To require a Comptroller General assessment of the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

SA 2189. Mr. COLEMAN (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Thune,
Mr. McConnell, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Allard, Mr. Craig, Mr.
Lugar, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Graham, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Hagel,
Mr. Gregg, Mr. Ensign, Mr. McCain, Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Dole, Mr.
Brownback, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Bunning, and Mr.
Corker) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the
bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ____. FAIRNESS DOCTRINE PROHIBITED.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007''.
(b) Fairness Doctrine Prohibited.--Title III of the
Communications Act of 1934 is amended by inserting after
section 303 (47 U.S.C. 303) the following new section:

``SEC. 303A. LIMITATION ON GENERAL POWERS: FAIRNESS DOCTRINE.

``Notwithstanding section 303 or any other provision of
this Act or any other Act authorizing the Commission to
prescribe rules, regulations, policies, doctrines, standards,
or other requirements, the Commission shall not have the
authority to prescribe any rule, regulation, policy,
doctrine, standard, or other requirement that has the purpose
or effect of reinstating or repromulgating (in whole or in
part) the requirement that broadcasters, including the
American Forces Network, present opposing viewpoints on
controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred
to as the `Fairness Doctrine', as repealed in General
Fairness Doctrine Obligations of Broadcast Licensees, 50 Fed.
Reg. 35418 (1985).''.
______

SA 2190. Mr. McCAIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 269, line 20, insert after ``management.'' the
following: ``The position of Principal Deputy shall be
designated as a critical acquisition position under section
1733 of this title.''.
On page 270, line 10, insert after ``management.'' the
following: ``The position of Principal Deputy shall be
designated as a critical acquisition position under section
1733 of this title.''.
On page 270, line 23, insert after ``management.'' the
following: ``The position of Principal Deputy shall be
designated as a critical acquisition position under section
1733 of this title.''.
______

SA 2191. Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Kerry, Mrs.
Lincoln, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Snowe, Ms.
Cantwell, Mr. Tester, and Mr. Baucus) submitted an amendment intended
to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize
appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 703. LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN INCREASES IN HEALTH CARE
COSTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Career members of the uniformed services and their
families endure unique and extraordinary demands, and make
extraordinary sacrifices, over the course of 20-year to 30-
year careers in protecting freedom for all Americans.
(2) The nature and extent of these demands and sacrifices
are never so evident as in wartime, not only during the
current Global War on Terrorism, but also during the wars of
the last 60 years when current retired members of the Armed
Forces were on continuous call to go in harm's way when and
as needed.
(3) The demands and sacrifices are such that few Americans
are willing to bear or accept them for a multi-decade career.
(4) A primary benefit of enduring the extraordinary
sacrifices inherent in a military career is a range of
extraordinary retirement benefits that a grateful Nation
provides for those who choose to subordinate much of their
personal life to the national interest for so many years.
(5) Many private sector firms are curtailing health
benefits and shifting significantly higher costs to their
employees, and one effect of such curtailment is that retired
members of the uniformed services are turning for health care
services to the Department of Defense, and its TRICARE
program, for the health care benefits in retirement that they
earned by their service in uniform.
(6) In some cases, civilian employers establish financial
incentives for employees who are also eligible for
participation in the TRICARE program to receive health care
benefits under that program rather than under the health care
benefits programs of such employers.
(7) While the Department of Defense has made some efforts
to contain increases in the cost of the TRICARE program, a
large part of those efforts has been devoted to shifting a
larger share of the costs of benefits under that program to
retired members of the uniformed services.
(8) The cumulative increase in enrollment fees,
deductibles, and copayments being proposed by the Department
of Defense for health care benefits under the TRICARE program
far exceeds the 33-percent increase in military retired pay
since such fees, deductibles, and copayments were first
required on the part of retired members of the uniformed
services 11 years ago.
(9) Proposals of the Department of Defense for increases in
the enrollment fees, deductibles, and copayments of retired
members of the uniformed services who are participants in the
TRICARE program fail to recognize adequately that such
members paid the equivalent of enormous in-kind premiums for
health care in retirement through their extended sacrifices
by service in uniform.
(10) Some of the Nation's health care providers refuse to
accept participants in the TRICARE program as patients
because that program pays them significantly less than
commercial insurance programs, and imposes unique
administrative requirements, for health care services.
(11) The Department of Defense has chosen to count the
accrual deposit to the Department of Defense Military Retiree
Health

[[Page S9215]]

Care Fund against the budget of the Department of Defense,
contrary to the requirements of section 1116 of title 10,
United States Code.
(12) Senior officials of the Department of Defense leaders
have reported to Congress that counting such deposits against
the budget of the Department of Defense is impinging on other
readiness needs of the Armed Forces, including weapons
programs, an inappropriate situation which section 1116 of
title 10, United States Code, was intended expressly to
prevent.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Department of Defense and the Nation have a
committed obligation to provide health care benefits to
retired members of the uniformed services that exceeds the
obligation of corporate employers to provide health care
benefits to their employees;
(2) the Department of Defense has many additional options
to constrain the growth of health care spending in ways that
do not disadvantage retired members of the uniformed services
who participate or seek to participate in the TRICARE
program, and should pursue any and all such options rather
than seeking large increases for enrollment fees,
deductibles, and copayments for such retirees, and their
families or survivors, who do participate in that program;
(3) any percentage increase in fees, deductibles, and
copayments that may be considered under the TRICARE program
for retired members of the uniformed services and their
families or survivors should not in any case exceed the
percentage increase in military retired pay; and
(4) any percentage increase in fees, deductibles, and
copayments under the TRICARE program that may be considered
for members of the uniformed services who are currently
serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve, and for
the families of such members, should not exceed the
percentage increase in basic pay for such members.
(c) Pharmacy Benefits Program.--Section 1074g(a)(6) of
title 10, United Stated Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following new subparagraph:
``(C) The amount of any cost sharing requirements under
this paragraph may not be increased in any year by a
percentage that exceeds the percentage increase of the most
recent increase in retired pay for members of the armed
forces under section 1401a(b)(2) of this title. To the extent
that such increase for any year is less than one dollar, the
accumulated increase may be carried over from year to year,
rounded to the nearest dollar.''.
(d) Premiums for TRICARE Standard for Reserve Component
Members Who Commit to Service in the Selected Reserve.--
Section 1076d(d)(3) of such title is amended--
(1) by striking ``The monthly amount'' and inserting ``(A)
Subject to subparagraph (B), the monthly amount''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) Effective as of October 1, 2007, the percentage
increase in the amount of the premium in effect for a month
for TRICARE Standard coverage under this section may not
exceed a percentage equal to the percentage of the most
recent increase in the rate of basic pay authorized for
members of the uniformed services for a year.''.
(e) Copayments Under CHAMPUS.--Paragraph (3) of section
1086(b) of such title is amended in the first sentence by
striking ``during the period beginning on April 1, 2006, and
ending on September 30, 2007.'' and inserting ``after March
31, 2006''.
(f) Prohibition on Enrollment Fees for Certain Persons
Under CHAMPUS.--Section 1086(b) of such title is further
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) A person covered by subsection (c) may not be charged
an enrollment fee for coverage under this section.''.
(g) Automatic Enrollment for Certain Persons Under
CHAMPUS.--Section 1086(b) of such title is further amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(6) A person covered by subsection (c) shall not be
subject to denial of claims for coverage under this section
for failure to enroll for such coverage. To the extent
enrollment may be required, enrollment shall be automatic for
any such person filing a claim under this section.''.
(h) Premiums and Other Charges Under TRICARE.--Section
1097(e) of such title is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary of
Defense''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Effective as of October 1, 2007, the percentage
increase in the amount of any premium, deductible, copayment
or other charge prescribed by the Secretary under this
subsection may not exceed the percentage increase of the most
recent increase in retired pay for members and former members
of the armed forces under section 1041a(b)(2) of this
title.''.
______

SA 2192. Mr. LEVIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1204. ASSISTANCE FOR GLOBAL PEACE OPERATIONS INITIATIVE
PARTNER COUNTRIES DEPLOYING FOR PEACE
OPERATIONS.

