Defence

To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Joseph M. Perez for acts of valor while serving as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War.

United States · United States Congress · 8 August 2023

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Joseph M. Perez for his acts of valor on May 26, 1967, while serving in the Army during the Vietnam War. Joseph M. Perez was previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.

United States-Moldova Defense Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 August 2023

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to employ veterans in certain wildland firefighting activities.

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to ensure, under certain conditions, that members of the Armed Forces are automatically enrolled in benefits and services under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which such members are eligible.

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to provide stipends to certain members separating from the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement a pilot program to provide stipends to certain individuals who DOD determines will experience financial hardship during the first 120 days following separation from the Armed Forces. An individual must have separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions and served at least four years to be eligible for a stipend.

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a centralized database to record and maintain information relating to training performed by members of the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Further Strengthening Supply Chains for Servicemembers and Security Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Further Strengthening Supply Chains for Servicemembers and Security Act of 2023 This bill requires the Defense Logistics Agency to modify Defense Logistics Agency Instructions 5025.03 and 3110.01 to require Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support to coordinate annually with customers in the military departments to test responsiveness of the agency's contingency contracts for pharmaceuticals and to include the results of the testing in the annual Warstopper Program reports.

To direct the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report evaluating beneficiary access to TRICARE network pharmacies.

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

This bill requires the Department of Defense to evaluate and report on beneficiary access to TRICARE network pharmacies under the TPharm5 contract (i.e., the current retail pharmacy network contract), including changes versus the TPharm4 contract.

End Servicemember Forced Arbitration Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Giving Reservists A Valiant Eternity Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Credit Monitoring Integrity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Credit Monitoring Integrity Act of 2023 This bill allows civil liability provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act to apply to specified credit monitoring violations. Specifically, if a consumer reporting agency fails to provide free credit monitoring for active-duty military consumers, a civil liability action may be brought against them.   

Prohibit Pentagon Profiteering Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Civilian Harm Review and Reassessment Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Civilian Harm Review and Reassessment Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish procedures under which it must review and reinvestigate allegations of civilian harm that resulted from military operations involving the U.S. Armed Forces between 2011 and 2023 and that DOD finds were likely incorrectly dismissed due to investigation errors or incomplete information. In establishing the review procedures, DOD must consult with nongovernmental organizations that focus on civilian harm and human rights. Additionally, DOD must report on any identified errors, steps taken to respond to such errors, and recommended steps to prevent similar errors in the future.

Military FAMILY Dependents Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Military Family’s Ability to Move In Line with Your Dependents Act or the Military FAMILY Dependents Act This bill requires a commanding officer to determine, within five calendar days, whether to grant a request for the reassignment of certain members of the Armed Forces on the basis of the residence of a dependent child. Specifically, commanding officers must make such determinations for members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty and are assigned to a duty station located more than 300 miles from the residence of their dependent child who is registered under the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. If a commanding officer denies a reassignment request, the member may request review of such denial, and the first general officer or flag officer in the chain of command of the member must complete the review not later than two weeks after the request is made. The bill prohibits members from being subject to any adverse action for requesting a reassignment based on the residence of a dependent child.  

Finish It Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Finish It Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit a plan (within 15 days after the bill is enacted) to utilize, transfer, or donate to states all existing excess border wall construction materials to construct a permanent physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. If DOD delays in submitting or executing the plan, the travel budget of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy must be decreased by 1% for every two days of delay. DOD must work with the Defense Logistics Agency to execute the plan until DOD is no longer incurring any costs to maintain, store, or protect the excess materials. Any state requesting border wall construction materials must certify, in writing, that the materials will be used exclusively for the construction of a permanent physical barrier to stop illicit human and vehicle trafficking along the border. If a state does not use all such materials for the specified purpose within two years of receiving the materials, the state must pay the federal government an amount equal to the original purchase price of the materials.

Healthy Servicemembers Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Recognizing the patriotism and contributions of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

This resolution honors and recognizes the patriotism and contributions made by generations of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers and commends the members of such organizations for their dedicated service to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and their communities. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to promote awareness of the contributions and dedication of members of veterans service, organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. Additionally, the resolution calls on citizens to follow the example of such groups and volunteer support and services to those who have served the country.

