ``MAC'' THORNBERRY,
Texas, Chairman
ADAM SMITH, Washington, Ranking MemberALTER B. JONES, North Carolina
ROBERT A. BRADY, Pennsylvania JOE WILSON, South Carolina
SUSAN A. DAVIS, California FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island ROB BISHOP, Utah
RICK LARSEN, Washington MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio
JIM COOPER, Tennessee MIKE ROGERS, Alabama
MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam TRENT FRANKS,\8\ Arizona
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
NIKI TSONGAS, Massachusetts K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
JOHN GARAMENDI, California DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
JACKIE SPEIER, California ROBERT WITTMAN, Virginia
MARC A. VEASEY, Texas DUNCAN HUNTER,\13\ California
TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona MO BROOKS, Alabama
SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts PAUL COOK, California
COLLEEN HANABUSA, Hawaii JIM BRIDENSTINE,\10\ Oklahoma
CAROL SHEA-PORTER, New Hampshire BRAD R. WENSTRUP,\12\ Ohio
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama
A. DONALD McEACHIN, Virginia SAM GRAVES, Missouri
SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York
ANTHONY G. BROWN, Maryland MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona
STEPHANIE N. MURPHY, Florida STEPHEN KNIGHT, California
RO KHANNA, California STEVE RUSSELL, Oklahoma
SCOTT H. PETERS,\1\ California SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
PETE AGUILAR,\2\ California RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
JOAQUIN CASTRO,\3\ Texas TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
TOM O'HALLERAN,\4\ Arizona MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin
THOMAS R. SUOZZI,\5\ New York MATT GAETZ, Florida
TIMOTHY J. WALZ,\6\ Minnesota DON BACON, Nebraska
JIMMY PANETTA,\7\ California JIM BANKS, Indiana
LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
JODY HICE,\9\ Georgia
PAUL MITCHELL,\11\ Michigan
----------
\1\Mr. Peters resigned from the committee on February 6, 2017.
\2\Mr. Aguilar resigned from the committee on February 6, 2017.
\3\Mr. Castro resigned from the committee on February 6, 2017.
\4\Mr. O'Halleran was elected to the committee on February 7, 2017.
\5\Mr. Suozzi was elected to the committee on February 7, 2017.
\6\Mr. Walz was elected to the committee on June 27, 2017, and resigned
from the committee on July 12, 2017.
\7\Mr. Panetta was elected to the committee on July 12, 2017.
\8\Mr. Franks resigned from the House of Representatives on December 8,
2017.
\9\Mr. Hice was elected to the committee on January 11, 2018.
\10\Mr. Bridenstine resigned from the House of Representatives on April
23, 2018.
\11\Mr. Mitchell was elected to the committee on April 25, 2018.
\12\Mr. Wenstrup resigned from the committee on May 16, 2018.
\13\Mr. Hunter resigned from the committee on August 24, 2018.
SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
The following subcommittees were established at the
committee's organizational meeting on January 12, 2017.
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Jurisdiction pursuant to Committee Rule 4--Defense-wide and
joint enabling activities and programs to include: Special
Operations Forces; counter-proliferation and counter-terrorism
programs and initiatives; science and technology policy and
programs; information technology programs; homeland defense and
Department of Defense related consequence management programs;
related intelligence support; and other enabling programs and
activities to include cyber operations, strategic
communications, and information operations; and the Cooperative
Threat Reduction program.
ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York,
Chairwoman
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
RICK LARSEN, Washington BRAD R. WENSTRUP,\3\ Ohio
JIM COOPER, Tennessee RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
JACKIE SPEIER, California LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming, Vice Chair
MARC A. VEASEY, Texas JOE WILSON, South Carolina
TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas TRENT FRANKS,\1\ Arizona
STEPHANIE N. MURPHY, Florida DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
JODY HICE,\2\ Georgia
----------
\1\Mr. Franks resigned from the House of Representatives on December 8,
2017.
\2\Mr. Hice was assigned to the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities on January 11, 2018.
\3\Mr. Wenstrup resigned from the committee on May 16, 2018.
Subcommittee on Military Personnel
Jurisdiction pursuant to Committee Rule 4--Military
personnel policy, Reserve Component integration and employment
issues, military health care, military education, and POW/MIA
issues. In addition, the subcommittee will be responsible for
Morale, Welfare and Recreation issues and programs.
MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado, Chairman
JACKIE SPEIER, California WALTER B. JONES, North Carolina
ROBERT A. BRADY, Pennsylvania BRAD R. WENSTRUP,\1\ Ohio, Vice
NIKI TSONGAS, Massachusetts Chair
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona STEVE RUSSELL, Oklahoma
CAROL SHEA-PORTER, New Hampshire DON BACON, Nebraska
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona
RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
----------
\1\Mr. Wenstrup resigned from the committee on May 16, 2018.
Subcommittee on Readiness
Jurisdiction pursuant to Committee Rule 4--Military
readiness, training, logistics and maintenance issues and
programs. In addition, the subcommittee will be responsible for
all military construction, depot policy, civilian personnel
policy, environmental policy, installations and family housing
issues, including the base closure process, and energy policy
and programs of the Department of Defense.
JOE WILSON, South Carolina,
Chairman
MADELINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam ROB BISHOP, Utah
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii STEVE RUSSELL, Oklahoma
CAROL SHEA-PORTER, New Hampshire MIKE ROGERS, Alabama
A. DONALD McEACHIN, Virginia VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York
ANTHONY G. BROWN, Maryland MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona, Vice
STEPHANIE N. MURPHY, Florida Chair
RO KHANNA, California SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
Jurisdiction pursuant to Committee Rule 4--Navy acquisition
programs, Naval Reserve equipment, and Marine Corps amphibious
assault vehicle programs (except strategic weapons, space,
special operations, science and technology programs, and
information technology programs), deep strike bombers and
related systems, lift programs, seaborne unmanned aerial
systems and the associated weapons systems sustainment. In
addition, the subcommittee will be responsible for Maritime
programs under the jurisdiction of the Committee as delineated
in paragraphs 5 and 9 of clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia,
Chairman
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
SUSAN A. DAVIS, California VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama, Vice Chair
MADELINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
JOHN GARAMENDI, California MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey DUNCAN HUNTER,\3\ California
SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts PAUL COOK, California
COLLEEN HANABUSA, Hawaii JIM BRIDENSTINE,\1\ Oklahoma
A. DONALD McEACHIN, Virginia STEPHEN KNIGHT, California
RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
PAUL MITCHELL,\2\ Michigan
----------
\1\Mr. Bridenstine resigned from the House of Representatives on April
23, 2018.
\2\Mr. Mitchell was assigned to the Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces on April 25, 2018.
\3\Mr. Hunter resigned from the committee on August 24, 2018.
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Jurisdiction pursuant to Committee Rule 4--Strategic
weapons (except deep strike bombers and related systems), space
programs (including national intelligence space programs),
ballistic missile defense, the associated weapons systems
sustainment, and Department of Energy national security
programs.
MIKE ROGERS, Alabama, Chairman
JIM COOPER, Tennessee TRENT FRANKS,\1\ Arizona, Vice
SUSAN A. DAVIS, California Chair
RICK LARSEN, Washington DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
JOHN GARAMENDI, California DUNCAN HUNTER,\5\ California
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas MO BROOKS, Alabama
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey JIM BRIDENSTINE,\3\ Oklahoma
COLLEEN HANABUSA, Hawaii MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio
RO KHANNA, California MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado
BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama
SAM GRAVES, Missouri
JODY HICE,\2\ Georgia
PAUL MITCHELL,\4\ Michigan
----------
\1\Mr. Franks resigned from the House of Representatives on December 8,
2017.
\2\Mr. Hice was assigned to the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces on
January 11, 2018.
\3\Mr. Bridenstine resigned from the House of Representatives on April
23, 2018.
\4\Mr. Mitchell was assigned to the Subcommittees on Strategic Forces
on April 25, 2018.
\5\Mr. Hunter resigned from the committee on August 24, 2018.
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
Jurisdiction pursuant to Committee Rule 4--All Army, Air
Force and Marine Corps acquisition programs (except Marine
Corps amphibious assault vehicle programs, strategic missiles,
space, lift programs, special operations, science and
technology programs, and information technology accounts) and
the associated weapons systems sustainment. In addition, the
subcommittee will be responsible for Navy and Marine Corps
aviation programs and the associated weapons systems
sustainment, National Guard and Army, Air Force and Marine
Corps Reserve modernization, and ammunition programs.
MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio, Chairman
NIKI TSONGAS, Massachusetts FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island PAUL COOK, California, Vice Chair
JIM COOPER, Tennessee SAM GRAVES, Missouri
MARC A. VEASEY, Texas MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona STEPHEN KNIGHT, California
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California MATT GAETZ, Florida
ANTHONY G. BROWN, Maryland DON BACON, Nebraska
TOM O'HALLERAN,\1\ Arizona JIM BANKS, Indiana
THOMAS R. SUOZZI,\2\ New York WALTER B. JONES, North Carolina
JIMMY PANETTA,\3\ California ROB BISHOP, Utah
ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia
MO BROOKS, Alabama
----------
\1\Mr. O'Halleran was assigned to the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and
Land Forces on February 7, 2017.
\2\Mr. Suozzi was assigned to the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces on February 7, 2017.
\3\Mr. Panetta was assigned to the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and
Land Forces on July 12, 2017.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Jurisdiction pursuant to Committee Rule 4--Any matter
within the jurisdiction of the Committee, subject to the
concurrence of the Chairman of the Committee and, as
appropriate, affected subcommittee chairmen. The subcommittee
shall have no legislative jurisdiction.
VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri,
Chairwoman
SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
TOM O'HALLERAN,\1\ Arizona MATT GAETZ, Florida
THOMAS R. SUOZZI,\2\ New York JIM BANKS, Indiana
JIMMY PANETTA,\3\ California LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
----------
\1\Mr. O'Halleran was assigned to the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations on February 7, 2017.
\2\Mr. Suozzi was assigned to the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations on February 7, 2017.
\3\Mr. Panetta was assigned to the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations on July 12, 2017.
COMMITTEE STAFF
By committee resolution adopted at the organizational
meeting on January 12, 2017, or by authority of the chairman,
the following persons have been appointed to the staff of the
committee during the 115th Congress:
Jen Stewart, Staff Director
(appointed September 5, 2017)
Bob Simmons, Staff Director
(resigned June 8, 2017)
Jenness Simler, Deputy Staff
Director (resigned November 9,
2017)
Andrew Peterson, Deputy Staff
Director and General Counsel
(resigned September 14, 2018)
Betty B. Gray, Executive Assistant
John F. Sullivan, Professional
Staff Member
Jesse D. Tolleson, Jr.,
Professional Staff Member
Paul Arcangeli, Professional Staff
Member
Jeanette S. James, Professional
Staff Member (resigned April 7,
2017)
Rebecca A. Ross, Professional
Staff Member
Heath R. Bope, Professional Staff
Member
John Wason, Professional Staff
Member (resigned September 21,
2018)
Douglas Bush, Professional Staff
Member
Vickie Plunkett, Professional
Staff Member (resigned August 2,
2017)
Kevin Gates, Professional Staff
Member (resigned December 1, 2017)
David Sienicki, Professional Staff
Member
Zach Steacy, Director, Legislative
Operations
Everett Coleman, Professional
Staff Member
Craig Greene, Professional Staff
Member
Phil MacNaughton, Professional
Staff Member
Jack Schuler, Professional Staff
Member
John N. Johnson, Staff Assistant
William S. Johnson, Counsel
Jaime Cheshire, Professional Staff
Member (resigned March 9, 2017)
Peter Villano, Professional Staff
Member
Leonor Tomero, Counsel
Catherine Sendak, Professional
Staff Member (resigned October 19,
2018)
Christopher J. Bright,
Professional Staff Member
Brian Garrett, Professional Staff
Member
Elizabeth Conrad, Professional
Staff Member (resigned October 12,
2018)
Andrew T. Walter, Professional
Staff Member (resigned October 4,
2018)
Claude Chafin, Communications
Director
Tim Morrison, Counsel (resigned
July 6, 2018)
Stephen Kitay, Professional Staff
Member (resigned June 9, 2017)
Katie Thompson, Security Manager
Alexander Gallo, Professional
Staff Member (resigned February
10, 2017)
David Giachetti, Professional
Staff Member
Kari Bingen, Professional Staff
Member (resigned June 2, 2017)
Lindsay Kavanaugh, Professional
Staff Member
Candace Wagner, Executive
Assistant (resigned December 31,
2017)
Alison Lynn, Spokesman and
Director of Member Initiatives
(resigned June 22, 2018)
Mark Morehouse, Professional Staff
Member
Nick Mikula, Press Secretary
(resigned October 19, 2018)
Craig Collier, Professional Staff
Member (resigned November 30,
2017)
Daniel Sennott, Professional Staff
Member
Bruce Johnson, Professional Staff
Member
Mike Gancio, Clerk (resigned May
11, 2018)
Nevada Schadler, Clerk
Andrew ``Drew'' Warren,
Professional Staff Member
Margaret Dean, Professional Staff
Member
Bob Daigle, Professional Staff
Member (resigned August 2, 2017)
Alexis Lasselle Ross, Professional
Staff Member (resigned February 2,
2018)
Katy Quinn, Professional Staff
Member
Britton Burkett, Clerk (resigned
March 16, 2018)
Barron Young Smith, Counsel
Matthew Sullivan, Counsel
Emily Murphy, Counsel (resigned
January 23, 2017)
Anna Waterfield, Research
Assistant (resigned April 30,
2018)
Jodi Brignola, Clerk (resigned
July 28, 2017)
Brian Greer, Professional Staff
Member
Jason Schmid, Professional Staff
Member
Megan Handal, Clerk
Andy Schulman, Professional Staff
Member
Danielle Steitz, Clerk
Jennifer Bird, Professional Staff
Member (appointed February 21,
2017)
Thomas Hawley, Professional Staff
Member (appointed March 1, 2017)
Ari Zimmerman, Professional Staff
Member (appointed April 10, 2017)
Sarah Mineiro, Professional Staff
Member (appointed June 12, 2017)
Shenita White, Clerk (appointed
June 28, 2017)
Hannah Scheenstra, Executive
Assistant (appointed June 28,
2017)
Eric Mellinger, Professional Staff
Member (appointed July 10, 2017)
Glen Diehl, Professional Staff
Member (appointed October 1, 2017)
Maria Vastola, Professional Staff
Member (appointed January 2, 2018)
Kimberly Lehn, Professional Staff
Member (appointed January 19,
2018)
Jamie Jackson, Counsel (appointed
February 19, 2018)
Stephanie Halcrow, Professional
Staff Member (appointed March 12,
2018)
Hannah Thoburn, Professional Staff
Member (appointed March 12, 2018)
Eric Snelgrove, Professional Staff
Member (appointed March 19, 2018)
Justin Lynch, Clerk (appointed
April 9, 2018)
Katherine Sutton, Professional
Staff Member (appointed April 10,
2018, resigned
December 2, 2018)
Caroline Kehrli, Clerk (appointed
June 4, 2018)
Zachary Taylor, Clerk (appointed
August 4, 2018)
COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
A total of 271 meetings and hearings have been held by the
Committee on Armed Services and its subcommittees during the
115th Congress. A breakdown of the meetings and hearings
follows:
FULL COMMITTEE................................................... 79
SUBCOMMITTEES:
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities............ 36
Subcommittee on Military Personnel........................... 28
Subcommittee on Readiness.................................... 34
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces............... 28
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces............................. 26
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces................. 25
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations................. 15
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
PUBLIC LAWS
Public Law 115-2 (S. 84)--A Bill to Provide for an Exception to a
Limitation Against Appointment of Persons as Secretary of Defense
within Seven Years of Relief from Active Duty as a Regular Commissioned
Officer of the Armed Forces
S. 84, ``A bill to provide for an exception to a limitation
against appointment of persons as Secretary of Defense within
seven years of relief from active duty as a regular
commissioned officer of the Armed Forces'', was introduced on
January 10, 2017, by Senator John McCain and read twice and
referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
On January 12, 2017, the Senate Committee on Armed Services
held a markup session of S. 84. The committee ordered the bill
to be reported without amendment favorably. The same day, S. 84
was reported by Senator McCain and placed on Senate Legislative
Calendar under General Orders Calendar No. 2. On January 12,
2017, S. 84 was laid before the Senate by motion and that same
day, the bill passed the Senate without amendment by a yea-nay
vote, 81-17 (Record Vote Number: 27). The bill was received in
the House and held at the desk.
Pursuant to H. Res. 48, S. 84 was considered in the House
under a closed rule on January 13, 2017. The text of S. 84 was
identical to the text of H.R. 393 which was reported favorably
to the House by the Committee on Armed Services by a recorded
vote of 34-28 on January 12, 2017. H. Res. 48 provided for 90
minutes of debate on S. 84 equally divided and controlled by
the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed
Services. On January 13, 2017, S. 84 was passed in the House by
recorded vote, 268-151-1 (Roll no. 59). On January 20, 2017, S.
84 was presented to the President and signed into law as Public
Law 115-2.
Public Law 115-91 (H.R. 2810)--National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018
On June 7, 2017, H.R. 2810, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, was introduced by
Chairman William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services. On June 28, 2017, the Committee on
Armed Services held a markup session to consider H.R. 2810. The
committee ordered the bill H.R. 2810, as amended, favorably
reported to the House of Representatives by a recorded vote of
60-1, a quorum being present. The bill passed the House, as
amended, on July 14, 2017, by recorded vote, 344-81 (Roll no.
378). On July 18, 2017, the bill was received in the Senate,
read twice, and placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under
General Orders Calendar No. 175.
On September 13, 2017, the measure was laid before the
Senate by motion. On September 18, 2017, the Senate passed H.R.
2810 with an amendment by a yea-nay vote, 89-8 (Record Vote
Number: 199). On October 12, 2017, Chairman Thornberry
requested that the House disagree to the Senate amendment and
request a conference with the Senate by unanimous consent. On
October 17, 2017, the Senate insisted on its amendment and
agreed to the request for a conference. On November 9, 2017,
the conference report to accompany H.R. 2810 (H. Rept. 115-404)
was filed in the House. On November 14, 2017, the conference
report was agreed to in the House by the yeas and nays, 356-70
(Roll no. 631). On November 16, 2017, the conference report was
agreed to in the Senate by voice vote. The President signed the
legislation on December 12, 2017, and it became Public Law 115-
91.
Public Law 115-91 did the following: (1) authorized
appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for procurement and for
research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E); (2)
authorized appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for operation
and maintenance (O&M) and for working capital funds; (3)
authorized for fiscal year 2018 the personnel strength for each
Active Duty component of the military departments, and the
personnel strength for the Selected Reserve for each Reserve
Component of the Armed Forces; (4) modified various elements of
compensation for military personnel and imposed certain
requirements and limitations on personnel actions in the
defense establishment; (5) authorized appropriations for fiscal
year 2018 for military construction and family housing; (6)
authorized appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations;
(7) authorized appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for the
Department of Energy national security programs; and (8)
authorized appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for the Maritime
Administration.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
is a key mechanism through which Congress fulfills one of its
primary responsibilities as mandated in Article I, Section 8,
of the Constitution of the United States, which grants Congress
the power to provide for the common defense, to raise and
support an Army, to provide and maintain a Navy, and to make
rules for the Government and regulation of the land and naval
forces. Rule X of the House of Representatives provides the
House Committee on Armed Services with jurisdiction over the
Department of Defense generally and over the military
application of nuclear energy. The bill includes the large
majority of the findings and recommendations resulting from its
oversight activities, conducted through hearings, briefings,
and roundtable discussions with Department of Defense and
Department of Energy civilian and military officials,
intelligence analysts, outside experts, and industry
representatives, and informed by the experience gained over the
previous decades of the committee's existence.
Public Law 115-232 (H.R. 5515)--John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
On April 13, 2018, H.R. 5515, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, was introduced by
Chairman William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services. On May 9, 2018, the Committee on
Armed Services held a markup session to consider H.R. 5515. The
committee ordered the bill H.R. 5515, as amended, favorably
reported to the House of Representatives by a recorded vote of
60-1, a quorum being present. The bill passed the House, as
amended, on May 24, 2018, by recorded vote, 351-66 (Roll no.
230). On June 4, 2018, the bill was received in the Senate,
read twice, and placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under
General Orders Calendar No. 442.
On June 11, 2018, the measure was laid before the Senate by
motion. On June 18, 2018, the Senate passed H.R. 5515 with an
amendment by a yea-nay vote, 85-10 (Record Vote Number: 128).
The short title of the bill, as passed in the Senate, was
amended to the ``John S. McCain National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2019''.
On June 27, 2018, Chairman Thornberry requested that the
House disagree to the Senate amendment and request a conference
with the Senate by unanimous consent. On July 10, 2018, the
Senate insisted on its amendment and agreed to the request for
a conference by a yea-nay vote, 97-2 (Record Vote Number: 148).
On July 23, 2018, the first conference report to accompany H.R.
5515 (H. Rept. 115-863) was filed in the House. However, it was
determined that the conference report contained a provision
that constituted a revenue measure and thus there was an
origination problem with the conference report. Therefore, on
July 24, 2018, pursuant to H. Res. 1019, the House recommitted
the conference report back to the conference committee. On July
25, 2018, a revised version of the conference report (H. Rept.
115-874) was filed in the House that modified the provision to
fix the origination problem. On July 26, 2018, the revised
conference report was agreed to in the House by the yeas and
nays, 359-54 (Roll no. 379). On August 1, 2018, the conference
report was agreed to in the Senate by a yea-nay vote, 87-10
(Record Vote Number: 181). The President signed the legislation
on August 13, 2018, and it became Public Law 115-232.
Public Law 115-232 did the following: (1) authorized
appropriations for fiscal year 2019 for procurement and for
research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E); (2)
authorized appropriations for fiscal year 2019 for operation
and maintenance (O&M) and for working capital funds; (3)
authorized for fiscal year 2019 the personnel strength for each
Active Duty component of the military departments, and the
personnel strength for the Selected Reserve for each Reserve
Component of the Armed Forces; (4) modified various elements of
compensation for military personnel and imposed certain
requirements and limitations on personnel actions in the
defense establishment; (5) authorized appropriations for fiscal
year 2019 for military construction and family housing; (6)
authorized appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations;
(7) authorized appropriations for fiscal year 2019 for the
Department of Energy national security programs; and (8)
authorized appropriations for fiscal year 2019 for the Maritime
Administration.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 is a key mechanism through which Congress
fulfills one of its primary responsibilities as mandated in
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution of the United States,
which grants Congress the power to provide for the common
defense, to raise and support an Army, to provide and maintain
a Navy, and to make rules for the Government and regulation of
the land and naval forces. Rule X of the House of
Representatives provides the House Committee on Armed Services
with jurisdiction over the Department of Defense generally and
over the military application of nuclear energy. The bill
includes the large majority of the findings and recommendations
resulting from its oversight activities, conducted through
hearings, briefings, and roundtable discussions with Department
of Defense and Department of Energy civilian and military
officials, intelligence analysts, outside experts, and industry
representatives, and informed by the experience gained over the
previous decades of the committee's existence.
PRIVATE LAWS
Private Law 115-1 (H.R. 4641)--To Authorize the President to Award the
Medal of Honor to John L. Canley for Acts of Valor during the Vietnam
War while a Member of the Marine Corp
H.R. 4641, ``To authorize the President to award the Medal
of Honor to John L. Canley for acts of valor during the Vietnam
War while a member of the Marine Corps'', was introduced on
December 13, 2017, by Representative Julia Brownley and was
referred to the Committee on Armed Services. The bill was
referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel on December
14, 2017. On December 21, 2017, Representative Mike Coffman
asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be
discharged from further consideration of the bill and asked for
its immediate consideration in the House. There was no
objection to the request, and H.R. 4641 was passed in the House
by unanimous consent on December 21, 2017. The same day, the
bill was received in the Senate and read twice. On January 11,
2018, H.R. 4641 passed the Senate without amendment by
unanimous consent. H.R. 4641 was present to the President on
January 17, 2018. It was signed into law on January 29, 2018,
and became Private Law 115-1.
LEGISLATION PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.R. 2052--PRIVATE Act
H.R. 2052, the PRIVATE Act, was introduced on April 6,
2017, by Representative Martha McSally and was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services and subsequently to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel. The Subcommittee on
Military Personnel and the full committee waived consideration
of H.R. 2052. On May 23, 2017, Representative McSally moved to
consider H.R. 2052 under suspension of the rules of the House
of Representatives. On May 24, 2017, the motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill was agreed to by the yeas and nays,
418-0 (Roll no. 277). On May 25, 2017, H.R. 2052 was received
in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee
on Armed Services. No further action has been taken on H.R.
2052.
H.R. 3897--Gold Star Family Support and Installation Access Act of 2017
H.R. 3897, the Gold Star Family Support and Installation
Access Act of 2017, was introduced on October 2, 2017, by
Representative Don Bacon and was referred to the Committee on
Armed Services, and subsequently to the Subcommittee on
Military Personnel. On November 7, 2017, Representative Bacon
asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be
discharged from further consideration of the bill and for its
immediate consideration in the House. There was no objection to
the request, and H.R. 3897 was passed in the House by unanimous
consent. On November 8, 2017, H.R. 3897 was received in the
Senate, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on
Armed Services. No further action has been taken on H.R. 3897.
H.R. 5649--Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William ``Bill'' Mulder (Ret.)
Transition Improvement Act of 2018
H.R. 5649, the ``Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William
``Bill'' Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2018'',
was introduced on April 27, 2018, by Representative Jodey C.
Arrington and referred to the Committee Armed Services, and in
addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the
Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned. The bill was subsequently referred to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel on April 30, 2018. The
Committee on Armed Services waived consideration of H.R. 5649,
and on July 24, 2018, Representative David P. Roe, chairman of
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, moved to consider H.R.
5649, as amended, under suspension of the rules of the House.
The motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended,
was agreed to by a voice vote. On July 25, 2018, H.R. 5649 was
received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. No further action has been
taken on the bill.
H. CON. RES. 43--Providing Official Recognition of the Massacre of 11
African-American Soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion of the
United States Army who had been Captured in Wereth, Belgium, during the
Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944
H. Con. Res. 43, ``Providing official recognition of the
massacre of 11 African-American soldiers of the 333rd Field
Artillery Battalion of the United States Army who had been
captured in Wereth, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge on
December 17, 1944'', was introduced on April 4, 2017, by
Representative David B. McKinley and was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services, and subsequently to the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel. On November 1, 2017,
Representative Austin Scott asked unanimous consent that the
Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution and for its immediate
consideration in the House. There was no objection to the
request, and H. Con. Res. 43 was agreed to in the House by
unanimous consent. On November 2, 2017, H. Con. Res. 43 was
received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on
Armed Services. No further action has been taken on H. Con.
Res. 43.
H. RES. 994--Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives that
the United States Marine Corps Faces Significant Readiness Challenges
and that Budgetary Uncertainty Impedes the Corps' Ability to Meet
Ongoing and Unexpected National Security Threats, Putting United States
National Security at Risk
H. Res. 994, ``Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the United States Marine Corps faces
significant readiness challenges and that budgetary uncertainty
impedes the Corps' ability to meet ongoing and unexpected
national security threats, putting United States national
security at risk'', was introduced on July 16, 2018, by
Representative Mike Gallagher and was referred to the Committee
on Armed Services. The Committee on Armed Services waived
consideration of H. Res. 994, and on July 17, 2018,
Representative Liz Cheney moved to consider H. Res. 994, as
introduced, under suspension of the rules of the House. The
motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution was
agreed to by voice vote in the House on July 17, 2018.
H. RES. 995--Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives that
the Nation Now Faces a More Complex and Grave Set of Threats than at
Any Time since the End of World War II, and that the Lack of Full, On-
time Funding Related to Defense Activities Puts Servicemen and
Servicewomen at Risk, Harms National Security, and Aids the Adversaries
of the United States
H. Res. 995, ``Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the Nation now faces a more complex and
grave set of threats than at any time since the end of World
War II, and that the lack of full, on-time funding related to
defense activities puts servicemen and servicewomen at risk,
harms national security, and aids the adversaries of the United
States'', was introduced on July 16, 2018, by Representative
Liz Cheney and was referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
The committee waived consideration of H. Res. 995, and on July
17, 2018, Representative Cheney moved to consider H. Res. 995,
as introduced, under suspension of the rules of the House. The
motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution was
agreed to by voice vote in the House on July 17, 2018.
H. RES. 998--Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives that
the United States Navy's Total Readiness Remains in a Perilous State
due to High Operational Demands, Increased Deployment Lengths,
Shortened Training Periods, and Deferred Maintenance all While the Navy
is Asked to ``Do More with Less'' as Financial Support for Critical
Areas Waned in the Era of Sequestration and Without Consistent
Congressional Funding
H. Res. 998, ``Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the United States Navy's total readiness
remains in a perilous state due to high operational demands,
increased deployment lengths, shortened training periods, and
deferred maintenance all while the Navy is asked to ``do more
with less'' as financial support for critical areas waned in
the era of sequestration and without consistent Congressional
funding'', was introduced on July 16, 2018, by Representative
Robert J. Wittman and was referred to the Committee on Armed
Services. The committee waived consideration of H. Res. 998,
and on July 17, 2018, Representative Liz Cheney moved to
consider H. Res. 998, as introduced, under suspension of the
rules of the House. The motion to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution was agreed to by voice vote in the House on
July 17, 2018.
H. RES. 1007--Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives that
not Fully Resourcing the United States Army in a Timely Manner Erodes
the Army's Ability to Maintain Readiness and Poses Risk to the Army's
Ability to Conduct Military Operations
H. Res. 1007, ``Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that not fully resourcing the United States
Army in a timely manner erodes the Army's ability to maintain
readiness and poses risk to the Army's ability to conduct
military operations'', was introduced on July 23, 2018, by
Representative Steve Russell and was referred to the Committee
on Armed Services. The committee waived consideration of H.
Res. 1007, and on July 25, 2018, Representative Liz Cheney
moved to consider H. Res. 1007, as introduced, under suspension
of the rules of the House. The motion to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution was agreed to by voice vote in the
House on July 25, 2018.
H. RES. 1009--Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives that
the Lack of Timely and Predictable Funding Unnecessarily Undermines the
Mission of the United States Special Operations Command and Jeopardizes
the Security of the United States
H. Res. 1009, ``Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the lack of timely and predictable funding
unnecessarily undermines the mission of the United States
Special Operations Command and jeopardizes the security of the
United States'', was introduced on July 23, 2018, by
Representative Richard Hudson and was referred to the Committee
on Armed Services. The committee waived consideration of H.
Res. 1009, and on July 25, 2018, Representative Liz Cheney
moved to consider H. Res. 1009, as introduced, under suspension
of the rules of the House. The motion to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution was agreed to by voice vote in the
House on July 25, 2018.
H. RES. 1010--Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives that
the United States Air Force faces Significant Readiness Challenges due
to Insufficient Personnel Levels, a Shrinking and Depleted Aircraft
Fleet, and Maintenance Deferrals, All of which are Affected by
Budgetary Uncertainty and Impede the Air Force's Ability to Meet
Ongoing and Unexpected National Security Threats, Putting United States
National Security at Risk
H. Res. 1010, ``Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that the United States Air Force faces
significant readiness challenges due to insufficient personnel
levels, a shrinking and depleted aircraft fleet, and
maintenance deferrals, all of which are affected by budgetary
uncertainty and impede the Air Force's ability to meet ongoing
and unexpected national security threats, putting United States
national security at risk'', was introduced on July 23, 2018,
by Representative Jodey C. Arrington and was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services. The committee waived consideration
of H. Res. 1010, and on July 25, 2018, Representative Liz
Cheney moved to consider H. Res. 1010, as introduced, under
suspension of the rules of the House. The motion to suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution was agreed to by voice vote
in the House on July 25, 2018.
LEGISLATION REPORTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
H.R. 393--To Provide for an Exception to a Limitation Against
Appointment of Persons as Secretary of Defense within Seven Years of
Relief from Active Duty as a Regular Commissioned Officer of the Armed
Forces
H.R. 393, ``To provide for an exception to a limitation
against appointment of persons as Secretary of Defense within
seven years of relief from active duty as a regular
commissioned officer of the Armed Forces'', was introduced on
January 10, 2017, by Chairman William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry and
was referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
On January 12, 2017, the Committee on Armed Services held a
markup session to consider H.R. 393. No amendments were offered
to the bill. The committee ordered the bill H.R. 393 favorably
reported to the House of Representatives by a recorded vote of
34-28, a quorum being present. On February 16, 2017, H.R. 393
was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 1. No further
action was taken on H.R. 393.
For further action on similar legislation, please see
Public Law 115-2.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
OVERVIEW
Pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, described below are actions taken and
recommendations made with respect to specific areas and
subjects that were identified in the oversight plan for special
attention during the 115th Congress, as well as additional
oversight activities not explicitly enumerated by the oversight
plan.
POLICY ISSUES
National Defense Strategy, National Military Strategy, and Related
Defense Policy Issues
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
focus on the readiness, capability, and capacity of the U.S.
Armed Forces to defend national interests, on supporting the
authorities and resources necessary for ongoing military
operations, and on improving the agility and efficiency of the
Department of Defense. The committee fulfilled its
constitutional responsibilities primarily through the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) and the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232).
The committee recognizes that threats to national security
are ever changing. As characterized by the National Defense
Strategy published in January 2018, the threat environment is
``more complex and volatile than any we have experienced in
recent memory''. The threat of terrorism, whether by the
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or emergent groups, will
continue. In addition, the United States must not only defend
her interests on land, sea, and air, but also in the
continually contested new operational domains of cyber and
space, adding complexity to all operations. Further,
instability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, regional
aggression by the Russian Federation, destabilizing actions by
the People's Republic of China in the South and East China Seas
and elsewhere, developments in nuclear and missile capabilities
by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Islamic
Republic of Iran, and the continued spread of lethal and
disruptive technologies will continue to threaten U.S. national
security interests. These events and other security
developments across the globe also serve to highlight the
continued need for the U.S. military to be postured and ready
to defend national interests and address security challenges,
wherever and whenever they may arise.
