WASHINGTON – Led by Chairman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Ranking Member Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee for Readiness today released their proposals for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22 in Rayburn 2212. The markup will be webcast on the committee’s YouTube page or at the HASC OpsCenter. The Readiness Subcommittee mark is available here: Subcommittee Mark. The Readiness subcommittee ensures that America’s warfighters and the equipment they use is prepared, maintained, and ready for combat operations. The proposed mark addresses many issues of concern for depleted force readiness levels and related high levels of assumed risk as a result of repeated national security resources cuts. It makes careful investments to improve readiness and reduce risk, guards against unwise expenditures or other actions that erode long term force posture, and protects against unintentional impacts on operations and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Specifically, this year’s proposal: Requires the Department to assess single points of failure within the Defense supply system; Enhances property accountability by requiring a strategic plan for excess defense articles; Directs several assessments of the military departments’ plans to rebuild readiness, enhance exercises, and modernize training requirements; Requires the Department to invest in technologically improved replacement parts that would significantly reduce long-term ownership costs; Rejects the request for an additional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round; Requests an assessment of excess capacity to better understand those areas the Department of Defense believes need to be streamlined to achieve efficiencies; Provides an increased military construction program above FY15 enacted levels; and, Codifies a prohibition on the Department’s purchase of bulk alternative fuels for operational use unless cost-competitive with traditional fuels.
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Subcommitttee on Emerging Threats & Capabilities Markup |
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FY16 NDAA |
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WASHINGTON– Led by Chairman Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Ranking Member Jim Langevin (D-RI), the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Subcommittee for Emerging Threats and Capabilities (ETC) released its proposals for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today. The Subcommittee will meet at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, April 22nd, in Rayburn 2118. The markup will be webcast on the Committee’s YouTube page and at the HASC OpsCenter. The ETC mark is available here: Subcommittee Mark. The ETC proposal is a vital part of the NDAA through which the Committee enacts oversight of counter-terrorism programs and initiatives, U.S. Special Operations Forces, related Intelligence support, DoD science and technology programs and policy, information technology and Cyber operations and programs, homeland defense, force protection policy and oversight, and combating weapons of mass destruction. Specifically, the ETC proposal will: Fully resource and authorize U.S. Cyber Command programs and activities, as well as all Military Service cyber programs and science and technology Cyber initiatives to enhance a Cyber mission force that defends our national security objectives; Direct the Secretary of Defense to identify and assess Cyber vulnerabilities on legacy weapons systems and mission systems; Direct GAO to review DoD technology transitions efforts to ensure effective and timely transition of technologies developed by industry and the DoD laboratories to war-fighters; Direct GAO to review U.S. policies and technologies to improve the ability to produce advanced semiconductors and microelectronics to mitigate security risks from procuring those items from foreign sources; Fully resource and authorize U.S. Special Operations Command programs and activities; Extend for two years a family support pilot program for Special Operations Forces and their families; Fully resource the U.S. Special Operations Command Preservation of the Force and Families program; Make permanent the authorization for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Special Operations Headquarters, placing an enduring emphasis on this partnership comprised of more than 26 countries; Extend DoD’s authority to assist in the recovery of isolated personnel overseas; Provides additional funding to energize counter ISIL technology and operations programs; Direct the Secretary of Defense to provide a strategy to counter unconventional warfare threats being posed by Russia, Iran, and others; Provide the Secretary of Defense with authority to establish a pilot program to counter adversarial propaganda efforts, like those undertaken by Russia, al Qaeda, and ISIL; Extend a critical authority for the Department of Defense to engage with foreign countries to enhance their own capabilities to respond to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction; Direct the Secretaries of Defense and State to notify and brief Congress when an embassy or consulate evacuation takes place, ensuring proper congressional oversight during these sensitive operations; and Streamline reporting requirements placed on DoD by eliminating or modifying a number of mandated annual reports. |
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Subcommittee on Tactical Air & Land Markup |
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FY16 NDAA |