(a) In General.--During fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the
Secretary of Defense may, with the concurrence of the
Secretary of State, provide assistance to foreign countries
that have committed to deploying units trained by the United
States or its partners under the Global Peace Operations
Initiative (GPOI) to peace operations.
(b) Selection of Countries.--The Secretary of Defense and
the Secretary of State shall jointly select the countries
described in subsection (a) for which assistance may be
provided under that subsection.
(c) Types of Assistance.--The assistance provided under
subsection (a) may include only the following:
(1) Inspection of--
(A) units described in subsection (a) in order to determine
their readiness and ability to carry out peace operations;
and
(B) the equipment depots to be used by such units in
deployments for peace operations.
(2) Identification of the training and equipping
shortfalls, if any, of the units described in subsection (a).
(3) Provision of additional training to the units described
in subsection (a), if required, in order to ensure that such
units can carry out peace operations.
(4) Provision of equipment for units described in
subsection (a), if required, pending deployment for a peace
operation.
(5) Assistance in addressing deficiencies in personnel with
specialized skills of units described in subsection (a) or in
headquarters staffs of such units.
(6) Facilitation of the deployment of units described in
subsection (a), if required, for missions under a peace
operation.
(d) Formulation of Assistance.--The Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary of State shall jointly formulate the
provision of assistance under subsection (a).
(e) Notice on Use of Authority.--
(1) Requirement for notice.--Whenever the Secretary of
Defense exercises the authority under subsection (a) by
taking the action described in subsection (b), the Secretary
shall notify the committees of Congress specified in
paragraph (3) of the exercise of the authority. Any such
notification shall be prepared in coordination with the
Secretary of State.
(2) Elements of notice.--Any notification under paragraph
(1) on the exercise of authority shall include--
(A) a description of the country and unit or units to be
provided assistance;
(B) a description of the type of assistance to be provided;
and
(C) a statement of the amount of funding to be provided for
each country and for each type of assistance.
(3) Committees of congress.--The committees of Congress
specified in this subsection are the following:
(A) The Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(B) The Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(f) Respect for Human Rights.--Assistance may not be
provided under subsection (a) to a unit of forces unless the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State jointly
determine that the unit and its personnel maintain a record
on human rights that meets requirements of the following:
(1) Section 8060 of the Department of Defense
Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 109-289; 120 Stat.
1287).
(2) Section 551 of the Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006
(Public Law 109-102; 119 Stat. 2218).
(g) Applicable Law.--Any services, defense articles, or
funds provided under this section shall be subject to the
authorities and limitations in the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, the Arms Export Control Act, and any Acts making
appropriations to carry out such Acts.
(h) Funding.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated
by section 301 for operation and maintenance for the
Department of Defense, $200,000,000 may be available in
fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for the provision of assistance
under subsection (a).
______

SA 2193. Mr. CHAMBLISS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
to amendment SA 2063 submitted by Mr. Salazar (for himself, Mr.
Alexander, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Casey, Mr. Gregg, Mrs. Lincoln,
Mr. Sununu, Mr. Domenici, Ms. Collins, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Ms.
Landrieu, and Mrs. McCaskill) and intended to be proposed to the bill
H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 5, strike line 4 and all that follows through the
end and insert the following:

[[Page S9216]]

(9) The President announced a new strategy for United
States involvement in Iraq to the American people on January
10, 2007, which included sending approximately 30,000
additional troops to Iraq as well as increasing United States
diplomatic efforts with respect to Iraq.
(10) Pursuant to the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care,
Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act,
2007 (Public Law 110-28), the President submitted to Congress
a report on the progress of this new strategy on July 12,
2007.
(11) According to that report, the United States has filled
one-half of the 300 additional personnel slots for the
Provincial Reconstruction Teams which are part of the
President's new strategy, and the full complement of those
personnel will be in place in December 2007.
(12) The last of the 30,000 additional troops that the
President announced in January 2007 that he would send to
Iraq as a part of his new strategy became fully operational
in Iraq on June 15, 2007.

SEC. 1543. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS IN IRAQ.

It is the sense of Congress that, consistent with the
recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, the United States
Government should--
(1) establish a ``New Diplomatic Offensive'' to deal with
the problems of Iraq and of the region;
(2) support the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq;
(3) encourage other countries in the region to stop the
destabilizing interventions and actions of Iraq's neighbors;
(4) secure the borders of Iraq, including through the use
of joint patrols with neighboring countries;
(5) prevent the expansion of the instability and conflict
beyond the borders of Iraq;
(6) promote economic assistance, commerce, trade, political
support, and, if possible, military assistance for the
Government of Iraq from non-neighboring Muslim nations;
(7) energize the governments of other countries to support
national political reconciliation in Iraq;
(8) encourage the governments of other countries to
validate the legitimate sovereignty of Iraq by resuming
diplomatic relations, where appropriate, and reestablishing
embassies in Baghdad;
(9) assist the Government of Iraq in establishing active
working embassies in key capitals in the region;
(10) help the Government of Iraq reach a mutually
acceptable agreement on the future of Kirkuk;
(11) assist the Government of Iraq in achieving certain
security, political, and economic milestones, including
better performance on issues such as national reconciliation,
equitable distribution of oil revenues, and the dismantling
of militias;
(12) encourage the holding of a meeting or conference in
Baghdad, supported by the United States and the Government of
Iraq, of the Organization of the Islamic Conference or the
Arab League, both to assist the Government of Iraq in
promoting national reconciliation in Iraq and to reestablish
their diplomatic presence in Iraq;
(13) seek the creation of the Iraq International Support
Group to assist Iraq in ways the Government of Iraq would
desire, attempting to strengthen Iraq's sovereignty;
(14) engage with the Governments of Iran and Syria in order
to obtain their commitment to constructive policies toward
Iraq and other regional issues;
(15) provide additional political, economic, and military
support for Afghanistan including resources that might become
available as United States combat forces are redeployed from
Iraq;
(16) remain in contact with the Iraqi leadership, conveying
the clear message that there must be action by the Government
of Iraq to make substantial progress toward the achievement
of the milestones described in section 1550, and conveying in
as much detail as possible the substance of these exchanges
in order to keep the American people, the Iraqi people, and
the people of countries in the region well informed of
progress in these areas;
(17) make clear the willingness of the United States
Government to continue training, assistance, and support for
Iraq's security forces, and to continue political, military,
and economic support for the Government of Iraq until Iraq
becomes more capable of governing, defending, and sustaining
itself;
(18) make clear that, should the Government of Iraq not
make substantial progress toward the achievement of the
milestones described in section 1550, the United States shall
reduce its political, military, or economic support for the
Government of Iraq;
(19) make clear that the United States Government does not
seek to establish permanent military bases in Iraq;
(20) restate that the United States Government does not
seek to control the oil resources of Iraq;
(21) make active efforts to engage all parties in Iraq,
with the exception of al Qaeda;
(22) encourage dialogue between sectarian communities and
press religious leaders inside and outside of Iraq to speak
out on behalf of peace and reconciliation;
(23) support the presence of neutral international experts
as advisors to the Government of Iraq on the processes of
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of militias
and other armed groups not under the control of the
Government of Iraq; and
(24) ensure that reconstruction efforts in Iraq consist of
great involvement by and with international partners that
actively participate in the design and construction of
projects.

SEC. 1544. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON SECURITY AND MILITARY
FORCES.

It shall be the policy of the United States to formulate
and implement with the Government of Iraq a plan, consistent
with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, that--
(1) gives the highest priority to the training, equipping,
advising, and support for security and military forces in
Iraq and to supporting counterterrorism operations in Iraq;
and
(2) supports the providing of more and better equipment for
the Iraqi Army by encouraging the Government of Iraq to
accelerate its requests under the Foreign Military Sales
program and, as United States combat brigades redeploy from
Iraq, provides for the transfer of certain United States
military equipment to Iraqi forces.

SEC. 1545. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON STRENGTHENING THE UNITED
STATES MILITARY.

It shall be the policy of the United States to formulate
and implement a plan, consistent with the recommendations of
the Iraq Study Group, that--
(1) directs the Secretary of Defense to build healthy
relations between the civilian and military sectors, by
creating an environment where senior military leaders feel
free to offer independent advice to the civilian leadership
of the United States Government;
(2) emphasizes training and education programs for the
forces that have returned to the United States in order to
restore the United States Armed Forces to a high level of
readiness for global contingencies;
(3) provides sufficient funds to restore military equipment
to full functionality over the next 5 years; and
(4) assesses the full future budgetary impact of the war in
Iraq and its potential impact on--
(A) the future readiness of United States military forces;
(B) the ability of the United States Armed Forces to
recruit and retain high-quality personnel;
(C) needed investments in military procurement and in
research and development; and
(D) the budgets of other Federal agencies involved in the
stability and reconstruction effort in Iraq.

SEC. 1546. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
IN IRAQ.

It shall be the policy of the United States to formulate
and implement with the Government of Iraq a plan, consistent
with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, that--
(1) transfers the Iraqi National Police to the Ministry of
Defense, where the police commando units will become part of
the new Iraqi Army;
(2) transfers the Iraqi Border Police to the Ministry of
Defense, which would have total responsibility for border
control and external security;
(3) establishes greater responsibility for the Iraqi Police
Service to conduct criminal investigations and expands its
cooperation with other elements in the judicial system in
Iraq in order to better control crime and protect Iraqi
civilians;
(4) establishes a process of organizational transformation,
including efforts to expand the capability and reach of the
current major crime unit, to exert more authority over local
police forces, and to give sole authority to the Ministry of
the Interior to pay police salaries and disburse financial
support to local police;
(5) proceeds with efforts to identify, register, and
control the Facilities Protection Service;
(6) directs the Department of Defense to continue its
mission to train Iraqi National Police and the Iraqi Border
Police, which shall be placed within the Iraqi Ministry of
Defense;
(7) directs the Department of Justice to proceed with the
mission of training the police forces remaining under the
Ministry of the Interior;
(8) provides for funds from the Government of Iraq to
expand and upgrade communications equipment and motor
vehicles for the Iraqi Police Service;
(9) directs the Attorney General to lead the work of
organizational transformation in the Ministry of the Interior
and creates a strategic plan and standard administrative
procedures, codes of conduct, and operational measures for
Iraqis; and
(10) directs the Attorney General to establish courts,
train judges, prosecutors, and investigators, and create
strongly supported and funded institutions and practices in
Iraq to fight corruption.

