Defence

Interdictions Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2016

Interdictions Assistance Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense to provide assistance to foreign countries to interdict or seize shipments of items in contravention of U.N. Security Council Resolutions: 1701 (cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, deployment of U.N. and Lebanese forces, and the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon); or 2231(endorsement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding the Iranian nuclear issue). Such assistance may include: (1) assistance for logistical and military support by such country for such interdiction or seizure and for the storage, transfer, or destruction of seized or interdicted items; and (2) interdiction training.

Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) provide educational and vocational counseling services for veterans at VA-selected institutions of higher learning, and (2) select locations where the maximum number of veterans would have access to such services. Such counseling shall be provided by VA employees who provide educational and vocational counseling services.

Success in Transition for All Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

Success in Transition for All Veterans Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to carry out a research program to evaluate whether the transition assistance program addresses the differentiated needs, challenges, and post-military service aspirations of women veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans, veterans who are residents of a U.S. territory, veterans who are part of the indigenous population of a U.S. territory, and other groups of minority veterans. (The transition assistance program is a Labor program that assists members of the armed forces separating from active duty and their spouses in identifying and obtaining employment and training opportunities.) The research program shall address: whether and how employment barriers and employment aspirations facing such veterans are substantively different from other veteran populations; and whether the transition program is designed to address such differences and, if not, changes that could be made to do so.

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

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts or 18.5% of the economic output of the United States for the fiscal year. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment requires a three-fourths roll call vote of each chamber of Congress to increase the public debt limit or revenue. It also requires the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually and specifies that the failure to do so will be considered an impeachable offense. Congress may waive these requirements when: (1) a declaration of war is in effect, or (2) the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security that has been declared by a joint resolution. Waivers must identify and be limited to the excess that is necessary for a year due to the identified military conflict.

GI Bill Oversight Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

GI Bill Oversight Act of 2016 This bill directs the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to apply heightened scrutiny to any program of education if any federal or state agency has made a final determination or settlement that the program used advertising, sales, or enrollment practices that are erroneous, deceptive, or misleading. The VA shall provide notice of such heightened scrutiny and the reasons for it to an individual who is entitled to VA educational assistance and is enrolled in a course under such program. The VA shall: (1) monitor allegations of deceptive and misleading program practices, including federal and state investigations; and (2) include information about allegations on the GI Bill Comparison Tool or any similar VA website. The VA shall: (1) disapprove an educational course provided by an institution of higher learning if the VA determines pursuant to heightened scrutiny that such institution has engaged in erroneous, deceptive, or misleading practices; and (2) provide counseling services to assist affected individuals in transferring to another institution of higher learning. The VA shall establish an interagency working group to: (1) share information about educational programs that employ deceptive or misleading practices; and (2) enter into information sharing memoranda of understanding with the Inspector Generals of relevant agencies to determine if funds from other federal programs are affected when one agency investigates a program for employing deceptive or misleading practices.

Veterans Education Enhancement Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

Veterans Education Enhancement Act of 2016 This bill revises the fee that is deducted from a veteran's education entitlement under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 educational assistance program from a monthly to a prorated fee for: (1) certain license and certification tests, and (2) national tests. The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2021. The VA shall, in consultation with state approving agencies, prescribe training requirements for a school certifying official (SCO) employed by a covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses. The VA may disapprove any course of education offered by a covered educational institution that does not ensure that an SCO meets such requirements. (A covered educational institution is an institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using veterans educational assistance.) The bill extends the applicability of provisions requiring rounding down, and delays the applicability of provisions requiring rounding up, of veterans educational assistance increases for: (1) the All-Volunteer Force, and (2) survivors and dependents. The VA shall reduce the monthly housing stipend on a pro rata basis for a student who reduces his or her course load, effective for a month that begins on or after August 1, 2017. A reporting fee paid by the VA to an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee with respect to an institution that has 75 or more enrollees may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee.

