S.Amdt. 977

SA 977. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 2226, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2024 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 XVI, insert the
following:

SEC. 16__. REQUIREMENT TO SUPPORT FOR CYBER EDUCATION AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
LEARNING.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Defense shall support the
development of foundational expertise in critical cyber
operational skills at institutions of higher learning,
selected by the Secretary under subsection (b), for current
and future members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees
of the Department of Defense.
(b) Selection.--The Secretary shall select institutions of
higher learning to receive support under subsection (a) from
among institutions of higher learning that meet the following
eligibility criteria:
(1) The institution offers a program from beginning through
advanced skill levels to provide future military and civilian
leaders of the Armed Forces with operational cyber expertise.
(2) The institution includes instruction and practical
experiences that lead to recognized certifications and
degrees in the cyber field.
(3) The institution has and maintains an educational
partnership with an active component of the Armed Forces or a
Department component designed to facilitate the development
of critical cyber skills for students who may pursue a
military career.
(4) The institution is located in close proximity to a
military installation with a cyber mission defined by the
Department or the Armed Forces.
(c) Support.--Under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
provide, at a minimum, to each institution of higher learning
selected by the Secretary under subsection (b) the following
support for civilian and military leaders of the Department
transitioning into cyber fields at the Department:
(1) Expansion of cyber educational programs focused on
enhancing such transition.
(2) Hands-on cyber opportunities, including laboratories
and security operations centers.
(3) Direct financial assistance to civilian and military
students at the Department to increase access to courses and
hands-on opportunities under paragraphs (1) and (2).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for
fiscal year 2024.
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