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Bill· SS. 2337 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2014
Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act - Authorizes burial in any open national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration of the remains of any individual: (1) who was naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 and who resided in the United States at the time of death; or (2) who the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines served with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and who, at the time of death, resided in the United States and was a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Bill· SS. 2333 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2014
Caring for Military Children with Developmental Disabilities Act of 2014 - Includes in the treatment of military dependents' developmental disabilities under the Department of Defense (DOD) TRICARE program behavioral health treatment, including applied behavior analysis, that is prescribed by a physician or psychologist. Allows such behavioral health treatment to be provided only to the extent that amounts are appropriated in advance for such treatment to a Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account. Establishes in the Treasury the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account, which is to be separate from the DOD's Defense Health Program Account. Authorizes appropriations for, and transfers funds to, the Defense Dependents Developmental Disabilities Account.
Report· HearingS.Hrg.113-753published
United States · United States Senate · 13 May 2014
Bill· SS. 2323 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2014
Gold Star Fathers Act of 2014 - Includes as a preference eligible for federal employment purposes a parent (currently, the mother only) of either an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the Armed Forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955, or a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if: (1) the spouse of such parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (2) such parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or legally separated from his or her spouse.
Bill· HRH.R. 4656 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2014
Caring for America's Heroes Act - Eliminates the limit on the number of days each year inpatient mental health services may be provided to military dependents under the Department of Defense (DOD) TRICARE program (a DOD managed care program). Eliminates the need for TRICARE Standard beneficiaries to obtain: (1) a nonavailability statement or preauthorization to receive mental health services from a civilian provider, or (2) a nonavailability statement to receive mental health services in specialized treatment facilities outside the 200-mile radius of a military medical treatment facility.
Bill· SS. 2316 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2014
Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit to Congress within 180 days after enactment of this Act a report on wait times for veterans seeking medical appointments and treatment from the VA, which shall include: (1) information on wait times throughout the United States, and (2) a determination by the Inspector General as to whether such wait times have been prolonged by VA employees without a valid medical or administrative reason. Prohibits the VA Secretary from closing any VA medical facility, or from using any VA funds to prepare any environment impact statement related to such closure, before such report is submitted, or after the report is submitted if the Inspector General determines that wait times have been prolonged by VA employees without a valid reason, unless the Secretary certifies that such closure will not: increase the wait times for veterans in the catchment area of such medical facility; decrease the quality of care provided to such veterans; impede the access of such veterans to specialized health care services or to VA residential rehabilitation treatment programs and other inpatient care; increase the distance required to be traveled by such veterans to receive care; or impede the access to medical care for such veterans that are members of Indian tribes. Terminates such prohibition when the Inspector General certifies that such wait times are not being prolonged by VA employees without a valid reason.
Bill· HRH.R. 4630 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2014
Caring for Military Children with Developmental Disabilities Act of 2014 - Includes in the treatment of military dependents' developmental disabilities under the Department of Defense (DOD) TRICARE program behavioral health treatment, including applied behavior analysis, that is prescribed by a physician or psychologist. Makes such behavioral health treatment available to retired members of the Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Commissioned Corps of Public Health Service, or their dependents only to the extent that amounts are specifically appropriated to the Defense Health Program Account for their coverage. Expresses the sense of Congress that amounts should be appropriated for the behavioral health treatment of TRICARE beneficiaries in a manner that ensures that all beneficiaries receive appropriate and equitable access to such treatment.
Bill· HRH.R. 4628 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2014
Military Opportunities for Mothers Act or the MOM Act - Requires military personnel who give birth to a child to be given 42 days of convalescent leave for use in connection with that birth. Allows military personnel up to 42 additional days of leave in connection with the birth of such child upon the expiration of the convalescent leave, but: makes them ineligible for basic pay for any day on which such additional leave is used, although they are to be considered to be on active duty for all other purposes; and their commanding officer may recall them from such leave when necessary to maintain unit readiness.
Bill· HRH.R. 4629 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2014
Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, as part of the Veteran's Workforce Investment Program, to carry out a five-year pilot program (to be known as the Veterans Manufacturing Employment Program) to award competitive grants to three states for the establishment and administration of a State Manufacturing Employment Program to make grants to manufacturing employers and labor-management organizations that provide training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to eligible veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 4632 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2014
If Our Military Has to Fly Coach Then so Should Congress Act of 2014 - Prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the official travel of a Member of Congress or other officer or employee of the legislative branch for airline accommodations which are not coach-class accommodations. Makes an exception to this prohibition for an individual if the use would be permitted for an employee of an agency subject to specified federal regulations for temporary duty (TDY) travel allowances.
Bill· SS. 2312 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2014
National Guard Technician Equity Act - Provides a person the right to be employed as a non-dual status technician if: (1) the technician position has been designated to be filled only by a non-dual status technician, or (2) the person occupying the technician position has at least 20 years of service as a dual status military technician. Repeals: (1) the permanent limitation on the number of non-dual status technicians, and (2) the prohibition against overtime pay for National Guard technicians. Allows military technicians who were hired as dual status technicians but are no longer members of the Selected Reserve to continue to receive compensation. Requires dual status military technicians who are fully qualified for, and properly performing, the duties of such position to be: (1) retained in the Armed Forces, (2) exempt from consideration for involuntary separation by a military retention board, and (3) entitled to re-enlist as enlisted members so as to maintain their eligibility for continued employment as dual status military technicians. Provides for a technician's rights of grievance, arbitration, appeal, and review beyond the current stage of the adjutant general of the jurisdiction concerned. Prohibits federal employees who volunteer for active National Guard and Reserve duty from accruing military leave at the rate of 15 days each fiscal year for active duty, inactive duty training, or funeral honors duty in the National Guard or Reserves. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate the feasibility of converting military technicians from coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to coverage under the TRICARE Reserve Select option of the TRICARE program.
