Chief Deputy Whip
Rep. Diana DeGette
DeGette is a fourth generation Coloradoan, educated at Denver's South High School and Colorado College. Read More...

The Daily WhipLine

Thursday, May 22, 2008

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Floor Schedule and Procedure        

• Suspension Bills: Today, the House will consider two bills on the Suspension calendar.  Bills considered on the Suspension calendar are debatable for 40 minutes; may not be amended; and require a two-thirds vote for passage.  If a recorded vote is requested, it will be postponed.
  
  
  1. H.R. ___ - Farm Bill (Agriculture – Rep. Peterson)
  2. H.R. ___ - Farm Bill Extension (Agriculture – Rep. Peterson)
     
     
• H. Res. 1218-Rule providing for further consideration of H.R. 5658 – Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Rep. Cardoza-Rules):   The rule provides for further consideration under a structured rule without further general debate   The rule provides that the amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report except as otherwise provided, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole.  The rule provides that the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services or his designee may offer amendments en bloc consisting of amendments printed in the report not earlier disposed of.  Amendments en bloc shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services or their designee, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole.  The original proponent of an amendment included in such amendments may insert a statement in the Congressional Record immediately before the disposition of the amendments en bloc.  The rule provides that the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may recognize for consideration of any amendment printed in the report out of the order printed, but not sooner than 30 minutes after the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services or a designee announces from the floor a request to that effect.  The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.  The rule provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 5658, the text of H.R. 6048, as passed the House, shall be added at the end of H.R. 5658.  The rule allows the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of Thursday, May 22, 2008, relating to any measure pertaining to agricultural programs.  Debate on the rule will be managed by Rep. Cardoza, and consideration will proceed as flows: 

• One hour of debate on the rule.
• Possible vote on a Democratic Motion ordering the previous question. Democrats are urged to vote yes.
• Vote on adoption of the rule. Democrats are urged to vote yes

• H.R. 5658 – Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Rep. Skelton-Armed Services):  Pursuant to the rule, further consideration of the bill will proceed as follows: 
  • Debate and votes on amendments to the bill.
  • Possible debate and vote on a Republican Motion to Recommit the bill. 
  • Vote on passage of the bill. 
    
    
• Postponed Suspension Votes (2 Bills)
  
  
  1. H.Res. 986 - Recognizing the courage and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict (Rep. Boehner– Armed Services)
  2. 
     H.Res. 1194 - Reaffirming the support of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (Rep. Berman – Foreign Affairs)

Bill Summary and Key Issues

Anticipated Amendments to H.R. 5658

1. Skelton (MO) Manager's Amendment. Makes a series of technical corrections to H.R. 5658, as reported by the Committee on Armed Services on May 16, 2008. (5 minutes)
   
   
2. Skelton (MO)/Berman (CA)/Lowey (NY), Requires the Defense Secretary, Secretary of State, and USAID Administrator to establish a standing advisory panel to improve integration on matters of national security.  The twelve-member panel, appointed by the three agency heads, will look closely at how the three agencies collaborate on specific overseas national security issues. (20 minutes)
   
   
3. Akin (MO), Would increase funding for Future Combat Systems by $193 million.  The increase would be offset by (1) a $30 million reduction in Navy research, development, test, and evaluation; (2) a $138 million reduction in DOD military personnel; and $25 million from the Defense Health Program.  (10 minutes)
   
   
4. Spratt (SC), Requires the DNI, on an annual basis, to submit to Congress an update of the National Intelligence Estimate entitled "Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities" and dated November 2007.  Such update may be submitted in classified form.  The President shall notify Congress in writing within 15 days of determining that Iran has met or surpassed any major milestone in its nuclear weapons program or that Iran has undertaken to accelerate, decelerate, or cease the development of any significant element within its nuclear weapons program.  (20 minutes)
   