National Guard 12304b Benefits Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

National Guard 12304b Benefits Parity Act This bill makes National Guard and Selected Reserve members deployed to augment active forces for a preplanned mission in support of a combat command eligible for: (1) Post-9/11 educational assistance, (2) a reduced eligibility age for non-regular service retirement pay, (3) transitional post-demobilization health benefits for a member who is separated from active duty after a period of more than 30 days of duty, and (4) pre-deployment TRICARE benefits. The amendments made by this bill shall take effect retroactively on December 31, 2011.

TRICARE Treatment for Fetal Repair Improvement Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

TRICARE Treatment for Fetal Repair Improvement Act of 2016 This bill directs the Department of Defense to ensure that a covered beneficiary under the TRICARE program who is diagnosed with a fetal anomaly receives expedited evaluation and treatment from a qualified provider in the pediatric specialties of fetal medicine and surgery.

CAPTIVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2016

Clarifying Amendment to Provide Terrorism Victims Equity Act or the CAPTIVE Act This bill amends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 regarding the blocked assets of a terrorist party which shall be subject to execution or attachment in aid of execution in order to satisfy a judgment based upon an act of terrorism in an action brought by or on behalf of the person obtaining the judgment. The bill redefines "blocked asset" to include any asset seized or frozen by the United States under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. The bill also defines a "person" who has obtained such a judgment as a natural person who, at the time the act of terrorism was committed upon which the judgment was obtained, was: a national of the United States; a member of the U.S. Armed Forces; or otherwise an employee of the federal government, or of a federal government contractor, acting within the scope of employment. If the person described is deceased, the personal representative of the estate of that deceased person shall count as the person.

Cyber Act of War Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2016

Cyber Act of War Act of 2016 This bill directs the President to: (1) develop a policy for determining when an action carried out in cyberspace constitutes an act of war against the United States, and (2) revise the Department of Defense Law of War Manual accordingly. In developing this policy, the President shall consider: (1) the ways in which a cyber attack's effects may be equivalent to a conventional attack's effects, including physical destruction or casualties; and (2) intangible effects of significant scope or duration.

Advancing U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2016

Advancing U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Act This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: the U.S.-India defense partnership is vital to regional and international stability and security, and the President's commitment to enhancing defense and security cooperation with India should be considered a priority with respect to advancing U.S. interests in the South Asia and greater Indo-Pacific regions. The bill declares that the President should: take action to formalize India's status as a U.S. major partner; resolve issues impeding U.S.-India defense trade, security cooperation, and coproduction and chemotherapeutic opportunities; pursue greater U.S.-India government-to-government and commercial military transactions; and facilitate the transfer of advanced technology with the Indian military for missions such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter piracy, and maritime domain awareness. The President is encouraged to coordinate with India annually to develop military contingency plans for addressing threats to mutual security interests. The President shall: (1) annually assess the extent to which India possesses strategic operational capabilities to execute military operations of mutual interest to the United States and India; and (2) ensure that such assessment is used in reviewing applications to sell or export defense articles, defense services, or technical data. The Arms Export Control Act is amended to extend special foreign military sales status to India.

WINGMAN Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2016

Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now Act or the WINGMAN Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide an accredited, permanent congressional employee with read-only remote access to the electronic Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims records system of a represented veteran, regardless of whether the employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by the veteran. The VA shall ensure that access does not allow the employee to modify system data. An employee must complete the VA certification process required of agents or attorneys in order to have system access. Each Member of Congress who elects to have an employee participate in the system shall bear the certification cost, which shall be paid from the Member's representational allowance. Information access by an employee shall be deemed: (1) a covered disclosure requiring prior consent, with specified exceptions; and (2) a permitted disclosure relating to the privacy of individually identifiable health information. The VA may not recognize an employee for purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA claims by reason of such system access. "Accredited, permanent congressional employee" means an employee of a Member of Congress who assists constituents with issues regarding federal departments or agencies. "Electronic VBA claims records system" means the VA system that provides claim status information, including information about medical records, compensation and pension exams records, rating decisions, a statement of the case and a supplementary statement of the case, a notice of disagreement, and Form-9.