Bill· SS. 2311 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2014
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to appoint licensed hearing aid specialists in the Veterans Health Administration. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on: (1) timely access of veterans to hearing health services through the VA, and (2) contracting policies of the VA with respect to providing hearing health services to veterans in non-VA facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 4613 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2014
Empowering Encore Entrepreneurs Act of 2014 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program under which the Administrator may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, or make grants to, nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance, mentoring, and other specialized training activities for encore entrepreneurs. Defines "encore entrepreneur" to mean an entrepreneur, business person, or owner of a small business concern who: (1) is seeking to start a new small business concern or expand an existing one, and (2) is at least age 50 or has at least 20 years of experience in a workplace. Directs the Administrator to give special consideration to applications seeking funding for programs for: (1) members of the Armed Forces impacted by base closures or realignment, or (2) encore entrepreneurs unemployed for a period of not less than one year. Terminates the program on September 30, 2017. Requires the Administrator to submit to specified congressional committees a report that describes the barriers and obstacles faced by encore entrepreneurs in starting new small business concerns or expanding existing small business concerns.
Bill· HRH.R. 4616 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2014
Express Appeals Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) carry out a five-year pilot program to provide the option of an alternative appeals process to determine appeals of claims for disability compensation more quickly, and (2) inform claimants about such program. Authorizes a claimant to elect to file an express appeal by filing with the Secretary: (1) a notice of disagreement, (2) all evidence that the claimant believes is needed for the appeal, (3) a statement of the argument in support of the claim, and (4) the claimant's written election to have the appeal determined under the pilot program. Requires the Secretary to transfer jurisdiction over an express appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Requires a claimant to make such election: (1) at any time during the traditional appeal process if the claimant has filed a traditional appeal before the pilot program commences, or (2) by 90 days after the Secretary provides notice of the determination of the claim if the claimant has not filed a traditional appeal. Directs the Secretary to inform a claimant who seeks to change a traditional appeal to an express appeal about whether any time will be saved. Allows a claimant who elects to file an express appeal to elect to revert to a traditional appeal at any time. Requires the Board of Veterans' Appeals to: (1) maintain express appeals on a separate docket, (2) hear express appeals in the order received, and (3) decide not more than one express appeal for each four traditional appeals decided. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the effects of new evidence submitted or additional information needed after an express appeal is filed, and (2) a prohibition against the Board providing hearings for express appeals.
Bill· HRH.R. 4608 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2014
War Authorization Review and Determination Act or WARD Act - Directs the President: (1) to submit to Congress a report setting forth each operation or other action that is being carried out pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force; and (2) within 60 days after such a report is submitted, to terminate each operation or action described in the report unless a joint resolution approving such operation or action has been enacted. Repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force 240 days after enactment of this Act and provides that such repeal shall apply to each operation or other action being carried out pursuant to such Authorization initiated before such date.
Bill· SS. 2300 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2014
Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), at least once each year, to: (1) provide a person-to-person mental health assessment for each member of the Armed Forces on active duty and for each member of the Ready Reserve of an Armed Force for the purpose of identifying mental health conditions to determine which members are in need of additional care, treatment, or other services; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees a report on such assessments, including on the number of members referred for care and services based on mental health conditions detected. Requires the Secretary to: (1) convene an interagency working group to review and recommend collaborative approaches to improving the provision of mental health services to members of the National Guard and the Reserves; (2) report the findings and recommendations of the working group to specified congressional committees; and (3) report to the Armed Services Committees on an evaluation of specific tools, processes, and best practices to improve the identification of, and treatment by the Armed Forces of, mental health conditions and traumatic brain injury among members of the Armed Forces.
Bill· SS. 2296 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2014
Veterans Appeals Improvement Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure that not fewer than three decision review officers are employed at each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office within one year after enactment of this Act; and (2) submit a notice to the House and Senate veterans' affairs committees when the number of such officers at a regional office declines to fewer than three, including a plan to increase the number to at least three and a description of the measures the Secretary plans to take to ensure that appeals before the Board of Veterans' Appeals are disposed of in a timely manner while fewer than three officers are employed at such office. Directs the Secretary to report to such committees on the ability of the Board to conduct hearings and dispose of appeals in a timely manner. Requires such report to include: (1) whether the number of members of the Board is sufficient; and (2) an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of increasing the number of decision review officers by 10%, 15%, and 25%.
Report· HearingS.Hrg.113-572published
United States · United States Senate · 6 May 2014
Bill· SS. 2295 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2014
National Commission on the Future of the Army Act of 2014 - Prohibits the use of funds made available for FY2015 for the Army to: (1) reduce Army personnel below the authorized fiscal year end strengths of 450,000 for active duty personnel of the Army, 345,000 for the Army National Guard, and 195,000 for the Army Reserve; or (2) divest, retire, or transfer any AH-64 Apache aircraft assigned to units of the Army National Guard as of January 15, 2014, or to reduce related personnel below the levels of such personnel as of September 30, 2014. Directs the Secretary of the Army to ensure the continuing readiness of the AH-64 Apache aircraft and crews during FY2015. Permits the use of such funds, after the Commission established by this Act submits its interim report, to prepare for the transfer of not more than 72 AH-64 Apache aircraft from the Army National Guard to the regular Army if the Secretary of Defense (DOD) certifies that such a transfer would not: (1) degrade the strategic depth or regeneration capacities of the Army, (2) degrade the Army National Guard in its role as the combat reserve of the Army, and (3) occur before October 1, 2014. Establishes the National Commission on the Future of the Army, which shall: (1) undertake a comprehensive study of the structure of the Army and policy assumptions related to its size and force mixture in order to make recommendations on how the structure should be modified to best fulfill mission requirements in a manner consistent with available resources, and (2) submit a final report to the President and the congressional defense committees by February 1, 2016. Directs the Commission to study and submit an interim report on the feasibility and advisability of a partial transfer of Army National Guard AH-64 Apache aircraft from the Army National Guard to the regular Army.
