Defence

OFFICER PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND THE DEFENSE OFFICER PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1980

United States · United States Senate · 24 January 2018

Supporting Veteran Families Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2018

Supporting Veteran Families Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a pilot program with community partners to assess the feasibility of providing intensive community care coordination and supportive services to veteran families who lack adequate access to VA services or to services provided by federal, state, or local government.

A resolution recognizing the importance of paying tribute to those individuals who have faithfully served and retired from the Armed Forces of the United States, designating April 18, 2018, as "Military Retiree Appreciation Day", and encouraging the people of the United States to honor the past and continued service of military retirees to their local communities and the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2018

Designates April 18, 2018, as Military Retiree Appreciation Day.

A resolution urging the Governments of Burma and Bangladesh to ensure the safe, dignified, voluntary, and sustainable return of the Rohingya refugees who have been displaced by the campaign of ethnic cleansing conducted by the Burmese military.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2018

Condemns: (1) the violence and displacement inflicted on Burma's (Myanmar's) Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, and (2) the attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army militant group. Calls for an immediate halt to all hostilities by Burmese authorities. Calls on: the government of Burma to allow full access to Rakhine State and to ensure the full participation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and that the voices of refugees are represented, the UNHCR and international nongovernmental organizations to play a role in monitoring repatriation efforts by the governments of Bangladesh and Burma, and the United Nations to consider the feasibility of Bangladesh's proposal for a safe zone or for a peacekeeping mission to protect vulnerable communities under international supervision. Commends: (1) the positive role of the government of Bangladesh in receiving Rohingya refugees and urges that government to continue allowing the full participation of the UNHCR and human rights organizations in accessing refugee camps, and (2) the Bangladesh's efforts to provide shelter and relief for such refugees. Calls for any return of Rohingya to include specified guarantees. Recognizes that any forced relocation of Rohingya refugees into areas not of their choosing is unacceptable. Calls on the government of Burma to: allow for a flexible and practical approach to dealing with evidence of Rohingya residence in Burma; address root causes consistent with the Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations and fully implement such recommendations; address the issue of statelessness for the Rohingya, the deprivation of rights, and institutionalized and pervasive discrimination; and release journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Calls on the government of Bangladesh to ensure that all refugees have freedom of movement and are not subject to unsafe, involuntary, precipitous, or uninformed returns to Burma.

John H. Gibson II, of Texas, to be Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense. (New Position)

United States · United States Senate · 22 January 2018

End The Shutdown Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2018

End The Shutdown Act of 2018 This bill amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 to extend the expiration date of the FY2018 Continuing Resolution (CR) from January 19, 2018, to January 26, 2018. The bill provides continuing appropriations for federal agencies through the earlier of January 26, 2018, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations legislation. It ends the government shutdown that began when the existing CR expired because none of the 12 FY2018 regular appropriations bills that fund the federal government have been enacted. The bill also provides funding flexibility or additional funding for specified accounts within the Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

End The Shutdown Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2018

End The Shutdown Act of 2018 This bill amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 to extend the expiration date of the FY2018 Continuing Resolution (CR) from January 19, 2018, to January 23, 2018. The bill provides continuing appropriations for federal agencies through the earlier of January 23, 2018, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations legislation. It ends the government shutdown that began when the existing CR expired because none of the 12 FY2018 regular appropriations bills that fund the federal government have been enacted. The bill also provides funding flexibility or additional funding for specified accounts within the Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Pay Our Military Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2018

Pay Our Military Act of 2018 This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for military pay and death benefits during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2018 are not in effect. In the event of a government shutdown, the bill provides continuing appropriations for: pay and allowances to members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service (including drill) during the period; payments of death benefits for individuals who die during the period; and pay and allowances to civilian personnel or contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to members of the Armed Forces and payments in connection with death benefits. The appropriations provided by this bill are available until the earlier of: (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) September 30, 2018.

Pay Our Military Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018

Pay Our Military Act of 2018 This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for military pay and death benefits during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2018 are not in effect. In the event of a government shutdown, the bill provides continuing appropriations for: pay and allowances to members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service (including drill) during the period; payments of death benefits for individuals who die during the period; and pay and allowances to civilian personnel or contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to members of the Armed Forces and payments in connection with death benefits. The appropriations provided by this bill are available until the earlier of: (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) September 30, 2018.

Pay Our Protectors Not Our Politicians Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018

Pay Our Protectors Not Our Politicians Act of 2018 This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for military pay during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2018 are not in effect. The appropriations provided by this bill are available until the earlier of: (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2019. The bill provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances of: members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service; members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training; civilian personnel or contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to members of the Armed Forces; and DHS employees who are performing national security activities. It also provides continuing appropriations for payments related to: death gratuities, funeral and burial expenses, authorized funeral travel and travel related to the dignified transfer of remains and unit memorial services, and the temporary continuation of a basic allowance of housing for dependents of members dying on active duty. The bill also prohibits Members of Congress from being paid when a government shutdown is in effect during the 116th and succeeding Congresses. During the 115th Congress, congressional pay must be withheld during a government shutdown and released at the end of the Congress.

