Defence

Responsible DOD Leasing Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

Responsible DOD Leasing Act of 2018 This bill prohibits a military department from entering into a lease of real property unless it first certifies that facilities in property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DOD) cannot be reconfigured to support the purpose of the proposed lease in an appropriate and cost-effective manner. DOD and the Government Accountability Office must provide information and reports on such leases.

Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act This bill makes veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any mental illness through the Department of Veterans Affairs, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the mental illness is attributable to such service.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from requiring a surviving spouse of a veteran to return certain payments for a month in which the veteran dies.

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring a veteran's surviving spouse to return payments of dependent's compensation or of a pension as a married veteran for the month in which the veteran dies.

To make technical amendments to update statutory references to provisions classified to chapters 44, 45, 46, and 47 of title 50, United States Code.

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

This bill makes technical amendments to statutory references in specified chapters of title 50 (War and National Defense) of the U.S. Code.

Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2018

Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide child care assistance to veterans: (1) who are receiving certain training or vocational rehabilitation, (2) who are the primary caretaker of a child or children, and (3) whose family's adjusted gross income does not exceed certain limits.

[H.A.S.C. No. 115-85] HEARING ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 March 2018

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM, STRATEGIC FORCES

United States · United States Senate · 14 March 2018

Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2018

Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish to former members of the Armed Forces or the reserve components: (1) an initial mental health assessment; and (2) the mental health care services required to treat the member's urgent mental health care needs, including risk of suicide or harming others. A former member of the Armed Forces is an individual who: served in the active military, naval, or air service, was discharged or released under a condition that is not honorable (except a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge), has applied for a character of service determination that has not yet been made, and is not otherwise eligible to enroll in the VA health care system by reason of such discharge or release; or while serving in the Armed Forces, was deployed in a theater of combat operations or an area at a time during which hostilities occurred in that area, participated in or experienced such combat operations or hostilities, or was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment. The VA may provide such mental health care services at a non-VA facility under specifed circumstances.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 13 March 2018

[ERRATA] DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 13 March 2018

National Women Veterans Recognition Week Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018

National Women Veterans Recognition Week Resolution Supports the designation of National Women Veterans Recognition Week.

Support Our Military Spouses Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2018

Support Our Military Spouses Act This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to permit the spouse of a servicemember to elect to use the same residence as the servicemember for purposes of taxation and voting, regardless of the date on which the marriage of the spouse and the servicemember occurred.

CERTIFY Heroes Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2018

Credentialing, Educating, and Relevant Training Initiative For Your Heroes Act or the CERTIFY Heroes Act This bill allows tuition assistance provided under the Department of Defense's educational assistance program to be used for licensing and certification programs offered by entities other than institutions of higher education.

VA Medical Center Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2018

VA Medical Center Improvement Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require each director of a VA medical facility to submit a plan to improve such facility in such a fashion as would result in the facility obtaining a VA five-star rating.

Veterans Affairs Purchase Card Misuse Mitigation Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

Veterans Affairs Purchase Card Misuse Mitigation Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prohibit employees who have knowingly misused VA purchase cards from serving as purchase card holders or approving officials. Such prohibition shall be in addition to any other applicable penalty.

To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to ensure that politically derived information is not used in an application to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for an order under title I or III of such Act.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

This bill amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to require an application under FISA for electronic surveillance or a physical search to include a certification by a designated executive branch official that none of the facts or circumstances included in the application's statement of facts were solely produced by, derived from, or collected using funds of, a political organization for the purpose of gaining an advantage against an opposing political candidate.

Korean War Combat Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

Korean War Combat Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the Korean War combat veterans, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Korean War. The medal shall be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, which is urged to make the medal available for display at other locations associated with the Korean War combat veterans.