SEC. 1547. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON OIL SECTOR IN IRAQ.

It shall be the policy of the United States to formulate
and implement with the Government of Iraq a plan, consistent
with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, that--
(1) provides technical assistance in drafting legislation
to implement the February 27, 2007, agreement by Iraq's
Council of Ministers on principles for the equitable sharing
of oil resources and revenues;
(2) encourages the Government of Iraq to accelerate
contracting for the comprehensive oil well work-overs in the
southern

[[Page S9217]]

fields needed to increase oil production, while ensuring that
the United States no longer funds such infrastructure
projects;
(3) supports the Iraqi military and private security forces
in their efforts to protect oil infrastructure and
contractors;
(4) implements metering at both ends of the oil supply line
to immediately improve accountability in the oil sector;
(5) in conjunction with the International Monetary Fund,
encourages the Government of Iraq to reduce subsidies in the
energy sector;
(6) encourages investment in Iraq's oil sector by the
international community and by international energy
companies;
(7) assists Iraqi leaders to reorganize the national oil
industry as a commercial enterprise, in order to enhance
efficiency, transparency, and accountability;
(8) encourages the Government of Iraq to post all oil
contracts, volumes, and prices on the Internet so that Iraqis
and outside observers can track exports and export revenues;
(9) supports the efforts of the World Bank to ensure that
best practices are used in contracting; and
(10) provides technical assistance to the Ministry of Oil
for enhancing maintenance, improving the payments process,
managing cash flows, improving contracting and auditing, and
updating professional training programs for management and
technical personnel.

SEC. 1548. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON IMPROVING ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS IN IRAQ.

It shall be the policy of the United States to formulate
and implement a plan, consistent with the recommendations of
the Iraq Study Group, that--
(1) provides for the United States to take the lead in
funding assistance requests from the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian agencies;
(2) creates a new Senior Advisor for Economic
Reconstruction in Iraq reporting to the President, with the
authority to bring interagency unity of effort to the policy,
budget, and implementation of economic reconstruction
programs in Iraq and the authority to serve as the principal
point of contact with United States partners in the overall
reconstruction effort;
(3) gives the chief of mission in Iraq the authority to
spend significant funds through a program structured along
the lines of the Commander's Emergency Response Program, with
the authority to rescind funding from programs and projects--
(A) in which the Government of Iraq is not demonstrating
effective partnership; or
(B) that do not demonstrate substantial progress toward
achievement of the milestones described in section 1550;
(4) authorizes and implements a more flexible security
assistance program for Iraq, breaking down the barriers to
effective interagency cooperation; and
(5) grants authority to merge United States assistance with
assistance from international donors and Iraqi participants
for the purpose of carrying out joint assistance projects.

SEC. 1549. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON BUDGET PREPARATION,
PRESENTATION, AND REVIEW.

It shall be the policy of the United States to formulate
and implement a plan, consistent with the recommendations of
the Iraq Study Group, that--
(1) directs the President to include the costs for the war
in Iraq in the annual budget request;
(2) directs the Secretary of State, the Secretary of
Defense, and the Director of National Intelligence to provide
United States military and civilian personnel in Iraq the
highest possible priority in obtaining professional language
proficiency and cultural training;
(3) directs the United States Government to provide for
long-term training for Federal agencies that participate in
complex stability operations like those in Iraq and
Afghanistan;
(4) creates training for United States Government personnel
to carry out civilian tasks associated with complex stability
operations; and
(5) directs the Director of National Intelligence and the
Secretary of Defense to devote greater analytic resources to
understanding the threats and sources of violence in Iraq and
institute immediate changes in the collection of data and
violence and the sources of violence to provide a more
accurate picture of events on the ground in Iraq.

SEC. 1550. CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUED UNITED STATES SUPPORT IN
IRAQ.

(a) In General.--It shall be the policy of the United
States to condition continued United States political,
military and economic support for Iraq upon the demonstration
by the Government of Iraq of sufficient political will and
the making of substantial progress toward achieving the
milestones described in subsection (b), and to base the
decision to transfer command and control over Iraqi security
forces units from the United States to Iraq in part upon such
factors.
(b) Milestones.--The milestones referred to in subsection
(a) are the following:
(1) Promptly establishing a fair process for considering
amendments to the constitution of Iraq that promote lasting
national reconciliation in Iraq.
(2) Enacting legislation or establishing other mechanisms
to revise the de-Baathification laws in Iraq to encourage the
employment in the Government of Iraq of qualified
professionals, irrespective of ethnic or political
affiliation, including ex-Baathists who were not leading
figures of the Saddam Hussein regime.
(3) Enacting legislation or establishing other binding
mechanisms to ensure the sharing of all Iraqi oil revenues
among all segments of Iraqi society in an equitable manner.
(4) Holding free and fair provincial elections in Iraq at
the earliest date practicable.
(5) Enacting legislation or establishing other mechanisms
to ensure the rights of women and the rights of all minority
communities in Iraq are protected.

SEC. 1551. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES
FORCES FROM IRAQ.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) with the implementation of the policies specified in
sections 1544 through 1550 and the engagement in the
increased diplomatic efforts specified in section 1543, and
as additional Iraqi brigades are being deployed, and subject
to unexpected developments in the security situation on the
ground, all United States combat brigades not necessary for
force protection could be redeployed from Iraq by the first
quarter of 2008, except for those that are essential for--
(A) protecting United States and coalition personnel and
infrastructure;
(B) training, equipping, and advising Iraqi forces;
(C) conducting targeted counterterrorism operations;
(D) search and rescue; and
(E) rapid reaction and special operations;
(2) except in the event of unforeseen circumstances or
developments, the President's new strategy for Iraq,
announced in January 2007, should not be significantly
altered until General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker report
to Congress on the progress of that strategy in September
2007; and
(3) the redeployment should be implemented as part of a
comprehensive diplomatic, political, and economic strategy
that includes sustained engagement with Iraq's neighbors and
the international community for the purpose of working
collectively to bring stability to Iraq.

SEC. 1552. REPORT ON POLICY IMPLEMENTATION.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the President shall
submit to Congress a report on the actions that have been
taken to implement the policies specified in sections 1543
through 1550.
______

SA 2194. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. PROHIBITION ON USE OF EARMARKS TO AWARD NO BID
CONTRACTS AND NONCOMPETITIVE GRANTS.

(a) Prohibition.--
(1) Contracts.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Act, all contracts awarded through congressional
initiatives shall be awarded using competitive procedures in
accordance with the requirements of section 303 of the
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41
U.S.C. 253), section 2304 of title 10, United States Code,
and the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
(B) Bid requirement.--Except as provided in paragraph (3),
no contract may be awarded through a congressional initiative
unless more than one bid is received for such contract.
(2) Grants.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Act, no funds may be awarded by grant or cooperative
agreement through a congressional initiative unless the
process used to award such grant or cooperative agreement
uses competitive procedures to select the grantee or award
recipient. Except as provided in paragraph (3), no such grant
may be awarded unless applications for such grant or
cooperative agreement are received from two or more
applicants that are not from the same organization and do not
share any financial, fiduciary, or other organizational
relationship.
(3) Waiver authority.--
(A) In general.--If an agency head does not receive more
than one bid for a contract under paragraph (1)(B) or does
not receive more than one application from unaffiliated
applicants for a grant or cooperative agreement under
paragraph (2), the agency head may waive such bid or
application requirement if the agency head determines that
the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is essential to
the mission of the agency.
(B) Congressional notification.--If an agency head waives a
bid requirement under subparagraph (A), the agency head must,
not later than 10 days after exercising such waiver, notify
Congress, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform of the House of Representatives of the
waiver.
(b) Annual Report.--

[[Page S9218]]

(1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2008, and
December 31 of each year thereafter, the head of each
executive agency shall submit to Congress a report on
congressional initiatives for which amounts were appropriated
or otherwise made available for the fiscal year ending during
such year.
(2) Content.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall include with respect to each contract and grant awarded
through a congressional initiative--
(A) the name of the recipient of the funds awarded through
such contract or grant;
(B) the reason or reasons such recipient was selected for
such contract or grant; and
(C) the number of entities that competed for such contract
or grant.
(3) Publication.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall be made publicly available through the Internet website
of the executive agency.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Congressional initiative.--The term ``congressional
initiative'' means a provision of law or a directive
contained within a committee report or joint statement of
managers of an appropriations Act that specifies--
(A) the identity of a person or entity selected to carry
out a project, including a defense system, for which funds
are appropriated or otherwise made available by that
provision of law or directive and that was not requested by
the President in a budget submitted to Congress; and
(B) the amount of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available for such project.
(2) Executive agency.--The term ``executive agency'' has
the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Office of
Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403).
(d) Applicability.--This section shall apply with respect
to funds appropriated or otherwise made available for fiscal
years beginning after September 30, 2007.
______

