[Pages S4461-S4488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 2900. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RELIABILITY RESEARCH FOR 
                   DEFENSE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense of the 
     Advanced Research Projects Agency shall, in collaboration 
     with the heads of relevant Federal agencies--
       (1) identify fundamental research work streams to enable 
     more robust evaluations of artificial intelligence models 
     before deployment, including methods to analyze model 
     internals, detect hidden behaviors that could compromise 
     mission effectiveness, and protect artificial intelligence 
     systems from physical tampering and side-channel attacks; and
       (2) initiate the review, research, and development of 
     advanced techniques for assessment of reliability of 
     artificial intelligence models, mechanistic interpretability 
     of such models, and related hardware security.
       (b) Research Sharing.--The Director shall share with the 
     broader scientific community the findings of the Director 
     with respect to the activities carried out under subsection 
     (a) and the results of research conducted under such 
     subsection whenever doing so does not compromise classified 
     information or national security interests.
       (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit 
     to Congress a

[[Page S4462]]

     report on the findings of the Director with respect to the 
     activities carried out under subsection (a) and the results 
     of research conducted under such subsection. Such report 
     shall include recommendations for further related avenues of 
     research.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2901. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle B of title XXVIII, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 2827. LIMITATION ON OPPOSITION TO CERTAIN LAND USE 
                   CHANGES THAT WOULD ALLOW ADDITIONAL HOUSING 
                   SUPPLY.

       Prior to a Regional Environmental Coordinator or other 
     official of the Department of Defense taking a position in 
     opposition to land use changes that would allow additional 
     housing supply in an area already zoned for residential use, 
     such official shall obtain approval for such position from 
     the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and 
     Sustainment and shall notify the Committee on Armed Services 
     and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the 
     Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
     Representatives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2902. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place in title III, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 3__. REPORT ON IMPACT TO ENERGY AND WATER UTILITIES AT 
                   INSTALLATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN THE 
                   INDO-PACIFIC REGION AS A RESULT OF EXTREME 
                   WEATHER HAZARDS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
     the House of Representatives a report analyzing the potential 
     risk exposure of water and energy utilities at installations 
     of the Department of Defense in the Indo-Pacific region as a 
     result of extreme weather events.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A categorized list of incidents or malfunctions that 
     led to a major disruption of water or energy services as a 
     result of extreme weather that impeded the utilities at an 
     installation of the Department in the Indo-Pacific region 
     from functioning properly.
       (2) An assessment of installations of the Department in the 
     Indo-Pacific region that the Secretary determines are at a 
     unique risk for energy and water utility disruptions due to 
     extreme weather events and any mitigating actions those 
     installations took to reduce that risk.
       (3) A list of administrative policies of the Department and 
     statutes that the Secretary determines are inhibiting the 
     abilities of installation commanders to better prepare and 
     develop resilience strategies to address vulnerability of 
     water and energy utilities to extreme weather events.
       (4) An assessment of how the design of water and energy 
     utility infrastructure at future installations of the 
     Department is being adjusted to account for extreme weather 
     events.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2903. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COMPLIANCE WITH NAGPRA.

       (a) Clarification.--Cultural items (as defined in section 2 
     of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act 
     (25 U.S.C. 3001)) relating to an Indian Boarding School that 
     are located, buried, or otherwise found on property of the 
     Department of Defense are subject to that Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 
     et seq.).
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense to assist 
     claimants in carrying out the responsibilities of those 
     claimants under the Native American Graves Protection and 
     Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) $2,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2904. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. EXPANSION OF EXCEPTIONS TO RESTRICTION ON 
                   DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN 
                   CONNECTION WITH REALIGNMENT OF MARINE CORPS 
                   FORCES IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.

       Section 2844(b)(2) of the National Defense Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat. 2742) 
     is amended by inserting ``, including operations and 
     maintenance relating to the curation of archeological and 
     cultural artifacts'' after ``artifacts''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2905. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle C of title II, add the following:

     SEC. 228. HARDWARE-ENABLED GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS FOR EXPORT 
                   CONTROL ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of the Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for 
     Research and Engineering, in coordination with the Under 
     Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, shall 
     initiate the research and development of hardware-enabled 
     governance mechanisms for advanced chips to ensure that such 
     chips are not exported in violation of export controls 
     imposed by the United States. Such mechanisms may include--
       (1) tamper-resistant chip location verification;
       (2) high-bandwidth communication bottlenecking;
       (3) on-chip metering and licensing; and
       (4) tamper-resistant or tamper-evident encasing.
       (b) Briefing Required.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of 
     Defense for Research and Engineering shall provide a briefing 
     to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
     House of Representatives to make recommendations for future 
     steps to implement hardware-enabled governance mechanisms 
     described in subsection (a).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2906. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON BENEFITS OF FACT-BASED JOURNALISM IN 
                   INDO-PACIFIC REGION.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report outlining the 
     benefits, to United States defense and security objectives in 
     the Indo-Pacific region, of editorially independent, fact-
     based journalism in the Indo-Pacific region, including 
     throughout the Pacific Islands.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include an assessment of the following:
       (1) The benefits to United States defense and security 
     interests of an information environment in the Indo-Pacific 
     region, including the Pacific Islands, that includes fact-
     based reporting on the malign activities of competitors and 
     adversaries in the region.
       (2) The risks to Department of Defense operations and 
     activities of insufficient editorially independent news media 
     in the Indo-Pacific region.
       (c) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified 
     annex.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2907. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal

[[Page S4463]]

year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

        At the end of subtitle D of title III, add the following:

     SEC. 334. REPORT ON RISKS FROM SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE HAZARDS 
                   IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of State, shall submit to Congress a report that 
     includes the following:
       (1) An assessment of the risk from surface and subsurface 
     explosive ordnance hazards, submerged maritime vessels, and 
     related hazards, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, 
     to operations, security cooperation, and other activities of 
     the Department of Defense in the Indo-Pacific region, 
     including--
       (A) an assessment of the expected prevalence of unexploded 
     hazards throughout such region in locations that the 
     Secretary of Defense is expecting to begin major or minor 
     construction projects during the one-year period beginning on 
     the date of the report; and
       (B) a review of threats to critical infrastructure in 
     Pacific Island countries and territories that could be 
     relevant to potential contingency operations of the 
     Department, including airports, ports, bridges, and 
     hospitals.
       (2) An assessment of authorities to allow the Department to 
     partner with the militaries or police forces of Pacific 
     Island countries to conduct surface and subsurface explosive 
     ordnance removal, including underwater ordnance.
       (3) An assessment of the value a region-wide survey of 
     unexploded ordnance in the Indo-Pacific region could provide 
     for operations, security cooperation, and other activities of 
     the Department that support the defense and security 
     interests of the United States.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2908. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place in title III, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 3__. WORKING GROUP ON MARINE BIOSECURITY AT JOINT BASE 
                   PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII.

       (a) In General.--On and after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall participate in good 
     faith with a working group on marine biosecurity at Joint 
     Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii (in this section referred to 
     as the ``working group'').
       (b) Members.--The members of the working group shall 
     consist of representatives from the following:
       (1) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
       (2) The United States Geological Survey.
       (3) The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
       (4) The Hawaii Invasive Species Council.
       (5) The University of Hawaii.
       (6) The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum.
       (7) Williams College.
       (8) Such additional entities as may prove necessary or 
     expedient, as determined by the Secretary of the Navy.
       (c) Existing or New Entity.--The working group may be 
     either a newly-constituted entity or an existing entity with 
     substantially the same members.
       (d) Memorandum of Agreement.--
       (1) In general.--In order to facilitate cooperation among 
     the members of the working group, the Secretary of the Navy 
     shall seek to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the 
     Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
       (2) Elements.--A memorandum of agreement entered into under 
     paragraph (1) shall contain, at a minimum, the commitment of 
     the Department of Defense--
       (A) to work collaboratively and in good faith with all 
     members of the working group;
       (B) to the eradication of invasive corals discovered at 
     Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in 2020;
       (C) to supporting the health of the coastal and marine 
     ecosystem of Hawaii; and
       (D) to creating a mechanism for an independent third party, 
     approved by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural 
     Resources, to verify and, as warranted, oversee efforts by 
     the Department of Defense to eradicate invasive corals from 
     Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2909. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON USE OF ADVANCED MARITIME DOMAIN 
                   AWARENESS TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS TO COMBAT ILLEGAL, 
                   UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED FISHING IN PACIFIC 
                   ISLANDS REGION.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) many countries in the Pacific Islands region depend on 
     commercial tuna fisheries as a critical component of their 
     economies;
       (2) the Government of the People's Republic of China has 
     used its licensed fishing fleet to exert greater influence in 
     the Pacific Islands region, but at the same time, such 
     licensed fishing fleet is also a major contributor to 
     illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (in this section 
     referred to as ``IUU fishing'') activities;
       (3) the sustainability of the fisheries in the Pacific 
     Islands region is threatened by IUU fishing, which depletes 
     both commercially important fish stocks and nontargeted 
     species that help maintain the integrity of the ocean 
     ecosystem;
       (4) IUU fishing puts pressure on protected species of 
     marine mammals, sea turtles, and sea birds, which also 
     jeopardizes the integrity of the ocean ecosystem;
       (5) because IUU fishing goes unrecorded, the loss of 
     biomass compromises scientists' work to assess and model 
     fishery stocks and advise managers on sustainable catch 
     levels;
       (6) beyond the damage to living marine resources, IUU 
     fishing also contributes directly to illegal activity in the 
     Pacific Islands region, such as food fraud, smuggling, and 
     human trafficking;
       (7) current approaches to IUU fishing enforcement rely on 
     established methods, such as vessel monitoring systems, 
     logbooks maintained by government fisheries enforcement 
     authorities to record the catches landed by fishing vessels, 
     and corroborating data on catches hand-collected by human 
     observer programs;
       (8) such established methods are imperfect because--
       (A) vessels can turn off monitoring systems and unlicensed 
     vessels do not use such systems; and
       (B) observer coverage is thin and subject to human error 
     and corruption;
       (9) maritime domain awareness technology solutions for 
     vessel monitoring have gained credibility in recent years and 
     include systems such as observing instruments deployed on 
     satellites, crewed and uncrewed air and surface systems, 
     aircraft, and surface vessels, and electronic monitoring 
     systems on fishing vessels;
       (10) maritime domain awareness technologies hold the 
     promise of significantly augmenting the current IUU fishing 
     enforcement capacities; and
       (11) maritime domain awareness technologies offer an avenue 
     for addressing key United States national interests, 
     including such interests relating to--
       (A) increasing bilateral diplomatic ties with key allies 
     and partners in the Pacific Islands region;
       (B) countering illicit trafficking in arms, narcotics, and 
     human beings associated with IUU fishing;
       (C) advancing security, long-term growth, and development 
     in the Pacific Islands region;
       (D) supporting ocean conservation objectives;
       (E) reducing food insecurity; and
       (F) countering attempts by the Government of the People's 
     Republic of China to increase its influence in the Pacific 
     Islands region.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration, the Commandant of the Coast 
     Guard, and the Secretary of State, shall submit to Congress a 
     report assessing the use of advanced maritime domain 
     awareness technology systems to combat IUU fishing in the 
     Pacific Islands region.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include--
       (A) a review of the effectiveness of existing monitoring 
     technologies, including electronic monitoring systems, to 
     combat IUU fishing;
       (B) recommendations for effectively integrating effective 
     monitoring technologies into a Pacific Islands region-wide 
     strategy for IUU fishing enforcement;
       (C) an assessment and recommendations for the secure and 
     reliable processing of data from such monitoring 
     technologies, including the security and verification issues;
       (D) the technical and financial capacity of countries of 
     the Pacific Islands region to deploy and maintain large-scale 
     use of maritime domain awareness technological systems for 
     the purposes of combating IUU fishing and supporting 
     fisheries resource management;
       (E) a review of the technical and financial capacity of 
     regional organizations and international structures to 
     support countries in the Pacific Islands region in the 
     deployment and maintenance of large-scale use of maritime 
     domain awareness technology systems for the purpose of 
     combating IUU fishing and supporting fisheries resource 
     management;
       (F) an evaluation of the utility of using foreign 
     assistance, security assistance, and development assistance 
     provided by the United States to countries in the Pacific 
     Islands region to support the large-scale deployment and 
     operations of maritime domain awareness systems to increase 
     maritime security across such region; and

[[Page S4464]]

       (G) an assessment of the role of large-scale deployment and 
     operations of maritime domain awareness systems throughout 
     the Pacific Islands region to supporting United States 
     economic and national security interests in such region, 
     including efforts related to countering IUU fishing, 
     improving maritime security, and countering malign foreign 
     influence.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2910. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title XII, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON ESTABLISHING A PACIFIC ISLANDS SECURITY 
                   DIALOGUE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report assessing the feasibility and 
     advisability of establishing a United States-based public-
     private sponsored security dialogue (to be known as the 
     ``Pacific Islands Security Dialogue'') among the Pacific 
     Islands for the purposes of jointly exploring and discussing 
     issues affecting the economic, diplomatic, and national 
     security of the Pacific Islands.
       (b) Report Required.--The report required by subsection (a) 
     shall, at a minimum, include the following:
       (1) A review of the ability of the Department of State to 
     participate in a public-private sponsored security dialogue.
       (2) A survey of Pacific Island countries on their interest 
     in engaging in such a dialogue and potential topics for 
     discussion.
       (3) An assessment of the potential locations for conducting 
     a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue in the jurisdiction of 
     the United States.
       (4) Consideration of dates for conducting a Pacific Islands 
     Security Dialogue that would maximize participation of 
     representatives from the Pacific Islands.
       (5) A review of the funding modalities available to the 
     Department of State to help finance a Pacific Islands 
     Security Dialogue, including grant-making authorities 
     available to the Department of State.
       (6) An assessment of any administrative, statutory, or 
     other legal limitations that would prevent the establishment 
     of a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue with participation and 
     support of the Department of State as described in subsection 
     (a).
       (7) An analysis of how a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue 
     could help to advance the Boe Declaration on Regional 
     Security, including its emphasis on the changing environment 
     as the greatest existential threat to the Pacific Islands.
       (8) An evaluation of how a Pacific Islands Security 
     Dialogue could help amplify the issues and work of existing 
     regional structures and organizations dedicated to the 
     security of the Pacific Islands region, such as the Pacific 
     Island Forum and Pacific Environmental Security Forum.
       (9) An analysis of how a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue 
     would assist in the implementation of the Pacific Partnership 
     Strategy of the United States and the National Security 
     Strategy of the United States.
       (c) Interagency Consultation.--To the extent practicable, 
     the Secretary of State may consult with the Secretary of 
     Defense and, where appropriate, evaluate the lessons learned 
     of the Regional Centers for Security Studies of the 
     Department of Defense to assess the feasibility and 
     advisability of establishing the Pacific Islands Security 
     Dialogue.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2911. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 12__. INDO-PACIFIC MARITIME SECURITY INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security shall cooperate to develop and carry out 
     a program to strengthen maritime security partnerships in the 
     Indo-Pacific region using assets of the Department of Defense 
     and the Department of Homeland Security.
       (b) Goals.--The goals of the program under paragraph (1) 
     shall be, to the extent practicable--
       (1) to enhance interoperability between--
       (A) Coast Guard and Navy personnel; and
       (B) the maritime forces of allied and partner countries in 
     the Indo-Pacific region;
       (2) to strengthen Coast Guard, and, as appropriate, Navy, 
     participation in, and coordination with, organizations in the 
     Indo-Pacific region dedicated to coordination and cooperation 
     in support of fisheries policies, ocean conservation, 
     maritime security, and related initiatives;
       (3) to strengthen maritime domain awareness, enforcement of 
     exclusive economic zones, marine environment protection, 
     activities to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated 
     fishing, and disaster preparedness and resilience;
       (4) to mature logistics delivery among countries in the 
     Indo-Pacific region to enhance the ability of the Department 
     of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to supply 
     remote areas after extreme weather events and other major 
     natural disasters;
       (5) to increase the presence of Coast Guard personnel and 
     capabilities to support law enforcement, maritime protection, 
     and capacity-building initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region; 
     and
       (6) to conduct research and development in, and, as 
     practicable, deploy technologies or related capabilities to, 
     countries in the Indo-Pacific region that will--
       (A) improve maritime domain awareness and the ability to 
     monitor fisheries and other marine resources; and
       (B) strengthen disaster warning and response.
       (c) Strategy.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly submit to 
     Congress a strategy that includes the following:
       (1) A review of ongoing United States efforts to promote 
     maritime security, environmental protection, and disaster 
     resilience and preparedness in the Indo-Pacific region.
       (2) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of--
       (A) routine ports of call by the Navy and the Coast Guard 
     at ports in countries in the Indo-Pacific region;
       (B) expanding shiprider agreements between the United 
     States and countries in the Indo-Pacific region; and
       (C) developing joint and multinational exercises focused on 
     improving combined response and logistics delivery in support 
     of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
       (3) An assessment of ways in which the presence of Coast 
     Guard cutters and personnel in the Indo-Pacific region may be 
     increased to support law enforcement, maritime security, 
     disaster response, and related goals, which assessment shall 
     include--
       (A) a review of challenges related to the deployment of 
     medium-range and long-range cutters, including personnel and 
     logistical requirements;
       (B) a review of budgetary constraints that would limit the 
     deployment of additional Coast Guard cutters and resources to 
     the Indo-Pacific region; and
       (C) any other consideration the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, in coordination with the Commandant of the Coast 
     Guard, considers appropriate.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2912. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON INCREASED COAST GUARD PRESENCE AND 
                   OPERATIONS IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the 
     Coast Guard Commander for the Pacific Area, the Commander of 
     the United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the Under 
     Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall submit 
     to Congress a report outlining the benefits, with respect to 
     United States defense and security objectives in the Indo-
     Pacific region, of increased Coast Guard operations in the 
     Western Pacific region.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An assessment of the risks--
       (A) to United States defense and security interests posed 
     by not fully using the range of Coast Guard maritime 
     capabilities, vessels, exercises, and engagements in the 
     Indo-Pacific region, given increased maritime activities, 
     including partner engagement, by the People's Republic of 
     China;
       (B) to Department of Defense operations posed by the United 
     States Coast Guard not fully staffing and equipping Coast 
     Guard operations in the Western Pacific region; and
       (C) to United States strategic maritime interests in 
     general, including to bilateral maritime partners of the 
     United States, posed by not fully staffing and equipping 
     Coast Guard operations in the Western Pacific region.
       (2) An assessment of the opportunity costs of--
       (A) using other service capabilities within the Department 
     of Defense to address challenges and threats in the Indo-
     Pacific region

[[Page S4465]]

     typically addressed by the Coast Guard, including fentanyl 
     and other illicit drug trafficking; and
       (B) not expanding Coast Guard presence and cooperation in 
     Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands, with a 
     focus on advising, training, deployment, and capacity 
     building.
       (3) An assessment of the associated needs of the Department 
     of Defense to fully achieve regional defense and security 
     objectives if the Coast Guard were not to significantly 
     expand its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2913. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTAMINATED LANDS.

       (a) Finding.--Congress finds that there is a need to 
     systematically advance the geostrategic, military-political, 
     and economic interests of the United States in the Pacific 
     Theater, particularly within the westernmost island State of 
     the United States, which serves as the forward defense 
     platform of the United States and requires a clear foundation 
     for possible regional conflicts and current and future 
     national security threats.
       (b) Assistance Required.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense (referred to in 
     this subsection as the ``Secretary'') shall provide 
     assistance to the State of Hawaii for the cleanup of 
     hazardous materials, munition debris, unsafe buildings or 
     structures, lead-based paint or asbestos, abandoned 
     equipment, and unexploded ordnance in the State.
       (2) Priority.--In providing assistance under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary shall prioritize cleanup on or near Hawaiian 
     Home Lands (as defined in section 801 of the Native American 
     Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 
     U.S.C. 4221)) and pre-1970 military sites.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2914. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of part I of subtitle F of title V, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 5__. REPORT ON MATERIALS, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES 
                   RESTRICTED AT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION 
                   ACTIVITY SCHOOLS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Department of Defense Education Activity may be engaging 
     in censorship that could violate the rights of members of the 
     Armed Forces and their families under the First Amendment to 
     the Constitution of the United States.
       (b) Report Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for 
     Personnel and Readiness shall submit to the congressional 
     defense committees a report enumerating the educational 
     materials, programs, and activities affected by the memoranda 
     issued by the Department of Defense Education Activity on 
     February 5, 2025, restricting the use of materials by covered 
     schools.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A list of books restricted at a covered school as a 
     result of the memoranda described in paragraph (1).
       (B) A list of any curriculum materials or educational 
     guidance that has been modified at a covered school as a 
     result of those memoranda.
       (C) A list of programs restricted at a covered school as a 
     result of those memoranda.
       (D) A list of activities restricted at a covered school as 
     a result of those memoranda.
       (E) A list of holidays or commemorative heritage activities 
     restricted at covered school as a result of those memoranda.
       (F) A description of a process by which administrators, 
     teachers, parents, students, and other interested parties at 
     a covered school can submit a complaint about restrictions 
     imposed pursuant to those memoranda to the Director of the 
     Department of Defense Education Activity, including an option 
     for maintaining the anonymity of individuals submitting a 
     complaint.
       (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Congressional defense committees.--The term 
     ``congressional defense committees'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.
       (B) Covered school.--The term ``coverd school'' means a 
     school operated--
       (i) by the Department of Defense Education Activity; or
       (ii) with support provided by the Non-Department of Defense 
     Schools Program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2915. Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself and Mr. Curtis) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. BANNING OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING A HIGH CONCENTRATION 
                   OF SODIUM NITRITE.

       (a) In General.--Any consumer product containing a high 
     concentration of sodium nitrite shall be considered to be a 
     banned hazardous product under section 8 of the Consumer 
     Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2057).
       (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to--
       (1) prohibit any commercial or industrial purpose in which 
     high concentration sodium nitrite is not customarily produced 
     or distributed for sale to, or use or consumption by, or 
     enjoyment of, a consumer; and
       (2) apply to high concentration sodium nitrite that meets 
     the definition of a ``drug'', ``device'', or ``cosmetic'' (as 
     such terms are defined in sections 201(g), (h), and (i) of 
     the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(g), 
     (h), and (i))), or ``food'' (as defined in section 201(f) of 
     such Act (21 U.S.C. 321(f))), including poultry and poultry 
     products (as such terms are defined in sections 4(e) and (f) 
     of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453(e)and 
     (f))), meat and meat food products (as such terms are defined 
     in section 1(j) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
     601(j))), and eggs and egg products (as such terms are 
     defined in section 4 of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 
     U.S.C. 1033)).
       (c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       (1) Consumer product.--The term ``consumer product'' has 
     the meaning given that term under section 3(a)(5) of the 
     Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(5)).
       (2) High concentration of sodium nitrite.--The term ``high 
     concentration of sodium nitrite'' means a concentration of 10 
     or more percent by weight of sodium nitrite.
       (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect 90 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2916. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in subtitle C of title XV, insert 
     the following:

     SEC. 15__. REPORT ON ENHANCED INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE 
                   DEFENSE SYSTEM IN GUAM.

