Roger F. Wicker
Senator for Mississippi · Republican · United States
“3195(b)) is amended-- (i) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``except with respect to an individual described in paragraph (4),'' before ``the individual''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Individuals exempted from background check.--An individual described in this paragraph is-- ``(A) an individual who is-- ``(i)(I) a m…”
“3195(b)) is amended-- (i) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``except with respect to an individual described in paragraph (4),'' before ``the individual''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Individuals exempted from background check.--An individual described in this paragraph is-- ``(A) an individual who is-- ``(i)(I) a m…”
“(e) Exemption to Prohibitions.--The Department of Defense is exempt from the prohibitions under subsections (b), (c), and (d) if-- (1) the procurement or operation of the covered unmanned ground vehicle system is in the national interest of the United States; and (2)(A) the sole purpose for the procurement or operation is-- (i) research,…”
“(e) Exemption to Prohibitions.--The Department of Defense is exempt from the prohibitions under subsections (b), (c), and (d) if-- (1) the procurement or operation of the covered unmanned ground vehicle system is in the national interest of the United States; and (2)(A) the sole purpose for the procurement or operation is-- (i) research,…”
“(c) Implementation.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall-- (1) select not fewer than three classes of naval vessels for participation in the pilot program; (2) prioritize components and parts that have demonstrated supply chain constraints, production bottlenecks, or recurring availability issues; (3) partner with publi…”
“(c) Implementation.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall-- (1) select not fewer than three classes of naval vessels for participation in the pilot program; (2) prioritize components and parts that have demonstrated supply chain constraints, production bottlenecks, or recurring availability issues; (3) partner with publi…”
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“(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report indicating medical facilities of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs that either Secretary, or both, considers appropriate to be designated as combined Federal medical facilities of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. SEC. 5764. TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO STRIKE SECTION 704. Section 704 of division A is hereby deemed to be stricken from this Act.”
“2571), as most recently amended by section 1421 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159; 138 Stat. 2129), is repealed.”
“``(2) Financial reconciliation.-- ``(A) In general.--The executive agreement between the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under paragraph (1)(A) shall provide for the development and implementation of an integrated financial reconciliation process that meets the fiscal reconciliation requirements of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. ``(B) Identification of contributions.--The process under subparagraph (A) shall permit the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify their fiscal contributions to the Fund, taking into consideration accounting, workload, and financial management differences.''. (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat.”
“``(B) Exception.--Of the amount transferred to the Fund under subsection (c) in a fiscal year, an amount not to exceed two percent of such amount shall remain available under this subsection until the end of the second fiscal year beginning after the date of the transfer. ``(e) Executive Agreement.-- ``(1) Fund administration.-- ``(A) In general.--The Fund shall be administered in accordance with an executive agreement between the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. ``(B) Guidelines.--The executive agreement under subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4500) and shall provide for an independent review of the methodology established under subsection (c)(1).”
“Lovell Federal Health Care Center, consisting of the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Navy Ambulatory Care Center, and supporting facilities designated as a combined Federal medical facility under an operational agreement covered by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4500). ``(3) Limitation.--The availability of amounts transferred to the Fund under subsection (c)(2) shall be subject to the provisions of section 1729A of title 38. ``(4) Period of availability.-- ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), amounts transferred to the Fund under subsection (c) shall remain available under this subsection until the end of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of the transfer.”
“``(d) Availability of Amounts in Fund.-- ``(1) In general.--Amounts transferred to the Fund under subsection (c) shall be available to fund the operations of designated combined Federal medical facilities of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including capital equipment, real property maintenance, and minor [[Page S3965]] construction projects that are not required to be specifically authorized by law under section 2805 of this title or section 8104 of title 38. ``(2) Captain james a. lovell federal health care center.-- Amounts transferred to the Fund by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (c) may be used for facility operations of the Captain James A.”
“``(2) Transfers of amounts from medical care collections.-- Amounts may be transferred to the Fund from medical care collections under the following authorities for health care provided at designated combined Federal medical facilities of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs: ``(A) Section 1095 of this title. ``(B) Section 1729 of title 38. ``(C) The Act entitled `An Act to provide for the recovery from tortiously liable third persons of the cost of hospital and medical care and treatment furnished by the United States' (Public Law 87-693; 42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.; commonly known as the `Federal Medical Care Recovery Act').''.”