SA 2195. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. JOINT SPACE INTELLIGENT DECISION SUPPORT.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may not proceed
with the Joint Space Intelligent Decision Support (JSDIS)
program unless the Secretary determines that the program is
necessary and essential to the national defense of the United
States.
(b) Full and Open Competition.--If the Secretary determines
to proceed with the Joint Space Intelligence Decision Support
program in accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary may
award the contract for that program only after full and open
competition.
______

SA 2196. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __. NDIC CLOSURE.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, none of
the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act may be
used for the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) located
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, except those activities related
to the permanent closing of the NDIC and to the relocation of
activities performed at NDIC deemed necessary or essential by
the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the
appropriate Federal agencies.
______

SA 2197. Mr. MARTINEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year,
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:

At the end of title XXVIII, add the following:

SEC. 2864. REPEAL OF MORATORIUM ON IMPROVEMENTS AT FORT
BUCHANAN, PUERTO RICO.

Section 1507 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106-398;
114 Stat. 1654A-355) is repealed.
______

SA 2198. Mr. MARTINEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for
military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year,
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title V, add the following:

SEC. 555. NAVY SENIOR RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS
PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, CORAL
GABLES, FLORIDA.

The Secretary of the Navy may establish and maintain a
Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program under section
2102 of title 10, United States Code, at the University of
Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
______

SA 2199. Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title II, add the following:

SEC. 256. COMPTROLLER GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE DEFENSE
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE
RESEARCH.

(a) Review.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of
the Senate and the House of Representatives an assessment of
the effectiveness of the Defense Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research.
(b) Assessment.--The report under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) A description and assessment of the tangible results
and progress toward the objectives of the program,
including--
(A) an identification of any past program activities that
led to, or were fundamental to, applications used by, or
supportive of, operational users; and
(B) an assessment of whether the program has expanded the
national research infrastructure.
(2) An assessment whether the activities undertaken under
the program are consistent with the statute authorizing the
program.
(3) An assessment whether the various elements of the
program, such as structure, funding, staffing, project
solicitation and selection, and administration, are working
effectively and efficiently to support the effective
execution of the program
(4) A description and assessment of past and ongoing
activities of State planning committees under the program in
supporting the achievement of the objectives of the program.
(5) An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of
having an institution-based formula for qualification to
participate in the program when compared with the advantages
and disadvantages of having a State-based formula for
qualification to participate in supporting defense missions
and the objective of expanding the Nation's defense research
infrastructure.
(6) An identification of mechanisms for improving the
management and implementation of the program, including
modification of the statute authorizing the program,
Department regulations, program structure, funding levels,
funding strategy, or the activities of the State committees
(7) Any other matters the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.
______

SA 2200. Mr. INHOFE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1070. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND
VETERANS OUT OF UNIFORM DURING HOISTING,
LOWERING, OR PASSING OF FLAG.

Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``all persons present'' and all that follows through
the end and inserting ``those present in uniform should
render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and
veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the
military salute. All other persons present should face the
flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the
heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their
right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being
over the heart. Citizens of other countries should stand at
attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving
column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.''.
______

SA 2201. Mr. INHOFE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by

[[Page S9219]]

him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title XII, add the following:

SEC. 1205. REPEAL OF LIMITATIONS ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE UNDER
THE AMERICAN SERVICEMEMBERS' PROTECTION ACT OF
2002.

(a) Repeal of Limitations.--Section 2007 of the American
Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2002 (22 U.S.C. 7426) is
repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Such Act is further amended--
(1) in section 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7422)--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``Sections 5 and 7'' and
inserting ``Section 2005''; and
(ii) by striking ``sections 2005 and 2007'' and inserting
``section 2005'';
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``Sections 5 and 7'' and
inserting ``Section 2005''; and
(ii) by striking ``sections 2005 and 2007'' and inserting
``section 2005'';
(C) in subsection (c)(2)(A), by striking ``sections 2005
and 2007'' and inserting ``section 2005'';
(D) in subsection (d), by striking ``sections 2005 and
2007'' and inserting ``section 2005''; and
(E) in subsection (e), by striking ``2006, and 2007'' and
inserting ``and 2006''; and
(2) in section 2013 (22 U.S.C. 7432), by striking paragraph
(13).
______

SA 2202. Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. Chambliss, and Mrs. Clinton)
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R.
1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military
activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and
for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle A of title VI, add the following:

SEC. 604. PAYMENT OF INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING TRAVEL COSTS FOR
CERTAIN SELECTED RESERVE MEMBERS.

(a) Payment of Travel Costs Authorized.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 7 of title 37, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 408 the following new
section:

``Sec. 408a. Travel and transportation allowances: inactive
duty training

``(a) Allowance Authorized.--Under regulations prescribed
by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary concerned may
reimburse a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready
Reserve described in subsection (b) for travel expenses for
travel to an inactive duty training location to perform
inactive duty training.
``(b) Eligible Members.--A member of the Selected Reserve
of the Ready Reserve described in this subsection is a member
who--
``(1) is--
``(A) qualified in a skill designated as critically short
by the Secretary concerned;
``(B) assigned to a unit of the Selected Reserve with a
critical manpower shortage, or is in a pay grade in the
member's reserve component with a critical manpower shortage;
or
``(C) assigned to a unit or position that is disestablished
or relocated as a result of defense base closure or
realignment or another force structure reallocation; and
``(2) commutes a distance from the member's permanent
residence to the member's inactive duty training location
that is outside the normal commuting distance (as determined
under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense) for
that commute.
``(c) Maximum Amount.--The maximum amount of reimbursement
provided a member under subsection (a) for each round trip to
a training location shall be $300.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 408 the following new
item:

``408a. Travel and transportation allowances: inactive duty
training.''.

(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on October 1, 2007. No reimbursement may be
provided under section 408a of title 37, United States Code
(as added by subsection (a)), for travel costs incurred
before October 1, 2007.
______

SA 2203. Mr. GREGG (for himself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1070. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FAMILY CARE PLANS AND THE
DEPLOYMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO
HAVE MINOR DEPENDENTS.

(a) In General.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) single parents who are members of the Armed Forces with
minor dependents, and dual-military couples with minor
dependents, should develop and maintain effective family care
plans that--
(A) address all reasonably foreseeable situations that
would result in the absence of the single parent or dual-
military couple in order to provide for the efficient
transfer of responsibility for the minor dependents to an
alternative caregiver; and
(B) are consistent with Department of Defense Instruction
1342.19, dated July 13, 1992, and any applicable regulations
of the military department concerned; and
(2) the Secretary of Defense should establish procedures to
ensure that if a single parent and both spouses in a dual-
military couple are required to deploy to a covered area--
(A) requests by the single parent or dual-military couple
for deferments of deployment due to unforeseen circumstances
are evaluated rapidly; and
(B) appropriate steps are taken to ensure adequate care for
minor dependents of the single parent or dual-military
couple.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered area.--The term ``covered area'' means an area
for which special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or
imminent danger is authorized under section 310 of title 37,
United States Code.
(2) Dual-military couple.--The term ``dual-military
couple'' means a married couple in which both spouses are
members of the Armed Forces.
______

SA 2204. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place insert:

SEC. (___). COMPETITION FOR PROCUREMENT OF RIFLES.

(a) Compettion Required.--Each military service shall
conduct full and open competitions for the procurement of
rifles based on the requirements described in (b).
(b) Requirement.--The Secretary of Defense shall certify a
rifle requirement no later than December 31, 2007 that
shall--
(1) be based on performance; and
(2) not require commonality with the technical
specifications of current weapons.
(c) Procurements Covered.--This section applies to the
procurement of individual weapons less than .50 caliber.
______

SA 2205. Mrs. McCASKILL (for herself, Mr. Biden, Mr. Kennedy, Mr.
Bond, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by her to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for
fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1044. REPORT ON SIZE AND MIX OF AIR FORCE INTERTHEATER
AIRLIFT FORCE.

