S.Amdt. 5477

1. Adds SEC. 1068. SERVICE AS LEGISLATIVE FELLOWS OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO ARE UNDERGOING CONVALESCENCE AT MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION at the end of subtitle F of title X

   Adds a section

   In S. 3001 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (c) Senior Oversight Committee Defined.--In this section, the term "Senior Oversight Committee" means the Senior Oversight Committee jointly established by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in May 2007. The Senior Oversight Committee was established to address concerns related to the treatment of wounded, ill, and injured members of the Armed Forces and veterans and serve as the single point of contact for oversight, strategy, and integration of proposed strategies for the efforts of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve support throughout the recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration of wounded, ill, or injured members of the Armed Forces.

   Inserted: SEC. 1068. SERVICE AS LEGISLATIVE FELLOWS OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO ARE UNDERGOING CONVALESCENCE AT MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION.

   Inserted: (a) Actions Required.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall take actions to ensure that eligible members of the Armed Forces who are undergoing convalescence at military medical treatment facilities in the National Capital Region, including Walter Reed Army Medical Center, District of Columbia, are informed about and encouraged to apply for selection as a legislative fellow under applicable Department of Defense instructions controlling assignment of personnel to the Legislative Branch.

   Inserted: (2) Voluntary participation.--The participation of members of the Armed Forces as a legislative fellow under this section shall be on a voluntary basis.

   Inserted: (3) Encouragement of participation in program.--The Secretary shall take appropriate actions--

   Inserted: (A) to notify members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a)(1) of their eligibility for participation as legislative fellows under this section; and

   Inserted: (B) to facilitate participation as legislative fellows under this section by members who elect to participate as fellows, including through the provision of appropriate support for such members in participating as fellows.

   Inserted: (4) Prohibition on political activities.--While serving in an office as a legislative fellow under this section, a member of the Armed Forces participating as a fellow may not engage in any political activity otherwise prohibited by law for similar employees of such office.

   Inserted: (b) Pay and Allowances.--

   Inserted: (1) No additional pay and allowances.--A member of the Armed Forces participating as a legislative fellow under this section shall not be entitled to any pay and allowances by reason of participation as a fellow other than the pay and allowances otherwise payable to the member by law.

   Inserted: (2) Expenses.--A member of the Armed Forces participating as a legislative fellow under this section shall be paid or reimbursed for the expenses incurred by the member in connection with participation as a fellow.

   Inserted: (c) Administrative Matters.--

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   Inserted: (1) Administration.--The activities required by this section shall be administered within the Department of Defense by an appropriate official of the Department assigned by the Secretary for that purpose.

   Inserted: (2) Responsibilities.--The official assigned under paragraph (1) shall--

   Inserted: (A) work collaboratively with Members and committees of Congress to identify appropriate fellowship opportunities for members of the Armed Forces seeking to participate as legislative fellows under this section; and

   Inserted: (B) work collaboratively with the Director of the Capitol Guide Service and Congressional Special Services Office of the Architect of the Capitol to accommodate the special physical needs of members of the Armed Forces who are participating as legislative fellows under this section.

   Original wording

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

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As printed