Defence

World War I Valor Medals Review Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

World War I Valor Medals Review Act This bill requires review of the service records of certain decorated World War I veterans to determine whether they should be awarded the Medal of Honor for valor during that war. Specifically, the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Navy shall review the records of any African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Jewish American, or Native American war veteran who was recommended for review by a veterans service organization and who, for action that occurred between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918 was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross or the Navy Cross, was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm by the government of France, or was recommended for a Medal of Honor. If a review indicates that the award is warranted, a recommendation shall be made to the President to award the Medal of Honor to that veteran.

Recognizing the 44th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

This resolution recognizes the significance of the 44th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. The resolution honors the contributions of Vietnamese Americans and honors the service of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the South Vietnamese forces who fought in Vietnam, including those who gave their lives.

Directing the President to terminate the use of the United States Armed Forces with respect to the military intervention led by Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Yemen.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

This joint resolution directs the President to terminate the use of the Armed Forces in the Saudi Arabia-led military intervention in Yemen within 30 days, unless Congress enacts a declaration of war or specific authorization for such use of force.

Providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 336) to make improvements to certain defense and security assistance provisions and to authorize the appropriation of funds to Israel, to reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015, and to halt the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian people, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

This resolution sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 336 (Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019).

Reaffirming the unique collaboration among United States nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including faith-based organizations, and the Israel Defense Forces to deliver humanitarian assistance to Syrians.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

This resolution reaffirms the collaboration between U.S. nongovernmental organizations, including faith-based organizations, and Syrian nongovernmental organizations and the Israel Defense Forces in providing aid to internally displaced people and local residents in southern Syria.

Montgomery GI Bill Parity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

Montgomery GI Bill Parity Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the use of educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve or the Ready Reserve, at the member's election, for payment of tuition under the Department of Defense program of tuition assistance for voluntary off-duty training or education.

A bill to establish family and medical leave banks to provide paid leave for employees of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish family and medical leave banks for DOD employees. It requires the forfeited annual leave (i.e., the lost "use it or lose it" annual leave) of an employee to be credited to a family and medical leave bank for use by an eligible employee who experiences a personal or family medical emergency and has exhausted his or her available paid leave.

Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act of 2019 This bill authorizes spouses of military servicemembers to terminate leases of premises and motor vehicles in certain situations. Specifically, the bill allows the spouse of a servicemember lessee to terminate the leases within one year of the date on which the servicemember incurs a catastrophic injury or illness connected with their military service. The bill also allows the spouse of a servicemember lessee who died in military service to terminate a motor vehicle lease within one year of the death of the servicemember.

San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act This bill establishes the San Gabriel National Recreation Area in California as a unit of the National Park System, consisting of 51,107 acres of federal lands and interests in land. The Department of the Interior must (1) cooperate with the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop opportunities for the management of the federal lands under DOD jurisdiction that are included within the recreation area, (2) create a comprehensive management plan for the recreation area, and (3) develop an integrated visitor services plan for the recreation area. The bill establishes (1) the San Gabriel National Recreation Area Public Advisory Council to advise Interior on the development and implementation of the management plan and the visitor services plan, and (2) the San Gabriel National Recreation Area Partnership to coordinate activities of governmental and private entities in advancing the purposes of this bill and to improve management and recreational opportunities within the recreation area. The Department of Agriculture must modify the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California to include 109,143 acres of additional, identified National Forest System lands and administer those lands as part of the monument. The bill designates (1) specified areas as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and (2) specified river and creek segments as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

PFAS Registry Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

PFAS Registry Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry for current or past members of the Armed Forces who may have been exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances due to the environmental release of aqueous film-forming foam at a military installation or other Department of Defense location.

A resolution reaffirming the unique collaboration among United States nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including faith-based organizations, and the Israel Defense Forces to deliver humanitarian assistance to Syrians.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2019

This resolution reaffirms the collaboration between U.S. nongovernmental organizations, including faith-based organizations, and Syrian nongovernmental organizations and the Israel Defense Forces in providing aid to internally displaced people and local residents in southern Syria.