Disaster Mitigation through Military Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Disaster Mitigation through Military Service Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense to conduct, in conjunction with military operations, humanitarian and civic assistance activities that include the hardening of existing infrastructure in support of disaster mitigation.

Space Force Legacy Guardian Recognition Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023

FARMLAND Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023

Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense Act of 2023 or the FARMLAND Act of 2023 This bill expands federal authority and oversight over foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural industry. The bill expands the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to include the review of land transactions (involving foreign entities) that exceed $5 million or 320 acres of land over the preceding three years. This applies to land that is primarily used for agriculture, the extraction of energy sources, or the extraction of critical precursor materials for biological technology industries, information technology components, or national defense technologies. Further, the bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to CFIUS membership. (CFIUS is an interagency committee that oversees the national security risks of certain foreign direct investment in the U.S. economy, including by reviewing certain real estate transactions.) Further, the bill expands enforcement of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must appoint a Chief of Operations of Investigative Actions to (1) monitor AFIDA compliance, and (2) conduct investigations on efforts to steal agricultural knowledge and technology and to disrupt the U.S. agricultural base. The bill prohibits foreign persons who own or operate land from participating in Farm Service Agency programs and establishes penalties for violators. The bill also requires USDA and the Department of Homeland Security to jointly develop a database of agricultural land owned by foreign persons.

To name the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the "Henry Parham VA Clinic".

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This bill designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the Henry Parham Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic or the Henry Parham VA Clinic.

Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act or the WILD Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and revises several conservation programs for wildlife species and their habitats, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program as well as programs that provide financial assistance for African elephants, Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles.

Innovative Cognitive Care for Veterans Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Innovative Cognitive Care for Veterans Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement, as part of the Veterans Community Care Program, a five-year pilot program under which the VA may enter into agreements with certain entities to provide telehealth, virtual training tools for home health aides, and other services that slow the progression of cognitive disorders.

Employing Veterans to Feed America Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Equal and Uniform Treatment in the Military Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

A bill to modify certain technical data rights with respect to contracts.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 This bill provides FY2024 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military activities. (The bill excludes military construction, military family housing, civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear warheads, which are all included in other appropriations bills.) Within the DOD budget, the bill provides appropriations for Military Personnel; Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; and Revolving and Management Funds. The bill provides appropriations for Other Department of Defense Programs, including the Defense Health Program, Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, and the Office of the Inspector General. In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Related Agencies, including (1) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund, and (2) the Intelligence Community Management Account. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), increases funding for the program, and provides additional delivery options for geographically isolated states (i.e., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam). TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of commodities and makes those food products (e.g., canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, dairy, and whole-grain and enriched grain products) available to state distributing agencies. The bill increases funding for purchasing commodities under the program. Further, the bill directs USDA to coordinate with geographically isolated states to (1) establish alternative delivery options for allocated commodities, and (2) allow for the states to order commodities through the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  USDA may also provide geographically isolated states the ability to directly purchase domestically grown food in lieu of receiving a portion of the commodities. Under this option, USDA may distribute as cash to the state up to 20% of the cash value of the commodities that are allocated to the state under TEFAP.  Further, USDA may consider additional factors beyond lowest price in determining winning bids for contracts for fresh produce packages (including product variety and transportation distance). 

Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

A resolution designating August 16, 2023, as "National Airborne Day".

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This resolution designates August 16, 2023, as National Airborne Day.

Transitioning Servicemember Food Security Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

LEAD Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Countering Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations in Cyberspace Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Countering Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations in Cyberspace Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Defense to conduct cyber operations in consultation with Mexico to detect and monitor Mexican transnational criminal organizations engaged in illegal activities such as drug smuggling, human trafficking, or weapons trafficking.

Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide its firefighters with medical testing and related services to detect, document, and prevent certain cancers. DOD firefighters may opt out of such testing or services. DOD must document certain information related to the offered testing and services, but must ensure personally identifiable information is removed prior to analyzing the information. DOD may share data with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to increase the knowledge and understanding of cancer occurrences among firefighters.

