Amendments en bloc comprised of the following amendments numbered 20, 36, 37, 39, 48, 49, 52, 53, 59, and 63 printed in House Report 114-571. See page D538 of the Congressional Record of May 18, 2016 for description of en bloc amendments.

amendment no. 20 offered by mr. thornberry of texas

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

SEC. 12XX. GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT CENTER.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall establish a Global Engagement Center (in this section referred to as the “Center”). The purposes of the Center are--

(1) to lead and coordinate the compilation and examination of information on foreign government information warfare efforts monitored and integrated by the appropriate interagency entities with responsibility for such information, including information provided by recipients of information access fund grants awarded under subsection (f) and other sources;

(2) to establish a framework for the integration of critical data and analysis provided by the appropriate interagency entities with responsibility for such information on foreign propaganda and disinformation efforts into the development of national strategy;

(3) to develop, plan, and synchronize, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, whole-of-government initiatives to expose and counter foreign propaganda and disinformation directed against United States national security interests and proactively advance fact-based narratives that support United States allies and interests;

(4) to demonstrate new technologies, methodologies and concepts relevant to the missions of the Center that can be transitioned to other departments or agencies of the United States Government, foreign partners or allies, or other nongovernmental entities;

(5) to establish cooperative or liaison relationships with foreign partners and allies in consultation with interagency entities with responsibility for such activities, and other entities, such as academia, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector; and

(6) to identify shortfalls in United States capabilities in any areas relevant to the United States Government's mission, and recommend necessary enhancements or changes.

(b) Functions.--The Center shall carry out the following functions:

(1) Integrating interagency and international efforts to track and evaluate counterfactual narratives abroad that threaten the national security interests of the United States and United States allies.

(2) Integrating, and analyzing relevant information, data, analysis, and analytics from United States Government agencies, allied nations, think tanks, academic institutions, civil society groups, and other nongovernmental organizations.

(3) Developing and disseminating fact-based narratives and analysis to counter propaganda and disinformation directed at United States allies and partners.

(4) Identifying current and emerging trends in foreign propaganda and disinformation based on the information provided by the appropriate interagency entities with responsibility for such information, including information obtained from print, broadcast, online and social media, support for third-party outlets such as think tanks, political parties, and nongovernmental organizations, and the use of covert or clandestine special operators and agents to influence targeted populations and governments in order to coordinate and shape the development of tactics, techniques, and procedures to expose and refute foreign misinformation and disinformation and proactively promote fact-based narratives and policies to audiences outside the United States.

(5) Facilitating the use of a wide range of technologies and techniques by sharing expertise among agencies, seeking expertise from external sources, and implementing best practices.

(6) Identifying gaps in United States capabilities in areas relevant to the Center's mission and recommending necessary enhancements or changes.

(7) Identifying the countries and populations most susceptible to foreign government propaganda and disinformation based on information provided by appropriate interagency entities.

(8) Administering the information access fund established pursuant to subsection (f).

(9) Coordinating with allied and partner nations, particularly those frequently targeted by foreign disinformation operations, and international organizations and entities such as the NATO Center of Excellence on Strategic Communications, the European Endowment for Democracy, and the European External Action Service Task Force on Strategic Communications, in order to amplify the Center's efforts and avoid duplication.

(c) Coordinator.--The Secretary of State shall appoint a full-time Coordinator to lead the Center.

(d) Employees of the Center.--

(1) Detailees.--Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Center without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege for a period of not more than three years.

(2) Personal service contractors.--The Secretary of State may exercise the authority provided under section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, to establish a program (referred to in this subsection as the “Program”) for hiring United States citizens or aliens as personal services contractors for purposes of personnel resources of the Center, if--

(A) the Secretary determines that existing personnel resources are insufficient;

(B) the period in which services are provided by a personal services contractor under the Program, including options, does not exceed three years, unless the Secretary determines that exceptional circumstances justify an extension of up to one additional year;

(C) not more than 20 United States citizens or aliens are employed as personal services contractors under the Program at any time; and

(D) the Program is only used to obtain specialized skills or experience or to respond to urgent needs.

(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Under “Diplomatic and Consular Programs”, for each of fiscal years 2017 and 2018, $10,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State and may remain available until expended to carry out the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Center.