(a) Study Required.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall provide for
a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) to
conduct a study on various alternatives for the size and mix
of assets for the Air Force intertheater airlift force, with
a particular focus on current and anticipated capabilities
and costs of the C-5 aircraft and C-17 aircraft fleets.
(2) Selection of ffrdc.--In order to enhance the utility of
the study, the Secretary shall, select to conduct the study a
federally funded research and development center that is
currently engaged in force mix analyses of other military
mobility aircraft fleets.
(3) Utilization of other studies.--In conducting the study,
the federally funded research and development center shall
utilize the results of the recent Mobility Capabilities
Studies of the Department of Defense, the on-going
Intratheater Airlift Fleet Mix Analysis, and other
appropriate studies and analyses. The study should also
include any results reached on the modified C-5A aircraft
configured as part of the Reliability Enhancement and Re-
engining Program (RERP) configuration, as specified in
section 132 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-136; 117 Stat. 1411).
(b) Elements.--The study under subsection (a) shall address
the following:
(1) The adequacy of the current intertheater airlift force,
including whether or not the current target number of 299
airframes for the Air Force heavy lift aircraft fleet will

[[Page S9220]]

be sufficient to support future expeditionary combat and non-
combat missions, as well as domestic and training mission
requirements, in light of each of the following:
(A) Current and future military combat and support
missions.
(B) The planned force structure growth of the Army and the
Marine Corps.
(C) Potential changes in lift requirements arising from the
deployment of the Future Combat Systems by the Army.
(D) The utilization of the heavy lift aircraft in
intratheater combat missions.
(E) The availability and application of Civil Reserve Air
Fleet assets in future military scenarios.
(F) The potential foreign military demand for military
airlift aircraft and the value to the Air Force of a global
infrastructure associated with a common aircraft fleet.
(G) Any increased air mobility requirements associated with
the Global Rebasing Initiative of the Department of Defense.
(H) Potential increases in United States military support
for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions around the globe.
(I) Potential changes in lift requirements based on
equipment procured for Iraq and Afghanistan.
(2) The state of the current intertheater airlift fleet of
the Air Force, including the following:
(A) The extent to which the increased use of heavy airlift
aircraft in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring
Freedom, and other ongoing operations is affecting the aging
of the aircraft of that fleet.
(B) The extent to which the accelerated aging of such
aircraft will affect the replacement schedule for such
aircraft.
(3) The optimal mix of C-5 aircraft and C-17 aircraft for
the intertheater airlift fleet of the Air Force, and any
appropriate mix of C-5 aircraft and C-17 aircraft for
intratheater airlift missions, including an assessment of the
following:
(A) The cost-benefits of replacing C-5A aircraft with C-17
aircraft, including costs associated with the C-5 Reliability
Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) and Avionics
Modernization Program (AMP).
(B) The military capability of the airframes for the C-5
aircraft and C-17 aircraft, including number of lifetime
flight hours, cargo and passenger carrying capability, and
mission capable rates for such airframes.
(C) The effect of replacing C-5 aircraft with C-17 aircraft
on a one-for-one airframe basis, rather than upgrading the C-
5 aircraft under the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining
Program and the Avionics Modernization Program, on airlift
capabilities, including whether replacing C-5 aircraft with
C-17 aircraft would create an equivalent one-for-one tradeoff
in military capability.
(D) The tactical capabilities of strategic airlift
aircraft, the potential increase in use of strategic airlift
aircraft for tactical missions, and the value of such
capabilities to tactical operations.
(E) The value of having more than one type of aircraft in
the strategic airlift fleet, and the potential need to pursue
a replacement aircraft for the C-5 aircraft that is larger
than the C-17 aircraft.
(4) Strategic issues associated with closing the production
line for the C-17 aircraft, particularly the risks associated
with losing the industrial capacity of that production line
in the light of future military requirements.
(5) The means by which the Air Force was able to restart
the production line for the C-5 aircraft after having closed
the line for several years, and the actions to be taken to
ensure the production line for the C-17 aircraft could be
restarted should a decision to close the line be made,
including an analysis of the following:
(A) The costs of closing and re-opening the production line
for the C-5 aircraft, and an assessment of the costs of
closing and re-opening the production line for the C-17
aircraft on a similar basis.
(B) The risks inherent in permitting a production line to
close when compared with the potential savings or favorable
aspects of keeping a production line open.
(6) The financial effects of retiring or upgrading and
maintaining the C-5A aircraft fleet on procurement decisions
relating to the C-17 aircraft.
(7) The impact that increasing the role and use of
strategic airlift aircraft in intratheater operations will
have on the current target number for strategic airlift
aircraft of 299, including an analysis of the following:
(A) The appropriateness of using C-5 aircraft and C-17
aircraft for intratheater missions, as well as the efficacy
of these aircraft to perform current and projected future
intratheater missions.
(B) The interplay of existing doctrinal intratheater
airlift aircraft (such as the C-130 aircraft and the future
Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA)) with an increasing role for C-5
aircraft and C-17 aircraft in intratheater missions.
(C) The most appropriate and likely missions for C-5
aircraft and C-17 aircraft in intratheater operations and the
potential for increased requirements in these mission areas.
(D) Any intratheater mission sets best performed by
strategic airlift aircraft as opposed to traditional
intratheater airlift aircraft.
(E) Any requirements for increased production or longevity
of C-5 and C-17 aircraft, or for a new strategic airlift
aircraft, in light of the matters analyzed under this
paragraph.
(c) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to exclude from the study under subsection (a)
consideration of airlift assets other than the C-5 aircraft
or C-17 aircraft that do or may provide intratheater and
intertheater airlift, including the potential that such
current or future assets may reduce requirements for C-5
aircraft or C-17 aircraft.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than February 1, 2009, the
Secretary Defense shall 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 study under
subsection (a).
(2) Form.--The report shall be submitted in unclassified
form, but may include a classified annex.
______

SA 2206. Mr. WEBB (for himself, Mrs. McCaskill, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr.
Brown, Mr. Casey, Mr. Tester, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr.
Sanders) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the
bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle C of title XV, add the following:

SEC. 1535. STUDY AND INVESTIGATION OF WARTIME CONTRACTS AND
CONTRACTING PROCESSES IN OPERATION IRAQI
FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

(a) Commission on Wartime Contracting.--
(1) Establishment.--There is hereby established a
commission to be known as the ``Commission on Wartime
Contracting'' (in this subsection referred to as the
``Commission'').
(2) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 8
members, as follows:
(A) 2 members shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of
the Senate, in consultation with the Chairmen of the
Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
(B) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, in consultation with the Chairmen
of the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives.
(C) 1 member shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of
the Senate, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Members
of the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
(D) 1 member shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives, in consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Armed Services
and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the
House of Representatives.
(E) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary of
Defense.
(F) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.
(3) Chairman and vice chairman.--
(A) Chairman.--The chairman of the Commission shall be a
member of the Commission selected by the members appointed
under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) but only if
approved by the vote of a majority of the members of the
Commission.
(B) Vice chairman.--The vice chairman of the Commission
shall be a member of the Commission selected by the members
appointed under subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (2)
but only if approved by the vote of a majority of the members
of the Commission.
(4) Duties.--
(A) General duties.--The Commission shall study and
investigate the following matters:
(i) Federal agency contracting for the reconstruction of
Iraq and Afghanistan.
(ii) Federal agency contracting for the logistical support
of coalition forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom.
(iii) Federal agency contracting for the performance of
security and intelligence functions in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
(B) Particular duties.--In carrying out the study under
this paragraph, the Commission shall assess--
(i) the extent and impact of the reliance of the Federal
Government on contractors to perform functions (including
security, intelligence, and management functions) in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom;
(ii) the performance of the contracts under review, and the
mechanisms used to manage the performance of the contracts
under review;
(iii) the extent of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement
under such contracts;
(iv) the extent to which those responsible for such waste,
fraud, abuse, or mismanagement have been held financially or
legally accountable; and
(v) the appropriateness of the organizational structure,
policies, and practices of

[[Page S9221]]

the Department of Defense and the Department of State for
handling contingency contract management and support.
(5) Reports.--
(A) Interim report.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to
Congress an interim report on the study carried out under
paragraph (3), including the results and findings of the
study as of that date.
(B) Other reports.--The Commission may from time to time
submit to Congress such other reports on the study carried
out under paragraph (3) as the Commission considers
appropriate.
(C) Final report.--Not later than two years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to
Congress a report on the study carried out under paragraph
(3). The report shall--
(i) include the findings of the Commission;
(ii) identify lessons learned on the contracting covered by
the study; and
(iii) include specific recommendations for improvements to
be made in--

(I) the process for developing contract requirements for
wartime contracts and contracts for contingency operations;
(II) the process for awarding contracts and task orders for
wartime contracts and contracts for contingency operations;
(III) the process for managing and providing oversight for
the performance of wartime contracts and contracts for
contingency operations;
(IV) the process for holding contractors and their
employees accountable for waste, fraud, abuse, or
mismanagement under wartime contracts and contracts for
contingency operations;
(V) the process for determining which functions are
inherently governmental and which functions are appropriate
for performance by contractors in an area of combat
operations (including an area of a contingency operation),
including a determination whether the use of civilian
contractors to provide security in an area of combat
operations is a function that is inherently governmental;
(VI) the organizational structure, policies and practices
of the Department of Defense and the Department of State
handling contract management and support for wartime
contracts and contracts for contingency operations; and
(VII) the process by which roles and responsibilities with
respect to wartime contracts and contracts for contingency
operations are distributed among the various departments and
agencies of the Federal Government, and interagency
coordination and communication mechanisms associated with
wartime contracts and contracts for contingency operations.