Medical Leave for Disabled Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2016

Medical Leave for Disabled Veterans Act This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to provide eligibility for specified medical/hospital care for an employee who: (1) has a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating of between 30% and 50% and at least 833 hours of service with the employer (from whom leave is requested) during the previous eight-month period, or (2) has a VA disability rating of 60% or higher and at least 625 hours of service with such employer during the previous 6-month period. Medical/hospital leave shall also be provided to an employee who is not covered by the above provision but who retired from the Armed Forces by reason of a service-connected disability: (1) rated at between 30% and 50% at retirement and who has at least 833 hours of service with such employer during the previous eight-month period, or (2) rated at 60% or higher at retirement and who has at least 625 hours of service with such employer during the previous 6-month period. (Under current law, employees of an FMLA-covered employer become eligible for medical leave after 12 months on the job and at least 1,250 hours of service with such employer during the previous 12-month period.) A employee must submit a certification to the employer from the VA or the Department of Defense, as appropriate, to be eligible for such adjustment.

Vet Connect Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

Vet Connect Act of 2016 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to disclose to non-VA entities that provide hospital care or medical treatment to veterans (including private entities and other federal agencies) records of the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of any patient in connection with a program relating to drug abuse, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, or sickle cell anemia.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide an extension of the special survivor indemnity allowance provided to widows and widowers of certain deceased members of the uniformed services.

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

This bill extends the special survivor indemnity allowance of $310 a month through FY2018.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the qualifications for licensed mental health counselors of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

This bill provides that persons with a degree that is equivalent to a master's degree in mental health counseling shall be eligible for appointment to a Department of Veterans Affairs licensed professional mental health counselor position.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the circumstances under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide reimbursement for emergency ambulance services.

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat ambulance services as reimbursable emergency services if: the ambulance request was made because of the sudden onset of a medical condition of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to the individual or could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in placing the individual in serious jeopardy, and the individual is transported to the closest and most appropriate medical facility capable of treating such emergency medical condition.

Protection and Advocacy for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

Protection and Advocacy for Veterans Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year grant program to improve the monitoring of VA mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. The VA shall award a grant to four protection and advocacy systems under which each recipient shall investigate and monitor VA facilities care and treatment of veterans with mental illness or substance abuse issues. Criteria for selecting recipients shall include whether the state in which the protection and advocacy system operates has low mental health, performance, and access scores. During each year in which a protection and advocacy system carries out a demonstration project, the VA shall award a joint grant to a national organization with extensive knowledge of the protection and advocacy system and a veterans service organization to: (1) coordinate training and technical assistance, and (2) provide for related data collection, reporting, and analysis. "Protection and advocacy system" means the state-established system to protect and advocate the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.

No Defense Contracts for Terror Profiteers Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

No Defense Contracts for Terror Profiteers Act of 2016 This bill prohibits funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2017 from being used to procure, or enter into a contract to procure, goods or services from any person that provides material support to a covered Iranian person during such fiscal year. A "covered Iranian person" includes an Iranian person that is: (1) included on the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury for acting on behalf of, or being owned or controlled by, the government of Iran; or (2) owned or controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. The bill requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to be revised to require a person with a prospective contract of more than $100,000 to certify that the person does not engage in prohibited conduct with a covered Iranian person. DOD may, on a case-by-case basis, waive such prohibition for national security reasons but must provide Congress with notice before the waiver takes effect.

Suppressor Export Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

Suppressor Export Act This bill amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide that a regulation or related implementing policy or practice regarding registration and licensing requirements for manufacturers, exporters, or importers of designated defense articles and defense services may not prohibit the otherwise lawful export for sale or transfer of any firearm silencer or component, if: the item may be lawfully manufactured in the United States; and the importing country has a lawful public or private use market for such item and is not listed as a country prohibited from receiving arms exports.

Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Extension Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2016

Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Extension Act of 2016 This bill amends the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 to extend through December 31, 2019, provisions requiring the President to impose sanctions against individuals in Venezuela who are responsible for human rights violations.

Gail H. Marcus, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2018, vice Jessie Hill Roberson, term expired.