(f) Information Access Fund.--

(1) Authority for grants.--The Center is authorized to provide grants or contracts of financial support to civil society groups, journalists, nongovernmental organizations, federally-funded research and development centers, private companies, or academic institutions for the following purposes:

(A) To support local independent media who are best placed to refute foreign disinformation and manipulation in their own communities.

(B) To collect and store examples in print, online, and social media, disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda directed at the United States and its allies and partners.

(C) To analyze and report on tactics, techniques, and procedures of foreign government information warfare with respect to disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda.

(D) To support efforts by the Center to counter efforts by foreign governments to use disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda to influence the policies and social and political stability of the United States and United States allies and partners.

(2) Funding availability and limitations.--The Secretary of State shall provide that each organization that applies to receive funds under this subsection undergoes a vetting process in accordance with the relevant existing regulations to ensure its bona fides, capability, and experience, and its compatibility with United States interests and objectives.

(g) Limitation.--None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by the Act to carry out this section shall be used for purposes other than countering foreign propaganda and misinformation that threatens United States national security.

(h) Termination of Center.--The Center shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 12YY. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER POSITION.

The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.; Public Law 103-236) is amended--

(1) by amending section 304 (22 U.S.C. 6203) to read as follows:

“SEC. 304. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

“(a) Continued Existence Within Executive Branch.--The Broadcasting Board of Governors shall continue to exist within the Executive branch of Government as an entity described in section 104 of title 5, United States Code.

“(b) Chief Executive Officer.--

“(1) In general.--The head of the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall be a Chief Executive Officer, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President shall nominate the Chief Executive Officer not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section. Until such time as a Chief Executive Officer is appointed and has qualified, the current or acting Chief Executive Officer appointed by the Board may continue to serve and exercise the authorities and powers under this Act.

“(2) Term.--The first Chief Executive Officer appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall serve for an initial term of three years.

“(3) Compensation.--A Chief Executive Officer appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be compensated at the annual rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.

“(c) Termination of Director of International Broadcasting Bureau.--Immediately upon appointment of the Chief Executive Officer under subsection (b), the Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau shall be terminated, and all of the responsibilities, authorities, and immunities of the Director or the Board under this or any other Act or authority before the date of the enactment of this section shall be transferred to and assumed or overseen by the Chief Executive Officer, as head of the agency.

“(d) Members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.--Members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors in office as of the date of the enactment of this section may serve the remainder of their terms of office in an advisory capacity, but such terms may not be extended beyond the date on which such terms are set to expire.

“(e) Immunity From Civil Liability.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all limitations on liability that apply to the Chief Executive Officer shall also apply to members of the board of directors of RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, or any organization that consolidates such entities when such members are acting in their official capacities.”; and

(2) in section 305 (22 U.S.C. 6204)--

(A) in subsection (a)--

(i) by striking “Board” each place it appears and inserting “Chief Executive Officer”;

(ii) in paragraph (1), by inserting “direct and” before “supervise”;

(iii) in paragraph (5)--

(I) by inserting “and cooperative agreements” after “grants”; and

(II) by striking “sections 308 and 309” and inserting “this Act, and on behalf of other agencies, accordingly”;

(iv) in paragraph (6), by striking “subject to the limitations in sections 308 and 309 and”;

(v) in paragraph (11), by inserting “not” before “subject”;

(vi) in paragraph (15)(A), by striking--

(I) “temporary and intermittent”; and

(II) “to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code,”; and

(vii) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

“(20) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 308(a), to condition, if appropriate, any grant or cooperative agreement to RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks on authority to determine membership of their respective boards, and the consolidation of such entities into a single grantee organization.

“(21) To redirect funds within the scope of any grant or cooperative agreement, or between grantees, as necessary, and to condition grants or cooperative agreements, if appropriate, on similar amendments as authorized under section 308(a) to meet the purposes of this Act.

“(22) To change the name of the Board pursuant to congressional notification 60 days prior to any such change.”;

(B) by striking subsections (b) and (c); and

(C) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (b).

SEC. 12ZZ. UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING ACT OF 1994.