The committee reviewed both the new National Security
Strategy and National Defense Strategy, submitted as required
by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
(Public Law 114-328). The National Defense Strategy asserts
that the ``central challenge to U.S. prosperity and security is
the reemergence of long-term, strategic completion . . . by
revisionist powers'', particularly Russia and China. The
committee agrees with that assessment and reviewed the ability
of the Department to execute this strategy during the Second
Session of the 115th Congress. The committee reviewed the
adequacy of the force structure, readiness of the force,
supporting installation infrastructure, industrial base
concerns, and resources to support the strategy. The committee
evaluated the Department's plans for readiness recovery under
the increased funding provided by the Bipartisan Budget Act of
2018 (Public Law 115-123) and the risks associated with
executing the National Defense Strategy with such funding. The
committee sought to understand the impacts of repeated
continuing resolutions on defense programs and readiness, as
well as the Department's ability to execute the National
Defense Strategy if funding substantially beyond limits imposed
by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25) is not
sustained.
The committee continued its oversight of: ongoing military
operations where U.S. forces are in harm's way, including
ongoing global counterterrorism operations; strategic
reassurance and deterrence activities in Europe and the Indo-
Asia-Pacific; and Department of Defense investments in
readiness, capabilities, and infrastructure to ensure the U.S.
Armed Forces remain capable of addressing current and emerging
conventional and unconventional challenges. The committee
accomplished this oversight through the conduct of hearings and
briefings; engagements with defense leaders, military
commanders, diplomats, academics, and private sector experts;
and congressional delegation visits to military installations
and U.S. forces serving abroad.
Readiness and Posture of the Force
The committee believes that, as a matter of principle, the
military should be fully ready, trained, and equipped for the
missions it is asked to do. These missions range from
conducting counterterrorism and low intensity operations across
the globe to possessing a credible conventional and nuclear
deterrent against near-peer challengers. According to the
January 2018 National Defense Strategy, the United States must
achieve 11 objectives, including defending the homeland from
attack; deterring adversaries from aggression against our vital
interests; and ensuring common domains remain open and common.
To attain these objectives, a robust, ready Joint Force is
necessary. Indeed, the Department states its first line of
effort is ``rebuilding military readiness as we build a more
lethal Joint Force''.
During the 115th Congress, the committee conducted a
variety of oversight activities to assess the military
services' progress in achieving full spectrum military
readiness. These activities included hearings, classified
briefings, individual discussions with the military service
chiefs, and travel to military training events. In addition,
the committee included several provisions in the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) to improve readiness and readiness reporting.
Those provisions will improve oversight of full spectrum
readiness through all warfighting domains, including space and
cyber, and will provide for an independent assessment by the
Comptroller General of the United States. Particular attention
was provided to the readiness of Forward Deployed Naval Forces
following 2 collisions that killed 17 sailors in 2017, and the
Navy surface fleet in general. Military aviation readiness was
also the subject of several hearings, as aviation readiness
showed little improvement and mishap rates increased. In
general, the committee found some improvement in full spectrum
readiness in the ground forces, with the naval and air forces
lagging.
Russian Federation
The revanchist Russian Federation continues to maintain an
aggressive global influence campaign, particularly evident in
Ukraine and the Syrian Arab Republic. Russian military activity
and its employment of unconventional and conventional tactics,
particularly in Central and Eastern Europe and in Syria, were
primary areas of concern for the committee in the 115th
Congress. After 15 years of focus on counterterrorism
operations in the greater Middle East, the committee recognizes
that a greater emphasis on addressing near-peer capabilities
and deterrence is necessary. The committee's oversight has
concentrated on the U.S. military capabilities, capacity,
posture, and readiness needed to effectively counter and deter
Russia.
The Department of Defense's European Deterrence Initiative,
and the resources associated with it, was a significant area of
oversight for the committee. The committee sought to ensure
that the increased resources were being effectively applied.
The committee also maintained oversight of Department of
Defense resources and tools allocated to ensure our force
posture in Europe is appropriate and continued work on building
the capacity of Ukraine and other NATO allies and partners to
deter and defend against Russian aggression.
During the 115th Congress, the committee received several
intelligence briefings on Russia's military modernization
programs, its combat actions and objectives in Syria, Russia's
global influence operations, including those aimed at
disrupting elections, democratic institutions, and military
partnerships and alliances, as well as its ongoing aggression
in Ukraine. The committee held a hearing on March 22, 2017,
with outside experts discussing other nations' use of hybrid
warfare including Russia entitled ``The Evolution of Hybrid
Warfare and Key Challenges''. On March 28, 2017, the Commander
of U.S. European Command, General Curtis ``Mike'' Scaparrotti,
testified to inform the committee on the fiscal year 2018
budget request as it relates to the European theater's
priorities and missions. On March 15, 2018, the Commander of
U.S. European Command, General Scaparrotti again testified to
inform the committee on the fiscal year 2019 budget request as
it relates to the European theater including missions,
resources, threats, and authorization for the European
Deterrence Initiative.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) contained several provisions to bolster the
deterrence and defense capabilities of the United States and
its allies and partners in Europe, to include authorizing $4.65
billion for the European Deterrence Initiative, $350.0 million
for security assistance, lethal defensive equipment, and
training to Ukrainian forces, and additional types of training
for Eastern European partners. Further, Public Law 115-91
directed the Department of Defense, in coordination with
relevant departments and agencies, to develop and implement
comprehensive strategies to counter threats and malign
influence by the Russian Federation. Public Law 115-91
prohibits funding related to the use of Open Skies overflights
and includes authorization for $50.0 million to combat Russia's
violations of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. Public
Law 115-91 also limited military cooperation between the United
States and Russia, prohibits funds for activities recognizing
the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, required
the Department to examine U.S. troop requirements and the
posturing of defense materiel in Europe, provided $100.0
million in aid for joint-defense capabilities to the Baltic
nations of the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia,
and the Republic of Estonia, and required a 5-year strategy for
the European Deterrence Initiative.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) contained several
provisions to increase deterrence measures, defense
capabilities, and reassure U.S. partners and allies in Europe
including authorizing $6.3 billion for the European Deterrence
Initiative, $250.0 million for security assistance, lethal
defensive equipment, and training to Ukrainian forces, and
additional types of training for Eastern European partners and
allies. Further, Public Law 115-232 limited military
cooperation between the United States and Russia, prohibits
funds for activities for recognizing the sovereignty of the
Russian Federation over Crimea, directed the Department of
Defense to report to Congress on the stationing of U.S. troops
in the Republic of Poland, labeled Russia a violator of the
Chemical Weapons Convention, requested an assessment from the
Secretary of Defense of the U.S. armed forces operational
capacity in the Russian language, and expressed a sense of
Congress on the importance of U.S partners and allies in
deterring Russian aggression. In addition, Public Law 115-232
directed the President to designate a member of the National
Security Council to coordinate the U.S. response to malign
foreign influence operations and campaigns and to submit to
Congress a strategy to counter malign foreign influence
operations and campaigns.
People's Republic of China
The People's Republic of China continues its efforts to
assert regional and global influence; to acquire advanced
technology to advance its security interests; and to modernize
its military in various areas, including the development of
capabilities for anti-access and area denial and power
projection, and nuclear, space, and cyber capabilities. The
current National Defense Strategy designates China as a
strategic competitor and as a priority for the Department of
Defense, and the committee's oversight focused on the
Department's strategy, force posture, forward pre-positioning,
infrastructure realignments, training and exercises, and
security cooperation programs to ensure that U.S. forces are
properly resourced and postured to protect U.S. national
security interests against China and are prepared to keep pace
to protect U.S. national security interests.
During the 115th Congress, the committee received several
member and staff intelligence briefings on China from the
intelligence community and the Department of Defense. The
committee held several hearings with outside experts including,
``China's Pursuit of Emerging and Exponential Technologies'',
``Strategic Competition with China'', and ``The Evolution of
Hybrid Warfare and Key Challenges''. The committee held
hearings and briefings in 2017 and 2018 with the Commander of
U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, to inform its
deliberations on the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) concerning China and Indo-Pacific issues. The
committee also engaged with defense and economic experts from
the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
regarding their annual report to Congress.
Public Law 115-91 and Public Law 115-232 contained several
provisions regarding China and the Indo-Pacific region,
requiring a strategy on China and the Indo-Pacific region, an
assessment on the U.S. defense implications of China's
expanding global access, and highlighting and condemning
China's actions in the South China Sea. Public Law 115-91 and
Public Law 115-232 also strengthened key partnerships and
allies, including support for Taiwan's defense capabilities and
U.S.-Taiwan senior-level engagement, joint training, military
sales, and security cooperation.
Additionally, Public Law 115-232 highlighted U.S. concerns
regarding China's actions to acquire access to sensitive U.S.
defense systems and technology. It revised foreign investment
and export controls, specifically the number and types of
transactions reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in
the United States. Public Law 115-232 also prohibited the
Federal Government from using or procuring certain
telecommunications services or equipment of components that are
manufactured by an entity controlled by the Chinese government
or contracting with an entity that does, including Huawei
Technologies or ZTE; required the Secretary of Defense to
implement an initiative to work with academic institutions that
perform defense research to limit undue influence and protect
information about critical technologies, including through
foreign talent programs; prohibited the use of Department of
Defense funds to be used for Chinese language instruction
provided by a Confucius Institute; prohibited the Department of
Defense's acquisition of sensitive materials from China; and
directed the President and the Department of Defense to counter
influence operations.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea remains a threat
to stability on the Korean peninsula and to the United States.
North Korea has advanced its nuclear and ballistic missile
capabilities, to include the firing of a submarine-launched
ballistic missile, taking steps towards fielding its road-
mobile intercontinental ballistic missile, and expanding its
asymmetric capabilities. According to the National Defense
Strategy, North Korea seeks a mixture of nuclear, biological,
chemical, conventional, and unconventional weapons and a
growing ballistic missile capability. The committee monitored
and oversaw the Department of Defense's strategy, force
posture, capability needs, and readiness, to ensure that U.S.
forces are properly resourced and postured to protect U.S.
national security interests, particularly against North Korea.
During the 115th Congress, the committee received several
member and staff briefings on North Korea from the intelligence
community and the Department of Defense. The committee held
several hearings on countering weapons of mass destruction and
on issues related to cyber warfare, service readiness, and
missile defense and nuclear forces, and held a classified
briefing with the Commander, United States Forces of Korea,
General Vincent Brooks, on the security situation on the Korean
Peninsula. The committee also held hearings and briefings in
2017 and 2018 with the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral
Harry Harris, to inform its deliberations on the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) and the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), on North Korea and
Indo-Pacific issues. Additionally, the committee led several
congressional member and staff delegations to the Republic of
Korea and Japan.
Public Law 115-91 and Public Law 115-232 contained
provisions that required a strategy on North Korea from the
President and directed the Department of Defense, in
coordination with other agencies, to report on the status of
North Korea's nuclear, missile, and other weapons of mass
destruction. It reaffirmed our security commitments to the
Governments of Japan and South Korea and that the United States
stands behind its treaty obligations and extended deterrence
commitments. Public Law 115-232 also prohibited the use of
Department of Defense funds to reduce the number of Armed
Forces deployed to South Korea below 22,000 unless the
Secretary of Defense certifies that it is in the national
security interest of the United States, the reduction will not
significantly undermine the security of U.S. allies, and that
allies have been appropriately consulted. Public Law 115-91 and
Public Law 115-232 strengthened U.S. military capability to
ensure U.S. forces are ready to defend themselves and U.S.
allies on the Korean peninsula and bolstered the Department of
Defense's efforts to plan for and provide the necessary forces,
military infrastructure, basing, logistics, and missile defense
capabilities.
Iran
The committee conducted oversight of U.S. national security
policy and strategy with respect to the Government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran, placing emphasis on Iran's
destabilizing activities in the Middle East region. The
committee also monitored the threat posed by Iran's ballistic
missile capabilities and its nuclear ambition. Additionally,
the committee continued to monitor the capabilities and
intentions of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. The
committee focused on Iran's military activities in the Syrian
Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, and the Republic of Yemen.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) took steps to review U.S. military posture
within the Arabian Gulf region and increase understanding of
Iran's use of commercial entities for illicit military
activities.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) called on the Department
of Defense to develop a strategy to counter Iran through
bolstering bilateral and multilateral relationships in the
Middle East region. Public Law 115-232 also modified the Annual
Report on the Military Power of Iran to include consideration
of Iranian support to the Houthis and cooperation with the
Russian Federation. Public Law 115-232 also extended the
authorization for the Counter-Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) train and equip fund to assist the Iraqi security forces
and central government maintain pressure against ISIS.
Countering Terrorism, At-Risk and Failing States, Countering Violent
Extremism and Illicit Trafficking
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, countering the threat
posed by terrorist groups has been a central mission of the
Department of Defense. U.S. Armed Forces are currently deployed
to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Iraq,
the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Yemen, the Horn of
Africa, and elsewhere around the globe to maintain pressure on
groups that threaten U.S. interests and such deployments will
remain a priority for the Department.
The committee conducted extensive oversight on threat
prioritization and counterterrorism policy, strategy, and
operations. In conjunction with the National Defense Strategy
released in January 2018, the committee focused on posture,
special operations forces capabilities and readiness, the roles
of allies and partners, and intelligence issues relevant to
counterterrorism to ensure U.S. resourcing is commensurate to
the threat posed by such groups. The committee recognized that
a whole-of-government approach is necessary to counter the
threat posed by terrorist groups. As such, the committee
examined the role of the Department of Defense and how it works
with other U.S. departments and agencies to achieve
counterterrorism goals.
The committee also recognized that terrorist groups
leverage at-risk and failing states to expand their presence,
conduct operational planning, and serve as launch points for
attacks against the United States and its allies and partners.
The committee also focused on improving efforts to build
partner nation capabilities to counter terrorism at home.
Improving the capabilities of partners fighting terrorism,
particularly in places like Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and the
Federal Republic of Somalia, has been a priority for the
committee.
Operation Freedom's Sentinel
The committee conducted robust oversight of the U.S.
military effort in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,
concentrating on the two primary U.S. military missions
associated with Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS): conducting
counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida and other
terrorist groups that threaten U.S. interests; and training,
advising, and assisting the Afghan National Defense and
Security Forces (ANDSF). Through hearings and intelligence
briefings, the committee assessed the authorities, resources,
equipment, basing, and personnel to support the OFS missions
and policy objectives, including under the new South Asia
strategy. Additionally, the committee examined the regional
security environment, and the efforts by the Government of
Afghanistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan to deny safe havens to al-Qaida, the Haqqani Network,
and other jihadist organizations.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
authorized the Afghan Security Forces Fund to support the
ANDSF, including the Afghan Air Force and the Afghan Special
Operations Forces. The committee will continue to monitor
critical efforts in Afghanistan, such as the effectiveness of
the ANDSF and its ability to sustain operations and
institutional requirements.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
The committee recognizes that Pakistan is an important,
albeit imperfect, counterterrorism partner to the United
States. The committee continued to conduct oversight on the
broad range of security issues involving the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan, including the security of Pakistan's nuclear
weapons, Pakistan's on-going and future nuclear weapon
projects, and its willingness and operational capacity to
combat key terrorist groups, such as al-Qaida, the Afghan and
Pakistan Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and other terrorist
organizations. Moreover, the committee evaluated the terrorist
activity emanating from the border area between Pakistan and
Afghanistan and conducted oversight of the Department of
Defense's efforts to combat the threat.
In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018 (Public Law 115-91), the committee took steps to update
the Coalition Support Fund (CSF). Specifically, CSF was revised
downward such that only $700.0 million ($350.0 million under a
waiver) was authorized to reimburse Pakistan's investment in
counterterrorism efforts. The John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
further revised the CSF such that Pakistan will no longer be
eligible for reimbursement under the fund. Public Law 115-232,
however, expanded the Border Security Fund to make Pakistan
eligible for reimbursements on counterterrorism-related border
projects. The committee will continue to scrutinize
reimbursements to Pakistan in accordance with the law.
The committee also held a hearing on the Administration's
new South Asia Strategy that included a new approach to the
bilateral relationship with Pakistan.
Operation Inherent Resolve
The United States and coalition forces have been successful
in liberating nearly all of the territory held by the Islamic
State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), but these forces continue to
work with partners to conduct stability operations against ISIS
to maintain security and to invest in long-term stability in
the region. During the 115th Congress, U.S. and coalition
operations conducted an air campaign that was focused against
ISIS in the Republic of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic;
training, equipping, advising, and assisting of Iraqi Security
Forces and partnered forces on the ground in Syria; and force
protection of U.S. forces and facilities deployed. Through
classified briefings and an open hearing, the committee focused
its oversight activity on ensuring the Department had the
appropriate authorities, resources, equipment, basing, and
personnel to support the defeat of ISIS.
In conjunction with the National Defense Strategy, the
committee also examined the presence and influence exerted by
other states in Syria, particularly the Russian Federation, the
Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of Turkey. Finally,
through the National Defense Authorization Act for 2018 (Public
Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) the
committee provided authorization and full funding for the Iraq
Train and Equip Fund, the Syria Train and Equip Fund, and
extended the authorization for the Office of Security
Cooperation. Public Law 115-91 and Public Law 115-232 also
required the Department of Defense to draft and submit a
strategy for U.S. involvement in Syria and a strategy to
normalize U.S. security assistance programming in Iraq.
Republic of Yemen
The security situation in the Republic of Yemen, including
counterterrorism objectives and the Yemeni civil war, was a
significant focus for the committee. The committee maintained
its oversight of the U.S. military's counterterrorism
activities in Yemen, U.S. support to the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Yemen, and the status of
the Saudi-led coalition efforts to counter the Houthi militia.
The committee also monitored the capability and intent of
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to conduct
transnational terrorist attacks and associated U.S.
counterterrorism efforts against AQAP. The committee held
numerous briefings on Yemen and engaged with allies and
partners in the region to better understand anti-Houthi effort
in Yemen. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) required the Department of
Defense to submit a report on Saudi Arabia's military action in
Yemen and to detail Saudi Arabia's compliance with
international law and human rights standards. Separately, the
committee required the President to submit a comprehensive
military and diplomatic strategy for Yemen.
In the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) the committee
required the Secretary of State to certify that Saudi Arabia
and the United Arab Emirates are making a good faith effort to
resolve the conflict through diplomatic channels, are
contributing to and facilitating access for humanitarian
assistance missions in Yemen, and are working toward reducing
civilian casualties or to grant a waiver if the Secretary deems
it to be in the national security interest of the United
States. Public Law 115-232 also expanded a border security
authority such that the Department of Defense may reimburse the
Sultanate of Oman for projects intended to shore up the Omani
border against AQAP.
Africa
The committee maintained its oversight of Department of
Defense activities in Africa during the 115th Congress.
Additionally, the committee continued to examine the
Department's coordination within the interagency to ensure the
range of the Department's activities occurring in Africa
contributed to U.S. national security objectives. As the
Department's efforts to train and equip African partners to
provide regional security continue, the committee increased its
focus on the Department's execution of the programs, the
development of defense institutions in African nations, and the
ability of African partner nations to absorb and sustain the
assistance provided. The committee paid particular attention to
the effect that security cooperation reform measures adopted in
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
(Public Law 114-328) have on the Department's programs and
activities in Africa. Further, the committee continued to
monitor the Department's efforts, in coordination with other
U.S. Government agencies, to develop the security conditions
necessary to advance governance and stability on the continent.
The committee continued to express its concern about the
ability of the Department of Defense to respond to crises on
the continent of Africa. In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-
676) accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019, the committee noted that personnel recovery
and casualty evacuation are critical enablers to U.S. Africa
Command's (AFRICOM) conduct of operations. Additionally, the
committee noted that international partners such as the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the French
Republic, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, plus
multinational organizations such as the European Union and
African Union, and many others, conduct programs to build
partner capacity in Africa, and that U.S. programs may be
duplicative or in conflict with international partners'
activities, or that gaps in capabilities may exist. The
committee therefore directed the Department to provide a
briefing on the steps being taken to coordinate security
cooperation activities in Africa with international partners.
On February 15 and 16, 2017, the committee received a
classified briefing entitled ``Trends in Global Terrorism'' and
held an open hearing entitled ``The Evolving Threat of
Terrorism and Effective CT Strategies'', which both addressed
threats in Africa. Committee members received an update from
General Thomas D. Waldhauser, the Commander, U.S. Africa
Command, at a closed roundtable on March 30, 2017. In the
committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the committee
noted its concern about the ability of the Department of
Defense to provide rapid response to crises in Africa. The
Department provided a staff-level briefing on the issue on
December 13, 2017. On March 6, 2018, the committee held a
hearing entitled ``National Security Challenges and U.S.
Military Activities in Africa'', followed by a closed,
classified briefing, with General Waldhauser. The committee
conducted member and staff travel to Africa and to AFRICOM
headquarters in Germany and England to gain additional insight
into issues related to security on the continent. Additionally,
the committee received numerous staff-level briefings on
security threats and other developments across the continent.
In North Africa, the committee continued to conduct
oversight of outside influences in the region and the evolving
security situation caused primarily by the tenuous political
environment in the State of Libya and the effect of Al Qaeda in
the Islamic Maghreb, the Islamic State, and other jihadist
groups in this region. The committee paid particular attention
to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) presence in the
region. In H. Rept. 115-676, the committee noted the importance
of the Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), and
directed the Department of Defense to provide a briefing on the
TSCTP, including any activities or partner engagement related
to military, counter-terrorism, and law-enforcement capacity-
building, as well as public diplomacy and information
operations.
In East Africa, the committee continued its oversight of
the Department's efforts to counter threats and to prevent
transnational attacks on the United States, its allies and
partners, or its interests. In particular, the committee
remained focused on the security situation in the Federal
Republic of Somalia, U.S. support to African Union in Somalia
(AMISOM) forces, inter-agency coordination, and the development
of Somali forces to provide for Somalia's security. Moreover,
the committee continued to monitor the ideological, strategic,
and operational coordination and conflict between Horn of
Africa groups, such as Al Shabaab, and other terrorist
organizations. In March 2018, Chairman William M. ``Mac''
Thornberry visited the region to conduct oversight of
Department of Defense activities. The National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91)
specifically required the President to provide a strategy to
achieve long-term security and stability in Somalia. The
committee remains concerned about the ability of the Combined
Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's (CJTF-HOA) ability to execute
assigned missions and taskings. In H. Rept. 115-676, the
committee directed the Department to monitor and evaluate the
impact of CJTF-HOA's activities to counter violent extremism in
Africa and provide a report to Congress. Additionally, in the
conference report (H. Rept. 115-874) accompanying the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019,
the conferees directed the Department to provide a briefing on
the Chinese military installation in the Republic of Djibouti.
In West Africa, the committee continued its oversight of
the Department's efforts to counter threats throughout the
region. In particular, the committee focused on threats
emanating from the Republic of Mali and in the Lake Chad Basin
region. Following the October 4, 2017, attack resulting in the
death of four American soldiers, the committee received an
update on military operations in Niger, and received a
classified briefing from Department of Defense officials on May
7, 2018, entitled ``Investigation of the October 4, 2017 Attack
in Niger.'' The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) required the
Department to submit a report on its missions, operations, and
activities in Niger. The committee also paid attention to the
continuing ideological, strategic, and operational evolution of
organizations such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko
Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province, and also
explored the geographic overlap and operational interaction
with other terrorist groups on the continent. Public Law 115-91
specifically required the President to provide a strategy to
improve defense institutions and security sector forces in
Nigeria.
In Central Africa, the committee conducted oversight of the
Department of Defense's activities to transition its support of
the Uganda Peoples' Defense Force and other national militaries
to counter the Lord's Resistance Army and apprehend or remove
Joseph Kony.
Central and South America
The committee continued to oversee the programs and
policies of the Department of Defense related to Central and
South America. In particular, the committee maintained
oversight of programs relating to the Republic of Colombia and
the Northern Triangle of Central America, including the
Republic of Honduras, the Republic of Guatemala and the
Republic of El Salvador. The committee paid particular
attention to how violence related to transnational organized
crime affected security and stability in the region. The
committee hosted discussions with U.S. military commanders and
foreign ambassadors to better understand the regional security
environment, the budget and priorities of U.S. Southern
Command, and key regional developments including the
implementation of the peace process in Colombia.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included the re-authorization of Department
of Defense counter narcotics authorities for Colombia and
authorized additional funding for intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance and resources for U.S. Southern Command.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) required a report on U.S.
Government programs relating to security cooperation with and
assistance to the United Mexican States and a report on
Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador regarding narcotics
trafficking corruption and illicit activities.
Detainee policy and related matters
The committee continued its oversight of detainee policy,
including detainees held at the United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO), as well as detainees held in areas
of operations.
With respect to detainees held at GTMO, the committee
continued to monitor transfer and release policies and
practices, as well as the application of the Military
Commissions Act (Public Law 109-366; Public Law 111-84) that
established the current legal framework governing the operation
of military tribunals to try detainees for war crimes and
codified some of the procedural rights of GTMO detainees. The
chairwoman of the Subcommittee for Oversight and Investigation
led a congressional delegation of nine other committee members
to Joint Task Force-Guantanamo on April 3, 2017, to observe the
detention operations first-hand and to be briefed on the
detention facility's operations. The National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91)
extended until December 31, 2018, prohibitions on the transfer
of GTMO detainees to the United States, the construction or
modification of facilities in the United States to house GTMO
detainees, and the transfer of GTMO detainees to Libya, the
Federal Republic of Somalia, the Syrian Arab Republic, and the
Republic of Yemen. The John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
further extended these provisions until December 31, 2019.
Public Law 115-91 also required a new report on the feasibility
and advisability of expanding the availability of military
commissions proceedings that are made open to the public, and
expressed the sense of Congress that military judges overseeing
GTMO military commissions should consider making arrangements
to take recorded testimony from victims and their families.
The committee received staff-level briefings on the
policies and practices regarding detainees held in areas of
operations.
Cyberwarfare
The committee continued to oversee the changing policy and
authority framework to ensure that cyberwarfare capabilities
can be executed as a standalone capability, or fully integrated
into an operational plan in concert with other conventional
capabilities. The committee worked to ensure that there is a
clear understanding of rules of engagement, as well as how
international legal frameworks, like the laws of war, apply in
these instances. In addition to developing proper funding
authorities that may be required for offensive operations, the
committee oversaw interagency coordination and deconflicting
areas of overlap. The committee increased its oversight on
evolving deterrence concepts and the ways in which cyber may be
changing the traditional understanding of the escalation
ladder. The committee monitored the development of
international norms of behavior and international regulatory
regimes. The committee also increased oversight on clarifying
authorities for use of cyber operations as a traditional
military activity.
Technology Erosion, Technological Superiority, and the Third Offset
Strategy
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
examination of technology trends by nation-states and non-state
actors, the diffusion of technology, and the impact and risk to
U.S. superiority in key warfare domains. The committee
recognizes that U.S. military technological superiority is no
longer assumed, and that investments in new and advanced
capabilities, development of new operating concepts, and
improvements in the agility and adaptability of the Department
of Defense, are required to maintain this superiority.
Through its oversight at the full committee level, and
within the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities,
the committee evaluated the Department's technology initiatives
and investments, including those within the Strategic
Capabilities Office and the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency. The publication of the National Defense Strategy
effectively superseded the Third Offset Strategy. Further, the
departmental reorganization required by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328)
resulted in the Strategic Capabilities Office reporting to the
Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, rather
than directly to the Secretary of Defense. The committee
remains committed to fostering innovative operational concepts
of warfighting throughout the Department. To that end, the
committee included section 217 in the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) to require the Department to retain the key functions of
the Strategic Capabilities Office in the event the office is
terminated.
Additionally, the committee made legislative improvements
to the defense acquisition process and to the organization of
the Department in both the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) and Public Law 115-232
to get new capabilities deployed to the warfighter that better
match the speed of technological change.
Addressing Emerging Threats
Terrorism, unconventional warfare, insurgency, adversarial
use of technology, and weapons of mass destruction
proliferation are some of the emerging threats that challenge
national security, and global peace and stability. These
threats require the Department of Defense to work effectively
and efficiently with other Federal agencies and the governments
of other nations. The committee conducted oversight of numerous
cross-cutting Department of Defense activities central to
addressing these emerging and unforeseen threats, including the
proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons,
counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, security force assistance,
and building partnership capacity.
The committee focused considerable attention on how the
Department of Defense addresses these broad threats in its
strategic planning processes, how resources are arrayed to meet
these threats, and how existing authorities are consistent with
operational requirements and authorized uses of military force.
This included oversight of various unconventional warfare and
sensitive activities authorities and related intelligence
activities. The committee paid particular attention to these
areas during closed, classified briefings, as well as numerous
congressional delegations with members and professional staff.
The Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities paid
particular oversight attention to these areas given the key
role special operations forces play in this area.
Intelligence
In the 115th Congress, the committee examined the
organization, functions, operations, intelligence collection,
and analysis output of the defense intelligence community to
ensure the highest possible quality intelligence support to the
warfighter. The committee considered the organization and
management of the elements of the Department of Defense that
are part of the intelligence community and their roles in the
defense and national intelligence enterprise. In the course of
examining defense intelligence plans, programs and policies,
the committee balanced current threats with the need to rebuild
intelligence capabilities to address potential threats, reform
the defense intelligence enterprise organization to better meet
current and future warfighter requirements, and restore the
decisive advantage defense intelligence provides to commanders
and the policy community. The committee held numerous briefings
on the departmental intelligence requirements, oversight
processes, and resources.
The committee coordinated, when appropriate, with the House
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on intelligence and
counterintelligence matters of the Department of Defense, and
intelligence and counterintelligence activities of the
Department of Energy in the course of oversight of the
intelligence community and the authorization of appropriations
for intelligence activities shared by the two committees. The
committee held numerous briefings on current intelligence,
including briefings on counterintelligence operations and
current intelligence topics such as the People's Republic of
China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran,
and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Security cooperation
The committee conducted oversight of security cooperation
and building partner capacity (BPC) programs in the 115th
Congress. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328) contained comprehensive reform
of the authorities, funding, programs, and oversight of
security cooperation. The committee monitored and evaluated the
implementation of these security cooperation reforms, both
during the development of guidance through the initial
congressional notification process and while the programs were
in progress, to ensure they were properly executed and
consistent with national security objectives. An area of
particular interest was the Department of Defense's adoption of
best practices for monitoring and evaluation. The John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232) increased the funding for assessment,
monitoring, and evaluation programs from $6.0 million to $12.0
million, demonstrating the committee's continued interest in
the proper execution of security cooperation programs.
In Public Law 115-232, the committee required a report on
the use of security cooperation authorities to counter malign
influence campaigns by strategic competitors and other state
actors that are directed at allied and partner countries and
that pose a significant threat to the national security of the
United States, and required the Department to conduct a legal
and policy review of advise, assist, and accompany missions.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) and Public Law 115-232 continued to advance
the reforms initiated in Public Law 114-328, including
provisions to require the Department of Defense to update
relevant guidance for the use of the security cooperation
information system. Public Law 115-232 also increased the
threshold for small-scale construction under security
cooperation activities to $1.5 million and required additional
notification for small-scale construction over $750,000. The
committee will continue to conduct oversight of security
cooperation programs and funding to ensure the Department of
Defense appropriately institutes the reforms included in Public
Law 114-328.
Related to security cooperation, the committee also
conducted oversight of the parts of the Foreign Military Sales
(FMS) program that are executed by the Department of Defense.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations aided efforts
to evaluate the Foreign Military Sales process. On March 9,
2017, the subcommittee convened in closed session for a
briefing titled ``Update on the Defense Security Cooperation
Agency's Initiatives to Improve the Foreign Military Sales
Process''. Subjects covered included the status of improvements
being implemented by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency
(DSCA) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of foreign
military sales. In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676)
accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019, the committee noted concerns raised by U.S. military
leaders, the defense industry, and foreign partners that the
FMS process is slow, cumbersome, and overly complicated, and
directed the Department to conduct an audit regarding
Department of Defense implementation of FMS programs. The
committee report also noted the committee's concern that FMS is
not coordinated holistically across the Department to
prioritize resources and effort in support of U.S. national
security objectives and the defense industrial base, and
required the Department to provide a briefing on the procedures
instituted by the Department to integrate FMS and other
security cooperation activities into the planning process for
defense acquisition. The committee report further noted the
need for the Department to support foreign partners'
acquisition of non-standard articles. Additionally, the
committee received numerous other staff-level briefings on the
FMS program.
Countering unmanned aircraft systems
The committee continued to assess the threat posed by the
growing concern and numerous documented incidents regarding the
nefarious and illicit use of unmanned aircraft systems against
Department of Defense personnel, facilities, and assets at
locations within the continental United States.
In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018 (Public Law 115-91), the committee leveraged section 1697
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
(Public Law 114-328) which established initial Counter Unmanned
Aircraft System (CUAS) authority for the Department in section
130(i) of title 10, United States Code. In Public Law 115-91,
the committee expanded which security force officials within
the Department are authorized to employ CUAS capabilities
(i.e., Government civilians employed with responsibility for
providing security); bolstered Department and Federal Aviation
Administration collaboration for National Airspace
deconfliction and operations related to the employment of CUAS
capabilities; integrated constitutional 4th amendment
protections to protect the privacy of U.S. citizens; expanded
Department of Defense mission areas by six categories in which
the Department could deploy and employ CUAS capabilities; and
increased congressional oversight mechanisms by requiring the
annual submission of detailed budget justification and for
Department officials to provide semi-annual briefings to the
relevant committees of jurisdiction pertaining to CUAS
authority.
The committee continued rigorous oversight of how CUAS
authority is implemented and executed through semi-annual
mandated briefings with the Department of Defense and all
relevant stakeholders. The committee continued to ensure that
the Department's CUAS authority is sufficient, relevant, and
appropriately scoped to defend against the growing threat that
nefarious and illicit use of unmanned aircraft systems pose
against Department of Defense personnel, facilities, and assets
both at home and abroad.
AGILITY, EFFICIENCY, AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Overview
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued to emphasize
defense reform to create greater agility, accountability, and
responsiveness within the Department of Defense and to get more
value for the taxpayer dollar. The committee monitored the
implementation of the significant body of legislation contained
in both the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2016 (Public Law 114-92) and the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328) covering:
acquisition; compensation and benefits (including healthcare
and commissaries); the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and
personnel, organization and management. This oversight resulted
in further refinements to these reforms, contained in both the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public
Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232).
In addition, the committee reformed the management of most
Defense Agencies and Field Activities, known as the ``Fourth
Estate'', primarily by empowering the Chief Management Officer
of the Department to rationalize backroom functions of these
agencies. The committee also made further improvements in
defense acquisition. The Fourth Estate reforms were contained
in Public Law 115-232 while acquisition reforms were contained
in both Public Law 115-91 and Public Law 115-232.