(6) Other powers and authorities.--
(A) Hearings and evidence.--The Commission or, on the
authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member
thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this
subsection--
(i) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and
places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, subpoena,
administer such oaths; and
(ii) require the attendance and testimony of such witnesses
and the production of such books, records, correspondence,
memoranda, papers, and documents, as the Commission or such
designated subcommittee or designated member may determine
advisable.
(B) Access to information.--The Commission may secure
directly from the Department of Defense and any other
department or agency of the Federal Government any
information or assistance that the Commission considers
necessary to enable the Commission to carry out the
requirements of this subsection. Upon request of the
Commission, the head of such department or agency shall
furnish such information expeditiously to the Commission.
Whenever information or assistance requested by the
Commission is unreasonably refused or not provided, the
Commission shall report the circumstances to Congress without
delay.
(C) Personnel.--The Commission shall have the authorities
provided in section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, and
shall be subject to the conditions set forth in such section,
except to the extent that such conditions would be
inconsistent with the requirements of this subsection.
(D) Detailees.--Any employee of the Federal Government
employee may be detailed to the Commission without
reimbursement from the Commission, and such detailee shall
retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her
regular employment without interruption.
(E) Security clearances.--The appropriate departments or
agencies of the Federal Government shall cooperate with the
Commission in expeditiously providing to the Commission
members and staff appropriate security clearances to the
extent possible pursuant to existing procedures and
requirements, except that no person shall be provided with
access to classified information under this section without
the appropriate security clearances.
(F) Violations of law.--
(i) Referral to attorney general.--The Commission may refer
to the Attorney General any violation or potential violation
of law identified by the Commission in carrying out its
duties under this subsection.
(ii) Reports on results of referral.--The Attorney General
shall submit to Congress a report on each prosecution and
conviction that results from a referral made under this
subparagraph.
(7) Contingency operation defined.--In this subsection, the
term ``contingency operation'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.
(b) Investigation of Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and
Mismanagement.--
(1) In general.--The Special Inspector General for Iraq
Reconstruction shall, in cooperation with the Inspector
General of the Department of Defense and Inspector General of
the Department of State and in consultation with the
Commission on Wartime Contracting established by subsection
(a), conduct a series of audits to identify potential waste,
fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in the performance of--
(A) Department of Defense contracts and subcontracts for
the logistical support of coalition forces in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
(B) Federal agency contracts and subcontracts for the
performance of security and intelligence functions in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
(2) Scope of audits of dod contracts.--Each audit conducted
pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) shall focus on a specific
contract, task order, or site of performance under a contract
or task order and shall examine, at a minimum, one or more of
the following issues:
(A) The manner in which requirements were developed.
(B) The procedures under which the contract or task order
was awarded.
(C) The terms and conditions of the contract or task order.
(D) The contractor's staffing and method of performance,
including cost controls.
(E) The efficacy of Department of Defense management and
oversight and Department of State management and oversight,
including the adequacy of staffing and training of officials
responsible for such management and oversight.
(F) The flow of information from the contractor to
officials responsible for contract management and oversight.
(3) Scope of audits of other contracts.--Each audit
conducted pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) shall focus on a
specific contract, task order, or site of performance under a
contract or task order and shall examine, at a minimum, one
or more of the following issues:
(A) The manner in which the requirements were developed and
the contract or task order was awarded.
(B) The manner in which the Federal agency exercised
control over the contractor's performance.
(C) The extent to which operational field commanders are
able to coordinate or direct the contractor's performance in
an area of combat operations.
(D) The extent to which the functions performed were
appropriate for performance by a contractor.
(E) The degree to which contractor employees were properly
screened, selected, trained, and equipped for the functions
to be performed.
(F) The nature and extent of any incidents of misconduct or
unlawful activity by contractor employees.
(G) The extent to which any incidents of misconduct or
unlawful activity were reported, documented, investigated,
and (where appropriate) prosecuted.
(4) Continuation of special inspector general.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 3001(o) of the
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and for
the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004 (Public Law
108-106; 5 U.S.C. App. 8G note), the Office of the Special
Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction shall not terminate
until the completion of the audits required by this
subsection.
(B) Reaffirmation of certain duties and responsibilities.--
Congress reaffirms that the Special Inspector General for
Iraq Reconstruction retains the duties and responsibilities
in sections 4 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
App. 4; relating to reports of criminal violations to the
Attorney General) and section 5 of the Inspector General Act
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 5; relating to reports to Congress) as
expressly provided in subsections (f)(3) and (i)(3),
respectively, of section 3001 of the Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of
Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004.
(5) Completion of audits.--The Special Inspector General
shall complete any audits conducted under this subsection by
not later than December 31, 2008.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be required to carry out
the provisions of this Act.
______

SA 2207. Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Kennedy, Ms.
Mikulski, and Mr. Coleman) submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for
fiscal year 2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

[[Page S9222]]

SEC. ___. PROGRAMS FOR USE OF LEAVE BY CAREGIVERS FOR FAMILY
MEMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS PERFORMING CERTAIN
MILITARY SERVICE.

(a) Federal Employees Program.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Caregiver.--The term ``caregiver'' means an individual
who--
(i) is an employee;
(ii) is at least 21 years of age; and
(iii) is capable of self care and care of children or other
dependent family members of a qualified member of the Armed
Forces.
(B) Covered period of service.--The term ``covered period
of service'' means any period of service performed by an
employee as a caregiver while the individual who designated
the caregiver under paragraph (3) remains a qualified member
of the Armed Forces.
(C) Employee.--The term ``employee'' has the meaning given
under section 6331 of title 5, United States Code.
(D) Family member.--The term ``family member'' includes--
(i) individuals for whom the qualified member of the Armed
Forces provides medical, financial, and logistical support
(such as housing, food, clothing, or transportation); and
(ii) children under the age of 19 years, elderly adults,
persons with disabilities, and other persons who are unable
to care for themselves in the absence of the qualified member
of the Armed Forces.
(E) Qualified member of the armed forces.--The term
``qualified member of the Armed Forces'' means--
(i) a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces as
described under section 10101 of title 10, United States
Code, who has received notice to report to, or is serving on,
active duty in the Armed Forces in support of a contingency
operation as defined under section 101(a)(13) of title 10,
United States Code; or
(ii) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who is
eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay
under section 310 of title 37, United States Code.
(2) Establishment of program.--The Office of Personnel
Management shall establish a program to authorize a caregiver
to--
(A) use any sick leave of that caregiver during a covered
period of service in the same manner and to the same extent
as annual leave is used; and
(B) use any leave available to that caregiver under
subchapter III or IV of chapter 63 of title 5, United States
Code, during a covered period of service as though that
covered period of service is a medical emergency.
(3) Designation of caregiver.--
(A) In general.--A qualified member of the Armed Forces
shall submit a written designation of the individual who is
the caregiver for any family member of that member of the
Armed Forces during a covered period of service to the
employing agency and the Office of Personnel Management.
(B) Designation of spouse.--Notwithstanding paragraph
(1)(A)(ii), an individual less than 21 years of age may be
designated as a caregiver if that individual is the spouse of
the qualified member of the Armed Forces making the
designation.
(4) Use of caregiver leave.--Leave may only be used under
this subsection for purposes directly relating to, or
resulting from, the designation of an employee as a
caregiver.
(5) Regulations.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Office of Personnel Management
shall prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection.
(6) Termination.--The program under this subsection shall
terminate on December 31, 2012.
(b) Voluntary Private Sector Leave Program.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Caregiver.--The term ``caregiver'' means an individual
who--
(i) is an employee;
(ii) is at least 21 years of age; and
(iii) is capable of self care and care of children or other
dependent family members of a qualified member of the Armed
Forces.
(B) Covered period of service.--The term ``covered period
of service'' means any period of service performed by an
employee as a caregiver while the individual who designated
the caregiver under paragraph (4) remains a qualified member
of the Armed Forces.
(C) Employee.--The term ``employee'' means an employee of a
business entity participating in the program under this
subsection.
(D) Family member.--The term ``family member'' includes--
(i) individuals for whom the qualified member of the Armed
Forces provides medical, financial, and logistical support
(such as housing, food, clothing, or transportation); and
(ii) children under the age of 19 years, elderly adults,
persons with disabilities, and other persons who are unable
to care for themselves in the absence of the qualified member
of the Armed Forces.
(E) Qualified member of the armed forces.--The term
``qualified member of the Armed Forces'' means--
(i) a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces as
described under section 10101 of title 10, United States
Code, who has received notice to report to, or is serving on,
active duty in the Armed Forces in support of a contingency
operation as defined under section 101(a)(13) of title 10,
United States Code; or
(ii) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who is
eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay
under section 310 of title 37, United States Code.
(2) Establishment of program.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of Labor shall establish a
program to authorize employees of business entities described
under paragraph (3) to use sick leave, or any other leave
available to an employee, during a covered period of service
in the same manner and to the same extent as annual leave (or
its equivalent) is used.
(B) Exception.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to leave
made available under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
(29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.).
(3) Voluntary business participation.--The Secretary of
Labor shall solicit business entities to voluntarily
participate in the program under this subsection.
(4) Designation of caregiver.--
(A) In general.--A qualified member of the Armed Forces
shall submit a written designation of the individual who is
the caregiver for any family member of that member of the
Armed Forces during a covered period of service to the
employing business entity.
(B) Designation of spouse.--Notwithstanding paragraph
(1)(A)(ii), an individual less than 21 years of age may be
designated as a caregiver if that individual is the spouse of
the qualified member of the Armed Forces making the
designation.
(5) Use of caregiver leave.--Leave may only be used under
this subsection for purposes directly relating to, or
resulting from, the designation of an employee as a
caregiver.
(6) Regulations.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall prescribe
regulations to carry out this subsection.
(7) Termination.--The program under this subsection shall
terminate on December 31, 2012.
(c) GAO Report.--Not later than June 30, 2010, the
Government Accountability Office shall submit a report to
Congress on the programs under subsections (a) and (b) that
includes--
(1) an evaluation of the success of each program; and
(2) recommendations for the continuance or termination of
each program.
(d) Offset.--The aggregate amount authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2008 for the use of the
Department of Defense for research, development, test and
evaluation shall be reduced by $2,000,000.
______