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WASHINGTON – Led by Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) and the Ranking Member Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee for Tactical Air and Land Forces today released its proposals for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 9:00 AM on Thursday, April 23rd, in Rayburn 2118. The markup will be webcast on the committee’s YouTube page or at the HASC OpsCenter. The Tactical Air & Land mark is available here: Subcommittee Mark. The Tactical Air and Land Forces proposal works to ensure modernization strategies address the current and future threats, makes strategic investments, addresses requirements shortfalls, and ensures our forces have the best and most modern equipment. The proposal also recognizes that a vital industrial base at every level is critical to the long-term effectiveness and operational capability of the force. Specifically, it will: Advance the procurement and development of the most up-to-date body armor and personal protective equipment systems; Advance the procurement and development of the most up-to-date body armor and personal protective equipment systems; Support the F-35 program with additional aircraft and continued testing and development, while achieving targeted savings and increasing accountability on the F-35 engine program and other logistics systems; Addresses the Department of the Navy’s concerns regarding shortfalls in tactical strike fighter aircraft and addresses a Navy unfunded requirement for additional F/A-18F Super Hornets; Supports National Guard aviation programs to include additional aircraft and upgrades to UH-60 Blackhawks, along with requiring additional accountability on the prioritization and distribution strategy employed by the National Guard Bureau; Address an Army unfunded requirement for Hercules Improved Recovery Vehicles; Address Army and Marine Corps unfunded requirements for additional Javelin missiles; Addresses a critical Army unfunded requirement for survivability enhancements for AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters; Compensates for the short-sighted removal of heavy equipment from Europe by proposing to upgrade the lethality of current Stryker Combat Vehicles. |
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Subcommittee on Military Personnel Markup |
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FY16 NDAA |
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WASHINGTON – Led by Chairman Joe Heck (R-NV) and Ranking Member Susan Davis (D-CA), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee for Military Personnel today released their proposals for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 9:30 AM on Thursday, April 23rd in Rayburn 2212. The markup will be webcast on the committee’s YouTube page or at the HASC OpsCenter. The Military Personnel mark is available here: Subcommittee Mark. The Military Personnel proposal is a vital part of the NDAA supporting and protecting our warfighters with the care and benefits they need, deserve, and have earned. Specifically, this year’s proposal will: Begin to reform the military retirement system to provide service members with a portable 401K-like benefit while retaining a defined retirement benefit at 20 years of service in an effort to help recruit and retain the best and the brightest in our Armed Forces and to ease their transition into civilian life. Reject proposals that would have increased out-of-pocket costs for military families and reduced housing allowances and commissary benefits. Continue vigorous oversight and reform of the military’s handling of sexual assault. This includes improvements to the Special Victims program, such as better training, performance measures, and standards; expansion of sexual assault prevention training to ROTC and Junior ROTC programs; and access to Special Victims Counsel for civilians who are victims of sexual assault. Requires DoD to enhance sexual assault prevention for male victims of the Armed Forces and to also develop a strategy to deal with retaliation against those who intervene on behalf of victims. Take steps to help encourage remotely piloted aircraft pilots and submarine and nuclear officers to stay in service. Support Military Health Care, including requiring DoD and the VA to establish a Joint Uniform Formulary to ensure Service Members have access to the medicines they need as they transition from Active Duty to ensure continuity of care. The proposal also prohibits the Secretary from restructuring Military Treatment Facilities until he reports on the methodologies used to identify facilities that will lose capacity. Also requires a GAO study on status of Army Warrior Transition Units and their effectiveness at delivering proper care. Recommendations reflecting the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s Report Joint military readiness is critical to our national security and that includes the ability to provide health and combat-casualty care for Service members. To help ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of this health care system, the proposal establishes a unified medical command with responsibility for overseeing all medical personnel, equipment and facilities across the Armed Forces. To better support transition to civilian life and veteran employment, measure encourages more thorough collaboration between DoD and VA on transition assistance, job training, and post-placement services. Supports robust commissary benefit, including a review of the Commission’s recommendations in this area, as well as the results of the independent contract study mandated in FY 15’s NDAA to look for efficiencies without reducing military family benefits. Supports funding to promote and enhance Service members’ financial literacy through a more robust financial training program. |