The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.; Public Law 103-236) is amended--

(1) in section 306 (22 U.S.C. 6205)--

(A) in subsection (a)--

(i) by striking the heading; and

(ii) by striking “Board” each place it appears and inserting “Agency”; and

(B) by striking subsection (b);

(2) by striking section 307 (22 U.S.C. 6206); and

(3) by inserting after section 309 the following new sections:

“SEC. 310. BROADCAST ENTITIES REPORTING TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

“(a) Grantee Organizations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following provisions shall apply:

“(1) Consolidation.--The Chief Executive Officer, subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, who is authorized to incorporate a grantee, may condition annual grants to RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks on the consolidation of such grantees into a single, consolidated private, non-profit corporation (in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code), which may broadcast and provide news and information to audiences wherever the Agency may broadcast, for activities that the Chief Executive Officer determines are consistent with the purposes of this Act, including the terms and conditions of subsections (g)(5), (h), (i), and (j) of section 308, except that the Agency may select any name for such a consolidated grantee.

“(2) Federal status.--Nothing in this or any other Act, or any action taken pursuant to this or any other Act, may be construed to make such a consolidated grantee described in paragraph (1) or RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, or the Middle East Broadcasting Networks or any other grantee or entity provided funding by the Agency a Federal agency or instrumentality. Employees or staff of such grantees or entities shall not be considered Federal employees. For purposes of this subsection and this Act, the term ‘grant' includes agreements under section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, and the term ‘grantee' includes recipients of such agreements.

“(3) Leadership of grantee organizations.--Officers of RFE/RL Inc., Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks or any organization that is established through the consolidation of such entities, or authorized under this Act, shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency.

“(b) Voice of America.--

“(1) Status as a federal entity.--The Chief Executive Officer is authorized to establish an independent grantee organization, as a private nonprofit organization, to carry out all broadcasting and related programs currently performed by the Voice of America. The Chief Executive Officer may make and supervise grants or cooperative agreements to such grantee, including under terms and conditions and in any manner authorized under section 305(a). Such grantee shall not be considered a Federal agency or instrumentality and shall adhere to the same standards of professionalism and accountability required of all Board broadcasters and grantees. The Board is authorized to transfer any facilities or equipment to such grantee, and to utilize the provisions of subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code.

“(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that the Voice of America, operating as a nonprofit organization, should have the mission to--

“(A) serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news on the United States, its policies, its people, and the international developments that affect the United States;

“(B) provide accurate, objective, and comprehensive information, with the understanding that these three values provide credibility among global news audiences;

“(C) present the official policies of the United States, and related discussions and opinions about those policies, clearly and effectively; and

“(D) represent the whole of the United States, and shall accordingly work to produce programming and content that presents a balanced and comprehensive projection of the diversity of thought and institutions of the United States.

“SEC. 311. INSPECTOR GENERAL AUTHORITIES.

“(a) In General.--The Inspector General of the Department of State and the Foreign Service shall exercise the same authorities with respect to the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International Broadcasting Bureau as the Inspector General exercises under the Inspector General Act of 1978 and section 209 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 with respect to the Department of State.

“(b) Respect for Journalistic Integrity of Broadcasters.--The Inspector General shall respect the journalistic integrity of all the broadcasters covered by this title and may not evaluate the philosophical or political perspectives reflected in the content of broadcasts.”.

amendment no. 36 offered by mrs. comstock of virginia

At the end of subtitle E of title V (page 153, after line 9), add the following new section:

SEC. 568. REPORT AND GUIDANCE REGARDING JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT SKILLS TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS, AND INTERNSHIPS AND SKILLBRIDGE INITIATIVES FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO ARE BEING SEPARATED.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and make available to the public, a report evaluating the success of the Job Training, Employment Skills Training, Apprenticeships, and Internships (known as JTEST-AI) and SkillBridge initiatives, under which civilian businesses and companies make available to members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from the Armed Forces training or internship opportunities that offer a high probability of employment for the members after their separation.

(b) Elements of Report.--In preparing the report required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall use the effectiveness metrics described in Enclosure 5 of Department of Defense Instruction No. 1322.29. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) An assessment of the successes of the JTEST-AI and SkillBridge initiatives.

(2) Recommendations by the Under Secretary regarding ways in which the administration of the JTEST-AI and SkillBridge initiatives could be improved.

(3) Recommendations by civilian companies participating in the initiatives regarding ways in which the administration of the JTEST-AI and SkillBridge initiatives could be improved.

(4) Testimony from a sample of members of the Armed Forces who are participating in a JTEST-AI or SkillBridge initiative regarding the effectiveness of the initiatives and the members' support for the initiatives.

(5) Testimony from a sample of recently separated members of the Armed Forces who participated in a JTEST-AI or SkillBridge initiative regarding the effectiveness of the initiatives and the members' support for the initiatives.