       (a) Report Required.--Not later than December 1, 2025, the 
     Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional 
     defense committees a report on the Enhanced Integrated Air 
     and Missile Defense System in Guam.
       (b) Contents.--The report submitted pursuant to subsection 
     (a) shall cover the following:
       (1) The impact of the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile 
     Defense System on public infrastructure in Guam, along with a 
     plan to assist with mitigating the resulting effects.
       (2) The feasibility of any alternatives to the Enhanced 
     Integrated Air and Missile Defense System in conjunction with 
     the Guam environmental impact statement.
       (3) The feasibility of establishing an Economic Adjustment 
     Committee for Guam in accordance with Executive Order 12788 
     (10 U.S.C. 2391 note; relating to Defense Economic Adjustment 
     Program).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2917. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. REPORT ON IMPACTS OF SANCTIONS ON MILITARIES OF 
                   CERTAIN ADVERSARIES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of 
     the Treasury, shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
     Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
     report analyzing the impacts of sanctions imposed by the 
     United States on the armed forces and proxy forces of the 
     Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

[[Page S4466]]

       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An assessment of how sanctions imposed by the United 
     States have impacted the overall readiness of the armed 
     forces of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of 
     Iran, including how those forces have had to reorganize to 
     address readiness gaps as a result of the sanctions.
       (2) An assessment of--
       (A) the overall health of the domestic defense industrial 
     bases in the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of 
     Iran as a result of sanctions imposed by the United States 
     since 2018;
       (B) whether those defense industrial bases can keep up with 
     the demands of the armed forces; and
       (C) military technology areas that have been stunted or 
     halted by the imposition of the sanctions.
       (3) A description of--
       (A) the impacts of sanctions imposed by the United States 
     on the ability of proxy forces of the Russian Federation and 
     the Islamic Republic of Iran to conduct extraterritorial 
     operations; and
       (B) alternative sources of support that those forces have 
     had to incorporate as a result of the imposition of those 
     sanctions.
       (4) The assessment of the Department of Defense with 
     respect to whether sanctions imposed by the United States 
     have had a meaningful effect on deterring Russian or Iranian 
     aggression.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2918. Mr. KING (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. REINSTATEMENT OF ENTITLEMENT TO POST-9/11 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL 
                   ASSAULT OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 33 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 3319, the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 3319A. Victims of sexual assault and domestic 
       violence; authority to retain transferred education 
       benefits

       ``(a) Reinstatement of Educational Assistance.--The 
     Secretary concerned may, subject to regulations prescribed by 
     the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, reinstate terminated educational assistance payments 
     that were transferred to a spouse or a dependent child under 
     section 3319 of this title if the Secretary concerned 
     determines that the proximate cause for the termination of 
     payment is--
       ``(1) the administrative separation or conviction by a 
     court martial, or by civilian, Tribal, or State court, of a 
     covered individual for a dependent-abuse offense; and
       ``(2) the administrative separation or conviction resulted 
     in a discharge characterization of the covered individual 
     that does not meet the requirements of section 3311(c) of 
     this title.
       ``(b) Application.--(1) A spouse or dependent child 
     described in subsection (a) seeking reinstatement of 
     terminated educational assistance payments for a termination 
     described in such subsection shall apply for such 
     reinstatement.
       ``(2) An application under paragraph (1) shall include 
     sufficient information to substantiate that a spouse or 
     dependent child was the victim of dependent-abuse that 
     resulted in a discharge characterization that does not meet 
     the requirements of section 3311(c) of this title.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall consult with veterans service 
     organizations to ensure that the application process under 
     this subsection is trauma-informed.
       ``(c) Limitation.--Reinstated payments shall not exceed any 
     unused portion of the educational benefits that were 
     transferred to a spouse or dependent child pursuant to 
     section 3319 of this title that remain unobligated at the 
     time of discharge of the covered member.
       ``(d) Determination by the Secretary Concerned.--The 
     Secretary concerned may determine that the proximate cause of 
     termination of education benefits is dependent-abuse, as 
     specified in regulations prescribed in subsection (e), only 
     if--
       ``(1) the record for the administrative separation 
     establishes, by a preponderance of evidence presented, that 
     the covered individual perpetrated a dependent-abuse offense; 
     or
       ``(2) the covered individual is convicted of a dependent-
     abuse offense.
       ``(e) Review of Determinations.--(1) The Secretary of 
     Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
     establish procedures by which a spouse or dependent child 
     whose application for reinstatement of terminated educational 
     assistance under subsection (b) is denied by the Secretary 
     concerned may request the applicable Secretary review the 
     application and denial.
       ``(2) Pursuant to a review by the Secretary of Defense or 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security under paragraph (1) of an 
     application and denial, the Secretary of Defense or the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, as the case may be, may 
     overturn the denial if the Secretary determines such denial 
     was made in error.
       ``(3) The Secretary receiving a request for a review of an 
     application and denial pursuant to the procedures required by 
     paragraph (1) shall review the application and denial and 
     respond to the request not later than 30 days after receiving 
     the request.
       ``(4) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall, in coordination with the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs, develop and make available to the public 
     guidance on how a spouse or dependent child may request a 
     review pursuant to the procedures established under paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(f) Regulations.--(1) The Secretary of Defense and the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall prescribe regulations to 
     carry out this section.
       ``(2) Regulations under paragraph (1) shall include the 
     following:
       ``(A) The procedure for application of reinstatement of 
     education benefits.
       ``(B) The criminal offenses, or categories of offenses, 
     under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of 
     title 10), Federal criminal law, the criminal laws of the 
     States and other jurisdictions of the United States, and the 
     laws of other nations that are to be considered dependent-
     abuse offenses for the purposes of this section.
       ``(g) Bar to Duplication of Educational Assistance 
     Benefits.--An individual entitled to education assistance 
     under this chapter who is also eligible for educational 
     assistance under chapter 30, 31, 32, or 35 of this title, 
     chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 or section 510 of title 10, may 
     not receive assistance under two or more such program 
     concurrently, but shall elect (in such form and manner as the 
     Secretary may prescribe) under which section to receive 
     educational assistance.
       ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `covered individual' means a member of the 
     Armed Forces described in section 3311(b) of this title.
       ``(2) The term `dependent-abuse offense' means conduct by a 
     covered individual while a member of the Armed Forces on 
     active duty for a period of more than 30 days that--
       ``(A) involves abuse of the spouse or a dependent child of 
     the member; and
       ``(B) is a criminal offense specified in regulations 
     prescribed under subsection (e).
       ``(3) The term `dependent child' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 1408(h) of title 10.
       ``(4) The term `spouse' means a person who was the 
     beneficiary of transferred educational assistance payments at 
     the time of discharge of a covered individual, who--
       ``(A) was married to the covered individual; or
       ``(B) divorced such individual prior to discharge for, as 
     determined by the Secretary concerned, reasons relating to a 
     dependent abuse-offense that resulted in a discharge 
     characterization that does not meet the requirements of 
     section 3311(c) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 33 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 3319 the following new 
     item:

``Sec. 3319A. Victims of sexual assault and domestic violence; 
              authority to retain transferred education benefits .''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2919. Mr. KING (for himself and Mr. Sheehy) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

     SEC. 10__. PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
                   FURNISH TO CERTAIN VETERANS ITEMS USED FOR 
                   SECURE STORAGE OF FIREARMS.

       (a) Program.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1720M. Program to furnish to eligible individuals 
       items intended to be used for the secure storage of 
       firearms

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
     to provide to an eligible individual, upon the request of the 
     eligible individual--
       ``(1) a covered item or a redeemable voucher to aid in the 
     distribution of a covered item; and
       ``(2) information relating to the benefits of, and options 
     for, secure firearm storage.
       ``(b) Distribution of Covered Items.--In carrying out the 
     program under subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to 
     work with organizations that have experience, expertise, and 
     business knowledge regarding secure firearm storage and 
     secure firearm storage devices.
       ``(c) Public Education Campaign.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall design and carry out 
     a public education campaign to inform eligible individuals of 
     the

[[Page S4467]]

     availability of covered items under the program under 
     subsection (a).
       ``(2) Partnership.--In carrying out the public education 
     campaign required under paragraph (1), the Secretary may 
     partner with organizations that have experience with respect 
     to secure firearm storage devices.
       ``(3) Assurance about lawful ownership of firearms.--The 
     Secretary shall include in the public education campaign 
     required under paragraph (1) material that assures eligible 
     individuals that their participation in the program under 
     subsection (a) does not impact lawful ownership of firearms.
       ``(d) Reports to Congress.--Not later than October 1, 2025, 
     and not less frequently than annually thereafter, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress a report that includes--
       ``(1) a description of the program under subsection (a) in 
     a manner consistent with applicable law;
       ``(2) during the period covered by the report, the number 
     of covered items distributed by the Veterans Health 
     Administration and the number of covered items redeemed 
     outside of the Veterans Health Administration under the 
     program;
       ``(3) an assessment of efforts made to increase outreach 
     and distribution of covered items under the program to 
     eligible individuals who are not enrolled in the system of 
     annual patient enrollment of the Department established and 
     operated under section 1705 of this title;
       ``(4) an assessment of any obstacles to increasing outreach 
     to eligible individuals who are enrolled in such system and 
     those who are not enrolled in such system; and
       ``(5) an identification of additional steps that will be 
     taken during the one-year period after the submission of the 
     report to improve the processes through which eligible 
     individuals receive a covered item under the program.
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `appropriate committees of Congress' means--
       ``(A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the Senate; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
       ``(2) The term `covered item' means a lockbox that--
       ``(A) is used for the secure storage of a firearm and 
     ammunition;
       ``(B) is designed, intended, and marketed to prevent 
     unauthorized access to a firearm or ammunition;
       ``(C) may be unlocked only by means of a key, combination, 
     or other similar means;
       ``(D) is in compliance with the standard of the American 
     Society for Testing and Materials F2456-20, or any successor 
     standard;
       ``(E) is manufactured in the United States; and
       ``(F) is not eligible or intended for commercial or 
     individual resale.
       ``(3) The term `eligible individual' means--
       ``(A) a veteran; or
       ``(B) an individual described in section 1720I(b) of this 
     title.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1720L the following new item:

``1720M. Program to furnish to eligible individuals items intended to 
              be used for the secure storage of firearms.''.
       (b) Education and Training.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall--
       (1) in consultation with representatives of organizations 
     and agencies that are subject to a memorandum of 
     understanding with the Secretary on preventing veteran 
     suicide and other such entities as the Secretary determines 
     appropriate--
       (A) develop an informational video on secure storage of 
     firearms as a suicide prevention strategy; and
       (B) publish such informational video on an internet website 
     of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
       (2) publish information to inform individuals who 
     participate in the program under section 1720M of title 38, 
     United States Code (as added by subsection (a)(1)) that any 
     lockbox furnished pursuant to such program is not eligible or 
     intended for commercial or individual resale.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act or the 
     amendments made by this Act may be construed--
       (1) to collect personally identifiable information of an 
     individual who participates in the program under section 
     1720M of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection 
     (a)(1)) for the purposes of tracking firearm ownership;
       (2) to require any such individual to register a firearm 
     with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other 
     Federal, State, Tribal, or local unit of government;
       (3) to require mandatory firearm storage for any such 
     individual;
       (4) to prohibit any such individual from purchasing, 
     owning, or possessing a firearm under section 922 of title 
     18, United States Code;
       (5) to discourage the lawful ownership of firearms; or
       (6) to create or maintain a list of individuals 
     participating in such program.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to the appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2036 to 
     carry out this section and the amendments made by this 
     section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2920. Mr. WICKER (for himself and Mr. Reed) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title VI, add the following:

     SEC. 614. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING BONUS AND 
                   SPECIAL PAY AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Authorities Relating to Reserve Forces.--Section 910(g) 
     of title 37, United States Code, relating to income 
     replacement payments for reserve component members 
     experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for active 
     duty service, is amended by striking ``December 31, 2025'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2026''.
       (b) Title 10 Authorities Relating to Health Care 
     Professionals.--The following sections of title 10, United 
     States Code, are amended by striking ``December 31, 2025'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2026'':
       (1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse officer 
     candidate accession program.
       (2) Section 16302(d), relating to repayment of education 
     loans for certain health professionals who serve in the 
     Selected Reserve.
       (c) Authorities Relating to Nuclear Officers.--Section 
     333(i) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting ``December 31, 
     2026''.
       (d) Authorities Relating to Title 37 Consolidated Special 
     Pay, Incentive Pay, and Bonus Authorities.--The following 
     sections of title 37, United States Code, are amended by 
     striking ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting ``December 31, 
     2026'':
       (1) Section 331(h), relating to general bonus authority for 
     enlisted members.
       (2) Section 332(g), relating to general bonus authority for 
     officers.
       (3) Section 334(i), relating to special aviation incentive 
     pay and bonus authorities for officers.
       (4) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus and incentive 
     pay authorities for officers in health professions.
       (5) Section 336(g), relating to contracting bonus for 
     cadets and midshipmen enrolled in the Senior Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps.
       (6) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty pay.
       (7) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay or special 
     duty pay.
       (8) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive pay or 
     proficiency bonus.
       (9) Section 355(h), relating to retention incentives for 
     members qualified in critical military skills or assigned to 
     high priority units.
       (e) Authority to Provide Temporary Increase in Rates of 
     Basic Allowance for Housing.--Section 403(b) of title 37, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (7)(E), relating to an area covered by a 
     major disaster declaration or containing an installation 
     experiencing an influx of military personnel, by striking 
     ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting ``December 31, 2026''; 
     and
       (2) in paragraph (8)(C), relating to an area where actual 
     housing costs differ from current rates by more than 20 
     percent, by striking ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2026''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2921. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 12__. REPORT ON COLLABORATION WITH NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY 
                   ORGANIZATION ALLIES AND PARTNERS ON DETERRENCE 
                   IN INDO-PACIFIC REGION.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a 
     report that includes--
       
       (A) a description of efforts by the Secretary, together 
     with North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and partners, 
     to deter an armed attack against the State of Hawaii and the 
     United States Pacific territories of Guam, the Commonwealth 
     of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa;
       (B) a description of capabilities of North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization allies and partners to engage in deterrence 
     measures throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including--
       (i) an assessment of defense assets available for 
     deployment to and within the Indo-Pacific region; and
       (ii) an assessment of joint defense strategies of the 
     Department of Defense and North

[[Page S4468]]

     Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and partners for 
     deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region; and
       (C) a description of engagements conducted by the Secretary 
     with North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and partners 
     to reinforce United States policy regarding the defense of 
     the State of Hawaii and the United States Pacific territories 
     of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
     and American Samoa.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2922. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1067. FINDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESOURCE EXPLORATION.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the United States should prioritize, to the greatest extent 
     practicable, the onshoring of critical mineral processing.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Allied foreign country.--The term ``allied foreign 
     country'' means a member country of the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization or a country that has been designated as a major 
     non-NATO ally under section 517 of the Foreign Assistance Act 
     of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321k).
       (2) Critical mineral.--The term ``critical mineral'' has 
     the meaning given the term in section 7002(a) of the Energy 
     Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)).
       (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001).
       (4) Partner foreign country.--The term ``partner foreign 
     country'' means a country that is a source of a critical 
     mineral or rare earth element.
       (5) Rare earth element.--The term ``rare earth element'' 
     means cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, 
     holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, praseodymium, 
     promethium, samarium, scandium, terbium, thulium, ytterbium, 
     or yttrium.
       (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United 
     States Geological Survey.
       (c) Memorandum of Understanding With Respect to the Mapping 
     of Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements.--
       (1) Memorandum of understanding.--The Secretary may enter 
     into a memorandum of understanding with 1 or more heads of 
     agencies of partner foreign countries with respect to 
     scientific and technical cooperation in the mapping of 
     critical minerals and rare earth elements.
       (2) Objectives.--In negotiating a memorandum of 
     understanding under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek 
     to increase the security and resilience of international 
     supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements 
     by--
       (A) committing to assisting the partner foreign country 
     through cooperative activities described in paragraph (3) 
     that help the partner foreign country map reserves of 
     critical minerals and rare earth elements;
       (B) ensuring that private companies headquartered in the 
     United States or an allied foreign country are offered the 
     right of first refusal in the further development of critical 
     minerals and rare earth elements in the partner foreign 
     country;
       (C) facilitating private-sector investment in the 
     exploration and development of critical minerals and rare 
     earth elements; and
       (D) ensuring that mapping data created through the 
     cooperative activities described in paragraph (3) is 
     protected against unauthorized access by, or disclosure to, 
     governmental or private entities based in countries that are 
     not--
       (i) a party to the memorandum of understanding; or
       (ii) an allied foreign country.
       (3) Cooperative activities.--The cooperative activities 
     referred to in paragraph (2) include--
       (A) acquisition, compilation, analysis, and interpretation 
     of geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and spectroscopic 
     remote sensing data;
       (B) prospectivity mapping and mineral resource assessment;
       (C) analysis of geoscience data, including developing 
     derivative map products that can help more effectively 
     evaluate the mineral resources of the partner foreign 
     country;
       (D) scientific collaboration to enhance the understanding 
     and management of the natural resources of the partner 
     foreign country to contribute to the sustainable development 
     of the mineral resources sector of that partner foreign 
     country;
       (E) training and capacity building in each area described 
     in subparagraphs (A) through (D);
       (F) facilitation of education and specialized training in 
     geoscience and mineral resource management at institutions of 
     higher education;
       (G) training in relevant international standards for 
     relevant officials of the government and private companies of 
     the partner foreign country; and
       (H) cooperation among entities of the partner foreign 
     country that are a party to the memorandum of understanding 
     and entities in the United States, including Federal 
     departments and agencies, institutions of higher education, 
     research centers, and private companies.
       (4) Notification and report to congress.--
       (A) Definition of appropriate committees of congress.--In 
     this paragraph, the term ``appropriate committees of 
     Congress'' means--
       (i) the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Foreign 
     Relations, and Appropriations of the Senate; and
       (ii) the Committees on Natural Resources, Foreign Affairs, 
     and Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
       (B) Notification and report.--Not later than 30 days before 
     the Secretary intends to enter into a memorandum of 
     understanding under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       (i) notify the appropriate committees of Congress; and
       (ii) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
     report detailing the implementing partners, scope of the 
     memorandum of understanding, activities to be undertaken, 
     estimated costs, and source of funding.
       (5) Concurrence of the secretary of state.--The Secretary 
     shall obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State in--
       (A) prioritizing and selecting partner foreign countries 
     with which to enter into a memorandum of understanding under 
     paragraph (1);
       (B) negotiating a memorandum of understanding under 
     paragraph (1);
       (C) implementing a memorandum of understanding entered into 
     under paragraph (1), including through the use of funds made 
     available to the Secretary of State; and
       (D) carrying out paragraph (4).
       (6) Consultation with private sector.--The Secretary shall 
     consult with relevant private sector actors, as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate, in--
       (A) prioritizing and selecting partner foreign countries 
     with which to enter into a memorandum of understanding under 
     paragraph (1); and
       (B) assessing how a memorandum of understanding can best 
     facilitate private sector interest in pursuing the further 
     development of critical minerals and rare earth elements in 
     accordance with the objectives described in paragraph (2).
       (d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section impedes or 
     otherwise alters any authority of the Director of the United 
     States Geological Survey provided by--
       (1) the matter under the heading ``GEOLOGICAL SURVEY'' of 
     the first section of the Act of March 3, 1879 (43 U.S.C. 
     31(a)); or
       (2) the first section of Public Law 87-626 (43 U.S.C. 
     31(b)).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2923. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

     SEC. 10__. AUTHORITY FOR USE OF VETERANS EDUCATIONAL 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS TO 
                   RECEIVE CREDIT TOWARD DEGREES AWARDED BY 
                   INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.

       (a) In General.--An individual who is entitled to veterans 
     educational assistance may use such assistance to cover the 
     costs of covered examinations and assessments to receive 
     credit toward degrees awarded by institutions of higher 
     learning for approved programs of education.
       (b) Veterans Educational Assistance.--For purposes of this 
     section, veterans educational assistance is educational 
     assistance available to veterans and other eligible 
     individuals under the provisions of law as follows:
       (1) Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, and 35 of title 38, United 
     States Code.
       (2) Any other provision of law providing educational 
     assistance to a veteran, or to another individual in 
     connection with the service of a veteran in the Armed Forces.
       (c) Limitation on Amount Usable.--The total amount of 
     veterans educational assistance that may be used for the 
     costs of a covered examination or assessment under subsection 
     (a) may not exceed the lesser of--
       (1) the amount charged for the examination or assessment by 
     the entity administering the examination or assessment; or
       (2) $500.
       (d) Charge Against Entitlement.--
       (1) In general.--The number of months (or fraction thereof) 
     of entitlement charged an individual under the applicable 
     provision of law specified in subsection (b) for use of 
     veterans educational assistance for costs of covered 
     examinations and assessments under this section shall be 
     equal to the quotient obtained by dividing--
       (A) the cost of the examination or assessment (as 
     determined pursuant to subsection (c)); by
       (B) the monthly rate of veterans educational assistance to 
     which the individual is

[[Page S4469]]

     entitled under such provision of law at the time of the 
     examination or assessment.
       (2) Rule of construction.--A charge against entitlement to 
     educational assistance under a law administered by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs in order to receive assistance 
     under this section shall not be construed to affect 
     entitlement to educational assistance under a law 
     administered by the Secretary of Defense, including 
     entitlement to educational assistance under the Department of 
     Defense Tuition Assistance Program.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``approved program of education'' means a 
     program of education approved for use of veterans educational 
     assistance pursuant to chapter 35 or 36 of title 38, United 
     States Code, or another applicable provision of law.
       (2) The term ``covered examinations and assessments'' means 
     the following:
       (A) A DANTES Subject Standardized Test Program (DSST) 
     examination.
       (B) A College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examination.
       (C) The National Career Readiness Certificate examination.
       (D) Any other examination of a similar nature to an exam 
     specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) specified by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs for purposes of this section.
       (E) An assessment by an institution of higher learning of a 
     portfolio or written narrative by a student with supporting 
     documentation that demonstrates prior military training or 
     learning.
       (3) The term ``institution of higher learning'' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 3452(f) of title 38, 
     United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2924. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1067. INCREASING BARDA STRATEGIC INITIATIVES.