The committee conducted numerous hearings and briefings;
engaged experts from across defense, academia, and the private
sector; traveled to military installations, industry
facilities, and other relevant sites; and conducted independent
research and analysis to develop these reforms.
Organization and Management of the Department of Defense
As part of the committee's emphasis on defense reform, it
continued its pursuit of improved management within the
Department of Defense through oversight and legislative action
in the 115th Congress, initially by monitoring the
implementation of legislation contained in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92)
requiring the Department to streamline its management
headquarters and reduce headquarters activities and personnel
and in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2017 (Public Law 114-328). Public Law 114-328 required
significant organizational changes to the Office of the
Secretary of Defense that would elevate research and
engineering, better focus acquisition and sustainment
activities, and improve oversight and management of the
Department's ``Fourth Estate.'' The committee found that
adjustments to these organizational changes were needed and
included them in the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91). The committee made
further adjustments in Public Law 115-91 to streamline
bureaucracy by requiring reduction in the numbers of Assistant
Secretaries of Defense and Deputy Assistant Secretaries of
Defense.
Public Law 115-91 also included provisions that would
provide greater responsibilities to both the Chief Information
Officer and the Chief Management Officer (CMO) of the
Department. In addition, the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
provided the CMO direct responsibility for managing the common
backroom enterprises of the ``Fourth Estate'' to drive
efficiencies in these common functions.
Finally, the committee addressed the ever increasing
backlog and delay in processing background investigations
necessary for security clearances by requiring that the
Department of Defense assume responsibility for all defense
background investigations in Public Law 115-91. Before the
transfer of responsibility, that function was performed by the
Office of Personnel Management.
Acquisition and Regulatory Reform
Acquisition reform overview
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued its ongoing
effort to improve the agility of the Department of Defense
acquisition system and the environment driving program choices
in the Department, industry, and Congress. In undertaking this
effort, the committee continued to solicit input from industry,
academia, the Department, and others. During the 115th
Congress, the committee conducted several hearings, briefings,
and roundtable discussions to receive testimony from key
acquisition leaders and experts, including travel to military
installations, industry facilities, and other relevant sites.
Committee staff traveled to industry and Government locations
in and around Seattle, Washington, to discuss a range of
acquisition policy issues including test and evaluation,
workforce, industrial base, and e-commerce. Committee staff
traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, to visit the Defense
Innovation Unit and other innovation centers. Committee staff
traveled to Arizona State University to discuss innovation and
national security research and training, and to Luke Air Force
Base, Arizona, to gain awareness of F-35 maintenance and supply
issues.
The committee held a hearing entitled ``Assessing Progress
and Identifying Future Opportunities in Defense Reform'' on
April 4, 2017. Witnesses provided their thoughts and
perspectives on future defense reform priorities. The
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations assisted in
defense reform by convening a hearing on April 6, 2017,
entitled ``Evaluating the Defense Contract Auditing Process.''
Witnesses assessed various topics associated with defense
contract auditing, including the pace and schedule of audits,
costs, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency standards and
processes. The committee held a hearing on May 17, 2017, to
receive the initial report of the Section 809 Panel on
``Streamlining and Improving Defense Acquisition.'' Witnesses
during this hearing provided greater insights on how current
acquisition processes and regulations could be improved.
The committee held a hearing on March 7, 2018, with the
three military service acquisition executives on ``Assessing
Military Service Acquisition Reform.'' Witnesses described how
the military services have employed the authorities recently
enacted to streamline acquisition and increase innovation. The
full committee held a hearing on March 20, 2018, with the
secretaries of the military departments on ``Assessing the
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request and Acquisition Reform
Progress.'' Witnesses addressed the use by the services of the
reforms enacted in statute to delegate additional acquisition
authorities to the military services. The committee held a
hearing on April 17, 2018, entitled ``Promoting the Department
of Defense's Culture of Innovation.'' Witnesses provided
insights into how the Department, faced with complex threats to
the nation's security and rising peer competitors, can remain
on the cutting edge of rapidly evolving technologies and tap
into innovative solutions.
The committee addressed several identified systemic
weaknesses and sponsored other acquisition reform initiatives
in a stand-alone reform bill, H.R. 2511, ``Defense Acquisition
Streamlining and Transparency Act'', which contained several
provisions ultimately enacted in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91). The
committee detailed additional measures to increase statutory
streamlining, acquisition agility, and private sector
participation in a discussion draft entitled ``Accelerating the
Pace of Acquisitions Reform Act of 2018.'' Provisions from this
draft were ultimately enacted in the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232).
Acquisition policy and issues
The committee believes that modern procurement practices
offer opportunities to greatly streamline the way the
Government buys goods. The Department of Defense is statutorily
required to conduct market research, competition, and price
comparisons prior to purchasing products. The resultant
processes, however, are onerous and time consuming. Even
procuring simple products often entails market research,
issuing requests for information, detailed requirements
development, and evaluation of in-depth proposals. Extensive
auditing further delays contracting, with the Defense Contract
Audit Agency taking an average of 885 days to complete the
incurred cost audits they finalized in fiscal year 2016.
The committee also noted that enhanced incentives are
needed in the planning for acquisition of major weapon systems
and contracted services. It is widely acknowledged that the
defense acquisition system incentivizes near-term cost,
schedule, and performance tradeoffs. However, engineering
decisions that reduce early program costs often result in
higher sustainment expenses over the long term. Seeking to
acquire broad intellectual property rights to mitigate
sustainment costs can be cost-prohibitive and deter some of the
most innovative contractors from bidding on defense programs.
Not acquiring enough technical data, however, can reduce
subsequent competition and increase sustainment costs. The
Department is typically disadvantaged in negotiations for
technical data, as it possesses too few people who fully
understand intellectual property laws and often negotiates for
technical data too late to use competition to secure better
pricing. Similarly, requirements for contracted services often
are specified too late, which impedes the acquisition community
from designing cost-effective contracts before the date of
need. Subsequent contracting reviews typically focus on
contract actions rather than underlying requirements, which
precludes more thorough strategic acquisition and workforce
planning. Attempts to make cost-effective, strategic decisions
regarding the procurement of services are limited further by a
lack of available information. While the Department currently
obligates more than half of its total contract obligations on
contracted services, there is little awareness at the
enterprise level of the services being acquired and even less
insight into the services that may need to be acquired in the
future.
The committee has long supported a highly skilled and
accountable workforce as a cornerstone of the acquisition
system. While the Department has made substantial strides in
increasing the size of its acquisition workforce, concerns
remain across several key career fields. Challenges persist in
recruiting, developing, and retaining experienced program
managers for major defense acquisition programs. Program
manager training focuses more on the acquisition process than
on technical expertise, business acumen, or knowledge of
industry operations. Program manager progression is impaired by
a lack of clear career paths and incentives. Military program
managers continue to fall short of tenure requirements due to
military promotion processes. Workforce shortages and potential
skill gaps also remain in other acquisition career fields,
including contracting, business, and auditing--three priority
career fields that have not met growth goals in recent years.
The committee continues to believe that maintaining flexibility
for the Department's utilization of the Defense Acquisition
Workforce Development Fund would help address these shortages.
The committee is concerned over a lack of transparency
because the Department lags well behind the private sector in
effectively incorporating enterprise-wide data analyses into
decision-making and oversight. Indeed, RAND found in 2015 that
``institutional structure and bureaucratic incentives to
restrict data access are exacerbated by policy and guidance to
protect information. The result is a strong conservative bias
in labeling and a reluctance to share.'' The committee
therefore believes that a statutory requirement that the Office
of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, and the military
departments be given access to business system data is
necessary to overcome institutional and cultural barriers to
information sharing. The committee further believes that to
bring about this significant culture change, it is necessary to
assign responsibility at the highest levels of the Department
for creating and maintaining common enterprise data.
The committee continued its work to improve various
elements of the current acquisition system and incorporated
several provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) aimed at addressing the above issues. Provisions
of note in Public Law 115-91 and Public Law 115-232 include:
(1) Use of commercial e-commerce portals: Public Law 115-91
authorized the U.S. Government (to include the Department of
Defense) to buy commercial-off-the-shelf-items through the same
online marketplaces that businesses use to acquire goods.
Marketplaces would provide a dynamic selection of products from
numerous suppliers, ensure the Department receives competitive
market prices for products, provide procurement oversight
controls and near real-time transparency into items purchased,
and enable screening of vendors and products to ensure
compliance with suspension and debarment, domestic sourcing,
and related statutes. The General Services Administration was
directed to manage this program.
(2) Commercial item procurement reform: The definition of
commercial items throughout the United States Code has become
inconsistent, with 40 disparate definitions. In addition,
commercial item definitions do not appropriately take into
account the differences between products and services. Public
Law 115-232 separated the definition of commercial items into
commercial products and commercial services to increase clarity
and consistency.
(3) Repeal of outdated and obsolete procurement statutes:
Based on the initial report of the Section 809 Panel
(``Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations''),
overly restrictive regulations were identified as potential
candidates for repeal as they often impede the Department's
ability to acquire goods and services in an agile and efficient
manner. Two statutes (the 20-year limitation on defense fuel
storage contracts and the requirement to accept/dispense dollar
coins at government business operations) were repealed in
Public Law 115-91 and established the precedent for future
streamlining efforts in the acquisition code.
(4) Restructure of the United States Code: The body of law
that establishes the acquisition code in title 10, United
States Code, has become cumbersome and overly complex. Public
Law 115-232 provided for a historic clarification of the
acquisition process by restructuring the United States Code to
logically assemble all acquisition-related statutes in one
place for the first time since 1947. It also repealed dozens of
additional obsolete provisions of law, prescriptive statutory
requirements for positions and offices, and outdated reporting
requirements.
(5) Reform of the defense contract audit process: Two
primary types of audits are used to ensure that the prices
contractors charge the Government are fair and reasonable:
forward-pricing (before the work is performed); and incurred
cost (after the work is performed). The current Defense
Contract Audit Agency's audits of incurred costs are slow,
time-consuming, and often generate little value to the
taxpayer. Public Law 115-91 raised materiality standards for
incurred cost audits to avoid spending time and resources on
low-value auditing and allowed acquisition officials to choose
either the Defense Contract Audit Agency or a qualified private
auditor to conduct incurred cost audits, which would be
required to be completed within 1 year.
(6) Empowerment of better decision making: The Department
lags well behind the private sector in using enterprise-wide
data analyses for decision-making and in sharing information
among stakeholders to ensure effective program management and
oversight. To move the Department forward in this area, several
provisions were included in Public Law 115-91 to reform the
acquisition of services and empower data-driven decisions
through common enterprise data and increasing transparency.
(7) Early Investments in Acquisition programs: The defense
acquisition system incentivizes near-term cost, schedule, and
performance tradeoffs to the detriment of long-term sustainment
costs. However, more than 70 percent of the life-cycle costs of
a weapon system are incurred in the operation and sustainment
of the weapon. To alter these incentives, provisions in Public
Law 115-91 emphasized reliability and maintainability early in
the process, required earlier intellectual property decisions,
and increased the focus on developmental testing.
(8) Strengthening the Accountability and
Professionalization of the Acquisition Workforce: A highly-
skilled and accountable workforce is a cornerstone of the
acquisition system. While the Department has made substantial
strides in increasing the size of its acquisition workforce,
concerns remain across several key career fields. Public Law
115-91 included provisions intended to improve career paths and
incentives for civilian program managers and enhance training
of the acquisition workforce.
Financial Management
The Comptroller General of the United States has
consistently identified the Department of Defense's financial
management as a high-risk area since 1995. The Department's
inability to track and account for taxpayer dollars and
tangible assets continues to undermine its financial management
systems. It also creates a lack of transparency that
significantly limits congressional oversight.
In recognition of the Department deeming itself ready for
audit by the statutory deadline of September 30, 2017, as
mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84), the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91)
modified the reporting requirements to no longer focus on audit
readiness. Instead, the Department must be prepared to act upon
future audit findings. Therefore, future requirements will
focus on the remediation of those audit findings. The
Department is well aware that problems exist within financial
management and is looking to the audit to determine where those
shortfalls exist so that they may correct those internal
processes. The committee will review the results of the
execution of this initial Department-wide audit of full
financial statements. These results will be provided to
Congress no later than March 31, 2019, as mandated by the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public
Law 113-66).
Civilian Personnel
The committee continued oversight of the Department of
Defense's human capital program, with particular emphasis on
Federal civilian personnel. The Department employs more Federal
civilians than any other agency, performing disparate and
essential missions across the globe. The committee sought
continued authority for various workforce shaping measures,
such as direct hire authority and personnel flexibility for
organic industrial base and major test and range facilities.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included several new authorities intended
to address workforce gaps. These included direct hire authority
for child care employees; business transformation and
management innovation experts; financial management experts;
and a pilot program to assess better ways to manage cyber
security and legal professionals.
Concerned about skill depletion in public shipyards and
aviation depots and the consequent effect on readiness, the
committee provided the Secretary of Defense expanded direct
hire authority for these facilities in the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232). Public Law 115-232 also provided direct hire
authority for cybersecurity positions, science and engineering
positions in major test and range facilities, and many
positions in the acquisition workforce, as well as expanded the
Department's direct hire authority for new graduates. These new
authorities are temporary, expiring in 2025. Public Law 115-232
contained several provisions streamlining civilian personnel
management across the Federal Government, and included a
provision that would provide the Department the authority to
appoint up to 50 executives per year to Senior Executive
Service positions without reference to the Office of Personnel
Management.
READINESS
Manpower Sufficient in Quantity and Quality to Meet Global Commitments
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued to
assess the basic question: What does the Nation need in terms
of the quantity and quality of manpower to meet its current and
future global military commitments and defense strategy without
undue risk to the Nation? In this context, the fiscal year 2018
budget request proposed to stop the reductions to the end
strengths of the Army and the Marine Corps while increasing the
end-strengths of the Air Force and Navy. During the second
session of the 115th Congress, the intense oversight of the
increased end strength requests and the quality of the accessed
manpower continued as the President's budget request for fiscal
year 2019 put all the military services on a path of manpower
growth to meet the new National Defense Strategy. The committee
expressed its concern with personnel retention and recruiting
efforts in light of the fact that the military services remain
fully engaged in stability operations in the Islamic Republic
of Afghanistan, advisory and training missions in the Republic
of Iraq, engaged with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and
in numerous smaller engagements throughout the world.
Reflecting that concern, the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) not only stopped the
personnel reductions but reversed the downward trend by
increasing end strength beyond the 2018 budget request for the
Army Active and Reserve components and the Marine Corps, based
on unfunded requirement requests from the Army and the Marine
Corps. As the Administration requested increased service end
strength to meet the National Defense Strategy, the committee
supported the increased growth. Accordingly, the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) authorized continued end strength growth for all
the military services. The committee remained concerned with
the recruiting efforts, especially by the Army, and the quality
of the recruits needed to fulfill the increased end-strength
requirements, and maintained close scrutiny of the increased
accessions.
The committee also provided oversight of military manpower
levels and force structure to ensure the quantity and quality
continue to meet service requirements in support of the
National Military Strategy. On May 17, 2017, and April 13,
2018, the Subcommittee on Military Personnel held hearings on
military personnel posture to express these concerns and
question the military service personnel chiefs on their plans
for the personnel end-strength increases for fiscal years 2018
and 2019, respectively. The ability of the Army to recruit
sufficient numbers of qualified individuals continued to be of
concern to the committee in light of the fiscal year 2018
recruiting shortfalls. Further, aggressive oversight of Army
marketing and recruiting continued throughout calendar year
2018. This oversight is expected to continue into the 116th
Congress.
The Air Force pilot shortage persisted as a long-term
concern of the committee, and on March 29, 2017, the
Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing on the Air
Force pilot shortage with testimony from the military service
personnel chiefs. Regular briefings to the subcommittee staff
by the Air Force Aircrew Crisis Task Force continued through
the second session of the 115th Congress.
Subcommittee staff also visited multiple Air Force and Navy
aviation units throughout 2017 and 2018 to garner direct
feedback from aircrew and supporting service members on their
views of their service attempts to stem the pilot shortages.
The committee expects this extensive oversight of service pilot
shortages to continue through the 116th Congress. The committee
oversight focused on whether the Active, Guard, and Reserve
Forces have sufficient manpower levels to sustain varying
scales of activation, while maintaining deployment ratios at or
above Department of Defense objectives. Within this focus, the
committee examined trends in overall total force structure
requirements, end strength, recruiting, retention, morale,
benefits, and compensation to maintain necessary end strength
levels.
Force Readiness
The committee continued its emphasis on force readiness as
one of its highest priorities. The committee reviewed the
Department of Defense's early assessment of the poor state of
readiness across the military services and conducted numerous
hearings and briefings to understand specific readiness
problems, underlying causes, solutions, and time needed to
remediate. Witnesses emphasized that the readiness picture will
not improve without a lessening of global demand for forces; an
increase in high demand capabilities; and increased, sustained,
predictable funding. Ongoing conflicts and the continued pace
of deterrence and assurance operations continued to stress all
elements of the force and major weapons systems.
The committee took particular interest in the operation of
the Navy's forward deployed naval forces, after 4 accidents
involving ships of the Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan,
occurred in 2017, killing 17 Sailors in 2 of the collisions.
The committee conducted several oversight hearings and
briefings in an effort to learn the causes of these failures
and how they can be avoided in the future.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) directed that the Department of Defense
resume responsibility for background investigations for
Department of Defense personnel and defense contractors. The
committee conducted several hearings and briefings to monitor
progress and ensure that Department of Defense management of
the program will improve processing time.
The committee also devoted considerable attention to the
backlogs existing in the four public naval shipyards, requiring
an extensive review by the Navy and receiving multiple
briefings. The committee remains concerned that inadequate
shipyard capacity needlessly extends a ship's time in the yard,
further stressing the operational fleet. Further, the committee
continued its oversight of the Department of Defense's efforts
to restore readiness in key combat support areas such as
logistics, prepositioned stocks, and contracted service
support.
The committee included several provisions to improve
readiness oversight in the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232).
These provisions addressed deficiencies in naval surface
forces; required reporting of readiness by the military
services to operate in the cyber and space domains; required
regular assessments by the combatant commanders of their
ability to conduct operations across the domains of air,
ground, sea, cyber, and space; and required the Comptroller
General of the United States to provide periodic assessments of
the Department's readiness across these five warfighting
domains.
Maintenance and training
Both maintenance and training have suffered in each of the
military services under the funding limits imposed by the
Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25) and sustained
high operational tempo. The committee appreciated that
readiness recovery across the Department has commenced with the
increased funding provided by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-123), with a focus on improving readiness in
capabilities needed to execute the National Defense Strategy.
As noted in the discussions below, the committee examined
relevant training and maintenance issues in each of the
military services, with special emphasis on aviation readiness
and surface ship maintenance and repair. Both of these areas
have fallen far behind in necessary maintenance and will take
some years to recover. The added funds provided during the
115th Congress allowed readiness recovery to begin in all
military services, but sustained effort and funding is needed
to complete the task. In addition, the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) established a National Commission on Military Aviation
Safety to review military aviation mishaps, provide an
assessment of causal factors, and make recommendations aimed at
reducing the number of aviation mishaps.
Marine Corps readiness
The committee remains concerned that sustained high
operational tempo over the course of the past decade, as well
as a lack of consistent and adequate funding levels from the
Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25), have resulted
in insufficient time and resources to adequately repair and
refit Marine Corps aircraft and combat vehicles to achieve
required readiness. Therefore, the committee provided oversight
to Marine Corps personnel end strength requirements, skill set
densities, equipment modernization, and operation and
maintenance accounts as they each contribute significantly to
the overall service readiness recovery plans. The committee
assessed whether the Marine Corps readiness recovery efforts
were realistic, adequately manned and resourced, and focused on
adversarial pacing threats. In particular, the committee looked
closely at the readiness of deployed forces as well as the
next-to-deploy units, whose readiness is often sacrificed in
order to prepare and properly man, train, and equip the
deployed force. Finally, committee oversight of Marine Corps
aviation readiness, maintenance, and training plans was a top
priority. Marine Corps aviation mishap trends generate
recurring concern that multiple readiness causal factors are
contributing to these unfortunate and costly incidents. Of
particular concern was the lack of cumulative flying time for
Marine Corps aviators, whose skills were in danger of
atrophying due to lack of flight training hours caused in large
part by the lack of availability of aircraft due to maintenance
backlogs residing both at the operational squadron level as
well as at the Fleet Readiness Center depot level. The
committee conducted several hearings and briefings which
addressed Marine Corps amphibious readiness, aviation
readiness, and training readiness issues. The National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) as
well as the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) directed specific
resources for training opportunities, spare parts, and ground
and aircraft depot maintenance in an attempt to address the
backlog of maintenance requirements.
Army readiness
In repeated testimony and in roundtable discussions with
the committee, senior Army leaders outlined both the importance
and challenges associated with returning to integrated,
combined arms, full spectrum readiness following years of
preparing primarily for counterinsurgency operations in the
Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Army
leaders testified that full spectrum readiness would not be
achieved prior to 2021 and monitoring this steady, continued
progress was a significant focus of committee oversight during
the 115th Congress. The lack of adequate and consistent funding
resulting from the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-
25) and routinely delayed appropriations caused the Army to
defer equipment maintenance and some collective skills training
opportunities. Accounting for these impacts and aligned
mitigation strategies were part of the committee's oversight
actions.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) as well as the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) directed specific resources for training, spare parts, and
ground and aircraft maintenance, at both the unit level as well
as the depot level in an attempt to address the backlog of
maintenance requirements. In addition, both Public Law 115-91
and Public Law 115-232 funded the maximum number of Army
brigade combat team rotations, for both the Active Duty and
National Guard, feasible through its Combat Training Centers.
This is a crucial requirement for returning to full spectrum
combat operations. In response to committee questions about the
backlog of maintenance requirements, Army leaders noted the
Army's extremely high operational tempo with fewer available
forces. To begin to alleviate this shortfall, Public Law 115-91
authorized higher end strength in each Army component. The
committee continued oversight of both the notable increase in
presence as well as partner capacity through training
opportunities in Eastern Europe as a result of European
Deterrence Initiative. The committee received briefings and
provided oversight on other Army-led training initiatives such
as Pacific Pathways and the Regionally Aligned Force in U.S.
Africa Command. The committee remained particularly interested
in oversight of the manning, training, equipping, and inaugural
deployment of the Army's Security Force Assistance Brigade to
Afghanistan.
Navy readiness
The committee held 10 briefings and hearings during the
115th Congress on the readiness of the Navy, the enabling
capabilities that support readiness, and the tragic collisions
of 2017 that killed 17 sailors. The Navy continues to struggle
to rebuild readiness in aviation, amphibious operations,
submarines, and surface ships for several reasons.
Naval operations are hampered by a lack of spare parts,
insufficient manning, and inexperienced manning. Aircraft
availability continues to be a problem, caused by lengthy
repair time in the depot or delay in receiving parts from the
supply chain. To meet the operational demand for deployed air
wings, serviceable aircraft are taken from the Fleet
Replacement Squadron's training aircraft fleet, affecting pilot
training. Submarine availability is similarly limited by years
of deferred maintenance, an aging and shrinking fleet, and a
lack of available spare parts. The surface warfare fleet has
similar challenges, exacerbated by the long-term loss of the
USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain.
The committee remained concerned that the Navy does not
utilize all available authorities to rebuild readiness nor
utilize capacity in the commercial shipyard sector when funding
is available. The committee requested two Congressional Budget
Office studies to review specific concerns in Naval Readiness
including, ``Comparing the Costs of Submarine Maintenance at
Public and Private Shipyard'' and ``An Analysis of the Navy's
Fiscal Year 2019 Shipbuilding Plan'' to assess the loss of
operational days for naval assets awaiting planned maintenance
and schedule repair. The committee received the Navy's shipyard
infrastructure report, which was directed by the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91). That report identified over $21.0 billion of investment in
infrastructure and capital equipment required to restore the
public shipyards' ability to meet operational needs.
In 2017, the Navy experienced four significant incidents
involving surface ships in the Western Pacific: the USS
Antietam (January 2017), USS Lake Champlain (May 2017), USS
Fitzgerald (June 2017), and the USS John S. McCain (August
2017). Collectively these events illustrated the erosion of
readiness in naval surface warfare and challenges with the
organizational culture of the surface warfare community. The
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) directed the Navy to implement a
number of changes to training, career paths, inspections, and
force management. Specifically, Public Law 115-232 sought to
increase transparency with respect to Navy readiness by
requiring the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey inspections
to be conducted on a no-notice basis with unclassified versions
of the report being made available to the public. Public Law
115-232 also directed reviews on whether the Navy should
establish separate career paths for Surface Warfare Officers
and directed the Navy to provide a plan that provides for clear
chains of command for operations, for building readiness, and
for shipyard maintenance.
Air Force readiness
Air Force readiness recovery factors are a product of
pilots, aircraft availability, and timing; only when squadrons
have sufficient pilots, aircraft and time to train can they
build a cohesive fighting formation. The Air Force is
challenged in each of these areas. Consequently, readiness
recovery remains difficult. Low aircraft availability is driven
by shortfalls in spare parts, inexperienced maintenance
personnel, and increased global demand for Air Force squadrons.
Low aircraft availability creates a domino effect on Air Force
readiness and prevents pilots and trainees from completing
necessary training, qualification, and certification
milestones. Despite continued attention, the Air Force pilot
shortfall has persisted at approximately 2,000 pilots for the
last 2 years. The committee remains concerned that the Air
Force has been unable to halt pilot attrition. Although the Air
Force is making strides in improving aircraft availability and
mission capability rates across the force, the insufficient
number of pilots affects all levels of Air Force operations
including training squadron instructors, major staff support,
and maintenance planning.
During the 115th Congress, the committee conducted several
hearings on Air Force readiness and military aviation readiness
across all military services addressing these issues. In
addition, the committee conducted a number of member and staff
briefings on Air Force readiness, including a briefing on F-35
sustainment.
In support of Air Force readiness recovery efforts, the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included additional resources
for key readiness accounts connected with weapon system
sustainment. In addition, Public Law 115-232 included a
reporting requirement on specialized undergraduate pilot
training production, resourcing, and locations related to Air
Force efforts to generate additional qualified pilots.
Weapon systems life-cycle sustainment and reset
Design decisions made during weapons system development can
create sustainment problems that drive costly depot-level
maintenance once the system is fielded. The committee focused
on reducing the total-ownership costs of weapon systems and
equipment by ensuring the Department of Defense is developing,
procuring, and modernizing weapon systems and equipment with
consideration of life-cycle support and sustainment
requirements and cost. In its oversight of the Department's
life-cycle sustainment efforts, the committee monitored the
implementation of section 2337 of title 10, United States Code,
which requires that each major weapon system be supported by a
product support manager and section 832 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81),
which requires additional visibility of the operation and
support of major weapon systems.
The committee also held the Department accountable for
improving its estimations of total weapon system life-cycle
costs to better inform sustainment strategies, such as the cost
effectiveness of acquiring technical data from original
equipment manufacturers to allow future changes in sustainment
path. Furthermore, the committee continued its oversight of the
Department's corrosion control efforts and monitored resourcing
of corrosion prediction and prevention efforts with a focus on
increasing the service life of weapon systems while reducing
long-term sustainment costs. Finally, the committee examined
the military services' reset strategies to repair,
recapitalize, and replace equipment used in ongoing operations,
and also monitored progress toward reconstitution of
prepositioned stocks.
The committee focused on two major areas of particular
concern during the 115th Congress. The first, aviation
readiness and sustainment, continued as a recurring problem in
all military services, hampering readiness. Sustainment costs
for the F-35 were carefully reviewed. The second, Navy surface
ship maintenance and repair, was also a major concern, with
deficiencies in the amphibious fleet affecting Marine Corps
readiness.
Depot, Shipyard, and Arsenal Capability
Our Nation's organic industrial base is vital to achieving
and maintaining warfighting readiness across all domains. The
military services' arsenals, depots, air logistics complexes,
and shipyards provide long-term sustainment through programmed
maintenance and conduct repair and modernization upgrades.
These facilities and their skilled workforce provide a
national-level insurance policy against unforeseen national
strategic contingencies.
The committee held a series of hearings addressing depot
policy and growing concerns related to facilities, personnel
recruitment and retention, work process flow, and equipment
necessary to operate modern industrial facilities. The
committee remains concerned about the current state and future
health of the organic industrial base as a result of an
extended period of fiscal uncertainty and increasing
maintenance and sustainment requirements.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) as well as the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) included several legislative provisions related to
oversight and focused on increasing efficiency within the
organic industrial base. These included a provision that
improves existing biennial reporting requirements on core
depot-level maintenance and repair capabilities and a section
that requires updated guidance for future biennial core
reports. Public Law 115-232 included language that highlighted
the need for improvements relative to additive manufacturing
capabilities and the start of each military service having an
``Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence'' capability.
Public Law 115-91 included a provision that directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report on a comprehensive plan
for the sharing of best practices for depot-level maintenance
among the military services.
Through hearings and oversight, the four public shipyards
operated by the Department of the Navy were found suffering a
shortage of experienced artisans, limitations on industrial
capacity, gaps in infrastructure improvements and a management
strategy to holistically address these gaps. Public Law 115-91
included a provision directing the Department of the Navy to
report its plan to address workload and infrastructure
requirements, a plan to monitor progress, and both workload and
funding management plans for the shipyards.
The committee prioritized organic industrial base oversight
efforts on capital investment in facilities and equipment, the
implementation methodology and use of sustainment concepts such
as performance-based logistics, the role of public-private
partnerships, the use of working capital funds for timely
product improvement, and the military services' logistics
enterprise resource planning systems. The committee emphasized
a greater need and implementation of emerging technologies to
improve management and accountability of spares inventory and
supply chain operations. The committee continued work in both
Public Law 115-91 and Public Law 115-232 to oversee carryover
management at the depots and arsenals, to include the review of
what levels should be acceptable for sufficient continuation of
operations on an annual basis. Finally, the committee included
a provision in Public Law 115-232 that requires carryover
calculations to reflect the usual timing of the receipt of
funding and the disparate repair cycles of supported equipment.
This provision is effective for 3 years.
National Guard and Reserves
The debate regarding force structure mix of Active and
Reserve Components, the proper roles and missions of the
Reserve Components, whether they should be an operational or
strategic reserve, and the affordability of the required force
to meet national security requirements, continued during the
115th Congress. Competition among the Active and Reserve
Components for resources and missions served as a catalyst for
that debate.
During the 115th Congress, the committee reviewed various
recommendations and proposals regarding the National Guard and
Reserves and provided oversight to proposed changes to ensure
the recommendations met the National Military Strategy
requirements, as well as homeland security and disaster
requirements. The committee remained concerned about benefit
parity and included a provision in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) to
equally treat service members called to Active Duty under the
authority of sections 12304a and 12304b of title 10, United
States Code, with regard to pre-mobilization healthcare. To
begin to address other authorization inequities, on December
12, 2017, the staff of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel
received a briefing on the Department's major plan to reform
the Reserve Component duty statuses and began to socialize this
plan for inclusion in the fiscal year 2020 defense
authorization bill.
In addition, the committee continued to provide oversight
of military technicians. Public Law 115-91 further refined the
plan to convert dual-status technicians to title 5 civilians by
reducing the total percentage of conversions from 20 percent to
10 percent. Given the uncertainty of the projected fiscal
environment, the availability of equipment needed to sustain
and modernize the National Guard and Reserve Components for
their operational reserve and domestic support missions remains
a concern. This concern extends to legacy aircraft as part of
the Aerospace Control Alert mission.
The committee also focused oversight efforts on current
equipment investment strategies for the National Guard and
Reserve Components with particular emphasis on affordability
and modernization of critical dual-use equipment platforms that
are essential to the National Guard's title 32, United States
Code, mission and defense support to civil authorities.
Finally, the committee continued to monitor and evaluate the
obligation and execution rates of funds provided as part of a
separate procurement account, entitled the ``National Guard and
Reserve Equipment Account,'' that addresses equipment
shortfalls for the National Guard and Reserve Components.
Energy and Environment
The committee reviewed the energy strategies promulgated by
the Department of Defense and monitored the Department's energy
use on military installations. Reduction of energy demand
through cost-effective investments was a priority. The
committee urged the military services to avoid proposed
investments that demonstrated a simple return on investment but
failed to enhance mission assurance, readiness, or combat
capability. To that end, the National Defense Authorization for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) included legislative
changes to increase the Department of Defense's efforts to
address energy resiliency and energy security of military
installations in the United States and overseas. Public Law
115-91 also included legislative changes to strengthen the
Department of Defense's ability to assess off-installation
energy projects through the existing Siting Clearinghouse
process and better collaborate with the Federal Aviation
Administration to mitigate potential encroachment and impacts
to military testing, training, and operations.
In addition, the committee continued its oversight of the
Department of Defense and military services' environmental
programs and monitored Department of Defense funding and
adherence to Federal, State, and local requirements for
cleanup, compliance, and pollution prevention. To address the
challenges posed by emergent contaminants, such as
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFOS/PFOA), Public Law 115-91
authorized $72.0 million above the budget request to support
environmental response at current and former military
installations affected by PFOS/PFOA, required the Department of
Defense to work with the Department of Health and Human
Services on a study on the health implications of PFOS/PFOA,
and required a report on alternatives to firefighting foam that
contain PFOS/PFOA. Public Law 115-91 also included a provision
expressing the sense of Congress that climate change is a
direct threat to national security and required the Secretary
of Defense to submit a report on vulnerabilities to military
installations and combatant commander requirements resulting
from climate change.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) reinforced the
committee's emphasis on the Department of Defense's strategic
approaches to energy use on military installations, requiring
the military departments to perform mission assurance and
readiness assessments of energy power systems that support
critical mission infrastructure. Additionally, Public Law 115-
232 encourages development of geothermal resources on military
installations by designating 50 percent of proceeds from energy
sales of electrical energy generated from a geothermal resource
for use at the military installation in which the geothermal
energy resource is located.
The ongoing challenge of mitigating PFOS/PFOA contamination
in drinking water supplies was addressed in Public Law 115-232
by modifying provisions of Public Law 115-91 to clarify the
source and increase funding for the health study and assessment
of these contaminants. Public Law 115-232 also requires the
Secretary of Defense to provide a plan that identifies
remediation actions the Department of Defense plans to
undertake once the Environmental Protection Agency establishes
a maximum contaminant level. The committee furthermore provided
a sense of Congress stating that the Department of Defense and
the Armed Forces should expedite and streamline cleanup at
installation restoration program sites and munitions response
sites where contamination is having a direct impact on civilian
access to clean drinking water.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Basing
As the Department of Defense is undergoing a significant
change in force structure both in the United States and
overseas, the committee reviewed all significant domestic and
overseas basing and stationing proposals to ensure that these
proposals included adequate construction funding and long-term
sustainment resources.