[H.A.S.C. No. 116-31]FISCAL YEAR 2020 PRIORITIES FOR ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE, NONPROLIFERATION, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

United States · United States House of Representatives · 9 April 2019

Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 This bill provides $17.2 billion in FY2019 supplemental appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for expenses related to the consequences of recent wildfires, hurricanes, volcanos, earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules. The bill includes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Government Accountability Office, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal, receipts derived from borrowing, and receipts or outlays of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds. The amendment requires the President to annually submit to Congress a budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. The amendment specifies exceptions to the requirements if a declaration of war is in effect, the United States is engaged in military conflict that causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security, economic growth is less than 0%, or the unemployment rate is more than 7%. The amendment prohibits a court from enforcing the requirements by ordering cuts to Social Security or Medicare payments unless the funds available to the trust fund for a program are not sufficient to cover the outlays that would occur during the year if the fund were fully solvent.

Reach Every Veteran in Crisis Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Reach Every Veteran in Crisis Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish measurable targets to evaluate the effectiveness of the VA's mental health and suicide prevention media outreach campaigns. The VA must also establish a process to oversee such outreach campaigns that includes a delineation of the roles of officials in leadership and contract oversight positions within the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Veterans Health Administration. Finally, the VA must ensure that each contract entered into for the development of such outreach campaigns includes a requirement that the contractor track and report on the established metrics.

Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from denying a veteran any VA benefit due to participation in a state-approved marijuana program. For veterans participating in these approved programs, the VA must ensure its health care providers (1) discuss marijuana use with such veterans and adjust treatment plans accordingly, and (2) record such use in the veterans' medical records. Under the bill, the VA shall authorize physicians and other VA health care providers to provide recommendations to veterans who are residents of states with approved programs.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that certain TRICARE beneficiaries who reside in Puerto Rico may enroll in TRICARE Prime, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

This bill requires the Department of Defense to ensure that TRICARE beneficiaries whose health benefits are provided under contract, other than certain Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, may enroll in the TRICARE Prime managed care option in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, beginning not later than January 1, 2021.

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the troops from the United States and the Philippines who defended Bataan and Corregidor, in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service during World War II. Following the award, the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The U.S. Mint may strike duplicates in bronze. Medals struck under this bill are considered numismatic items (coins).

Department of Defense Audit Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Department of Defense Audit Improvement Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements for semiannual briefings on the status of the consolidated corrective action plans of the Department of Defense for financial information. Specifically, the bill adds the following requirements for the briefings relating to findings and recommendations in connection with auditing of financial statements: details of modifications to a corrective action plan, identificaiton of processes and systems to implement the modifications, a determination of funds required to implement the processes and systems, and an identification of how the modified corrective action plan supports the National Defense Strategy.

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the troops from the United States and the Philippines who defended Bataan and Corregidor, in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service during World War II. Following the award, the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The U.S. Mint may strike duplicates in bronze. Medals struck under this bill are considered numismatic items (coins).

Dental Care for Low-Income Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019

Dental Care for Low-Income Veterans Act This bill expands eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient dental services and treatment to low-income veterans. Currently, only certain veterans, including those suffering from service-connected issues, are eligible for dental services through the VA.

Global Fragility Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019

Global Fragility Act This bill directs the Department of State to establish the interagency Global Fragility Initiative to stabilize conflict-affected areas and prevent violence globally, and establishes funds to support such efforts. The State Department shall devise a plan for the initiative, including its organizational structure and goals. The State Department shall lead in foreign policy, diplomatic, and political efforts. The U.S. Agency for International Development shall lead in development, humanitarian, and non-security policies. Other departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, shall provide support as necessary. The State Department shall select priority countries and regions that are particularly at risk, and report to Congress 10-year plans for each. Each plan shall include information including descriptions of goals, plans for reaching such goals, and benchmarks for measuring progress. The State Department shall report to Congress every two years about the initiative's progress. The Government Accountability Office shall consult Congress every two years about opportunities to assess the initiative and recommend improvements. The bill creates the Stabilization and Prevention Fund to support efforts to stabilize conflict-affected areas, including areas at risk from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or other terrorist organizations. The bill establishes the Complex Crises Fund to support programs to address emerging, unforeseen, or complex challenges abroad.

Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019

Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act This bill expands sanctions related to Iran's ballistic missile program and revises various related provisions. Current law requires the President to impose various financial, visa-blocking, and assistance sanctions on persons that knowingly facilitate the transfer of goods, services, or technology to Iran that would materially contribute to Iran's acquisition or development of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. The bill expands such sanctions to cover transfers that materially support Iran's efforts to acquire or develop ballistic missile technologies or certain advanced conventional weapons. The bill also establishes additional sanctions related to Iran's ballistic missile program, including with respect to a foreign person or instrumentality of a foreign state that provides material support for Iran's efforts to acquire certain missile-related goods, services, technologies or weapons. The President shall notify Congress upon receiving credible information about certain conventional weapons transfers to Iran, with a determination of whether the transaction is subject to sanctions. The bill expands existing visa-blocking sanctions related to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to cover additional parties, including (1) foreign persons that provide significant financial services to the IRGC, and (2) Iranian persons subject to certain executive orders related to Syria. Such sanctions are further expanded to include property-blocking sanctions. The bill imposes various reporting requirements, including requirements for (1) an analysis of supply chains supporting Iran's ballistic missile program, and (2) a determination of Iran's use of commercial passenger aircraft for illicit military activities.

United States-India Enhanced Cooperation Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019

United States-India Enhanced Cooperation Act of 2019 This bill adjusts India's status, for the purposes of various restrictions and requirements related to the transfer of defense articles and services, so that it is similar to the status of U.S. allies such as Australia and Japan. Under current law, the President must notify Congress of the proposed transfer of certain defense articles or services to another country, and Congress typically has 30 days to pass a joint resolution to block the transfer. The bill specifies that such transfers to India are subject to only a 15-day window for Congress to block the transfer. The bill also authorizes the President to (1) reduce or waive certain administrative and research costs related to the sale of defense articles or services to India; and (2) provide to India services related to the transfer of defense articles or services, such as quality inspection, without charge. The bill expands existing annual reporting requirements relating to the U.S.-India defense partnership to include a description of the progress made in implementing existing agreements between the two countries, including the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative.

BRAVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment Act or the BRAVE Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in awarding a contract for the procurement of goods or services, to give preference to offerors based on the percentage of the offeror's full-time employees who are veterans. The VA is also authorized to debar from VA contracting for at least five years any offeror determined to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented the veteran status of its employees. Such debarment shall include the debarment of all principals in the offeror for at least five years.

A concurrent resolution reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

This concurrent resolution affirms that the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances will remain cornerstones of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. It encourages increasing engagement between the United States and Taiwan and states that the President should conduct regular transfers of defense articles to Taiwan. (The United States made the Six Assurances to Taiwan in 1982, stating that it will not pressure Taiwan to negotiate with China and that it has not agreed to consult with China prior to any arms sales to Taiwan.)

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2021 This bill provides permanent resident status and citizenship eligibility to certain noncitizen veterans and addresses related issues. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish a program that allows (1) eligible noncitizen veterans outside of the United States to be admitted as permanent residents, and (2) eligible noncitizen veterans in the United States to obtain permanent resident status.  Generally, an eligible noncitizen veteran under this bill is one who was not removed from the United States for certain crimes related to violence or national security. DHS may waive these eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons. A noncitizen veteran who obtains permanent resident status under this bill shall be eligible for (1) naturalization through service in the Armed Forces, and (2) military and veterans benefits as if they had not been removed (or ordered removed) from the United States. For a noncitizen veteran in removal proceedings or subject to a final removal order, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must determine whether the veteran is eligible for permanent resident status under this bill. If the veteran is eligible, DOJ must adjust the veteran's status. The bill also protects noncitizen veterans or service members from being removed from the United States unless the veteran has been convicted of a crime of violence.

VET PFAS Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act or VET PFAS Act This bill requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished for specified conditions to veterans and reservists who were exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as PFAS) while serving on military installations. Family members of veterans and reservists who resided at these military installations are also eligible for hospital care and medical services under this bill. The bill also provides a presumption of service connection for veterans and reservists who were exposed to such substances. Under a presumption of service connection, specific conditions diagnosed in veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2019 This bill provides that a child shall be eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) until the child's 26th birthday, regardless of the child's marital status.

Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2019 This bill addresses the access of military personnel and dependents to contraception and family planning information. The bill revises coverage of women's health services under the TRICARE program to (1) prohibit the imposition of cost-sharing for care related to the prevention of pregnancy, whether provided through a facility of the uniformed services, the TRICARE retail pharmacy program, or the national mail-order pharmacy program; and (2) include all methods of contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration, contraceptive care, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. The Department of Defense (DOD) must furnish to sexual assault survivors at military medical facilities clear and comprehensible information about all methods of approved emergency contraception, notification of the survivor's right to confidentiality, and, upon request, emergency contraception or a prescription for emergency contraception. DOD shall also establish a uniform standard curriculum for use in programs of family planning education during the first year of a member's service, when a member is in training to assume command, and when an enlisted member becomes a senior enlisted member.

Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2019 This bill addresses the access of military personnel and dependents to contraception and family planning information. The bill revises coverage of women's health services under the TRICARE program to (1) prohibit the imposition of cost-sharing for care related to the prevention of pregnancy, whether provided through a facility of the uniformed services, the TRICARE retail pharmacy program, or the national mail-order pharmacy program; and (2) include all methods of contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration, contraceptive care, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. The Department of Defense (DOD) must furnish to sexual assault survivors at military medical facilities clear and comprehensible information about all methods of approved emergency contraception, notification of the survivor's right to confidentiality, and, upon request, emergency contraception or a prescription for emergency contraception. DOD shall also establish a uniform standard curriculum for use in programs of family planning education during the first year of a member's service, when a member is in training to assume command, and when an enlisted member becomes a senior enlisted member.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act of 2019 This bill creates an allowance for a deceased veteran's or deceased service member's surviving spouse who is receiving dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. DIC is a monthly payment made to survivors and dependents of (1) certain veterans, and (2) service members killed while on active military duty. The bill provides a formula for calculating the monthly rate of the allowance based on the DIC amount the spouse is entitled to receive. Payment amounts under the Survivor Benefit Plan shall not be affected by the implementation of the DIC allowance.

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019 This bill implements procedures relating to the legal permanent resident status of noncitizen veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a program that allows (1) eligible veterans outside of the United States to be admitted as aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and (2) eligible veterans in the United States to adjust their status to that of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. If noncitizen aliens obtain this status, they shall be eligible for naturalization through service in the Armed Forces. Additionally, they are eligible for military and veterans benefits as if they had not been ordered removed or removed from the United States. The bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reopen removal proceedings for noncitizen veterans who are subjects of final orders of removal, make a determination with respect to whether such noncitizen veterans are eligible veterans who may be lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and adjust the status of eligible veterans. A noncitizen veteran shall be eligible if DHS or DOJ determines the noncitizen veteran was not removed or ordered removed, and is not inadmissible or deportable, based on a conviction for a crime of violence or a crime that endangers national security for which the veteran has served at least five years in prison. DHS may waive eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons. The bill also protects noncitizen veterans or service members from being removed from the country unless the noncitizen has been convicted of a crime of violence.

I–VETS Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Immigrant Veterans Eligibility Tracking System Act or the I-VETS Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify aliens who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces, when such an alien applies for an immigration benefit or is placed in an immigration enforcement proceeding. Such information shall be reflected in DHS records, and shall not be used to remove an alien from the United States.

Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 This bill prohibits funds from being used for kinetic military operations against Iran unless Congress authorizes such an action, with various exceptions such as in response to an imminent threat. ("Kinetic military operations" typically refers to active military actions, in contrast to latent operations or cyberwarfare.)

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2019 This bill provides that a child shall be eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) until the child's 26th birthday, regardless of the child's marital status.

A joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal, receipts derived from borrowing, receipts or outlays of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, and outlays relating to a natural disaster if the law providing the funds explicitly exempts the funds from the requirement and is agreed to by a majority of each chamber of Congress. The amendment requires the President to annually submit to Congress a budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. The amendment specifies exceptions to the requirements if a declaration of war is in effect, the United States is engaged in military conflict that causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security, economic growth is less than 0%, or the unemployment rate is more than 7%. The amendment prohibits a court from enforcing the requirements by ordering cuts to Social Security or Medicare payments unless the funds available to the trust fund for a program are not sufficient to cover the outlays that would occur during the year if the fund were fully solvent.

[H.A.S.C. No. 116-25] NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 April 2019

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020

United States · United States Senate · 3 April 2019

[H.A.S.C. No. 116-27] HEARING ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 April 2019

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 3 April 2019

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Veterans' Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan Act of 2019 or the VET OPP Act This bill establishes the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration to administer economic opportunity assistance programs for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Specifically, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration must administer the following Department of Veterans Affairs programs: vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, educational assistance programs, veterans' housing loan and related programs, the Transition Assistance Program, and the database of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.

Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Defense to report to Congress on (1) the defense spending and military activities of certain countries with cooperative defense agreements with the United States, (2) whether a country places limits on the use of funds contributed to the common defense, and (3) any U.S. actions to minimize such limitations. The report shall cover each North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member state, each Gulf Cooperation Council member state, each country party to the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty), and other specified countries.

To recognize and honor the service of individuals who served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

This bill recognizes service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II as active military service. Individuals who served in the corps are eligible for specified honors and burial benefits but shall not be entitled by reason of such service to veterans' benefits generally.

Security Partner Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Security Partner Modernization Act This bill establishes allows the use of certain foreign assistance funds to provide training and support for foreign-government law-enforcement forces. However, such funds may not be used to (1) provide assistance otherwise prohibited, such as assistance for units that the Department of State believes have committed gross human-rights violations; (2) provide assistance that the State Department believes would aggravate or substantially contribute to corruption, human-rights violations, or suppression of dissent; or (3) support any foreign-government intelligence or surveillance program. Currently, such funds may not be used for such training and assistance, with various exceptions such as where the recipient country has a longstanding democratic tradition and does not have standing armed forces or a history of committing gross human-rights violations.

Ensuring a Secure Afghanistan Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Ensuring a Secure Afghanistan Act This bill prohibits funds made available to the Department of Defense for FY2019 from being used to reduce the number of U.S. Armed Forces members deployed in Afghanistan to below 10,000 unless the Office of the Director of National Intelligence certifies that Taliban leaders have (1) rejected Al Qaeda by name, (2) committed not to fight alongside or have any affiliation with Al Qaeda, and (3) agreed to various conditions such as committing to protecting the rights of women and girls and supporting the Afghan Constitution. The Department of State shall provide briefings to Congress every 30 days regarding any ongoing talks with the Afghan government or the Taliban and the effect of such talks on Armed Forces in Afghanistan.

Care for Veterans Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Care for Veterans Act of 2019 This bill requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished to veterans and reservists who were exposed to volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene and benzene, while serving at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. Family members of veterans and reservists who resided at Wurtsmith Air Force Base are also eligible for hospital care and medical services under this bill. The bill also provides a presumption of service connection for veterans and reservists who were exposed to volatile organic compounds while serving at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Under a presumption of service connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

VET PFAS Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act or VET PFAS Act This bill requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished for specified conditions to veterans and reservists who were exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as PFAS) while serving on military installations. Family members of veterans and reservists who resided at these military installations are also eligible for hospital care and medical services under this bill. The bill also provides a presumption of service connection for veterans and reservists who were exposed to such substances. Under a presumption of service connection, specific conditions diagnosed in veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

VET OPP Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

Veterans' Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan Act of 2019 or the VET OPP Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration to administer economic opportunity assistance programs for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Specifically, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration must administer the following Department of Veterans Affairs programs: vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, educational assistance programs, veterans' housing loan and related programs, the Transition Assistance Program, and the database of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.

United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019

United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2019 This bill recognizes service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II as active military service. Individuals who served in the corps are eligible for specified honors and burial benefits but shall not be entitled by reason of such service to veterans' benefits generally.