Sec. 903. Commission on the National Defense Strategy for the United States
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/bill/114/hr/4909/pcs/section-903·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
There is hereby established a commission to be known as the Commission on the National Defense Strategy for the United States . The purpose of the commission is to examine and make recommendations with respect to national defense strategy for the United States. The commission shall be composed of 12 members appointed as follows: Three members appointed by the chair of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. Three members appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
Three members appointed by the chair of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. Three members appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. The chair of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representative and the chair of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall jointly designate one member of the commission to serve as chair of the commission. The ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representative and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall jointly designate one member of the commission to serve as vice chair of the commission.
Members shall be appointed for the life of the commission. Any vacancy in the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The commission shall review the current national defense strategy of the United States, including the assumptions, missions, force posture and capabilities, and strategic and military risks associated with the strategy. The commission shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the strategic environment, the size and shape of the force, the readiness of the force, the posture and capabilities of the force, the allocation of resources, and strategic and military risks to provide recommendations on national defense strategy for the United States.
In carrying out its duties, the commission shall receive the full and timely cooperation of the Secretary of Defense in providing the commission with analysis, briefings, and other information necessary for the fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Secretary of Defense shall designate at least one officer or employee of the Department of Defense to serve as a liaison officer between the Department and the commission. Not later than December 1, 2017, the commission shall submit to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a report on the commission’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
The report shall address, but not be limited to, each of the following: The strategic environment, including security challenges, and the national security interests of the United States. The military missions for which the Department of Defense should prepare and the force planning construct. The roles and missions of the Armed Forces to carry out those missions and the roles and capabilities provided by other United States Government agencies and by allies and international partners.
The force size and shape, posture and capabilities, readiness, infrastructure, organization, personnel, and other elements of the defense program necessary to support the strategy. The resources necessary to support the strategy, including budget recommendations. The strategic and military risks associated with the strategy, including the relationships and tradeoffs between missions, risks, and resources. Not later than June 1, 2017, the commission shall provide to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a briefing on the status of its review and assessment, and include a discussion of any interim recommendations.
Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to this Act to the Department of Defense, $5,000,000 is available to fund the activities of the commission. The commission shall terminate 6 months after the date on which it submits the report required by subsection (e).