The committee continued discussions with the Department of
Defense and the military departments on excess infrastructure
capacity associated with military installations, including
proposed courses of action for consolidation. The committee
conducted numerous engagements with the military departments
seeking to define the force structure required to fulfill the
national military strategy versus current or legacy unit sizes,
locations, and configurations. The National Defense Strategy
published in January 2018 prompted the committee to review the
adequacy of available installations in the United States and
overseas to support the strategy.
With respect to excess infrastructure capacity, the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232) authorized the Secretary of Defense to
carry out the realignment or closure of a military installation
if the Secretary of Defense and the Governor of a State, along
with corresponding units of local government in which the
installation is located, agree to the proposed realignment or
closure. Public Law 115-232 also included a provision requiring
an updated force structure plan tied to infrastructure
capabilities for each of the military services that considers
probable threats alongside updated end-strength levels.
Military Construction Programming and Facilities Sustainment
The committee reviewed the Department of Defense's military
construction program with respect to the overall capacity of
the Department's infrastructure and prudent long-term military
construction investment strategies. Recognizing the rapid
change in weapon systems and missions in comparison to the
timeline to plan, program, and execute new military
construction, the committee engaged with the Department to seek
more opportunities to construct flexible facilities rather than
traditional purpose-built (i.e., single mission) facilities
where practical and cost-effective. The committee sought to
improve the Department's investment strategy in facility
sustainment, restoration, and modernization, with respect to
the Department's utilization of new authorities provided in the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public
Law 114-92) related to the conversion of existing facilities
and investments in infrastructure supporting research,
development, test, and evaluation activities.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included legislative changes to increase
the threshold under the unspecified minor construction
authorities, provide additional flexibility to use operation
and maintenance funding to replace facilities damaged by
natural disasters or acts of terrorism, and require the
submission of an annual report on the unfunded requirements for
laboratory military construction projects.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included authority to use
amounts made available for research, development, test, and
evaluation (RDT&E) to obtain architectural and engineering
services in connection with RDT&E military construction
projects executed under the Defense Laboratory Modernization
Program, (authorized under section 2803 of Public Law 114-92).
In addition, Public Law 115-232 included a provision enabling
the secretary of a military department to carry out additional
military construction projects to enhance force protection and
safety on military installations.
In addition to conducting annual budget hearings on the
Department's military installation and environment programs,
the committee held two hearings on the readiness, performance,
and overall viability of shipyards, depots and defense organic
industrial base organizations which are considered critical to
the sustainment of the armed services. The hearings assessed
the health and readiness of the 17 major industrial
installations with respect to depot infrastructure condition,
resiliency, and configuration. While the Navy has made progress
developing a long-term facility recapitalization master plan
for its four shipyards, the affordability of these plans is in
question. The Army and Air Force have yet to develop an
infrastructure reset strategy, which was the key take away from
the hearing, and will be a focus for oversight in the 116th
Congress.
Real Property Acquisition, Maintenance, and Disposal
The real property management process requires extensive
oversight to maintain almost $879.0 billion in infrastructure
at an annual cost of nearly $37.0 billion. The committee worked
with the military departments to ensure that inadequate asset
visibility, poor requirements development, and project planning
inefficiencies do not result in poorly coordinated investment
decisions and sub-optimal facility construction. The committee
sought to apply best practices across the Department of Defense
in order to efficiently develop and maintain the military
services' ranges, facilities, and infrastructure.
MILITARY PERSONNEL AND HEALTH CARE ISSUES
Military Manpower and Force Structure
Medical accession and retention standards
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
oversight of military medical and behavioral health accession
standards, an issue which directly impacts the readiness of the
force. The Department of Defense is currently conducting an
extensive review and re-drafting of the medical and behavioral
health accession standards. These standards apply to all
individuals applying for military service, and address a broad
range of medical and mental health conditions that disqualify
individuals from serving. The updated standards will also
reflect advances in medical treatment for certain conditions
that were previously disqualifying. Committee staff received
several briefings throughout the 115th Congress regarding these
issues, including a comprehensive briefing on the Army's
decision to delegate medical waiver authorities for accessions.
In February 2018, in furtherance of the Secretary of
Defense's plan to enhance the lethality and readiness of the
force, the Department of Defense implemented a new policy aimed
at ensuring that all service members are deployable. The policy
requires that, with certain exceptions, service members who are
non-deployable for 12 months or more be evaluated for
retention. The committee staff has received briefings from both
the Department of the Defense and the military services on
their implementation plans.
The committee will continue to provide oversight of any
potential changes to the medical and behavioral health
accession standards to ensure they are rooted in sound medical
analysis and that the changes do not compromise force
readiness.
Gender integration
The military services recently opened all military
occupations to women. During the 115th Congress, the committee
continued to provide oversight as the military services
implemented new gender-neutral occupational standards and began
to populate previously closed military occupations with women.
The committee also examined the policies implemented to ensure
proper support, training, assignment, and career advancement
for women entering these career fields, with particular
emphasis on lingering areas of disparate gender treatment, such
as separate male and female portions of basic training in some
services, as well as gender-based physical fitness standards.
As a part of this oversight, committee staff traveled to
several major training installations to observe gender-
integrated training and to learn more about the implementation
of these policy changes.
Military Benefits and Compensation
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued to give
close scrutiny to proposals from both the Department of Defense
and the private sector that called for funding reductions or
changes to military compensation and other benefit programs in
order to ensure any proposed changes thoroughly assess the
impact to the All-Volunteer Force. The committee provided
oversight of the January 2018 implementation of the Blended
Retirement System as authorized in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92), and
the accompanying financial training for service members. To
that end, on March 10, 2017, the Subcommittee on Military
Personnel received an update briefing from the Department of
Defense on the training and implementation status of the
Blended Retirement System. The committee's oversight continued
during the second session of the 115th Congress, as the
military services continued to request to grow their end
strength.
The subcommittee's oversight of pay and allowance issues
led the committee, as part the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91), to recommend no
change to current law, thereby enabling the by-law 2.4 percent
raise in basic pay during calendar year 2018 based on section
1009 of title 37, United States Code. It is the intent of the
underlying law to ensure military pay raises match the rate of
compensation increases in the private sector as measured by the
Employment Cost Index. As part of the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232), the committee again recommended no change to the current
law which resulted in a basic pay increase of 2.6 percent for
2019.
The committee also extended the authorities to pay bonuses
and special pays during fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019,
and monitored the value of those bonuses and special pays to
ensure they were sufficient to achieve the recruiting and
retention objectives for which they were developed. The
committee also included legislation in Public Law 115-91 that
increased the pilot bonus to help to address the Air Force's
pilot shortage. The committee understands and will continue to
monitor the required increases in bonuses and special pays to
enable the military services to continue recruit the quality
force required to meet the National Defense Strategy.
Finally, the committee maintained focus on the Survivor
Benefit Plan (SBP) financial offset from the Dependency and
Indemnity Compensation (DIC). A provision of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-
181) established a Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA)
for surviving spouses who are the beneficiary of the SBP
annuity and have their annuity partially or fully offset by the
DIC. This allowance was due to expire in May 2018. The
committee's oversight in this area led to a permanent extension
of the SSIA in Public Law 115-91 and a continued focus on a
whole of Congress solution for the complete repeal of the SBP
annuity offset by DIC.
Military Health System
The committee is committed to maintaining a robust Military
Health System focused on ensuring the readiness of the force.
To that end, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328) included comprehensive reform of
the Military Health System focused in three areas: medical
readiness, the Military Health System organizational structure,
and the TRICARE benefit. During the 115th Congress, the
committee provided vigorous oversight of the Department of
Defense's progress towards implementing the elements of the
various health care reform efforts.
Mental health and pain management
On April 27, 2017, the Subcommittee on Military Personnel
held a hearing on the current state of Department of Defense
programs for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and
traumatic brain injury. This was followed by a hearing on June
20, 2018, focused on Department of Defense pain management,
opioids, prescription management and reporting transparency.
Both hearings provided an overview of the state of ongoing
research and whether more needs to be done to meet the needs of
service members. With regard to pain management, the committee
heard testimony that provided an overview of the issue of
opioid abuse among service members and the Department's
progress in implementing pain management best practices across
the Military Health System. Additionally, oversight efforts
included reviewing quarterly suicide reports and understanding
the current suicide prevention program capabilities being
administered by the Department of Defense. The committee
provided a 2-year extension of the suicide prevention and
resiliency program for the National Guard and the Reserves in
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91). As a result of this oversight, the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232) contained a provision that requires the
Department of Defense to establish a Military Health System
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program that will share
information with State prescription drug monitoring programs
and requires the Department of Defense to develop a pilot
program on opioid safety.
Wounded warrior care
The committee continued to monitor the adequacy of the
Department of Defense's wounded warrior initiatives. The John
S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2019 (Public Law 115-232) included a provision that requires
the Department of Defense and the military departments to
review and update wounded warrior policies. The committee staff
received briefings on the status of the integrated disability
evaluation system. Additionally, committee staff visited the
Warrior Transition Unit, the William Beaumont Army Medical
Center, and the Soldier Readiness and Resiliency Center at Fort
Bliss, Texas, to understand the capabilities and processes
involved with transitioning service members. Finally, committee
staff visited the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
for a tour and town hall meeting with service members and their
families to obtain a better understanding of the challenges
wounded warriors face.
Military health system reform
The committee continued to build on military health care
reforms introduced in the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328). These oversight
efforts focused on the selection of a new operating model for
the Military Health System (MHS), maintaining inpatient
capabilities at military treatment facilities overseas,
limiting the ability of the Department of Defense to close or
downsize military treatment facilities (MTFs), additional
reorganization within the MHS, changes to the TRICARE benefit,
and implementation of the Department of Defense's Genesis
electronic health record.
The first session of the 115th Congress included oversight
efforts to select and implement a Military Health System
operating model that would reorganize the military department-
based model of military health care to a consolidated operating
model led by the Defense Health Agency. These oversight efforts
included two briefings to the Subcommittee on Military
Personnel, the first on May 25, 2017, and the second on
December 12, 2017. The first briefing focused on the Military
Health System reorganization implementation plan that included
senior principals from the Department of Defense, Joint Staff,
and the military services. The second briefing on December 12,
2017, featured senior civilian leaders from the Department of
Defense and was focused on understanding specific details
related to the Military Health System operating model chosen by
the Department of Defense. The National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) included language
voicing the conferees' concerns with the progress and direction
of the Department with respect to the MHS governing
organization model. MHS reforms continued in section 711 of the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), which requires the Department
of Defense to establish Defense Health Agency Research and
Development and Defense Health Agency Public Health from many
existing military department related organizations and
activities.
The committee remained concerned about the Department of
Defense's plan to close inpatient medical capabilities in
military treatment facilities at installations in Aviano,
Naples, and Sigonella, Italy. Committee staff visited these
locations to understand the impact closures may have on the
readiness of service members and operational plans, as well as
the effect on the local beneficiary population. As a result,
the committee included section 711 in Public Law 115-91 to
require the Department of Defense to maintain inpatient
capabilities at military treatment facilities outside of the
United States until the Department certifies that alternate
civilian facilities meet military treatment facility standards.
Committee staff discussed the potential closure of the Navy
MTFs with the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and
encouraged the Navy to develop a position based on the
operational need and agreement with U.S. European Command.
Additionally, the committee is concerned with Department of
Defense reform efforts that may precipitate closure or
downsizing of MTFs prior to the implementation of the reforms
required by section 702 of Public Law 114-328. Section 711 of
Public Law 115-232 also requires the Department of Defense to
submit a certification report to Congress prior to any
potential MTF closure or downsizing.
The committee also focused oversight efforts on reforms in
Public Law 114-328 to the Department of Defense TRICARE
benefit. These reforms included consolidating TRICARE Standard
and TRICARE Extra into one preferred provider option, TRICARE
Select. The committee staff met with various military and
veterans' service organizations to better understand
beneficiary concerns with changes related to the TRICARE
benefit and also met frequently with the Defense Health Agency.
In addition, committee staff met with Humana and Health Net,
the two managed care support contractors that are administering
the purchased care contracts, to ensure there are mitigation
strategies in place to meet challenges with implementing
changes to the TRICARE program. The Government Accountability
Office completed a study in early 2018 assessing the
effectiveness of the TRICARE Select implementation plan.
Additionally, Public Law 115-232 included section 713 that
consolidates the TRICARE dental program into the Office of
Personnel Management's Federal Employees Dental and Vision
Insurance Program (FEDVIP), as well as section 714, which
streamlines the TRICARE Prime beneficiary referral process.
Finally, the committee provided oversight over the
implementation of the Military Health System Genesis electronic
health record. These efforts included a visit to the
implementation sites in the Pacific Northwest and ongoing
discussions with the Department of Defense and House Committee
on Veterans' Affairs on interoperability of the Genesis system
with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The conference report
(H. Rept. 115-874) accompanying Public Law 115-232 also
included a requirement to provide a corrective action report
following completion of the Department of Defense initial
operational test and evaluation.
Medical readiness for the Joint Force
The committee continued to provide oversight on the
development of the Department of Defense's core medical
capabilities and their integration across the Joint Force and
the Military Health System. The committee focused oversight
efforts on the implementation of reforms in the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-
328), which required improvements in the way that trauma care
was being provided across the Military Health System. Section
707 of Public Law 114-328 established a Joint Trauma System
that would serve as a reference body for trauma care being
provided across the Military Health System, established
standards of care for trauma services provided at military
medical treatment facilities, and coordinated the translation
of research from the centers of excellence into Department of
Defense standards of clinical trauma care. Section 708 of
Public Law 114-328 required the establishment of the Joint
Trauma Education and Training Directorate to ensure that
traumatologists of the Armed Forces maintain proficiency and
can rapidly deploy for future armed conflicts. The committee
has conducted considerable oversight in this area, including a
Subcommittee on Military Personnel briefing on September 13,
2017, to examine the Department's implementation and reform
efforts to ensure progress has been made in the development of
the Department's joint trauma capabilities. The John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) also contained provisions to address this issue,
including section 719, which provided the Department of Defense
with broadened trauma partnership opportunities.
Finally, committee staff have had multiple discussions and
engagements with the Joint Staff Surgeon regarding core
capabilities that will ensure a ready medical force. To that
end, Public Law 115-232 included a provision which requires the
Department of Defense to develop a joint medical capabilities
development and standardization process.
Military Personnel Policy
During the 115th Congress, the personnel policies of the
Department of Defense remained under considerable scrutiny as
the military continued to grow and the military services
competed to recruit and retain the best and brightest men and
women. The Subcommittee on Military Personnel staff received
several briefings from the military departments and the
Department of Defense on recruiting efforts and how to grow the
military without lowering standards. On May 17, 2017, the
subcommittee held a hearing on military personnel posture, with
a significant portion of the hearing dedicated to recruiting,
retention, and associated policies. In the second session of
the 115th Congress, on April 13, 2018, the subcommittee held
another military personnel posture hearing, this time focusing
on service end strength and the military services' efforts to
define and achieve their respective numbers.
As a part of this personnel policy oversight, the committee
has focused on officer personnel management. The National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) contained a provision requiring the Department to provide a
comprehensive report on the Defense Officer Personnel
Management Act and Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act.
The report requires the Department to provide information on
recruiting and retention of officers, and requires the
Department to provide statistical analysis to support their
conclusions. The committee received an interim report in early
2018, which addressed limited issues related to officer
personnel management. As a result, the John S. McCain National
Defense Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included
several new authorities, including provisions that gave
promotion boards the ability to recommend officers of
particular merit be placed higher on the promotion list,
expanded the ability to award constructive credit for certain
civilian experience, and standardized temporary promotion
authority for certain officers with critical skills. The
committee looks forward to receiving the final report to better
understand the current efficacy of personnel management laws
and the need for reform.
Uniform Code of Military Justice to Include Sexual Assault
The committee remained focused on sexual assault prevention
and response in the military. After passing substantial reform
of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in the previous
Congress, the committee continued to provide comprehensive
oversight of the implementation of these changes and made
refinements where needed. The committee also received the final
reports from the 3-year review conducted by the Judicial
Proceedings Panel, which informed the committee on the
investigation and prosecution of sexual assault crimes.
Finally, the committee identified and passed legislation to
better protect and provide care for victims of sexual assault.
The Subcommittee on Military Personnel held several
briefings and hearings in furtherance of the committee's
oversight of this important issue. On May 2, 2017, the
subcommittee held a hearing on the Annual Report on Sexual
Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies. The
subcommittee heard from the military service academy
superintendents and the Department of Defense. In addition, the
hearing included a panel of cadets and midshipmen who are
survivors of sexual assault or harassment.
The committee also provided oversight and legislation in
response to reports of non-consensual distribution of intimate
images of service members on a website known as ``Marines
United.'' The Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a
briefing on March 16, 2017, to receive an overview of the on-
going investigation and to better understand how these crimes
are committed. On March 21, 2017, the subcommittee held a
hearing on the broader issue of social media policies within
the military services and the standards of social media conduct
provided to service members. In response to the Marines United
case, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018 (Public Law 115-91) contained a provision that established
a punitive article in the UCMJ on the non-consensual
distribution of intimate images.
In addition to the new punitive article, the subcommittee
continued to provide oversight of military justice in general.
On April 4, 2017, the subcommittee received a briefing from the
Department and the military services on implementation of
recent military justice reforms. In addition, Public Law 115-91
contained a considerable number of provisions related to the
UCMJ and sexual assault prevention and response, including
provisions that:
(1) expand the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
(SAPR) Program by: (a) requiring those in a delayed entry
program to receive sexual assault prevention training before
entering the military; (b) expanding sexual trauma counseling
and treatment for members of the Reserve Components; and (c)
expanding training for special victims counsel to include
training on the unique challenges often faced by male victims
of sexual assault.
(2) improve transparency by expanding the information
required in the SAPR Report, including reports of sexual
assaults committed by service members against their spouses and
other dependents, and reports of sexual harassment and
incidents involving nonconsensual distribution of intimate
images;
(3) require a new report on sexual assault victim recovery
in the Coast Guard;
(4) establish several new procedures and requirements to
address sexual assault and harassment at the United States
Merchant Marine Academy; and
(5) require the military services to provide procedures for
a confidential review of discharge characterizations for
service members who were victims of sex-related offenses.
In the second session of the 115th Congress, the
subcommittee held a hearing with the Vice Chiefs of Staff, the
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the military
service inspectors general on military senior leader
misconduct, including prevention efforts and how senior leaders
are held accountable for their misconduct. Furthermore, the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) contained several provisions
related to military justice, including establishing a separate
punitive article on domestic violence; requiring increased
oversight of the registered sex offender management program;
and improvements in the reporting of crimes for inclusion in
Federal Bureau of Investigation databases.
Military Family Readiness
During the 115th Congress, the committee focused on the
support provided to service members' families, particularly
during deployments. The committee continued to explore means to
expand and improve child care services and examined ways to
boost spouse employment. To that end, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91)
included four provisions enhancing these programs. With regard
to child care, one provision required the military service
secretaries to operate child development centers in a manner
that considers the demands of military service, including
Reserve service, and another provided the Secretary of Defense
with direct hire authority to expedite the hiring of qualified
child care providers. To improve spouse employment, Public Law
115-91 also contained a provision that authorized military
service secretaries to reimburse a military member up to $500
for the expense of a spouse obtaining licensing upon relocation
to another state due to military orders, and a second provision
that authorized a pilot program to establish telework
facilities for military spouses overseas.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) also contained several
provisions related to military family readiness, including a
provision that temporarily expanded the authority for
noncompetitive appointments of military spouses by Federal
agencies and a requirement that the Department of Defense
publicize the My Career Advancement program and study the
impact that frequent permanent change of station moves have on
military spouse employment. In addition, Public Law 115-232
included a comprehensive overhaul of the Transition Assistance
Program designed to provide service members and their spouses
with transition assistance tailored to their post-military
career plans. The committee will continue to monitor the
impacts these improvements have on military family readiness.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs and Military Resale Programs
The committee believes the cost efficient sustainment of
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) and military resale
programs (commissaries and exchanges) is required to protect
and enhance the quality of life in military communities and
maintain the combat readiness of the force. The committee
continued to provide extensive oversight efforts during the
115th Congress directed toward that goal in conjunction with
major reforms, begun in the 114th Congress, to maintain the
viability of these programs.
The committee believes that MWR and military resale
programs must remain competitive with private sector entities
to ensure that service members and their families benefit fully
from these programs. The committee continued to monitor the
current practices and policies to ensure that MWR and military
resale programs employ the full range of strategies available
to private sector competitors, to inform authorized patrons
about the benefits associated with these programs, and to
encourage them to participate. This is especially true for
commissaries that are restricted, because of legislative and
policy barriers, from using pricing, product, and advertising
strategies that are common in the private sector. These
barriers continued to be addressed as the Department of Defense
proceeded with the directed commissary reforms throughout the
second session of the 115th Congress. Several legislative
authorities were granted to the Department of Defense in the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) that would allow currently non-
eligible veterans and others to use the commissary, thereby
increasing the transactions in the commissary with a potential
corresponding increase in revenue.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
(Public Law 114-328) required the Department of Defense to
reform management, food and pricing options for the Defense
Commissary Agency to assist in maintaining a competitive and
effective commissary system in the future that requires less
appropriated funding. During the 115th Congress, the committee
continued to monitor and oversee the long term changes required
by the commissary reform plan with a focus of ensuring an
uninterrupted benefit for the beneficiaries of the system. The
Subcommittee on Military Personnel met on February 16, 2017, to
receive an update from the Department of Defense and the
Defense Commissary Agency on the status of the reform
implementation. The subcommittee met again on November 29,
2017, to receive an update on the reforms and to meet the
interim director of the Defense Commissary Agency. In the
intervening months, and throughout the 115th Congress, the
subcommittee staff continued to receive regular updates from
the Department of Defense and the Defense Commissary Agency,
and attended scheduled Reform Management Group update meetings
on the reform efforts.
Prisoner of War and Missing in Action
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued
oversight of the Department of Defense's Prisoner of War/
Missing in Action activities, focusing on the operations of the
Defense Personnel Accounting Agency (DPAA). Committee staff met
multiple times with the leadership of this relatively new
agency to monitor progress in integrating all operations into a
single agency and achieving the required minimum 200
identifications annually. Section 523 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) broadened the ability for DPAA to accept certain
types of gifts that may assist in the recovery of designated
Department of Defense missing persons. Committee staff visited
the DPAA Joint Recovery Operation in the Lao People's
Democratic Republic to better understand both the impact of
this new authority on tactical activities, as well as the
challenges of forthcoming operations.
MODERNIZATION AND INVESTMENT ISSUES
Overview
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
oversight efforts of military service modernization strategies,
to include whether these strategies were aligned with the
National Defense Strategy's emphasis on mitigating threats from
strategic competitors. The committee's activity addressed the
effectiveness of current modernization strategies in retaining
technology superiority and overmatch, both in the near-term and
long-term, after years of deferred modernization that resulted
from the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25). The
committee worked to ensure acquisition reform initiatives were
being implemented by the military services to better streamline
the development and fielding of solutions to the warfighter in
a timely manner, while also setting the conditions to allow for
needed and stable modernization investment to accelerate the
development of next generation systems.
The committee, through oversight and legislative action,
examined the development of modernization strategies and worked
to identify problems, including: late determination of
requirements and failure to properly control requirements
changes; inadequate analyses of alternatives; concurrency in
test and evaluation; military services proceeding prematurely
with development and procurement of immature technology; poor
cost estimating; inadequate funding profiles; over-estimation
of potential production rates; and overall program instability.
In particular, the committee also worked to ensure the military
services have the appropriate authorities, capabilities, force
structure, and modernization strategies in place to allow for
the successful execution of future multi-domain operations in a
high intensity conflict.
Army and Marine Corps Armored Vehicle Modernization
The Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25) funding
levels have reduced buying power, disrupted modernization
plans, and reduced the Army and Marine Corps' ground combat
overmatch advantage against strategic competitors. In
particular, Army modernization funding declined 74 percent from
2008-2015 as a result of the drawdown from two wars and the
imposition of the budget caps by Public Law 112-25. Through
oversight activity, the committee noted that the most
significant funding decline was that research and development
(R&D) funding was reduced by 50 percent, and appears to be
concentrated in the later stages of R&D at the prototyping and
system design and development stages, which are the precursors
to fielding new capabilities. Given the committee's ongoing
efforts to restore full spectrum operational readiness through
modernization, the committee noted concerns that the tactical
overmatch that U.S. ground forces have enjoyed for decades was
being diminished, or in some cases, no longer exists.
Therefore, during the 115th Congress, the committee's oversight
efforts focused on providing for improved stability and
increases for Army modernization funding in fiscal year 2018
and beyond, which set the conditions for the Army to fully
modernize at least one Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) per
year beginning in fiscal year 2018.
With respect to combat vehicle modernization programs, the
committee's oversight efforts focused on the acceleration of
engineering change proposals for the M1 Abrams tank and M2
Bradley Fighting Vehicles, improving the survivability and
lethality of the family of Stryker Combat Vehicles, the
development and procurement of the family of Amphibious Combat
Vehicles, specifically the Amphibious Combat Vehicle Increment
1.1 program, continued survivability and performance upgrades
for Light Armored Vehicles, the Paladin Integrated Management
program's transition to full-rate production, the Armored
Multipurpose Vehicle program's transition from research and
development to procurement, the acceleration of the Army's
mobile protected firepower program, and the Army's requirement
for a next generation combat vehicle. Furthermore, the
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces has also engaged
in oversight work with the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) to begin a comprehensive review of the overall
effectiveness of the Army's near-term and long-term
modernization strategies.
During the 115th Congress, the committee also continued
ongoing oversight to assess the viability and fragility of the
armored combat vehicle industrial base, to include assessing
the resiliency of the critical sub-tier supplier base for items
such as transmissions and forward looking infrared radars.
Committee staff also conducted oversight visits to each of the
contractors' production facilities who actively participated in
the Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle program to assess
production capability and capacity.
The Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held four
oversight hearings during the 115th Congress to continue
oversight on the program issues noted above.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee directed the Secretary of the Army to provide a
comprehensive report on the Army's plan for executing its
ground combat vehicle modernization strategy, and also required
the GAO to review and assess the report. Section 1061 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public
Law 115-91) required a similar report on the Army's
modernization strategy, to include force structure
requirements. Public Law 115-91 authorized an additional $6.8
billion for Army modernization, to include additional Abrams
tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Hercules improved recovery
vehicles, Stryker Combat Vehicles to include lethality
upgrades, and vehicle active protection systems.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee directed the Army to conduct a cost-benefit analysis
comparing a traditional 5-year multiyear (MYP) contract with an
alternative 3-year multiyear contract for ABCT vehicle
platforms instead of single-year contracts, which should yield
significant cost-savings and help to stabilize the fragile
supplier base. The John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
authorized funding to modernize 1.5 ABCTs and out-year funding
to modernize at least one ABCT per year, including: 135 M1
Abrams tanks, 60 Bradley fighting vehicles, 197 armored
multipurpose vehicles, 38 Improved Recovery Vehicles, and 3,390
Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. Public Law 115-232 also requires
a report on the Army's plans to accelerate vehicle active
protection systems, directs the Army to provide adequate
resources for its Next Generation Combat Vehicle program, as
well as accelerate prototyping efforts, and requires a detailed
briefing on the mobile protected firepower development program.
Additionally, Public Law 115-232 also authorizes an increase of
$203.4 million, for Stryker A1 combat vehicles, the most
survivable and advanced version of the Stryker combat vehicle;
it also authorizes an increase of $110.0 million for the most
modernized version of the Paladin self-propelled howitzer
artillery system.
Army and Marine Corps Tactical Wheeled Vehicles
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
oversight efforts regarding Army and Marine Corps' tactical
wheeled vehicle (TWV) modernization strategies for their
families of light, medium, and heavy TWVs, the family of mine
resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, line haul tractor
trailers, and construction equipment. Through oversight
activity, the committee examined TWV fleet size and
composition, as well as current TWV acquisition strategies to
ensure the viability of the TWV industrial base, to include the
supplier base. The committee also focused particular attention
on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program and
monitored the JLTV cost, schedule, and performance as the
program transitioned from low-rate production to full-rate
production. Committee members led a congressional delegation to
the JLTV production facility to conduct on-site assessments of
production capacity and engage with the industrial base to
better understand current challenges. Additionally, the
committee conducted oversight on the Army's efforts to improve
the lethality of the JLTV and monitored the Army's acquisition
strategies in the development and procurement of the Ground
Mobility Vehicle and Light Reconnaissance Vehicle that would
``enhance the tactical mobility and lethality of Infantry
Brigade Combat Teams.''
The Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held
hearings on May 24, 2017, and on April 18, 2018, about the
``Ground Force Modernization Budget Request'' that reviewed the
effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground force
modernization programs against current and future threats, as
well as provided oversight on current acquisition strategies,
to include TWVs such as the JLTV and High Mobility Multipurpose
Wheeled Vehicle recapitalization programs.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) authorized the President's budget request
for the JLTV program. In addition, Public Law 115-91 authorized
an additional $424.1 million for TWVs. In the committee report
(H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the committee directed
the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the Chief,
National Guard Bureau, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by September 1, 2017, on the
advisability and feasibility of installing external fire
suppression systems on high mobility multipurpose wheeled
vehicles (HMMWVs) to improve force protection.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee directed a briefing to the committee on the Army's
current acquisition strategy and sustainment strategy for
medium and heavy TWVs that includes potential courses of action
to minimize impacts to the industrial base, as well as
strategies to maintain surge capacity across the Future Years
Defense Program. H. Rept. 115-676 also required the Army to
provide a briefing on the long-term strategy for planning,
programming, and budgeting for sustainment, research and
development, and procurement of MRAP vehicle platforms.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) authorized over $1.3
billion for the JLTV program, and included an additional $25.0
million for new production HMMWVs for the Army National Guard.
Army and Marine Corps Rotorcraft Programs
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
ongoing oversight efforts on Army and Marine Corps rotorcraft
modernization programs, related force structure requirements,
and challenges facing overall rotorcraft readiness for the
military services. The committee focused particular attention
on UH-60 Black Hawk utility rotorcraft, AH-64 Apache Attack
rotorcraft, UH-72A Lakota light utility rotorcraft, CH-47
Chinook heavy lift rotorcraft, V-22 tiltrotor platforms, UH-1
Huey utility helicopters, AH-1 attack rotorcraft, the CH-53K
heavy lift rotorcraft program, and the future vertical lift
(FVL) development program. The committee noted that legacy
rotorcraft platforms continue to be operated at high
operational tempos in very challenging environments. The
committee worked to ensure that modernization upgrades and
reset efforts for these platforms were adequately resourced and
being fielded in a timely manner for both the Active and
Reserve Components. In addition to its oversight of rotorcraft
requirements for, and performance in, combat operations, the
committee conducted oversight of the critical need for advanced
aircraft survivability equipment upgrades to provide warning
and protection against evolving surface-to-air missile threats,
as well as to develop potential solutions to accelerate the
fielding of degraded visual environment technology on legacy
platforms.
H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018, as passed by the House, authorized a 7-year
multiyear procurement contract for the V-22 tiltrotor program.
Section 126 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) included this authority.
Such a multiyear contract will save several hundred million
dollars over a 7-year period and provide for better stability
for the industrial base.
Public Law 115-91 authorized an additional $313.4 million
for 10 additional AH-64E Apache Helicopters; an additional
$108.0 million for 5 additional UH-60 Black Hawk utility
helicopters; an additional $354.5 million for 8 additional CH-
47 heavy lift helicopters; an additional $522.0 million for 6
V-22 tiltrotor helicopters; and an additional $220.5 million
for 7 AH-1 attack rotorcraft.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee continued to encourage the Army to fully fund Future
Vertical Lift efforts and to seek opportunities to accelerate
the program based on performance and available resources.
Public Law 115-91 authorized the President's budget request for
the FVL program.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee noted that all 4 Army National Guard (ARNG) attack
reconnaissance battalions should be equipped with 24 AH-64
attack helicopters, the same as Active Component battalions, in
order to improve overall readiness and compatibility between
the ARNG and Active Component. Further, the committee
encouraged the Secretary of the Army to plan, program, and
budget for 24 additional AH-64 attack helicopters across the
Future Years Defense Program to address ARNG requirements. H.
Rept. 115-676 also directed the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing on the Army's long-term sustainment strategy
for the UH-72A Lakota helicopter fleet.
Regarding the Future Vertical Lift program, in H. Rept.
115-676, the committee continued to encourage the Department of
Defense to explore opportunities to accelerate the FVL program
in order to meet national security challenges, and noted the
expectation that the Department will maximize full and open
competition. As such, the committee directed the Army to
provide a briefing on the outcome of the analysis of
alternatives and on any other analysis utilized in deciding the
Army's priority of rotorcraft investment for FVL prior to the
release of a request for proposal.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included an additional
$85.0 million for five additional UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
for the ARNG, and also included an additional $168.0 million
for six additional AH-64E helicopters for the ARNG. Section 251
of Public Law 115-232 also requires an extensive briefing from
the Army and Marine Corps on their strategy for the FVL
program.
Army Communications and Network Programs
Given the growing importance of tactical communication
networks in global combat operations and the many complex
challenges they face in contested environments, the committee
continued to conduct oversight of the Army's plans for tactical
network modernization, as well as the supporting research and
development programs now in place. In particular, the committee
focused oversight efforts on the incremental development and
fielding of the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T)
program and other tactical radio programs. The committee,
through legislative action, worked to address issues related to
tactical network operational requirements, over-reliance on
satellite communications, the ability to operate effectively in
contested environments, the ability of current network
acquisition strategies to capitalize on advancements in
commercial wireless network technology, and overall management
of current major network acquisition programs to prevent
previous stove-piped management approaches to tactical network
programs.
The Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held
hearings on May 24, 2017, and April 18, 2018, to review the
ground force modernization request for fiscal year 2018 and
fiscal year 2019 respectively, which included tactical network
programs. The Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces also
held a hearing on September 27, 2017, to review major changes
being proposed by the Army with respect to the acquisition
strategy for tactical network modernization. The hearing
provided members with the opportunity to gain a better
understanding of how this new approach would mitigate current
operational shortfalls of legacy static and on-the-move
tactical network systems.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee directed the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the committee on the Army's network strategy. H.R.