SA 2208. Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Lugar) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1585, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of title XV, add the following:

Subtitle D--Iraq

SEC. 1541. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States has vital national security interests
in Iraq and the Middle East region.
(2) These vital interests include the prevention of Iraq or
any piece of its territory from being used as a safe haven or
training ground for terrorists or as a repository or assembly
point for weapons of mass destruction; the prevention of acts
of violence and disorder that upset wider regional stability,
undermining friendly governments, expanding refugee flows,
impairing the international shipping lanes in the Persian
Gulf, or destroying key oil production or transportation
facilities; the prevention of Iranian domination of or
aggression toward nations or areas of the Middle East, which
would have potentially serious consequences for weapons
proliferation, terrorism, the security of Israel, and the
stability of friendly governments; and the protection of U.S.
credibility in the region and throughout the world.
(3) On January 10, 2007, the President announced the ``New
Way forward'' (hereinafter known as ``the President's
strategy''), which consists of four basic elements:
political, regional, economic, and military.
(4) The central component of the military element of the
President's strategy is an increased emphasis on population
security with augmented Iraqi and Coalition force levels in
Baghdad and elsewhere. This element required the deployment
of five additional U.S. brigade combat teams, with the fifth
brigade combat team having been deployed and having become
operational in June 2007.
(5) It is widely recognized that there is no purely
military solution to the situation in Iraq. The Iraqi leaders
must, as a unified government, reach political settlements in
order to achieve reconciliation, for their failure to do so
greatly contributes to the violence and disorder in Iraq.
(6) The viability of the President's strategy within Iraq
depends upon: 1) military success at reducing violence and
instability in Iraq to a degree that creates greater
political

[[Page S9223]]

normalcy to conclude political compromises; 2) the
willingness of Iraqi leaders to subordinate their personal,
tribal, and sectarian loyalties and agendas to allow for
meaningful and lasting compromises on key questions of
economic and political power, such as the equitable
distribution of hydrocarbon resources, the enactment of a de-
baathification policy, the enactment of provincial election
law, the completion of the Constitutional review process, and
the settlement of the Kirkuk question; and 3) the ability of
these potential compromises to achieve a sufficient level of
national reconciliation to sustain a stable, unified
government, security forces loyal to that government, and a
cohesive society despite the continuing risk of terrorism or
sectarian violence.
(7) According to the Initial Benchmark Assessment Report,
issued on July 12, 2007, under the requirements of the
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (Public Law 110-
28), enacted May 25, 2007, the Administration has scored
satisfactory progress toward 8 of 18 benchmarks, but
unsatisfactory or mixed progress is being marked in 10
others. Specifically, in the Security sector, while the
report grades ``satisfactory progress toward providing three
trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad
operations, ``the Iraqi Government has made unsatisfactory
progress toward increasing the number of Iraqi Security
Forces units capable of operating independently'', and has
not made satisfactory progress ``in ensuring that Iraqi
Security Forces are providing even-handed enforcement of the
law. . .''
(8) The Administration's Initial Benchmark Assessment
Report of July 12, 2007, indicates clearly that none of the
benchmarks set forth in P.L 110-28, nor those milestones
recommended by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group in December
2006 in the areas of national reconciliation, security and
governance have been reached in their entirety.
(9) Sectarian agendas, heightened by current power
struggles and the memory of the oppressive rule of Saddam
Hussein, have generated fear, distrust, and hatred in many
parts of Iraq leading to ethnic cleansing, violence,
sabotage, economic discrimination, and uncompromising
political agendas that have hindered attempts to achieve
political reconciliation.
(10) Many leaders of the Iraqi government and sectarian
factions have not demonstrated a commitment to the concept of
a pluralist government; nor have they demonstrated the
ability to control many sub-factions within their sects.
(11) The difficulty of achieving short-term political
accommodation in Iraq has been complicated by absenteeism in
Parliament, personal feuds among leaders, factional boycotts,
and the demands of making policy by consensus in a fragmented
society.
(12) Though some Iraqi military and security units have
achieved a commendable, professional degree of capability and
have performed courageously in combat, a measure of sectarian
loyalties, agenda, and corruption still afflict the Iraqi
security services.
(13) Given continuing high levels of violence in Iraq and
few manifestations of political compromise among Iraq's
factions, the optimal outcome in Iraq of a unified,
pluralist, democratic government that is able to police
itself, protect its borders, and achieve economic development
is not likely to be achieved in the near future.
(14) American military and diplomatic strategy in Iraq must
adjust to the reality that sectarian factionalism is not
likely to abate anytime soon and probably cannot be
controlled from the top.
(15) The U.S. military's capacity to interpose itself
indefinitely between sectarian factions in Iraq is limited by
the high tempo of deployments to Iraq during four and a half
years of conflict have impacted the overall readiness of our
armed forces, complicated the all-volunteer policy of
recruitment, and strained the quality of life for military
families.
(16) The extended Iraq deployments have potential
consequences for U.S. abilities to respond to other national
security threats, including challenges in Afghanistan.
(17) The safety and security of our military forces, as
well as our credibility in the region require that any
military withdrawal or redeployment from Iraq be carefully
planned and executed.
(18) Some level of American military presence in or near
Iraq would improve prospects that the United States could
respond to terrorist threats, protect petroleum flows, help
deter a regional war, and reassure friendly governments of
America's commitment to Middle East security.
(19) Our military planners and diplomats must have as much
time as possible to develop and implement the elements of any
follow-on policy to the President's strategy, including
securing the cooperation of the Iraqi government and key
states in the region and establishing the logistics to
support a residual or temporary American military presence.
(20) A poorly-planned or precipitous withdrawal from Iraq
could compound the risks of a wider regional conflict
stimulated by Sunni-Shia tensions, damage U.S. credibility
among regional allies, expose Iraqis who have worked with the
Coalition to retribution, increase the magnitude of
destabilizing refugee flows, undercut economic and
development projects currently underway in Iraq, and signal
that the United States was abandoning efforts to prevent
Iraqi territory from being used as a terrorist base.
(21) The December 2006 report issued by the Iraq Study
Group advocated a comprehensive strategy that includes ``new
and enhanced diplomatic and political efforts in Iraq and the
region, and a change in the primary mission of U.S. forces in
Iraq that will enable the United States to begin to move its
combat forces out of Iraq responsibly;''.
(22) A new strategy should reference the recommendations of
the Iraq Study Group, which consulted nearly 200 leading
officials and experts, including senior members of the
Government of Iraq, the United States Government, and key
coalition partners and received advice from more than 50
distinguished scholars and experts from a variety of fields
who conducted working groups in the areas of economy and
reconstruction, military and security, political development,
and the strategic environment in Iraq and the Middle East.
(23) The long term importance of Iraq and the Middle East
to American economic and national security requires that our
policy in Iraq be militarily sustainable and that it command
the greatest degree of public and Congressional support
possible.
(24) The report of the Iraq Study Group opened with a
letter from the co-chairs, James A. Baker, III and Lee H.
Hamilton, which states ``Our political leaders must build a
bipartisan approach to bring a responsible conclusion to what
is now a lengthy and costly war. Our country deserves a
debate that prizes substance over rhetoric, and a policy that
is adequately funded and sustainable. The President and
Congress must work together. Our leaders must be candid and
forthright with the American people in order to win their
support''.

