S. 873

Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Improvement Act of 2009

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II

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 873

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 23, 2009

Mr. Lugar introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To expand and improve Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Improvement Act of 2009.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(2)

Cooperative threat reduction programs

The term Cooperative Threat Reduction programs means programs and activities specified in section 1501(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104–201; 50 U.S.C. 2362 note).

3.

Limited exemption from limitations

(a)

In general

Not more than 10 percent of the total amount appropriated or otherwise made available in any fiscal year for Cooperative Threat Reduction programs may be expended notwithstanding any other provision of law, to promote bilateral and multilateral activities relating to nonproliferation and disarmament, subject to the notification requirement under subsection (b).

(b)

Notification and reporting requirements

The Secretary of Defense shall notify the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days before expending funds under the authority provided in subsection (a).

4.

Sense of the Senate

It is the sense of the Senate, consistent with a recent report of the National Academy of Sciences, that—

(1)

the continued global expansion of Cooperative Threat Reduction programs requires increased cooperation with all relevant unified combatant commands in which Cooperative Threat Reduction activities are carried out; and

(2)

the Department of Defense should undertake a review of Cooperative Threat Reduction program contracting procedures, umbrella agreements, and program metrics to ensure that all such programs are being undertaken in a manner consistent with the urgency and necessity of such programs.

5.

Cooperative Threat Reduction Partnership Account

(a)

Establishment of account

There is established in the Treasury of the United States a special account to be known as the Cooperative Threat Reduction Partnership Account.

(b)

Authority To accept contributions

The Secretary of Defense is authorized to accept from any person, foreign government, or international organization contributions of money to be used for Cooperative Threat Reduction programs. Such funds shall be deposited in the Cooperative Threat Reduction Partnership Account.

(c)

Use of funds

Amounts accepted under subsection (b) may be used by the Secretary of Defense for Cooperative Threat Reduction programs without further specific authorization in law.

(d)

Quarterly reports

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the receipt and use of funds in the Cooperative Threat Reduction Partnership Account. The report shall include—

(1)

a list of each contributor and the amount of each contribution made to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Partnership Account during the period covered by the report;

(2)

the total amount of funds contained in the Cooperative Threat Reduction Partnership Account at the beginning and end of the period covered by the report; and

(3)

a description of the Cooperative Threat Reduction programs for which funds from the Cooperative Threat Reduction Partnership Account were expended during the period covered by the report and the amount of such funds expended.