Sec. 1096. Replacement of quadrennial defense review with national defense strategy
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Section 118 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: Except as provided in paragraph (5), in January each year, the Secretary of Defense shall present to the congressional defense committees a defense strategy for such year. The strategy shall be known as the national defense strategy for the year concerned. The defense strategy for a year shall include the following: The highest priority missions for the Department of Defense. The most critical and enduring threats to the national security of the United States and its allies posed by states or non-state actors, and the strategies that the Department will employ to counter such threats and provide for the national defense.
A strategic framework that conforms to resource levels prescribed by the Secretary for the manner in which the Department will prioritize among the threats described in subparagraph
(B)and the missions specified pursuant to subparagraph (A), allocate the resulting risks, and seek to mitigate such risks. The major investments in defense capabilities, force readiness, global posture, and technological innovation that the Department will make over the following five-year period in accordance with the strategic framework described in subparagraph (C). The Secretary shall seek the military advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in preparing each defense strategy required by this subsection. Each defense strategy under this subsection shall be presented in classified form, and shall also include a written unclassified summary. In a year following an election for President, which election results in the President appointing a new Secretary of Defense, the Secretary shall present the defense strategy required by this subsection as soon as possible after appointment by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Not later than February 1 of a year following a year evenly divisible by four, there shall be established an independent panel to be known as the National Defense Panel (in this subsection referred to as the Panel ). The Panel shall be composed of ten members from private civilian life who are recognized experts in matters relating to the national security of the United States. Eight of the members shall be appointed as follows: Two by the chair of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. Two by the chair of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. Two by the ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. Two by the ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. In addition to the members appointed under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall appoint two members of the Panel from private civilian life to serve as co-chairs of the Panel. Members shall be appointed for the life of the Panel. Any vacancy in the Panel shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. If the Secretary of Defense has not made appointments to the Panel under paragraph
(3)by March 1 of a year in which the Panel is established, the Panel shall convene for its first meeting with its other members on that date. The national defense strategy under subsection
(a)for a year in which the Panel is established under this subsection shall be submitted to the Panel by the Secretary not later than March 1 of such year. The Panel shall have the following duties: Assessing the current national defense strategy submitted to the Panel pursuant to paragraph (5). Identifying any changes in domestic or international circumstances that could undermine or limit the effectiveness of the national defense strategy. Assessing the key assumptions on which the national defense strategy is based. Evaluating the efforts of the Department of Defense to mitigate risks in connection with the strategic framework and choices in the national defense strategy. Assessing the extent to which the current annual budget, future-years defense program, and other critical activities of the Department align with the national defense strategy. Considering alternative national defense strategies. Providing to the Secretary and Congress, in the report required by paragraph (8), any recommendations the Panel considers appropriate for consideration. Not later than November 1 of each year in which the Panel is established, the Panel shall submit to the Secretary and the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the discharge of the duties of the Panel in that year under paragraph (7). The report shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees in an unclassified summary, but shall also include with such summary the full report in a classified annex. The following administrative provisions apply to a Panel: The Panel may request directly from the Department and any of its components such information as the Panel considers necessary to carry out its duties under this subsection. The head of the department or agency concerned shall cooperate with the Panel to ensure that information requested by the Panel under this paragraph is promptly provided to the maximum extent practical. Upon the request of the co-chairs, the Secretary shall make available to the Panel the services of any Federally funded research and development center that is covered by a sponsoring agreement of the Department of Defense. The Panel shall have the authorities provided in section 3161 of title 5, and shall be subject to the conditions set forth in such section. Funds for activities of the Panel shall be derived from amounts available to the Department. . The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 2 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 118 and inserting the following new item: 118. National defense strategy. .