Bill· SS. 2294 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2014
Directs the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to carry out an anonymous survey of random members of the Armed Forces regarding their preferences in military pay and benefits, with respect to: (1) the relative value that they place on specified forms of compensation (including basic pay, allowances for housing and subsistence, bonuses, various healthcare benefits, and retirement pay); (2) how they value different levels of pay or benefits, including the impact of copayments or deductibles; and (3) how information collected varies by age, grade, dependent status, and other factors. Directs the Commission to submit to the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and Congress and make available to the public a report on the analysis and raw data of the survey. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013 to require the Commission to make its recommendations for changes to the military compensation and retirement systems only after examining the analysis and raw data collected pursuant to such survey.
Bill· HRH.R. 4574 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2014
Strengthening Mental Health in Our Communities Act of 2014 - Establishes the White House Office of Mental Health Policy to monitor federal mental health activities and develop a National Strategy for Mental Health, a comprehensive plan to provide services to individuals with mental illness. Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize through FY 2019 various mental health grant programs, including programs for youth suicide prevention, homeless individuals, and diverting individuals with mental illness from the criminal justice system. Replaces youth interagency research, training, and technical assistance centers with a suicide prevention technical assistance center and authorizes the center through FY2019. Revises and extends through FY2019 grant programs to provide: (1) comprehensive community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbances, and (2) for continued operation of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI). Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to create a national media public service campaign to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Directs SAMHSA to award grants to states to create a Web-based acute psychiatric bed registry to facilitate the placement and treatment of individuals in psychiatric crisis. Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require coverage of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs. Eliminates Medicare's 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services. Expands Medicare coverage to include marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services. Authorizes through FY2019 additional appropriations for National Health Service Corps scholarships and loan repayments to ensure an adequate supply of behavioral and mental health professionals. Native American Psychiatric and Mental Health Care Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary to award one grant to a medical school to recruit and train psychiatric physicians for Indian health programs. Makes participating physicians eligible for the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program. Adds occupational therapists to the National Health Service Corps to address shortages in health professional shortage areas. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct or support research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of serious mental illness and violence associated with mental illness. Allows the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a Youth Mental Health Research Network to conduct or support youth mental health research and intervention services. Revises and extends through FY2019 a program for children dealing with violence. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY2019 collaboration program grants and expand assistance to veterans and inmates with mental illness. Applies Medicaid, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage incentives for implementation of electronic health records to specified mental health professionals and facilities. Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to provide individuals enlisting in the Armed Forces with a mental health assessment to be used as a baseline for subsequent assessments. Directs DOD to furnish needed care for mental illness to any veteran who served on active duty in a combat zone. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a pilot program for repaying student loans in exchange for service as a psychiatrist in the Veterans Health Administration.
Bill· HRH.R. 4579 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2014
Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to verify that individuals who are applying for Direct Consolidation loans on the following bases are in fact: currently eligible for income contingent repayment or income-based repayment of a loan that has been submitted to a guaranty agency for default aversion or is already in default; employed in a public service job and thereby eligible to participate in the public service loan forgiveness program; or a member of a regular or reserve component of the Armed Forces and thereby eligible to benefit from the no accrual of interest for active duty service members program.
Bill· HRH.R. 4580 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2014
Improving Clinical Care Workforce for Our Vets Act - Repeals provisions excluding any matter or question concerning professional conduct or competence, peer review, or the establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation from the applicability of collective bargaining rights for Veterans Health Administration employees.
Bill· SS. 2289 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2014
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 - Authorizes FY2015 appropriations for military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) and for military construction. Authorizes military personnel strengths for FY2015. Authorizes FY2015 appropriations to DOD for: procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund, and other procurement; research, development, test, and evaluation; operation and maintenance; military personnel; working capital funds; the Joint Urgent Operational Needs Fund; chemical agents and munitions destruction; drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; the Office of the Inspector General; and the Defense Health Program. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: end strengths for active and reserve forces; military personnel policy, including education and training, sexual assault prevention and response, and military justice and legal matters; military pay and allowances; military health care; acquisition policy and management; DOD organization and management; financial matters; counter-drug and counterterrorism activities; civilian personnel matters; matters relating to foreign nations; cooperative threat reduction; and military construction and military family housing. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2015 for military construction for the Armed Forces and defense agencies, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities.
Bill· SS. 2286 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
Cutting Contractor Use and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2014 - Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit to the congressional defense committees, and make publicly available, an annual comprehensive analysis of the global inventory of DOD service contractors. Requires the Defense Contract Audit Agency, in conducting audits of defense contracts, to distinguish service contracts in its analysis, including by distinguishing the percentage of payment awarded for service elements on contracts containing both manufacturing and service elements. Directs the Agency to submit to the congressional defense committees, and make publicly available, an annual report on its findings. Directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics to submit a plan to the congressional defense committees to improve the acquisition of services by DOD. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to the congressional defense and intelligence committees an annual inventory of the service contractors used by each element of the intelligence community. Prohibits civilian or defense contracts from allowing compensation of contractor and subcontractor employees for a fiscal year to exceed the annual salary of the President (currently, $400,000). Allows an exception to such limitation for scientists, engineers, or other specialists who are needed to ensure that an executive agency has continued access to needed skills and capabilities. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on contractor compensation, including the number of contractor employees who were exempt in the preceding fiscal year from this Act's compensation limits. Prohibits the aggregate amount obligated and expended by DOD for service contracts in each fiscal year through FY2024 from exceeding the lesser of: (1) 67% of the aggregate amount expended for service contracts in FY2014, or (2) 67% of the amount appropriated for DOD for the current fiscal year that is available for service contracts. Makes the latter limitation inapplicable if the Secretary certifies to Congress in writing that DOD will not exceed the prior limitation. Prohibits the aggregate amount obligated and expended by DOD for service contracts in each fiscal year after FY2023 from exceeding the amount obligated or expended by DOD on service contracts in FY2002 (adjusted for inflation).
