July 22, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 129 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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TEXT OF AMENDMENTS; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 129
(Senate - July 22, 2020)
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[Pages S4429-S4431] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TEXT OF AMENDMENTS SA 2487. Mr. ENZI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2301 proposed by Mr. Inhofe to the bill S. 4049, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 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 XXXI, add the following: SEC. 3168. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPORTANCE OF EXTRACTING AND PROCESSING URANIUM IN THE UNITED STATES. It is the sense of Congress that extracting and processing uranium in the United States increases the resiliency of the United States to counter uranium producers owned or controlled by hostile foreign governments. ______ SA 2488. Ms. McSALLY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2301 proposed by Mr. Inhofe to the bill S. 4049, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 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 VII, add the following: SEC. 708. MANDATORY REFERRAL OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION. Section 1090a of title 10, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection: ``(e) Process Applicable to Member Disclosure.--The regulations required by subsection (a) shall-- ``(1) establish a phrase that enables a member of the armed forces to trigger a referral of the member by a commanding officer or supervisor for a mental health evaluation; ``(2) require a commanding officer or supervisor to make such referral as soon as practicable following disclosure by the member to the commanding officer or supervisor of the phrase established under paragraph (1); and ``(3) ensure that the referral process protects the confidentiality of the member in a manner similar to the confidentiality provided for members making restricted reports under section 1565b(b) of this title.''. ______ SA 2489. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2301 proposed by Mr. Inhofe to the bill S. 4049, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 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: Add at the end of subtitle G of title XII the following: SEC. 1287. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``U.S. Agency for Global Media Reform Act''. (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Office of Cuba Broadcasting should-- (1) remain an independent entity of the United States Agency for Global Media; and (2) continue taking steps to ensure that the Office is fulfilling its core mission of promoting freedom and democracy by providing the people of Cuba with objective news and information programming. (c) Authorities of the Chief Executive Officer; Limitation on Corporate Leadership of Grantees.--Section 305 of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6204) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (20), by inserting ``in accordance with subsection (c)'' before the period at the end; (B) in paragraph (21)-- (i) by striking ``including with Federal officials,''; and (ii) by inserting ``in accordance with subsection (c)'' before the period at the end; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(23) To-- ``(A) require semi-annual content reviews of each language service of each surrogate network, consisting of a review of at least 10 percent of available weekly content, by fluent language speakers and experts without direct affiliation to the language service being reviewed, who are seeking any evidence of unprofessional content, which shall be submitted to the Office of Policy and Research, the head and Board of the respective service, and the Chief Executive Officer; and ``(B) submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of anomalous reports, including status updates on anomalous services during the 3-year period commencing on the date of receipt of the first report of unprofessional content.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(c) Limitation on Corporate Leadership of Grantees.-- ``(1) In general.--The Chief Executive Officer may not award any grant under subsection (a) to RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, the Open Technology Fund, or any other grantee authorized under this title (collectively referred to as `Agency Grantee Networks') unless the incorporation documents of any such grantee require that the corporate leadership and Board of Directors of such grantee be selected in accordance with this Act. ``(2) Conflicts of interest.-- ``(A) Chief executive officer.--The Chief Executive Officer may not serve on any of the corporate boards of any grantee under subsection (a). ``(B) Federal employees.--A full-time employee of a Federal agency may not serve on a corporate board of any grantee under subsection (a). ``(3) Qualifications of grantee board members.--Individuals appointed under subsection (a) to the Board of Directors of any of the Agency Grantee Networks shall have requisite expertise in journalism, technology, broadcasting, or diplomacy, or appropriate language or cultural understanding relevant to the grantee's mission.''. (d) International Broadcasting Advisory Board.--Section 306 of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6205) is amended-- (1) by striking subsections (a) through (c) and inserting the following: ``(a) In General.--The International Broadcasting Advisory Board (referred to in this section as the `Advisory Board') shall advise the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media, as appropriate. The Advisory Board as established shall exist within the Executive branch of Government as an entity described in section 104 of title 5. ``(b) Composition of the Advisory Board.-- ``(1) In general.--The Advisory Board shall consist of 7 members, of whom-- ``(A) 6 shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, in accordance with subsection (c); and ``(B) 1 shall be the Secretary of State. ``(2) Chair.--The President shall designate, with the advice and consent of the Senate, 1 [[Page S4430]] of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(A) as Chair of the Advisory Board. ``(3) Party limitation.--Not more than 3 members of the Advisory Board appointed under paragraph (1)(A) may be affiliated with the same political party. ``(4) Terms of office.-- ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), members of the Advisory Board shall serve for a single term of 4 years, except that, of the first group of members appointed under paragraph (1)(A)-- ``(i) 2 members who are not affiliated with the same political party, shall be appointed for terms ending on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of the U.S. Agency for Global Media Reform Act; ``(ii) 2 members who are not affiliated with the same political party, shall be appointed for terms ending on the date that is 4 years after the date of the enactment of the U.S. Agency for Global Media Reform Act; and ``(iii) 2 members who are not affiliated with the same political party, shall be appointed for terms ending on the date that is 6 years after the date of the enactment of the U.S. Agency for Global Media Reform Act. ``(B) Secretary of state.--The Secretary of State shall serve as a member of the Advisory Board for the duration of his or her tenure as Secretary of State. ``(5) Vacancies.-- ``(A) In general.--The President shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, additional members to fill vacancies on the Advisory Board occurring before the expiration of a term. ``(B) Term.--Any members appointed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall serve for the remainder of such term. ``(C) Service beyond term.--Any member whose term has expired shall continue to serve as a member of the Advisory Board until a qualified successor has been appointed and confirmed by the Senate. ``(D) Secretary of state.--When there is a vacancy in the office of Secretary of State, the Acting Secretary of State shall serve as a member of the Advisory Board until a new Secretary of State is appointed.''; (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c); (3) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated-- (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``Advisory'' before ``Board''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``who are'' before ``distinguished''; and (4) by striking subsections (e) and (f) and inserting the following new subsections: ``(d) Functions of the Advisory Board.