“``(c) Transfers to Fund.-- ``(1) In general.--Amounts may be transferred to the Fund by the Secretary of Defense only from amounts first authorized and appropriated on and after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 for the Department of Defense and by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs only from amounts first authorized and appropriated on and after such date for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as determined by a methodology jointly established by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that reflects the mission-specific activities, workload, and costs of provision of health care at the facilities of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, respectively.”
“CODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR JOINT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITY DEMONSTRATION FUND. (a) In General.--Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 1110c. Joint Medical Facility Demonstration Fund ``(a) Establishment.--There is established on the books of the Treasury under the Department of Veterans Affairs a fund to be known as the `Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund' (in this section referred to as the `Fund' ). ``(b) Use of Amounts.--Amounts in the Fund shall be used to facilitate the joint funding of designated combined Federal medical facilities of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“(b) Incorporation Into Clinical Practice Guidelines.--Not later than one year after the publication of the report required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall incorporate findings on military sexual trauma and intimate partner violence, including the results of the report, as risk factors for suicide and suicidal ideation into the Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Management of Patients At Risk For Suicide, or similar successor guidelines. SEC. 5762. ESTABLISHMENT OF ANTIVENOM BANK. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commanding General of the Medical Research and Development Command of the Army shall establish and maintain an antivenom bank. SEC. 5763.”
“REPORT AND BRIEFING ON IMPACT OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE ON SUICIDAL IDEATION AND SUICIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS. (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and publish on a publicly available website a report, and provide to such committees a briefing, on how experiencing military sexual trauma or intimate partner violence affects the risk of suicidal ideation and suicide for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.”
“(E) The efficacy of the pilot program in-- (i) reducing food insecurity rates among junior enlisted members; (ii) increasing the availability of nutritious food options for such members at commissaries; and (iii) increasing the availability of nutritious food options for such members generally, including such members living in unaccompanied housing. (f) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Coupon.--The term ``coupon'' means a voucher or monetary benefit for a member of the Armed Forces that may be used only at a commissary for the purchase of food. (2) Food.--The term ``food'' means any food or food product intended for home consumption, including a ready-made food item. TITLE LVII--HEALTH CARE Subtitle D--Reports and Other Matters SEC. 5761.”
“(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the following: (A) The use of coupons by members who received coupons under the pilot program. (B) The satisfaction of and feedback from such members relating to the coupons. (C) The impact of providing the coupons on-- (i) the rates at which such members used commissaries; and (ii) the rates at which such members used dining facilities on their installations. (D) Historical rates of use of dining facilities on installations and historical customer satisfaction metrics for such facilities, including the number of complaints with respect to such facilities submitted through the Interactive Customer Evaluation system of the Department of Defense.”
“(3) Supplement to other food assistance.--A coupon provided to a member under the pilot program authorized by subsection (a) shall be supplement and not supplant-- (A) the basic allowance for subsistence under section 402 of title 37, United States Code; and (B) any program to provide meals or rations in kind for which the member is eligible. (d) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program authorized by subsection (a) shall terminate not later than one year after the pilot program commences. (e) Report Required.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the termination under subsection (d) of the pilot program authorized by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the results of the pilot program.”
“(c) Coupons.-- (1) Amount.--The Secretary may determine the amount of the coupons to be provided under the pilot program authorized by subsection (a). (2) Use.-- (A) In general.--A coupon provided under the pilot program authorized by subsection (a) may be used only to purchase food at commissaries. (B) Exclusions.--A coupon provided under the pilot program authorized by subsection (a) may not be used-- (i) to purchase alcoholic beverages or tobacco; or (ii) to pay any deposit fee in excess of the amount of the State fee reimbursement (if any) required to purchase any food or food product contained in a returnable bottle or can, without regard to whether the fee is included in the shelf price posted for the food or food product.”
“(2) Considerations.--In selecting installations for the pilot program authorized by subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider installations with-- (A) large numbers of enlisted members who live in unaccompanied housing; (B) the largest ratios of enlisted members to commissioned officers; (C) unaccompanied housing that provides access to functioning kitchens that residents may use to prepare meals; (D) commissaries that are experimenting with or expanding their selection of nutritious and minimally processed ready- made and easy-to-make food options; (E) low rates of attendance at dining facilities; (F) low customer satisfaction ratings for dining facilities, including installations with complaints about dining facilities submitted through the Interactive Customer Evaluation system of the Department of Defense; and (G) commissaries located within easily accessible distances from unaccompanied housing.”