United States · United States Senate · 28 April 2016

CHIP IN for Vets Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program under which it may enter into up to five partnership arrangements with a non-federal entity to conduct one or more: super construction projects (those for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100 million); major construction projects (those for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $10 million, but not including an acquisition by exchange); or major construction projects to construct a new cemetery or to develop additional gravesites or columbarium niches at an existing cemetery. The selected projects may be ones for which: Congress has appropriated partial funding or the VA has identified a need for the project by listing it on the Major Construction Strategic Capital Investment Planning priority list, and a non-federal entity has entered or is willing to enter into a formal agreement with the VA to independently finance and/or donate acceptable project funds at no additional government cost. One of the non-federal entity partnership agreements shall be a project to design, finance, and construct a new ambulatory care center in Omaha, Nebraska.

STAND for Ukraine Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

S tability and Democracy for Ukraine Act or the STAND for Ukraine Act This bill provides that no federal agency should take any action or extend any assistance that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters. The bill urges that the Government Publishing Office not print any document indicating Crimea as part of the Russian Federation (Russia). U.S. sanctions provided for in Executive Orders 13660, 13661, 13662, (blocking property of persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine) and 13685 (blocking property of persons contributing to the situation in Crimea) shall remain in effect until the President certifies to Congress that: Ukraine's sovereignty over Crimea has been restored, or the status of Crimea has been resolved to the satisfaction of a democratically elected government of Ukraine. The Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 is amended to authorize the President to block and prohibit a foreign person's transactions of property or property interests that are U.S.-sited or controlled by a U.S. person if the foreign person has knowingly: (1) violated such executive orders, or (2) facilitated deceptive or structured transactions for or on behalf of any person subject to U.S. sanctions against Russia. The President shall: use U.S. influence to seek North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) adoption of a policy that opposes the transfer of defense articles and services to Russia while Russia occupies the territory of Ukraine or of a NATO member, and direct appropriate U.S. agencies to monitor and identify transfers by NATO members of defense articles and services to Russia. A license application or other authorization for the transfer of any defense article or service to or on behalf of a NATO member so identified shall be subject to a presumption of denial. The Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 is amended to include in the list of persons responsible for gross violations of human rights persons committing such actions in any territory forcibly occupied or otherwise controlled by Russia. The Department of State shall seek to establish an international consortium to increase private investment in Ukraine that shall include the United States. It is the sense of Congress that the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall establish Crimean Tatar services (subordinate to the Ukrainian language services) and broadcast Crimean Tatar language content into Crimea.

Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2016 This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make the Veterans Choice Program permanent. Program eligibility is expanded to include all veterans who are enrolled in the annual patient enrollment system under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care and medical services program. The VA shall provide information about the availability of Program care and services to veterans who are new to, or already enrolled, in the system. The VA shall contract with a national chain of walk-in clinics to provide hospital care and medical services in such clinics to veterans who are in the annual patient enrollment system. A veteran shall not be required to: (1) obtain pre-authorization for such care, or (2) pay a copayment to the clinic or to the VA. Such national chain shall establish an automated system to provide the VA with weekly information on veterans receiving hospital care or medical services. A covered health care professional may practice his or her health care profession at any location in any state, regardless of where such health care professional or the patient is located, if the health care professional is using telemedicine to treat an individual. Such treatment is permitted regardless of whether the professional or patient is located in a federally-owned facility. "Covered health care professional" means a health care professional who is: (1) authorized by the VA to provide health care, including a private health care professional who provides such care under a VA contract or agreement; and (2) licensed, registered, or certified in a state to practice his or her health care profession. The VA shall: extend the operating hours for each VA pharmacy to include weekday evenings until 8:00 p.m., weekends, and federal holidays; and contract with qualifying physicians and nurses to work at VA medical facilities during nights and weekends. The VA may: (1) hire support staff in connection with such extended operating hours, and (2) provide for a nongovernmental hospital organization best-practices peer review of each VA medical center.