Bill· SS. 2283 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
NATO Alliance Recognition and Promotion Act - Expresses the sense of Congress: (1) reaffirming the commitment of the United States to collective defense under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Treaty; (2) that NATO members should ensure sufficient funding related to individual and collective capacity; and (3) that the United States, together with NATO allies, should pursue enlargement initiatives for aspirant countries.
Bill· SS. 2277 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress a strategic framework for U.S. security assistance and cooperation in Europe and Eurasia. Directs the President to: (1) halt for 180-days all current and planned redeployments of combat forces from Europe other than certain redeployments, and (2) develop a plan to correct any deficiencies in the Armed Forces' ability to respond to contingencies in Europe and Eurasia. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) represents the most successful collective security agreement of the modern era, and (2) a strong NATO is critical to maintaining peace in Europe and Eurasia and ensuring that the Russian Federation plays an appropriate role in the region. Directs the President to: (1) implement a plan for increasing U.S. and NATO support for the armed forces of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, and other NATO member-states; and (2) direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO to seek consideration for permanently basing NATO forces in such countries. Directs the President to submit a plan to Congress for accelerating NATO and European missile defense efforts. Directs the President to establish a United States-German Global and European Security Working Group to focus on areas of mutual concern, including the situation in Ukraine, and increasing political, economic, and military cooperation between the two states. Directs the President to impose asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions, if Russian armed forces have not withdrawn from Crimea within seven days after enactment of this Act, against: (1) any government official, and any close associate or family member of that official, who is responsible for or otherwise directing violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, or who is responsible for acts of significant corruption in the Russian Federation; (2) any individual who sponsored or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of such acts; (3) any individual or entity with respect to which sanctions were previously imposed relating to violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty; (4) any entity owned or controlled by a sanctioned entity that is owned or controlled by a citizen of the Russian Federation; and (5) any senior executive of a sanctioned entity who is a citizen of the Russian Federation. Directs the President to impose asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions, if Russian armed forces have not withdrawn from the eastern border of Ukraine within seven days after enactment of this Act, or if agents of the Russian Federation do not cease actions to destabilize the control of the government of Ukraine over eastern Ukraine, against: (1) Sberbank, (2) VTB Bank, (3) Vnesheconombank, (4) Gazprombank, (5) Gazprom, (6) Novatek, (7) Rosneft, (8) Rosoboronexport, (9) any entity owned or controlled by such an entity that is owned or controlled by a citizen of the Russian Federation; and (10) any senior executive of such an entity who is a citizen of the Russian Federation. Imposes asset blocking, U.S. exclusion, and foreign financial entity sanctions, if Russian armed forces expand further into, or the government of the Russian Federation annexes, sovereign territory of Ukraine or any other country in Europe or Eurasia, against: (1) any senior Russian official, (2) any entity owned or controlled by a senior Russian official, and (3) any close associate of a senior Russian official who provides significant support or resources to such senior Russian official. Imposes asset blocking and U.S. exclusion sanctions also, in such circumstances, against: (1) any entity organized under the laws of the Russian Federation that is owned or controlled by the government of the Russian Federation, or owned or controlled by a person sanctioned for violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty; (2) any entity that operates in the arms, defense, energy, financial services, metals, or mining sectors of the Russian Federation; and (3) any senior executive of such an entity who is a citizen of the Russian Federation. Sets forth related penalty requirements. States that U.S. exclusion sanctions shall not apply if necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations or other applicable international obligations. Authorizes the President to waive sanctions if in the U.S. national security interests, and with prior congressional notification. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to limit the transfer or export by any U.S. person of oil and gas advanced technology to any person in, or any citizen of, the Russian Federation if: (1) the Russian Federation has not substantially withdrawn its armed forces from the eastern border of Ukraine within 30 days, or (2) agents of the Russian Federation do not end destabilizing measures in eastern Ukraine. Directs the Secretary of State to work with U.S. allies to limit: (1) sales of defense articles and services to the government of the Russian Federation, and (2) cooperation with the government of the Russian Federation on matters related to the production of defense articles and services by Russian entities. Prohibits the President from: (1) entering into any agreement with the government of the Russian Federation regarding the reduction of nuclear forces except with the advice and consent of the Senate; (2) reducing the number of deployed or non-deployed launchers under the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms while Russian armed forces are threatening the territorial integrity or sovereignty of Ukraine or another European or Eurasian state; (3) sharing sensitive U.S. missile defense information with the government of the Russian Federation; and (4) authorizing any Open Skies Treaty overflights of U.S. territory or government facilities by Russian airplanes that employ any surveillance devices beyond those employed before January 1, 2014. Prohibits amounts from being obligated or expended to integrate into any U.S. or NATO common-funded missile defense system any stand-alone radar or missile defense system manufactured, sold, or exported by: (1) a Russian entity, or (2) any person or entity currently sanctioned or designated under U.S. law for missile technology proliferation. Directs the Secretary of State to provide access to appropriate consular resources, including prioritized access for refugee and other immigration or travel status to the United States, for journalists, political and civil society activists, and dissidents in the Russian Federation. Directs the Secretary of State to increase efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and political and civil society organizations in the Russian Federation. Directs DOD to assess the capabilities and needs of the Ukrainian armed forces. Authorizes the President, upon completion of such assessment, to provide specified military assistance to Ukraine. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) provide Ukraine with information about Russian military and intelligence capabilities on Ukraine's eastern border and within Ukraine's territorial borders, including Crimea; and (2) ensure that such intelligence information is protected from further disclosure. Provides major non-NATO ally status for Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova (during the period in which each of such countries meets specified criteria) for purposes of the transfer or possible transfer of defense articles or defense services. Directs the President to increase: (1) U.S. Armed Forces interactions with the armed forces of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia; and (2) U.S and NATO security assistance to such states. Amends the Natural Gas Act to apply the expedited application and approval process for natural gas exports to World Trade Organization members. Urges the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the World Bank Group, and the European Bank for Reconstruction to promote assistance to Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova in order to exploit natural gas and oil reserves and to develop alternative energy sources. Prohibits any federal department or agency from taking any action that recognizes Russian Federation sovereignty over Crimea or otherwise endorses the Russian Federation's illegal annexation of Crimea. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) strengthen democratic institutions, the independent media, and political and civil society organizations in countries of the former Soviet Union; and (2) increase educational and cultural exchanges with countries of the former Soviet Union. Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Voice of America (VOA) to provide Congress with a plan for increasing and maintaining through FY2017 the quantity of U.S.-funded Russian-language broadcasting into countries of the former Soviet Union, with priority for broadcasting into Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
Bill· SS. 2276 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
Caring for America's Heroes Act - Eliminates the limit on the number of days each year inpatient mental health services may be provided to military dependents under the Department of Defense (DOD) TRICARE program (a DOD managed care program). Eliminates the need for TRICARE Standard beneficiaries to obtain: (1) a nonavailability statement or preauthorization to receive mental health services from a civilian provider, or (2) a nonavailability statement to receive mental health services in specialized treatment facilities outside the 200-mile radius of a military medical treatment facility.
Bill· HRH.R. 4560 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
Service Members Student Loan Relief Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces and National Guard to defer payments of principal on their Federal Family Education Loans, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans for the period (up to 180 days) beginning on the date they receive a call or order to duty in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency and ending on their first day of service. (Currently, the payment of principal on those loans is also deferred during their period of service and for the 180-day period after their demobilization date.) Allows individuals whose call to duty is cancelled before their first day of service: (1) due to a service training injury, to defer payments of principal on those loans through what would have been their period of service; and (2) for a reason other than a service training injury, to defer payments of principal on those loans for 14 days after that cancellation.
Bill· HRH.R. 4561 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2014 - Sets forth requirements for the first update of the Strategic Plan Refresh for Fiscal Years 2012 through 2014 after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prepare the update in consultation with the Director of the Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office, the Director of the Office of Quality and Performance, and the Director of the Office of Care Coordination Services of the Department. Requires the update to include: (1) goals and objectives for the provision of health care in rural areas, including for recruiting and retaining health care personnel, ensuring timeliness and improving quality in the delivery of health care services through contract and fee-basis providers, implementing and enhancing the use of telemedicine services, ensuring the full and effective use of mobile outpatient clinics, and coordinating and sharing of resources among federal agencies; (2) procedures for soliciting from each Veterans Health Administration facility that serves a rural area a statement of the facility's clinical capacity, the facility's procedures in the event of an emergency outside the scope of such capacity, and the facility's procedures and mechanisms for the provision and coordination of health care for women veterans; and (3) modification of funding allocation mechanisms to ensure that the Office of Rural Health distributes funds to VA components to best achieve goals and objectives in a timely manner.
Bill· HRH.R. 4559 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the period in which death gratuities (less amounts contributed to a Coverdell education savings account) and insurance proceeds payable to survivors of members of the Armed Forces or the Uniformed Services may be contributed to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) from one to three years after receipt of such gratuities or proceeds.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 562 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2014
Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to support the Republic of Moldova's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Supports the Strategic Dialogue as a means to strengthen relations between the Republic of Moldova and the United States and enhance the democratic, economic, rule of law, and security reforms being implemented by the Republic of Moldova. Encourages the President and the Department of State to enhance U.S. cooperation with the government of Moldova and civil society organizations. Affirms the Republic of Moldova's sovereign right to determine its own partnerships free of external coercion and affirms Moldova's right to associate with the European Union (EU) or any regional organization. Calls upon the Government of Russia to: (1) withdraw its military forces from within the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Moldova, (2) refrain from economic threats, and (3) cease actions that support separatist movements in Moldova. Supports confidence-building measures between the government of Moldova and the authorities in the Transnistria region in order to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Affirms that lasting stability and security in Europe is a key U.S. priority that can only be achieved if the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all European countries is respected.
