Sec. 1245. LIMITATION ON UNITED STATES FORCE STRUCTURE REDUCTIONS IN GERMANY
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## SEC. 1245 LIMITATION ON UNITED STATES FORCE STRUCTURE REDUCTIONS IN GERMANY ###
(a)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— ####
(1)the Federal Republic of Germany continues to be a strong ally within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)and a critical ally of the United States; ####
(2)the presence of the United States Armed Forces in Germany serves as a strong deterrent to Russian Federation military aggression and expansion in Europe and as an essential support platform for carrying out vital national security engagements in the Middle East, Africa, and Afghanistan; ####
(3)the presence of approximately 34,500 members of the United States Armed Forces deployed to Germany, and the ability to increase that level as necessary in response to global security challenges, is essential to supporting NATO’s operations and its collective deterrence against threats; ####
(4)reducing the number of members of the United States Armed Forces in Germany during a time of growing threats in Europe would constitute a grave strategic mistake that would undermine United States national security interests and weaken NATO; and ####
(5)the United States should continue— #####
(A)to maintain and strengthen its bilateral relationship with Germany; and #####
(B)to maintain a robust military presence in Germany so as to deter aggression against the United States and its allies and partners. ###
(b)Limitation The Secretary of Defense may not reduce the total number of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who are stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany below 34,500 until 120 days after the date on which the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a written assessment that contains the following: ####
(1)An analysis of whether the reduction in the total number of Armed Forces serving on active duty who are stationed in Germany would be in the national security interest of the United States and would not detract from United States military posture and alignment in the European theater. ####
(2)An analysis of the impact of such a reduction on the security of the United States as well as the security of allies and partners of the United States in Europe. ####
(3)An analysis of the impact of such a reduction on the deterrence and defense posture of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). ####
(4)An analysis of the impact of such a reduction on the ability of the Armed Forces to execute contingency plans of the Department of Defense, including ongoing operations executed by United States Central Command and United States Africa Command. ####
(5)An analysis of the impact of such a reduction on military families or additional costs for relocation of associated infrastructure. ####
(6)An analysis of the impact of such a reduction on military training and major military exercises, including on interoperability and joint activities with allies and partners. ####
(7)A description of the consultations made with United States allies and partners in Europe, including a description of the consultations with each member of NATO, regarding such a reduction. ####
(8)A description of the capabilities that would be impacted in Germany and any actions designed to mitigate such a reduction. ####
(9)A detailed description of the requirements for the Department of Defense to effectuate any relocation and redeployment of members of the Armed Forces from Germany and associated relocation of military families. ####
(10)A detailed analysis of the impact of the reduction and redeployment of military capabilities on the ability of the United States to meet commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty as well as the ability to support operations in the Middle East and Africa. ####
(11)A detailed analysis of the impact of such reduction and redeployment on the implementation of the National Defense Strategy and on Joint Force Planning. ####
(12)A detailed analysis of the cost implications of such a reduction and redeployment, to include the cost of any associated new facilities to be constructed or existing facilities to be renovated at the location to which the members of the Armed Forces are to be moved and stationed and the costs associated with rotational deployments. ###
(c)Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means— ####
(1)the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and ####
(2)the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. ###
(d)Sunset The limitation in subsection
(b)shall terminate on September 30, 2021.