S.Amdt. 2286

SA 2286. Mr. SASSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 4049, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2021 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. ___. PILOT PROGRAM ON AN INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR A
STRONG INNOVATION BASE.

(a) Pilot Program Authorized.--The Secretary of Defense
shall establish a pilot program for a preferential
designation program for select allie and partner countries of
the United States, in order to add innovation, capability,
and capacity to the United States industrial base and to
enhance the access of the United States to emerging and
critical technology from those allie and partner countries.
(b) Objectives of Pilot Program.--The Secretary shall
design the pilot program required by subsection (a) to
determine the following:
(1) The effectiveness of recognizing certain allied and
partner countries for opportunities to obtain accelerated or
other priority treatment for purposes of--
(A) foreign military sales and foreign military financing;
(B) export, import, or other transfer of defense articles,
defense services, and related technology; and
(C) review of investments subject to the National
Industrial Security Program, consistent with the provisions
of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of
2018 and its implementing regulations.
(2) The impact that designating such allies and partners
has on research, development, and access to emerging and
critical technologies (including fifth generation and sixth
generation communications technology, microelectronics,
semiconductors, and artificial intelligence) that are
beneficial to the United States national security innovation
base and defense industrial base.
(3) The opportunities to promote cross-border technological
development, including joint programs to foster innovation in
technologies with potential application in both the national
security and commercial sectors.
(4) The policy effects of designating particular countries
as trusted partners in the United States national security
innovation base.
(c) Number of Participants.--The Secretary shall select no
fewer than three countries to participate in the pilot
program established under subsection (a).
(d) Elements of Selection.--The Secretary shall prioritize
the following elements in selecting nations to be designated
as participating countries for the pilot program established
under subsection:
(1) The record of commitment to investment in national
defense as defined by the level of spending on national
defense and defense-related infrastructure.
(2) The level of investment and cooperation with the United
States, particularly within the United States defense
industrial base.
(3) The value to military interoperability, as measured by
investment and participation in major defense acquisition
programs of the United States Armed Forces.
(4) The robustness of the local innovation base, including
its record of investment in emerging and critical
technologies.

[[Page S3734]]

(5) The degree of defense and security cooperation with the
United States.
(6) The existence and extent of security agreements and
reciprocal defense agreements, including a country's
practices and procedures that correspond with United States
national security laws and regulations regarding supply chain
security, export control, and foreign investment.
(e) Delegation Authorized.--The Secretary may delegate any
of the authorities and responsibilities in this section to
the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment.
(f) Commencement and Duration.--The pilot program
established under subsection (a) shall be established not
later than April 1, 2021, and all activities under such pilot
program shall continue through December 31, 2024.
(g) Interim Report Required.--Not later than October 1,
2021, the Secretary submit to the congressional defense
committees a report on the status of the pilot program. The
report shall include the following elements:
(1) A list of the countries designated under the pilot
program.
(2) A description of the full selection methodology used
for the countries designated under the pilot program.
(3) An assessment of interest from major allied nations in
participating in the pilot program.
(4) Initial observations of the pilot program, including
successful or promising innovation partnerships or technology
development initiatives.
(5) Any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.
(h) Final Report Required.--Not later October 1, 2023, the
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional
defense committees a final report on the findings of the
pilot program established under this section. The report
shall include the following elements:
(1) A comprehensive description of the benefits gained by
the United States innovation base by designating countries
for inclusion in the partnership.
(2) An assessment of the foreign policy factors to be
considered in expanding or making permanent a country
designation program consistent with the elements of this
section.
(3) Recommendations for legislative or administrative
action the Secretary determines appropriate, including
whether--
(A) to expand the scope of the pilot program;
(B) to expand the number of countries eligible under the
pilot program; or
(C) to make the pilot program permanent.
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