Report· HearingS.Hrg.113-762published
United States · United States Senate · 30 April 2014
Bill· SS. 2273 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2014
Department of Defense Energy Security Act of 2014 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts to reduce the costs of fuel supply, delivery, or transport for nonbuilding applications. Prohibits payments by agencies to entities that supply, deliver, or transport fuel under such contracts from exceeding the amounts that the agencies would have paid entities without the contracts. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to: (1) carry out research to improve military vehicle technology to increase fuel economy or reduce fuel consumption of military vehicles used in combat; and (2) establish an online, centralized repository for all Department of Defense (DOD) operational energy-related research and development efforts. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish: (1) a DOD executive agent for warrior power to align and advance efforts to measure and manage the development and evaluation of man-portable tactical power generation systems to power tactical communications equipment, weapons systems, and other troop equipment; and (2) a program to foster secure and reliable sources of energy for military installations, including incorporation of advanced energy metering, renewable energy, energy storage, and redundant power systems. Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Defense Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Fund to support installing, operating, and maintaining alternative fuel dispensing stations for use by DOD's alternative fueled vehicles and other infrastructure necessary to fuel the vehicles.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 431 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2014
Joins the Secretary of Defense (DOD) in honoring the children of members of the Armed Forces and recognizes that such children share in the burden of protecting the United States. Urges the people of the United States to join with the military community in observing the National Month of the Military Child (observed annually in April) with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor, support, and thank military children.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 430 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2014
Expresses support for the designation of May 1, 2014, as Silver Star Service Banner Day.
Bill· HRH.R. 4533 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2014
NSA Internal Watchdog Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require the President to appoint, with advice and consent of the Senate, the Inspector General of the National Security Agency (NSA). (Currently, the NSA Inspector General is appointed by the NSA Director.) Directs the Inspector General to include in an annual report to Congress a review of the mechanisms for NSA employees or contractors to submit complaints. Establishes a General Counsel to the NSA Inspector General, to be appointed by the Inspector General. Requires the General Counsel to prescribe professional rules of ethics and responsibilities for NSA employees, officers, and contractors. Authorizes the Inspector General, after providing the Attorney General (DOJ) with seven days' advance notice, to subpoena the attendance and testimony of former NSA employees or NSA contractors, former contractors, or former detailees. Requires the Inspector General to provide Congress with an evaluation of any notice or statement of reasons the Inspector General receives from the Secretary of Defense (DOD) regarding the Secretary's exercise of authority in the interest of national security to prohibit the Inspector General from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation. Directs the Inspector General, in carrying out any audit or investigation of a surveillance or data collection program, to assess the impact of such program on civil rights and liberties. Requires the Inspector General's reports to Congress to be made available to all Members of Congress. Directs the Inspector General to audit and report to Congress regarding the effectiveness and use (including improper or illegal use) of NSA surveillance and data collection programs, including programs under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) that authorize: (1) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to submit applications to the FISA court for an order requiring the production of tangible things (commonly referred to as business records, including books, records, papers, documents, and other items); and (2) the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), with the approval of the FISA court or under exigent circumstances, to authorize the targeting of persons located outside the United States. Requires such audit to address: (1) the interactions between the NSA and the FISA court, and (2) the process for conducting background investigations of persons for NSA employment or for receiving access to classified information.
Bill· HRH.R. 4536 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2014
Department of Defense Energy Security Act of 2014 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts to reduce the costs of fuel supply, delivery, or transport for nonbuilding applications. Prohibits payments by agencies to entities that supply, deliver, or transport fuel under such contracts from exceeding the amounts that the agencies would have paid entities without the contracts. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to: (1) carry out research to improve military vehicle technology to increase fuel economy or reduce fuel consumption of military vehicles used in combat; and (2) establish an online, centralized repository for all Department of Defense (DOD) operational energy-related research and development efforts. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish: (1) a DOD executive agent for warrior power to align and advance efforts to measure and manage the development and evaluation of man-portable tactical power generation systems to power tactical communications equipment, weapons systems, and other troop equipment; and (2) a program to foster secure and reliable sources of energy for military installations, including incorporation of advanced energy metering, renewable energy, energy storage, and redundant power systems. Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Defense Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Fund to support installing, operating, and maintaining alternative fuel dispensing stations for use by DOD's alternative fueled vehicles and other infrastructure necessary to fuel the vehicles.
Bill· HRH.R. 4528 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2014
Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit to the congressional defense committees a report and a detailed briefing on DOD policies for procuring and inspecting armored vehicles for transporting civilian employees through hostile or potentially hostile territory.
Bill· HRH.R. 4517 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2014
Examination of Exposures to Environmental Hazards During Military Service and Health Care for Atsugi Naval Air Facility Veterans and their Families Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish the Advisory Board on Environmental Exposures at Atsugi Naval Air Facility to provide expert advice to DOD and VA on matters relating to exposure of current and former members of the Armed Forces (members) and their dependents to environmental hazards at Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan, during the period beginning in 1983 in which the air, water, or soil at such facility was contaminated due to an incinerator. Requires the Board to: (1) consider and study cases of such exposure, (2) evaluate submitted exposure claims, and (3) recommend to such Secretaries that either a claim is insufficient to warrant further consideration or is sufficient to warrant health care or compensation. Authorizes the Board to convene a science panel to consider exposure claims and report results to the Board. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to provide to such members and dependents the health care benefits recommended by the Board. Requires the Secretary to: (1) compile a list of individuals exposed to environmental hazards at the facility during the period in which the air, water, or soil was contaminated; and (2) report to the armed services and veterans' affairs committees on the compilation of such list. Directs the Secretary to report annually to such committees on health care and other benefits provided under this Act, including a description of procedures used to identify exposed individuals.
