S.Amdt. 626

SA 626. Mr. MORAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 1790, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2020 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 in title X, insert the following:

SEC. ___. JOHN S. MCCAIN COMMISSION ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF
THE ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE.

(a) Establishment of Commission.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--There is established a commission to carry
out a comprehensive examination on the sustainability and
underpinnings of the all-volunteer nature of the Armed Forces
from the perspective of members of the Armed Forces and
veterans, with respect to all phases of the lives of such
members and veterans, from service in the Armed Forces
through civilian life, including recruiting, retention,
transition, and enduring vigilance.
(B) Designation.--The commission established by
subparagraph (A) shall be known as the ``John S. McCain
Commission on the Sustainability of the All-Volunteer Force''
(in this section referred to as the ``Commission'').
(2) Membership.--
(A) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 12
members of whom--
(i) one shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee
on Armed Services of the Senate;
(ii) one shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the
Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(iii) one shall be appointed by the Chairman of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate;
(iv) one shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate;
(v) one shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;
(vi) one shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;
(vii) one shall be appointed by the Chairman of Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives;
(viii) one shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(ix) one member appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate;
(x) one member appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate;
(xi) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives; and
(xii) one member appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives.
(B) Limitations.--A member of the Commission appointed
under subparagraph (A)--
(i) shall be a citizen of the United States;
(ii) may not be a member of Congress; and
(iii) may not be an employee of the Federal Government.
(C) Requirements.--The members of the Commission appointed
under subparagraph (A) shall have appropriate and diverse
experiences, expertise, and historical perspectives on
veterans, military, organizational, and managerial matters.
(D) Veteran status.--To the extent practicable, the members
appointed under subparagraph (A) shall be veterans.
(E) Nonvoting members.--In addition to the members
appointed under subparagraph (A), the following shall be
nonvoting members of the Commission:
(i) The Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(ii) The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness.
(iii) The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans'
Employment and Training.
(iv) The Associate Administrator for the Office of Veterans
Business Development at the Small Business Administration.
(F) Liaisons.--
(i) Government liaisons.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor and
the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall
each designate at least one officer or employee of the
Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Defense, the
Department of Labor, and the Small Business Administration,
respectively, to serve as a liaison to the Commission.
(ii) Nongovernment liaisons.--Personnel associated with
nongovernmental organizations with expertise or experience in
the purpose and scope of the Commission may be assigned to
support and serve the duties of the Commission.
(G) Appointment date.--The appointments of the members of
the Commission shall be made not later than 60 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(H) Effect of lack of appointment by appointment date.--If
one or more appointments under clauses (i), (ii), (iii),
(iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), or (ix) of subparagraph (A)
is not made by the appointment date specified in subparagraph
(G)--
(i) the authority to make such appointment or appointments
shall expire; and
(ii) the number of members of the Commission shall be
reduced to the number so appointed.
(3) Period of appointment.--Members of the Commission shall
be appointed for the life of the Commission.
(4) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(5) Meetings.--
(A) Initial meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first
meeting not later than 30 days after a majority of members
are appointed to the Commission.
(B) Meeting.--
(i) In general.--The Commission shall regularly meet at the
call of the chairperson of the Commission.
(ii) Telecommunications technology.--Meetings of the
Commission may be carried out through the use of telephonic
or other appropriate telecommunication technology if the
Commission determines that such technology will allow the
Commission to communicate simultaneously.
(6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--A chairperson and
vice chairperson of the Commission shall be selected from
among the members of the Commission jointly by--
(A) the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the
Senate;
(B) the Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed Services
of the Senate;
(C) the Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate;
(D) the Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate;
(E) the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the
House of Representatives;
(F) the Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed Services
of the House of Representatives;
(G) the Chairman of Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives;
(H) the Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives;
(I) the majority leader of the Senate;
(J) the minority leader of the Senate;
(K) the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(L) the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(7) Panels.--
(A) In general.--The Commission may establish panels
composed of less than the full membership of the Commission
for the purpose of carrying out the Commission's duties.
(B) Actions.--The actions of a panel established by the
Commission shall be subject to the review and control of the
Commission.
(C) Findings and determinations.--Any findings and
determinations made by a panel established by the Commission
shall not be considered the findings and determinations of
the Commission unless approved by the Commission.
(b) Duties.--
(1) General duties.--
(A) Review of the all-volunteer force.--
(i) In general.--The Commission shall review the adequacy
and effectiveness of all aspects of the lifecycle of members
of the Armed Forces as a critical aspect of the all-volunteer
nature of the Armed Forces, including recruiting, retention,
and the assistance services provided by government and
nongovernmental entities to members of the Armed Forces in
making the transition and adjustment to and throughout
civilian life.
(ii) Holistic focus on care.--The review required by clause
(i) shall include a holistic focus on care from inception
into the Department of Defense until death.
(iii) Lines of effort.--The review required by clause (i)
shall include establishment of particular lines of effort
with a focus on the Department of Defense, the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and nongovernmental organizations.
(B) Identification of best practices and critical
failures.--
(i) List.--

(I) In general.--The Commission shall identify and compile
a list of best practices and critical failures in meeting the
needs of national security, members of the Armed Forces, and
veterans at each phase of a transition from service in the
Armed Forces to and throughout civilian life.
(II) Resources.--In carrying out subclause (I), the
Commission shall identify contemporary resource owners, both
government and nongovernment, who affect the population of
members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and identify how
such resources flow to recipients.