2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018, as passed by the House, included a provision requiring a
report on options to accelerate WIN-T Increment 2 program.
Section 112 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) limited funds for WIN-T
Increment 2 until the Army provided a detailed report on their
proposed new acquisition strategy for the tactical network that
included detailed budgetary information and impacts to current
programs of record.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee noted the Army's new tactical network modernization
strategy is designed to enable the Army to ``fight tonight,''
while also actively seeking next-generation solutions to stay
ahead of potential adversaries. The committee noted this
strategy would fix the existing programs that are necessary to
fulfill the most critical operational shortfalls, while
pivoting to a new acquisition methodology that fosters rapid
insertion of new technology. The committee encouraged the
consideration of readily available, non-developmental tactical
communications technologies that deliver improved performance
in voice, video, and data dissemination at the squad and
individual soldier level.
Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued to
devote substantial attention to the oversight of the research,
development, and procurement of organizational clothing and
individual equipment (OCIE), as well as other complementary
personal protective equipment (PPE) programs. Consistent with
previous committee oversight activity, the committee focused on
ensuring that acquisition strategies were in place to modernize
PPE in order to address evolving threats, and continued to
encourage and express the need for the military services to
manage PPE acquisition as a weapon system, rather than an
expendable commodity. Focus areas included: advances in weight
reduction (``lightening the load'') in clothing and individual
equipment; continued investment in advances of next generation
material development, and development and procurement of PPE
systems better designed for military servicewomen; small arms
and small caliber ammunition modernization with particular
emphasis on fielding enhanced performance small caliber rounds;
improved combat helmets to help mitigate traumatic brain
injury; improved combat uniforms; and the overall management of
these associated niche, but highly critical industrial bases.
Committee oversight activity also consisted of staff and
congressional delegations to Program Executive Office-Soldier
and the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory to receive updates
on how the Army and Marine Corps are coordinating and
accelerating modernization efforts related to PPE and OCIE. The
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a hearing on
May 24, 2017, ``Ground Force Modernization Budget Request,'' as
well as held a briefing on September 13, 2017, ``Update on Army
and Marine Corps Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
Programs,'' to conduct oversight on the issues noted above. In
the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee highlighted the critical need for modernization of
personal protective equipment (PPE), to include body armor and
combat helmets. The committee also directed a briefing from the
Army and Marine Corps regarding coordination efforts related to
the development and procurement of PPE for female service
members. H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018, as passed by the House, included an
additional $25.0 million for PPE development. The National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) included an additional $15.0 million for PPE development.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) authorized an additional
$10.0 million for PPE development.
Tactical Aircraft Force Structure
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
oversight of the adequacy of fighter force structure and
capability in both the Navy and the Air Force, that included
hearings by the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.
During these hearings witnesses testified that the Navy's
current budget plans put the service on track to meet fighter
aircraft inventory requirements by 2022; however, those
aircraft would require modifications to extend their service-
life. Air Force testimony reflected the Air Force requirement
for a minimum of 1,900 fighter aircraft. To maintain force
structure, Air Force officials testified that any shortfall
mitigation would include executing funded sustainment and fleet
management actions for older F-16 Block 25, 30, and 32
aircraft, newer block 40 and 50 service-life extension, and
targeted modernization and examination of the overall force
structure to ensure the maintenance of viable warfighting
capabilities.
The committee used the findings from these hearings to
inform the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2018 (Public Law 115-91) and the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232). As such, Public Law 115-91 authorized 24 F/A-18E/Fs, an
increase of 10 F/A-18F aircraft for the Navy; 10 F-35Cs, an
increase of 6 F-35C aircraft for the Navy and Marine Corps; 24
F-35Bs, an increase of 4 F-35B aircraft for the Marine Corps;
and 56 G-35As, an increase of 10 F-35A aircraft for the Air
Force. Public Law 115-91 also authorized the requested
procurement to extend the life of the legacy F/A-18 and AV-8B
fleets and authorized the entire Air Force request for
modifications to its A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22A, and F-35 fleets.
Additionally, Public Law 115-91 included a provision that
requires the Air Force to maintain an inventory of 1,900
fighter aircraft. Public Law 115-232 authorized 24 F/A-18E/Fs
and 77 F-35 aircraft and multiyear procurement authority for F/
A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. Public Law 115-232 also authorized
the entire Air Force request for modifications to its A-10, F-
15, F-16, F-22A, and F-35 fleets and the Navy's request for
modifications to its F/A-18, F-35 and AV-8B fleets.
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
oversight of the ongoing occurrences of physiological episodes
in Navy F/A-18 and T-45 aircraft and Air Force T-6, A-10, and
F-35 aircraft. Public Law 115-232 included a provision which
required that the Department of the Navy make certain
modifications to its F/A-18 fleet to minimize physiological
episodes. It also required the Secretaries of the Navy and the
Air Force to certify that procurement of new fighter, attack or
training aircraft include the most recent technological
advancements necessary to minimize the impact of physiological
episodes on aircraft crewmembers, and required the Secretary of
the Air Force to provide a report on its efforts to mitigate
physiological episodes in fighter, attack, and training
aircraft.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued
oversight of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The
committee believes that the F-35 will form the backbone of U.S.
air combat superiority for decades to come, replacing or
complementing the legacy tactical fighter fleets of the Air
Force, Navy, and Marine Corps with a dominant, multi-role,
fifth-generation aircraft capable of projecting U.S. power and
deterring potential adversaries. In particular, the committee
placed oversight emphasis on the following: lowering overall
program costs; completion of the system development and
demonstration phase; ongoing software block development; the F-
35 continuous capability development and delivery (C2D2)
program; challenges facing the Autonomic Logistics Information
System; and setting conditions to help accelerate production
and fielding of F-35 aircraft.
The Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a
hearing on February 16, 2017, to receive an update on the F-35
program. Additionally, the subcommittee held a hearing on March
7, 2018, on an update to the F-35 program and service
requirements for fifth generation aircraft.
With some minor reductions, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91)
authorized the budget request of $8.7 billion for 63 F-35
aircraft and $1.8 billion for F-35 development, and provided an
increase of $800.0 million for six additional F-35C aircraft
for the Navy and Marine Corps, $525.6 million for 4 additional
F-35B aircraft for the Marine Corps, and $1.03 billion for 10
additional F-35A aircraft for the Air Force. Public Law 115-91
also included a provision authorizing the Secretary of Defense
to use up to $661.0 million to procure economic order
quantities of parts planned for use in F-35s to be acquired in
fiscal years 2019 and 2020, so that overall costs of the F-35
program could be reduced.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) authorized the budget
request for $8.8 billion for 77 F-35 aircraft and $1.3 billion
for F-35 development. Additionally, Public Law 115-232 included
a provision that would allow the Secretary of Defense to
acquire higher numbers of F-35 aircraft if such additional
procurement does not require additional funds to be authorized
because of production efficiencies or other cost reductions, a
provision that would require quarterly F-35 briefings by the
Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment to the
congressional defense committees, and a provision that would
limit funds for the C2D2 program until the Secretary of Defense
submits a detailed cost estimate and baseline schedule for the
program to the congressional defense committees.
Bomber Force Structure
During the 115th Congress, the committee continued to
support significant Air Force investments for engineering,
manufacturing, and development of the B-21A Raider, long-range
strike bomber aircraft. This oversight of current bomber
aircraft inventory requirements and modernization efforts was
to ensure that the Air Force maintains a sufficient, credible,
and lethal fixed-wing aircraft with conventional and strategic
weapons delivery capability to support all aspects of the
National Military Strategy. During the engineering,
manufacturing, and development phase of the new bomber
aircraft, the committee noted it was imperative that the Air
Force continue to maintain, modernize, and upgrade the existing
fleet of bomber aircraft to preserve the effective capabilities
needed to meet current and future threats.
Regarding B-52 modernization, in the committee report (H.
Rept. 115-200) accompanying the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the committee directed the Secretary
of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services by February 6, 2018, on its modernization
plan for the B-52 aircraft fleet. The briefing included: re-
engine options, including utilizing authorities pursuant to
section 2371b of title 10, United States Code, third-party
financing, and traditional procurement; plans to upgrade the
ground mapping radar; electronic self-defense options; and an
integration timeline that best takes advantage of scheduled
depot throughput.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee noted that the Air Force released its ``Bomber
Vector'' in conjunction with the President's budget request for
fiscal year 2019, which outlined the future of the B-1, B-2, B-
52, and B-21 bomber fleets. According to this document, during
development and production of the B-21, the Air Force will
sustain the B-2 bomber to assure no gaps in bomber force
availability. In addition to availability, the committee is
concerned that the B-2 bomber fleet must keep pace with the
threat level and maintain competitive capability during the
transition. The committee noted that this was a crucial
function as a global competitor, while hostile nations increase
their fielding of anti-access and area denial weapon systems
that impede and degrade the Air Force's ability to hold any
target at risk around the globe.
The fiscal year 2019 budget request stated, ``modern
communications are key enablers for the B-2 in the anti-access/
area denial battle-space and directly enhance lethality and
force multiplication''. The committee provided additional
oversight on the Department's proposed termination of the
Extremely High Frequency Satellite Communications program,
which provided two-way, high-bandwidth, secure, survivable,
strategic communication in anti-access and area denial
environments. In its place, the Air Force has chosen to rely on
the Common Very-Low-Frequency Receiver, which is to provide the
B-2 with receive-only, secure, survivable communications. The
committee supported this B-2 limitation.
Regarding additional B-2 modernization, in H. Rept. 115-
676, the committee directed the Secretary of the Air Force to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 28, 2019, on the B-2 secure communications
modernization plan. This briefing should include: the impact of
the Air Force's decision to downgrade B-2 communications
capabilities on the ability of the B-2 to perform its critical
strike missions in anti-access/area denial environments;
recommend solutions that would enable automated transfer of
data to the B-2 and enable the aircraft to operate in a
networked fashion with other elements for the long-range strike
family of systems and other Air Force and Joint systems; and
provide estimated modernization costs and timelines, and
consider opportunities to exploit capabilities developed for
other programs.
Aerial Refueling Aircraft
During the 115th Congress, the committee provided oversight
of the KC-46, KC-10, and KC-135 tanker programs. Currently, the
Air Force requires 479 air refueling tankers to meet the
National Military Strategy. Currently however, the fleet only
consists of 395 KC-135 and 59 KC-10 tankers, for a total of 454
tankers. KC-46A deliveries will grow the tanker force to 479
aircraft in fiscal year 2019. Subsequently, the Air Force plans
to replace its older tankers one-for-one with 179 KC-46A
aircraft.
With regard to the KC-135 fleet, limited fiscal resources
are available to the Air Force for recapitalization of all 395
aircraft, necessitating the continued maintenance and operation
of legacy aircraft. Consequently, the committee supported the
Secretary of the Air Force's efforts to modernize avionics and
communication equipment to meet the January 1, 2020, Federal
Aviation Administration Next Generation (NEXTGEN) Airspace
Control Mandate for the KC-135 fleet by authorizing the Air
Force's modernization request in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91).
The Air Force plans to fully recapitalize all 59 KC-10
tanker aircraft starting in fiscal year 2019, and to be
completed by fiscal year 2024. The committee supported the
Secretary of the Air Force's efforts to modernize avionics and
communication equipment to meet the January 1, 2020, Federal
Aviation Administration NEXTGEN Airspace Control Mandate for
the KC-10 fleet by authorizing the Air Force's modernization
request in Public Law 115-91.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676), accompanying
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019,
the committee noted that the KC-46A program costs remain
stable, but the delivery schedule may be further delayed. The
Air Force reported three category one deficiencies including
two for the remote vision system (RVS) and one for the center-
line drogue system (CDS). The Government Accountability Office
(GAO) observed in its report, GAO-18-353, that the program
updated its delivery schedule in 2017 to allow the defense
contractor to delay delivery of the first 18 fully capable
aircraft by 14 months. According to a schedule risk assessment
and GAO's analysis, if risk is not mitigated, deliveries could
be delayed further to May 2019, 21 months from the originally
scheduled delivery. The continued delays are set to cause a
backup of unaccepted aircraft awaiting the completion of
contractual test and documentation requirements. To address KC-
46A delivery, section 146 of the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) limits the funds authorized to be appropriated to procure
three KC-46A aircraft until the Secretary of the Air Force
certifies that both supplemental and military type
certifications have been approved and that the first aircraft
has been accepted by the Air Force.
Regarding KC-10A, section 141 of Public Law 115-232
requires the Secretary of the Air Force to increase the current
air refueling tanker fleet from 457 to 479 primary assigned
aircraft before it can begin to retire KC-10A aircraft. The Air
Force must maintain 479 total tanker aircraft thereafter,
unless adjusted by the fiscal year 2018 Mobility Capability and
Requirements Study.
Intertheater and Intratheater Airlift
During the 115th Congress, the committee provided extensive
oversight of Air Force's intratheater and intertheater airlift
fleets. Additionally, the committee continues to oversee the
COMPASS CALL re-host, and the Presidential Aircraft
Recapitalization programs.
The committee was concerned with the level of risk in the
intratheater program. As such, section 144 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) directed the Secretary of the Air Force to continue to
preserve certain C-5 aircraft in a storage condition that would
allow a recall of retired aircraft to future service in the Air
Force Reserve, Air National Guard, or the Active Force
structure. In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200),
accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2018, the committee directed the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by January 15, 2018, on intratheater airlift. The
briefing outlined the Air Force's efforts to leverage
commercial off-the-shelf solutions and non-development
solutions for the C-130H AMP Increment 1 and 2 programs.
The COMPASS CALL re-host program in section 135 of Public
Law 115-91 restricts the Secretary of the Air Force from
contracting with any entity for the purposes of the COMPASS
CALL re-host program until the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics submits a certification
to the congressional defense committees that indicates the
acquisition strategy has been reviewed and determined to meet
applicable laws, guidelines, and best practices. The Secretary
of the Air Force provided such certification.
The Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program in
section 211 of Public Law 115-91 requires the Secretary of the
Air Force to provide quarterly briefings to the House Committee
on Armed Services on the efforts to control costs, beginning by
October 1, 2017, and continuing through October 1, 2022.
Additionally, section 143 of the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) directed the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure that the
VC-25B contract for logistics support complies with part
17.204(e) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and also
complies with section 2304 of title 10, United States Code,
with regard to open competition.
Section 144 of Public Law 115-232 adjusted the retirement
date for the two Air Force VC-25A aircraft to not be later than
December 31, 2025.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) of the National
Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2019, the committee
noted that the C-130H Avionics Modernization Program (AMP)
addresses cockpit modernization needs of the aircraft, however
it does not include the flight engineers control panel, which
is a key component of the cockpit. Failure to upgrade the
flight engineer control panel could leave the C-130H fleet with
continued obsolescence issues post AMP. If the Air Force were
to decide to upgrade this equipment at a later date, they will
have missed the efficiencies of conducting those upgrades
concurrent with the AMP upgrades. Therefore, the committee
encouraged the Air Force to explore the possibility of
upgrading the C-130H flight engineer overhead control panel
using readily available off the shelf technology. Furthermore,
if the Air Force determines that these upgrades are necessary,
they should make every effort to upgrade the aircraft in
parallel with the AMP program in order to minimize disruption
to the operation of the C-130H fleet and mission. Additionally,
section 142 of Public Law 115-232 authorized the Secretary of
the Air Force to enter into 1 or more multiyear contracts for
up to 52 C-130J aircraft beginning in fiscal year 2019, in
accordance with section 2306b of title 10, United States Code.
The committee noted that the Air National Guard (ANG)
completed testing of the T56 3.5 engine enhancement and
reported results that exceeded expectations for fuel savings
and performance. The committee understood that the ANG expected
to issue a full test report in the summer of 2018, to be
followed by a business case analysis for upgrading the entire
fleet of C-130H/LC-130H aircraft. Additionally, the committee
was aware that fiscal year 2016 and 2017 propulsion upgrade
funds had been put on contract. The committee expected the Air
Force to include the necessary funds to accelerate C-130H/LC-
130H upgrades in future base budgets. Public Law 115-232
authorized $129.0 million above the Air Force base budget
request to support the upgrade of C-130H/LC-130H aircraft with
the T56 3.5 engine enhancement and NP2000 8-bladed propeller.
In H. Rept. 115-676), the committee included a requirement
for the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2019, on the
Compass Call transition plan. Additionally, section 145 of
Public Law 115-232 struck the 30-day waiting period imposed on
EC-130H funds by section 135(a) of Public Law 115-91.
Finally, in H. Rept. 115-676, the committee directed the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2019, on the Total
Force C-17 Fleet Management Plan.
Surface Warfare Programs
The committee continued its oversight of the Department of
Defense's shipbuilding programs to ensure balanced investments
are made and the Navy achieves the force structure, with the
appropriate capabilities needed to meet requirements. Through
its oversight activities, the committee faced the challenge of
balancing current demands on an aging fleet within current
economic constraints. As of November 15, 2018, the Navy
indicated they currently support 286 deployable battle force
ships. This available force structure contrasts the Navy's 2016
requirements projection of 355 ships. Despite these shortfalls,
the committee sought to obtain the required capability and
provide stability to the shipbuilding industrial base.
Preeminent in the Navy force structure is the aircraft
carrier, which represents the embodiment of the United States'
ability to project power. The Navy has developed a new design,
and completed construction of the lead ship for the Ford-class
aircraft carriers. Technologies introduced with the USS Gerald
R. Ford have challenged the Navy to maintain cost controls on
the Ford-class aircraft carrier. Additionally, the Navy has
been challenged to generate sufficient aircraft carrier force
structure to support the combatant commanders. To address these
cost and force structure concerns, section 121 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) included a provision that amended section 122 of the John
Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007
(Public Law 109-364), by modifying the cost limitation baseline
for the future USS Enterprise (CVN-80) and follow-on aircraft
carriers to $12.6 billion. This section also authorized the
Secretary of Defense the ability to waive the requirement to
conduct full ship shock trials on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-
78). Additionally, the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
authorized the procurement of an additional Ford-class aircraft
carrier to be designated CVN-81.
The committee also provided the Department of the Navy the
authority to more efficiently procure vessels and associated
weapon systems. Section 123 of Public Law 115-91 included a
provision that would authorize the multiyear procurement of 15
Arleigh Burke class destroyers over the next 5 years.
Additionally, section 124 of Public Law 115-232 authorized
multiyear procurement of 625 standard missile-6 missiles over
the next 5 years. The Navy estimated that these rates of
procurement would have a cost savings of at least 10 percent
over conventional contract instruments.
Additionally, the committee recognized the national
importance of recapitalizing the U.S. icebreaker fleet and the
extraordinary circumstances that necessitated use of Department
of Defense funding to procure the first polar-class heavy
icebreaker. Accordingly, section 122 of Public Law 115-91
authorized a single heavy icebreaker. Section 151 of Public Law
115-232 further authorized the procurement of an additional 5
polar-class icebreaker vessels.
Finally, the committee noted that the auxiliary and sealift
fleets consist of numerous platforms that have, or are
approaching the end of their useful service lift and need to be
recapitalized. To address this concern, section 1021 of Public
Law 115-91 authorized the Secretary of Defense to purchase up
to two used vessels to begin replacing these older vessels and
required auxiliary ships to be included in the annual 30-year
shipbuilding plan required by section 231 of title 10, United
States Code. Section 1021 was further amended by section 1012
of Public Law 115-232 and expanded the authority purchase up to
seven used vessels. This expansion beyond the procurement of 2
used vessels was conditioned on the Secretary of the Navy's
certification that the Navy has initiated an acquisition
strategy for the construction of not less than 10 new sealift
vessels and the lead ship would be delivered not later than
2026.
Undersea Warfare Programs
The committee conducted oversight of the Navy's undersea
warfare domain and placed increased emphasis on a new program
that will be used to replace the current fleet of ballistic
missile submarines. This replacement submarine program,
SSBN(X), is projected to cost over $1.0 billion for the design
and construction of the 12 submarines and will be the second
largest Department of Defense acquisition program. Considering
this program is expected to support 70 percent of the Nation's
strategic deterrence capability, the committee has resolved to
acquire the 12 submarines, and is supportive of authorizing an
efficient contract for the construction of the SSBN(X) program.
To ensure sufficient oversight of this critical capability,
section 231 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) required periodic update
of matrices on Columbia-class cost, design, and construction
goals. The Comptroller General of the United States would also
be required to review and assess this program and provide
feedback to the congressional defense committees. Additionally,
section 1022 of Public Law 115-91 provided authority for
multiyear procurement of certain critical components to support
continuous production.
Finally, section 124 of Public Law 115-91 also addressed
multiyear procurement of 13 Virginia-class attack submarines.
The Navy estimated that this rate of procurement would save
almost 10 percent over conventional contract instruments.
Section 129 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
further required the Secretary includes an option for the
procurement of a third submarine in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Military Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Programs
Manned and unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) system programs have come to constitute a
significant component of the overall Department of Defense
force structure. The committee believed the capability provided
by these assets remains critical to sustaining deterrence and
full spectrum readiness capability of U.S. forces.
Throughout the 115th Congress, the committee focused on the
budget, cost, schedule, and performance outcomes of major ISR
manned and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) programs, and examined
the ISR enterprise for balance in inventory, collection, and
analysis capabilities. Also, close examination of the Office of
the Secretary of Defense ISR policy formulation and oversight
has been of interest to the committee. These long-standing
committee concerns of the Department's ISR enterprise were
assessed: lack of an adequate long-term ISR architecture and
acquisition strategy; lack of supporting analysis for
programmatic decisions; and, the failure to balance collection
programs data output with adequate resources to process,
exploit, and disseminate data and analyses. The committee
emphasized to the Joint Staff and Joint Requirements Oversight
Council the need to take a more proactive role in coordinating
ISR system acquisition of the services and better coordinating
employment of service-provided ISR capabilities with the
combatant commanders.
In particular, the committee placed oversight emphasis on,
but was not limited to, the cost, schedule, performance, and
procurement objectives of the following ISR programs: RQ-4
Global Hawk Blocks 30/40, MQ-9 Reaper, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-4C
Triton, MQ-8 Fire Scout, MQ-25 Stingray, Marine Air Ground Task
Force UAS Expeditionary, and sustainment of U-2 and legacy
Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft.
Emerging Advanced Weapons Capabilities
Department of Defense investment in science and technology
often leads to the development of advanced weapons capabilities
or weapons concepts that contribute to the technological
superiority of U.S. military forces. Maintaining technological
overmatch of current and potential adversaries is a significant
part of the qualitative advantage of U.S. forces, but is
increasingly difficult in an environment of globalized
technologies and asymmetric combinations of high-tech and low-
tech capabilities. The committee continued to monitor
technological developments, from both government funded labs,
as well as commercially developed sources, and supported
transition of the most promising technological weapons systems
or concepts. Advancements in areas such as directed energy,
hypersonics, autonomy, and synthetic biology may prove to be
double-edged swords, benefiting U.S. national security, but
also exploiting U.S. security weaknesses when adopted by
potential future adversaries.
In the 115th Congress, the committee examined the strategy,
concepts of employment, and other organizing concepts being
pursued by the military services and the Office of Secretary of
Defense, and when matured, develop acquisition plans in support
of fielding advanced capabilities, such as artificial
intelligence, hypersonics, and autonomous systems. The
committee oversaw the maturation of the Department of Defense
outreach efforts with the commercial sector and the transition
of innovative commercial technologies into national security
and defense applications. Additionally, the committee monitored
policies or trends impeding or supporting the development of
new, innovative capabilities, as well as monitoring scientific
developments internationally to better understand how state-of-
the-art advancements can contribute to foreign military
developments.
The committee held related hearings and briefings,
including a hearing on January 8, 2018, ``China's Pursuit of
Emerging and Exponential Technologies''.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for 2018, the committee
included several directive reporting requirements, including: a
plan to fund enhanced lightweight hard armor; an assessment on
the Army's counter-improvised explosive device technology; an
assessment of the Air Force Test Center; and a roadmap for
future weapons and munitions science and technology investment.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included a provision that authorizes funds
to be used exclusively for high energy lasers and high power
microwave prototyping and demonstrations; a provision that
provides the Joint Hypersonic Transition Office with the
responsibility to coordinate and integrate programs, ensure
coordination of current and future Department programs on
hypersonics, and approve demonstrations; and a provision that
authorizes a pilot program to improve incentives for technology
transfer from Department of Defense laboratories.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for 2019, the committee
included several directive reporting requirements, including:
an analysis of targeted soldier borne sensor efforts; a plan
that addresses the challenges of urban warfare combat and
training within the Army; a briefing on the Navy's support for
research into autonomous systems; a plan on engine noise
reduction efforts; and a plan on the future strategy for
directed energy and non-lethal weapons.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included: a provision
that provides an extension of directed energy prototype
authority; a provision that provides a limitation of funds for
certain high energy laser advanced technologies; a provision
that requires a plan to eliminate, transfer, or retain the
Strategic Capabilities office; a provision that establishes
procedures for the rapid reaction to emerging technology
requirements; a provision that requires a report on comparative
capabilities of adversaries in key technology areas; and a
provision that requires a briefing on the National Hypersonics
Initiative and impact on treaty obligations.
Nuclear Deterrence
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued its
oversight of the atomic energy defense activities of the
Department of Energy and nuclear policies and programs of the
Department of Defense. The committee's oversight of these
programs intends to ensure the safety, security, reliability,
and credibility of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. The committee
continued to provide oversight of the Department of Energy and
the Department of Defense's nuclear modernization plans,
including but not limited to infrastructure investments,
warhead life extension programs, stockpile stewardship
programs, stockpile management programs, stockpile
responsiveness programs, delivery system modernization, nuclear
command and control, cost savings and efficiency initiatives,
and security.
On March 8, 2017, the committee held a hearing entitled
``Military Assessment of Nuclear Weapons Requirements'', in
which the witnesses offered their military advice and
professional judgments regarding the military requirements
related to nuclear deterrence, including U.S. needs and foreign
developments driving those needs. On March 9, 2017, the
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing entitled
``Nuclear Deterrence, the Defense Science Board's Perspective''
that reviewed recent studies and recommendations of the Defense
Science Board regarding the U.S. nuclear deterrent. On March
16, 2017, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held
a hearing on ``Oversight Review of Infrastructure Needs and
Projects Ready for Immediate Implementation in the Nuclear
Security Enterprise''. The hearing looked to discuss these
infrastructure problems while looking to secure the significant
levels of funding needed to address them. On March 29, 2017,
the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a joint hearing with
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on
Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade entitled ``Consequences
and Context for Russia's violations of the INF Treaty'', and
discussed the implications of Russian violations of the
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. On May 25,
2017, the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing
entitled ``Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities for Nuclear Forces and
Atomic Energy Defense Activities'' that examined the
Administration's fiscal year 2018 priorities, plans, programs,
and policies associated with the Department of Defense's
nuclear forces and the defense-related nuclear activities of
the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security
Administration. In addition, the Subcommittee on Strategic
Forces conducted a classified briefing on the Nuclear Posture
Review on December 7, 2017.
In the second session of the 115th Congress, the committee
held a hearing and briefing on February 6, 2018, focusing on
``the NDS and NPR''. The hearing provided an opportunity for
the committee to provide oversight of the Administration's
National Defense Strategy and its Nuclear Posture Review. The
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on March 22,
2018, on the ``Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Nuclear
Forces and Atomic Energy Defense Activities'' that examined the
nuclear-related budget requests for the Department of Energy
and the Department of Defense. The subcommittee also conducted
a classified briefing on June 27, 2018, entitled ``Intel Update
on Foreign Nuclear Weapons''.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included several legislative provisions
related to nuclear deterrence and the nuclear security
enterprise. Public Law 115-91 included provisions to reduce the
threat of nuclear weapons and materials by strengthening
nonproliferation programs, modernizing our nuclear deterrent,
and ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of our
nuclear stockpile, delivery systems, and infrastructure.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included several
legislative provisions related to nuclear deterrence and the
nuclear security enterprise. Competitors like the People's
Republic of China and the Russian Federation are investing in
new strategic weapons to modernize their arsenals, and Public
Law 115-232 takes a comprehensive approach to ensure our
security and maintaining U.S. nuclear forces and makes critical
investments to modernize America's nuclear deterrent and align
it with these modern threats.
Missile Defense and Conventional Prompt Global Strike
The committee oversaw the Department of Defense's efforts
to develop, test, and field layered missile defense
capabilities to protect the United States, its deployed forces,
and its friends and allies against the full range of ballistic
missile threats.
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued to place a
particular emphasis on U.S. homeland missile defense
capabilities (including the Missile Defense Agency's proposal
and strategy for acquiring a Redesigned Kill Vehicle and
development and deployment of Homeland Defense Radars in Alaska
and Hawaii). The committee also continued to oversee the
European Phased Adaptive Approach implementation, developmental
and operational testing, force structure and inventory
requirements, continued development of so-called ``left-of-
launch'' capabilities and exercises, and science and technology
investments in areas such as directed energy.
During the first session of the 115th Congress, the
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing on June 7,
2017, on ``Fiscal year 2018 Priorities and Posture of Missile
Defeat Programs and Activities'' that focused on missile
defense activities under deployment by the Department of
Defense, including ``left-of-launch'' ballistic missile
defense.
During the second session of the 115th Congress, the
subcommittee held a hearing on April 17, 2018, on the ``Fiscal
Year 2019 Budget Request for Missile Defense and Missile Defeat
Programs.'' In addition, on September 5, 2018, the subcommittee
held a classified briefing on ``Chinese and Russian Hypersonic
Weapon Development and Testing and U.S. Hypersonic Defense
Update'' that provided an intelligence assessment on recent
Chinese and Russian hypersonic weapon developments. The brief
also included an update from the Missile Defense Agency on the
U.S. hypersonic defense program and ongoing analysis of
alternatives.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included several provisions supporting
missile defense and defeat programs. Given the increased
threats against the United States, particularly from Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, Public Law 115-91 authorized up to
28 additional ground-based interceptors, and directed the
Missile Defense Agency, if consistent with the Ballistic
Missile Defense Review, to develop a space-based sensor layer
for ballistic missile defense to assure that we remain ahead of
the threat.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included several
legislative provisions supporting missile defense and defeat
programs. The NDAA accelerated the integration of Patriot and
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missiles and required the
director of the Missile Defense Agency to establish a space
sensor layer and a boost phase intercept program, regardless of
the outcome of the Ballistic Missile Defense Review, which
commenced in 2017.
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued to oversee
Conventional Prompt (Global) Strike (CPS) activities across the
Department of Defense and military services. The committee
focused on current and projected warfighter requirements for
CPS capabilities, the timelines needed to meet those
requirements, and related policy issues related to reducing the
risk of ambiguity. Public Law 115-91 directed the Secretary of
Defense to deliver a CPS capability not later than September
30, 2022. In the second session of the 115th Congress, the
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and the Subcommittee on
Seapower and Projection Forces held a joint briefing led by the
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition,
Technology, and Logistics on the progress of the CPS program.
Public Law 115-232 included a provision on CPS, and required
the Secretary of Defense to validate requirements provided by
the warfighter, in addition to providing additional funding
above the President's budget request to accelerate development
and testing of the system.
National Security Space
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued to oversee
the national security space programs of the Department of
Defense, including combat support agencies and elements of the
Department of Defense that are also part of the intelligence
community. The committee focused on current and projected
foreign space threats and will continue to assess the
Department's space security and defense programs. The committee
also focused on improving the organization and management of
the national security space enterprise to posture the military
to maintain the advantages we derive from space capabilities.
The committee continued its oversight of national security
space activities in support of warfighter operations and plans;
space acquisition strategies that provide necessary warfighter
capability, while reducing cost and technical risk and
supporting the industrial base; maintaining assured access to
space; efforts to address gaps in space capabilities for key
warfighter needs; investments in science and technology to
improve the capabilities of space systems; efforts to
appropriately leverage commercial satellite services;
exploitation of space sensor data to maximize effectiveness and
efficiency; improvements of the synchronization between
satellite, ground, and terminal acquisition programs; and
efforts that develop and sustain an expert space workforce.
In the first session of the 115th Congress, on March 29,
2017, the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a joint hearing
with the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications entitled
``Threats to Space Assets and Implications for U.S. Homeland
Security.'' On May 19, 2017, the Subcommittee on Strategic
Forces held a hearing on the ``Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities and
Posture of the National Security Space Enterprise''.
In the second session of the 115th Congress, the committee
held a hearing on ``Space Warfighting Readiness'' on March 14,
2018. The hearing discussed the current and future readiness
for U.S. forces to deter an attack on space systems and, if
deterrence fails, to successfully operate through and win in a
conflict that extends to the space domain. On March 15, 2018,
the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing entitled,
``The Fiscal Year 2019 Priorities and Posture of the National
Security Space Enterprise''. On June 20, 2018, the Subcommittee
on Strategic Forces held a joint hearing with the House
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on
Space entitled, ``Space Situational Awareness: Whole of
Government Perspectives on Roles and Responsibilities'' and
reviewed the roles and responsibilities of particular
departments and agencies that execute SSA missions.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included several provisions related to
national security space. Public Law 115-91 recognized that
space, just like land, air and sea, has quickly become a
warfighting domain. This included provisions to begin
addressing the organizational and management challenges faced
by national security space enterprise. Public Law 115-91
streamlines Air Force acquisition authorities and empowers a
single accountable organization for space forces within the Air
Force.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included several
provisions related to national security space programs,
including those that address improvement to the acquisition
system, personnel, and organization of space forces; space
warfighting readiness policy; rapid, responsible and reliable
space launch; supply chain security for certain space programs;
the use of small- and medium-size buses for strategic payloads;
and improving coordination and accountability across the
Department.
Maritime Aviation
The committee provided oversight of Navy's maritime
aviation programs. The committee also continued its oversight
efforts of the unmanned aircraft MQ-25 air-refueling aircraft
program.
With regard to naval aviation force structure, in the
committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the committee
directed the Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than September 30,
2018, or 12 months after the issuance of the National Defense
Strategy. The briefing provided estimates as to the number of
Navy and Marine Corps aircraft by series and type needed to
achieve the objectives of the National Defense Strategy, and to
complement the capability resident in a 355-ship Navy with 12
aircraft carriers. The briefing also included a detailed
explanation of the strategy and associated force sizing and
shaping constructs, associated scenarios and assumptions used
to conduct the analysis, and quantification of risk using the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff risk management
classifications.