Janey Ensminger Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Janey Ensminger Act of 2016 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, at least every three years, to: review the scientific literature relevant to the relationship between the employment or residence of individuals at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for at least 30 days during the period of August 1, 1953, to December 21, 1987, and specific illnesses or conditions incurred by those individuals and determine whether and to what extent the evidence shows that toxic substance exposure is a cause of an illness or condition; and publish and update a list of each illness and the categorization of evidence for which a determination of cause has been made. A veteran who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during such period is eligible for hospital care and medical services for any of the illnesses or conditions for which the evidentiary connection between toxic exposure and the illness or condition is categorized in such list as sufficient or modest. Such a veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for such care or services for such illness or condition even if the evidentiary connection is not categorized as sufficient or modest. A family member of such veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for hospital care or medical services for such illness or condition. The Department of Veterans Affairs shall transfer for each of FY2017 and FY2018 specified finds to enhance the claims processing system, eligibility system, and web portal for the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.

Recognizing the 41st anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Recognizes the significance of the 41st anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Honors: the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the United States over the last 41 years and their tireless commitment to upholding freedom and democracy in Vietnam; the service of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and of the South Vietnamese forces who fought in Vietnam, including those who gave their lives; and the memory of the Vietnamese who lost their lives while attempting to flee Vietnam. Encourages all U.S. citizens to join in remembering the Fall of Saigon, honoring the contributions of the Vietnamese American community, and calling for freedom and democracy in Vietnam.

Small Business National Security Innovation Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Small Business National Security Innovation Act of 2016 This bill directs the Department of the Navy to establish a pilot program for the commercialization of products and services produced by covered small business concerns under which the Department shall set up a multiple task or delivery order contract for those products and services. Nothing in this bill shall be construed to prevent the commercialization of products and services produced by a small business concern under a federal agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program through: direct awards for Phase III of an SBIR or STTR program; awards made under the Rapid Innovation Fund (for accelerating the fielding of innovative technologies developed using Department of Defense [DOD] research funding, and expedient DOD use of such technologies in defense acquisition programs); or any other contract vehicle.

Missile Defense Defend and Deter Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Missile Defense Defend and Deter Act of 2016 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) Missile Defense Agency to administer an intercept flight test of the ground-based midcourse defense element of the ballistic missile defense system at least once each fiscal year. Each test shall provide for: validation of the defense element's operational effectiveness; use of assets in their operational configuration against an inventory of targets to assess performance in a variety of flight test regimes; use of operational doctrine and real-world constraints; evaluation of new concepts of operations, tactics, and techniques; and mechanisms to assure the confidence of members of the Armed Forces in the basic design of the ground-based midcourse defense element, its hit-to-kill effectiveness, and its operational capability. The Agency may forgo a test if: it would jeopardize national security, not be successful due to specific ground-based midcourse defense components needing a non-intercept test, and likely fail due to impractical time considerations; or funding is insufficient. The Agency also may forgo a test if DOD determines that the testing is detrimental to U.S. national security interests and provides notice to Congress.

A bill to extend the runway at Pope Army Airfield.

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

This bill directs the Department of the Army to submit to Congress a report that outlines plans to extend the runway at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, and that indicates whether such project is an Army priority.

Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act of 2016 This bill repeals the termination date of (thus, reinstates) the requirement for an annual report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the VA's compliance, by facility and by service-network, with requirements for managing the provision of hospital care and medical services furnished to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

A bill to amend title 32, United States Code, to specify the availability of certain funds provided by the Department of Defense to States for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities.

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

This bill makes certain Department of Defense funds for state drug interdiction and counter-drug activities available for obligation or expenditure for at least three fiscal years.

Reports Reduction Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Reports Reduction Act of 2016 This bill eliminates or modifies reporting requirements for programs of: the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, State, the Treasury, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs; the U.S. Coast Guard; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Executive Office of the President; the Federal Communications Commission; the Federal Trade Commission; the General Services Administration; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Science Foundation; the Office of Personnel Management; the Director of National Intelligence; and the Small Business Administration. The Andean Trade Preference Act is amended to eliminate the U.S. International Trade Commission's reports regarding the economic impact of the President's authority to proclaim duty-free treatment to beneficiary countries and the effectiveness of drug-related crop eradication. The bill eliminates a provision that required the President to report on compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Veterans Choice Program Resolution Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Veterans Choice Program Resolution Act This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to direct the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select from among employees of the Office of Inspector General a Choice Program Ombudsman to manage complaints about program hospital care and medical services. The VA shall publish on publicly available Internet websites of the VA and the Office of Inspector General information regarding the process for submitting a complaint to the Ombudsman.