Bill· HRH.R. 4516 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2014
She Is Ready Act - Prohibits the Secretaries of the military departments (the Secretaries) from unduly delaying the assignment of female members of the Armed Forces to military occupational specialties, positions, and units because of the absence of a cadre or critical mass of female members available for such assignment. Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to direct the Secretaries to open for assignment of women all positions in occupations that are open to female members in any unit of the Armed Forces. Requires the Secretary of Defense to direct: (1) the Secretaries to validate the gender-neutral occupational standards used by the Armed Forces for the purpose of ensuring that such standards: (1) are consistent with provisions requiring performance outcome-based standards for the successful accomplishment of the necessary and required specific tasks associated with the qualifications and duties performed; (2) accurately predict performance of actual, regular, and recurring duties of a military occupation; and (3) are applied equitably to measure individual capabilities. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) direct the Secretaries to provide greater transparency of women in service implementation plans and ensure that a statement of administration policy is created to reflect the mission of the plan and its intent on responsibly opening all jobs, positions, and units to female members of the Armed Forces; (2) promptly respond whenever one of the Secretaries submits a notice of newly opened jobs, positions, or units to female members of the Armed Forces; and (3) ensure all closed positions and units are open to female members of the Armed Forces by January 1, 2016, consistent with the Joint Memorandum issued on January 24, 2013, regarding the elimination of the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to provide Congress with information on: (1) what process and metrics were used to validate the physical standards applicable to members of the Navy and Marine Corps; and (2) Marine Corps research involving female members of the Marine Corps who volunteer for the Infantry Officers Course, the enlisted infantry training course, and the Ground Combat Element Experimental Task Force. Makes any female member of the Marine Corps who graduates from the enlisted infantry course eligible for assignment to an infantry occupational specialty. Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Army to permit female members of the Army to apply to Army Ranger School for leadership training opportunities, and (2) the Secretary of Defense to direct the Special Operations Command to submit to Congress the type of approach and methodology it will be using for the integration of women into the Special Operations Forces. Requires the Secretary of Defense to direct the Secretaries to take immediate steps to ensure that properly designed and fitted combat equipment is available and distributed to female members of the Armed Forces. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a review of Services' Outreach and Recruitment Efforts gauged toward women representation in the officer corps.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 557 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2014
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4486) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4487) making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015.
Law· SS. 2258 (113th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2014, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.
Bill· SS. 2260 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
Expiring Provisions Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2014 or the EXPIRE Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2015 expiring tax provisions pertaining to individual and business taxpayers and the energy sector. Expresses the sense of the Senate calling for tax reform in the 114th Congress to allow provisions that don't merit permanency to expire and to focus on fostering economic growth and lowering tax rates by broadening the tax base. Title I: Provisions Expiring in 2013 - Subtitle A: Individual Tax Extenders - Extends through 2015: the tax credit for purchasing health insurance; the tax deduction of expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; the tax exclusion of imputed income from the discharge of indebtedness for a principal residence; the equalization of the tax exclusion for employer-provided commuter transit and parking benefits; the tax deduction of mortgage insurance premiums; the tax deduction of state and local general sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; the tax deduction of contributions of capital gain real property for conservation purposes; the tax deduction of qualified tuition and related expenses; and the tax exemption of distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes. Subtitle B: Business Tax Extenders: Extends through 2015: the tax credit for increasing research expenditures; the low-income housing tax credit rate for newly constructed non-federally subsidized buildings; the Indian employment tax credit; the new markets tax credit; the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures; the tax credit for mine rescue team training expenses; the tax credit for differential wage payments to employees who are active duty members of the Uniformed Services; the work opportunity tax credit; authority for issuance of qualified zone academy bonds; the classification of race horses as three-year property for depreciation purposes; accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property, of motorsports entertainment complexes, and of business property on Indian reservations; accelerated depreciation of business property (bonus depreciation); the tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory made by taxpayers other than C corporations; the increased expensing allowance for business assets, computer software, and qualified real property (i.e., leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property); the election to expense advanced mine safety equipment expenditures; the expensing allowance for film and television production costs and costs of live theatrical productions; the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities in Puerto Rico; tax rules relating to payments between related foreign corporations and regulated investment companies; the subpart F income exemption for income derived in the active conduct of a banking, financing, or insurance business; the 100% exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of small business stock; the basis adjustment rule for stock of an S corporation making charitable contributions of property; the reduction of the recognition period for the built-in gains of S corporations; tax incentives for investment in empowerment zones; the increased level of distilled spirit excise tax payments into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; and the tax credit for American Samoa economic development expenditures. Amends the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 to extend through 2015 the exemption of the basic military housing allowance from the income test for programs financed by tax-exempt housing bonds. Subtitle C: Energy Tax Extenders - Extends through 2015: the tax credit for residential energy efficiency improvements; the tax credit for two- or three-wheeled plug-in electric vehicles; thee tax credit for second generation biofuel production; the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel mixtures; the tax credit for producing electricity using Indian coal facilities; the tax credit for producing electricity using wind, biomass, geothermal, landfill gas, trash, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities; the tax credit for energy efficient new homes; the special depreciation allowance for second generation biofuel plant property; the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; tax deferral rules for sales or dispositions of qualified electric utilities; and the excise tax credit for alternative fuels and fuels involving liquefied hydrogen. Title II: Provisions Expiring in 2014 - Subtitle A: Energy Tax Extenders - Extends through 2015 the tax credits for new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles and for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures. Subtitle B: Extenders Relating to Multiemployer Defined Benefit Pension Plans - Extends through 2015 the automatic extensions of amortization periods for defined benefit plans and multiemployer funding rules under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Title III: Revenue Provisions - Imposes a $500 penalty on a tax return preparer for each failure to comply with due diligence requirements for determining the eligibility of a taxpayer for the child tax credit. Imposes a 100% continuous levy on payments due to Medicare providers and suppliers with delinquent tax debts. Excludes from gross income payments made to noncorporate taxpayers under the Clean Coal Power Initiative. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into qualified tax collection contracts to collect outstanding inactive tax receivables; and (2) establish a program to hire, train, and employ special compliance personnel to collect taxes using the automated collection system. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude dividends received by a U.S. shareholder from a controlled foreign corporation from the definition of "personal holding company income" for purposes of personal holding company taxation, and (2) provide for inflation adjustments to amounts of civil penalties for failure to file tax returns and informational statements. Title IV: Budgetary Effects - Prohibits the budgetary effects of this Act from being entered on a PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
Bill· SS. 2259 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
Helping Military Children Succeed in Schools Act - Amends the school improvement program under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require states to include in their annual state report cards information regarding the number of, and the academic achievement of, their military-connected students (students who have a parent who serves in the Armed Forces). Prohibits that academic achievement information from being used for school or local educational agency accountability purposes under the ESEA.