   
5. Smith, Adam (WA), Would require the President to develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive interagency strategy for strategic communication and public diplomacy by December 31, 2009.  It also requires the President to submit a report describing the current roles and activities of the Departments of Defense and State in those areas, as well as to assess and report on a key recommendation by the Defense Science Board, by June 30, 2009. (5 minutes)
   
   
6. Franks (AZ), Would add $719 million to the Missile Defense Agency’s budget.  This amendment directs the Department of Defense to utilize the $719 million for Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, and Tests & Targets within the Missile Defense Agency account portfolio.  The offset for the $719 million is to be determined by the Secretary of Defense from title II of the bill (Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation). (20 minutes)
   
   
7. Tauscher (CA), Clarifies that the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) does not apply to the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, which was established by section 1062 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008. (5 minutes)
   
   
8. Boren (OK), Would amend Sec. 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to include clarifying language regarding the procurement by a federal agency of alternative or synthetic fuels.  Would clarify the conditions in Sec. 526 by which DOD and other federal agencies would be allowed to enter into a contract to purchase a generally available fuel, if it is not predominantly an alternative or synthetic fuel. The amendment would also set forth a set of conditions pursuant to these changes.  (20 minutes)
   
   
9. Cummings (MD)/Watson (CA), Revises section 595 of the bill (Senior Military Leadership Diversity Commission) to add two Coast Guard officers to the membership of the Commission. (5 minutes)
   
   
10. Sestak (PA), Would provide that autistic children of members of the Armed Forces, who are enrolled in the Extended Care Health Option program, receive a minimum of $5,000 per month of autistic therapy services.  (5 minutes)
    
    
11. Sestak (PA), Would establish the Visiting NIH Senior Neuroscience Fellowship Program at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE).  (5 minutes)
    
    
12. Buyer (IN), Would provide $22.3 million for Army Reserve first term dental readiness and $8.5 million for Army Reserve demobilization dental treatment. (5 minutes)
    
    
13. Slaughter (NY)/Poe (TX), Would require defense contractors supporting the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan to report violent crimes committed against or by Defense Department contract employees and require that the information be made public.  Would require defense contractors to provide victims with medical and psychological assistance. (5 minutes)
    
    
14. Castle (DE)/Hinojosa (TX), Would give the secretary of a military department authority to authorize military installations to enter into partnerships with colleges, universities, and technical schools for the purposes of improving the accessibility and flexibility of college courses available to active duty service members.  Such partnerships would be used to conduct outreach, develop flexible class schedules and locations, assist with academic counseling, and assess how resources may be applied more effectively to meet educational needs of service members.  (5 minutes)
    
    
15. Waxman (CA), Would (1) require agencies to enhance competition in contracting, (2) limit the use of abuse-prone contracts, (3) rebuild the federal acquisition workforce, (4) strengthen anti-fraud measures, and (5) increase transparency in federal contracting. (20 minutes)
    
    
16. LaHood (IL), Would allow a service member with a minor dependent (child under the age of 19) to request a deferment of a deployment to a combat zone if their spouse is currently deployed to a combat zone.  (5 minutes)
    
    
17. Woolsey (CA), Requires the Navy Secretary and the Interior Secretary to negotiate a memorandum of agreement to transfer the decommissioned Naval Security Group Activity, Skaggs Island, Sonoma, California, from the Navy to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System.  It also permits the Navy and the Interior Secretary to accept donations from the State of California and other entities to cover the costs of building removal and environmental remediation.  It provides that funds received may be merged with other amounts available to carry out the section and shall remain available, without appropriation and until expended. (5 minutes)
    
    
18. Berman (CA), Adds an additional finding to title XVI of the bill (Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management) to reflect the Administration's request for stabilization activities.  It also modifies the amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act made by section 1604 of the bill relating to using otherwise transferred or reprogrammed funds for stabilization or reconstruction assistance to have it apply to fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011 instead of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010.  It also increases the amount that can be used for these purposes from $100 million to $200 million.  (10 minutes)
    