Section 126 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into one or more
multiyear contracts, for up to 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
aircraft, beginning in fiscal year 2019, in accordance with
section 2306b of title 10, United States Code.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee notes that the Navy has the opportunity to leverage a
$300.0 million Air Force investment in the MS-177A maritime
enhanced sensor, which is meant to improve maritime target
detection and long-range imaging. This investment could
significantly reduce procurement costs and expedite fielding.
The committee believes that having an organic Navy MS-177A
demonstration in the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) area of
responsibility could help the Navy to assess the full range of
anti-surface unit warfare and anti-submarine warfare
capabilities. In addition, the MS-177A would help gather needed
intelligence against threats in the PACOM strategic
environment. The MS-177A would improve the Navy organic
capability to conduct standoff anti-surface unit warfare
intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and long-range
positive identification of targets. As such committee
authorized $23.5 million for the MS-177A maritime enhanced
sensor demonstration program.
The committee supports the MQ-25 unmanned air refueling
capability. In H. Rept. 115-676, the committee noted that the
Navy's efforts to develop and field a carrier-based unmanned
aerial system to provide refueling as well as intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance support to the fleet. The
committee further noted that the Chief of Naval Operations
intends to accelerate this program by 2 years in order to
provide this capability by 2026. To date, the Navy has not
provided sufficient air vehicle justification. Budget documents
stated that $598.78 million will go to Air Segment Primary
Hardware Development with very little further justification or
cost estimates. As such, the committee authorized a decrease of
$116.9 million to procure one test article for the MQ-25
Unmanned Carrier Aviation program.
Additionally, in H. Rept. 115-200, the committee directed
the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report
to the congressional defense committees by March 1, 2018, on
the Navy's carrier based unmanned aircraft acquisition
program(s), with specific focus on the MQ-25 that takes into
account the revised capability development document. The report
included the extent to which the program(s) have established
cost, schedule, and performance goals, including test,
production, and fielding plans and an assessment of program
progress toward meeting those goals.
Finally, section 220 of Public Law 115-232 required the
Navy to fund the modification of CVN-73 during its refueling
and overhaul period in support of future MQ-25 unmanned carrier
aircraft operations.
Munitions and Munitions Industrial Base
During the 115th Congress, the committee devoted particular
oversight to conventional and precision guided munition
programs, to include the health of the associated industrial
base and supplier base, as well as munition inventories. The
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified before the
committee that, ``key precision guided munitions shortfalls are
exacerbated by ongoing operations and may impact potential
contingency response.'' He further stated that ``our current
global inventories are insufficient for theater missile
defense, standoff, and air-to-air munitions needs.'' The
Secretary of the Air Force also indicated that ``when it comes
to munitions, we are stretched.'' The committee efforts
primarily focused on the adequacy of current stockpiles of
conventional munitions, as well as concerns regarding the
ability of the industrial base to surge in order to meet
emerging demands for overseas contingency operations. The
committee, through official activities and legislation, worked
to improve munition capacity, develop intelligent options for
mitigating the bottlenecks and long-lead times required for
munitions, mitigate the risk associated with single points of
failure in the supplier base, as well as acquisition reform
efforts to include stockpiling, multi-year procurement
contracts, paying to keep additional production capacity, and
new production techniques. Committee staff delegations and
congressional delegations also conducted oversight visits to
the primary critical energetic material production facilities
that provide the energetics for munition programs.
The Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces held a
briefing on July 27, 2017, to review the challenges facing Army
and Air Force munition programs.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee directed the Secretary of the Army to provide a
briefing to the committee on the Army's strategic plan for the
ammunition industrial base.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) authorized an additional $2.0 billion to
address munition unfunded requirements identified by the
military service Chiefs of Staff.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee cited significant concerns regarding the adequacy of
the Army's Stinger missile inventory, as well as the resiliency
of the associated industrial base that produces key components.
H. Rept. 115-676 directed the Army to provide a briefing on the
Stinger Modernization Program, to include the Army's strategy
to mitigate the decline of the Stinger missile inventory, to
include required funding, maintenance of the Stinger industrial
base, and modernization of the Stinger program in the out-
years.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) supported the budget
request for critical munitions, and authorized additional
funding to maintain the maximum production rate of critical
munitions, such as small diameter bombs, joint direct attack
munitions, hellfire missiles, advanced precision kill weapon
systems, long range anti-ship missiles, tomahawk missiles,
advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, and torpedoes.
Sections 1061 and 1067 of Public Law 115-232 improves oversight
of the Department's management of critical munition portfolios,
and also requires the Department to submit a separate Future
Year's Defense Program specifically for critical munitions.
Electronic Warfare Enterprise
During the 115th Congress, the committee assessed the
electronic warfare (EW) strategy document that was released by
the Department's Electronic Warfare Executive Committee in June
2017. The committee sought to gain a greater understanding of
current Joint Electro-Magnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO)
efforts since release of the EW strategy document. The
committee determined during the assessment that subsequent
efforts to strengthen, modernize, and create synergy of effort
across the Department related to the JEMSO enterprise may have
stagnated within the military services, the Office of the
Secretary of Defense, and the Office of the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff. The committee noted that officials
overseeing the JEMSO enterprise needed to reinvigorate efforts
towards achieving the goals and objectives described in the EW
strategy due to the fact that peer adversaries are beginning to
outpace U.S. capabilities.
The committee continued oversight of the Department's
implementation of all JEMSO initiatives and capabilities, and
encouraged the Department to quickly regain asymmetric
superiority in this warfighting domain. Section 1053 of the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included oversight initiatives
to enhance the governance, development of capabilities, and
inter-service synergies of the Department's JEMSO enterprise.
EMERGING THREATS AND CAPABILITIES
Investment in Future Capabilities Science and Technology
In the 115th Congress, the subcommittee continued to
oversee the Department of Defense's science and technology
(S&T) activities to ensure the planning and execution of a
balanced S&T program that reflects the national security
priorities of the military, and is in alignment with the
National Defense Strategy. The committee also continued to
examine how S&T investments are integrated into strategic and
operational plans to ensure the investments that were made,
including in people and infrastructure, were properly aligned.
The committee focused on achieving a better understanding of
how S&T programs integrate intelligence analyses into the S&T
planning cycle, as well as better cognizance of global
developments and industry-based independent research and
development. The committee expanded its focus to take a similar
look at other emerging technologies, such as artificial
intelligence and quantum computing, to see how they can
contribute to new security strategies, and to ensure that they
are supported by rigorous technical analysis, guidelines, and
relevant concepts of employment.
The Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities held
a related briefing on May 17, 2017, ``Technological Superiority
and Defense Investment Planning to Mitigate Foreign Advances'';
a hearing on March 14, 2018, ``A Review and Assessment of the
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the Department of Defense
Science and Technology Programs''; a briefing on June 21, 2018,
``Artificial Intelligence Industry Roundtable''; and a hearing
on December 11, 2018, ``Department of Defense's Artificial
Intelligence Structure, Investments, and Applications''.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee included several directive reporting requirements,
including: a briefing on the development of a long-term science
and technology roadmap for the development of Naval energetic
materials, both explosives and propellants; a briefing on the
Department's plans to develop and improve additive
manufacturing, or 3-D printing; a briefing on current
investments in medical simulation technology and research, and
Department-wide efforts to incorporate simulated learning
techniques in defense medical training; and a report on how the
Defense Innovation Unit Experiment will be sufficiently tied
into the broader activities of the Department of Defense.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included a provision that raises the limit
on in-house capital purchases using defense working capital
funds from $250,000 to $500,000; a provision that would require
the Secretary of the Air Force to continue serving as the
Department of Defense Executive Agent for the Defense
Production Act Programs, and require the Secretary of Defense
to complete a review and assessment of the Defense Production
Act Title III program and provide a briefing; a provision that
makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Defense to
award prizes for advanced technology achievements; a provision
that requires the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to conduct
a pilot program among defense laboratories, national
laboratories, and private entities to facilitate the licensure,
transfer, and commercialization of innovative technologies; a
provision that codifies the research authorities of the defense
laboratories; a provision requesting a report on educational
opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics for children dependents of members of the Armed
Forces; a provision that establishes senior scientific
technical managers at Major Range and Test Facility Base
Facilities, and Defense Test Resource Management Center; a
provision that would allow United States Merchant Marine
Academy members to participate in competitions for grants that
have scientific or educational value to the Academy; and a
provision that revises and updates the list of Department of
Defense S&T reinvention laboratories.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for 2019, the committee
included several directive reporting requirements, including:
an overview of the Navy's Small Business Innovation Research
Automated Test and Retest Program; a briefing on the Air
Force's wind energy radar mitigation efforts; an assessment of
the common data environment for modeling and simulation
capabilities; an update on counter-small tactical unmanned air
system programs and associated threat detection technologies;
an assessment of the future uses of synthetic biology; a plan
for further integrating the National laboratories with defense
innovation hubs; and a plan for protecting defense industrial
base critical technologies.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included a provision that
would establish a National Security Commission on Artificial
Intelligence; a provision that requires the establishment of a
Department of Defense critical technologies list; a provision
that requires the development of a National Science and
Technology Strategy; a provision that requires the Defense
Technical Information Center to establish an innovators
information repository for the Department; a provision that
extends and codifies the authority to conduct technology
protection features activities during the research and
development of defense systems; a provision that reauthorizes
the defense research and development rapid innovation program;
a provision that expands the mission areas supported for
expedited access to technical talent and expertise at academic
institutions; a provision that establishes the National
Security Innovation Activities program and authorizes funding
in the amount of $75.0 million; a provision that establishes
the Defense Quantum Information Science and Technology Research
Program; a provision that establishes the a Joint Artificial
Intelligence Research, Development, and Transition Activities
Program; and a provision that requires a report on Defense
Innovation Unit Experimental integration in the broader
Department of Defense research enterprise.
Cyber Operations Capabilities
Cyber operations have taken on an increasingly important
role in military operations, as well as overall in national
security. Accordingly, the committee continued to scrutinize
the Department of Defense's cyber operations, organization,
manning, and funding to ensure that the military has the
freedom of maneuver to conduct the range of missions in the
Nation's defense, and when called upon, to support other
interagency and international partners. An important oversight
role for Congress regarding the conduct of defensive and
offensive cyber operations has been to ensure that the proper
legal and policy frameworks are in place and followed. The
committee also continued to scrutinize military cyber
operations to ensure that they are properly integrated into the
combatant commander's operational plans, and to ensure that
adequate capabilities exist or are in development to employ
these cyberspace operational tools with rigor and discretion to
support a full range of options for the Nation's decision
makers. In the course of monitoring the cybersecurity posture
of the military, the committee continued to examine the effects
of globalization on the assured integrity of microelectronics
and software.
The committee and the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities conducted several hearings and briefings within
this area, including: February 28, 2017, ``Cyber Warfare in the
21st Century: Threats, Challenges and Opportunities''; March 1,
2017, ``Cyber Operations Quarterly Update''; May 23, 2017,
``Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for U.S. Cyber Command: Cyber
Mission Force Support to Department of Defense Operations'';
September 26, 2017, ``Initiatives for Protecting Naval Vessels
Afloat From Cyber Vulnerabilities''; November 29, 2017, ``Cyber
Operations Quarterly Update''; December 6, 2017, ``Update on
National Security Agency (NSA) Activities''; January 17, 2018:
``An Update on U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO)
Ongoing Cyber Reviews and Studies''; April 11, 2018, ``A Review
and Assessment of the Department of Defense Budget, Strategy,
Policy, and Programs for Cyber Operations and U.S. Cyber
Command for Fiscal Year 2019''; April 11, 2018: ``Cyber
Operations Today: Preparing for 21st Century Challenges in an
Information-Enabled Society''; June 6, 2018, ``Cyber Operations
Quarterly Update''.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee included several directive reporting requirements,
including: an assessment, and subsequent briefing, of the
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement clause to
assess compliance of industry and identify any issues and
concerns with the quality of System Security Plans from
contractors; an assessment, and subsequent briefing, to assess
the Department of Defense's current and planned state of cyber
training; a briefing on cyber talent management tools in
development and use across the Department of Defense; an
assessment, and subsequent briefing, on creating criteria for
evaluating commercial threat information service providers and
sources; and a briefing on the progress in developing the
Persistent Training Environment.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included a provision that would authorize
service secretaries to credit any person receiving an original
appointment as a reserve commissioned officer with a period of
constructive service, and allows the Defense Department to
better recruit individuals with cyberspace-related skills into
vacant critical cyberspace positions; a provision that would
require the Director of National Intelligence to develop a list
of telecommunications contractors who have been found to have
knowingly assisted or facilitated a cyber attack carried out or
on behalf of the government of the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea, and would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from
entering into a contract with any entity on this list; a
provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to submit
to the Congress a report on all prior attempted Russian cyber
attacks against Department of Defense systems within the last 2
years; a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense
to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and
advisability of an enhanced personnel management system for
cybersecurity and legal professionals; a provision that
included all of the congressional defense committees in the
requirement of quarterly cyber operations briefings, as well as
increasing the fidelity of the items included; a provision that
would prohibit any department, agency, organization, or other
element of the U.S. Government from using any product developed
by Kaspersky Lab or any entity of which Kaspersky Lab has
majority ownership; a provision that would establish the policy
of the United States with respect to matters pertaining to
cyberspace, cybersecurity, and cyber warfare; a provision that
would modify the requirements and authorities germane to the
establishment of a unified combatant command for cyber
operations; a provision that would authorize a pilot program to
assess the effectiveness of carrying out a full-scale talent
management program to ensure that the cyber work force of the
Department has the capacity needed to effectively perform its
cyber missions and the kinetic missions impacted by cyber
activities; a provision that would require the establishment of
a cross-functional task force to integrate across organizations
of the Department of Defense responsible for information
operations, military deception, public affairs, electronic
warfare, and cyber operations; a provision that would require
the Secretary of Defense to incorporate the cybersecurity of
elections systems of the states as a component of the Cyber
Guard Exercise; a provision that would direct the Secretary of
Defense to update its cyber scorecards; a provision that would
establish the Strategic Cybersecurity Program; a provision that
would require the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command to conduct an
evaluation of alternative methods for developing, acquiring,
and maintaining software-based cyber tools and applications for
Cyber Command and for the cyber component commands of the Armed
Forces; a provision that would direct the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report on significant security risks to defense
critical electric infrastructure; a provision that would
require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a cyber posture
review; a provision that would require the Secretary of the
Army to submit to Congress a report on the Army Combat Training
Centers and the current resident cyber capabilities and
training at such centers; a provision that would require the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the potential
offensive and defensive cyber applications of blockchain
technology; a provision that would require the Secretary of
Defense to submit a report on the Department of Defense
training infrastructure for cyber forces; a provision that
would require the Secretary of Defense to provide a report on
termination of the dual-hat arrangement for the Commander of
U.S. Cyber Command; a provision that would establish the
Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program; a provision
that would develop and implement a pilot program at not more
than 10, but at least 5, community colleges to provide
scholarships to eligible students who are veterans of the Armed
Forces pursing associate degrees or specialized program
certifications in the field of cybersecurity; a provision that
adds a scholarship-for-service condition to U.S. Code in which
recipients of the relevant scholarships must agree to work for
a period equal to the length of the scholarship in local,
state, or Federal government; a provision that expands the
definitions of ``math and science teacher'' and ``science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics professional'' to
include persons with relevant cybersecurity experience and
qualifications in section 1862n-1(i) of title 42, U.S. Code;
and a provision that would require an annual assessment of the
cyber resiliency of the nuclear command and control system.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee included several directive reporting requirements,
including: a briefing on activities and investments the
Department is making with respect to foreign suppliers of
critical technologies to national defense to ensure their
integrity, including microelectronics; a briefing on how the
Department may expand Hacking for Defense to support the
Department's innovation and entrepreneurial education efforts;
a Comptroller General review of the Department of Defense's
current military cyberspace operations; a Comptroller General
review of the Department's information operations strategy and
implementation efforts; a briefing on the implementation and
utilization of the Cyber Scholarship Program; a briefing
outlining the resources and any recommendations that will be
required to fully address the information security continuous
monitoring capability and comply-to-connect policy requirements
contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328); a briefing outlining the
specific steps the Department is taking to protect autonomous
systems from cyberattack; a briefing on the status and
evolution of automated cyber defense capabilities, to include
those that automatically detect and mitigate malware and other
threats; a plan on how the Department can leverage and partner
with universities and industry on cyber education and training;
a briefing on information security technologies that the
Department employs to protect the official unclassified email
and official unclassified mobile communications of its
employees; and a briefing on the outcomes of its cost and
technical analyses to implement enterprise-wide programs and
policies for insider threat detection, user activity
monitoring, and cyber attack detection and remediation.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included a provision that
directs policy of the United States on cyberspace,
cybersecurity, cyber warfare, and cyber deterrence; a provision
that affirms the authority of the Secretary of Defense to
conduct military activities and operations in cyberspace; a
provision that provides authority to the Department to engage
in active defense to disrupt, defeat, and deter cyber attacks
in cyberspace; a provision that would expand the Department of
Defense Cyber Scholarship Program scholarships and grants; a
provision that amends a pilot program regarding cyber
vulnerabilities of Department of Defense critical
infrastructure to include the Defense Digital Service; a
provision that extends the acquisition authority of the
Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command; a provision that directs
budget displays for cyber vulnerability evaluations and
mitigation activities for major weapon systems of the
Department of Defense; a provision that directs a determination
and report regarding the roles, missions, and responsibilities
of the Commander, Joint Force Headquarters-Department of
Defense Information Networks of the Defense Information Support
Agency; a provision requiring procedures and establishing
reporting requirements for cybersecurity breaches and loss of
personally identifiable information and controlled unclassified
information; a provision that would limit funds, require a
report, and implement specified capabilities for the Sharkseer
program; a provision that requires the Department to designate
an official for matters relating to integrating cybersecurity
and industrial control systems within the Department of
Defense; a provision to provide assistance for small
manufacturers in the defense industrial supply chain on matters
relating to cybersecurity; a provision requiring implementation
of email and Internet website security and authentication; a
provision requiring a demonstration of a security product
integration framework; a provision requiring a report on the
information security continuous monitoring program and the
cybersecurity scorecard; a provision requiring a tier 1
exercise of support to civil authorities for a cyber incident;
a provision establishing a pilot program on modeling and
simulation in support of military homeland defense operations
in connection with cyber attacks on critical infrastructure; a
provision establishing a pilot program authority to provide
personnel to the Department of Homeland Security to enhance
cybersecurity and resiliency of critical infrastructure; a
provision that would allow the establishment of a pilot program
on regional cyber security training center for the Army
National Guard; a provision that establishes a Cyberspace
Solarium Commission; and a provision that requires a study and
report on Reserve Component cyber civil support teams.
Information Operations
Engagement with foreign audiences and nuanced understanding
of the information environment is pivotal in navigating the
21st century security environment. Whether one is trying to
influence nation-state actors or potential allies, counter
violent extremist groups, or identify and counter efforts at
deception or misinformation, strategic communication and
information operations are key elements to success on the
battlefield. During the 115th Congress, the committee most
notably increased oversight and focus on understanding and
countering state-sponsored Information Operations (IO) against
adversaries such as the People's Republic of China, the Russian
Federation, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and
others. The committee also increased oversight on the nexus and
convergence between IO and cyber operations and cyber warfare.
With the continued threat of violent extremist groups like
Al Shabaab, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State in Iraq and
Syria, the sustained need for the Department of Defense to plan
and execute effective Information Operations continued to grow.
Recent examples illustrate how these groups are still utilize
social media to support the radicalization process, as well as
planning, financing, and command and control for terrorist
acts. The committee continued to scrutinize the programs,
authorities, funding, and training for traditional military
information support operations, as well as ensured such
capabilities were integrated into contingency planning and
theater security cooperation plans. Additionally, as emerging
technologies like social media and big data analytics are
forcing the Department of Defense to be more agile and
adaptable in how it uses emerging technology, including
flexible and agile policies for their employment, and concept
exploration and development to determine new ways of
operationalizing information influence. The committee monitored
how developments in the defense space adapted and synchronized
with broader interagency and international activities in order
to exert influence from tactical effect to strategic effect.
The committee held a related hearing on March 15, 2017,
entitled ``Crafting an Information Warfare and Counter-
Propaganda Strategy for the Emerging Security Environment''.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee included a reporting requirements related to
information operations: a briefing assessing the opportunities
for support of and integration with the Global Engagement
Center to address similar missions.
The Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
considered and reported legislation related to Information
Operations and in all related areas of its jurisdiction that
was ultimately included in the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91). This included
provisions to authorize and strengthen the Global Engagement
Center within the U.S. Department of State, and provisions to
strengthen the relationship between traditional IO functions
and cyber warfare and cyber operations.
The subcommittee additionally considered and reported
legislation related to Information Operations and in all
related areas of its jurisdiction that was ultimately included
in John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232). This included provisions to
strengthen and re-authorize the Global Engagement Center and
other inter-agency efforts. Other Information Operations
initiatives are detailed elsewhere in this report.
Compromises of National Security Information and Insider Threats
In the 115th Congress, the committee continued to monitor
the Department of Defense's efforts to identify and mitigate
the threats to military programs, plans, operations, and
personnel stemming from the compromise of a large amount of
classified information through unauthorized disclosures. The
committee monitored efforts to mitigate future compromises by
overseeing the implementation of insider threat programs and
other security clearance reform efforts within the executive
branch, and the Department of Defense's compliance with the
requirements of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public
Law 113-291) regarding the Department's security practices,
audit capabilities, and information-sharing policies. In June
2018, the committee held a hearing titled ``Military Technology
Transfer: Threats, Impacts, and Solutions for the Department of
Defense'', and heard directly from senior Department of Defense
leaders about efforts to protect Department information and
technology. The committee also held multiple briefings about
the Department's continued efforts to improve vetting of
personnel to improve capabilities to detect and mitigate
potential insider threats.
Use of Force in Counterterrorism Operations Outside the United States
and Areas of Active Hostilities
The committee conducted extensive oversight, often in
classified form, over the use of force in counterterrorism
operations outside of the United States and areas of active
hostilities. While the use of force in this area was overseen
in all aspects, the committee paid particular attention to
special operations and activities, and the interagency
coordination that occurs with the U.S. intelligence community.
In conducting this oversight, the committee also reviewed and
considered presidential policy guidance documents and similar
executive branch directives, and ensured that counterterrorism
operations conducted outside of the United States and areas of
active hostilities were in line with broader national security
objectives, strategies, and resources. Members and staff of the
committee conducted overseas travel to review and assess
counterterrorism operations and activities, principally within
the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of
responsibilities. Finally, the committee continued to
coordinate with the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence on intelligence matters of the Department of
Defense in the course of its annual oversight of the
intelligence community and the authorization of appropriations
for intelligence activities shared by the two committees.
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
Countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is a key
mission for the Department of Defense. The proliferation and
potential use of nuclear, chemical, and biological agents pose
a unique and enduring threat to U.S. national security. In
addition, emerging technologies, like synthetic biology,
broaden the scope of potential weapons of mass destruction. To
respond to this threat, the Department engaged in activities to
understand current threats and vulnerabilities; control,
defeat, disable, and dispose of WMD threats; and safeguard the
force and manage WMD consequences. The committee and the
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities continued
reviewing the Department's countering WMD plans and programs to
ensure the WMD threat is appropriately addressed and is
properly resourced despite budget constraints and competing
priorities.
The committee and the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities held several hearings and briefings on countering
WMD, including: a hearing on March 20, 2017, ``Hearing on High
Consequences and Uncertain Threats: Reviewing Department of
Defense Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Countering Weapons
of Mass Destruction for Fiscal Year 2018''; and a hearing on
March 22, 2018, ``Department of Defense Strategy, Policy, and
Programs for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction for Fiscal
Year 2019.''
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee included several directives related to countering
weapons of mass destruction, including: a briefing on
countermeasures for botulinum toxin type A and B; a briefing on
the Department's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and
Nuclear Response Enterprise, which includes National Guard
units; a briefing from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency
(DTRA) on planned activities to promote the ability of partner
nations to respond to WMD, including infectious disease; and a
Comptroller General review of the Realignment of the Joint
Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization under the DTRA.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee included several directives related to countering
weapons of mass destruction, including: a briefing on how the
Department may leverage advancements in synthetic biology,
genomics, and biotechnology to enhance service members'
performance; a briefing on implementation of lessons learned
from the Department's 2016 Ebola response; a briefing on the
Department's efforts to secure service member genetic and
medical information and foreign intelligence services attempts
to collect this information on Department personnel; a
Comptroller General of the United States review of the
Department's preparedness to counter chemical and biological
weapons on the Korean Peninsula; and a report on how to
strengthen the Cooperative Threat Reduction program to address
emerging threats and proliferation concerns.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), included multiple
legislative provisions related to countering WMD. These include
the development of a plan to streamline the Department's
countering WMD oversight framework and an annual report on the
work of the Countering WMD Unity of Effort Council.
Global War on Terrorism
Since the 9/11 attacks, the United States has dealt al-
Qaida repeated and significant blows during the global war on
terrorism. Despite many notable successes, al-Qaida, as well as
its adherents and affiliates, remains active in areas of
importance to the United States, including: the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan; the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; the
Republic of Iraq; the Federal Republic of Somalia; and the
Republic of Yemen. The committee continued to conduct
oversight, often in classified form, over terrorism issues,
with particular attention to special operations capabilities
and the changing nature of al-Qaida's organization, affiliates,
and its operations, as well as threats being posed by the
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The committee continued to
focus on efforts to build partner nation counterterrorism and
conventional warfare capabilities to counter these threats at
the regional and local level. As the United States strengthened
and built partnership capacity with key allies around the
globe, the committee remained focused on the Department of
Defense's efforts to aggressively fight the global war on
terror and counter radicalism in places of concern, such as
Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, and North
Africa. Committee members and staff conducted numerous overseas
congressional delegations to review and assess ongoing U.S. and
coalition counterterrorism operations and activities. Ensuring
security and stability in volatile regions that cannot
adequately govern themselves or secure their own territory
remained a top priority for the committee.
The committee and the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities held several related hearings in this area
including: a hearing on March 15, 2017, ``Crafting an
Information Warfare and Counter-Propaganda Strategy for the
Emerging Security Environment''; a hearing on March 23, 2017,
``High Consequences and Uncertain Threats: Reviewing Department
of Defense Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Countering
Weapons of Mass Destruction for Fiscal Year 2018''; a hearing
on May 2, 2017, ``Three Decades Later: A Review and Assessment
of U.S. Special Operations Forces 30-Years After the Creation
of U.S. Special Operations Command''; a hearing on February 15,
2018, ``Evolution, Transformation, and Sustainment: A Review of
the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for U.S. Special Operations
Forces and Command''; a hearing on March 22, 2018, ``Department
of Defense Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Countering
Weapons of Mass Destruction for Fiscal Year 2019''; and a
hearing on July 19, 2018, ``Department of Defense's Role in
Foreign Assistance''.
Similarly, the committee and the Subcommittee on Emerging
Threats and Capabilities held several classified and/or closed
briefings and roundtables including: a briefing on February 15,
2017, ``Counterterrorism Operations and Intelligence Update
Brief''; a briefing on March 21, 2017, ``Yemen Update Brief'';
a roundtable discussion on March 29, 2017, ``The Future of
Counterterrorism Policy: Identifying Essential Elements to
Achieve an Effective and Sustainable Strategy''; a briefing on
June 14, 2017, ``Counterterrorism Operations and Intelligence
Update Brief''; a briefing on September 6, 2017,
``Counterterrorism Operations and Intelligence Update Brief'';
a briefing on October 26, 2017, ``Recent U.S. Military
Operations in Niger'' in conjunction with the Full Committee; a
briefing on December 13, 2017, ``Counterterrorism Operations
and Intelligence Update Brief''; and a briefing on June 26,
2018, ``Counterterrorism Operations and Intelligence Update
Brief''.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included several provisions related to the
global war on terrorism, counterterrorism, special operations
forces, and sensitive activities that are reported elsewhere in
this report. Similarly, the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
included several legislative provisions related to the global
war on terrorism, counterterrorism, special operations forces,
and sensitive activities that are reported elsewhere in this
report.
Information Technology
Information technology (IT) systems are critical enablers
for the Department of Defense. The IT budget represents a major
investment area requiring the same rigorous planning, analysis,
and oversight as any other complex major weapon system. The
Department recognized this area as a source of greater
efficiencies, and has managed to reduce spending in IT by
several billion dollars across the Future Years Defense
Program. The committee continued to review the Department's IT
investment planning and review processes, as well as specific
acquisitions, to improve the ability to identify and reduce
unwarranted duplication and eliminate programs of little value
to the warfighter. The committee also provided robust oversight
on the adoption of enterprise-wide cloud architecture and the
overarching Department cloud strategy.
The committee held related hearing on April 26, 2017,
entitled ``Creating a Flexible and Effective Information
Technology Management and Acquisition System: Elements for
Success in a Rapidly Changing Landscape''; a hearing on April
27, 2017, entitled ``Update on activities of the Electronic
Warfare Executive Committee''; and a briefing on July 26, 2017,
entitled ``Briefing on the Navy's Digital Warfare Office''.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-200) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, the
committee included several reporting requirements related to
information technology, including a briefing on cloud computing
coordinated with the acquisition community; a briefing on any
current plans to demonstrate or incorporate Department-wide
digital risk management and attribute-based access control
capabilities into upgrades to key enabling cyber capabilities
inside the Joint Regional Security Stacks initiative; and a
report with a plan to carry out the timely completion of
network consolidation and installation of Joint Regional
Security Stacks and Multi-Protocol Label Switching at key nodes
in the U.S.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) included: a provision that eliminates the
sunset of certain provisions relating to information technology
and extend the sunset relating to the Federal Data Center
Consolidation Initiative; a provision that excludes defense
business systems and major automated information systems from
the definition of major defense acquisition program; a
provision requiring the Defense Innovation Board to complete an
analysis of software development and acquisition regulations
for the Department; a provision that establishes two pilots
that encourage the Department's use of tailoring to realign
several major warfighting programs and defense business
systems; a provision that directs the Secretary of Defense to
identify software development activities and pilot the use of
modern agile methods, to include open source approaches, as
well as oversight metrics appropriate for agile development; a
provision that directs the Secretary of Defense to manage the
Department's unclassified, non-defense article, custom
developed computer software code using open source licenses and
an open source software repository; a provision that authorizes
two types of funds to modernize the Federal Government's legacy
IT and to incentivize IT savings in federal agencies; a
provision that elevates the role of the Chief Information
Officer and realigning its responsibilities and authorities to
two other officials: Chief Information Warfare Officer and
Chief Management Officer; and a provision that requires that
procurement for each Distributed Common Ground System be
carried out in accordance with section 2377 of title 10, United
States Code, regarding commercial items.
In the committee report (H. Rept. 115-676) accompanying the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the
committee included a reporting requirement related to
information technology, including a request for information on
the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure and its impacts to
current cloud computing services.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) included: a provision
that requires implementation of the recommendations of the
final report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on the
Design and Acquisition of Software for Defense System; a
provision that requires the Chief Information Officer to
develop an approach to rapidly acquire advanced network and
cloud capabilities to conduct an analysis of the migration to
the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, and to provide a
report on the Department's Cloud Initiative; and a provision
that would require the Department to establish regulations and
a registry of providers of information technology who have
obligations to foreign governments.
ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE
Full Committee Hearings and Briefings
During the 115th Congress, the committee held a series of
budget posture hearings and briefings in preparation for the
fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 budgets. The hearings and
briefings, combined with the committee's responsibility for
assembling the annual defense authorization bill, are a central
element in the discharge of the committee's oversight
responsibilities. In upholding its responsibilities to mitigate
waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement of Federal Government
programs, and pursuant to House rule XI, clause 2(n), (o), and
(p), the committee met several times to conduct oversight of
Department of Defense activities, as noted elsewhere in this
report.
To inform its consideration of the fiscal year 2018 budget
request, the committee convened a hearing on February 7, 2017,
with military senior leaders to receive testimony on the state
of the military. On April 5, 2017, the committee convened a
hearing to receive testimony from the military service chiefs
about a continuing resolution's impact on the military. The
committee convened a hearing on June 12, 2017, to receive
testimony from the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff on the fiscal year 2018 budget request.
The committee also sought the perspective of the commanders of
the unified combatant commands through several briefings and
hearings in 2017. Additionally, the committee convened a
hearing to receive testimony from Members of Congress on their
national defense priorities for the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, which took place on
April 27, 2017.
To inform its consideration of the fiscal year 2019 budget
request, the committee convened a hearing on March 20, 2018,
with the Secretaries of the military departments to receive
testimony about the fiscal year 2019 budget request and
acquisition reform progress. The committee received testimony
from the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff on October 3, 2017, about the U.S. defense
strategy in South Asia, on February 6, 2018, about the National
Defense Strategy and Nuclear Posture Review, and on April 12,
2018, about the fiscal year 2019 budget request for the
Department of Defense. The committee also sought the
perspective of the commanders of the unified combatant commands
through briefings and hearings in 2018. Additionally, the
committee convened a hearing to receive testimony from Members
of Congress on their national defense priorities for the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which
took place on April 11, 2018.
In keeping with the committee's emphasis on defense reform,
the committee convened a series of hearings and briefings
throughout the 115th Congress to examine initial findings of
the Section 809 Panel, future opportunities in defense reform,
oversight and reform of the 4th Estate of the Department of
Defense, promotion of the Department's culture of innovation,
military service acquisition reform, and the Financial
Improvement and Audit Remediation plan.
Additionally, in recognition of the changing nature of
conflict and competition, the committee met several times over
the course of the 115th Congress to conduct hearings and
briefings on threats and the United States' role and policies.
Topics covered included America's role in the world, the
evolution of hybrid warfare and its key challenges,
cyberwarfare, the evolving threat of terrorism and effective
counterterrorism strategies, national security threats and
challenges, state and non-state actor influence operations,
strategic competition with the People's Republic of China,
readying the U.S. military for future warfare, and China's
pursuit of emerging technologies.
The committee also held frequent classified briefings to
receive intelligence and operational updates on threat
developments across the globe. These briefings informed the
committee's oversight hearings and briefings on the
Department's strategic reassurance and deterrence activities in
Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and operations in Africa. They
also informed the committee's legislative initiatives in
readiness, capabilities, and infrastructure to ensure that the
U.S. Armed Forces remain capable of addressing current and
emerging conventional and unconventional threats.