First Amendment Defense Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2018

First Amendment Defense Act This bill prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person speaks or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that: (1) marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman or two individuals as recognized under federal law, or (2) sexual relations outside marriage are improper. The bill defines "person" as any person regardless of religious affiliation, except publicly traded for-profit entities; federal employees acting within the scope of their employment; federal for-profit contractors acting within the scope of their contract; or hospitals and other health care entities with respect to visitation, recognition of a designated representative for health care decisions, or refusal to provide medical treatment necessary to cure an illness or injury.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2019

United States · United States House of Representatives · 7 March 2018

Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018

Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2018 This bill provides statutory authority for the Boots to Business program, which provides entrepreneurship training to individuals including veterans and active members of the Armed Forces, to be administered by the Small Business Administration.

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds for specified educational purposes. Children of active duty service members who reside in a local education agency that receives payments under the Impact Aid Program or who reside within the boundaries of a federal military installation are eligible to receive funds.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish Alzheimer's Disease research, education, and clinical centers.

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate and operate centers of Alzheimer's disease research, education, and clinical activities in at least three VA health care facilities.

Military Education Savings Account Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018

Military Education Savings Account Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds for specified educational purposes. Children of active duty service members who reside in a local education agency that receives payments under the Impact Aid Program are eligible to receive funds.

PACED Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2018

Preserving Access to Cost Effective Drugs Act or the PACED Act This bill prohibits patent owners from asserting tribal sovereign immunity as a defense in certain proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including patent validity challenge proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The prohibition also applies to court actions and proceedings before the International Trade Commission. Sovereign immunity for foreign states shall apply in the PTAB as it applies in federal court.

Lisa Porter, of Virginia, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense. (New Position)

United States · United States Senate · 6 March 2018

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM.

United States · United States Senate · 6 March 2018

A resolution honoring the 25th anniversary of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2018

Recognizes that the National Guard Youth Challenge Program has been successfully helping at-risk youth for 25 years and commends the accomplishments of all of the graduates of such program.

Encouraging Veteran Employment Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2018

Encouraging Veteran Employment Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to give preferential selection for DOD contracts to businesses that employ veterans based on the percentage of full-time employees who are veterans. A business that intentionally misrepresents the veteran status of its employees in a bid may be suspended or debarred from contract competition for at least five years.

United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2018

United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends security assistance to Israel. Specifically, it extends: foreign military financing assistance to Israel through FY2028, loan guarantees through FY2023, and authority for the war reserves stockpile through FY2023. The President may: enter into a cooperative agreement with Israel for research and joint production of anti-drone defense articles; conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding which precision guided munitions Israel needs in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah, Hamas, or other groups; and transfer precision guided munitions and defense articles to such stockpile. The bill directs the Department of Defense to provide for the rapid acquisition and deployment of precision guided munitions for U.S. counterterrorism missions or to assist an ally under missile threat from a terrorist organization or a country that supports international terrorism. The President shall report to Congress describing the steps taken to include Israel in the list of countries eligible for the strategic trade authorization exception. Such exception allows a controlled item to be exported without a transaction-specific license. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The bill also requires the periodic reports on Israel's qualitative military edge to include information about Israel's ability to defend itself from regional state and non-state actors and from drone, cyber, and asymmetric threats.

Medal of Honor Surviving Spouses Recognition Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018

Medal of Honor Surviving Spouses Recognition Act of 2018 This bill requires the payment of a Medal of Honor special pension to the surviving spouse of a deceased Medal of Honor recipient if that person was married to the recipient for: (1) at least one year prior to the veteran's death; or (2) any period of time if a child was born of the marriage, or was born to them before the marriage. The special pension for a living Medal of Honor recipient is increased to $1329.58 per month.

United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018

United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 This bill extends Military Financing Program grants for Israel through FY2023. The Department of Defense shall conduct a joint assessment with Israel regarding: (1) precision guided munitions needed by Israel in a sustained armed confrontation with Hezbollah and other armed groups and terrorist organizations, and (2) related U.S. assistance and resupply planning. The President may utilize the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to transfer precision guided munitions and related defense articles and services to reserve stocks for Israel. Authorities for loan guarantees and the war reserves stockpile for Israel are extended through FY2023. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish a seven-year grant program with Israel to support: (1) cybersecurity research and development, and (2) commercialization of cybersecurity technology. The U.S. Agency for International Development may enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel to advance common goals on energy, agriculture and food security, democracy, economic growth, education, and health. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives. The President may enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to carry out research and joint production of defense articles and services to detect and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) that threaten the United States or Israel. The bill states that it is U.S. policy to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations to carry out positive psychology reconditioning programs for veterans.