Military Retaliation Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Military Retaliation Prevention Act This bill amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to subject to punishment by a court-martial any person who, with the intent to retaliate against any individual for reporting a criminal offense or making a protected communication, or with the intent to discourage any individual from reporting a criminal offense or making a protected communication, wrongfully: takes or threatens to take an adverse personnel action against such individual, or withholds or threatens to withhold a favorable personnel action from such individual. "Protected communication" means a: lawful communication to a Member of Congress or an Inspector General; or communication to a specified individual or organization in which a service member complains of, or discloses information that the member reasonably believes constitutes evidence of, a violation of law or regulation, including sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. The results of a Department of Defense (DOD) or Armed Forces investigation of a service member's complaint of retaliation shall be provided to such service member. DOD personnel who investigate claims of retaliation in connection with reports of sexual assault in the Armed Forces shall receive training on the nature and consequences of sexual assault trauma. The Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 is amended to include information on claims of retaliation in the military departments' sexual assault prevention reports to DOD. DOD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office shall establish metrics to evaluate efforts of the Armed Forces to prevent and respond to retaliation.

Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act This bill repeals the termination date of (thus, reinstates) the requirement for an annual report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the VA's compliance, by facility and by service-network, with requirements for managing the provision of hospital care and medical services furnished to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Iran, by failing to adhere to international maritime law, ignoring United Nations resolutions, and conducting military operations in a manner that raises tensions within the Arabian Gulf, has undermined stability in the Arabian Gulf, raised the danger of inadvertent escalation, and increased the risk to members of the United States Armed Forces overseas.

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2016

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the actions of Iranian military and paramilitary forces in the Arabian Gulf undermined Gulf stability, raised the danger of escalation, and increased the risk to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Calls on Iranian military and paramilitary forces to act in accordance with international law for conduct at sea. Urges the Administration to strongly respond to instances of dangerous behavior by Iranian forces. Declares that the House pledges to consider such behavior when considering legislation that pertains to Iran, including sanctions and arms control agreements.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017

United States · United States Senate · 27 April 2016

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2016

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 TITLE I--INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES This bill authorizes FY2017 appropriations for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of: the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI); the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); the Department of Defense (DOD); the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); the National Security Agency (NSA); the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; the Coast Guard; the Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy, and Justice; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA); and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The ODNI, if it provides prior notice to Congress, may authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY2017 when necessary for the performance of important intelligence functions. This title authorizes FY2017 appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account. Additional funds identified in a classified schedule for advanced research and development shall remain available until September 30, 2018. TITLE II--CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM This title authorizes FY2017 appropriations for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS This title authorizes FY2017 appropriations for the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Employees of the DIA, the NGA, the NRO, or the NSA assigned or detailed to a combatant command or other element of the federal government who intend to report to Congress a complaint or information regarding an urgent concern involving classified information or false statements may report the complaint or information to the DOD inspector general. Inspectors general of the CIA, the ODNI, and other elements of the intelligence community must notify Congress directly when they determine that an employee's complaint or information about an urgent concern appears credible. This title removes processes under which such inspectors general must notify the CIA Director, the Director of National Intelligence, or the head of their establishment, who then forwards the notice to Congress. DOD officials designated with overall acquisition-decision responsibilities for major defense acquisition programs must report to Congress about the costs, plans, and risks of the programs after granting each milestone approval. This title removes a provision that requires any construction or improvement to a facility with an estimated federal cost exceeding $300,000 that is used primarily by intelligence community personnel to be specifically identified as a separate item in the President's budget or specifically authorized and appropriated. The ODNI must notify Congress of any project for the repair or modification of a facility for intelligence community personnel that has an estimated cost greater than $1 million. TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO ELEMENTS OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY This title amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to require the ODNI, within five days after a review or an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) of a merger, acquisition, or takeover that could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States, to submit to Congress the ODNI's national security threat analysis that was previously provided to the CFIUS. Within 60 days after completion of the review or investigation that concludes the CFIUS's action, the ODNI must also determine whether the transaction will have an operational impact on the intelligence community, and, if so, report on such impact to Congress. The Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive is redesignated as the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, with a director to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The ODNI must publish on a public website a list of all logos, symbols, and markings associated with foreign terrorist organizations. The CIA may: (1) pay death benefits substantially similar to those authorized for Foreign Service members, and (2) adjust eligibility requirements for such benefits. The CIA inspector general may designate officers or employees as law enforcement officers for purposes of pay and retirement benefits if they are appointed to a position that investigates suspected criminal offenses. This title removes the DOD Chief Information Officer's authority and control over the NSA's Information Assurance Directorate. No DIA civilian employee assigned to a directorate of a geographic combatant command headquartered outside of the United States may receive a living quarters allowance. The NRO shall develop a plan to carry out space-based environmental monitoring missions with acquisition programs to meet the national security requirements for cloud characterization and theater weather imagery. The ODNI must support DOD's efforts to modernize the technology systems for security clearance information. TITLE V--MATTERS RELATING TO UNITED STATES NAVAL STATION, GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA The ODNI must complete a declassification review of intelligence reports prepared by the National Counterterrorism Center prior to Periodic Review Board sessions or detainee transfers on the past terrorist activities of individuals detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who were transferred or released after the signing of Executive Order 13492. The ODNI must make declassified information available to the public and provide a justification to Congress about why any information subject to review was not declassified. TITLE VI--REPORTS AND OTHER MATTERS This title sets forth reporting requirements for the ODNI, DHS, and the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community.