The committee also sought to emphasize and complement the
oversight work of the subcommittees and, throughout the 115th
Congress, conducted oversight series focused on securing the
peace after the fall of ISIS, evaluating Department of Defense
equipment and uniform procurement in the Republic of Iraq and
the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, evaluating the Defense
Contract Auditing Process, infrastructure needs and projects
ready for immediate implementation in the nuclear security
enterprise, and the inspector general's report about its
investigation on allegations relating to U.S. Central Command's
intelligence products. Lastly, the committee conducted hearings
on the preparation the Department of Defense is undertaking to
execute its first ever full financial audit on the financial
statements of fiscal year 2018.
Budget Oversight
On March 3, 2017, the chairman of the Committee on Armed
Services forwarded his views and estimates regarding the budget
request for National Defense Budget Function (050) for fiscal
year 2018 to the Committee on the Budget. At that time, the
President had announced a topline of $603.0 billion for fiscal
year 2018 discretionary budget authority for national defense.
At that funding level, a full budget submission would not
comply with the limitations mandated by the Budget Control Act
of 2011 (Public Law 112-25) for funding levels in fiscal year
2018 and across all budgeted fiscal years. While the $603.0
billion would be a 3.2 percent increase for national defense
compared to the fiscal year 2018 funding levels proposed in
President Obama's fiscal year 2017 budget request, the
committee indicated that level of funding would not accomplish
the Administration's goals.
At the direction of the Speaker of the House, the committee
identified funding gaps that have resulted in significant
damage to our military in recent years, as well as the funding
required to fulfill the specific goals set by the President.
Proposed increases to the funding above that projected in the
budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 include an additional
$15.0 billion to start rebuilding toward an active Army of
490,000 Soldiers; almost $14.0 billion to begin repairing U.S.
Navy ships, restoring U.S. naval presence around the world, and
recovering current readiness shortfalls; and nearly $11.0
billion to replace worn out equipment and begin making up for
military training missed over the last four years. The
committee also noted that it would take nearly $4.0 billion to
restore over-used facilities. The committee assessed that the
total cost to begin the repair and rebuilding effort was
approximately $640.0 billion for fiscal year 2018, or a 9.5
percent increase.
As requested by the chairman of the Budget Committee, the
committee outlined its legislative priorities for the upcoming
year. The committee noted that the annual National Defense
Authorization Act contained all the essential authorities
required to sustain our military and is the chief mechanism
through which Congress exercises its Article I, Section 8
responsibilities. The committee intended to enact a national
defense authorization bill in 2017 as it has for 56 consecutive
years. The committee identified that it will continue the
practice of conducting a significant number of hearings,
briefings, and roundtable discussions in order to better
understand the current security environment, evaluate proposals
for reform, and receive independent feedback on the military
requirements necessary to support a robust strategy. The
committee's ranking member did not join the chairman in his
views and estimates.
On March 9, 2018, the chairman of the Committee on Armed
Services forwarded his views and estimates regarding the budget
request for National Defense Budget Function (050) for fiscal
year 2019 to the Committee on the Budget. The President's
fiscal year 2019 budget submission complied with the
limitations mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public
Law 112-25) as modified by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-123). The committee noted that funding levels
provided by the Public Law 115-123 for national defense would
begin to redress our readiness shortfalls. The 2018 agreement
provided the Department with the increases the Secretary of
Defense requested. However, Congress would need to follow the
fiscal cycle through to conclusion by properly providing
appropriations in a timely manner for the Department to execute
these funds effectively.
The committee noted that it will take years to address the
readiness shortfall, and was therefore pleased to see the
President's Budget request not only matched the funding levels
set by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 for fiscal year 2019,
but maintained higher levels of funding through the Future
Years Defense Plan (FYDP). The committee stated further that
while changes in the security environment must always be
considered when formulating budgets, providing the Department
and the defense industrial base with a reliable budget that
extends into the outyears would enable more cost effective
decision-making. Retaining adequate budget levels in the
outyears would be critical to continuing the positive
trajectory Public Law 115-123 had provided for readiness
restoration.
The committee was also encouraged by the budget request's
proposal to realign Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds
to the base budget starting in fiscal year 2020. As OCO
activities become enduring requirements over time, those
requirements should be funded in the base budget. Increases to
base funding levels in the outyears would accommodate the
realignment of funding for these enduring requirements, and the
President's budget request allowed for this accommodation over
the life of the FYDP. The committee identified that while an
adjustment to the funding caps in the Budget Control Act would
still be required for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the committee
supported early congressional action on an applicable budget
agreement.
ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
In coordination with the committee, the Subcommittee on
Emerging Threats and Capabilities conducted additional
oversight of specific issues related to the global war on
terrorism, to include; special operations capabilities,
counterterrorism, and counter-proliferation programs and
activities; homeland defense and consequence management
programs; intelligence policy, national intelligence programs,
and Department of Defense elements of the intelligence
community.
In order to conduct oversight, subcommittee members and
staff made numerous trips to countries impacted by terrorism
and emerging threats, to include areas where U.S. forces are
engaged in combat operations, to further understand the
resources leveraged against terrorism and other emerging
threats, the authorities applied in these efforts, and the
Department of Defense's interaction with its interagency and
international partners. These congressional and staff
delegations were preceded by operational and intelligence
oversight briefings to Members and staff by senior officials
from the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and
the intelligence community, and represented an important part
of oversight conducted by the subcommittee. Countries visited
include: United Arab Emirates, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,
the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of
Latvia, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ukraine, the
Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Djibouti, the
Federal Republic of Germany, and the Kingdom of Belgium.
The subcommittee considered and reported several
legislative provisions in H.R. 2810, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, as passed by the House,
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91), H.R. 5515, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, as passed by the House,
and the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232). The provisions covered a
range of issues within the subcommittee's jurisdiction
including: counterterrorism and counter-proliferation programs
and activities; U.S. Special Operations Forces; science and
technology policy and programs, including the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency; information technology and programs;
homeland defense and consequence management programs; and
defense intelligence policy. These specifically included:
increased congressional oversight of cyber operations;
requiring a cyber posture review to clarify U.S. cyber
deterrence policy and strategy; support for Defense innovation
to ensure technological superiority and overmatch for
warfighters against current and future threats; reinforces
counterterrorism and unconventional warfare capabilities by
fully resourcing U.S. Special Operations Command's programs and
activities; granted specific permanent authority for family
support programs within U.S. Special Operations Command;
advanced hypersonic weapons research, development, and
transitional efforts within the Department; and provisions
previously addressed elsewhere in this report.
The subcommittee conducted three oversight hearings during
its consideration of the fiscal year 2018 budget request,
including the following: March 23, 2017, ``High Consequences
and Uncertain Threats: Reviewing Department of Defense
Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Countering Weapons of Mass
Destruction for Fiscal Year 2018''; May 2, 2017, ``Three
Decades Later: A Review and Assessment of U.S. Special
Operations Forces 30-Years After the Creation of U.S. Special
Operations Command''; and May 23, 2017, ``Fiscal Year 2018
Budget Request for U.S. Cyber Command: Cyber Mission Force
Support to Department of Defense Operations''.
The subcommittee conducted four oversight hearings during
its consideration of the fiscal year 2019 budget request,
including the following: February 15, 2018, ``Evolution,
Transformation, and Sustainment: A Review of the Fiscal Year
2019 Budget Request for U.S. Special Operations Forces and
Command''; March 14, 2018, ``A Review and Assessment of the
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Department of Defense
Science and Technology Programs''; March 22, 2018, ``Department
of Defense (DoD) Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Countering
Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) for Fiscal Year 2019''; and
April 11, 2018, ``A Review and Assessment of the Department of
Defense Budget, Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Cyber
Operations and U.S. Cyber Command for Fiscal Year 2019''.
In addition to oversight hearings, the subcommittee held
various briefings and events to conduct oversight, including
classified briefings: February 15, 2017, ``Counterterrorism
Operations and Intelligence Update Brief''; March 1, 2017,
``Cyber Operations Quarterly Update''; March 1, 2017, ``Cyber
Warfare in the 21st Century: Threats, Challenges, and
Opportunities''; March 15, 2017, ``Crafting an Information
Warfare and Counter-Propaganda Strategy for the Emerging
Security Environment''; March 3, 2017, ``Industry Roundtable on
Challenges to the Department of Defense's Information
Technology and Cyber Infrastructure''; March 21, 2017, ``Yemen
Update Brief''; March 29, 2017, ``The Future of
Counterterrorism Policy: Identifying Essential Elements to
Achieve an Effective and Sustainable Strategy''; April 4, 2017,
``China's Information Warfare Strategy: A Conversation with
Dean Cheng, Author of Cyber Dragon''; April 26, 2017,
``Creating a Flexible and Effective Information Technology
Management and Acquisition System: Elements for Success in a
Rapidly Changing Landscape''; April 27, 2017, ``Update on
activities of the Electronic Warfare Executive Committee (EW
EXCOM)''; May 17, 2017, ``Technological Superiority and Defense
Investment Planning to Mitigate Foreign Advances''; June 14,
2017, Counterterrorism Operations and Intelligence Update
Brief''; July 26, 2017, ``Briefing on the Navy's Digital
Warfare Office''; September 6, 2017, ``Counterterrorism
Operations and Intelligence Update Brief''; September 26, 2017,
``Initiatives for Protecting Naval Vessels Afloat from Cyber
Vulnerabilities'' jointly with the Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces; October 26, 2017, ``Recent U.S. Military
Operations in Niger''; November 29, 2017, ``Cyber Operations
Quarterly Update''; December 6, 2017, ``Update on National
Security Agency (NSA) Activities''; December 13, 2017,
``Counterterrorism Operations and Intelligence Update Brief'';
January 8, 2018, ``China's Pursuit of Emerging and Exponential
Technologies''; January 17, 2018, ``An Update on U.S.
Government Accountability Office's (GAO) Ongoing Cyber Reviews
and Studies''; April 11, 2018, ``Cyber Operations Today:
Preparing for 21st Century Challenges in an Information-Enabled
Society''; June 6, 2018, ``Cyber Operations Quarterly Update'';
June 21, 2018, ``Industry Roundtable on Artificial
Intelligence''; June 26, 2018, ``Counterterrorism Operations
and Intelligence Update Brief''; July 19, 2018, ``Department of
Defense's Role in Foreign Assistance''; September 26, 2018,
``Cyber Policies, Authorities, and Approvals for Department of
Defense Cyber Operations''; November 14, 2018, ``Interagency
Cyber Cooperation: Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities of
DOD & DHS'' in coordination with the House Committee on
Homeland Security; and December 11, 2018, ``Department of
Defense's Artificial Intelligence Structure, Investments, and
Applications''.
Subcommittee on Military Personnel
The committee conducted oversight of several additional
military personnel-related issues during the 115th Congress. On
July 25, 2017, the Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a
classified briefing on the results of a Department of Defense
Inspector General investigation into the Military Accessions
Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program. The briefers
provided an overview of the original purpose of the program,
and how the investigation uncovered several security issues,
including the fact that several thousand non-citizens were
allowed to enter the military without completed background
investigations. As a result of the investigation, the
Department of Defense suspended the MAVNI program and tightened
the policies related to background investigations. On June 27,
2018, the subcommittee held a classified follow-up briefing to
better understand what steps have been taken to remedy the
security concerns. In an effort to prevent future issues
related to this program, the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
contained a provision that puts in place restrictions on the
program, including limits on the number that can enlist under
the program, as well as a requirement that all participants
have completed background investigations before attending
initial training.
The committee also conducted substantial oversight of
Arlington National Cemetery. A recent report and survey made
clear that the cemetery was rapidly running out of burial
space. As a result, the subcommittee held a briefing on January
11, 2018, and a hearing on March 8, 2018, where the Members
heard from the Arlington National Cemetery administrators and
from veteran stakeholders. Both the briefing and the hearing
made clear that changes are necessary to ensure that Arlington
National Cemetery remains an active burial ground for the
Nation's heroes. To that end, Public Law 115-232 included a
provision that directed the Secretary of the Army to establish
revised eligibility criteria for interment at Arlington
National Cemetery to ensure that the cemetery remains an active
burial ground well into the future.
Finally, the subcommittee continued its oversight of the
military service review board agencies. The agencies are
charged with receiving and reviewing applications for the
correction of military records and for reviewing requests for
discharge upgrades. The subcommittee held a hearing on March 2,
2017, with the directors of the agencies to gain a better
understanding of their purpose and the nature of the
applications they receive. On September 27, 2018, the
subcommittee held another hearing with the review board
agencies' directors to understand why the agencies are unable
to meet congressionally-mandated processing timelines.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Public Law 115-91) contained several provisions designed to
ensure applicants receive a fair and thorough review, including
a provision that requires the Boards of Correction for Military
and Naval Records consider additional medical evidence
submitted by the applicant and grant liberal consideration of
evidence in cases involving post-traumatic stress disorder or
traumatic brain injury. Other provisions required a
confidential review of discharge characterizations for victims
of sexual assault and a pilot program to leverage
teleconferencing technology to allow applicants to appear
before review boards. Similarly, Public Law 115-232 contained a
provision that extended a previous prohibition on reducing the
civilian manning at the review board agencies. The committee
will continue to provide oversight of this issue to ensure
review board agency applicants receive timely and thorough
reviews of their applications.
Subcommittee on Readiness
The Subcommittee on Readiness continued oversight of
military readiness, training, logistics, and maintenance
issues; military construction, installations, shipyard repair
facilities, and family housing issues; energy policy and
programs of the Department of Defense; and civilian personnel
and service contracting issues.
On February 15, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
classified briefing on the ``Quarterly Readiness Report to
Congress.''
On February 28, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on ``The Department of Defense's Readiness
Rebuilding Efforts.''
On March 8, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on ``The Current State of U.S. Army Readiness.''
On March 16, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on ``The Current State of U.S. Navy Readiness.''
On March 22, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on ``The Current State of U.S. Air Force Readiness.''
On March 30, 2017, the subcommittee met in joint session
with the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces to
receive testimony on ``The Current State of U.S. Transportation
Command.''
On April 5, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on ``The Current State of U.S. Marine Corps Readiness''
On April 27, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on ``Shipyard Readiness.''
On June 8, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on ``The Department of the Navy 2018 Budget
Request.''
On June 9, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on ``The Department of the Army 2018 Budget
Request.''
On June 13, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on ``The Department of the Air Force 2018
Budget Request.''
On July 27, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on ``Continued Oversight of the Transfer of Excess Military
Equipment to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies.''
On September 7, 2017, the subcommittee met in joint session
with the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces to
receive testimony on ``Navy Readiness--Underlying Problems
Associated with the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain.''
On September 28, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on the ``European Defense Initiative
Training Plan, Past & Future.''
On November 3, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing from the Government Accountability Office
on ``Navy and Marine Corps Training: Further Planning Needed
for Amphibious Operations Training.''
On November 8, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on the ``Investigation Results of the USS
Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain Collision Incidents.''
On November 9, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on ``Aviation Readiness: What's the Flight Plan.''
On November 29, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive a
classified briefing on the ``Quarterly Readiness Update.''
On December 1, 2017, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on ``Amphibious Warfare Readiness and Training:
Interoperability, Shortfalls, and the Way Ahead.''
On January 10, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive a
roundtable briefing on ``F-35 Aircraft Sustainment
Challenges.''
On January 18, 2018, the subcommittee met in joint session
with the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee to receive
testimony concerning the Navy's reviews of surface forces
operations and sustainment following recent incidents.
On February 7, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive a
classified briefing from the Office of the Secretary of Defense
on a Readiness Update.
On February 14, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on ``Air Force Readiness Posture.''
On March 6, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on ``Marine Corps Readiness Posture.''
On March 8, 2018, the subcommittee met in joint session
with the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee to receive
testimony on ``Mobility and Transportation Command Posture.''
On March 20, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on ``Navy Readiness Posture.''
On April 18, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on the ``Fiscal Year 2019 Energy, Installations and
Environment Budget Request.''
On April 19, 2018 the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on the ``Army Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request Readiness
Posture.''
On June 6, 2018, the subcommittee met in joint session with
the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces to receive a
roundtable briefing on a progress report for fixing Navy
surface fleet readiness.
On June 14, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on ``Navy and Air Force Depot Policy Issues and Infrastructure
Concerns.''
On June 21, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on a progress report for aviation mishaps and prevention.
On June 28, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive testimony
on ``Army and Marine Corps Depot Policy Issues and
Infrastructure Concerns.''
On September 13, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive
testimony on the ``Army Futures Command: Will It Help?''
On November 16, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive a
briefing on ``Moving Military Families: Can We Fix A Broken
System.''
On December 19, 2018, the subcommittee met to receive a
classified briefing on the ``Quarterly Readiness Update.''
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
The Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces provides
oversight of Navy acquisition programs, Naval Reserve
equipment, and Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicle programs
(except strategic weapons, space, special operations, science
and technology programs, and information technology programs),
deep strike bombers and related systems, lift programs,
seaborne unmanned aerial systems and the associated weapons
systems sustainment. In addition, the subcommittee is
responsible for Maritime programs under the jurisdiction of the
committee as delineated in paragraphs 5 and 9 of clause 1(c) of
rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives. The
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces also provided
oversight on policy, such as modernization and investment
issues, as appropriate within the subcommittee's jurisdiction.
This includes current or future acquisition programs that
relate to gaps in the capabilities required to execute current
national military strategies, as well as the allocation of
acquisition resources. This would also include military service
specific acquisition policies as long as there is a nexus to
the subcommittee's jurisdiction. The Subcommittee on Seapower
and Projection Forces focused on maintaining air and sea
dominance and superiority, as well as policies ensuring
effective use of these forces as a strategic deterrent.
The subcommittee conducted two oversight hearings during
its consideration of the fiscal year 2018 budget request,
including the following: May 24, 2017: ``Department of the Navy
Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for Seapower and Projection
Forces''; May 25, 2017: ``Department of the Air Force FY 2018
Budget Request for Sea Power and Projection Forces''.
In addition to oversight hearings, the subcommittee held
various briefings and events to conduct oversight including
classified briefings: February 14, 2017: ``Navy Requirements
Underpinning the 355-Ship Navy''; March 8, 2017: ``An
Independent Fleet Assessment of the U.S. Navy''; March 15,
2017: ``B-21 Program Update''; March 21, 2017: ``Shipbuilding
Industrial Base''; March 28, 2017: ``Maintaining Undersea
Dominance and Projected Aircraft Carrier Shortfalls''; March
30, 2017: ``The Current State of U.S. Transportation Command'';
May 3, 2017: ``Littoral Combat Ships and the Transition to
Frigate Class''; May 18, 2018: ``Amphibious Warfare in a
Contested Environment''; June 8, 2017: ``Columbia-class
Ballistic Missile Submarine Program Brief''; July 19, 2017:
``Ready Reserve Force Readiness Assessment and Recapitalization
Plan''; July 27, 2017: ``Aircraft Carrier Force Structure and
Shock Trial Requirements''; September 7, 2017: ``Navy
Readiness--Underlying Problems Associated with the USS
Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain''; September 14, 2017:
``Bomber Vector''; September 26, 2017: ``Navy Cyber
Vulnerabilities''; November 8, 2017: ``Comprehensive Assessment
Related to Surface Ship Accidents in 7th Fleet''; December 6,
2017: ``B-21 Raider''; and December 13, 2017: ``Secretary of
Navy Independent Review''.
The subcommittee considered and reported legislation that
was ultimately included in the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91). The legislation
covered a range of issues, including authorization of
appropriations for procurement programs and research,
development, test, and evaluation programs for the Department
of the Navy, Air Force, and Reserve Components.
The subcommittee conducted two oversight hearings during
its consideration of the fiscal year 2019 budget request,
including the following: March 6, 2018: ``Department of the
Navy FY 2019 Budget Request for Seapower and Projection
Forces''; March 14, 2018: ``Department of the Air Force FY 2019
Budget Request for Sea Power and Projection Forces''.
In addition to oversight hearings, the subcommittee held
various briefings and events to conduct oversight including
classified briefings: January 18, 2018: ``Surface Warfare: At a
Cross Roads''; January 30, 2018: ``Conventional Prompt Global
Strike''; February 6, 2018: ``U.S. Air Force Support of
Continuity of Government Operations''; February 27, 2018: ``B-
21 and Family of Systems''; March 8, 2018: ``Mobility and
Transportation Command Posture''; March 20, 2018: ``Submarine
Industrial Base: Options for Construction''; April 12, 2018:
``355 Ship Navy: Delivering the Right Capabilities''; June 6,
2018: ``Progress Report--Fixing Navy Surface Fleet Readiness'';
July 12, 2018: ``KC-46A Program Brief''; September 5, 2018:
``B-21''; September 28, 2018: ``Contributing Factors to C-130
Mishaps and Other Intra-Theater Airlift Challenges''; and
November 29, 2018: ``Advanced Russian Submarine Threats in the
Atlantic''.
The subcommittee considered and reported legislation that
was ultimately included in the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232).
The legislation covered a range of issues, including
authorization of appropriations for procurement programs and
research, development, test, and evaluation programs for the
Department of the Navy, Air Force, and Reserve Components.
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
In the first session of the 115th Congress, the
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces convened for a series of
hearings related to its oversight of the President's fiscal
year 2018 budget request. On May 19, 2017, the subcommittee
held a hearing on ``Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities and Posture of
the National Security Space Enterprise''. On May 25, 2017, the
subcommittee held a hearing on ``Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities
for Nuclear Forces and Atomic Energy Defense Activities''. On
June 7, 2017, the subcommittee met for a hearing on ``Fiscal
Year 2018 Priorities and Posture of Missile Defeat Programs and
Activities''.
During the first session of the 115th Congress, the
subcommittee held additional oversight hearings related to the
following topics: nuclear deterrence and the Defense Science
Board's perspective; threats to space assets and implications
for homeland security; and consequences and context for the
Russian Federation's violations of the Intermediate-Range
Nuclear Forces Treaty.
In the second session of the 115th Congress, the
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces met for a series of hearings
related to its oversight of the President's fiscal year 2019
budget request. On March 15, 2018, the subcommittee held a
hearing on the ``National Security Space Budget''. On March 22,
2018, the subcommittee held a hearing on the ``Department of
Defense Nuclear Forces and Department of Energy Budget''. On
April 17, 2018, the subcommittee held a hearing on the ``Fiscal
Year 2019 Budget for Missile Defense and Defeat Activities.''
During the second session of the 115th Congress, the
subcommittee held additional oversight hearings related to the
following topics: The National Defense Strategy and the Nuclear
Posture Review; Space Situational Awareness; and a posture
hearing on the entirety of the strategic forces portfolio.
In addition to these hearings, the subcommittee conducted
briefings in support of its oversight on the following topics:
U.S. strategic forces posture; national security space
operations; foreign counter space threats and defense of
national security space; national security space programs;
national security space acquisition; national security space
strategy; reports and studies on national security space reform
from the Rumsfeld Commission to present; nuclear command,
control, and communications system; U.S. and foreign nuclear
weapons programs--current status and future trends; North Korea
nuclear and missile programs; foreign nuclear programs and
threats; and the history of the nuclear posture review.
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
The Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces provided
oversight of the Departments of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps,
Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense
acquisition programs providing tactical aircraft and missiles;
armor and ground vehicles; munitions; rotorcraft; individual
equipment to include tactical networks and radios; counter
improvised explosive device equipment; intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms to include unmanned
aerial systems, and associated support equipment, including
National Guard and Reserve equipment programs. The Subcommittee
on Tactical Air and Land Forces also provided oversight on
policy, such as threats and force structure requirements, as
appropriate within the subcommittee's jurisdiction. This
includes current or future acquisition programs that relate to
gaps in the capabilities required to execute current national
military strategies, as well as the allocation of acquisition
resources. This also includes military service specific
acquisition policies as long as there is a nexus to the
subcommittee's jurisdiction. The Subcommittee on Tactical Air
and Land Forces focused on maintaining Air Dominance and Air
Superiority, as well as policies ensuring effective use of land
forces as a strategic deterrent. The subcommittee also
conducted oversight on addressing physiological episodes in
fighter, attack, and training aircrafts, as well as looking
into the Department of Defense's aviation safety mishap review
and oversight process.
The subcommittee conducted two oversight hearings during
its consideration of the fiscal year 2018 budget request,
including the following: May 24, 2017: ``Ground Force
Modernization Budget Request''; and June 7, 2017: ``Combat
Aviation Modernization Programs and the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget
Request.''
The subcommittee conducted three oversight hearings during
its consideration of the fiscal year 2019 budget request,
including the following: March 15, 2018: ``Fiscal Year 2019
Budget Request on Air Force Airborne Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Programs''; April 12, 2018:
``Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Combat Aviation
Programs''; and April 18, 2018: ``Ground Force Modernization
Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019''.
In addition to oversight hearings, the subcommittee held
various briefings and events to conduct oversight, including
classified briefings: February 16, 2017: ``Military Services
5th Generation Tactical Aircraft Challenges and F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter Program Update''; March, 1, 2017: ``U.S. Ground
Force Capability and Modernization Challenges in Eastern
Europe''; March 10, 2017: ``The Effect of Sequestration and
Continuing Resolutions on Marine Corps Modernization and
Readiness''; March 16, 2017: ``The Effect of Sequestration and
Continuing Resolutions on Army Modernization and Readiness'';
March 28, 2017: ``Naval Strike Fighters--Issues and Concerns'';
May 3, 2017: ``Roundtable discussion with the Commander of
Naval Air Forces and the Commander of the Naval Air Systems
Command Regarding Physiological Episodes in Navy T-45
Aircraft''; May 18, 2017: ``Review of DOD Airborne ISR
Requirements and Allocation Processes and Military Department
Aircraft that Support Those Requirements''; July 27, 2017:
``Update on Challenges Facing Army and Air Force Munition
Programs and the Associated Industrial Bases''; September 13,
2017: ``Update on Army and Marine Corps Personal Protection
Equipment (PPE) Programs''; September 27, 2017: ``The Army's
Tactical Network Modernization Strategy''; January 18, 2018:
``DOD Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR)
Force Structure Allocation Processes to Address Combatant
Commander Airborne ISR Requirements''; February 6, 2018:
``Addressing Physiological Episodes in Fighter, Attack, and
Training Aircraft.'' March 7, 2018: ``The F-35 Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) Lightning II Program''; June 13, 2018:
``Department of Defense Aviation Safety Mishap Review and
Oversight Process''; and September 6, 2018: ``Update on
Activities Related to Programs of the Air Force Rapid
Capabilities Office''.
The subcommittee considered and reported legislation that
was ultimately included in the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91). The legislation
covered a range of issues, including authorization of
appropriations for procurement programs and research,
development, test, and evaluation programs for the Departments
of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Reserve Components.
The subcommittee considered and reported legislation that
was ultimately included in John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232).
The legislation covered a range of issues, including
authorization of appropriations for procurement programs and
research, development, test, and evaluation programs for the
Departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Reserve
Components.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
supplements and expands upon the oversight activities
undertaken by the full committee and other subcommittees. It
conducts comprehensive, in-depth inquiries; convenes hearings
and briefings; and makes recommendations to the committee,
including for potential legislative action on pressing issues
within the committee's jurisdiction. The subcommittee's efforts
on behalf of defense reform, the Foreign Military Sales
process, nuclear infrastructure, and detainee matters are
described elsewhere in this report. In addition to those
activities, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
undertook the following work:
U.S. Central Command Intelligence Products
On February 28, 2017, the subcommittee convened a hearing
entitled ``Investigation on Allegations Relating to USCENTCOM
Intelligence Products''. The subject was a January 2017
Department of Defense Inspector General (DOD IG) report that
concluded allegations of intelligence manipulation at U.S.
Central Command (CENTCOM) had not been substantiated, and
suggested reforms to improve the command climate and prevent
potential intelligence distortion. Witnesses were the Honorable
Glenn A. Fine, Acting Inspector General, Department of Defense
and officials from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
(Intelligence), the Joint Staff, CENTCOM, and the Defense
Intelligence Agency.
Industrial Base Issues
The subcommittee also addressed issues related to the
military industrial base. On May 4, 2017, the subcommittee
convened in closed session for an intelligence briefing on
``Foreign Threats to National Labs, Academia, and Defense-
Related Supply Chains.'' Briefers from the Department of
Defense and the intelligence community were present.
On May 23, 2017, the subcommittee convened in another
closed session for a briefing on ``The Office of Manufacturing
and Industrial Base Policy: Role and Policies Pertaining to the
Review and Assessment of Foreign Investment in the U.S.''. A
Department of Defense briefer addressed challenges to the
defense manufacturing and industrial base, including potential
threats to national labs, academia, and defense-related supply
chains.
Procurement
On July 25, 2017, the subcommittee held a hearing to
receive testimony on ``Evaluating Department of Defense
Equipment and Uniform Procurement in Iraq and Afghanistan.''
The hearing focused on four oversight reports that covered
problems in the procurement and equipping of forces in the
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of Iraq. The
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction and
representatives from the Government Accountability Office and
the Department of Defense Inspector General summarized their
reports and witnesses from the Office of the Secretary of
Defense described the steps the Department is taking to ensure
accountability.
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
On October 3, 2017, the subcommittee received testimony on
``Securing the Peace After the Fall of ISIL.'' The hearing
assessed the state of U.S. planning to enable Iraq to achieve
and maintain stability following the liberation of Mosul from
ISIS. The hearing also addressed associated challenges, policy
efforts, and resources required to achieve a stable political
and security environment in Iraq. Witnesses were
representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department
of State, and academia.
Military Food
On November 2, 2017, the subcommittee convened in closed
session for a briefing on ``The Status of `Prohibited
Ingredients' in Military Food Service''. This briefing provided
information about Department of Defense policies regarding the
potential exclusion of specific ingredients from military food.
Department representatives reviewed the roles of the Joint
Subsistence Policy Board, the military services, the Department
of Defense Nutrition Committee, and the Defense Logistics
Agency in setting the Department's nutritional policy, as well
as the existence of any plans to prohibit ingredients; the
rationale for any prospective prohibitions; the mechanisms for
soliciting input on prospective prohibitions; and the
implementation process and schedule for any future
prohibitions.
Background and Security Investigation Reform
The subcommittee, in partnership with the Subcommittee on
Readiness, held a series of events in 2018 to address issues
related to the security clearance process. On February 14,
2018, the subcommittee convened in a closed session for a
briefing on ``Reforming the Security Clearance Process.'' The
briefing provided information about the origins and nature of
problems with the security clearance process managed by the
National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB). A briefer
from the Government Accountability Office discussed that
organization's perspective on the extent to which the security
clearance process had already reformed, the timeliness of the
clearance process, and efforts by NBIB to address the backlog.
On February 27, 2018, the subcommittee held a second closed
briefing on the topic. This was entitled ``Background and
Security Investigation Reforms''. The Department of Defense
provided its first quarterly update to Congress on the
Department's plan to assume security clearance responsibility
from NBIB and otherwise reform the clearance process. Such
quarterly briefings were mandated by section 925 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public
Law 115-91). Briefers from the Department of Defense and NBIB
participated.
On April 11, 2018, the subcommittee held a third closed
briefing on ``Security Clearance Reform: Understanding
`Continuous Evaluation'''. The briefing provided information
about the ``continuing evaluation'' pilot program in the
Department of Defense and subordinate agencies, issues in the
development and implementation of the program, and the
potential role continuous evaluation could play in security
clearance reform. The briefers were from the Department of
Defense.
A closed briefing was held on June 26, 2018. At this time,
the subcommittee received the second required quarterly
congressional briefing on progress made carrying out reforms to
the background and security investigation process. Briefers
from the Department of Defense participated.
For the final event, the subcommittee convened a hearing on
December 12, 2018, to receive another quarterly update.
Testimony was provided by witnesses from the Department of
Defense and the National Background Investigations Bureau of
the Office of Personnel Management.
U.S. Strategy in Syria
On September 26, 2018, the subcommittee held a hearing to
receive testimony on ``U.S. Strategy in Syria''. The hearing
focused on the Administration's strategic objectives in Syria,
the authorities and resources required to achieve those
objectives, and the methods the Administration will use to
measure success. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs and a representative from the
Joint Staff described the Department of Defense's goals and
actions in Syria.
PUBLICATIONS
HOUSE REPORTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Number Date Filed Bill Number Title
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. Rept. 115-13.. February 16, 2017.... H.R. 393..... To provide for
an exception
to a
limitation
against
appointment of
persons as
Secretary of
Defense within
seven years of
relief from
active duty as
a regular
commissioned
officer of the
Armed Forces
H. Rept. 115-200. July 6, 2017......... H.R. 2810.... National
Defense
Authorization
Act for Fiscal
Year 2018
H. Rept. 115-200, July 11, 2017........ H.R. 2810.... National
Part 2. Defense
Authorization
Act for Fiscal
Year 2018
H. Rept. 115-676. May 15, 2018......... H.R. 5515.... National
Defense
Authorization
Act for Fiscal
Year 2019
H. Rept. 115-676, May 21, 2018......... H.R. 5515.... National
Part 2. Defense
Authorization
Act for Fiscal
Year 2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE PRINTS
Committee Print No. 1--Rules of the Committee on Armed
Services, House of Representatives of the United States, 115th
Congress, 2017-2018, adopted January 12, 2017.
PUBLISHED PROCEEDINGS
H.A.S.C. No. 115-1--Full Committee hearing on
Organizational Meeting for the 115th Congress. January 12,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-2--Full Committee hearing on Consideration
of the Committee Oversight Plan for the 115th Congress.
February 2, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-3--Full Committee hearing on The State of
the World: National Security Threats and Challenges. February
1, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-4--Full Committee hearing on The State of
the Military. February 7, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-5--Full Committee hearing on The Evolving
Threat of Terrorism and Effective Counterterrorism Strategies.
February 14, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-6--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Military Services 5th Generation Tactical
Aircraft Challenges and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program
Update. February 16, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-7--Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations hearing on Department of Defense Inspector
General Report `Investigation on Allegations Relating to
USCENTCOM Intelligence Products'. February 28, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-8--Full Committee hearing on Cyber Warfare
in the 21st Century: Threats, Challenges and Opportunities.