Pay Our Military Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018

Pay Our Military Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2018 This joint resolution provides FY2018 continuing appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military pay, death gratuities, and related benefits for survivors of deceased members of the military. The funding is available until the earlier of September 30, 2018, or the enactment of specified appropriations legislation. The joint resolution provides continuing appropriations for: the payment of a death gratuity, the payment or reimbursement of funeral and burial expenses, the payment or reimbursement of authorized funeral travel and travel related to the dignified transfer of remains and unit memorial services, and the temporary continuation of a basic allowance of housing for dependents of members dying on active duty. It also provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances of: (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period for which the funds are available; and (2) civilian personnel or contractors of DOD (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to members of the Armed Forces.

Expressing the sense of Congress on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of independence of Czechoslovakia, the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2018

Recognizes: (1) the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of independence of Czechoslovakia, as well as the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic; and (2) the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic in common defense, the enduring commitment to a free and unified Europe, and an expanding and deepening economic prosperity under the rule of law. Commends the peoples of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic for their achievements over the past 25 years in building free, democratic, and prosperous societies. Expresses appreciation for the contributions of such republics as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union to the promotion and defense of common values of freedom, democracy, and liberty and for their support in the fight against violent extremism. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and close cooperation with such republics.

James N. Stewart, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Todd A. Weiler.

United States · United States Senate · 18 January 2018

SIT-REP Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018

Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act or the SIT-REP Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require educational institutions, in order to be eligible for educational payments, to adopt policies that prohibit penalizing student veterans for late VA assistance payments. Such policies shall: (1) permit a veteran who provides the institution with a certificate of VA assistance eligibility to attend courses for a period without VA payment; and (2) ensure that the educational institution will not impose penalties such as late fees, course denial, or requiring an individual to borrow additional funds because of delayed VA payments.

Job TOOLS for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018

Job Training through Off-Base Opportunities and Local Support for Veterans Act or the Job TOOLS for Veterans Act This bill amends the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 to extend and expand the pilot program to provide transition training to veterans and their spouses off base.

Iran Freedom Policy and Sanctions Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018

Iran Freedom Policy and Sanctions Act This bill sets forth requirements concerning the imposition of sanctions against entities owned or controlled by the Armed Forces of Iran, the reinstatement of certain sanctions that were suspended pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and the expansion or extension of sanctions with respect to Iran's ballistic missile program.

To modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that if it creates a presumption of service connection between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to a herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era at a military base in Thailand, such presumption shall also apply to exposure to a herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era at any military base in Thailand without regard to where on the base the veteran was located or what military job specialty the veteran performed. The VA may provide to any spina bifida-affected child of a veteran who served on active duty in Thailand beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, and who was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service, the same health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a similarly affected child of a Vietnam veteran.

No Unconstitutional Strike against North Korea Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018

No Unconstitutional Strike against North Korea Act This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a conflict on the Korean peninsula would have catastrophic consequences; (2) actions and statements that increase tensions between the United States and North Korea should be avoided; and (3) the President should engage in talks with North Korea to reduce tensions and improve communication, initiate negotiations to achieve a diplomatic agreement to halt and eventually reverse North Korea's nuclear pursuits, and move toward denuclearization and a permanent peace in the Korean peninsula. Funds available to the Department of Defense or to any other federal department or agency may not be used to launch a military strike against North Korea or otherwise introduce U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities in North Korea before the earlier of: (1) the date on which Congress declares war on North Korea, or (2) the date of an authorization that meets the requirements of the War Powers Resolution and that is enacted after the enactment of this bill. Such prohibition shall not apply to military force used to: (1) repel a sudden attack on the United States, its territories or possessions, its Armed Forces, or its allies; or (2) rescue or remove U. S. personnel.

A bill making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits and services in the event of a Government shutdown, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2018

This bill appropriates for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2018 are not in effect such sums as are necessary to administer and provide benefits and services to veterans, dependents, and survivors under specified veterans' benefits laws, including those concerning: compensation for service-connected disability or death, dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, pension for non-service-connected disability or death or for service, benefits for children of certain veterans, specially adapted housing for disabled veterans, burial benefits, certain educational assistance programs, training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and automobiles and adaptive equipment for certain disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Such funds shall be available until the earliest of: (1) enactment of an appropriation for any such purpose, (2) enactment of the applicable regular or continuing appropriations resolution or other bill without any appropriation for such purpose, or (3) January 1, 2019.