--The members of the Advisory Board shall-- ``(1) provide the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media with advice and recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency and its programming; ``(2) meet with the Chief Executive Officer at least 4 times annually, including twice in person as practicable, and at additional meetings at the request of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chair of the Advisory Board; ``(3) report periodically, or upon request, to the congressional committees specified in subsection (c)(2) regarding its advice and recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the United States Agency for Global Media and its programming; ``(4) obtain information from the Chief Executive Officer, as needed, for the purposes of fulfilling the functions described in this subsection; ``(5) consult with the Chief Executive Officer regarding budget submissions and strategic plans before they are submitted to the Office of Management and Budget or to Congress; ``(6) advise the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that-- ``(A) the Chief Executive Officer fully respects the professional integrity and editorial independence of United States Agency for Global Media broadcasters, networks, and grantees; and ``(B) agency networks, broadcasters, and grantees adhere to the highest professional standards and ethics of journalism, including taking necessary actions to uphold professional standards to produce consistently reliable and authoritative, accurate, objective, and comprehensive news and information; and ``(7) provide other strategic input to the Chief Executive Officer. ``(e) Appointment of Heads of Networks.-- ``(1) In general.--The heads of Voice of America, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, the Open Technology Fund, or of any other grantee authorized under this title may only be appointed or removed if such action has been approved by a majority vote of the Advisory Board. ``(2) Removal.--After consulting with the Chief Executive Officer, 5 or more members of the Advisory Board may unilaterally remove any such head of network or grantee network described in paragraph (1). ``(3) Quorum.-- ``(A) In general.--A quorum shall consist of 4 members of the Advisory Board (excluding the Secretary of State). ``(B) Decisions.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), decisions of the Advisory Board shall be made by majority vote, a quorum being present. ``(C) Closed sessions.--The Advisory Board may meet in closed sessions in accordance with section 552b of title 5, United States Code.''. (e) Conforming Amendments.--The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.) is amended-- (1) in section 304-- (A) in the section heading, by striking ``broadcasting board of governors'' and inserting ``united states agency for global media''; (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United States Agency for Global Media''; (C) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United States Agency for Global Media''; and (D) in subsection (c), by striking ``Board'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Agency''; (2) in section 305-- (A) in subsection (a)-- (i) in paragraph (6), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (ii) in paragraph (13), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (iii) in paragraph (20), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; and (iv) in paragraph (22), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``Board'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Agency''; (3) in section 308-- (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``Board'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Agency''; (C) in subsection (d), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (D) in subsection (g), by striking ``Board'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Agency''; (E) in subsection (h)(5), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; and (F) in subsection (i), in the first sentence, by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (4) in section 309-- (A) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``Board'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Agency''; (B) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (C) in subsection (f), by striking ``Board'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Agency''; and (D) in subsection (g), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (5) in section 310(d), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (6) in section 310A(a), by striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United States Agency for Global Media''; (7) in section 310B, by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (8) by striking section 312; (9) in section 313(a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''; (10) in section 314-- (A) by striking ``(4) the terms `Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Board' means the Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting the following: ``(2) the terms `Agency' and `Chief Executive Officer of the Agency' mean the United States Agency for Global Media and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media, respectively,''; and (B) in paragraph (3)-- (i) by striking ``includes--'' and inserting ``means the corporation having the corporate title described in section 308''; and (ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B); and (11) in section 316-- (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United States Agency for Global Media''; and (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United States Agency for Global Media''. (f) Rulemaking.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United States Agency for Global Media may not revise part 531 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, which took effect on June 11, 2020, without explicit authorization by an Act of Congress. (g) Savings Provisions.--Section 310 of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6209) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections: ``(f) Maintenance of Proprietary Information.--No consolidation of grantees authorized under subsection (a) involving any grantee shall result in any legal transfer of ownership of any proprietary information or intellectual property to the United State Agency for Global Media or any other Federal entity. ``(g) Rule of Construction.--No consolidation of grantees authorized under subsection (a) shall result in the consolidation of the Open Technology Fund or any successor entity with any other grantee.''. (h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 or any other provision of law may be construed to make the Open Technology Fund an entity authorized under such Act until the effective date of legislation authorizing the establishment of the Open Technology Fund. ______ SA 2490. Mr. ROUNDS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to [[Page S4431]] amendment SA 2301 proposed by Mr. Inhofe to the bill S. 4049, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 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, insert the following: SEC. 1242. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON INCREASED ROTATIONAL DEPLOYMENTS TO GREECE AND ENHANCEMENT OF UNITED STATES-GREECE DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT. (a) Feasibility Study.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study on the feasibility of increased rotational deployments of members of the Armed Forces to Greece, including to Souda Bay, Alexandroupoli, Larissa, Volos, and Stefanovikeio. (2) Element.--The study required by paragraph (1) shall include an evaluation of any infrastructure investment necessary to support such increased rotational deployments. (3) Report to congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the study required by paragraph (1) that includes the estimated costs associated with such increased rotational deployments. (b) Diplomatic Engagement.--The Secretary of State is encouraged to pursue persistent United States diplomatic engagement with respect to the Greece-Cyprus-Israel and Greece-Cyprus-Egypt trilateral agreements beyond the occasional participation of United States diplomats in the regular summits of the countries party to such agreements. ____________________
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