March 1, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-9--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on U.S. Ground Force Capability and
Modernization Challenges in Eastern Europe. March 1, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-10--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Overview of Military Review Board Agencies. March 2,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-11--Full Committee hearing on Military
Assessment of Nuclear Deterrence Requirements. March 8, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-12--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
The Current State of U.S. Army Readiness. March 8, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-13--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on An Independent Fleet Assessment of
the U.S. Navy. March 8, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-14--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on Nuclear Deterrence--The Defense Science Board's
Perspective. March 9, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-15--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on The Effect of Sequestration and Continuing
Resolutions on Marine Corps Modernization and Readiness. March
10, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-16--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Crafting an Information Warfare and
Counter-Propaganda Strategy for the Emerging Security
Environment. March 15, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-17--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
The Current State of the U.S. Navy. March 16, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-18--Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations hearing on Oversight Review of Infrastructure
Needs and Projects Ready for Immediate Implementation in the
Nuclear Security Enterprise. March 16, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-19--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on The Effect of Sequestration and Continuing
Resolutions on Army Modernization and Readiness. March 16,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-20--Full Committee hearing on America's
Role in the World. March 21, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-21--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Social Media Policies of the Military Services.
March 21, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-22--Full Committee hearing on The
Evolution of Hybrid Warfare and Key Challenges. March 22, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-23--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
The Current State of the U.S. Air Force. March 22, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-24--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on High Consequences and Uncertain
Threats: Reviewing Department of Defense Strategy, Policy, and
Programs for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction for Fiscal
Year 2018. March 23, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-25--Full Committee hearing on Military
Assessment of Russian Activities and Security Challenges in
Europe. March 28, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-26--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Naval Strike Fighters--Issues and Concerns.
March 28, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-27--Full Committee hearing on Military
Assessment of the Security Challenges in the Greater Middle
East. March 29, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-28--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces joint
hearing with the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications on Threats
to Space Assets and Implications for Homeland Security. March
29, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-29--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Military Pilot Shortage. March 29, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-30--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces joint hearing with the Subcommittee on
Readiness on The Current State of U.S. Transportation Command.
March 30, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-31--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces joint
hearing with the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on
Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade on Consequences and
Context for Russia's Violations of the INF Treaty. March 30,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-32--Full Committee hearing on Assessing
Progress and Identifying Future Opportunities in Defense
Reform. April 4, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-33--Full Committee hearing on Consequences
to the Military of a Continuing Resolution. April 5, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-34--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
The Current State of the U.S. Marine Corps. April 5, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-35--Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations hearing on Evaluating the Defense Contract
Auditing Process. April 6, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-36--Full Committee hearing on Military
Assessment of the Security Challenges in the Indo-Asia-Pacific
Region. April 26, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-37--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Creating a Flexible and Effective
Information Technology Management and Acquisition System:
Elements for Success in a Rapidly Changing Landscape. April 26,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-38--Full Committee hearing on Member Day--
National Defense Priorities from Members for the Fiscal Year
2018 National Defense Authorization Act. April 27, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-39--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain
Injury--Clinical and Research Program Assessment. April 27,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-40--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Three Decades Later: A Review and
Assessment of Our Special Operations Forces 30-Years After the
Creation of U.S. Special Operations Command. May 2, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-41--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Overview of the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment
and Violence at the Military Service Academies. May 2, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-42--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Littoral Combat Ships and the
Transition to Frigate Class. May 3, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-43--Full Committee hearing on Initial
Findings of the Section 809 Panel: Setting the Path for
Streamlining and Improving Defense Acquisition. May 17, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-44--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Military Personnel Posture: FY 2018. May 17, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-45--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Amphibious Warfare in a Contested
Environment. May 18, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-46--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities and Posture of the
National Security Space Enterprise. May 19, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-47--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for
U.S. Cyber Command: Cyber Mission Force Support to Department
of Defense Operations. May 23, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-48--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Department of the Navy FY 2018
Budget Request for Seapower and Projection Forces. May 24,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-49--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Ground Force Modernization Budget Request.
May 24, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-50--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Department of the Air Force FY
2018 Budget Request for Seapower and Projection Forces. May 25,
2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-51--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities for Nuclear Forces and
Atomic Energy Defense Activities. May 25, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-52--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on Fiscal Year 2018 Priorities and Posture of Missile
Defeat Programs and Activities. June 7, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-53--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Combat Aviation Modernization Programs and
the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request. June 7, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-54--Full Committee hearing on The Fiscal
Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from
the Department of Defense. June 12, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-55--Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations hearing on Evaluating DOD Equipment and Uniform
Procurement in Iraq and Afghanistan. July 25, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-56--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Continued Oversight of the Transfer of Excess Military
Equipment to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies. July 27, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-57--Subcommittee on Readiness joint
hearing with the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
on Underlying Problems Associated with the USS Fitzgerald and
USS John S. McCain. September 7, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-58--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on The Army's Tactical Network Modernization
Strategy. September 27, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-59--Full Committee hearing on U.S. Defense
Strategy in South Asia. October 3, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-60--Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations hearing on Securing the Peace After the Fall of
ISIL. October 3, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-61--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Aviation Readiness: What's the Flight Plan? November 9, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-62--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Amphibious Warfare Readiness & Training (Interoperability,
Shortfalls, and the Way Ahead). December 1, 2017.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-63--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on China's Pursuit of Emerging and
Exponential Technologies. January 9, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-64--Full Committee hearing on Department
of Defense Update on the Financial Improvement and Audit
Remediation (FIAR) Plan. January 10, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-65--Subcommittee on Readiness joint
hearing with the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
on Surface Warfare: At a Crossroads. January 18, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-66--Full Committee hearing on Readying the
U.S. Military for Future Warfare. January 30, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-67--Full Committee hearing on The National
Defense Strategy and the Nuclear Posture Review. February 6,
2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-68--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Addressing Physiological Episodes in Fighter,
Attack, and Training Aircraft. February 6, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-69--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Senior Leader Misconduct: Prevention and
Accountability. February 7, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-70--Full Committee hearing on The Military
and Security Challenges and Posture in the Indo-Pacific Region.
February 14, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-71--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Air Force Readiness Posture. February 14, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-72--Full Committee hearing on Strategic
Competition with China. February 15, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-73--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Evolution, Transformation, and
Sustainment: A Review and Assessment of the Fiscal Year 2019
Budget Request for U.S. Special Operations Forces and Command.
February 15, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-74--Full Committee hearing on Terrorism
and Iran: Defense Challenges in the Middle East. February 27,
2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-75--Full Committee hearing on National
Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activities in Africa.
March 6, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-76--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Department of the Navy FY 2019
Budget Request for Seapower and Projection Forces. March 6,
2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-77--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Marine Corps Readiness Posture. March 6, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-78--Full Committee hearing on Assessing
Military Service Acquisition Reform. March 7, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-79--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Lightning
II Program. March 7, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-80--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on U.S. Strategic Forces Posture and the Fiscal Year
2019 Budget Request. March 7, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-81--Subcommittee on Readiness joint
hearing with the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
on Mobility and Transportation Command Posture. March 8, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-82--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Arlington National Cemetery Preserving the Promise.
March 8, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-83--Full Committee hearing on Space
Warfighting Readiness: Policies, Authorities, and Capabilities.
March 14, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-84--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Department of the Air Force FY
2019 Budget Request for Seapower and Projection Forces. March
14, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-85--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on A Review and Assessment of the Fiscal
Year 2018 Budget Request for the DOD Science and Technology
Programs. March 14, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-86--Full Committee hearing on Security
Challenges in Europe and Posture for Inter-state Competition
with Russia. March 15, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-87--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request on Air Force
Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
Programs. March 15, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-88--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for National
Security Space Programs. March 15, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-89--Full Committee hearing on Assessing
the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request and Acquisition Reform
Progress. March 20, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-90--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Submarine Industrial Base Options
for Construction. March 20, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-91--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Navy Readiness Posture. March 20, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-92--Full Committee hearing on State and
Non-State Actor Influence Operations Recommendations for U.S.
National Security. March 21, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-93--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Nuclear Forces
and Atomic Energy Defense Activities. March 22, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-94--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Reviewing Department of Defense
Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Countering Weapons of Mass
Destruction (CWMD) for Fiscal Year 2019. March 22, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-95--Full Committee hearing on Cyber
Operations Today: Preparing for 21st Century Challenges in an
Information-Enabled Society. April 11, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-96--Full Committee hearing on Member Day.
April 11, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-97--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on A Review and Assessment of the
Department of Defense Budget, Strategy, Policy, and Programs
for Cyber Operations and U.S. Cyber Command for Fiscal Year
2019. April 11, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-98--Full Committee hearing on The Fiscal
Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from
the Department of Defense. April 12, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-99--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Combat
Aviation Programs. April 12, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-100--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on 355 Ship Navy Delivering the Right
Capabilities. April 12, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-101--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Military Personnel Posture: FY 2019. April 13, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-102--Full Committee hearing on Promoting
DOD's Culture of Innovation. April 17, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-103--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for Missile Defense
and Missile Defeat Programs. April 17, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-104--Full Committee hearing on Oversight
and Reform of the Department of Defense 4th Estate. April 18,
2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-105--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Fiscal Year 2019 Energy, Installations, and Environment Budget
Request. April 18, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-106--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Ground Force Modernization Budget Request for
Fiscal Year 2019. April 18, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-107--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Army Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request Readiness Posture. April
19, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-108--Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces hearing on Department of Defense Aviation Safety Mishap
Review and Oversight Process. June 13, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-109--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Navy and Air Force Depot Policy Issues and Infrastructure
Concerns. June 14, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-110--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Military Health System Reform: Pain Management,
Opioids Prescription Management and Reporting Transparency.
June 20, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-111--Full Committee hearing on Military
Technology Transfer: Threats, Impacts, and Solutions for the
Department of Defense. June 21, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-112--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Aviation Mishap Prevention--A Progress Report. June 21, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-113--Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
joint hearing with the Committee on Science, Space and
Technology Subcommittee on Space on Space Situational
Awareness: Whole of Government Perspectives on Roles and
Responsibilities. June 22, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-114--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Army and Marine Corps Depot Policy Issues and Infrastructure
Concerns. June 28, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-115--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Department of Defense's Role in Foreign
Assistance. July 11, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-116--Subcommittee on Readiness hearing on
Army Futures Command: Will it help? September 13, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-117--Full Committee hearing on The Impact
of National Defense on the Economy, Diplomacy, and
International Order. September 26, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-118--Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations hearing on U.S. Strategy in Syria. September 26,
2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-119--Subcommittee on Military Personnel
hearing on Update on Military Review Board Agencies. September
27, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115-120--Subcommittee on Seapower and
Projection Forces hearing on Contributing Factors to C-130
Mishaps and Other Intra-Theater Airlift Challenges. September
28, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115 121--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities joint hearing with the Committee on Homeland
Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Protection on Interagency Cyber Cooperation: Roles,
Responsibilities and Authorities of the Department of Defense
and the Department of Homeland Security. November 14, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115 122--Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities hearing on Department of Defense's Artificial
Intelligence Structure, Investments, and Applications. December
11, 2018.
H.A.S.C. No. 115 123--Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations hearing on Security Clearance Processing Status
Report. December 12, 2018.
PRESS RELEASES
First Session
JANUARY 2017:
1/10/2017--THORNBERRY WELCOMES NEW REPUBLICAN MEMBERS TO
HASC
1/11/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JANUARY 9-13
1/11/2017--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JANUARY 9-13
1/11/2017--THORNBERRY RELEASES HASC SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR
115TH CONGRESS
1/11/2017--UPDATE 3: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JANUARY 9-13
1/12/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY
1/12/2017--THORNBERRY PRAISES COMMITTEE'S VOTE TO SUPPORT
WAIVER FOR MATTIS
1/17/2017--THORNBERRY ON MANNING COMMUTATION
1/18/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JANUARY 23-27
1/20/2017--THORNBERRY ON MATTIS CONFIRMATION
1/23/2017--THORNBERRY ON SECAF APPOINTMENT
1/25/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JAN 30-FEB 3
1/27/2017--THORNBERRY ON READINESS REVIEW
1/31/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 6-10
FEBRUARY 2017:
2/1/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
2/1/2017--JOINT TASK FORCE STATEMENT ON INSPECTOR GENERAL
CENTCOM REPORT
2/1/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 6-10
2/3/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE MONDAY
2/7/2017--CHAIRMEN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS: State of
the Military
2/18/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 13-17
2/13/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE WEDNESDAY
2/14/2017--THORNBERRY ON REPORTS OF RUSSIA'S LATEST
VIOLATION OF INF TREATY
2/14/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
2/15/2017--THORNBERRY ANNOUNCES SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS
2/15/2017--UPDATE: THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE THURSDAY
2/15/2017--UPDATE: THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE THURSDAY
IN 2118 RAYBURN
2/15/2017--STEFANIK COMMENTS ON COUNTERTERRORISM BRIEFING
2/16/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
2/16/2017--THORNBERRY ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE VICE CHAIRS
2/17/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 20-24
2/20/2017--THORNBERRY ON MCMASTER FOR NSA
2/22/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEB 28-MAR 3
2/27/2017--THORNBERRY ON LOW DEFENSE BUDGET OUTLINE NUMBER
2/28/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN HARTZLER
2/28/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE WEDNESDAY
MARCH 2017:
3/1/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 6-10
3/1/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
3/1/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
3/1/2017--STEFANIK ON QUARTERLY CYBER UPDATE
3/2/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
3/3/2017--MEDIA ALERT: REPS. THORNBERRY, BLACKBURN, AND
BLACK TO VISIT FT. CAMPBELL TO FOCUS ON MILITARY READINESS
3/5/2017--THORNBERRY ON DOD INVESTIGATION INTO SOCIAL MEDIA
SITE
3/7/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE WEDNESDAY
3/7/2017--THORNBERRY ON DEPLOYMENT OF MISSILE DEFENSE
SYSTEM TO SOUTH KOREA
3/8/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
3/8/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
3/8/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
3/8/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE WEDNESDAY
3/8/2017--THORNBERRY ON PASSAGE OF DOD APPROPRIATIONS
3/9/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 13-17
3/9/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
3/10/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
3/10/2017--UPDATE; HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 13-17
3/13/2017--UPDATE #2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 13-17
3/15/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
3/16/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
3/16/2017--THORNBERRY ON ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET PROPOSAL
3/16/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE TODAY
3/16/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN HARTZLER
3/16/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
3/16/2017--THORNBERRY ON MARINES UNITED BRIEFING
3/20/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 20-24
3/21/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
3/22/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
3/22/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
3/23/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
3/23/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 27-31
3/28/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
3/28/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
3/28/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APRIL 3-7
3/29/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
3/29/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
3/29/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
3/30/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
3/30/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
3/30/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
3/31/2017--THORNBERRY ANNOUNCES SELECTION FOR COMMISSION ON
MILITARY, NATIONAL, AND PUBLIC SERVICE
APRIL 2017:
4/3/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APRIL 3-7
4/4/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
4/5/2017--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APRIL 3-7
4/5/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
4/5/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
4/6/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN HARTZLER
4/6/2017--THORNBERRY CONGRATULATES JEANETTE JAMES ON ARMY
CIVILIAN AWARD
4/6/2017--THORNBERRY ON U.S. MILITARY STRIKES IN SYRIA
4/10/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APRIL 10-21
4/16/2017--TUNE IN TODAY: CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY ON FOX NEWS
SUNDAY
4/19/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APRIL 24-28
4/24/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APRIL 24-28
4/25/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 1-5
4/26/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
4/26/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
4/27/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
4/28/2017--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 1-5
MAY 2017:
5/1/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE TUESDAY
5/1/2017--THORNBERRY ON SPENDING AGREEMENT
5/1/2017--SIMMONS TO DEPART ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE STAFF
FOR PRIVATE SECTOR
5/1/2017--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 1-5
5/2/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
5/2/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
5/3/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
5/4/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 8-12
5/10/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY ON SOUTH KOREAN ELECTION
RESULTS
5/15/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 15-19
5/16/2017--PRESS CONFERENCE: THORNBERRY TO RELEASE DEFENSE
ACQUISITION BILL
5/16/2017--HASC STAFF TO BACKGROUND PRESS ON ACQUISITION
REFORM BILL
5/16/2017--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 15-19
5/16/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 22-26
5/16/2017--PRESS CONFERENCE: THORNBERRY TO RELEASE DEFENSE
ACQUISITION BILL
5/17/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
5/17/2017--PRESS CONFERENCE: THORNBERRY TO RELEASE DEFENSE
ACQUISITION BILL
5/18/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
5/18/2017--THORNBERRY INTRODUCES ACQUISITION REFORM BILL
5/19/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
5/19/2017--MONDAY: THORNBERRY AT BROOKINGS
5/23/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 22-26
5/23/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
5/24/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
5/24/2017--THORNBERRY ON PASSAGE OF PRIVATE ACT
5/24/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
5/25/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
5/25/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
5/26/2017--THORNBERRY INTRODUCES INDO-ASIA-PACIFIC SECURITY
BILL
5/30/2017--THORNBERRY LEADS TRIP TO STRENGTHEN INDO-ASIA-
PACIFIC ALLIANCES
5/31/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JUNE 5-9
5/31/2017--THORNBERRY ON SUCCESSFUL MISSILE DEFENSE TEST
5/31/2017--THORNBERRY CODEL MEETS WITH JAPANESE PRIME
MINISTER
JUNE 2017:
6/2/2017--THORNBERRY & CODEL DISCUSS DEFENSE COOPERATION
WITH VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS
6/5/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JUNE 12-16
6/7/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
6/7/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
6/8/2017--BIPARTISAN CYBER LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
6/8/2017--THORNBERRY, SMITH BEGIN FY18 NATIONAL DEFENSE
AUTHORIZATION PROCESS
6/9/2017--HASC STAFF TO HOST OF THE RECORD SESSION ON NDAA
MARKUP LOGISTICS
6/12/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
6/14/2017--HASC MARKUP SCHEDULE: JUNE 21-22
6/14/2017--HASC TO DISTRIBUTE NDAA AMENDMENTS BY EMAIL
6/16/2017--SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP PRESS BRIEFINGS
6/20/2017--MARK RELEASE: SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGING THREATS &
CAPABILITIES
6/20/2017--MARK RELEASE: SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY PERSONNEL
6/20/2017--MARK RELEASE: SUBCOMMITTEE ON TACTICAL AIR &
LAND FORCES
6/20/2017--MARK RELEASE: SUBCOMMITTEE ON READINESS
6/20/2017--MARK RELEASE: SUBCOMMITTEE ON SEAPOWER &
PROJECTION FORCES
6/20/2017--MARK RELEASE: SUBCOMMITTEE ON STRATEGIC FORCES
6/21/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE THURSDAY
6/21/2017--UPDATE: HASC MARKUP SCHEDULE: JUNE 21-22
6/21/2017--FY18 NDAA FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP
6/21/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
6/21/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE THURSDAY
6/21/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
6/22/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
6/22/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
6/22/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
6/22/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
6/22/2017--TIME UPDATE: THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE
THURSDAY
6/23/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE THURSDAY
6/26/2017--CHAIRMAN'S MARK PRESS BRIEFING
6/26/2017--THORNBERRY RELEASE FY18 NDAA
6/28/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
6/29/2017--THORNBERRY ON COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF DEFENSE BILL
JULY 2017:
7/10/2017--DEFENSE BILL COMES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR
7/13/2017--HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON
THE NDAA
7/14/2017--UPDATE: HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO HOLD PRESS
CONFERENCE ON THE NDAA
7/14/2017--HOUSE PASSES DEFENSE BILL
7/19/2017--THORNBERRY ON SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN
7/19/2017--ROGERS/COOPER ON NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE
BRIEFING
7/19/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JULY 24-28
7/20/2017--ARMED SERVICES LEADERS APPOINT MEMBERS TO
DEFENSE STRATEGY COMMISSION
7/20/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JULY 24-28
7/24/2017--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JULY 24-28
7/25/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN HARTZLER
7/25/2017--THORNBERRY ON NORTH KOREA BRIEFING
7/25/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JULY 24-28
7/27/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
7/28/2017--THORNBERRY ON NORTH KOREA MISSILE LAUNCH
7/31/2017--ROGERS/COOPER WEIGH IN ON GPS OCX & FAB-T
PROGRAMS
AUGUST 2017:
8/9/2017--THORNBERRY ON THE SITUATION ON THE KOREAN
PENINSULA
8/11/2017--THORNBERRY ON MARINE CORPS FLIGHT PAUSE
8/21/2017--THORNBERRY ON AFGHANISTAN STRATEGY
8/21/2017--THORNBERRY ANNOUNCES NEW ARMED SERVICES
LEADERSHIP TEAM
8/21/2017--THORNBERRY COMMENTS ON NAVY READINESS
8/23/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPTEMBER 4-8
8/30/2017--THORNBERRY ON AFGHANISTAN FORCE LEVEL ACCOUNTING
& REPORTING
SEPTEMBER 2017:
9/1/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPTEMBER 4-8
9/6/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPTEMBER 11-15
9/7/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
9/7/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
9/8/2017--THORNBERRY VOTES NO ON CR
9/11/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPTEMBER 11-15
9/15/2017--THORNBERRY COMMENTS ON ANOTHER WEEK OF DEADLY
MILITARY ACCIDENTS
9/19/2017--THORNBERRY REACTS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEFENSE
BUDGET COMMENTS
9/20/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPTEMBER 25-29
9/25/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPTEMBER 25-29
9/26/2017--THORNBERRY PRAISES RESTRICTIONS TO OPEN SKIES
TREATY
9/27/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: OCTOBER 2-6
9/27/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
9/28/2017--READOUT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BRIEFING BEFORE
MILITARY PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE
9/29/2017--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE MONDAY
9/29/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: OCTOBER 2-6
OCTOBER 2017:
10/2/2017--POSTPONED--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE
MONDAY
10/2/2017--THORNBERRY TO KEYNOTE AT HERITAGE
10/3/2017--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS
10/3/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN HARTZLER
10/5/2017--153 HOUSE REPUBLICANS SUPPORT POTUS CALL FOR
DEFENSE BUDGET
10/5/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: OCTOBER 9-13
10/12/2017--DEFENSE BILL GOES TO CONFERENCE
10/13/2017--STATEMENT ON THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL
10/20/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: OCTOBER 23-27
10/24/2017--NDAA CONFEREES TO MEET WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 2017:
11/1/2017--THORNBERRY, FRELINGHUYSEN JOURNEY TO MIDDLE
EAST, VISIT THE TROOPS
11/2/2017--7TH FLEET INVESTIGATION REINFORCES READINESS
CONCERNS
11/2/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: NOVEMBER 6-10
11/2/2017--THORNBERRY ON ESPER NOMINATION TO SERVE AS
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
11/6/2017--THORNBERRY/MCCAIN ON MISSILE DEFENSE
SUPPLEMENTAL
11/7/2017--COFFMAN ON DOD INVESTIGATION OF NCIC REPORTING
ISSUES
11/7/2017--THORNBERRY ON AIR FORCE FAILURE TO PROPERLY
REPORT CRIMINAL RECORD OF FORMER AIRMAN
11/8/2017--HOUSE & SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEES
COMPLETE CONFERENCE ON NDAA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
11/8/2017--ROGERS & COOPER ON FUNDAMENTAL SPACE REFORM
11/9/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
11/9/2017--NDAA CONFERNCE REPORT
11/14/2017--THORNBERRY/SMITH ON FDA PROVISION
11/14/2017--THORNBERRY ON NDAA PASSAGE
11/17/2017--STATEMENT BY THORNBERRY & MCCAIN ON BUDGET DEAL
NEGOTIATIONS
11/27/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 1
11/29/2017--CHAIRMAN WILSON ON READINESS BRIEFING
DECEMBER 2017:
12/1/2017--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
12/7/2017--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: DECEMBER 11-15
12/12/2017--PRESIDENT SIGNS NDAA CONFERENCE REPORT
12/13/2017--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: DECEMBER 11-14
12/14/2017--THORNBERRY ON DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Second Session
JANUARY 2018:
1/3/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JANUARY 8-12
1/9/2018--READOUT OF YESTERDAY'S MEETING WITH EUCOM
COMMANDER
1/9/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
1/10/2018--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY'S OPENING REMARKS ON
PENTAGON AUDIT
1/11/2018--THORNBERRY WELCOMES REP. HICE TO HASC
1/11/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JANUARY 15-19
1/12/2018--READOUT OF BRIEFING WITH THE ARMY AND ARLINGTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1/17/2018--READOUT OF BRIEFING WITH GAO ON DOD CYBER
POLICY, OPERATIONS, AND ACTIVITIES
1/18/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
1/18/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
1/19/2018--THORNBERRY ON NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY
1/20/2018--THORNBERRY ON GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN
1/20/2018--THORNBERRY: ``WE NEED TO SET OUR TROOPS FREE
FROM THIS POLITICAL DRAMA''
1/22/2018--THORNBERRY: OUR SUPPORT FOR OUR MILITARY SHOULD
BE UNCONDITIONAL
1/22/2018--THORNBERRY ON ENDING THE SHUTDOWN
1/23/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JAN 29-FEB 2
1/24/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JAN 29-FEB 2
1/30/2018--THORNBERRY ON STATE OF THE UNION
1/30/2018--OPENING REMARKS: THORNBERRY ON FUTURE OF WARFARE
1/30/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEB 5-9
FEBRUARY 2018:
2/2/2018--THORNBERRY ON NUCLEAR POSTURE REVIEW
2/5/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEB 5-9
2/6/2018--THORNBERRY ON NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY & NUCLEAR
POSTURE REVIEW
2/6/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
2/7/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEB 5-9
2/7/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
2/7/2018--THORNBERRY/MCCAIN ON BUDGET AGREEMENT
2/7/2018--TODAY @ 4:15 PM--ARMED SERVICES REPUBLICANS HOLD
PRESS CONFERENCE ON BUDGET AGREEMENT TO FUND OUR TROOPS
2/9/2018--THORNBERRY: BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT BEGINS TO
REBUILD AND RESTORE OUR MILITARY
2/14/2018--THORNBERRY ON THE MILITARY & SECURITY CHALLENGES
& POSTURE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION
2/14/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
2/15/2018--THORNBERRY ON STRATEGIC COMPETITION WITH CHINA
2/15/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
2/23/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: FEB 26-MAR 2
2/27/2018--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE
2/27/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 5-9
2/27/2018--THORNBERRY ON TERRORISM AND IRAN: DEFENSE
CHALLENGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
2/28/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 5-9
MARCH 2018:
3/1/2018--THORNBERRY TO KEYNOTE ON NUCLEAR POSTURE REVIEW
AT CSIS
3/1/2018--THORNBERRY ON PUTIN'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS
ANNOUNCEMENT
3/2/2018--ICYMI: THORNBERRY AT CSIS YESTERDAY
3/5/2018--PRESS ADVISORY: THORNBERRY, SMITH ANNOUNCE OFF-
THE-RECORD NDAA 101 FOR REPORTERS
3/6/2018--THORNBERRY ON NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES AND
U.S. MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN AFRICA
3/6/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
3/6/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
3/6/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 5-9
3/7/2018--THORNBERRY ON ASSESSING MILITARY SERVICE
ACQUISITION REFORM
3/7/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
3/7/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
3/8/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WILSON
3/8/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
3/8/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN COFFMAN
3/8/2018--PRESS ADVISORY TOMORROW: OFF-THE-RECORD NDAA 101
FOR REPORTERS
3/8/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 12-16
3/12/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 12-16
3/13/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 19-23
3/13/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 12-16
3/14/2018--THORNBERRY ON SPACE WARFIGHTING READINESS:
POLICIES, AUTHORITIES, AND CAPABILITIES
3/14/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
3/14/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
3/15/2018--OPENING REMARKS: THORNBERRY ON SECURITY
CHALLENGES IN EUROPE AND POSTURE FOR INTER-STATE COMPETITION
WITH RUSSIA
3/15/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN TURNER
3/15/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
3/20/2018--THORNBERRY ON ASSESSING THE FISCAL YEAR 2019
BUDGET REQUEST AND ACQUISITION REFORM PROGRESS
3/20/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN WITTMAN
3/21/2018--STEFANIK INTRODUCES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
LEGISLATION
3/21/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 19-23
3/21/2018--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAR 19-23
3/21/2018--THORNBERRY ON STATE AND NON-STATE ACTOR
INFLUENCE OPERATIONS: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR U.S. NATIONAL
SECURITY
3/21/2018--THORNBERRY ON OMNIBUS SPENDING PACKAGE
3/22/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN ROGERS
3/22/2018--OPENING REMARKS OF CHAIRWOMAN STEFANIK
3/29/2018--THORNBERRY/SMITH ANNOUNCE MARKUP SCHEDULE FOR
FY19 NDAA
3/29/2018--THORNBERRY RETURNS FROM EAST AFRICA TOUR
APRIL 2018:
4/7/2018--THORNBERRY ON AVIATION ACCIDENTS: MILITARY
READINESS AT A CRISIS POINT
4/10/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APR 16-20
4/11/2018--THORNBERRY ON SPEAKER RYAN
4/12/2018--THORNBERRY ON BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
4/13/2018--THORNBERRY ON MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA
4/13/2018--THORNBERRY, SMITH BEGIN FY19 NATIONAL DEFENSE
AUTHORIZATION PROCESS
4/16/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APR 16-20
4/16/2018--THORNBERRY TO KICK OFF FISCAL YEAR 2019 REFORM
EFFORTS
4/17/2018--THORNBERRY RELEASES BILLS TO REFORM DOD
ACQUISITION AND ``4TH ESTATE''
4/17/2018--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APR 16-20
4/18/2018--NDAA MARKUP LOGISTICS BRIEFING FOR PRESS
4/18/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: APR 23-27
4/19/2018--NDAA MARKUP LOGISTICS BRIEFING FOR PRESS
4/23/2018--SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP PRESS BRIEFINGS
4/24/2018--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY TALKS PENTAGON REFORM WITH
CAGW
4/25/2018--READINESS SUBCOMMITTEE MARK
4/25/2018--SEAPOWER & PROJECTION FORCES SUBCOMMITTEE MARK
4/25/2018--STRATEGIC FORCES SUBCOMMITTEE MARK
4/25/2018--EMERGING THREATS & CAPABILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE
MARK
4/25/2018--MILITARY PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE MARK
4/25/2018--TACTICAL AIR & LAND FORCES SUBCOMMITTEE MARK
4/26/2018--THORNBERRY ON NIGER INVESTIGATION
MAY 2018:
5/1/2018--HASC TO DISTRIBUTE NDAA AMENDMENTS BY EMAIL
5/2/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 7-11
5/3/2018--CHAIRMAN'S MARK PRESS BRIEFING
5/4/2018--FY 19 NDAA TO FOCUS ON REBUILDING & REFORM
5/7/2018--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY RELEASES H.R. 5515 THE
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FY 2019
5/7/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: MAY 14-18
5/8/2018--THORNBERRY ON IRAN ANNOUNCEMENT
5/10/2018--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY ON FINAL PASSAGE
5/14/2018--CHAIRMAN JOE WILSON LEADS TRIP TO JERUSALEM
5/21/2018--DEFENSE BILL COMES TO THE FLOOR
5/21/2018--TOP FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT FY 2019 NDAA
5/24/2018--HOUSE PASSES DEFENSE BILL
5/26/2018--HONORING THE FALLEN: CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
COMMEMORATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WWI ARMISTICE
5/29/2018--CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FOCUSES ON NATURAL
PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIA
5/30/2018--DELEGATION CONCLUDES VISIT TO SRI LANKA
JUNE 2018:
6/1/2018--HONORING SERVICE PAST AND PRESENT: DELEGATION
VISITS PHILIPPINES
6/3/2018--DELEGATION CONCLUDES INDO-PACIFIC MISSION AT
SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE
6/6/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JUNE 11-15
6/12/2018--THORNBERRY ON SUMMIT WITH NORTH KOREA
6/12/2018--THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE
6/13/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JUNE 18-22
6/18/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JUNE 18-22
6/19/2018--UPDATE 2: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JUNE 18-22
6/21/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JUNE 25-29
6/22/2018--READOUT: STEFANIK ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE
6/27/2018--THORNBERRY ON CFUS REFORMS
6/27/2018--DEFENSE BILL GOES TO CONFERENCE
6/29/2018--READOUT: HARTZLER LEADS OVERSIGHT OF DOD
CLEARANCE PROCESS
JULY 2018:
7/4/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JULY 9-13
7/9/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JULY 9-13
7/10/2018--NDAA CONFEREES TO MEET WEDNESDAY
7/17/2018--THORNBERRY ON CR RESOLUTIONS
7/19/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: JULY 23-27
7/23/2018--HOUSE AND SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEES
COMPLETE CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR
FY 2019
7/26/2018--HOUSE PASSES NDAA CONFERENCE REPORT 359-54
7/31/2018--THORNBERRY ON THE PASSING OF FORMER HASC
CHAIRMAN RON DELLUMS
AUGUST 2018:
8/9/2018--REPS ROGERS AND COOPER ON SPACE FORCE REPORT
8/13/2018--THORNBERRY ON FY19 NDAA SIGNING
8/25/2018--THORNBERRY ON SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN
SEPTEMBER 2018:
9/5/2018--THORNBERRY AT CSIS: NATIONAL SECURITY AND
POLITICS IN TURBULENT TIMES
9/6/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPT 10-14
9/6/2018--THORNBERRY ON INHOFE SELECTION TO CHAIR SASC
9/11/2018--THORNBERRY ON FIRST MINIBUS CONFERENCE REPORT
9/13/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPT 10-14
9/14/2018--THORNBERRY ON DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE
REPORT
9/18/2018--THORNBERRY ON SENATE PASSAGE OF DEFENSE
APPROPRIATIONS
9/19/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: SEPT 24-28
9/24/2018--CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY TO HOST PRESS GAGGLE
TOMORROW
9/26/2018--THORNBERRY ON DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
9/28/2018--THORNBERRY ON PRESIDENT SIGNING DEFENSE
APPROPRIATION
OCTOBER 2018:
10/12/2018--SPEAKER RYAN, CHAIRMAN THORNBERRY RETURN FROM
AFGHANISTAN
10/26/2018--THORNBERRY ON ADDITIONAL BORDER DEPLOYMENT
NOVEMBER 2018:
11/7/2018--THORNBERRY AND SMITH MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO
AVIATION SAFETY COMMISSION
11/14/2018--THORNBERRY AND SMITH MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMMISSION
11/14/2018--THORNBERRY ON NDS COMMISSION REPORT
11/15/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: NOVEMBER 19-23
11/15/2018--THORNBERRY ON DOD AUDIT
11/30/2018--WSJ: THORNBERRY AND INHOFE ON DEFENSE BUDGET
DECEMBER 2018:
12/3/2018--UPDATE: HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: DECEMBER 3-7
12/6/2018--HASC HEARING SCHEDULE: DECEMBER 10-14
12/8/2018--THORNBERRY ON CJCS ANNOUNCEMENT
[all]