(ii) Requirement.--In carrying out clause (i), the
Commission shall--

(I) analyze the Department of Defense National Resource
Directory and the Department of Veterans Affairs databases
that map

[[Page S3615]]

the benefits available to veterans and their families; and
(II) determine where such directory and database fall short
of meeting the transition needs of such veterans and families
throughout civilian life.

(C) Evaluation.--The Commission shall evaluate proposals
for improving recruiting, retention and transition assistance
and benefits programs, including proposals for alternative
means of providing resources furnished by such programs.
(D) Recommendations.--The Commission shall develop
recommendations for legislative or administrative action to
improve sustainability of the all-volunteer nature of the
Armed Forces.
(2) Reports.--
(A) Interim report.--Not later than 90 days after the date
on which all members of the Commission have been appointed
under subsection (b)(2), the Commission shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth a
plan for the work of the Commission.
(B) Final report.--Not later than two years after the date
of the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
setting for the activities, findings, and recommendations of
the Commission, including such recommendations for
legislative or administrative action as the Commission may
consider appropriate.
(c) Powers of the Commission.--
(1) Hearings.--the Commission may hold such hearings, sit
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and
receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable
to carry out the duties of the Commission.
(2) Information from federal agencies.--The Commission may
secure directly from any department or agency of the Federal
Government such information as the Commission considers
necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission. Upon
request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of such
department or agency shall furnish such information to the
Commission.
(3) Information from nongovernmental organizations.--In
carrying out its duties, the Commission may seek guidance and
information through the consultation with foundations,
veteran services organizations, nonprofit groups, faith-based
organizations, private and public institutions of higher
education, and such other organizations as the Commission
determines appropriate.
(4) Commission records.--The Commission shall keep an
accurate and complete record of the actions and meetings of
the Commission. Such records shall be made available for
public inspection and the Comptroller General of the United
States may audit and examine such records.
(d) Commission Personnel Matters.--
(1) Compensation of members.--Each member of the Commission
may be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of
the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during
which such member is engaged in performing the duties of the
Commission.
(2) Travel and travel expenses.--The members of the
Commission may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of
agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of
business in the performance of services for the Commission.
(3) Staff.--
(A) In general.--The chairperson of the Commission may,
without regard to civil services laws and regulations,
appoint and terminate an executive director and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the
Commission to perform its duties. The employment of an
executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the
Commission.
(B) Compensation.--The chairperson of the Commission may
fix the compensation of the executive director and other
personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of
chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to
classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates,
except that the rate of pay for the executive director and
other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V
of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(4) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government
employee may be detailed to the Commission without
reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption
or loss of civil services status or privilege.
(5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
The chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and
intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5,
United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay
prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of such title.
(e) Termination of the Commission.--The Commission shall
terminate 30 days after the date the Commission submits the
final report under subsection (b)(3)(B). Members of the
Commission may be consulted as necessary by the Departments
of Defense and Veterans Affairs to carry out the strategy
submitted under subsection (b)(4).
(f) Funding.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall, upon the
request of the chairperson of the Commission, make available
to the Commission such amounts as the Commission may require
to carry out its duties under this section. The Secretary
shall make such amounts available from amounts appropriated
for the Department of Defense, except that such amounts may
not be from amounts appropriated for the Transition
Assistance Program (TAP), or any similar program.
(2) Availability.--Any sums made available to the
Commission under paragraph (1) shall remain available,
without fiscal year limitation, until the termination of the
Commission.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2) Armed forces and veterans.--The terms ``Armed Forces''
and ``veteran'' have the meanings given such terms in section
101 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. ___. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINMENT OF THE ALL-
VOLUNTEER FORCE.

(a) Strategy Required.--Not later than 90 days after the
date on which the John S. McCain Commission on the
Sustainability of the All-Volunteer Force submits the final
report under section 2(b)(2)(B), the Secretary of Defense and
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the
Commission, shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a comprehensive strategy on sustaining the all-
volunteer nature of the Armed Forces with emphasis on
recruiting, retention, transition and enduring vigilance for
the life-cycle of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and
their families.
(b) Elements.--The strategy submitted under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) An action plan for implementing the recommendations
developed by the Commission on such solutions and remedies
for sustaining the all-volunteer nature of the Armed Forces
for the contemporary military.
(2) A feasible timeframe for implementing changes in the
Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs,
department-wide, that the Commission considers necessary to
improve the transition of members of the Armed Forces and
veterans from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life.
(3) A plan to engage with nongovernmental organizations to
maximize civil initiatives and continuity of engagement on
issues relevant to such transition.
(4) A plan to update, expand, and maximize the capabilities
of the National Resource Directory, including recommendations
for the proper proponent of the Directory, the enactment of
real-time updating, and full availability to those in need.
(c) Designation.--The strategy submitted under subparagraph
(A) shall be known as the ``National Strategy for Sustainment
of the All-Volunteer Force''.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2) Armed forces and veterans.--The terms ``Armed Forces''
and ``veteran'' have the meanings given such terms in section
101 of title 38, United States Code.
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