Korean American VALOR Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act or the Korean American VALOR Act This bill expands eligibility for specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits (e.g., medical and dental care) to certain veterans of the armed forces of South Korea who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or during a time period determined by the VA. The bill authorizes the VA to furnish such benefits under an existing law, which requires (1) a request by South Korea, and (2) a reciprocity agreement that provides for reimbursement of expenses incurred by the VA for the provision of care.

GETTING NOWHERE: DOD'S FAILURE TO REPLACE THE DEFENSE TRAVEL SYSTEM

United States · United States House of Representatives · 26 July 2023

POTENTIAL BUDGETARY EFFICIENCIES ACHIEVED THROUGH IMPROVEMENT TO MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING PROCESSES WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PERSONNEL PROGRAMS

United States · United States Senate · 26 July 2023

THE NOMINATIONS OF: LIEUTENANT GENERAL GREGORY M. GUILLOT, USAF TO BE GENERAL AND COMMANDER, U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND/COMMANDER, NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND AND LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEPHEN N. WHITING, USSF TO BE GENERAL AND COMMANDER, U.S. SPACE COMMAND

United States · United States Senate · 26 July 2023

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023 This bill addresses various aspects of the veterans benefits claim process. First, the bill requires the VA to establish a competitive internship program to provide an opportunity for high-achieving law students to gain experience with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). The VA must also establish a nine-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a competitive honors program within the VA to recruit high-achieving law school students, recent law school graduates, and entry-level attorneys for employment with the BVA. Next, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA. The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with contractors to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, every communication from a contractor to a veteran regarding the scheduling of such an examination must be contemporaneously transmitted to the appropriate representative for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. Finally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for contractors providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such contractors to verify their identity.

Protecting VA Employees Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

To amend title 38, United States Code, to include information relating to certain questionnaire on forms to apply for disability or pension benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Military Families and Surviving Spouses Benefits Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

National Security Reforms and Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

National Security Reforms and Accountability Act This bill limits presidential authorities related to, and increases congressional oversight of, introducing U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities, arms transactions, and national emergencies. The bill makes various changes to the War Powers Resolution, which provides procedures for Congress and the President to participate in decisions to send U.S. forces into hostilities. These changes include requiring specific statutory authorization for, and revising congressional procedures to approve or disapprove of, the introduction of U.S. forces into hostilities. The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds for any activity of U.S. forces that lacks the required authorization. The President must also seek congressional approval before entering, renewing, or extending an arms sale or related transaction if the transaction exceeds specified dollar thresholds. This does not apply to transactions with NATO and its member countries, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, New Zealand, or Taiwan. The bill also prohibits transfers of defense articles and services to countries that commit genocide or otherwise violate international humanitarian law. The bill restricts presidential authorities related to national emergencies, including by limiting the period of a declared emergency to 30 days unless Congress authorizes an extension. The bill also establishes procedures for approving or disapproving an extension, requires the President to provide more detailed reports to Congress about national emergencies, and sets out specific provisions for terminating an emergency.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4366) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 9) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment"; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 24) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat".

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4366) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 9) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment"; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 24) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat".

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a standardized training curriculum for military vehicle operations.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

The Project Spectrum Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish the Office of Strategic Capital in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Strategic Lebanon Security Reporting Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Strategic Lebanon Security Reporting Act This bill requires the Department of State to provide Congress with a report addressing security in Lebanon. Specifically, the report must include details regarding the extent of Iranian and Syrian influence in Lebanon, the capability of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanese Armed Forces' actions to prevent the forced return of refugees to Syria, Hezbollah's influence on governmental and financial institutions in Lebanon, and implementation activities related to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and successor resolutions.

A bill to require reporting on sexual assault in surveys.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

This bill expands the matters that must be included in the Armed Forces Workplace and Gender Relations Surveys conducted by the Department of Defense. Specifically, the surveys must solicit information on indicators of an assault that give reason to believe that the victim was targeted or discriminated against (or both) for their sexual orientation or status in a group.