“TITLE LVI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS Subtitle C--Commissary and Exchange Benefits SEC. 5621. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE COUPONS TO JUNIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS TO PURCHASE FOOD AT COMMISSARIES. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may conduct a pilot program to assess the efficacy of providing junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces a monthly coupon for use in procuring food at commissaries. (b) Selection of Installations.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary may conduct the pilot program authorized by subsection (a) at 2 military installations.”
“AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED- SERVICE CROSS TO JAMES O. RATLIFF FOR ACTS OF VALOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. (a) Waiver of Time Limitations.--Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the Secretary of the Army may award the Distinguished-Service Cross under section 7272 of such title to James O. Ratliff for the acts of valor in the Republic of Vietnam described in subsection (b). (b) Acts of Valor Described.--The acts of valor referred to in subsection (a) are the actions of James O. Ratliff on June 18, 1968, during a combat mission near the village of Ap Go Cong, Republic of Vietnam.”
“(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include-- (1) a description of the actions being taken by the Department of Defense as of the date of the report to address shortages described in subsection (a); (2) an assessment of how the Department can improve efforts to address such shortages; and (3) a description of the challenges the Department faces when a military family subject to child abuse proceedings moves across State lines, including with respect to-- (A) transferring records; and (B) the sharing of information between-- (i) the Department and State child welfare agencies; and [[Page S3964]] (ii) the commander concerned before the relocation of the family and the commander concerned after that relocation. Subtitle H--Decorations and Other Awards, Miscellaneous Reports, and Other Matters SEC. 5581.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on staffing shortages among social workers, counselors, and family advocacy personnel who provide assistance to military families.”
“(f) Briefing.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees regarding-- (1) actions taken to implement this section; (2) efforts to improve awareness of Family Child Care opportunities among military spouses and families; (3) barriers identified in the establishment of Family Child Care homes; and (4) recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve military child care capacity. SEC. 5552. REPORT ON STAFFING SHORTAGES IN PERSONNEL SUPPORTING MILITARY FAMILIES.”
“(2) Contents.--A service-specific appendix under paragraph (1) may include-- (A) service-specific policies or procedures; (B) installation-level best practices; (C) information regarding unique operational requirements or child care demands within the military department concerned; (D) guidance regarding military housing considerations related to Family Child Care homes; and (E) points of contact and resources specific to the military department concerned.”
“(d) Public Availability.--The Secretary shall make the guide required under subsection (a) publicly available on an internet website of the Department of Defense in a searchable and accessible format for military families. (e) Service-specific Appendices.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall encourage the Secretaries of the military departments to publish and maintain service-specific appendices accompanying the guide required under subsection (a).”
“(c) Required Elements.--The guide required under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum-- (1) an overview of the process for becoming a certified Family Child Care provider; (2) standardized information regarding training, inspections, background checks, licensing, and certification requirements; (3) guidance regarding available financial assistance, startup support, subsidies, grants, and reimbursement opportunities; (4) information on liability coverage, safety standards, and emergency preparedness requirements; (5) recommendations for reducing administrative barriers to establishing Family Child Care homes; and (6) any additional information the Secretary determines appropriate to support prospective Family Child Care providers.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall publish a Department-wide best practices guide for individuals seeking to establish and operate a Family Child Care home on a military installation. (b) Consultation Requirement.--In developing the guide required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with military departments, military installations, Family Child Care program administrators, and established Family Child Care providers operating under successful Family Child Care programs across the Department of Defense to identify and incorporate best practices, lessons learned, and approaches that have demonstrated success in expanding participation and reducing barriers to establishing and operating Family Child Care homes.”
“(iv) An identification of-- (I) any legal, technological, or administrative barriers to increased coordination and data sharing in addressing food insecurity among members transitioning out of the Armed Forces; and (II) any additional authorities needed to increase such coordination and data sharing. (v) Any other information the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be appropriate. Subtitle F--Military Family Readiness and Dependents' Education SEC. 5551. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BEST PRACTICES GUIDE FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES.”
“(B) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (i) An accounting of the funding each department referred to in subparagraph (A) has obligated toward research relating to food insecurity among members of the Armed Forces or veterans. (ii) An outline of methods of comparing programs and sharing best practices for addressing food insecurity by each such department. (iii) An outline of-- (I) the plan each such department has to achieve greater government efficiency and cross-agency coordination, data sharing, and evaluation in addressing food insecurity among members transitioning out of the Armed Forces; and (II) efforts that the departments can undertake to improve coordination to better address food insecurity as it impacts members during and after their active duty service.”
