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H.R. 1767House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

DLI Act

Sponsored by Jimmy PanettaRep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Introduced March 10, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 12:09 AM UTC

The Defense Language Improvement Act amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code to let the Defense Language Institute (DLI) award Bachelor of Arts degrees in foreign languages, in addition to the existing Associate degrees. It applies to graduates of the DLI’s Foreign Language Center who meet the degree requirements. The change expands DLI’s educational authority and updates the legal description of the degree options.

Key Provisions

  • The Commandant of the Defense Language Institute may now confer a Bachelor of Arts degree in a foreign language to eligible graduates of the Foreign Language Center.
  • The statute’s language is changed from allowing only an Associate of Arts degree to allowing either an Associate or a Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Section 2168’s heading and text are updated to reflect the new “Associate or Bachelor” degree authority.
  • The table of sections in Title 10 is revised to list the updated degree authority for the Defense Language Institute.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

March 10, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 10, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

March 10, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 10, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1767

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 10, 2021

Mr. Panetta introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Defense Language Institute to award a Bachelor of Arts degree in a foreign language, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Defense Language Improvement Act or the DLI Act.

2.

Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

(a)

Authority To award bachelor’s degrees

Section 2168 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by striking Associate and inserting Associate or Bachelor; and

(2)

by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

(a)

Subject to subsection (b), the Commandant of the Defense Language Institute may confer—

(1)

an Associate of Arts degree in a foreign language upon any graduate of the Foreign Language Center of the Institute who fulfills the requirements for that degree; or

(2)

a Bachelor of Arts degree in a foreign language upon any graduate of the Foreign Language Center of the Institute who fulfills the requirements for that degree.

.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 108 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2168 and inserting the following new item:

2168. Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center: degree of Associate or Bachelor of Arts in foreign language.

.