Medal of Honor Legacy Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2016

Medal of Honor Legacy Act This bill directs the Department of the Army to reserve 100 in-ground burial plots at Arlington National Cemetery for interment of deceased Medal of Honor recipients. Such requirement shall terminate when the Army submits a report on the cemetery's interment and inurnment capacity that includes: (1) the estimated date of achieving maximum capacity; and (2) recommendations to ensure that such capacity is not reached until well into the future, including actions to redefine interment eligibility and considerations for cemetery expansion.

VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2016

VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 This bill amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits appeals process to permit a claimant to request: a review of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's decision by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency under which no additional evidence may be submitted; or a Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) review under which no BVA hearing is requested and no additional evidence may be submitted or under which a BVA hearing is requested and the appellant requests an opportunity to submit additional evidence at, and within 90 days of, the hearing. ("Agency of Original Jurisdiction" means the activity which entered the original determination with regard to a claim for veterans benefits.) The BVA shall maintain two such separate dockets. A finding favorable to a claimant is binding on all subsequent VA adjudicators unless clear and convincing evidence is shown to the contrary. The BVA may remand a claim to the agency to obtain a corrective advisory medical opinion. The bill revises effective dates of awards provisions. The VA's duty to assist a claimant shall not apply: (1) once the claimant is provided notice of the agency's initial decision, and (2) to higher-level agency or BVA review. The VA is not required to send notice for a supplemental claim or to readjudicate a claim that has been disallowed except when new and relevant evidence is presented or secured (currently such provisions applies to reopening such claim). A claimants's notice of disagreement must set out specific allegations of error of fact or law. The BVA is authorized to dismiss an appeal which fails to do so.

Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2016

Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative Act of 2016 This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish the Maritime Security Initiative to provide assistance and training through September 30, 2022, for maritime security and domain awareness for countries in the Asia-Pacific region. DOD shall prioritize assistance in order to: retain access to international waterways to ensure the free flow of commerce and achieve U.S. national security objectives, improve maritime domain awareness, counter piracy, disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities of organizations that are a U.S. security threat, and enhance the maritime capabilities of a country or regional organization to respond to emerging maritime security threats. Assistance and training shall also promote observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for legitimate civilian authority. DOD may use funds provided for by this bill to pay incremental training-connected expenses if such payment will facilitate the participation of organization personnel in Brunei, Singapore, and Taiwan. The Arms Export Control Act is amended to extend special foreign military sales status to the Philippines. FY2017 international military education and training funds and foreign military financing assistance funds are authorized for activities in the region. The Department of State may prioritize the provision of maritime capacity building assistance to countries in the region that will contribute to the same objectives as provided in this bill for DOD. FY2017 funds are authorized for support of the Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to give priority for the transfer of excess defense articles to: (1) other major U.S. non-North American Treaty Organization allies in the region (including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand); and (2) other Association of Southeast Asian Nations maritime states. The bill authorizes the transfer of one OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigate on a grant basis to a foreign government pursuant to the Maritime Security Initiative. The President shall ensure that the U.S. government treats every proposed arms sale for Taiwan with the same time lines, processes, and procedures accorded to proposed arms transfers for all other countries.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Medication Prescribing Improvement Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2016