Bill· HRH.R. 4505 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
DOD Cloud Security Act - Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) review and summarize the best practices relating to cloud security by reviewing the practices of other federal agencies and commercial cloud providers, (2) assess the cloud capacity of the Department of Defense (DOD) and other departments by assessing how and to what extent DOD has adopted commercial cloud practices, and (3) assess the opportunities for DOD to utilize cloud computing in lieu of or in addition to conventional computing. Requires the Chief Information Officer of DOD to: (1) determine the security requirements that are necessary for any cloud service to store DOD information; (2) conduct a threat-based assessment of whether security controls resident in commercial cloud services and the cloud services of other federal agencies meet DOD's security requirements; (3) require any government-owned, operated, or unique system that is or will be designed to provide cloud capabilities for DOD to be certified and accredited through the same process used for commercial service providers; (4) ensure that, as part of any DOD pilot demonstrations with commercial cloud vendors, an analysis is conducted of the Defense Information Systems Agency working with commercial service providers operating for DOD; and (5) ensure that a briefing is provided to specified congressional committees within 30 days after the conclusion of such pilot demonstrations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4504 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
DoD Suicide Tracking Act of 2014 - Requires the the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to prescribe, and the Secretaries of the military departments and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the adjutants general to implement, a policy for the development of a standard method for collecting, reporting, and assessing suicide data and suicide-attempt data involving members of the National Guard and Reserves. Requires the DOD Secretary to direct the Secretary of each military department to develop and implement a program to track, retain, and analyze information regarding suicides involving dependents of members of the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces.
Bill· HRH.R. 4500 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 to require the Principal Cyber Advisor (PCA) (the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense on military cyber forces) to establish and submit to Congress a comprehensive list of cyber and information technology ranges and facilities of the Department of Defense (DOD). Defines "cyber and information technology ranges and facilities" as cyber ranges, test facilities, test beds, and other DOD means for testing, training, and developing software, personnel, and tools for accommodating DOD's mission. Requires the PCA to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether listed ranges and facilities should be managed centrally to increase efficiency, should provide capability or capacity to more DOD elements, or both. Directs the Secretary to establish or designate an entity to coordinate such ranges and facilities that the PCA determines should be centrally managed. Requires the head of such entity to: (1) manage and identify opportunities for integration of such ranges and facilities; and (2) assist the military departments, the National Guard, and elements of DOD to gain access to such ranges and facilities. Requires the PCA to establish and maintain a list of commonly used terms relating to cyber matters to improve the coordination and cooperation among the military departments and other federal agencies. Directs the head of the coordination entity to carry out one or more pilot programs to demonstrate commercially available, cloud-based cyber training, exercise, and test environments that are accessible to defense laboratories, the National Guard, academia, and the private sector.
Bill· HRH.R. 4492 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
TRICARE Moms Improvement Act of 2014 - Requires the contracts entered into by the Secretary of Defense (DOD) for medical care for military dependents (e.g., TRICARE) to provide for breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling as appropriate during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Bill· HRH.R. 4495 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2014
Asia-Pacific Region Priority Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) report to the congressional defense committees on the U.S. Pacific Command's munitions strategy for the next ten years, (2) appoint a Director of Defense Unmanned Systems, and (3) enter into an agreement with an independent entity to assess anti-access and area-denial capabilities that pose a threat to the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region and strategies to mitigate such threats. Requires the Director of DOD's Office of Net Assessment to assess the maritime balance of forces in the Asia-Pacific region for the next ten years, focusing on the Chinese People's Liberation Army and State Oceanic Administration. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify opportunities for increasing missile defense cooperation among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea and to evaluate options for short-range missile, rocket, and artillery defense capabilities; (2) submit a report assessing DOD's ability to deter and defeat any act of space aggression by an adversary; and (3) conduct a study, acting through the Office of Net Assessment, of potential alternative defense and deterrent strategies in response to existing and projected counter-space capabilities of China and Russia. Authorizes appropriations for FY2015 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Air Force, for enhancing space situational awareness capabilities of the Air Force. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should: (1) ensure that members of the Armed Forces continue to have reliable access to military training ranges, including ranges within the U.S. Pacific Command area; and (2) maximize the Armed Forces use of the Pohakuloa Training Area in Hawaii and increase its use for bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional allies and partners. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to acquire interests in real property near the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii, for the purpose of limiting encroachments on, and facilitating, military training, testing, and operations at that installation. Reaffirms: (1) U.S. commitment and support for allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region and for the longstanding U.S. policy that Article V of the United States-Japan Mutual Defense Treaty applies to the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, and (2) the U.S security commitment to Japan. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) opportunities to further strengthen the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea, with an emphasis on security and trade; and (2) the maritime balance of forces between China and Taiwan and the posture and readiness of Taiwan's navy to respond to an attack. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2000 to require the Secretary's annual report on military and security developments involving China to include analyses and forecasts of developments in China's maritime law enforcement capabilities and organization, focusing on contested maritime areas in the South China Sea and East China Sea.