       Section 319L(c)(4)(F) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 247d-7e(c)(4)(F)) is amended--
       (1) in the second sentence, in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by inserting ``, manufacturing technologies, 
     platforms,'' after ``countermeasures''; and
       (2) by inserting after the first sentence the following: 
     ``Such strategic coordination may include collaborating with 
     the network of Manufacturing USA institutes established under 
     section 34 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act in biomanufacturing missions to develop, 
     demonstrate, and deploy technologies and response 
     capabilities to improve public health and medical 
     preparedness.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2925. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title XII, add the following::

      Subtitle F--Defending International Security by Restricting 
                 Unacceptable Partnerships and Tactics

     SEC. 1271. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Defending International 
     Security by Restricting Unacceptable Partnerships and Tactics 
     Act'' or ``DISRUPT Act''.

     SEC. 1272. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, 
     the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Democratic People's 
     Republic of Korea are each considered--
       (A) a foreign adversary (as defined in section 825(d) of 
     the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 
     (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 322; 46 U.S.C. 50309 note));
       (B) a country of risk (as defined in section 6432(a) of the 
     Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 
     118-159; 138 Stat. 2488; 42 U.S.C. 7144b note)) for purposes 
     of assessing counterintelligence risks posed by certain 
     visitors to National Laboratories;
       (C) a foreign country of concern (as defined in section 
     10612(a) of the Research and Development, Competition, and 
     Innovation Act (Public Law 117-167; 136 Stat. 1635; 42 U.S.C. 
     19221 note));
       (D) a covered foreign country (as defined in section 164 of 
     the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 
     118-159; 138 Stat. 1818; 10 U.S.C. 4651 note prec.)) for 
     purposes of a prohibition on operation, procurement, and 
     contracting relating to foreign-made light detection and 
     ranging technology; and
       (E) a covered foreign country (as defined in section 1622 
     of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2022 (Public Law 117-81; 135 Stat. 2086; 10 U.S.C. 421 note 
     prec.)) for purposes of a strategy and plan to implement 
     certain defense intelligence reforms.
       (2) According to the 2025 Intelligence Community Annual 
     Threat Assessment, the United States faces an increasingly 
     contested and dangerous global landscape as the four 
     adversaries named in paragraph (1) deepen cooperation in a 
     manner that--
       (A) reinforces threats posed by each such adversary 
     individually; and
       (B) poses new challenges to the strength and power of the 
     United States globally.
       (3) Much of the cooperation referred to in paragraph (2) is 
     occurring bilaterally, as the People's Republic of China, the 
     Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the 
     Democratic People's Republic of Korea strengthen diplomatic, 
     economic, and military ties in accordance with bilateral 
     agreements, which include--
       (A) the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual 
     Assistance between China and the Democratic People's Republic 
     of Korea, signed at Beijing July 11, 1961;
       (B) the Joint Statement on Comprehensive Strategic 
     Partnership between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the 
     People's Republic of China, issued on March 27, 2021;
       (C) the Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the 
     People's Republic of China on International Relations 
     Entering a New Era and Global Sustainable Development, issued 
     on February 4, 2022;
       (D) the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 
     between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's 
     Republic of Korea, signed at Pyongyang June 18, 2024;
       (E) the Iranian-Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic 
     Partnership, signed at Moscow January 17, 2025; and
       (F) traditional relations of friendship and cooperation 
     between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Democratic 
     People's Republic of Korea.
       (4) The most concerning forms of such cooperation with 
     respect to the interests of the United States occur 
     bilaterally in the realm of defense cooperation. Examples 
     include the following:
       (A) The transfer and sharing of weapons and munitions. 
     Since 2022, the Islamic Republic of Iran has supplied the 
     Russian Federation with drones and ballistic missiles, and 
     the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has provided 
     artillery ammunition and ballistic missiles. Likewise, the 
     Russian Federation has agreed to provide the Islamic Republic 
     of Iran with Su-35 fighter jets and air defense assistance.
       (B) The transfer and sharing of dual-use technologies and 
     capabilities. Dual-use goods supplied by the People's 
     Republic of China have enabled the Russian Federation to 
     continue defense production in the face of wide-ranging 
     sanctions and export controls intended to prevent the Russian 
     Federation from accessing the necessary components to fuel 
     its defense industry. In turn, reporting indicates that the 
     Russian Federation has provided technical expertise on 
     satellite technology to the Democratic People's Republic of 
     Korea and is working closely with the People's Republic of 
     China on air defense and submarine technology.
       (C) Joint military activities and exercises. The military 
     forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are 
     actively participating in the Russian Federation's invasion 
     of Ukraine, and joint military exercises between the People's 
     Republic of China and the Russian Federation are expanding in 
     scope, scale, and geographic reach, including in close 
     proximity to territory of the United States.
       (D) Coordination on disinformation and cyber operations, 
     including coordinated messaging aimed at denigrating and 
     isolating the United States internationally.
       (5) Adversaries of the United States are also cooperating 
     in a manner that may circumvent United States and 
     multilateral economic tools. Examples include the following:
       (A) The continued purchase by the People's Republic of 
     China of oil from the Islamic Republic of Iran despite 
     sanctions imposed by the Treasury of the United States on oil 
     from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
       (B) The veto by the Russian Federation of, and abstention 
     by the People's Republic of China in a vote on, a United 
     Nations Security Council resolution relating to monitoring 
     United Nations Security Council-levied sanctions on the 
     Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
       (6) Adversaries of the United States are cooperating 
     multilaterally in international institutions such as the 
     United Nations and through expanded multilateral groupings, 
     such as the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa group 
     (commonly known as ``BRICS''), to isolate and erode the 
     influence of the United States.
       (7) Such increased cooperation and alignment among the 
     People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the 
     Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Democratic People's 
     Republic of Korea, to an unprecedented extent, poses a 
     significant threat to United States interests and national 
     security.
       (8) Such increasing alignment--
       (A) allows each such adversary to modernize its military 
     more quickly than previously anticipated;
       (B) enables unforeseen breakthroughs in capabilities 
     through the sharing among such adversaries of critical 
     military technologies, which could erode the technological 
     edge of the United States Armed Forces;
       (C) presents increasing challenges to strategies of 
     isolation or containment against

[[Page S4470]]

     such individual adversaries, since the People's Republic of 
     China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, 
     and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea now provide 
     critical lifelines to each other;
       (D) threatens the effectiveness of United States economic 
     tools, as such adversaries cooperate to evade United States 
     sanctions and export controls and seek to establish 
     alternative payment mechanisms that do not require 
     transactions in United States dollars; and
       (E) increases the chances of United States conflict or 
     tensions with any one of such adversaries drawing in another, 
     thereby posing a greater risk that the United States will 
     have to contend with simultaneous threats from such 
     adversaries in one or more theaters.

     SEC. 1273. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It is the policy of the United States--
       (1) to disrupt or frustrate the most dangerous aspects of 
     cooperation between and among the People's Republic of China, 
     the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the 
     Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including by using the 
     threat of sanctions and export controls, bringing such 
     cooperation to light, and sharing information with United 
     States allies and partners who may--
       (A) share the concerns and objectives of the United States; 
     and
       (B) have influence over such adversaries;
       (2) to constrain such grouping from expanding its footprint 
     or capabilities across the world; and
       (3) to prepare for the increasing likelihood that the 
     United States could face simultaneous challenges or conflict 
     with multiple such adversaries in multiple theaters, 
     including by bolstering deterrence across all priority 
     theaters.

     SEC. 1274. TASK FORCES AND REPORTS.

       (a) Task Forces on Adversary Alignment.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, the 
     Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Treasury, the 
     Secretary of Commerce, the Director of National Intelligence, 
     and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency shall 
     each--
       (A) establish a task force on adversary alignment; and
       (B) designate a point of contact on adversary alignment, 
     who shall serve as the head of the task force for the 
     applicable department, office, or agency.
       (2) Requirements.--Each task force established pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) shall--
       (A) comprise--
       (i) subject matter experts covering each of--

       (I) the People's Republic of China;
       (II) the Russian Federation;
       (III) the Islamic Republic of Iran; and
       (IV) the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;

       (ii) representatives covering all core functions of the 
     department, office, or agency of the Secretary or Director 
     establishing the task force; and
       (iii) a mix of analysts, operators, and senior management;
       (B) ensure that the task force members have the requisite 
     security clearances and access to critical compartmented 
     information streams necessary to assess and understand the 
     full scope of adversary cooperation, including how events in 
     one theater might trigger actions in another; and
       (C) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, submit to the Secretary or Director who 
     established the task force, and to the appropriate committees 
     of Congress, a report--
       (i) evaluating the impact of adversary alignment on the 
     relevant operations carried out by the individual department, 
     office, or agency of the task force; and
       (ii) putting forth recommendations for such organizational 
     changes as the task force considers necessary to ensure the 
     department, office, or agency of the task force is well 
     positioned to routinely evaluate and respond to the rapidly 
     evolving nature of adversary cooperation and the attendant 
     risks.
       (3) Quarterly interagency meeting.--Not less frequently 
     than quarterly, the heads of the task forces established 
     under this section shall meet to discuss findings, problems, 
     and next steps with respect to adversary alignment.
       (b) Report on Nature, Trajectory, and Risks of Bilateral 
     Cooperation Between, and Multilateral Cooperation Among, 
     Adversaries of the United States.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Director of National 
     Intelligence, in coordination with the head of any Federal 
     agency the Director considers appropriate, shall submit to 
     the President, any Federal officer of Cabinet-level rank the 
     Director considers appropriate, and the appropriate 
     committees of Congress, a report on bilateral and 
     multilateral cooperation among adversaries of the United 
     States and the resulting risks of such cooperation.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A description of the current nature and extent of 
     bilateral or multilateral cooperation among the People's 
     Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic 
     Republic of Iran, and the Democratic People's Republic of 
     Korea across the diplomatic, information, military, and 
     economic spheres, and an assessment of the advantages that 
     accrue to each adversary from such cooperation.
       (B) An assessment of the trajectory for cooperation among 
     the adversaries described in subparagraph (A) during the 5-
     year period beginning on the date on which the report is 
     submitted.
       (C) An outline of the risks to the United States and allied 
     diplomatic, military, intelligence, and economic operations, 
     and broader security interests around the world, including 
     the following:
       (i) The risk of technology transfers dramatically 
     increasing the military capabilities of adversaries of the 
     United States and the impact on the relative balance of 
     United States and allied capabilities as compared to that of 
     the adversary.
       (ii) The risk posed to the United States by efforts made by 
     adversaries to establish alternate payment systems, in 
     particular with respect to the dominance of the United States 
     dollar and the effectiveness of United States sanctions and 
     export control tools.
       (iii) The risk that an adversary of the United States might 
     assist or otherwise enable another adversary of the United 
     States in the event that one or more adversaries become party 
     to a conflict with the United States.
       (iv) The risk that adversary cooperation poses a growing 
     threat to United States intelligence collection efforts.
       (D) An evaluation of the vulnerabilities and tension points 
     within such adversary bilateral or multilateral 
     relationships, and an assessment of the likely effect of 
     efforts by the United States to separate adversaries.
       (3) Form.--The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) 
     shall be submitted in classified form.
       (c) Report on Strategic Approach.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the 
     Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of 
     National Intelligence, and the Director of the Central 
     Intelligence Agency, shall submit to the appropriate 
     committees of Congress a report outlining the strategic 
     approach of the United States to adversary alignment and the 
     necessary steps to disrupt, frustrate, constrain, and prepare 
     for adversary cooperation during the two-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A detailed description of the methods and tools 
     available to the United States to disrupt the most dangerous 
     elements of adversary cooperation, including the growing 
     connectivity between the defense industrial bases of each 
     adversary.
       (B) A timeline for using diplomatic engagement, 
     intelligence diplomacy, security cooperation, and foreign 
     assistance, as appropriate--
       (i) to educate allies and partners about the increasing 
     risk of adversary alignment;
       (ii) to secure the support of allies and partners in 
     combating adversary alignment; and
       (iii) to assess and help address, as appropriate, the 
     vulnerabilities and capability gaps of allies and partners to 
     counter threats from adversary alignment.
       (C) A plan for ensuring the integrity of United States 
     methods of economic statecraft, including an assessment of 
     the efficiency of the United States sanctions and export 
     control enforcement apparatus and any accompanying resourcing 
     requirements.
       (D) A clear plan to bolster deterrence within the priority 
     theaters of the Indo-Pacific region, Europe, and the Middle 
     East by--
       (i) increasing United States and allied munitions 
     stockpiles, particularly such stockpiles that are most 
     critical for supporting frontline partners such as Israel, 
     Taiwan, and Ukraine in the event of aggression by a United 
     States adversary;
       (ii) facilitating collaborative efforts with allies for the 
     co-production, co-maintenance, and co-sustainment of critical 
     munitions and platforms required by the United States and 
     allies and partners of the United States in the event of a 
     future conflict with the People's Republic of China, the 
     Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the 
     Democratic People's Republic of Korea; and
       (iii) more effectively using funding through the United 
     States Foreign Military Financing program to support allied 
     and partner domestic defense production that can contribute 
     to deterrence in each such priority theater.
       (E) A plan for digitizing and updating war-planning tools 
     of the Department of Defense not later than 1 year after the 
     date on which the report is submitted to ensure that United 
     States war planners are better equipped to update and modify 
     war plans in the face of rapidly evolving information on 
     adversary cooperation.
       (F) An assessment of the capability gaps and 
     vulnerabilities the United States would face in deterring an 
     adversary in the event that the United States is engaged in a 
     conflict with another adversary, and a plan to work with 
     allies and partners to address such gaps and vulnerabilities.
       (3) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in classified form.
       (d) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Select Committee 
     on Intelligence, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the 
     Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the

[[Page S4471]]

     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 
     the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Financial 
     Services, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
     House of Representatives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2926. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. 2. INTEGRATED CROSS BORDER AERIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 
                   OPERATIONS PROGRAM.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Cross 
     Border Aerial Law Enforcement Operations Act''.
       (b) Authorization.--If authorized pursuant to a bilateral 
     agreement between the United States Government and the 
     Government of Canada, the Secretary of Homeland Security may 
     establish an integrated cross border aerial law enforcement 
     program (referred to in this section as the ``Program'') 
     along the international border between the United States and 
     Canada, which should be modeled off the Framework Agreement 
     on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement 
     Operations Between the Government of the United States of 
     America and the Government of Canada, done at Detroit May 26, 
     2009.
       (c) Program Elements.--
       (1) Participants.--The Program may be staffed by approved 
     law enforcement officers from--
       (A) U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
       (B) the United States Coast Guard;
       (C) Homeland Security Investigations;
       (D) any other Federal law enforcement agency, as 
     appropriate, designated by the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security; and
       (E) appropriate law enforcement agencies of the Government 
     of Canada.
       (2) Scope.--The jurisdiction of the Program shall be 
     limited to the territory located within 50 miles of either 
     side of the international border between the United States 
     and Canada unless--
       (A) a situation within such territory requires an aircraft 
     to leave from or return to an airport, heliport, or base of 
     operations located outside such territory; or
       (B) there are exigent circumstances relating to authorized 
     Program activities, as defined in the underlying bilateral 
     agreement, including an emergency on an aircraft or an 
     emergency on the ground.
       (3) Civil rights.--The Program shall ensure that the civil 
     rights, civil liberties, and privacy of all individuals 
     within the jurisdiction of the United States are guaranteed 
     in accordance with Federal law.
       (4) Notification requirements.--
       (A) Bilateral agreement.--Not later than 30 days after 
     receiving a copy of a bilateral agreement described in 
     subsection (b), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     submit a signed copy of such agreement to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee 
     on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
       (B) Program elements and scope.--Not later than 30 days 
     after the implementation of the Program, the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall submit a written description of the 
     elements and scope of the Program to the congressional 
     committees listed under subparagraph (A).
       (5) Privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties training.--
       (A) In general.--Any agreement described in subsection (b) 
     shall include specific provisions that--
       (i) are intended to protect the privacy and civil liberties 
     of United States citizens; and
       (ii) ensure that cross border aerial law enforcement 
     operations are conducted in a manner that--

       (I) respects individual rights; and
       (II) complies with applicable United States laws.

       (B) Training.--Any officer of the United States or of 
     Canada, before participating in the Program, shall complete 
     sufficient training to ensure they understand their 
     responsibilities to protect the privacy, civil liberties, and 
     civil rights of United States citizens.
       (d) Communications.--Each of the agencies referred to in 
     subsection (c)(1) are authorized to establish necessary 
     communication protocols for the safety of cross border aerial 
     law enforcement operations.
       (e) Failure to Finalize Program Report.--If the Program is 
     not established on or before the date that is 2 years after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall submit a report to the congressional 
     committees referred to in subsection (c)(4)(A) that 
     includes--
       (1) a description of any unresolved issues that are 
     preventing the establishment of the Program;
       (2) any actions that Congress could take to facilitate the 
     establishment of such Program;
       (3) any potential concerns relating to civil rights, civil 
     liberties, or privacy that have impacted the establishment of 
     the Program; and
       (4) a recommendation regarding whether--
       (A) the Secretary should continue trying to establish such 
     Program; or
       (B) such Program is not needed.
       (f) Unmanned Aircraft System Report.--Not later than 1 year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall submit an unclassified report, with a 
     classified annex, if necessary, to the congressional 
     committees referred to in subsection (c)(4)(A) that describes 
     the use of unmanned aircraft systems (referred to in this 
     section as ``UAS'') along the northern international border 
     of the United States, including--
       (1) interagency coordination to mitigate incursions from 
     unauthorized UAS;
       (2) any jurisdictional issues that would prevent the 
     mitigation of unauthorized UAS;
       (3) the use of UAS by malign actors--
       (A) to collect intelligence or surveil law enforcement 
     operations;
       (B) to move contraband, persons, or payloads across the 
     international border; or
       (C) to conduct espionage;
       (4) an assessment of the feasibility for joint, cross-
     border law enforcement operations involving UAS or counter-
     unmanned aircraft systems; and
       (5) the potential risks to civil rights, civil liberties, 
     and privacy resulting from the Department of Homeland 
     Security operating UAS and counter-unmanned aircraft systems 
     along the northern border of the United States.
       (g) No Additional Funds.--No additional funds are 
     authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out 
     this section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2927. Ms. HASSAN (for herself and Ms. Ernst) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title X, add the following:

   Subtitle H--Sentencing Enhancements for Certain Criminal Offenses 
          Directed by or Coordinated With Foreign Governments

     SEC. 1091. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Deterring External 
     Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and 
     Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act'' or the ``DETERRENCE Act''.

     SEC. 1092. KIDNAPPING.

       Section 1201 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i);
       (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
       ``(h) Sentence Enhancements for Offenses Directed by or 
     Coordinated With Foreign Governments.--
       ``(1) In general.--The sentence of a person convicted of an 
     offense under subsection (a) may be increased by up to 10 
     years if such offense was committed knowingly at the 
     direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or 
     an agent of a foreign government.
       ``(2) Conspiracy.--The sentence of a person convicted of 
     conspiring to commit a violation of subsection (a) as part of 
     a conspiracy under the elements specified in subsection (c) 
     may be increased by up to 10 years if--
       ``(A) 1 or more of the persons involved in such conspiracy 
     were knowingly acting in coordination with a foreign 
     government or an agent of a foreign government; and
       ``(B) the person convicted of conspiring to commit a 
     violation of subsection (a) knew that 1 or more of the 
     persons involved in such conspiracy were knowingly acting in 
     coordination with a foreign government or an agent of a 
     foreign government.
       ``(3) Attempt.--The sentence of a person convicted of an 
     attempt to violate subsection (a) may be increased by up to 5 
     years if such attempt was knowingly at the direction of or in 
     coordination with a foreign government or an agent of a 
     foreign government.''; and
       (3) in subsection (i), as so designated, by inserting 
     ``Definition.--'' before ``As used in this section''.

     SEC. 1093. USE OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE FACILITIES IN THE 
                   COMMISSION OF MURDER-FOR-HIRE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1958 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
       (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) Sentence Enhancements for Offenses Directed by or 
     Coordinated With Foreign Governments.--The sentence of a 
     person convicted of an offense under subsection (a)--
       ``(1) may be increased by up to 5 years, if such offense 
     was committed knowingly at the direction of or in 
     coordination with a foreign government or an agent of a 
     foreign government; and
       ``(2) may be increased by up to 10 years--
       ``(A) if such offense was committed knowingly at the 
     direction of or in coordination

[[Page S4472]]

     with a foreign government or an agent of a foreign 
     government; and
       ``(B) personal injury results.''; and
       (3) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by inserting 
     ``Definitions.--'' before ``As used in this section''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 2332b(g)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``section 1958(b)(2)'' and inserting 
     ``section 1958''.
       (2) Section 1010A(d) of the Controlled Substances Import 
     and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960a(d)) is amended by striking 
     ``section 1958(b)(1)'' and inserting ``section 1958''.

     SEC. 1094. INFLUENCING, IMPEDING, OR RETALIATING AGAINST A 
                   FEDERAL OFFICIAL BY THREATENING OR INJURING A 
                   FAMILY MEMBER.

       Section 115(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) The sentence of a person convicted of an offense 
     under subsection (a), if such offense was committed knowingly 
     at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign 
     government or an agent of a foreign government--
       ``(A) may be increased by up to 5 years if the offense 
     committed was an assault involving physical contact with the 
     victim of that assault or the intent to commit another 
     felony;
       ``(B) may be increased by up to 10 years if--
       ``(i) the offense committed was an assault resulting in 
     bodily injury (including serious bodily injury (as that term 
     is defined in section 1365 of this title));
       ``(ii) the offense involved any conduct that, if the 
     conduct occurred in the special maritime and territorial 
     jurisdiction of the United States, would violate section 2241 
     or 2242 of this title; or
       ``(iii) a dangerous weapon was used during and in relation 
     to the offense; and
       ``(C) may be increased by up to 10 years if the offense 
     committed was a murder, attempted murder, or conspiracy to 
     murder.''.

