[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8186 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8186
To require a report on the activities and resources required to enhance
security and economic partnerships between the United States and
African countries, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 8, 2020
Mr. Brown of Maryland introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require a report on the activities and resources required to enhance
security and economic partnerships between the United States and
African countries, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Africa Foreign Relations,
International Cooperation, and Assistance Act of 2020'' or the ``AFRICA
Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. REPORT ON ENHANCING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
AFRICAN COUNTRIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than June 1, 2021, the Secretary of
Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report on the activities and
resources required to enhance security and economic partnerships
between the United States and African countries.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) An assessment of the infrastructure accessible to the
Department of Defense on the continent of Africa.
(2) An identification of the ability of the Department to
conduct freedom of movement on the continent, including
identifying the activities of partners, allies, and other
Federal departments and agencies that are facilitated by the
Department's ability to conduct freedom of movement.
(3) Recommendations to meet the requirements identified in
paragraph (2), including--
(A) dual-use infrastructure projects;
(B) military construction;
(C) the acquisition of additional mobility
capability by African countries or the United States
Armed Forces, including strategic air lift, tactical
air lift, or sealift capability; or
(D) any other option as determined by the
Secretary.
(4) Recommendations to expand and strengthen partner and
ally capability, including traditional activities of the
combatant commands, train and equip opportunities, partnerships
with the National Guard and the United States Coast Guard, and
multilateral contributions.
(5) Recommendations for enhancing joint exercises and
training.
(6) An analysis of the security, economic, and stability
benefits of the recommendations identified under paragraphs (3)
through (5).
(7)(A) A plan to fully resource United States force
posture, capabilities, and stability operations, including--
(i) a detailed assessment of the resources
required to address the elements described in
paragraphs (2) through (5), including specific
cost estimates for recommended investments or
projects; and
(ii) a detailed timeline to achieve the
recommendations described in paragraphs (2)
through (4).
(B) The specific cost estimates required by
subparagraph (A)(i) shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, include the following:
(i) With respect to procurement accounts--
(I) amounts displayed by account,
budget activity, line number, line
item, and line item title; and
(II) a description of the
requirements for each such amount.
(ii) With respect to research, development,
test, and evaluation accounts--
(I) amounts displayed by account,
budget activity, line number, program
element, and program element title; and
(II) a description of the
requirements for each such amount.
(iii) With respect to operation and
maintenance accounts--
(I) amounts displayed by account
title, budget activity title, line
number, and subactivity group title;
and
(II) a description of the specific
manner in which each such amount would
be used.
(iv) With respect to military personnel
accounts--
(I) amounts displayed by account,
budget activity, budget subactivity,
and budget subactivity title; and
(II) a description of the
requirements for each such amount.
(v) With respect to each project under
military construction accounts (including
unspecified minor military construction and
amounts for planning and design), the country,
location, project title, and project amount for
each fiscal year.
(vi) With respect to any expenditure or
proposed appropriation not described in clauses
(i) through (iv), a level of detail equivalent
or greater than the level of detail provided in
the future-years defense program submitted
pursuant to section 221(a) of title 10, United
States Code.
(c) Considerations.--In preparing the report required under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider--
(1) the economic development and stability of African
countries;
(2) the strategic and economic value of the relationships
between the United States and African countries;
(3) the military, intelligence, diplomatic, developmental,
and humanitarian efforts of China and Russia on the African
continent; and
(4) the ability of the United States, allies, and partners
to combat violent extremist organizations operating in Africa.
(d) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) may be
submitted in classified form, but shall include an unclassified
summary.
(e) Interim Briefing Required.--Not later than April 15, 2021, the
Secretary of Defense (acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for
Policy, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), and the Director
of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation) and the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff shall provide to the congressional defense
committees a joint interim briefing, and any written comments the
Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
consider necessary, with respect to their assessments of the report
anticipated to be submitted under subsection (a).
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Dual-use infrastructure projects.--The term ``dual-use
infrastructure projects'' means projects that may be used for
either military or civilian purposes.
(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the congressional defense committees; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives.
SEC. 3. EXPANDING THE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IN AFRICA.
The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Chief of the
National Guard Bureau, shall seek to build partner capacity and
interoperability in the United States Africa Command area of
responsibility through increased partnerships with countries on the
African continent, military-to-military engagements, and traditional
activities of the combatant commands.
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