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations to carry out positive psychology reconditioning programs for veterans. The VA may not require a grant recipient to maintain records on participating veterans or to report any personally identifying information to the VA.

Military Hunger Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2018

Military Hunger Prevention Act This bill excludes the value of a housing allowance for a member of a uniformed service from any income, assets, or resources calculation for determining eligibility for any federal program issuing benefits for nutrition assistance (including the family subsistence supplemental allowance program).

A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2018

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Yemen, except those engaged in operations directed at Al Qaeda, within 30 days unless: (1) the President requests and Congress authorizes a later date, or (2) a declaration of war or specific authorization for the use of the Armed Forces has been enacted.

VICTOR Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2018

Veterans Increased Choice for Transplanted Organs and Recovery Act of 2018 or the VICTOR Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish organ transplant (including bone marrow transplant) care at eligible non-VA facilities to electing veterans who are enrolled in the VA medical care system and who received VA hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care within the 24-month period preceding such transplant care. The VA shall enter into provider payment agreements with non-VA facilities for such care in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (regional VA health care administrative areas). The VA shall not pay a veteran's travel and lodging costs outside the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network region in which the veteran resides unless the VA authorizes such outside care. (The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network is a public-private partnership that links all professionals and donors involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system.)

Charles P. Verdon, of California, to be Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, vice Donald L. Cook, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 27 February 2018

[H.A.S.C. No. 115-74] Terrorism and Iran: Defense Challenges in the Middle East

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 February 2018

Ensuring Veterans Access to Military Fitness Facilities Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

Ensuring Veterans Access to Military Fitness Facilities Act of 2018 This bill authorizes a military department to grant veterans access to a fitness center that is under its jurisdiction and operated by a geographically separated unit that is at least 100 miles from such unit's supporting base. Veterans currently only have access to on-base fitness centers.

Deterring and Defeating Rocket and Missile Threats to Israel Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

Deterring and Defeating Rocket and Missile Threats to Israel Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the President to provide assistance to Israel, under jointly agreed-upon exceptional circumstances, for procurement of missile defense systems (including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems) and missile defense development.

Military Spouse Employment Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

Military Spouse Employment Act of 2018 This bill expands authorities, programs, services, and benefits for military spouses and their families. Specifically, the bill: expands the authority for noncompetitive appointments of military spouses by federal agencies to include spouses of active duty military personnel or disabled or deceased personnel, requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that military spouses are aware of the My Career Advancement Account program and their eligibility to participate in it, facilitates child care services for military families, expands the period of availability of the Military OneSource Program for retired and discharged members of the Armed Forces and their immediate families, and provides transition assistance for military spouses. DOD must report to Congress on: methods to increase its participation in defense contracts that provide employment for military spouses; public-private partnerships to support and enhance the health, safety, welfare, and morale of military families; small businesses activities of military spouses on military installations; and an assessment of the effects of frequent changes of duty stations on employment stability of military spouses.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to remove the prohibition on eligibility for TRICARE Reserve Select of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are eligible to enroll in a health benefits plan under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code.

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

This bill removes the prohibition on TRICARE Standard eligibility for members of the Selected Reserve of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who are enrolled or eligible to enroll in the federal health benefits program.

Three-Year Border and DACA Extension Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

Three-Year Border and DACA Extension Act This bill: (1) authorizes funding in FY2018-FY2020 for improving border security; (2) establishes a Border Security Enforcement Fund to provide for border security-related costs; and (3) requires transfers from the fund to construct, replace, or plan physical barriers along the border. The bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to grant three-year (beginning after the enactment of this bill) provisional protected presence and employment authorization to an alien who: (1) was born after June 15, 1981, entered the United States before age 16, and has continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007; (2) was physically but unlawfully present in the United States on June 15, 2012; (3) has met certain educational requirements or has been honorably discharged from military service; (4) has not been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors; and (5) does not pose a threat to national security or public safety. An alien who is in the deferred action for childhood arrivals program (DACA) is deemed to have protected presence through the expiration date of his or her deferred action status.