“(2) Membership.--The working group be composed of-- (A) representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture; (B) other relevant Federal officials, including those connected to veteran transition programs; and (C) other relevant stakeholders as determined by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Agriculture. (3) Report.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the working group shall submit to each congressional committee with jurisdiction over the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture a report on the coordination, data sharing, and evaluation efforts described in paragraph (1).”
“(b) Working Group.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish a working group to address, across the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture, coordination, data sharing, and evaluation efforts on underlying factors contributing to food insecurity among members of the Armed Forces transitioning out of active duty service (in this subsection referred to as the ``working group'').”
“(3) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall-- (A) submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1); and (B) publish such report on the website of the Department of Defense.”
“(2) Education and outreach efforts.--The Secretary of Defense, working with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other Federal officials, as appropriate, shall increase education and outreach efforts to members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning out of active duty service, particularly those members identified as being at-risk for food insecurity, to increase awareness of the availability of Federal nutrition assistance programs and eligibility for those programs.”
“Subtitle E--Member Education, Training, and Transition SEC. 5541. FOOD INSECURITY AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TRANSITIONING OUT OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE. (a) Study; Education and Outreach Efforts.-- (1) Study.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other Federal officials, as appropriate, conduct a study to identify the means by which members of the Armed Forces are provided information about the availability of Federal nutrition assistance programs as they transition out of active duty service.”
“Such report shall include-- (1) the number of personnel identified under subsection (a); (2) the status of corrections made pursuant to subsection (b); (3) any unresolved issues affecting pay, allowances, tax records, personnel records, deployment histories, or other military records; (4) an assessment of the factors that caused activation- order discrepancies, personnel-record inaccuracies, pay and entitlement errors, debt assessments, tax-reporting issues, and other administrative deficiencies associated with transitions between named military operations during 2025 and 2026, including Operation Southern Spear and Operation Epic Fury; (5) an assessment of any limitations within the Department of Defense regulations, policies, personnel systems, orders- management systems, funding authorities, or administrative processes that contributed to such discrepancies and deficiencies; (6) a description of actions taken or planned to ensure timely correction of activation orders, deployment records, pay records, tax documentation, and other affected personnel records; and (7) an assessment of whether additional authorities are required to ensure accurate and timely correction of National Guard and Reserve activation and deployment records.”
“(c) Report and Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report and provide a briefing on the implementation of this section.”
“(b) Correction of Records.--The Secretary of Defense shall take such actions as may be necessary to-- (1) ensure that official military personnel records accurately reflect the dates and locations of service performed in support of each named operation, including correct mission attribution records, deployment documentation, operational duty-location records, and other activation or mobilization records for personnel identified pursuant to subsection (a); (2) correct any pay, allowance, entitlement, tax-exclusion eligibility, or debt-related discrepancies resulting from inaccurate or incomplete activation or deployment records; and (3) ensure that no member experiences a loss of eligibility for any Federal benefit, entitlement, or service-connected determination, including benefits administered by the [[Page S3963]] Department of Veterans Affairs, as a result of inaccuracies described in subsection (a).”
“(a) Identification of Affected Personnel.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Secretary of the Air Force, shall identify members of the Air National Guard whose activation orders, deployment records, pay, allowances, tax documentation, or other personnel records were adversely affected by transitions between named military operations conducted during 2025 and 2026, including Operation Southern Spear, Operation Absolute Resolve, Operation Spartan Shield, and Operation Epic Fury.”
“(3) An assessment of the condition of existing maintenance facilities that are able to conduct complex aircraft repair at potential sites that would employ such model, the resourcing required to repair such facilities, and limitations to maintaining such facilities at austere locations causing them to fall into disrepair. (4) A description of logistical challenges presented by the current status of infrastructure at austere locations with moving equipment, spare parts, and personnel needed for the successful deployment of such model. TITLE LV--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY Subtitle C--General Service Authorities and Military Records SEC. 5521. CORRECTION OF NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATION ORDERS AND PERSONNEL RECORDS ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS.”
“(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment by the Secretary of the gap between available infrastructure at potential sites versus needed new infrastructure for the successful rollout of the Agile Combat Employment model. (2) Challenges to developing needed pre-positioned infrastructure at austere sites that could be a part of such model, including a list of the types of support infrastructure most urgently needed at potential sites that would be set to employ such model.”