    
19. Porter (NV), Finds that Congress and the Secretary of Defense should work to understand and identify the contributing factors related to suicide amongst our service men and women.  Additionally, the Amendment strongly encourages the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study related to the mental health risk for non-combative service members, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) Operators.  Moreover, this amendment advises that Congress and the Secretary of Defense provide our military with responsible mental health services and information related to suicide prevention. (5 minutes)
    
    
20. Capito (WV), Would increase the amount provided for DOD military personnel by $3 million, one million each for the Army Secretary, Navy Secretary, and Air Force Secretary, for the funeral honors program.  The increase would be offset by a $3 million reduction to be derived from the basic research under the University Research Initiatives. (5 minutes)
    
    
21. Cooper (TN), Would require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress an acquisition strategy for insurance required by the Defense Base Act.  (5 minutes)
    
    
22. Flake (AZ), Would prohibit any funds appropriated to carry out H.R. 5658 from being used for a library/lifelong learning center at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms, California.  (10 minutes)
    
    
23. Tierney (MA), Would reduce funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $966.2 million.  It would provide $75 million for the Cooperation Threat Reduction program, $592 million for the nonproliferation and WMD programs of the Energy Department, $30 million for impact aid to help local educational agencies provide support to dependents of service members, $30 million for family support of wounded service members, $30 million for suicide prevention programs for service members, and $10 million for a pilot program to identify and retrain wounded service members as military health professionals to treat other wounded service members.  Any remaining funds would be used to fund National Guard and Reserve shortfalls, especially in connection with homeland security activities.  (20 minutes)
    
    
24. Price, Tom (GA), Amends safeguards and internal controls of DOD to require that appropriate inventory and property systems are updated promptly in response to expenditures charged to a purchase card related to sensitive and pilferable property.  It also requires that penalties for violations of the law provide for the reimbursement of charges for unauthorized or erroneous purchases. (5 minutes)
    
    
25. Price, David (NC), Would prohibit agencies under the Department of Defense from using contractors to perform interrogations.  The amendment would allow the use of contractors for interpretation. (10 minutes)
    
    
26. Lee (CA), Provides that no provision in any status of forces agreement negotiated between the United States and the Government of Iraq that obligates the United States to the defense of Iraq from internal or external threats shall have any legal effect unless the agreement is in the form of a treaty requiring the advice and consent of the Senate, or is specifically authorized by an Act of Congress.  (20 minutes)
    
    
27. Fossella (NY), Would direct the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the United States Postal Service, to provide postal benefits to service members serving in Iraq or Afghanistan or currently hospitalized under the care of the Armed Forces. Qualified individuals will receive one voucher for every two months their designated service member is overseas. The Department of Defense will be appropriated an amount equal to the expenses incurred by the program. The Department of Defense will transfer funds to the Postal Service in advance of each calendar quarter equal to the estimated costs that the Postal Service will incur. (5 minutes)
    
    
28. Inslee (WA), Directs the Defense Secretary to include the effects of greenhouse gas emissions in planning, requirements development, and acquisition processes.  Included is the development of a performance parameter to measure greenhouse gas emissions in acquisitions. (10 minutes)
    
    
29. Inslee (WA), Directs the Defense Secretary to study the use of power management software at DOD facilities to reduce the amount of electricity consumed by computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment.  (5 minutes)
    
    
30. Brown-Waite (FL), Permits the Army Secretary to award the Army Combat Action Badge to those soldiers who served during the dates ranging from December 7, 1941, to September 18, 2001, if the Secretary determines such individuals have not been previously recognized in an appropriate manner for such participation.  The Army Secretary may arrange with suppliers of the Badge so that eligible recipients may procure the Badge directly from suppliers. (10 minutes)
    
    
31. McGovern (MA)/Bishop, Sanford (GA)/Sestak (PA), Requires the Defense Secretary to release to the public, upon request, the names, ranks, countries of origin, and other information of students and instructors of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation ("WHINSEC").  The amendment covers fiscal years 2005-2008 and any fiscal year thereafter.  (20 minutes)
    