(c) Issuance of Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the submission of the report required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall issue guidance to commanders of units of the Armed Forces for the purpose of encouraging commanders, consistent with unit readiness, to allow members of the Armed Forces under their command who are being separated from the Armed Forces to participate in a JTEST-AI or SkillBridge initiative.

amendment no. 37 offered by mr. farenthold of texas

At the end of subtitle E of title V, add the following new section:

SEC. 5__. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION IN ADVANCE OF APPOINTMENTS TO SERVICE ACADEMIES.

(a) United States Military Academy.--Section 4342(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended in the matter after paragraph (10) by adding at the end the following new sentence: “When a nominee of a Senator, Representative, or Delegate is selected for appointment as a cadet, the Senator, Representative, or Delegate shall be notified at least 48 hours before the official notification or announcement of the appointment is made.”.

(b) United States Naval Academy.--Section 6954(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended in the matter after paragraph (10) by adding at the end the following new sentence: “When a nominee of a Senator, Representative, or Delegate is selected for appointment as a midshipman, the Senator, Representative, or Delegate shall be notified at least 48 hours before the official notification or announcement of the appointment is made.”.

(c) United States Air Force Academy.--Section 9342(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended in the matter after paragraph (10) by adding at the end the following new sentence: “When a nominee of a Senator, Representative, or Delegate is selected for appointment as a cadet, the Senator, Representative, or Delegate shall be notified at least 48 hours before the official notification or announcement of the appointment is made.”.

(d) United States Merchant Marine Academy.--Section 51302 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e) Congressional Notification in Advance of Appointments.--When a nominee of a Senator, Representative, or Delegate is selected for appointment as a cadet, the Senator, Representative, or Delegate shall be notified at least 48 hours before the official notification or announcement of the appointment is made”.

(e) Application of Amendments.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the appointment of cadets and midshipmen to the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and United States Merchant Marine Academy for classes entering these service academies after January 1, 2018.

amendment no. 39 offered by mr. hunter of california

Page 173, after line 2, insert the following:

SEC. 599A. SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.

Section 1967(f)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the second sentence.

amendment no. 48 offered by ms. meng of new york

Page 173, after line 2, insert the following:

SEC. 599A. EXTENSION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM.

Section 10219(g) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking “October 1, 2017” and inserting “October 1, 2018”.

amendment no. 49 offered by ms. maxine waters of california

At the end of subtitle D of title VIII (page 326, after line 4), insert the following new section:

SEC. 843. STUDY AND REPORT ON CONTRACTS AWARDED TO MINORITY-OWNED AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study on the number and types of contracts for the procurement of goods or services for the Department of Defense awarded to minority-owned and women-owned businesses during fiscal years 2010 through 2015. In conducting the study, the Comptroller General shall identify minority-owned businesses according to the categories identified in the Federal procurement data system (described in section 1122(a)(4)(A) of title 41, United States Code).

(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the study under subsection (a).

amendment no. 52 offered by mr. sanford of south carolina

In section 1047(c)(1), strike “and approvals” and insert “, approvals, and the total costs of all flyover missions, including the costs of fuel, maintenance, and manpower,”.

amendment no. 53 offered by mr. walz of minnesota

Page 394, after line 5, insert the following new subsection:

(e) State Defined.--In this section, the term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any territory or possession of the United States.

amendment no. 59 offered by mr. polis of colorado

Page 423, after line 3, insert the following:

SEC. 1070. REPORT ON CARRIER AIR WING FORCE STRUCTURE.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the impact of changes to existing carrier air wing force structure and the impact a potential reduction to 9 carrier air wings would have on overall fleet readiness if aircraft and personnel were to be distributed throughout the remaining 9 air wings.

amendment no. 63 offered by mr. courtney of connecticut

Page 462, after line 13, insert the following new section (and conform the table of contents accordingly):

SEC. 1098. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee Act”.

SEC. 2. MARITIME OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Section 7 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 656) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(d) There is established a Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee, which shall be a continuing body and shall provide advice to the Secretary in formulating maritime industry standards and regarding matters pertaining to the administration of this Act related to the maritime industry. The composition of this advisory committee shall be consistent with the advisory committees established under subsection (b), provided that a member of this committee who is otherwise qualified may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. The Secretary may promulgate or amend regulations as necessary to implement this subsection.”.