“(b) Removal of Limitation on Contracting for Firefighters.--Section 2465 of title 10, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``firefighting or''; and (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``firefighting or''. SEC. 5352. REPORT ON LIMITATIONS TO AGILE COMBAT EMPLOYMENT MODEL AS A RESULT OF AGING OR INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE. (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report analyzing the readiness, status, and need for basic infrastructure of locations intended for use of the Agile Combat Employment model of the Department of the Air Force.”
“(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any action that is not consistent with a provision of law or policy that was in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. TITLE LIII--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Subtitle E--Other Matters SEC. 5351. IMPROVEMENT OF FIREFIGHTER STAFFING SHORTAGES AT MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may offer compensation for firefighters of the Department of Defense at military installations that is competitive with surrounding local jurisdictions in order to improve recruitment and retention of such firefighters.”
“(5) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means-- (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives. (d) Protection of National Security.--The Secretary shall carry out this section in accordance with all applicable provisions of law and policies relating to classified information and national security.”
“(C) An immediate (2 years) and long-term (10 years and beyond) plan-- (i) to close any gaps that may exist between national security quantum communications technology and capabilities of the United States and those of China, Russia, Iran, and such other countries as the Secretary considers relevant; and (ii) to outpace the quantum communications technology and capabilities for China, Russia, Iran, and such other countries as the Secretary considers relevant. (4) Form.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in classified form.”
“(F) A realistic pathway forward, both short term (3 years) and long term (10 years and beyond), for the United States to compete with and outpace other countries in quantum technology and quantum science in regard to national security. (3) Contents of initial report.--In addition to the matter covered by paragraph (2), the first report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include an annex on quantum communication efforts that covers the following: (A) The current state of United States national security quantum communications technology and capabilities. (B) A comparison of the national security quantum communications technology and capabilities of the United States compared to that of China, Russia, Iran, and such other countries as the Secretary considers relevant.”
“(C) The state of current quantum efforts of any other countries with advanced capabilities in quantum technology and quantum science, including specific sections on quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. (D) A comparison of the capabilities of the United States and those of adversarial and competitor countries, as well as any other countries with advanced capabilities in quantum technology and quantum science. (E) An assessment of capabilities of the United States compared to those of China, Russia, and Iran, combined with an assessment of how such countries (in addition to any other countries the Secretary considers relevant) may utilize quantum technology in a conflict against the United States or allies and partners of the United States, including via hybrid warfare.”
“(c) Triennial Reports.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on national security quantum capabilities and competition. (2) Contents generally.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall cover the following: (A) The state of current quantum efforts within the Department of Defense, including specific sections on quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. (B) The state of current quantum efforts of adversarial and competitor countries, including specific sections on quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications.”
“(b) Coordination With Other Quantum Efforts.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall, acting through the Office, regularly coordinate with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies that work on quantum science, quantum technology, or quantum research. (2) Quantum coordination office for national security.-- (A) In general.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish within the Office a subcomponent to liaise with, share expertise with, and whenever feasible, coordinate and, if necessary, deconflict efforts with other relevant U.S. government entities pursuing efforts on quantum science, quantum technology, or quantum research. (B) Designation.--The subcomponent established pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be known as the ``Quantum Coordination Office for National Security''.”
“(3) Primary mission.--The primary mission of the Office shall be coordinating, leading, and directing quantum technology efforts of the Department in order-- (A) to advance Department research efforts in quantum technology; (B) to develop quantum technology expertise that enables advancements in United States national security capabilities; (C) to aggressively pursue a national competitive advantage in quantum technology, vis-a-vis other countries; and (D) to develop quantum technologies that can be utilized for real-world application by the Department of Defense or other United States national security entities.”
“(E) Such other quantum related efforts as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Designation.--The office established or designated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Department of Defense Office of Quantum Capabilities and Competition'' (in this section the ``Office'').”
“(a) Office of Quantum Capabilities and Competition.-- (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish or designate an office in the Department of Defense to serve as the lead for all quantum [[Page S3962]] efforts of the Department relating to the following: (A) Quantum technology research, including quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. (B) Quantum technology development, including quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. (C) Quantum technology application, including quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications. (D) Quantum technology policy, including quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communications.”
“(e) Coordination.--In carrying out the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with the Joint Capability Program Executive for Ammunition and Energetics, Development Command (DEVCOM), relevant program executive offices, and other Department of Defense components as the Secretary considers appropriate. Subtitle C--Plans, Reports, and Other Matters SEC. 5231. NATIONAL SECURITY QUANTUM COORDINATION AND COMPETITION.”