     SEC. 1095. STALKING.

       Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Whoever--'' and inserting ``(a) In 
     General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever--''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Enhanced Penalties for Offenses Involving Foreign 
     Governments.--The sentence of a person convicted of an 
     offense under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), if such 
     offense was committed knowingly at the direction of or in 
     coordination with a foreign government or an agent of a 
     foreign government--
       ``(1) may be increased by up to 5 years if--
       ``(A) serious bodily injury (including permanent 
     disfigurement or life threatening bodily injury) to the 
     victim results;
       ``(B) the offender uses a dangerous weapon during the 
     offense; or
       ``(C) the victim of the offense is under the age of 18 
     years;
       ``(2) may be increased by up to 10 years if death of the 
     victim results; and
       ``(3) may be increased by up to 30 months in any other 
     case.''.

     SEC. 1096. PROTECTION OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE UNITED 
                   STATES.

       Section 1114 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
       ``(b) Sentence Enhancements for Offenses Directed by or 
     Coordinated With Foreign Governments.--The sentence of a 
     person convicted of an offense under subsection (a) may be 
     increased by up to 10 years if such offense was committed 
     knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a 
     foreign government or an agent of a foreign government.''.

     SEC. 1097. PRESIDENTIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL STAFF ASSASSINATION, 
                   KIDNAPPING, AND ASSAULT.

       Section 1751 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) as 
     subsections (g) through (i), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f)(1) The sentence of a person convicted of an offense 
     under subsection (a), (b), or (c) may be increased by up to 
     10 years if such offense was committed knowingly at the 
     direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or 
     an agent of a foreign government.
       ``(2) The sentence of a person convicted of conspiring to 
     kill or kidnap any individual designated in subsection (a) as 
     part of a conspiracy under the elements specified in 
     subsection (d) may be increased by up to 10 years if--
       ``(A) 1 or more of the persons involved in such conspiracy 
     were knowingly acting in coordination with a foreign 
     government or an agent of a foreign government; and
       ``(B) the person convicted of conspiring to kill or kidnap 
     an individual designated in subsection (a) knew that 1 or 
     more of the persons involved in such conspiracy were 
     knowingly acting in coordination with a foreign government or 
     an agent of a foreign government.
       ``(3) The sentence of a person convicted of an offense 
     under subsection (e) may be increased by up to 10 years if--
       ``(A) the victim was any person designated in subsection 
     (a)(1); and
       ``(B) such offense was committed knowingly at the direction 
     of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent 
     of a foreign government.
       ``(4) The sentence of a person convicted of an offense 
     under subsection (e) may be increased by up to 10 years if--
       ``(A) the victim was any person designated in subsection 
     (a)(2); and
       ``(B) such offense was committed knowingly at the direction 
     of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent 
     of a foreign government.
       ``(5) The sentence of a person convicted of an offense 
     under subsection (e) may be increased by up to 10 years if--
       ``(A)(i) the offense involved the use of a dangerous 
     weapon; or
       ``(ii) personal injury resulted; and
       ``(B) such offense was committed knowingly at the direction 
     of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent 
     of a foreign government.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2928. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

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

       Section 4103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``and eligible persons'' after ``eligible veterans''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, and eligible 
     persons,'' after ``Other eligible veterans'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and eligible persons'' 
     after ``veterans'' each place it appears; and
       (C) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by inserting ``or eligible person'' after ``veteran'' 
     each place it appears; and
       (ii) by inserting ``or eligible person's'' after 
     ``veteran's'';
       (2) in subsection (d)(1)--
       (A) by inserting ``and eligible persons'' after ``eligible 
     veterans'' each place it appears; and
       (B) by striking ``non-veteran-related''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Eligible Person Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `eligible person' means--
       ``(1) any spouse described in section 4101(5) of this 
     title; or
       ``(2) the spouse of any person who died while a member of 
     the Armed Forces.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2929. Ms. HASSAN (for herself and Mr. Lankford) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle A of title XV, add the following:

     SEC. 15__. REPORT ON RISKS TO GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM AND 
                   ASSOCIATED POSITIONING, NAVIGATION, AND TIMING 
                   SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
     risks to the Global Positioning System and associated 
     positioning, navigation, and timing services.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A description of risks posed by a lack of access to the 
     Global Positioning System and associated positioning, 
     navigation, and timing services during a potential conflict 
     in which the United States is involved or in the case of an 
     attack on a United States ally.
       (2) A description of risks to United States allies from a 
     disruption of access to the Global Positioning System and 
     associated positioning, navigation, and timing services 
     provided by the United States.
       (3) An assessment of each of the following:
       (A) The capabilities of competitor countries, including the 
     People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Iran, and 
     the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to degrade or deny 
     United States access to the Global Positioning System and 
     associated positioning, navigation, and timing services 
     during a potential conflict with the United States or in the 
     case of an attack on a United States ally.
       (B) Current Department of Defense efforts to develop or 
     procure technology or systems to provide redundant global 
     positioning and positioning, navigation, and timing 
     capabilities, including space-based and terrestrial-based 
     (including quantum sensing technology) efforts.

[[Page S4473]]

       (C) The ability of the Resilient Global Positioning System 
     (R-GPS) program of the Space Force to achieve, not later than 
     10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, full 
     capacity to provide Global Positioning System resilience to 
     existing United States satellites.
       (4) A framework for developing a full-scale terrestrial-
     based Global Positioning System redundancy system that could 
     be operational not later than 15 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (c) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified 
     annex.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Select Committee 
     on Intelligence, and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives.
       (2) United states ally.--The term ``United States ally'' 
     means--
       (A) a member country of the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization;
       (B) a major non-NATO ally (as defined in section 644(q) of 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2403(q))); and
       (C) Taiwan.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2930. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. NATIONAL SECURITY QUANTUM COORDINATION AND 
                   COMPETITION.

       (a) Office of Quantum Capabilities and Competition.--
       (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     establish or designate an office in the Department of Defense 
     to serve as the lead for all quantum efforts of the 
     Department relating to the following:
       (A) Quantum technology research, including quantum sensing, 
     quantum computing, and quantum communications.
       (B) Quantum technology development, including quantum 
     sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications.
       (C) Quantum technology application, including quantum 
     sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications.
       (D) Quantum technology policy, including quantum sensing, 
     quantum computing, and quantum communications.
       (E) Such other quantum related efforts as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       (2) Designation.--The office established or designated 
     pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Department 
     of Defense Office of Quantum Capabilities and Competition'' 
     (in this section the ``Office'').
       (3) Primary mission.--The primary mission of the Office 
     shall be coordinating, leading, and directing quantum 
     technology efforts of the Department in order--
       (A) to advance Department research efforts in quantum 
     technology;
       (B) to develop quantum technology expertise that enables 
     advancements in United States national security capabilities;
       (C) to aggressively pursue a national competitive advantage 
     in quantum technology, vis-a-vis other countries; and
       (D) to develop quantum technologies that can be utilized 
     for real-world application by the Department of Defense or 
     other United States national security entities.
       (b) Coordination With Other Quantum Efforts.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall, acting through the 
     Office, regularly coordinate with the heads of other Federal 
     departments and agencies that work on quantum science, 
     quantum technology, or quantum research.
       (2) Quantum coordination office for national security.--
       (A) In general.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall establish within the Office a subcomponent to 
     liaise with, share expertise with, and whenever feasible, 
     coordinate and, if necessary, deconflict efforts with other 
     relevant U.S. government entities pursuing efforts on quantum 
     science, quantum technology, or quantum research.
       (B) Designation.--The subcomponent established pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A) shall be known as the ``Quantum Coordination 
     Office for National Security''.
       (c) Triennial Reports.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once 
     every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to 
     the appropriate committees of Congress a report on national 
     security quantum capabilities and competition.
       (2) Contents generally.--Each report submitted pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) shall cover the following:
       (A) The state of current quantum efforts within the 
     Department of Defense, including specific sections on quantum 
     sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications.
       (B) The state of current quantum efforts of adversarial and 
     competitor countries, including specific sections on quantum 
     sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications.
       (C) The state of current quantum efforts of any other 
     countries with advanced capabilities in quantum technology 
     and quantum science, including specific sections on quantum 
     sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications.
       (D) A comparison of the capabilities of the United States 
     and those of adversarial and competitor countries, as well as 
     any other countries with advanced capabilities in quantum 
     technology and quantum science.
       (E) An assessment of capabilities of the United States 
     compared to those of China, Russia, and Iran, combined with 
     an assessment of how such countries (in addition to any other 
     countries the Secretary considers relevant) may utilize 
     quantum technology in a conflict against the United States or 
     allies and partners of the United States, including via 
     hybrid warfare.
       (F) A realistic pathway forward, both short term (3 years) 
     and long term (10 years and beyond), for the United States to 
     compete with and outpace other countries in quantum 
     technology and quantum science in regard to national 
     security.
       (3) Contents of initial report.--In addition to the matter 
     covered by paragraph (2), the first report submitted pursuant 
     to paragraph (1) shall include an annex on quantum 
     communication efforts that covers the following:
       (A) The current state of United States national security 
     quantum communications technology and capabilities.
       (B) A comparison of the national security quantum 
     communications technology and capabilities of the United 
     States compared to that of China, Russia, Iran, and such 
     other countries as the Secretary considers relevant.
       (C) An immediate (2 years) and long-term (10 years and 
     beyond) plan--
       (i) to close any gaps that may exist between national 
     security quantum communications technology and capabilities 
     of the United States and those of China, Russia, Iran, and 
     such other countries as the Secretary considers relevant; and
       (ii) to outpace the quantum communications technology and 
     capabilities for China, Russia, Iran, and such other 
     countries as the Secretary considers relevant.
       (4) Form.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) 
     shall be submitted in classified form.
       (5) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Select Committee 
     on Intelligence, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 
     and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (d) Protection of National Security.--The Secretary shall 
     carry out this section in accordance will all applicable 
     provisions of law and policies relating to classified 
     information and national security.
       (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to require any action that is not consistent with a 
     provision of law or policy that was in effect on the day 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2931. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. NORTHERN BORDER THREAT ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act''.
       (b) Northern Border Threat Analysis.--Section 3(a) of the 
     Northern Border Security Review Act (Public Law 114-267) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``180 days after the date of enactment of this Act'' and 
     inserting ``September 2, 2025, and every 3 years 
     thereafter'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as 
     paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) an assessment of recent changes in the amount and 
     demographics of apprehensions at the Northern Border, 
     including an analysis of apprehension changes at the sector 
     level.''.
       (c) Northern Border Strategy Updates.--Section 3 of the 
     Northern Border Security Review Act (Public Law 114-267) is 
     amended--

[[Page S4474]]

       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Northern Border Strategy Updates.--The Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall update the Department of Homeland 
     Security's Northern Border strategy not later than September 
     2, 2026, and every 5 years thereafter, and shall incorporate 
     the results of the most recent threat analysis in each such 
     update.''.
       (d) Classified Briefings.--Section 3 of the Northern Border 
     Security Review Act, as amended by subsections (b) and (c), 
     is further amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Classified Briefings.--Not later than 30 days after 
     the submission of each threat analysis pursuant to subsection 
     (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide a 
     classified briefing regarding such analysis to the 
     appropriate congressional committees.''.
       (e) Implementation of Certain Government Accountability 
     Office Recommendations.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, acting through the Executive Assistant Commissioner 
     of Air and Marine Operations of U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection, shall develop performance measures to assess the 
     effectiveness of Air and Marine Operations at securing the 
     northern border between ports of entry in the air and 
     maritime environments.
       (f) No Additional Funds.--No additional funds are 
     authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out 
     this section or the amendments made by this section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2932. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. DUTY TO REPORT ACTS OF TERRORISM.

       (a) Short Titles.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Reporting Efficiently to Proper Officials in Response to 
     Terrorism Act of 2025'' or the ``REPORT Act''.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Act of terrorism.--The term ``act of terrorism'' has 
     the meaning given such term in section 3077(1) of title 18, 
     United States Code.
       (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
       (C) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
       (D) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (E) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (F) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
     House of Representatives.
       (c) Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--Whenever an act of terrorism occurs in the 
     United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
     Attorney General, the Director of the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation, and, as appropriate, the head of the National 
     Counterterrorism Center shall--
       (A) submit to the appropriate congressional committees, by 
     not later than 1 year after the completion of the 
     investigation concerning such act by the primary Government 
     agency conducting such investigation, an unclassified report 
     (which may be accompanied by a classified annex) concerning 
     such act of terrorism; and
       (B) make the report required under subparagraph (A) 
     available on a publicly accessible website.
       (2) Other reports.--Reports required under this subsection 
     may be combined into a quarterly report submitted to 
     Congress.
       (3) Availability.--Each unclassified report and classified 
     annex described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be made available 
     upon request by any Member of Congress.
       (d) Content of Reports.--Each report submitted pursuant to 
     subsection (c) shall--
       (1) include a statement of the facts of each act of 
     terrorism covered by the report, to the extent such facts are 
     known at the time the report is submitted to the appropriate 
     congressional committees;
       (2) identify any gaps in homeland or national security that 
     could be addressed to prevent similar future acts of 
     terrorism; and
       (3) include any recommendations for additional measures 
     that could be taken to improve homeland or national security, 
     including recommendations relating to potential changes in 
     law enforcement practices or changes in law, with particular 
     attention to changes that could help prevent future acts of 
     terrorism.
       (e) Exception.--
       (1) In general.--If the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
     Attorney General, or the Director of the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation determines any information described in 
     subsection (d) that is required to be included in the report 
     required under subsection (c) could jeopardize an ongoing 
     investigation or prosecution, the Secretary, Attorney 
     General, or Director, as the case may be--
       (A) may withhold from reporting such information; and
       (B) shall notify the appropriate congressional committees 
     of such determination.
       (2) Savings provision.--Withholding of information pursuant 
     to a determination described in paragraph (1) shall not 
     affect, in any manner, the responsibility of the appropriate 
     Federal official to submit a report required under subsection 
     (c) containing other information described in subsection (d) 
     that is not subject to such determination.
       (f) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on the date that 
     is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (g) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to provide the National Counterterrorism Center 
     with prosecutorial or investigatory authority.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2933. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. SOUTHBOUND INSPECTIONS TO COMBAT CARTELS.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act''.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
       (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (E) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (F) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) Southern border.--The term ``southern border'' means 
     the international land border between the United States and 
     Mexico.
       (c) Additional Inspection Equipment and Infrastructure.--
       (1) Imaging systems.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection is authorized--
       (A) to purchase up to 50 additional non-intrusive imaging 
     systems; and
       (B) to procure additional associated supporting 
     infrastructure.
       (2) Deployment.--The systems and infrastructure purchased 
     or otherwise procured pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be 
     deployed along the southern border for the primary purpose of 
     inspecting any persons, conveyances, or modes of 
     transportation traveling from the United States to Mexico.
       (3) Alternative equipment.--The Commissioner of U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection is authorized to procure 
     additional infrastructure or alternative inspection equipment 
     that the Commissioner deems necessary for the purpose of 
     inspecting any persons, conveyances, or modes of 
     transportation traveling from the United States to Mexico.
       (4) Sunset.--Paragraphs (1) and (3) shall cease to have 
     force and effect beginning on the date that is 5 years after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Additional Homeland Security Investigations Personnel 
     for Investigations of Southbound Smuggling.--
       (1) HSI special agents.--The Director of U.S. Immigration 
     and Customs Enforcement shall hire, train, and assign--
       (A) not fewer than 100 new Homeland Security Investigations 
     special agents to primarily assist with investigations 
     involving the smuggling of currency and firearms from the 
     United States to Mexico; and
       (B) not fewer than 100 new Homeland Security Investigations 
     special agents to assist with investigations involving the 
     smuggling of contraband, human trafficking and smuggling 
     (including that of children), drug smuggling, and 
     unauthorized entry into the United States from Mexico.
       (2) Support staff.--The Director is authorized to hire, 
     train, and assign such additional support staff as may be 
     necessary to support the functions carried out by the special 
     agents hired pursuant to paragraph (1).
       (e) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
     committees that--
       (A) identifies the resources provided, including equipment, 
     personnel, and infrastructure, and the annual budget to carry 
     out outbound and inbound inspections, including, to the 
     extent practicable, resources specifically used for 
     inspections of any individuals and modes of transportation--
       (i) from the United States to Mexico or to Canada; and
       (ii) from Mexico or Canada into the United States.

[[Page S4475]]

       (B) describes the operational cadence of all outbound and 
     inbound inspections of individuals and conveyances traveling 
     from the United States to Mexico or to Canada and from Mexico 
     or Canada into the United States, described as a percentage 
     of total encounters or as the total number of inspections 
     conducted;
       (C) describes any plans that would allow for the use of 
     alternative inspection sites near a port of entry;
       (D) includes an estimate of--
       (i) the number of vehicles and conveyances that can be 
     inspected with up to 50 additional non-intrusive imaging 
     systems dedicated to southbound inspections; and
       (ii) the number of vehicles and conveyances that can be 
     inspected with up to 50 additional non-intrusive imaging 
     systems that may be additionally dedicated to inbound 
     inspections along the southwest border; and
       (E) assesses the capability of inbound inspections by 
     authorities of the Government of Mexico, in cooperation with 
     United States law enforcement agencies, to detect and 
     interdict the flow of illicit weapons and currency being 
     smuggled--
       (i) from the United States to Mexico; and
       (ii) from Mexico into the United States.
       (2) Classification.--The report submitted pursuant to 
     paragraph (1), or any part of such report, may be classified 
     or provided with other appropriate safeguards to prevent 
     public dissemination.
       (f) Minimum Mandatory Southbound Inspection Requirement.--
       (1) Requirement.--Not later than March 30, 2027, the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure, to the extent 
     practicable, that not fewer than 10 percent of all 
     conveyances and other modes of transportation traveling from 
     the United States to Mexico are inspected before leaving the 
     United States.
       (2) Authorized inspection activities.--Inspections required 
     under paragraph (1) may include non-intrusive imaging, 
     physical inspections by officers or canine units, or other 
     means authorized by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
       (3) Report on additional inspections capabilities.--Not 
     later than March 30, 2028, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
     committees that assesses the Department of Homeland 
     Security's timeline and resource requirements for increasing 
     inspection rates to 15 and 20 percent, respectively, of all 
     conveyances and modes of transportation traveling from the 
     United States to Mexico.
       (g) Currency and Firearms Seizures Quarterly Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until 
     the date that is 4 years after such date of enactment, the 
     Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall 
     submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees 
     that describes the seizure of currency, firearms, and 
     ammunition attempted to be trafficked out of the United 
     States.
       (2) Contents.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph 
     (1) shall include, for the most recent 90-day period for 
     which such information is available--
       (A) the total number of currency seizures that occurred 
     from outbound inspections at United States ports of entry;
       (B) the total dollar amount associated with the currency 
     seizures referred to in subparagraph (A);
       (C) the total number of firearms seized from outbound 
     inspections at United States ports of entry;
       (D) the total number of ammunition rounds seized from 
     outbound inspections at United States ports of entry; and
       (E) the total number of incidents of firearm seizures and 
     ammunition seizures that occurred at United States ports of 
     entry.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2934. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

     SEC. 10__. MONITORING BY UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 
                   OF INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT 
                   OF PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

       (a) Monitoring.--The United States Trade Representative, in 
     coordination with the entities specified in subsection (b), 
     shall regularly monitor--
       (1) industrial subsidies provided by the Government of the 
     People's Republic of China; and
       (2) plans by the Government of the People's Republic of 
     China to implement new industrial subsidies or expand 
     existing industrial subsidies.
       (b) Entities Specified.--The entities specified in this 
     subsection are the following:
       (1) The Bureau of Economics and Business Affairs of the 
     Department of State.
       (2) The United States and Foreign Commercial Service of the 
     Department of Commerce (established by section 2301 of the 
     Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4721)).
       (3) The International Trade Administration of the 
     Department of Commerce (other than the United States and 
     Foreign Commercial Service).
       (4) The Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of 
     Agriculture.
       (5) The Small Business Administration.
       (6) Any other department or agency of the Federal 
     Government, as determined by the President.

     SEC. 10__. REPORTING BY UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE ON 
                   RISKS POSED BY INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES PROVIDED BY 
                   GOVERNMENT OF PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

       (a) Reporting.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
     United States Trade Representative, in coordination with the 
     entities specified in subsection (b), shall submit to the 
     Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways 
     and Means of the House of Representatives a report that--
       (1) identifies current and expected industrial subsidies 
     provided by the Government of the People's Republic of China 
     that pose significant risk to--
       (A) employment in the United States, including employment 
     in strategically critical industries; and
       (B) manufacturing in the United States, including 
     production of strategically critical goods; and
       (2) recommends legislative, administrative, or other 
     actions that could mitigate the risks posed by industrial 
     subsidies identified in paragraph (1).
       (b) Entities Specified.--The entities specified in this 
     subsection are the following:
       (1) The Bureau of Economics and Business Affairs of the 
     Department of State.
       (2) The United States Agency for International Development.
       (3) The United States and Foreign Commercial Service of the 
     Department of Commerce (established by section 2301 of the 
     Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4721)).
       (4) The Industry and Analysis unit and the Enforcement and 
     Compliance unit of the International Trade Administration of 
     the Department of Commerce.
       (5) The Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department 
     of Commerce.
       (6) The Small Business Administration.
       (7) The Department of Labor.
       (8) The Department of Transportation.
       (9) The Department of Energy.
       (10) Any other department or agency of the Federal 
     Government, as determined by the President.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Critical infrastructure.--The term ``critical 
     infrastructure'' has the meaning given that term in the 
     Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 
     5195c).
       (2) Key technology focus areas.--The term ``key technology 
     focus areas'' means the key technology focus areas included 
     in the list required under section 10387(a)(2) of the 
     Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 
     U.S.C. 19107(a)(2)).
       (3) Strategically critical good.--The term ``strategically 
     critical good'' means any raw, in process, or manufactured 
     material (including any mineral, metal, or advanced processed 
     material), article, commodity, supply, product, or item of 
     supply the absence of which would have a significant effect 
     on--
       (A) the national security or economic security of the 
     United States; and
       (B) critical infrastructure.
       (4) Strategically critical industry.--The term 
     ``strategically critical industry'' means an industry that is 
     critical for the national security or economic security of 
     the United States, considering key technology focus areas and 
     critical infrastructure.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2935. Ms. HASSAN (for herself and Mr. Boozman) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1067. IMPLEMENTATION OF AND REPORT ON EFFORTS OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO IMPROVE 
                   HEALTH CARE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan 
     to improve the process for scheduling appointments for health 
     care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Elements of Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall 
     include such actions, resources, technology, and process 
     improvements as the Secretary determines necessary to ensure 
     the Department delivers to patients and employees of the 
     Department in a timely manner improved delivery of health 
     care, access to health care, customer experience and service 
     relating to the receipt of health care, and efficiency with 
     respect to the delivery of health care.
       (2) Objectives.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the plan 
     required by subsection (a) addresses the following 
     objectives:

[[Page S4476]]

       (i) To develop or continue the development of a scheduling 
     system that enables both personnel and patients of the 
     Department to view available appointments for care furnished 
     by the Department, including primary care, mental health 
     care, and all forms of specialty care.
       (ii) To develop or continue the development of a self-
     service scheduling platform, available for use by all 
     patients of the Department, which shall--

       (I) enable such patients to view available appointments 
     and, subject to the process described in clause (iii), fully 
     schedule appointments for all care furnished by the 
     Department;
       (II) if a referral is required for an appointment, provide 
     a method for the patient to request a referral and 
     subsequently book an appointment if the referral is approved; 
     and
       (III) provide such patients with the ability to cancel or 
     reschedule appointments.