SEC. 1542. REPORTING AND PLANNING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) The President shall require the Director of National
Intelligence to review and update, as required, the National
Intelligence Estimate (NIE) titled ``Prospects for Iraq's
Stability: A Challenging Road Ahead'', dated January 2007,
not later than September 4, 2007. The updated NIE shall
include an assessment specifically of the consequences of the
various courses of action reducing U.S. forces in Iraq on the
future of Iraq, the Middle East region, U.S. national
interests, and U.S. partners and allies.
(b) The President, in close coordination with the
Secretaries of Defense and State, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and
other senior military leaders, shall, as a matter of
prudence, consider all options and initiate planning to:
(1) transition U.S. combat forces from policing the civil
strife or sectarian violence in Iraq;
(2) redeploy or reallocate those forces in a responsible
manner as conditions permit;
(3) refocus U.S. military operations on maintaining the
territorial integrity of Iraq, denying international
terrorists a safe haven, conducting counterterrorism
operations against al Qaeda in Iraq and its associates,
protecting U.S. forces and facilities, and training and
equipping Iraqi forces to take full responsibility for their
own security; and
(4) address the findings of the Independent Assessment of
the Iraqi Security Forces as provided by PL 110-28 to include
decision points for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq
that are based upon the readiness of Iraqi Security Forces.
(c) The aforementioned plans shall be presented to
Congress, in a format determined by the Administration, not
later than October 16, 2007, and shall be accompanied by the
results from modeling and simulation efforts by appropriate
departments and agencies of the U.S. government that address
the consequences of the courses of action proposed and
analyzed. The results of that modeling and simulation shall
be made available to Congress.
(d) We recommend that the President and the Administration
design plans to be executable beginning not later than
December 31, 2007.

SEC. 1543. AUTHORIZATION OF THE USE OF FORCE.

Findings:
(1) In the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act
(Public Law 110-28), enacted May 25, 2007, the Congress
enacted broad legislation, part of which originated in the
Senate, and the President signed the legislation which
specifically mandated that the President take the following
actions:
(A) ``The President shall submit an initial report, in
classified and unclassified format, to the Congress, not
later than July 15, 2007, assessing the status of each of the
specific benchmarks established above, and declaring, in his
judgment, whether satisfactory progress toward meeting these
benchmarks is, or is not, being achieved''.
(B) ``The President, having consulted with the Secretary of
State, The Secretary of Defense, The Commander, Multi-
National Forces-Iraq, the United States Ambassador to Iraq,
and the Commander of U.S. Central Command, will prepare the
report and submit the report to Congress''.
(C) ``If the President's assessment of any of the specific
benchmarks established above is unsatisfactory, the President
shall include in that report a description of such revisions
to the political, economic, regional, and military components
of the strategy, as announced by the President on January 10,
2007. In addition, the President shall include

[[Page S9224]]

in the report, the advisability of implementing such aspects
of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, as he deems
appropriate''.
(D) ``The President shall submit a second report to the
Congress, not later than September 15, 2007, following the
same procedures and criteria, outlined above''.
(E) ``Prior to the submission of the President's second
report on September 15, 2007, and at a time to be agreed upon
by the leadership of the Congress and the Administration, the
United States Ambassador to Iraq and the Commander, Multi-
National Forces Iraq will be made available to testify in
open and closed sessions before the relevant committees of
the Congress''.
(F) The Department of Defense ``will commission an
independent, private-sector entity, which operates as a
501(c)(3), with recognized credentials and expertise in
military affairs, to prepare an independent report assessing
the following:
(i) The readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to
assume responsibility for maintaining the territorial
integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorists a safe
haven, and bringing greater security to Iraq's 18 provinces
in the next 12-18 months, and bringing an end to sectarian
violence to achieve national reconciliation;
(ii) The training, equipping, command, control and
intelligence capabilities, and logistics capacity of the ISF;
(iii) The likelihood that, given the ISF's record of
preparedness to date, following years of training and
equipping by U.S. forces, the continued support of U.S.
troops will contribute to the readiness of the ISF to fulfill
the missions outlined in subparagraph (A)''.
(iv) It is anticipated that the ``Independent Report on the
Iraqi Security Forces,'' will, in whole or in part, be
available before September 5, 2007.
(2) Two successive reports by the President, a report from
the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, a report from the Commander of
Multinational Forces--Iraq, and the Independent Assessment of
the Iraqi Security Forces, thereby provide a comprehensive
body of information available to the American public and to
the Congress, upon which they can establish opinions and
evaluate decisions on the future course of U.S. involvement
in Iraq and the surrounding region.
(3) The findings that supported H.J. Res. 114, Public Law
107-243, which was enacted in 2002 and which authorized the
President to use the Armed Forces of the United States
against Iraq, require review and revision. Therefore, as part
of his September 15, 2007, report, Congress expects that the
President will submit to Congress a proposal to revise Public
Law 107-243.

SEC. 1544. STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT.

The President shall direct the Secretary of State, in
conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, to initiate
negotiations with the Government of Iraq on a Status of
Forces Agreement with a goal to complete work not later than
120 days after enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1545. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS IN IRAQ
AND THE MIDDLE EAST.

(a) Findings
(1) The Iraq Study Group recommended a diplomatic
offensive, stating ``all key issues in the Middle East - the
Arab-Israeli conflict, Iraq, Iran, the need for political and
economic reforms, and extremism and terrorism, are
inextricably linked''. The report stressed that diplomacy
aimed at solving key regional issues would ``help marginalize
extremists and terrorists, promote U.S. values and interests,
and improve America's global image''.
(2) Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Plus-Two issued
a joint statement on January 16, 2007, reflecting ``their
collective desire to prevent Iraq from becoming a
battleground for regional international powers and urged all
to help end sectarian violence in Iraq''.
(3) The Bush Administration supported and participated in
the March 10, 2007, regional conference in Baghdad and the
follow-up regional conference held in Egypt on May 3 and 4,
2007, and that conference produced three working groups: one
chaired by Syria on Border Security, a second chaired by
Jordan on Refugees, and a third by Turkey on Fuels and
Energy.
(4) The redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq to other
locations in the Middle East, would require the cooperation
of regional governments.
(5) A revision of U.S. military policy in Iraq could
increase the chances of stimulating greater economic and
diplomatic assistance for Iraq from multi-lateral
organizations and European allies, who have sought to limit
their association with an unpopular war.
(6) Regional players, including- Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
Egypt, Turkey, the Gulf States, and others have substantial
concerns about Iran's disruptive agenda in the region that
converge with U.S. interests.
(7) All states in the region, including Iran and Syria have
some interest in preventing political turmoil and refugee
flows from emanating from Iraq or the break-up of Iraq into
sectarian regions.
(8) All nations that depend on oil imports, particularly
those who are dependent on Persian Gulf oil, have a strong
economic and security interest in maintaining stability in
the Gulf region.
(b) It is the Sense of Congress that the United States
Government should work vigorously with like-minded
governments, including the Iraqi government, to establish a
predictable and regular multi-lateral diplomatic forum
related to Iraq that meets frequently and is open to all
parties in the Middle East.
(c) Such a forum could be based on the existing structure
of the May 2007 foreign ministers conference at Sharm el-
Sheikh in Egypt that plans to reassemble in Istanbul at a
date to be determined, or it could be initiated with a new
structure.
(d) U.S. goals in advancing the forum should include
promoting international support for reconciliation in Iraq,
dealing with refugee flows emanating from Iraq, protecting
the territorial integrity of Iraq, advancing Iraqi economic
development, and containing any conflict that might spread
from Iraq.
(e) The United States should work with other nations at the
forum to promote transparency of national interests and
actions so that the risks for neighboring states of pursuing
armed aggression or destructive sectarian agendas are
heightened and all parties avoid miscalculations that could
lead to conflict.
(f) In the context of a drawdown of American forces in
Iraq, the United States should attempt to secure
contributions of resources or military personnel for
international efforts to stabilize Iraq's borders.
(g) Although focused on a multi-lateral approach to issues
related to Iraq, the United States should encourage
opportunities to discuss other regional concerns and to
facilitate bilateral contacts between those in attendance,
when appropriate.
(h) As the United States attempts to establish a more
sustainable policy in Iraq, our government should launch a
broader diplomatic offensive in the region aimed at repairing
alliances, assuring regional governments of our staying power
in the Middle East, enlisting greater help international help
in combating terrorism, stabilizing oil prices, and making
progress in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.
______

SA 2209. Mr. CONRAD (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Gregg,
and Mr. Roberts) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him
to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008
for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle D of title I, add the following:

SEC. 143. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TANKER
AIRCRAFT FLEET.

It is the sense of Congress that timely replacement of the
Air Force aerial refueling tanker fleet is a vital national
security priority for the reasons as follows:
(1) The average age of the aircraft in the Air Force aerial
refueling tanker fleet is now more than 43 years, with the
age of the aircraft in the KC-135 tanker fleet averaging 46
years.
(2) The development and fielding of a replacement tanker
aircraft will allow the United States military to continue to
project combat capability anywhere in the world on short
notice without relying on intermediate bases for refueling.
(3) Under current plans, it will take more than 30 years to
replace the current fleet of KC-135 tanker aircraft, meaning
that some KC-135 tanker aircraft are scheduled to remain
operational until they are nearly 80 years old.

____________________