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Medication Prescribing Improvement Act of 2016 This bill directs the Department of Defense to: (1) review the prescribing practices at military treatment facilities of pharmaceutical agents for post-traumatic stress treatment, (2) implement a process or processes to monitor the prescribing practices at military treatment facilities of pharmaceutical agents that are discouraged from use under the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Post-Traumatic Stress, and (3) implement a plan to address deviations from such guideline.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Provides FY2017 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and independent agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Provides appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, including for: Investigations, Construction, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Operation and Maintenance, the Regulatory Program, the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, Expenses, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Provides appropriations to the Department of the Interior for the Central Utah Project and the Bureau of Reclamation. Provides appropriations to DOE for Energy Programs, including: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Nuclear Energy, Fossil Energy Research and Development, the Office of Technology Transitions, Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Energy Information Administration, Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup, the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund, Science, Nuclear Waste Disposal, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, and the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program. Provides appropriations to DOE for: Atomic Energy Defense Activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Environmental and Other Defense Activities, and the Power Marketing Administrations. Provides appropriations to several independent agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Sets forth permissible, restricted, and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.

Love Lives On Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Love Lives On Act of 2016 This bill amends the definition of a veteran's "surviving spouse," for the purpose of veterans benefits provisions, to eliminate the requirement that such person: (1) has not remarried; or (2) has not, since the death of the veteran and after September 19, 1962, lived with another person and held himself or herself out to be the other person's spouse. The effective date of an award of specified veterans benefits to a surviving spouse based upon termination of a remarriage by death or divorce occurring before the date of enactment of this bill shall be the date of death, or the date the judicial decree or divorce becomes final, if an application therefor is received within one year of the remarriage's termination.

Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require a VA employee (including a temporary full-time, part-time, or without-compensation employee) who is authorized to prescribe any controlled substance to complete at least one accredited continuing education course on pain management every two years. Such requirement shall: apply to an employee who is employed by the VA for at least 180 days during any 24-month period; and not apply to an employee licensed or certified by a state licensure or specialty board that requires the completion of pain management or substance use disorder management continuing education. Continuing education courses shall include information on safe prescribing practices, controlled substance disposal, pain management principles, and identification of potential substance use disorders and addiction treatment.

Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to: (1) establish a data-collection system for reports, including anonymous reports, of hazing incidents involving a member of the Armed Forces; and (2) issue DOD-wide guidance regarding database availability and use, including information on protected classes such as race and religion. Each military department shall: (1) improve service member training to better recognize, prevent, and respond to hazing at all command levels; and (2) conduct an annual hazing survey, which shall include the extent to which service members report hazing and the effectiveness of anti-hazing training.

A bill to provide for the repair, recapitalization, and certification of dry docks at Naval shipyards.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

This bill allows amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2017 for the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance that are available as foreign currency fluctuation savings to be made available for repair, recapitalization, and certification of dry docks at naval shipyards.

Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act This bill provides that whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall increase by the same percentage the amounts payable as veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

United States-Israel Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2016

United States-Israel Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2016 This bill authorizes the President to provide assistance to Israel to protect Israel's coastline and natural gas fields located in its exclusive economic zone. Activities that may be supported by such assistance include: procurement and sustainment of the David's Sling Weapon System, payment of incremental expenses incurred by Israel resulting from participation in a bilateral or multilateral military exercise of the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard, conduct of increased U.S. naval vessel visits at Israeli ports, and conduct of joint research and development for advanced maritime domain awareness capabilities.