       (iii) To create a process through which all patients of the 
     Department can telephonically speak with a scheduler who can 
     assist the patient to determine appointment availability and 
     can fully schedule appointments on behalf of the patient for 
     all care furnished by the Department.
       (iv) To carry out such other functions, oversight, metric 
     development and tracking, change management, cross-Department 
     coordination, and other related matters as the Secretary 
     determines appropriate as it relates to scheduling tools, 
     functions, and operations with respect to health care 
     appointments furnished by the Department.
       (B) Explanation of inability to implement certain 
     objectives, features, or services.--If the Secretary 
     determines that an objective under subparagraph (A), or any 
     feature or service in connection with that objective, cannot 
     be implemented or otherwise incorporated into a final product 
     pursuant to the plan required by subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall include with the plan submitted under such 
     subsection a report containing--
       (i) an explanation as to why that objective, feature, or 
     service cannot be implemented or incorporated, as the case 
     may be; and
       (ii) a plan for implementing the plan required by 
     subsection (a) without that objective, feature, or service.
       (c) Implementation.--Not later than two years after 
     submitting to the appropriate committees of Congress the plan 
     required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall fully 
     implement the plan.
       (d) Coordination With Electronic Health Record 
     Modernization Program.--In developing the plan required by 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the elements 
     and objectives of such plan set forth under subsection (b) 
     are developed in consideration of the deployment schedule and 
     capabilities of the Electronic Health Record Modernization 
     Program of the Department to ensure a smooth transition to 
     using the tools and features under such plan as relevant and 
     appropriate.
       (e) Implementation Reports.--Not later than each of one 
     year and two years after the date on which the Secretary 
     submits the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary 
     shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
     report on the progress of the Secretary in implementing such 
     plan, including--
       (1) the costs incurred to implement the plan as of the date 
     of the report;
       (2) the expected costs to complete implementation of the 
     plan (including costs for management and technology);
       (3) the schedule for deployment of any capabilities 
     developed pursuant to the plan; and
       (4) the goals and metrics achieved, challenges, and lessons 
     learned in implementing the plan.
       (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to require the Secretary to include in the plan 
     required by subsection (a) any technology or process that 
     would preclude or impede the ability of a veteran to contact 
     or schedule an appointment directly with a facility or 
     provider through a non-online scheduling process, should the 
     veteran choose to do so.
       (g) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
     ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Fully schedule.--The term ``fully schedule'', with 
     respect to an appointment for health care, means that the 
     appointment booking is completed, rather than simply 
     requested.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2936. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title XII, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 12__. PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF BIG DATA ANALYTICS TO 
                   IDENTIFY VESSELS EVADING SANCTIONS AND EXPORT 
                   CONTROLS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection, shall establish a pilot program at the 
     National Targeting Center to assess the feasibility and 
     advisability of using big data analytics to identify and 
     predict instances in which disabling or manipulating the 
     Automatic Identification System on a vessel is an indication 
     that there is a high risk that the vessel is transporting 
     goods in a manner that evades sanctions or export controls 
     imposed by the United States.
       (b) Law Enforcement Use.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Commissioner, shall design the pilot program required by 
     subsection (a) to provide actionable intelligence with 
     respect to instances described in subsection (a) to--
       (1) operational components of the Department of Homeland 
     Security, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
     and the Coast Guard;
       (2) other Federal law enforcement agencies; and
       (3) such agencies of foreign countries that are partners of 
     the United States as the Secretary considers appropriate.
       (c) Data Elements.--
       (1) In general.--In developing the pilot program required 
     by subsection (a), the Secretary, acting through the 
     Commissioner, shall consider the inclusion of the following 
     data with respect to a vessel described in that subsection:
       (A) The type of goods being transported on the vessel.
       (B) The destination of the vessel.
       (C) The ownership and nationality of the vessel, the 
     shipper, and the importer.
       (D) The ownership and nationality of vessels located in 
     close proximity to the vessel while the Automatic 
     Identification System was disabled or being manipulated.
       (E) The period of time for which the Automatic 
     Identification System on the vessel was disabled or being 
     manipulated.
       (F) The frequency of issues with the Automatic 
     Identification System on that vessel.
       (2) Data models.--The pilot program required by subsection 
     (a) may include multiple data models to account for different 
     behavior patterns for different shippers and different types 
     of goods.
       (d) Interagency Coordination.--The Secretary, acting 
     through the Commissioner, shall coordinate with the Secretary 
     of Commerce and the Director of National Intelligence in 
     developing and carrying out the pilot program required by 
     subsection (a).
       (e) Termination.--The pilot program required by subsection 
     (a) shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
       (f) Report Required.--Not later than 4 years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of National 
     Intelligence, shall submit to Congress a report--
       (1) assessing the usefulness of the pilot program required 
     by subsection (a) in identifying and predicting instances 
     described in that subsection;
       (2) with respect to each instance in which a vessel was 
     identified under the pilot program as posing a high risk of 
     transporting goods in a manner that evades sanctions or 
     export controls imposed by the United States and the vessel 
     was successfully interdicted by the United States or a 
     country that is a partner of the United States--
       (A) specifying whether or not the vessel was confirmed to 
     be evading such sanctions or export controls;
       (B) if the vessel was confirmed to be evading such 
     sanctions or export controls, specifying the penalty imposed; 
     and
       (C) if the vessel was not confirmed to be evading such 
     sanctions or export controls, specifying whether a United 
     States agency took action against the vessel based on 
     reasonable suspicion;
       (3) with respect to each instance in which a vessel was 
     identified under the pilot program as posing a high risk of 
     transporting goods in a manner that evades sanctions or 
     export controls imposed by the United States and the vessel 
     was not successfully interdicted by the United States or a 
     country that is a partner of the United States, specifying 
     whether the vessel traveled to--
       (A) a country with respect to which the United States has 
     imposed sanctions or export controls with respect to goods 
     suspected of being transported on the vessel;
       (B) a country not described in subparagraph (A) but that 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security has identified as a 
     country posing a high risk of transshipment of goods 
     suspected of being transported on the vessel to a country 
     described in subparagraph (A); or
       (C) a country not described in subparagraph (A) or (B); and
       (4) making recommendations with respect to whether big data 
     analytics should be used to identify and predict instances 
     described in subsection (a) in the future.
       (g) No Additional Amounts Authorized.--No additional 
     amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
     pilot program required by subsection (a).
       (h) Rule of Construction on Collection or Acquisition of 
     Information.--Nothing in this section authorizes any new 
     collection or acquisition of information not otherwise 
     authorized by existing law as of the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

[[Page S4477]]

  

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2937. Mr. SCHATZ (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle D of title III, add the following:

     SEC. 334. REPORT ON JUSTIFICATION FOR THE CURRENT AND 
                   PROPOSED EXPANSION OF INERT BOMBING AND GUNFIRE 
                   TRAINING ON THE ISLAND OF KAULA, HAWAII.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall 
     submit to the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the Subcommittee on Defense 
     of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the national security 
     justification for the current and proposed expansion of inert 
     bombing and gunfire training by the Navy, the Army, the Air 
     Force, and the Marine Corps on the island of Kaula, Hawaii.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An identification of a national security justification 
     for the proposed expansion of inert bombing and gunfire 
     training on Kaula, Hawaii, that is not limited to scheduling 
     needs of a unit and training site availability.
       (2) An identification of the tangible impacts to readiness 
     of units operating in the area of responsibility of the 
     United States Indo-Pacific Command if Kaula is not available 
     for training.
       (3) An assessment by the Secretary of the Navy of whether 
     there is an irreplaceable need for access to Kaula that 
     cannot be fulfilled by an alternative site or alternative 
     method of training.
       (4) A consideration by the Secretary of the Navy to program 
     specific funding for environmental remediation, including 
     existing and future ordnance clean up.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2938. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title XVI, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. ___. REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLICLY DISTRIBUTED CONTENT BY 
                   THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

       (a) Authentic Content Disclosures.--The Secretary of 
     Defense shall--
       (1) ensure that any covered content that it distributes or 
     displays to the United States public does not contain any 
     false designation of origin, false or misleading description 
     of fact, or false or misleading representation of fact, 
     which--
       (A) is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to 
     deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association of 
     the covered content with another person, event, good, 
     service, or activity; and
       (B) in promotion, misrepresents the nature, 
     characteristics, qualities, or origin of the covered content; 
     and
       (2) ensure that any covered artificial intelligence-
     generated content it distributes or displays to the United 
     States public incorporates a clear and conspicuous disclosure 
     that--
       (A) identifies that the covered content includes artificial 
     intelligence-generated content;
       (B) meets accessibility standards for people with 
     disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities 
     Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); and
       (C) is embedded in the covered content.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Covered artificial intelligence-generated content.--The 
     term ``covered artificial intelligence-generated content'' 
     means digital content that is created or substantially 
     modified by a generative artificial intelligence system such 
     that--
       (A) the use of the system materially alters, adds, or 
     removes the meaning or significance that a reasonable person 
     would interpret from the content; and
       (B) a reasonable person would believe that the content is 
     not generated using a generative artificial intelligence 
     system.
       (2) Covered content.--The term ``covered content'' means an 
     image, video, or audio content, or any combination thereof, 
     including covered artificial intelligence-generated content.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2939. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. PILOT PROGRAM FOR SOUND INSULATION REPAIR AND 
                   REPLACEMENT.

       (a) Government Share.--Section 47109 of title 49, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Special Rule for Sound Insulation Repair and 
     Replacement.--With respect to a project to carry out sound 
     insulation that is granted a waiver under section 47110(j), 
     the allowable project cost for such project shall be 
     calculated without consideration of any costs that were 
     previously paid by the Government.''.
       (b) Sound Insulation Treatment Repair and Replacement 
     Projects.--Section 47110 of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Pilot Program for Sound Insulation Repair and 
     Replacements.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
     of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the 
     Federal Aviation Administration shall establish a pilot 
     program at up to 4 large hub public-use airports for local 
     airport operators that have established a local program to 
     fund secondary noise using non-aeronautical revenue that 
     provides a one-time waiver of the requirement of subsection 
     (b)(4) for a qualifying airport as applied to projects to 
     carry out repair and replacement of sound insulation for a 
     residential building for which the airport previously 
     received Federal assistance or Federally authorized airport 
     assistance under this subchapter if--
       ``(A) the Secretary determines that the additional 
     assistance is justified due to the residence containing any 
     sound insulation treatment or other type of sound proofing 
     material previously installed under this subchapter that is 
     determined to be eligible pursuant to paragraph (2); and
       ``(B) the residence--
       ``(i) falls within the Day Night Level (DNL) of 65 to 75 
     decibel (dB) noise contours, according to the most recent 
     noise exposure map (as such term is defined in section 150.7 
     of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) available as of the 
     date of enactment of this subsection;
       ``(ii) fell within such noise contours at the time the 
     initial sound insulation treatment was installed, but a 
     qualified noise auditor has determined that--

       ``(I) such sound insulation treatment caused physical 
     damage to the residence; or
       ``(II) the materials used for sound insulation treatment 
     were of low quality and have deteriorated, broken, or 
     otherwise no longer function as intended; and

       ``(iii) is shown through testing that current interior 
     noise levels exceed DNL 45 dB, and the new insulation would 
     have the ability to achieve a 5 dB noise reduction.
       ``(2) Eligibility determination.--To be eligible for a 
     waiver under this subsection for repair or replacement of 
     sound insulation treatment projects, an applicant shall--
       ``(A) ensure that the applicant and the property owner have 
     made a good faith effort to exhaust any amounts available 
     through warranties, insurance coverage, and legal remedies 
     for the sound insulation treatment previously installed on 
     the eligible residence;
       ``(B) verify the sound insulation treatment for which 
     Federal assistance was previously provided was installed 
     prior to the year 2002; and
       ``(C) demonstrate that a qualified noise auditor, based on 
     an inspection of the residence, determined that--
       ``(i) the sound insulation treatment for which Federal 
     assistance was previously provided has resulted in structural 
     deterioration that was not caused by failure of the property 
     owner to repair or adequately maintain the residential 
     building or through the negligence of the applicant or the 
     property owner; and
       ``(ii) the condition of the sound insulation treatment 
     described in clause (i) is not attributed to actions taken by 
     an owner or occupant of the residence.
       ``(3) Additional authority for surveys.--Notwithstanding 
     any other provision of law, the Secretary shall consider a 
     cost allowable under this subchapter for an airport to 
     conduct periodic surveys of properties in which repair and 
     replacement of sound insulation treatment was carried out as 
     described in paragraph (1) and for which the airport 
     previously received Federal assistance or Federally 
     authorized airport assistance under this subchapter. The 
     surveys shall be conducted only for those properties for 
     which the airport has identified a property owner who is 
     interested in having a survey be undertaken to assess the 
     current effectiveness of the sound insulation treatment. Such 
     surveys shall be carried out to identify any properties 
     described in the preceding sentence that are eligible for 
     funds under this subsection.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2940. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:


[[Page S4478]]


  

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1248. STRATEGY TO RESPOND TO THE PRC'S GLOBAL BASING 
                   INTENTIONS.

       (a) Short Titles.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Combating PRC Overseas and Unlawful Networked Threats 
     through Enhanced Resilience Act of 2025'' or the ``COUNTER 
     Act of 2025''.
       (b) Findings.--According to multiple sources, including the 
     2024 annual report to Congress, titled ``Military and 
     Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of 
     China'' and known informally as the ``China Military Power 
     Report''--
       (1) the PRC is seeking to expand its overseas logistics and 
     basing infrastructure to allow the PLA to project and sustain 
     military power at greater distances;
       (2) a global PLA logistics network could give the PRC 
     increased capabilities to surveil or disrupt United States 
     military operations;
       (3) in August 2017, the PRC officially opened the first 
     overseas PLA military base near the commercial port of 
     Doraleh in Djibouti;
       (4) in 2019, the PRC also attempted to acquire 
     strategically important port infrastructure at Subic Bay in 
     the Philippines, but was stopped by the Governments of the 
     United States, the Philippines, and Japan, and by private 
     investors;
       (5) in April 2025, officials from the PRC and Cambodia 
     officially inaugurated the China-Cambodia Ream Naval Base 
     Joint Support and Training Center and celebrated the 
     expansion of port facilities at Ream Naval Base, some of 
     which appear to have been reserved for the use of PRC ships 
     that have been continuously stationed at Ream Naval Base 
     since December 2023; and
       (6) in addition to the base in Djibouti and the PRC's 
     access to the port at the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia, the 
     PRC is likely pursuing access to additional military 
     facilities to support naval, air, and ground forces 
     projection in many countries.
       (c) Sense of Congress.--While the executive branch has 
     undertaken case-by-case efforts to forestall the 
     establishment of new PRC permanent military presence in 
     several countries, it is the sense of Congress that future 
     efforts to counter the PRC's global basing intentions must--
       (1) proceed with the urgency required to address the 
     strategic implications of the PRC's actions;
       (2) reflect sufficient interagency coordination with 
     respect to a problem that necessitates a whole-of-government 
     approach;
       (3) ensure that the United States Government maintains a 
     proactive posture rather than a reactive posture in order to 
     maximize strategic decision space;
       (4) identify a comprehensive menu of actions that would be 
     influential in shaping a partner's decision making regarding 
     giving the PRC military access to its sovereign territory;
       (5) appropriately prioritize the subject of the PRC's 
     global basing intentions within the context of the overall 
     United States strategic competition with the PRC;
       (6) consider how the PRC uses commercial and scientific 
     cooperation as a guise for establishing access for the PLA 
     and other PRC security forces in foreign countries;
       (7) factor in the potential contributions of key allies and 
     partners to help respond to the PRC's pursuit of global 
     basing, many of which--
       (A) have historic ties and influence in many of the 
     geographic areas the PRC is targeting for potential future 
     bases; and
       (B) rely on the same basic intelligence picture to form our 
     baseline understanding of the PRC's global intentions;
       (8) establish and ensure sufficient resourcing for enduring 
     organizational structures and security and foreign assistance 
     and cooperation efforts to effectively address the issue of 
     PRC global basing intentions; and
       (9) ensure that future force posture, freedom of movement, 
     and other interests of the United States and our allies are 
     not jeopardized by the continued expansion of PRC bases.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
       (C) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
       (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (E) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (F) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (G) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
     House of Representatives; and
       (H) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) PLA.--The term ``PLA'' means the People's Liberation 
     Army of the PRC.
       (3) PRC.--The term ``PRC'' means the People's Republic of 
     China.
       (4) PRC global basing.--The term ``PRC global basing'' 
     means the establishment of physical locations outside the 
     geographic boundaries of the PRC where the PRC maintains some 
     element of the People's Liberation Army, PRC intelligence or 
     security forces, or infrastructure designed to support the 
     presence of PRC military, intelligence, or security forces, 
     for the purposes of potential power projection.
       (e) Assessment of Executive Branch's C-PRC Global Basing 
     Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence 
     shall submit an intelligence assessment, in classified form, 
     if needed, to the appropriate congressional committees. The 
     assessment shall analyze the risk posed by PRC global basing 
     to the United States or to any United States allies with 
     respect to their ability to project power, maintain freedom 
     of movement, and protect other interests as a function of the 
     PRC's current or potential locations identified pursuant to 
     subsection (f)(2)(A).
       (f) Strategy.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Defense and other 
     appropriate senior Federal officials, shall submit a strategy 
     to the appropriate congressional committees that contains the 
     information described in paragraph (2).
       (2) Contents.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) identify not fewer than 5 locations that pose the 
     greatest potential risks, as identified in the assessment 
     required under subsection (e), where the PRC maintains a 
     physical presence, or is suspected to be seeking a physical 
     presence, which could ultimately transition into a PRC global 
     base;
       (B) include a comprehensive listing of executive branch 
     entities currently involved in addressing aspects of PRC 
     global basing, including estimated programmatic and personal 
     resource requirements on an agency-by-agency basis to 
     effectively address the issue of PRC global basing 
     intentions, and any relevant resource constraints;
       (C) describe in detail all executive branch efforts to 
     mitigate the impacts to the national interests of the United 
     States and partner countries of the locations referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) and prevent the PRC from establishing new 
     global bases, including with resources described in 
     subparagraph (B); and
       (D) for each of the locations referred to in subparagraph 
     (A), identify the actions by the United States or its allies 
     that would be most effective in ensuring the respective 
     foreign governments terminate plans for hosting a PRC base.
       (g) Task Force.--Not later than 90 days after submitting 
     the strategy described in subsection (f), the Secretary of 
     State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and 
     other appropriate senior Federal officials, shall establish 
     an interagency task force--
       (1) to implement such strategy to counter the PRC's efforts 
     at the locations of chief concern; and
       (2) to identify mitigation measures that would prevent the 
     PRC from establishing new bases in locations beyond the 
     locations of chief concern identified pursuant to subsection 
     (f)(2)(A).
       (h) Quadrennial Reviews and Reports.--Not later than 4 
     years after the submission of the strategy required under 
     subsection (f), and not less frequently than once every 4 
     years thereafter, the Secretary of State, in coordination 
     with the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National 
     Intelligence, and other appropriate senior Federal officials, 
     shall--
       (1) conduct a review of the Executive Branch's strategy and 
     overall approach in response to the PRC global basing 
     intentions; and
       (2) submit the results of such review, including the 
     information described in subsection (f)(2), to the 
     appropriate congressional committees.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2941. Mr. COONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

                  TITLE _____--DRIVING FOR OPPORTUNITY

     SEC. ___01. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Driving for Opportunity 
     Act of 2025''.