21st Century Buy American Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2018

21st Century Buy American Act This bill modifies the requirements for federal agencies to grant exceptions and waivers to Buy American requirements. The bill also (1) requires the General Services Administration to establish a public website with details regarding waivers and exceptions that have been requested, are under consideration, or have been granted by agencies; (2) increases the domestic content percentage requirement to 60%; and (3) authorizes the Department of Defense to establish a program to make or guarantee loans under the Defense Production Act to certain domestic manufacturers.

Pay Our Troops Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2018

Pay Our Troops Act of 2018 This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for military pay and allowances during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2018 are not in effect. In the event of a government shutdown, the bill provides continuing appropriations for pay and allowances of: members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during the period; and civilian personnel or contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) that are providing support to members of the Armed Forces. The appropriations provided by this bill are available until the earlier of: (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2019.

Directing the Secretary of the Senate to make a correction in the enrollment of the bill S. 139.

United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2018

Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a correction in the enrollment of S. 139 to amend the title.

Veterans Deserve Better Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2018

Veterans Deserve Better Act This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to require: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for hospital care or medical services furnished by a non-VA health care entity or provider under the Veterans Choice Program within 45 days of receipt of a paper claim or within 30 days of receipt of an electronic claim, and (2) the entity or provider to file a claim with the VA within 180 days of providing the service. The VA shall bar providers or entities that file fraudulent health claims from program participation. The VA shall: (1) ensure that contracts with third party administrators require that veterans' health care appointments be scheduled within five days, and (2) track all appointments and follow up on delayed appointments.

Protecting Veterans from Predatory Lending Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2018

Protecting Veterans from Predatory Lending Act of 2018 The bill establishes mortgage loan protections for veterans. A refinanced home loan may not be guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) unless: (1) a specified minimum time period has passed between the original loan and the refinancing; and (2) the lender complies with provisions related to fee recoupment, mortgage interest rates, and net tangible benefit tests. The National Housing Act is amended to prohibit the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) from guaranteeing a new refinanced VA loan until the later of: (1) 210 days after the first loan payment, or (2) the sixth monthly loan payment.

SERVE Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2018

Securing Electronic Records for Veterans' Ease Act of 2017 or the SERVE Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) furnish individuals receiving Post-9/11 educational assistance with documentation verifying the amount of the recipient's monthly housing stipend, and (2) make such documentation available using an Internet website in the same manner that the VA provides individuals with documentation verifying other compensation and benefits.

Paul C. Ney, Jr., of Tennessee, to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense, vice Jennifer M. O'Connor.

United States · United States Senate · 10 January 2018

[H.A.S.C. No. 115-64] Department of Defense Update on the Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation Plan

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 January 2018

Prevent Crime and Terrorism Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2018

Prevent Crime and Terrorism Act of 2018 This bill amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the President from removing any of the following items under category I, II, or III (firearms, armament, ammunition) of the United States Munitions List in order to transfer them to the Commerce Control List: (1) significant military equipment or their components, parts, or accessories; (2) flame throwers designed or modified for military application; or (3) devices for launching or delivering ordnance. Such items are currently under Department of State jurisdiction.

Financial Technology Innovation and Defense Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2018

Financial Technology Innovation and Defense Act This bill provides for the investigation of new financial technologies (e.g., digital currencies) and their use in terrorism and other illicit activities. Specifically, the bill: establishes the Independent Financial Technology Task Force, which must report annually on such matters; establishes the FinTech Leadership in Innovation Fund to support the development of tools and programs to detect such activity; and directs the Department of the Treasury to provide a reward for a person who provides information regarding terrorist use of digital currencies.

VET Protection Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2018

Veterans, Employees, and Taxpayers Protection Act of 2017 or the VET Protection Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to track the use of official time by VA employees without using estimates or time ranges. Official time is time granted to an employee under federal labor-management relations provisions to perform representational or consultative functions during which the employee would otherwise be in a duty status. The bill prohibits: (1) a VA employee from using official time to carry out political or lobbying activities; (2) specified health care employees, probationary employees, or employees above a certain salary level from using official time for any purpose; and (3) any VA employee from spending more than 25% of the time such employee would otherwise be in a duty status on official time. An exclusive bargaining agreement shall allow a VA employee to terminate a voluntary dues allotment at any time. A covered VA employee shall serve a two-year probationary period, after which the employee's supervisor shall determine within 90 days whether or not the appointment is permanent. A covered employee is any individual appointed to a permanent position within the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service and does not include specified health care practitioners.

Kevin Fahey, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Katharina G. McFarland.

United States · United States Senate · 8 January 2018

Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2018

Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act This bill states that the Department of Veterans Affairs may not prohibit the display of a Battlefield Cross in any national cemetery. "Battlefield Cross" means a memorial monument in honor of fallen members of the Armed Forces that may include a replica of an inverted rifle, boots, helmets, and identification tag.