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Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces Markup |
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FY16 NDAA |
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WASHINGTON– Led by Chairman Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Ranking Member Joe Courtney (D-CT), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces today released their proposals for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 23rd, in Rayburn 2118. The markup will be webcast on the committee’s YouTube page or at the HASC OpsCenter. The Seapower & Projection Forces Subcommittee mark is available here: Subcommittee Mark. The Seapower proposal provides vital capabilities for the projection of force across the world’s oceans. Specifically, this year’s proposal: Provides continued support for funding for the Ford-class Carriers, which will replace the Nimitz class; Supports the President’s request for two new Arleigh Burke Flight IIA/III destroyers and two Virginia class submarines; Supports the Navy’s request for three new Littoral Combat ships; Supports funding to complete LPD-28, and allows for advance procurement for an Afloat Forward Staging Base and a new LX(R) amphibious class ship; Acknowledges the importance of a robust submarine force by providing R&D funding for the Ohio-class Replacement Submarine in the National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund. Additionally, the proposal expands the authorities of the National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund to better manage Ohio-class Replacement effort; Increases procurement of Tomahawk missiles to 198, the minimum needed to sustain production; Retains 11 cruisers in the Navy force structure and limits the cruiser maintenance availability to two years; Continues the committee’s support for an aircraft carrier based, unmanned deep penetrating strike capability. |
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Subcomittee on Strategic Forces Markup |
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FY16 NDAA |
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WASHINGTON – Led by Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Ranking Member Jim Cooper (D-TN), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee for Strategic Forces today released their proposals for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 12:00 PM on Thursday, April 23rd, in Rayburn 2212. The markup will be webcast on the committee’s YouTube page or at the HASC OpsCenter. The Strategic Forces Subcommittee mark is available here: Subcommittee Mark. The Strategic Forces proposal provides vital space, nuclear and missile defense capabilities. Specifically: Space In light of the growing foreign threats, the mark prioritizes national security space by creating a new major force program category for space, and establishes the steps to strengthen national security space stewardship, leadership, management, and organization within the Department of Defense; Authorizes the Committee’s priority of a new U.S. space propulsion capability to end U.S. reliance on Russian rocket engines by 2019; Sends the Air Force back to the drawing board on the next-generation weather satellite system by withholding all funding for the program until it is redesigned to guarantee warfighter requirements are met; Drives smarter, more cost-effective acquisition in milsatcom space programs through new pilot approaches, streamlined acquisition, and establishing proper accountability through centralized management in the Department of Defense to save taxpayer dollars; Establishes new approaches to get better and more timely intelligence directly into the hands of warfighters. Nuclear Weapons Authorizes and sets priorities within the NNSA Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation program and prohibits funding for NNSA threat reduction activities in Russia;. Creates a forcing function to ensure implementation of concrete reforms to the DOE/NNSA governance and management system recommended by an independent congressional advisory panel;. Takes action to address the $3.6 billion backlog of deferred maintenance at NNSA. Missile Defense and Other Directs DOD to begin development of military capabilities to counter Russia’s violation of the INF treaty; Directs the development of military strategies in response to Russia’s actions with respect to deployment of nuclear weapons on Ukrainian soil and with respect to deployment of the Club-K covert cruise missile system; Directs the creation of a program of record for a Multiple-Object Kill Vehicle for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, to accelerate the development of this advanced capability to boost homeland defense capability; Would require the modification of the Aegis Ashore site in Romania, and the planned site in Poland, to provide enhanced Anti-Air Warfare capability for defense of the sites from regional threats, including against cruise missiles from Russia; Requires the relocation of the Sea-based X-band Radar to a site on the East Coast by 2020, and, directs immediate work on site design and other study and process work to homeport such radar on the East Coast, while ensuring the missile defense of Hawaii. |
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