     SEC. ___02. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Driving a vehicle is an essential aspect of the daily 
     lives of most people in the United States.
       (2) Driving is often required to access jobs and 
     healthcare, take care of family, get groceries, and fulfill 
     other basic responsibilities.
       (3) In many small cities, towns, and rural areas that do 
     not have public transportation and ridesharing alternatives, 
     driving is often the only realistic means of transportation.
       (4) In the United States, millions of Americans have had 
     their driver's licenses suspended for unpaid court fines and 
     fees.
       (5) A person whose driver's license is suspended or revoked 
     for unpaid fines and fees will often find it more difficult 
     to earn a living and therefore pay the debt owed to the 
     government.
       (6) Drunk and dangerous driving are some of the leading 
     causes of death and serious bodily injury in the United 
     States, and promoting safety on the roads is a legitimate,

[[Page S4479]]

     necessary, and core governmental function. Suspending a 
     license for unsafe driving conduct presents different 
     considerations than suspending a license for unpaid fines and 
     fees. Suspending a license for unsafe driving is an 
     appropriate tool to protect public safety. Policymakers also 
     may consider alternatives to suspension of a license for 
     unsafe driving such as ignition interlock device programs.
       (7) According to the National Highway Traffic Safety 
     Administration, every year on average, over 34,000 people are 
     killed and 2,400,000 more people are injured in motor vehicle 
     crashes. Some of the major causes of these crashes include 
     speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving. Nearly 
     half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes are 
     unrestrained. The societal harm caused by motor vehicle 
     crashes has been valued at $836,000,000,000 annually. The 
     enactment of, enforcement of, and education regarding traffic 
     laws are key to addressing unsafe behavior and promoting 
     public safety.
       (8) However, most driver's license suspensions are not 
     based on the need to protect public safety.
       (9) Between 2010 and 2017, all but 3 States increased the 
     amount of fines and fees for civil and criminal violations.
       (10) In the United States, 40 percent of all driver's 
     license suspensions are issued for conduct that was unrelated 
     to driving.
       (11) One in three people in the United States are affected 
     by fines and fees debt.
       (12) Arresting and prosecuting individuals for driving on a 
     suspended license consumes a significant amount of law 
     enforcement and prosecutorial resources. Driving on a 
     suspended license is one of the most common criminal charges 
     in jurisdictions across the country.
       (13) Seventy-five percent of those with suspended licenses 
     report continuing to drive.
       (14) It is more likely that those people are also driving 
     without insurance due to the costs and restrictions 
     associated with obtaining auto insurance on a suspended 
     license, thereby placing a greater financial burden on other 
     drivers when a driver with a suspended license causes an 
     accident.
       (15) The American Association of Motor Vehicle 
     Administrators has concluded the following: ``Drivers who 
     have been suspended for social non-conformance-related 
     offenses are often trapped within the system. Some cannot 
     afford to pay the original fines, and may lose their ability 
     to legally get to and from work as a result of the 
     suspension. Many make the decision to drive while suspended. 
     The suspension results in increased financial obligations 
     through new requirements such as reinstatement fees, court 
     costs, and other penalties. While there is a clear societal 
     interest in keeping those who are unfit to drive off the 
     roads, broadly restricting licenses for violations unrelated 
     to an individual's ability to drive safely may do more harm 
     than good. This is especially true in areas of the country 
     that lack alternative means of transportation. For those 
     individuals, a valid driver's license can be a means to 
     survive. Local communities, employers, and employees all 
     experience negative consequences as a result of social non-
     conformity suspensions, including unemployment, lower wages, 
     fewer employment opportunities and hiring choices, and 
     increased insurance costs.''.
       (16) A report by the Harvard Law School Criminal Justice 
     Policy Program concluded the following: ``The suspension of a 
     driver's or professional license is one of the most pervasive 
     poverty traps for poor people assessed a fine that they 
     cannot afford to pay. The practice is widespread. Nearly 40 
     percent of license suspensions nationwide stem from unpaid 
     fines, missed child support payments, and drug offenses--not 
     from unsafe or intoxicated driving or failing to obtain 
     automotive insurance. Suspension of a driver's or 
     professional licenses is hugely counterproductive; it 
     punishes non-payment by taking away a person's means for 
     making a living. License suspension programs are also 
     expensive for States to run and they distract law enforcement 
     efforts from priorities related to public safety. License 
     suspensions may also be unconstitutional if the license was 
     suspended before the judge determined the defendant had the 
     ability to pay the criminal justice debt.''.

     SEC. ___03. GRANTS FOR DRIVER'S LICENSES REINSTATEMENT 
                   PROGRAMS.

       Subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control 
     and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq.) is 
     amended--
       (1) in section 501(a) (34 U.S.C. 10152(a)), by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(3) Grants for driver's license reinstatement programs.--
       ``(A) In general.--In addition to grants made under 
     paragraph (1), the Attorney General may make grants to States 
     described in subparagraph (B) to cover costs incurred by the 
     State to reinstate or renew driver's licenses or motor 
     vehicle registrations previously suspended, revoked, or 
     failed to be renewed for unpaid civil or criminal fines or 
     fees.
       ``(B) States described.--A State described in this 
     subparagraph is a State that--
       ``(i) does not have in effect any State or local law that 
     permits--

       ``(I) the suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew, 
     a driver's license of an individual based on the individual's 
     failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee; or
       ``(II) the refusal to renew the registration of a motor 
     vehicle based on the owner's failure to pay a civil or 
     criminal fine or fee; and

       ``(ii) during the 3-year period ending on the date on which 
     the State applies for or receives a grant under this 
     paragraph, has repealed a State or local law that permitted 
     the suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew, 
     driver's licenses or the registration of a motor vehicle 
     based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees.
       ``(C) Criteria.--The Attorney General shall award grants 
     under this paragraph to States described in subparagraph (B) 
     that submit a plan to reinstate or renew driver's licenses or 
     motor vehicle registrations previously suspended, revoked, or 
     failed to be renewed for unpaid civil or criminal fines or 
     fees--
       ``(i) to maximize the number of individuals with suspended 
     or revoked driver's licenses or motor vehicle registrations 
     eligible to have driving privileges reinstated or regained;
       ``(ii) to provide assistance to individuals living in areas 
     where public transportation options are limited; and
       ``(iii) to ease the burden on States where the State or 
     local law described in subparagraph (B)(ii) was in effect 
     during the 3-year period ending on the date on which a State 
     applies for a grant under this paragraph in accordance with 
     section 502.
       ``(D) Amount.--Each grant awarded under this paragraph 
     shall be not greater than 5 percent of the amount allocated 
     to the State in accordance with the formula established under 
     section 505.
       ``(E) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
     which a grant is made to a State under this paragraph, the 
     State shall submit to the Attorney General a report that 
     describes the actions of the State to carry out activities 
     described in subparagraph (A), including with respect to--
       ``(i) the population served by the program;
       ``(ii) the number of driver's licenses and motor vehicle 
     registrations reinstated or renewed under the program; and
       ``(iii) all costs to the State of the program, including 
     how the grants under this paragraph were spent to defray such 
     costs.
       ``(F) Additional analysis.--Not later than 2 years after 
     the date on which a grant is made to a State under this 
     paragraph, the State shall submit to the Attorney General an 
     analysis of the impact of the program on the collections of 
     civil or criminal fines or fees.''; and
       (2) in section 508--
       (A) by striking ``There'' and inserting ``(a) In General.--
     There''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Driver's License Reinstatement Programs.--There is 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 501(a)(3) 
     $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.''.

     SEC. ___04. GAO STUDY.

       (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall conduct a study of the implementation of the grant 
     program in paragraph (3) of section 501(a) of the Omnibus 
     Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 
     10152(a)), as added by section ___03(a) of this Act, that--
       (1) includes what is known about the effect of repealing 
     State laws, in selected States, that had permitted the 
     suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew, driver's 
     licenses or the registration of a motor vehicle based on the 
     failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees, including 
     such factors, to the extent information is available, as--
       (A) the collection of fines and fees;
       (B) the usage of law enforcement resources;
       (C) economic mobility and unemployment;
       (D) rates of enforcement of traffic safety laws through the 
     tracking of number of summonses and violations issued 
     (including those related to automated enforcement 
     technologies);
       (E) the use of suspensions for public safety-related 
     reasons (including reckless driving, speeding, and driving 
     under the influence);
       (F) safety-critical traffic events (including in localities 
     with automated enforcement programs);
       (G) the rates of license suspensions and proportion of 
     unlicensed drivers;
       (H) racial and geographic disparities; and
       (I) administrative costs (including costs associated with 
     the collection of fines and fees and with the reinstatement 
     of driver's licenses); and
       (2) includes what is known about--
       (A) existing alternatives to driver's license suspension as 
     methods of enforcement and collection of unpaid fines and 
     fees; and
       (B) existing alternatives to traditional driver's license 
     suspension for certain kinds of unsafe driving, including 
     models that allow drivers to continue to drive legally while 
     pursuing driver improvement opportunities.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary and the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and 
     the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the study required under 
     subsection (a).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2942. Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. Graham) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense

[[Page S4480]]

activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle A of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1210. UNITED STATES FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD 
                   SECURITY.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``United 
     States Foundation for International Food Security Act of 
     2025''.
       (b) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
     congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate;
       (3) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (5) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (6) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (c) Establishment.--
       (1) Finding.--Congress finds that there has been 
     established, in the District of Columbia, a private, 
     nonprofit corporation, which is known as the United States 
     Foundation for International Food Security (referred to in 
     this section as the ``Foundation''), which is not an agency 
     or establishment of the United States Government.
       (2) Savings provision.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed as--
       (A) making the Foundation an agency or establishment of the 
     United States Government; or
       (B) making any member of the Board of Directors of the 
     Foundation or any officer or employee of the Foundation an 
     employee of the United States.
       (3) Transfers or consolidation require act of congress.--
     Neither the Foundation nor any of its functions, powers, or 
     duties may be transferred to, or consolidated with, any 
     department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government 
     absent an Act of Congress to such effect.
       (4) Tax-exempt status.--The Board shall take all necessary 
     and appropriate steps to ensure that the Foundation is 
     established as an organization described in subsection (c) of 
     section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which 
     exempts the organization from taxation under subsection (a) 
     of such section.
       (d) Purposes.--The purposes of the Foundation are--
       (1) to accelerate enduring, primarily locally-led 
     agriculture investments that foster food security and 
     resilience in the crop, poultry, aquaculture, and livestock 
     industries, that focus on building economically resilient 
     food systems by investing in--
       (A) financing for, distribution of, and training around key 
     inputs required for increasing crop and animal productivity, 
     distribution, and profits;
       (B) infrastructure, such as irrigation, warehousing, 
     storage, and food processing, to improve food production and 
     market access through better product quality and the 
     prevention of food loss;
       (C) applied agricultural research; and
       (D) economically viable technology deployment that reduces 
     hunger and increases agriculture production or distribution 
     methods;
       (2) to prevent unnecessary or inefficient vetting 
     processes, due diligence, project financing, or evaluation 
     reviews by seeking out partnerships and contracting with 
     existing government and nongovernmental entities that have 
     proven track records;
       (3) to deploy and scale technology and innovation to 
     accelerate food security and agricultural-led economic growth 
     that reduces global hunger and malnutrition;
       (4) to coordinate with the United States Foundation for 
     International Conservation;
       (5) to advance the national security interests of the 
     United States;
       (6) to complement international and government investment 
     and technical assistance mechanisms, such as those employed 
     or managed by the United States International Development 
     Finance Corporation, and United States Government food 
     security programs, to jointly catalyze private and public 
     sector engagement, spur agricultural-led economic growth, and 
     strengthen local food and nutrition systems; and
       (7) to ensure the effective use of United States taxpayer 
     dollars and the prioritization of United States foreign 
     policy interests.
       (e) Governance of the Foundation.--
       (1) Board of directors.--
       (A) Governance.--The Foundation shall be governed by a 
     voting Board of Directors (referred to in this subsection as 
     the ``Board'') that--
       (i) shall not exceed 15 members; and
       (ii) may consult with a nonvoting Board of Advisors when 
     making decisions related to the Foundation's work.
       (B) Qualifications.--Individuals appointed to the Board 
     shall include individuals who are knowledgeable and 
     experienced in matters relating to--
       (i) agricultural production, livestock, land management, or 
     forestry;
       (ii) agricultural economics, business development, 
     technology deployment, market access, agribusinesses 
     (including food companies), market access, supply chains, 
     infrastructure, or commodities groups;
       (iii) international finance and multilateral governance;
       (iv) outcome-based and impact funding concepts, including 
     the role of impact evaluations and data collection, to 
     measure the progress of ventures, and innovative grantee or 
     investee selection and funding structures;
       (v) agricultural research and development; or
       (vi) national security.
       (C) Limitation on political affiliation.--The Directors of 
     the Board shall include members of both major political 
     parties in a relatively equal number.
       (D) Chairperson.--A quorum of the voting Directors of the 
     Board shall elect a Chairperson, who shall serve in such 
     position for a 4-year term.
       (E) Voting.--All voting Directors of the Board shall have 
     equal voting rights.
       (F) Terms; vacancies.--
       (i) Terms.--The term of service of each Director may not 
     exceed 5 years and is renewable for not more than 1 
     additional 5-year term.
       (ii) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the membership of the 
     appointed Directors of the Board--

       (I) shall be filled in accordance with the bylaws of the 
     Foundation;
       (II) does not affect the power of the remaining appointed 
     Directors to execute the duties of the Board; and
       (III) shall be filled by an individual selected in 
     accordance with the bylaws of the Board.

       (G) Quorum.--A majority of the current membership of the 
     Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 
     Foundation business.
       (H) Meetings.--
       (i) In general.--The Board shall meet not less frequently 
     than twice per year.
       (ii) Authority.--The Board shall maintain full control and 
     decision making authority of the Foundation.
       (iii) Removal.--Any Director may be removed from the Board 
     if--

       (I) the Director is absent from 2 consecutive regularly 
     scheduled meetings without reasonable cause; or
       (II) the Board, by a majority vote of the other Board 
     members, determines that such Director should be removed from 
     the Board.

       (I) Reimbursement of expenses.--Directors of the Board 
     shall serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual 
     and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by 
     such members in the performance of their duties on behalf of 
     the Foundation.
       (J) Not federal employees.--Appointment as a Director of 
     the Board shall not constitute employment by, or the holding 
     of an office of, the United States Government for purposes of 
     any Federal law.
       (K) Duties.--The Board shall--
       (i) establish bylaws for the Foundation;
       (ii) provide overall direction for the activities of the 
     Foundation and establish priority activities;
       (iii) carry out any other necessary activities of the 
     Foundation;
       (iv) hire and evaluate the performance of the Executive 
     Director of the Foundation; and
       (v) take steps to limit the Foundation's administrative 
     expenses to the extent practicable and in accordance with 
     industry standards.
       (L) Bylaws.--The bylaws of the Foundation shall require the 
     Board to establish--
       (i) policies for the selection of Directors of the Board, 
     Members of the Board of Advisors, and officers, employees, 
     agents, and contractors of the Foundation;
       (ii) policies, including ethical standards, for--

       (I) the acceptance, solicitation, and disposition of 
     donations and grants to the Foundation; and
       (II) the use and disposition of the assets of the 
     Foundation;

       (iii) policies that subject all employees, fellows, 
     trainees, and other agents of the Foundation (including all 
     of the Directors of the Board and all of the Members of the 
     Board of Advisors) to prevailing conflict of interest 
     standards for the industry;
       (iv) the specific duties of the Executive Director of the 
     Foundation;
       (v) policies for winding down the activities of the 
     Foundation upon termination, including a plan--

       (I) to return unobligated appropriations to the Department 
     of the Treasury; and
       (II) to donate unspent private and philanthropic 
     contributions to projects that align with the goals and 
     requirements described in this Act; and

       (vi) specific policies and requirements governing project 
     criteria, measurable outcomes, impact evaluations, and 
     country eligibility requirements.
       (2) Board of advisors composition.--
       (A) In general.--The nonvoting Board of Advisors may be 
     composed of, at a minimum--
       (i) members of the executive branch of the Federal 
     Government from departments and agencies with expertise that 
     would benefit the Foundation;
       (ii) the Secretary of State, or the Secretary's designee;
       (iii) the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Development Finance Corporation, or his or her 
     designee; and

[[Page S4481]]

       (iv) 2 deans or other designated faculty members of United 
     States land-grant colleges or universities that have an 
     international agriculture program.
       (B) Duties.--The Board of Advisors shall provide advice and 
     consultation to the Board in accordance with the bylaws of 
     the Foundation.
       (C) Removal.--The Board of Directors may remove an Advisor 
     from the Board of Advisors by majority vote.
       (3) Procedures.--
       (A) Initial meeting.--The Board shall hold its initial 
     meeting not later than 120 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (B) Organizing principles; appointment of executive 
     director.--The Directors of the Board shall name an Executive 
     Director of the Foundation not later than 120 days after the 
     date of the initial meeting of the Board.
       (4) Executive director; staff.--
       (A) Executive director.--The Board shall hire a qualified 
     individual to serve, at the pleasure of the Board, as the 
     Executive Director of the Foundation.
       (B) Foundation staff.--Officers and employees of the 
     Foundation--
       (i) may not be employees of, or hold any office in, the 
     United States Government;
       (ii) shall be appointed without regard to the provisions 
     of--

       (I) title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in 
     the competitive service; and
       (II) chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such 
     title, relating to classification and General Schedule pay 
     rates; and

       (iii) shall receive a salary that is commensurate with the 
     salaries of similar positions in similar foundations.
       (5) Limitation; conflicts of interests.--
       (A) Political participation.--The Foundation may not 
     participate or intervene in any political activities on 
     behalf of any candidate for public office in any country.
       (B) Financial interests.--All Directors of the Board, 
     Advisors, officers, and employees of the Foundation are 
     subject to industry standard conflicts of interest protocols 
     set forth in the Foundation bylaws.
       (f) Corporate Powers and Obligations of the Foundation.--
       (1) General authorities.--The Foundation--
       (A) may conduct business throughout the States, 
     territories, and possessions of the United States and in 
     foreign countries;
       (B) shall have its principal offices in the Washington, 
     D.C. metropolitan area; and
       (C) shall continuously maintain a designated agent in 
     Washington, D.C. who is authorized to accept notice or 
     service of process on behalf of the Foundation.
       (2) Authorities.--In addition to powers explicitly 
     authorized under this Act, the Foundation, in order to carry 
     out the purposes described in subsection (d), shall have the 
     usual powers of a corporation headquartered in Washington, 
     D.C., including the authority--
       (A) to accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 
     any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in trust, 
     or real or personal property or any income derived from such 
     gift or property, or other interest in such gift or property;
       (B) to acquire by donation, gift, devise, purchase, or 
     exchange any real or personal property or interest in such 
     property;
       (C) unless otherwise required by the instrument of 
     transfer, to sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest, retain, 
     or otherwise dispose of any property or income derived from 
     such property;
       (D) to complain and defend itself in any court of competent 
     jurisdiction (except that the Directors of the Board shall 
     not be personally liable, except for gross negligence);
       (E) to enter into legal arrangements with public agencies, 
     private organizations, and persons and to make such payments 
     as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of such 
     contracts or arrangements; and
       (F) to engage in funding activities, which may include 
     structured or project financing, grants, equity (provided 
     that returns flow back to the Foundation), and concessional 
     lending, for eligible projects, in accordance with subsection 
     (h).
       (3) Federal funds.--
       (A) In general.--The Foundation may--
       (i) hold Federal funds made available, but not immediately 
     disbursed; and
       (ii) use any interest or other investment income earned on 
     such Federal funds to carry out the purposes of the 
     Foundation under this section.
       (B) Limitation.--Investments by the Foundation made with 
     Federal funds may only be made in--
       (i) interest-bearing obligations of the United States; or
       (ii) obligations guaranteed as to both principal and 
     interest by the United States.
       (4) Limitation of public liability.--The United States 
     shall not be liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or 
     omissions of the Foundation. The Federal Government shall be 
     held harmless from any damages or awards ordered by a court 
     against the Foundation.
       (g) Outcome-based Funding, Safeguards, and 
     Accountability.--
       (1) Outcome-based funding.--
       (A) In general.--The Foundation shall establish a funding 
     strategy that sets targets based on measurable outcomes to be 
     improved in populations served through its investments, 
     including--
       (i) identifying and regularly reviewing any such outcomes 
     that advance the purposes described in subsection (d), such 
     as increased crop and animal productivity, increased profit 
     to farmers, or decreased hunger rates; and
       (ii) a portfolio, multi-year, approach to Foundation 
     investments in which the failure of any specific program to 
     achieve target outcomes is acceptable if the overall 
     portfolio of projects meets target outcomes.
       (B) Financing and evaluation process.--The Foundation shall 
     establish an efficient and streamlined financing and 
     evaluation process that--
       (i) prioritizes the achievement of defined outcomes;
       (ii) assesses risk of corruption and employs a strategy to 
     counter corruption;
       (iii) prioritizes funding ventures with partners that are 
     primarily locally-based or locally-run organizations, 
     entities, and businesses that--

       (I) achieve such outcomes; and
       (II) demonstrate an ability to sustain the financed 
     project; and

       (iv) focuses venture evaluations on assessing such outcomes 
     and minimizing unnecessary reporting on project activities.
       (2) Accountability.--
       (A) Impact evaluations.--The achievement of venture 
     outcomes shall be determined through impact evaluations that 
     include a comparison group to determine any measured 
     improvements that are attributable to the funded venture.
       (B) Methodology assessments.--Foundation staff may assess 
     the methodology used by grantees or investees that are 
     already running impact evaluations to increase efficiency, 
     and such evaluations may be accepted in place of additional 
     evaluations.
       (C) Dedicated funding.--Any grantee or investee that lacks 
     impact evaluation capacity may receive dedicated funding to 
     support in-house evaluations or to contract with independent, 
     external evaluators.
       (D) Third party evaluations.--The Foundation may pay for 
     third party evaluations of any grantee's project to verify 
     the results derived from an in-house evaluation.
       (3) Safeguards.--The Foundation shall develop, and 
     incorporate into any agreement for support provided by the 
     Foundation, appropriate safeguards, policies, and guidelines, 
     consistent with internationally recognized best practices.
       (4) Independent accountability mechanism.--The Foundation 
     shall establish or contract for a transparent and independent 
     accountability mechanism, consistent with best practices, 
     which shall provide--
       (A) a compliance review function that assesses whether 
     Foundation-supported ventures adhere to the requirements 
     developed pursuant to paragraph (1);
       (B) a dispute resolution function for resolving and 
     remedying concerns between venture implementers regarding the 
     impacts of specific Foundation-supported ventures with 
     respect to such standards; and
       (C) an advisory function that reports to the Board 
     regarding ventures, policies, and practices.
       (h) Ventures, Financing, and Grants.--
       (1) Venture funding requirements.--
       (A) In general.--The Foundation shall award funding, which 
     may include project financing, credit risk insurance, grants, 
     concessional lending, or credit, in accordance with this 
     subsection, for eligible projects described in subparagraph 
     (B) that--
       (i) increase agricultural productivity and incomes; and
       (ii) ensure food security is achieved and sustained, while 
     supporting farmers moving beyond subsistence agriculture to 
     growing higher value crops that can be sold for profit.
       (B) Eligible ventures.--A venture qualifies as an eligible 
     venture if the venture seeks--
       (i) to have cost matching from sources other than the 
     United States Government;
       (ii) to incorporate a set of key independently verified 
     outcomes, which shall be measured by rigorous impact 
     evaluations, such as measuring attributable increases in 
     agricultural yields, infrastructure, or any other eligible 
     use;
       (iii) to not substantially duplicate the work of other 
     funders or institutions or displace current profit-making 
     ventures;
       (iv) to leverage existing infrastructure and community-led 
     development to allow for the immediate launch of ventures;
       (v) to advance the national security interests of the 
     United States;
       (vi) to demonstrate--

       (I) the ability to financially and operationally maintain 
     and build on the outcomes or mission of the venture after the 
     Foundation funding has ended; or
       (II) a plan to strengthen the capacity of, and transfer 
     skills and technologic tools to, local enterprises, 
     organizations, or institutions to manage projects and other 
     funded entities after the Foundation funding has been 
     expended; and

       (vii) to consider projects that meet the highest needs of 
     food insecure populations based on food security, 
     agriculture, and malnutrition assessments.
       (2) Eligible countries for ventures.--Before entering into 
     any venture agreement pursuant to this subsection, the Board 
     shall--
       (A) establish criteria to determine whether a country is 
     eligible to receive funding for such a venture;
       (B) identify ventures to receive support that--
       (i) advance the national security priorities of the United 
     States;

[[Page S4482]]

       (ii) have demonstrated leadership to modernize the 
     country's agricultural food systems, in partnership with the 
     private sector; and
       (iii) are committed--

       (I) to making policy reforms to help transform, scale, and 
     build enduring food systems;
       (II) to cofinancing and sustaining long-term projects 
     implemented by the Foundation; and
       (III) to collaborating with stakeholders--

       (aa) to increase agricultural production and crop yields;
       (bb) to scale resilient food systems; and
       (cc) to improve food safety, processing, logistics, and 
     supply chain processes for input and output markets.
       (3) Funding authorized.--
       (A) In general.--In order to maximize the impact of the 
     funding authorized under this subsection, the Foundation 
     should--
       (i) coordinate with other international public and private 
     donors or investors and local organizations active in food 
     security to the extent possible; and
       (ii) seek additional financial and nonfinancial 
     contributions and commitments for its projects from host 
     governments and other organizations.
       (B) Funding criteria.--Funding awarded pursuant to this 
     subsection--
       (i) shall be provided to ventures that demonstrate 
     progress, during the funding period, in achieving clearly 
     identified performance indicators and outcomes defined in the 
     project agreement, which may include--

       (I) increasing agricultural or food production through 
     agriculture research and the competitive delivery of market-
     based financing, distribution and extension services, and 
     supporting technology commercialization and adoption through 
     such services;
       (II) improving the nutritional status of intended 
     beneficiaries by--

       (aa) increasing the production, availability, and access of 
     nutritious foods domestically;
       (bb) promoting highly nutritious foods, diet 
     diversification, and nutritional behaviors that improve 
     maternal and child health; and
       (cc) supporting the expansion of producer market 
     opportunities;

       (III) building resilient food systems to help mitigate 
     against future food shocks among vulnerable populations and 
     households; and
       (IV) identifying additional revenue sources or financing 
     mechanisms to meet the recurring costs of ventures by serving 
     as a conduit between institutional investors and the 
     agribusiness sector; and

       (ii) may be terminated if the Board determines that the 
     country receiving such funding--

       (I) is not meeting applicable requirements under this 
     section;
       (II) is not making progress in achieving the key 
     performance indicators described in the project agreement; or
       (III) is not advancing United States national security 
     priorities.