United States-Israel Joint Drone Detection Cooperation Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

United States-Israel Joint Drone Detection Cooperation Act This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) joint research and development to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) will serve the national security interests of the United States and Israel, (2) Israel faces urgent and emerging threats from unmanned aerial vehicles, and (3) the United States and Israel should continue to work together to defend against all threats to their safety and national interests. The President may enter into a cooperative project agreement with Israel to carry out research and development and joint production of defense articles and services to detect, track, and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles.

Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a work opportunity tax credit for hiring a qualified military spouse. A "qualified military spouse" is the spouse or domestic partner (as recognized under state law or by the Armed Forces) of a member of the Armed Forces. The bill also requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security (with respect to the Coast Guard) to implement flexible spending arrangements that permit members of the Armed Forces to use basic pay and compensation to pay for childcare services for their dependent children on a pre-tax basis.

Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2018

Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act of 2018 This bill states that it is U.S. policy to: (1) reaffirm the United States-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership, which highlights the bilateral relationship's importance and outlines enhanced cooperation in defense, security, economics and trade, energy security, democracy, and cultural exchanges; (2) support continued cooperation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine; (3) support Ukraine's political and economic reforms; (4) reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances; (5) assist Ukraine's efforts to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities; and (6) improve Ukraine's ability to respond to Russian-supported disinformation and propaganda efforts in cyberspace, including through social media. It is the sense of Congress that the Department of State should take the following actions, commensurate with U.S. interests, to help Ukraine improve its cybersecurity: (1) provide Ukraine necessary support to secure government computer networks from cyber intrusions, particularly networks that defend critical infrastructure; (2) provide Ukraine support to reduce reliance on Russian information and communications technology; and (3) help Ukraine build capacity, expand cybersecurity information sharing, and cooperate on international cyberspace efforts. The State Department shall report to Congress on the status of U.S.-Ukraine cybersecurity cooperation.

Raise the Age Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018

Raise the Age Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for a licensed gun dealer, importer, manufacturer, or collector to sell or deliver a semiautomatic center-fire rifle that has the capacity to accept more than five rounds to an individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under age 21. The prohibition does not apply if the individual under age 21 is a full-time law enforcement officer or active-duty member of the Armed Forces. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation must report to Congress on the operation of its public access line, including the protocols and procedures with respect to information sharing.

No MAGA Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018

No More Atrocities with Guns Act or the No MAGA Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit, with respect to a semiautomatic assault weapon, the following: sale or delivery by a licensed gun dealer, importer, manufacturer, or collector to an individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under age 21; transfer by a private party to an individual under age 21; and possession or ownership by an individual under age 21. The prohibitions do not apply if the individual under age 21 is a law enforcement officer or active-duty member of the Armed Forces.

Expanding Wounded in Action Notification Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018

Expanding Wounded in Action Notification Act This bill revises the notification requirement to Congress of the evacuation from a theater of combat and hospitalization of any member of the Armed Forces. Current law requires such notification only when a seriously wounded service member is transferred to a military hospital within the United States. This bill would expand the requirement to include hospitalizations in any military treatment facility, not just facilities in the United States.

PAVE Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018

Providing Accountability for Veterans Affairs Executives Act of 2018 or the PAVE Act of 2018 This bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other specified officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as a condition of office and employment and for the duration of their terms, to receive hospital care and nonemergency medical services solely from the VA.

Veterans Cancer Treatment Flexibility Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2018

Veterans Cancer Treatment Flexibility Act of 2018 This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to permit a veteran who has been diagnosed with cancer and lives more than 40 miles from the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility that offers cancer treatment to receive treatment at a non-VA medical facility.