    
32. Holt (NJ)/Tauscher (CA)/Grijalva (AZ)/Schakowsky (IL), Would require the videotaping or electronic recording of detainee interrogations in the custody of or under the effective control of the Department of Defense.  Directs the Judge Advocates General of the respective military services to develop uniform guidelines for such videotaping or electronic recording, and for said guidelines to be provided to Congress.  (10 minutes)
    
    
33. Pearce (NM), Would amend title XXXI (DOE National Security Programs) to remove $10 million in funding for energy conservation on military installations and increase funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead program by $10 million.  (10 minutes)
    
    
34. McDermott (WA), Would require DOD to report to Congress on implementation of the recommendations of the report entitled, "Review of the Toxicologic and Radiologic Risks to Military Personnel from Exposure to Depleted Uranium During and After Combat."  The Secretary shall expand the depleted uranium registry and identify and provide additional health monitoring for Gulf War level II personnel who had several hours of unprotected exposure to such munitions in perforated vehicles.  The report shall describe the progress being made in identifying these veterans and the additional health monitoring being provided. (5 minutes)
    
    
35. King, Steve (IA), Would require the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to submit a report to Congress detailing the extent to which the various provisions enacted within title XVIII of the FY08 National Defense Authorization Act (National Guard Bureau Matters) have been effective in giving the National Guard a clearer voice in policy and budgetary discussions within the Department of Defense and assessing the adequacy of Department of Defense funding for the resource requirements of the National Guard.  (5 minutes)
    
    
36. Matsui (CA), Would allow the Defense Department six months to review appeals from service members who were denied full Army College Fund benefits under Army Incentive Program contracts.  It also provides that a payment under the amendment may be made without regard to any limits on total combined amounts under the Army College Fund and the Montgomery GI Bill. (5 minutes)
    
    
37. DeFazio (OR), Would require that for any Department of Defense contract for truck transportation or service using fuel, the motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder involved in the transaction must pass any fuel surcharge on to the person responsible for paying the cost of fuel and to disclose that surcharge and other charges in writing.  The amendment also directs the Department of Defense to prescribe regulations for the enforcement of this provision, including any necessary penalties or sanctions. (5 minutes)
    
    
38. Turner (OH), Would require a report from the Secretary of Defense within 45 days after the date of enactment on laboratory personnel demonstration projects.  (5 minutes)
    
    
39. Stupak (MI), Would extend eligibility for military disability retired pay to individuals who left enlisted service in order to attend a military academy between January 1, 2000 and October 28, 2004, and who suffered a disabling injury while attending the academy.  (5 minutes)
    
    
40. DeLauro (CT)/Courtney (CT), Requires the Defense Secretary to conduct a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and efficacy of providing a face to face post-deployment mental health screening between a member of the Armed Forces and a mental health provider.  The project shall be developed by the Defense Secretary in conjunction with the VA Secretary and HHS Secretary.  The Defense Secretary may coordinate with any accredited college, university, hospital-based or community-based mental health center the Secretary deems appropriate. (5 minutes)
    
    
41. Everett (AL), Would expand existing authority for professional military education institutions of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to award degrees to graduates of their schools.  The amendment also would establish congressional notification requirements for the establishment, modification, redesignation, or termination of any new or existing degree programs.  It prohibits the awarding of a degree unless the Education Secretary has recommended approval of the degree in accordance with the Federal Policy Governing Granting of Academic Degrees by Federal Agences and the curriculum leading to the degree is accredited by the appropriate civilian agency or organization (as determined by the Education Secretary). (5 minutes)
    
    
42. Schakowsky (IL), Would require the Secretary of Defense to revise the regulations issued pursuant to section 862 of the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (contractors performing private security functions in areas of combat operations) to ensure that private security contractors are not authorized to perform inherently governmental functions in an area of combat operations.  It also requires the Defense Secretary, in coordination with other agency heads, to review the performance of private security contractors to ensure compliance with the amendment.  (5 minutes)
    