       (i) Prohibition of Support in Countries That Support 
     Terrorism or Violate Human Rights and of Support for 
     Sanctioned Persons.--
       (1) In general.--The Foundation may not provide support for 
     any government, or any entity owned or controlled by a 
     government, if the Secretary of State determines that such 
     government--
       (A) has repeatedly provided support for acts of 
     international terrorism, as determined under--
       (i) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform 
     Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i));
       (ii) section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 
     (22 U.S.C. 2371(a));
       (iii) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2780(d)); or
       (iv) any other relevant provision of law;
       (B) has repeatedly engaged with any organizations 
     designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the 
     Secretary in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); or
       (C) has engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations 
     of human rights, as determined under section 116(a) or 
     502B(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
     2151n(a) and 2304(a)(2)) or any other relevant provision of 
     law.
       (2) Prohibition of support for sanctioned persons.--The 
     Foundation may not engage in any dealing prohibited under 
     United States sanctions laws or regulations, including 
     dealings with persons on the list of specially designated 
     persons and blocked persons maintained by the Office of 
     Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury, 
     except to the extent otherwise authorized by the Secretary of 
     State or the Secretary of the Treasury.
       (3) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) with respect to any government, or any 
     entity owned or controlled by a government, by notifying the 
     appropriate congressional committees of the intention to 
     exercise such waiver not later than 45 days before the waiver 
     is scheduled to take effect.
       (j) Annual Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter by 
     March 31st of any year during which the Foundation is 
     operational, the Executive Director of the Foundation shall 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     that--
       (1) has been approved by the Board of Directors;
       (2) contains the expectations of the year ahead; and
       (3) describes--
       (A) the goals of the Foundation for the upcoming year, 
     including areas to increase operational efficiency and 
     further advance United States policy objectives and national 
     security;
       (B) lessons learned and best practices developed through 
     projects funded by the Foundation during the prior fiscal 
     year;
       (C) a project specific and a portfolio-level report 
     describing--
       (i) the progress achieved against key performance 
     indicators and the outcomes described in subsection (g); and
       (ii) how such progress will benefit the American taxpayer;
       (D) an assessment of--
       (i) whether the grant making and financing processes are 
     effective and expeditious;
       (ii) how any necessary additional efficiencies can be built 
     into future project selection; and
       (iii) whether project evaluations are successfully 
     measuring outcomes;
       (E) how the funding and selected projects authorized under 
     this Act were publicized in the selected country to expand 
     recognition for the United States; and
       (F) an annual financial report from an independent auditor.
       (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--Using funds appropriated to the Department 
     of State to carry out chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq.), the 
     Secretary of State is authorized to award an annual grant to 
     the Foundation to enable the Foundation to carry out the 
     purposes specified in subsection (d)
       (2) Cost matching requirement.--Amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be made 
     available, on a cost matching basis, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, from sources other than the United States 
     Government.
       (3) Consultation requirement.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     State and the Executive Director of the Foundation shall 
     consult with the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, 
     the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, 
     and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives regarding the implementation of this Act and 
     the proposed activities of the Foundation.
       (4) Prohibition of use of grants for lobbying expenses.--No 
     grant funds provided by the Foundation pursuant to subsection 
     (h) may be used for any activity intended to influence 
     legislation pending before Congress.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2943. Mr. MERKLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1265. STATEMENT OF POLICY WITH RESPECT TO DEFINITION OF 
                   TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION.

       It is policy of the United States that the term 
     ``transnational repression'' refers to a range of tactics 
     deployed by a foreign government, or agents or proxies of a 
     foreign government, to reach beyond their borders to 
     intimidate, silence, harass, coerce, or harm individuals, 
     such as political dissidents, activists, journalists, 
     political opponents, religious and ethnic minority groups, 
     international students, and members of diaspora and exile 
     communities.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2944. Mr. MERKLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title XII, add the following:

         Subtitle F--Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025

     SEC. 1271. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Taiwan Relations 
     Reinforcement Act of 2025''.

     SEC. 1272. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that the United States 
     Government should continue strengthening cooperation with 
     Taiwan under the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act 
     (Public Law 96-8; 22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) and the Six 
     Assurances with consideration of the ongoing military buildup 
     in China and the imbalance in the security environment in the 
     Taiwan Strait, including by--
       (1) promoting dignity and respect for its Taiwan 
     counterparts, who represent more than 23,000,000 citizens, by 
     using the full range of the United States Government's 
     diplomatic and financial tools to promote Taiwan's inclusion 
     and meaningful participation in international organizations, 
     as well as in bilateral and multilateral security

[[Page S4483]]

     summits, military exercises, and economic dialogues and 
     forums;
       (2) urging Taiwan to increase its own investments in 
     military capabilities that support implementation of its 
     asymmetric defense strategy; and
       (3) prioritizing the negotiation of a free-trade agreement 
     with Taiwan that provides high levels of labor rights and 
     environmental protection as soon as possible to deepen 
     economic ties between the United States and Taiwan.

     SEC. 1273. INTERAGENCY POLICY COORDINATION ON TAIWAN.

       (a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States to create and execute a plan for enhancing its 
     relationship with Taiwan by strengthening the robust 
     partnership that meets the challenges of the 21st century 
     while remaining faithful to United States principles and 
     values in keeping with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six 
     Assurances.
       (b) Interagency Taiwan Policy Task Force.--Not later than 
     90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     President shall review and consolidate existing interagency 
     processes related to Taiwan (including formal National 
     Security Council-led processes and other informal, ad-hoc 
     interagency coordination processes) to create an interagency 
     Taiwan Policy Task Force consisting of senior officials from 
     the Office of the President, the National Security Council, 
     the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the 
     Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce, and 
     the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
       (c) Report.--The interagency Taiwan Policy Task Force 
     established under subsection (b) shall contribute annually to 
     existing congressionally mandated reports outlining policy 
     and actions to be taken in the next year to enhance the 
     United States partnership and relations with Taiwan, 
     including reports required under the Taiwan Enhanced 
     Resilience Act (subtitle A of title XII of Public Law 117-
     263), the Taiwan Allies International Protection and 
     Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act (Public Law 116-135), and 
     the Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115-135).

     SEC. 1274. AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN.

       (a) Appointment of Director.--The Director of the American 
     Institute in Taiwan's Taipei office shall be appointed by the 
     President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
     and effective upon enactment of this Act shall have the title 
     of Representative.
       (b) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the position of Director shall 
     be filled within 60 days. If such position remains unfilled 
     for more than 60 days, the Assistant Secretary of State for 
     East Asian and Pacific Affairs, in consultation with the 
     Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, shall 
     immediately appoint a senior Foreign Service Officer to serve 
     as acting Director until a new Director is appointed and 
     confirmed for such position pursuant to subsection (a).

     SEC. 1275. PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN INTERNATIONAL 
                   ORGANIZATIONS.

       (a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States to promote Taiwan's inclusion and meaningful 
     participation in meetings held by international 
     organizations.
       (b) Support for Meaningful Participation.--The Permanent 
     Representative of the United States to the United Nations and 
     other relevant United States officials should actively 
     support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international 
     organizations, including membership where applicable.
       (c) Report.--Beginning not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
     shall annually incorporate reporting on China's efforts to 
     block Taiwan's meaningful participation and inclusion at the 
     United Nations and other international bodies, and recommend 
     appropriate responses to be taken by the United States, as 
     part of existing congressionally mandated reports, including 
     reports required under the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act 
     (subtitle A of title XII of Public Law 117-263), the Taiwan 
     Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative 
     (TAIPEI) Act (Public Law 116-135), and the Taiwan Travel Act 
     (Public Law 115-135).

     SEC. 1276. INVITATION OF TAIWAN COUNTERPARTS TO HIGH-LEVEL 
                   BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL FORUMS AND 
                   EXERCISES.

       It is the policy of the United States--
       (1) to invite Taiwan counterparts to participate in high-
     level bilateral and multilateral summits, military exercises, 
     and economic dialogues and forums on issues of mutual 
     concern;
       (2) that the United States Government and Taiwan 
     counterparts should resume meetings under either the United 
     States-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, the 
     United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, or 
     other appropriate mechanisms to reach a bilateral free trade 
     agreement;
       (3) that the United States Government should invite Taiwan 
     to participate in bilateral and multilateral military 
     training exercises; and
       (4) that the United States Government and Taiwan 
     counterparts should engage in a regular and routine strategic 
     bilateral dialogue on arms sales in accordance with Foreign 
     Military Sales mechanisms, and the United States Government 
     should support export licenses for direct commercial sales 
     supporting Taiwan's indigenous defensive capabilities.

     SEC. 1277. PROHIBITIONS AGAINST UNDERMINING UNITED STATES 
                   POLICY REGARDING TAIWAN.

       (a) Finding.--Congress finds that the efforts by the 
     Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the 
     Chinese Communist Party to compel private United States 
     businesses, corporations, and nongovernmental entities to use 
     PRC-mandated language to describe the relationship between 
     Taiwan and China are an intolerable attempt to enforce 
     political censorship globally and should be considered an 
     attack on the fundamental underpinnings of all democratic and 
     free societies, including the constitutionally protected 
     right to freedom of speech.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the President, in coordination with United States businesses 
     and nongovernmental entities and in consultation with 
     Congress, should develop and implement a strategy for 
     interacting with the Government of the People's Republic of 
     China and the Chinese Communist Party and affiliated 
     entities, the aim of which is--
       (1) to counter PRC sharp power operations, which threaten 
     free speech, academic freedom, and the normal operations of 
     United States businesses and nongovernmental entities; and
       (2) to counter PRC efforts to censor the way the world 
     refers to issues deemed sensitive to the Government of the 
     People's Republic of China and Chinese Communist Party 
     leaders, including issues related to Taiwan, Tibet, the 
     Tiananmen Square Massacre, and the mass internment of Uyghurs 
     and other Turkic Muslims, among many other issues.
       (c) Prohibition on Recognition of PRC Claims to Sovereignty 
     Over Taiwan.--
       (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (A) issues related to the sovereignty of Taiwan are for the 
     people of Taiwan to decide through the democratic process 
     they have established;
       (B) the dispute between the People's Republic of China and 
     Taiwan must be resolved peacefully and with the assent of the 
     people of Taiwan;
       (C) the primary obstacle to peaceful resolution is the 
     authoritarian nature of the PRC political system under one-
     party rule of the Chinese Communist Party, which is 
     fundamentally incompatible with Taiwan's democracy; and
       (D) any attempt to coerce the people of Taiwan to accept a 
     political arrangement that would subject them to direct or 
     indirect rule by the PRC, including a ``one country, two 
     systems'' framework, would constitute a grave challenge to 
     United States security interests in the region.
       (2) Statement of policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States to oppose any attempt by the PRC authorities to 
     unilaterally impose a timetable or deadline for unification 
     on Taiwan.
       (3) Prohibition on recognition of prc claims without assent 
     of people of taiwan.--No department or agency of the United 
     States Government should formally or informally recognize PRC 
     claims to sovereignty over Taiwan without the assent of the 
     people of Taiwan, as expressed directly through the 
     democratic process.
       (4) Treatment of taiwan government.--
       (A) In general.--The Department of State and other United 
     States Government agencies should treat the democratically 
     elected Government of Taiwan as the legitimate representative 
     of the people of Taiwan. Notwithstanding the continued 
     supporting role of the American Institute in Taiwan in 
     carrying out United States foreign policy and protecting 
     United States interests in Taiwan, the United States 
     Government should not place any restrictions on the ability 
     of officials of the Department of State and other United 
     States Government agencies from interacting directly and 
     routinely with counterparts in the Taiwan government.
       (B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph shall 
     be construed as entailing restoration of diplomatic relations 
     with the Republic of China, which were terminated on January 
     1, 1979, or altering the United States Government's position 
     on Taiwan's international status.
       (d) Strategy To Protect United States Businesses and 
     Nongovernmental Entities From Coercion.--
       (1) Initial report.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of 
     the Treasury, and the heads of other relevant Federal 
     agencies, shall submit an unclassified report, with a 
     classified annex if necessary, to protect United States 
     businesses and nongovernmental entities from sharp power 
     operations, including coercion and threats that lead to 
     censorship or self-censorship, or which compel compliance 
     with political or foreign policy positions of the Government 
     of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist 
     Party. The strategy shall include the following elements:
       (A) Information on efforts by the Government of the 
     People's Republic of China to censor the websites of United 
     States airlines, hotels, and other businesses regarding the 
     relationship between Taiwan and the People's Republic of 
     China.
       (B) Information on efforts by the Government of the 
     People's Republic of China to target United States 
     nongovernmental entities through sharp power operations 
     intended to weaken support for Taiwan.

[[Page S4484]]

       (C) Information on United States Government efforts to 
     counter the threats posed by Chinese state-sponsored 
     propaganda and disinformation, including information on best 
     practices, current successes, and existing barriers to 
     responding to this threat.
       (D) Details of any actions undertaken to create a code of 
     conduct pursuant to subsection (b) and a timetable for 
     implementation.
       (2) Subsequent reporting.--Beginning not later than one 
     year after submission of the report required under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary of State shall include the elements 
     required in such report as part of existing congressionally 
     mandated reports, including reports required under the Taiwan 
     Enhanced Resilience Act (subtitle A of title XII of Public 
     Law 117-263), the Taiwan Allies International Protection and 
     Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act (Public Law 116-135), and 
     the Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115-135).

     SEC. 1278. REPORT AND STRATEGY TO SUPPORT TAIWAN'S RESPONSE 
                   TO SHARP POWER OPERATIONS.

       (a) Finding.--Taiwan is at the forefront in responding to 
     sharp power operations supported by the Government of the 
     People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.
       (b) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall--
       (1) submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report on existing United States efforts supporting the 
     Taiwan government's efforts in countering the Government of 
     the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist 
     Party's sharp power operations; and
       (2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     strategy developed in coordination with the heads of relevant 
     Federal agencies and international partners to identify, and 
     provide targeted assistance to address, remaining 
     vulnerabilities in the Taiwan government's efforts to counter 
     the Government of the People's Republic of China and the 
     Chinese Communist Party's sharp power operations.
       (c) Report Elements.--The report required under subsection 
     (b)(1) shall describe the response of the United States to 
     People's Republic of China propaganda and malign foreign 
     influence campaigns and cyber-intrusions targeting Taiwan, 
     including the following elements:
       (1) A description of assistance in building the capacity of 
     the Taiwan officials, media entities, and private-sector 
     entities to document and expose propaganda and malign foreign 
     influence supported by the Government of the People's 
     Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, or affiliated 
     entities.
       (2) A description of assistance to the Taiwan government's 
     efforts to develop a whole-of-government strategy to respond 
     to sharp power operations, including election interference.
       (3) A description of exchanges and other technical 
     assistance the United States has collaborated with Taiwan on 
     to strengthen Taiwan's legal system's ability to respond to 
     sharp power operations.
       (4) An assessment of the extent to which the Government of 
     the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist 
     Party have attempted to influence local political parties, 
     financial institutions, media organizations, and other 
     entities, and the degree to which these efforts could be 
     considered successful.
       (5) An assessment of the extent to which like-minded 
     governments have collaborated with the Taiwan government on 
     ways to address sharp power operations supported by the 
     Government of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese 
     Communist Party.

     SEC. 1279. REPORT ON DETERRENCE IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT.

       (a) Initial Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the 
     Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a joint report that assesses the 
     military posture of Taiwan and the United States as it 
     specifically pertains to the deterrence of military conflict 
     and conflict readiness in the Taiwan Strait. In light of the 
     changing military balance in the Taiwan Strait, the report 
     should include analysis of whether current Taiwan and United 
     States policies sufficiently deter efforts to determine the 
     future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means.
       (b) Subsequent Reporting.--Beginning not later than one 
     year after submission of the report required under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary of State shall include the elements 
     required in such report as part of existing congressionally 
     mandated reports, including reports required under the Taiwan 
     Enhanced Resilience Act (subtitle A of title XII of Public 
     Law 117-263), the Taiwan Allies International Protection and 
     Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act (Public Law 116-135), and 
     the Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115-135).

     SEC. 1280. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Sharp power.--The term ``sharp power'' means the 
     coordinated and often concealed application of 
     disinformation, media manipulation, economic coercion, cyber-
     intrusions, targeted investments, and academic censorship 
     that is intended--
       (A) to corrupt political and nongovernmental institutions 
     and interfere in democratic elections and encourage self-
     censorship of views at odds with those of the Government of 
     the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist 
     Party; or
       (B) to foster attitudes, behavior, decisions, or outcomes 
     in Taiwan and elsewhere that support the interests of the 
     Government of the People's Republic of China or the Chinese 
     Communist Party.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2945. Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself and Mr. Grassley) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. _____. COMBATING ILLICIT XYLAZINE.

       (a) Definitions.--
       (1) In general.--In this title, the term ``xylazine'' has 
     the meaning given the term in paragraph (60) of section 102 
     of the Controlled Substances Act, as added by paragraph (2) 
     of this subsection.
       (2) Controlled substances act.--Section 102 of the 
     Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(60) The term `xylazine' means the substance xylazine, 
     including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever 
     the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is 
     possible.''.
       (b) Adding Xylazine to Schedule III.--Schedule III of 
     section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 
     812) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in 
     another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or 
     preparation which contains any quantity of xylazine.''.
       (c) Amendments.--
       (1) Amendment.--Section 102 of the Controlled Substances 
     Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended by striking paragraph (27) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(27)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term 
     `ultimate user' means a person who has lawfully obtained, and 
     who possesses, a controlled substance for the use by the 
     person or for the use of a member of the household of the 
     person or for an animal owned by the person or by a member of 
     the household of the person.
       ``(B)(i) In the case of xylazine, other than for a drug 
     product approved under subsection (b) or (j) of section 505 
     of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355), 
     the term `ultimate user' means a person--
       ``(I) to whom xylazine was dispensed by--
       ``(aa) a veterinarian registered under this Act; or
       ``(bb) a pharmacy registered under this Act pursuant to a 
     prescription of a veterinarian registered under this Act; and
       ``(II) who possesses xylazine for--
       ``(aa) an animal owned by the person or by a member of the 
     household of the person;
       ``(bb) an animal under the care of the person;
       ``(cc) use in government animal-control programs authorized 
     under applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local law; or
       ``(dd) use in wildlife programs authorized under applicable 
     Federal, State, Tribal, or local law.
       ``(ii) In this subparagraph, the term `person' includes--
       ``(I) a government agency or business where animals are 
     located; and
       ``(II) an employee or agent of an agency or business acting 
     within the scope of their employment or agency.''.
       (2) Facilities.--An entity that manufactures xylazine, as 
     of the date of enactment of this Act, shall not be required 
     to make capital expenditures necessary to install the 
     security standard required of schedule III of the Controlled 
     Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) for the purposes of 
     manufacturing xylazine.
       (3) Labeling.--The requirements related to labeling, 
     packaging, and distribution logistics of a controlled 
     substance in schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled 
     Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) shall not take effect for 
     xylazine until the date that is 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (4) Practitioner registration.--The requirements related to 
     practitioner registration, inventory, and recordkeeping of a 
     controlled substance in schedule III of section 202(c) of the 
     Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) shall not take 
     effect for xylazine until the date that is 60 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act. A practitioner that has 
     applied for registration during the 60-day period beginning 
     on the date of enactment of this Act may continue their 
     lawful activities until such application is approved or 
     denied.
       (5) Manufacturer transition.--The Food and Drug 
     Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration shall 
     facilitate and expedite the relevant manufacturer submissions 
     or applications required by the placement of xylazine on 
     schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances 
     Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)).

[[Page S4485]]

       (6) Clarification.--Nothing in this title, or the 
     amendments made by this title, shall be construed to require 
     the registration of an ultimate user of xylazine under the 
     Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) in order to 
     possess xylazine in accordance with subparagraph (B) of 
     section 102(27) of that Act (21 U.S.C. 802(27)), as added by 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection.
       (d) Arcos Tracking.--Section 307(i) of the Controlled 
     Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 827(i)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (A) by inserting ``or xylazine'' after ``gamma 
     hydroxybutyric acid'';
       (B) by inserting ``or 512'' after ``section 505''; and
       (C) by inserting ``respectively,'' after ``the Federal 
     Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,''; and
       (2) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``or xylazine'' after 
     ``gamma hydroxybutyric acid''.
       (e) Sentencing Commission.--Pursuant to its authority under 
     section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United 
     States Sentencing Commission shall review and, if 
     appropriate, amend its sentencing guidelines, policy 
     statements, and official commentary applicable to persons 
     convicted of an offense under section 401 of the Controlled 
     Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841) or section 1010 of the 
     Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960) 
     to provide appropriate penalties for offenses involving 
     xylazine that are consistent with the amendments made by this 
     title. In carrying out this subsection, the Commission should 
     consider the common forms of xylazine as well as its use 
     alongside other scheduled substances.
       (f) Report to Congress on Xylazine.--
       (1) Initial report.--Not later than 18 months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, 
     acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement 
     Administration and in coordination with the Commissioner of 
     Food and Drugs, shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     prevalence of illicit use of xylazine in the United States 
     and the impacts of such use, including--
       (A) where the drug is being diverted;
       (B) where the drug is originating; and
       (C) whether any analogues to xylazine, or related or 
     derivative substances, exist and present a substantial risk 
     of abuse.
       (2) Additional report.--Not later than 4 years after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, 
     acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement 
     Administration and in coordination with the Commissioner of 
     Food and Drugs, shall submit to Congress a report updating 
     Congress on the prevalence and proliferation of xylazine 
     trafficking and misuse in the United States.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2946. Mr. SCHATZ (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place in title III, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 3__. RED HILL HEALTH REGISTRY.

       (a) Registry for Impacted Individuals of the Red Hill 
     Incident.--
       (1) Establishment of registry.--The Secretary of Defense, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, shall establish within the Department of Defense or 
     through an award of a grant or contract, as the Secretary 
     determines appropriate, a Red Hill Incident exposure registry 
     to collect data on health implications of petroleum-
     contaminated water for impacted individuals and potentially 
     impacted individuals on a voluntary basis.
       (2) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
     of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense 
     committees and publish on the website of the Department of 
     Defense a report on--
       (A) the number of impacted individuals and potentially 
     impacted individuals enrolled in the registry established 
     under paragraph (1);
       (B) measures and frequency of follow-up to collect data and 
     specimens related to exposure, health, and developmental 
     milestones, as appropriate; and
       (C) a summary of data and analyses on exposure, health, and 
     developmental milestones for impacted individuals.
       (3) Contracts.--The Secretary of Defense may contract with 
     independent research institutes or consultants, nonprofit or 
     public entities, laboratories, or medical schools, as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate, that are not part of the 
     Federal Government to assist with the registry established 
     under paragraph (1).
       (4) Consultation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary of Defense shall consult with non-Federal experts, 
     including individuals with certification in epidemiology, 
     toxicology, mental health, pediatrics, and environmental 
     health, and members of the impacted community.
       (b) Use of Existing Funds.--The Secretary of Defense shall 
     carry out activities under this section using amounts 
     previously appropriated for the Defense Health Agency for 
     such activities.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Impacted individual.--The term ``impacted individual'' 
     means an individual who, at the time of the Red Hill 
     Incident, lived or worked in a building or residence served 
     by the community water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-
     Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii.
       (2) Potentially impacted individual.--The term 
     ``potentially impacted individual'' means an individual who, 
     after the Red Hill Incident, lived or worked in a building or 
     residence served by the community water system at Joint Base 
     Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii, including an individual 
     who is not a beneficiary of the military health system.
       (3) Red hill incident.--The term ``Red Hill Incident'' 
     means the release of fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage 
     Facility, Oahu, Hawaii, into the sole-source basal aquifer 
     located 100 feet below the facility, contaminating the 
     community water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on 
     November 20, 2021.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2947. Mr. LUJAN (for himself and Mr. Heinrich) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2296, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle F of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1067. REFORESTATION OF LAND DESTROYED BY THE HERMIT'S 
                   PEAK/CALF CANYON FIRE.

       Section 104(d)(4) of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire 
     Assistance Act (division G of Public Law 117-180; 136 Stat. 
     2172) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Reforestation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), a 
     claim that is paid for injury under this Act may include 
     damages resulting from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire for 
     otherwise uncompensated resource losses for costs of 
     reasonable efforts, as determined by the Administrator, 
     incurred by the State of New Mexico not later than December 
     31, 2030, to design, construct, and operate a center for the 
     purpose of researching, developing, and generating native 
     seedlings to successfully regenerate forests destroyed by the 
     Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire with native species.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2948. Mrs. GILLIBRAND submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, 
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department 
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal 
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the appropriate place in subtitle F of title X, insert 
     the following:

     SEC. 10__. REAUTHORIZATION OF LONG ISLAND SOUND PROGRAMS.

       (a) Long Island Sound Grants.--Section 119(h) of the 
     Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(h)) is 
     amended by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting 
     ``2025 through 2029''.
       (b) Long Island Sound Stewardship Grants.--Section 11(a) of 
     the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 (33 U.S.C. 1269 
     note; Public Law 109-359) is amended, in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1), by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and 
     inserting ``2025 through 2029''.
       (c) Technical Amendment.--Section 119(g) of the Federal 
     Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(g)) is amended by 
     redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2949. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1248. REPORT ON PACIFIC ISLANDS EMBASSY STAFFING.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the 
     Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources 
     shall--
       (1) submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
     of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives that describes plans for addressing 
     staffing needs at United States embassies in Pacific Island 
     countries; and

[[Page S4486]]

       (2) provide a briefing to the congressional committees 
     listed in paragraph (1), which shall include--
       (A) a discussion of the contents of the report submitted 
     pursuant to paragraph (1); and
       (B) nonfinancial incentives for Foreign Service officers 
     serving at United States embassies in Pacific Island 
     countries, including opportunities such as Mission-specific 
     training.
       (b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       (1) steps to implement the findings of the Foreign Service 
     officer allowances study required under section 5302 of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-
     81) to provide incentives for Foreign Service officers to 
     serve in Pacific Island countries, including--
       (A) hardship and danger pay;
       (B) the opportunity to provide one-grade stretches before 
     stretch season and allow bidding on Pacific Island country 
     posts on the early assignment cycle;
       (C) eligibility to receive student loan repayments;
       (D) incentive pay to extend tours at Pacific Island country 
     posts;
       (E) additional recreation entitlements;
       (F) priority consideration for onward assignments;
       (G) opportunities to serve repeated tours in the same 
     region to develop expertise while aiding career advancement; 
     and
       (H) consideration of United States embassies in Pacific 
     Island countries for Special Incentive Post (SIP) designation 
     eligibility;
       (2) the status of the virtual schooling pilot program 
     undertaken by the Office of Overseas Schools and other 
     programs to support the dependents and spouses of diplomats 
     stationed at Pacific Island country posts;
       (3) current administrative requirements, including 
     reporting requirements, required for embassies in Pacific 
     Island countries and proposals for how to lower the 
     administrative burden on small embassies; and
       (4) any additional measures and financial and nonfinancial 
     incentives to encourage Foreign Service officers to seek 
     assignments to, and remain at, hardship posts in countries 
     where addressing growing and malign foreign government 
     influence is especially critical to United States interests, 
     especially at new posts in remote locations, such as the 
     United States embassies in the Kingdom of Tonga, the Solomon 
     Islands, and the Republic of Vanuatu.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2950. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1265. REPORT ANALYZING THE FEASIBILITY OF ATTACHING 
                   CONSULAR OFFICERS TO COAST GUARD AND NAVY 
                   MISSIONS IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Pacific Island countries, particularly the Freely 
     Associated States, include close United States partners that 
     are spread across highly strategic waters that are critical 
     to the national security interests of the United States;
       (2) it is in the national security interests of the United 
     States to maintain and strengthen relations with the 
     governments and citizens of Pacific Island countries; and
       (3) many citizens of Pacific Island countries face 
     difficulties in accessing United States consular services due 
     to--
       (A) the remote locations of the islands comprising such 
     countries, only a few of which host United States embassies; 
     and
       (B) infrequent flights to islands with United States 
     embassies, which makes applying for a United States visa and 
     other consular procedures difficult, expensive, and time 
     consuming.
       (b) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
     committees of Congress'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (3) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
       (4) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
     of the Senate;
       (5) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (6) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (7) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (8) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
     coordination with the Commandant of the United States Coast 
     Guard, the Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, 
     and the Chief of Naval Operations, shall submit a report to 
     the appropriate committees of Congress that analyzes the 
     feasibility of attaching Department of State consular 
     officers to Coast Guard and Navy missions in Pacific Island 
     countries.
       (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       (A) an assessment of--
       (i) the current demand for consular services from citizens 
     of Pacific Island countries;
       (ii) the challenges such citizens face in obtaining 
     consular services;
       (B) an assessment of the approximate time and resources 
     citizens of Pacific Island countries that do not host United 
     States embassies would save by having their United States 
     visas adjudicated or receiving other consular services 
     through the initiative described in paragraph (1);
       (C) an assessment of the cost that would be incurred by the 
     Department of State, the United States Coast Guard, the 
     United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the United States 
     Navy through the implementation of such initiative, including 
     potential alternative cost-effective options and 
     recommendations for providing efficient consular services to 
     Pacific Island countries;
       (D) an assessment of the frequency and duration of United 
     States Coast Guard and United States Navy deployments to 
     Pacific Island countries, including--
       (i) deployment frequency measured against the desired 
     number of visits;
       (ii) the amount of time typically spent in port for such 
     visits; and
       (iii) disruption to planned Coast Guard and Navy missions 
     in order to visit locations needing consular assistance; and
       (E) an evaluation of the logistical issues needing to be 
     addressed to implement the initiative, including--
       (i) analyzing spacing requirements to host Department of 
     State personnel and equipment aboard Coast Guard and Navy 
     vessels;
       (ii) analyzing the information technology and connectivity 
     requirements to conduct consular affairs activities;
       (iii) the feasibility of printing visas aboard Coast Guard 
     and Navy vessels or alternatives to such printing, including 
     remote printing and mailing of passports with visas;
       (iv) maintaining the physical security of consular officers 
     and relevant adjudication equipment, including computer 
     systems and visa foils, during such missions;
       (v) the impacts to Coast Guard and Navy vessels' operations 
     and security; and
       (vi) the estimated time consular officers would spend on 
     board Coast Guard and Navy vessels between visits to Pacific 
     Island countries.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2951. Ms. ROSEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

     SEC. 10__. TREATMENT AS RADIATION-RISK ACTIVITIES BY 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 1112(c)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B) by adding at the end the following 
     new clause:
       ``(viii) At any time on or after January 27, 1951, onsite 
     participation in any aspect of the development, construction, 
     operation, or maintenance of a military installation (as 
     defined in section 2801 of title 10) at a covered location at 
     the Nevada Test and Training Range.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) The term `covered location at the Nevada Test and 
     Training Range' means a location at the Nevada Test and 
     Training Range, Nevada, where there was a potential of toxic 
     exposure.''.

     SEC. 10__. PRESUMPTIONS OF TOXIC EXPOSURE BY DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 1119(c) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
     subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting before subsection (B), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(A) on or after January 27, 1951, performed active 
     military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to a 
     duty station in, including airspace above, a covered location 
     at the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada;''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) The term `covered location at the Nevada Test and 
     Training Range' means a location at the Nevada Test and 
     Training Range, Nevada, where there was a potential of toxic 
     exposure.''.

     SEC. 10__. PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION BY DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 1120(b) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (15) as paragraph (16); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following new 
     paragraph:

[[Page S4487]]

       ``(15) Only in the case of a covered veteran described in 
     section 1119(c)(1)(A), lipomas and tumor related 
     conditions.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2952. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle B of title XXVIII, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 2827. IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPTROLLER GENERAL 
                   RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO CRITICAL MILITARY 
                   HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
     implement each recommendation of the Comptroller General of 
     the United States contained in the report dated October 30, 
     2024, and entitled, ``Military Housing: DOD Should Address 
     Critical Supply and Affordability Challenges for Service 
     Members'' (GAO-25-106208), as those recommendations are 
     modified under subsection (b).
       (b) Recommendations To Be Implemented.--In carrying out the 
     requirements under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense 
     shall implement the recommendations specified under such 
     subsection as follows:
       (1) The Secretary shall--
       (A) perform a structured analysis to develop a 
     comprehensive list of housing areas in which members of the 
     Armed Forces and their families may face the most critical 
     challenges in finding and affording private sector housing in 
     the community;
       (B) in conducting the analysis under subparagraph (A), 
     consider the unique characteristics of a location, such as 
     vacation rental areas; and
       (C) regularly update the list required under subparagraph 
     (A) not less frequently than once every two years.
       (2) The Secretary shall obtain and use feedback on the 
     financial and quality-of-life effects of limited supply or 
     unaffordable housing on members of the Armed Forces, through 
     the status of forces survey and other service or 
     installation-specific feedback mechanisms.
       (3) The Secretary shall, in coordination with the Secretary 
     of each military department--
       (A) develop a plan for how the Department of Defense can 
     respond to and address the financial and quality-of-life 
     effects in housing areas identified under paragraph (1); and
       (B) in developing the plan under subparagraph (A), examine 
     strategies for increasing housing supply or providing 
     alternative compensation to offset the effects of limited 
     supply or unaffordable housing in housing areas identified 
     under paragraph (1).
       (4) The Secretary shall clarify, through the issuance of 
     guidance to the military departments, the role of the Office 
     of the Secretary of Defense in oversight of the Housing 
     Requirements and Market Analysis process of the military 
     departments to ensure that--
       (A) the military departments conduct such process in a 
     timely manner; and
       (B) the Secretary submits to Congress any plans or other 
     matters relating to such process for each fiscal year as 
     required by existing law.
       (5) The Secretary shall ensure that the Assistant Secretary 
     of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment 
     provides updated guidance to the military departments on how 
     installations of the Department of Defense should coordinate 
     with local communities, including by clearly defining the 
     roles and responsibilities of commanders and military housing 
     offices of such installations in addressing housing needs.
       (c) Non-implementation Reporting Requirement.--If the 
     Secretary of Defense elects not to implement a recommendation 
     specified under subsection (a), as modified under subsection 
     (b), the Secretary shall, not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committees 
     on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives a report that includes a justification for 
     such election.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2953. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle B of title XXVIII, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 2827. MODIFICATION OF SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT ON PRIVATIZED 
                   MILITARY HOUSING.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 2884 of title 
     10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraphs:
       ``(15) An overview of the housing data being used by the 
     Department and the housing data being sought from management 
     companies.
       ``(16) An assessment of how the Secretary of each military 
     department is using such housing data to inform the on-base 
     housing decisions for such military department.
       ``(17) An explanation of the limitations of any customer 
     satisfaction data collected (including with respect to the 
     availability of survey data), the process for determining 
     resident satisfaction, and reasons for missing data.
       ``(18) To the maximum extent practicable, a breakdown of 
     the information under this paragraph by installation and 
     military housing project.''.
       (b) Public Reporting.--Such subsection is further amended--
       (1) in paragraph (14), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
     through (D) as clauses (i) through (iv), respectively;
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (18) as 
     subparagraphs (A) through (R), respectively;
       (3) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by paragraph (2), 
     by striking ``paragraphs (1) through (4)'' and inserting 
     ``subparagraphs (A) through (D)'';
       (4) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as so 
     redesignated, by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting 
     ``(1) The Secretary''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Not later than 30 days after submitting a report 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall publish 
     the report on a publicly available website of the Department 
     of Defense.''.
       (c) Technical Amendment.--The heading for such subsection 
     is amended by striking ``Annual'' and inserting ``Semi-
     annual''.
       (d) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (d)(1) of such 
     section is amended by striking ``paragraphs (1) through (14) 
     of subsection (c)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (A) through 
     (R) of subsection (c)(1)''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2954. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle B of title XXVIII, add the 
     following:

     SEC. 2827. RADON TESTING OF MILITARY HOUSING OWNED OR 
                   CONTROLLED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

       (a) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
     to the congressional defense committees a report identifying 
     the installations of the Department of Defense that have 
     military housing owned or controlled by the Federal 
     Government that should be monitored for levels of radon at or 
     above the action level established by the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, including those installations evaluated in 
     the report dated April 30, 2020, and entitled, ``Evaluation 
     of the DoD's Management of Health and Safety Hazards in 
     Government-Owned and Government-Controlled Military Family 
     Housing'' (DODIG-2020-082).
       (b) Testing Procedures and Standards.--The Secretary of 
     each military department shall establish procedures at 
     installations identified under subsection (a) under the 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned for testing for radon 
     at military housing owned or controlled by the Federal 
     Government at such installations that are consistent with 
     current national consensus standards and are in compliance 
     with applicable Federal regulations in order to ensure radon 
     levels at such housing are below recommended levels 
     established by the Environmental Protection Agency, whether 
     through--
       (1) regular testing (a minimum of one time every five years 
     for all housing, and a minimum of one time every two years 
     for housing that is above recommended radon levels 
     established by the Environmental Protection Agency until 
     radon levels are reduced to at or below such levels) of such 
     housing; or
       (2) the installation of monitoring equipment in such 
     housing.
       (c) Notification Regarding Need for Mitigation.--If, as a 
     result of testing conducted pursuant to procedures 
     established under subsection (b), a unit of military housing 
     owned or controlled by the Federal Government requires radon 
     mitigation to ensure radon levels are below recommended 
     levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency, 
     the head of the installation providing the housing unit shall 
     submit to the Secretary of the military department concerned, 
     not later than seven days after the determination of the need 
     for radon mitigation, the mitigation plan for the housing 
     unit.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2955. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:


[[Page S4488]]


  

       At the end of subtitle C of title VI, add the following:

     SEC. 629. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE COUPONS TO JUNIOR ENLISTED 
                   MEMBERS TO PURCHASE FOOD AT COMMISSARIES.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) members of the Armed Forces and their families deserve 
     access to affordable and healthy food options, including 
     during their duty day;
       (2) there has been increased awareness about the challenges 
     members and their families face in accessing affordable and 
     healthy food options;
       (3) those challenges have been especially acute for 
     unaccompanied junior enlisted members who live in government-
     provided quarters on military installations; and
       (4) the Department of Defense should explore a variety of 
     proposals for expanding the accessibility of healthy and 
     affordable food options to members, especially members who 
     live in unaccompanied housing on military installations.
       (b) Pilot Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may conduct a 
     pilot program to assess the efficacy of providing junior 
     enlisted members of the Armed Forces a monthly coupon for use 
     in procuring food at commissaries.
       (2) Selection of installations.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary may conduct the pilot 
     program authorized by paragraph (1) at 2 military 
     installations.
       (B) Considerations.--In selecting installations for the 
     pilot program authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall consider installations with--
       (i) large numbers of enlisted members who live in 
     unaccompanied housing;
       (ii) the largest ratios of enlisted members to commissioned 
     officers;
       (iii) unaccompanied housing that provides access to 
     functioning kitchens that residents may use to prepare meals;
       (iv) commissaries that are experimenting with or expanding 
     their selection of nutritious and minimally processed ready-
     made and easy-to-make food options;
       (v) low rates of attendance at dining facilities;
       (vi) low customer satisfaction ratings for dining 
     facilities, including installations with complaints about 
     dining facilities submitted through the Interactive Customer 
     Evaluation system of the Department of Defense; and
       (vii) commissaries located within easily accessible 
     distances from unaccompanied housing.
       (3) Coupons.--
       (A) Amount.--The Secretary may determine the amount of the 
     coupons to be provided under the pilot program authorized by 
     paragraph (1).
       (B) Use.--
       (i) In general.--A coupon provided under the pilot program 
     authorized by paragraph (1) may be used only to purchase food 
     at commissaries.
       (ii) Exclusions.--A coupon provided under the pilot program 
     authorized by paragraph (1) may not be used--

       (I) to purchase alcoholic beverages or tobacco; or
       (II) to pay any deposit fee in excess of the amount of the 
     State fee reimbursement (if any) required to purchase any 
     food or food product contained in a returnable bottle or can, 
     without regard to whether the fee is included in the shelf 
     price posted for the food or food product.

       (C) Supplement to other food assistance.--A coupon provided 
     to a member under the pilot program authorized by paragraph 
     (1) shall be supplement and not supplant--
       (i) the basic allowance for subsistence under section 402 
     of title 37, United States Code; and
       (ii) any program to provide meals or rations in kind for 
     which the member is eligible.
       (4) Duration of pilot program.--The pilot program 
     authorized by paragraph (1) shall terminate not later than 
     one year after the pilot program commences.
       (5) Report required.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     termination under paragraph (4) of the pilot program 
     authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall 
     submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
     detailing the results of the pilot program.
       (B) Elements.--The report required by subparagraph (A) 
     shall include an assessment of the following:
       (i) The use of coupons by members who received coupons 
     under the pilot program.
       (ii) The satisfaction of and feedback from such members 
     relating to the coupons.
       (iii) The impact of providing the coupons on--

       (I) the rates at which such members used commissaries; and
       (II) the rates at which such members used dining facilities 
     on their installations.

       (iv) Historical rates of use of dining facilities on 
     installations and historical customer satisfaction metrics 
     for such facilities, including the number of complaints with 
     respect to such facilities submitted through the Interactive 
     Customer Evaluation system of the Department of Defense.
       (v) The efficacy of the pilot program in--

       (I) reducing food insecurity rates among junior enlisted 
     members;
       (II) increasing the availability of nutritious food options 
     for such members at commissaries; and
       (III) increasing the availability of nutritious food 
     options for such members generally, including such members 
     living in unaccompanied housing.

       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Coupon.--The term ``coupon'' means a voucher or 
     monetary benefit for a member of the Armed Forces that may be 
     used only at a commissary for the purchase of food.
       (2) Food.--The term ``food'' means any food or food product 
     intended for home consumption, including a ready-made food 
     item.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2956. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Purpose: To authorize appropriations to fully fund the basic allowance 
for housing for members of the uniformed services.

       For fiscal year 2026, there is authorized to be 
     appropriated $1,300,000,000 for the purpose of fully funding 
     the basic allowance for housing for members of the uniformed 
     services under section 403 of title 37, United States Code.

                          ____________________