    
43. Schiff (CA), Would require the Defense Secretary to study methods to verifiably reduce the likelihood of accidental nuclear launch by any nation.  The Secretary must report to Congress on the results of the study within 6 months. (5 minutes)
    
    
44. Blumenauer (OR), Would require the Defense Secretary to establish a program to research and develop unexploded ordnance detection technology and facilitate the deployment of this technology in the field.  The Secretary may carry out the program via grants or other financial arrangements with states, private companies, academic institutions, or other nongovernmental entities.  (5 minutes)
    
    
45. Bordallo (GU), Would permit the Transportation Secretary, acting through the Maritime Administration, to establish a Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Program to provide for the planning, design, and construction of projects for the Port of Guam to improve facilities, relieve port congestion, and provide greater access to port facilities.  It also establishes in the United States Treasury a separate account known as the Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Fund to carry out the program.  It permits funds in the account to be deposited and transferred to the Administrator.  Provides that nothing in the section shall authorize amounts made available under 23 U.S.C. sec. 215 or other funds for highway improvements not eligible for making port improvements to be deposited into the Fund.  (5 minutes)
    
    
46. Moore, Gwen (WI), Would require the Comptroller General to review, and report to Congress within one year on, the DOD's implementation of the recommendations of the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health to ensure a full continuum of psychological health services and care for members of the Armed Forces and their families.  (5 minutes)
    
    
47. Ortiz (TX), Would require a report be submitted to the congressional defense committees by the Secretary of the Navy not later than 120 days after enactment of the act on future jet carrier training requirements.  The report shall assess the Navy’s plan concerning jet carrier training requirements; assess studies conducted by independent organizations concerning jet carrier trainer requirements; and include a cost-benefit analysis between a new start program or modernization of the existing platform.,  (5 minutes)
    
    
48. Kennedy, Patrick (RI)/Shea-Porter (NH), Requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project to assess the feasibility of providing a behavioral health care provider locator and appointment assistance service for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces seeking treatment for depression, post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse problems, and other mental illnesses.  The demonstration program would include a toll-free hotline that would be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to help reservists find behavioral health care providers and schedule outpatient appointments within the TRICARE network.  (5 minutes)
    
    
49. Israel (NY), Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on DOD’s policies regarding the sale and disposal of used motor vehicle oil, including  policies to require closed loop recycling of used oil as a means of reducing total indirect energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.  The Secretary shall implement such policies whenever feasible. (5 minutes)
    
    
50. Israel (NY), Would create a joint Department of Defense/Department of State program for the purpose of hiring Iraqis (who supported U.S. efforts in Iraq and who have resettled in the U.S.) as translators, interpreters, and cultural awareness instructors for various agencies of the federal government.  It also requires the Defense Secretary and Secretary of State to work with NGO's and refugee coordinators of the State Department to ensure Iraqis resettled in the U.S. are informed of the program. (10 minutes)
    
    
51. Schwartz (PA)/Murphy, Patrick (PA), Would prevent future use of the airfield at NASJRB Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, for commercial passenger operations; commercial cargo operations; commercial, business, or nongovernment aircraft operations not related to missions of the installation; and as a reliever airport to relieve congestion at other airports. (5 minutes)
    
    
52. Bishop, Sanford (GA), Would provide 180 days of transitional health care to those service members who separate honorably from active duty and agree to serve in the Guard or Selected Reserve at no charge to the service member.  It would offset the cost by cutting $22 million from the Missile Defense Agency.  (10 minutes)
    
    
53. Braley (IA), Requires the President to submit a report to Congress on the long-term costs of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom within 90 days of enactment.  The amendment directs the estimate to be based on certain scenarios; make projections through at least Fiscal Year 2068; and take into account and specify various factors, including operational costs, reconstruction costs, and the cost of providing health care and disability benefits. (10 minutes)
    
    
54. Carney (PA), Would express the sense of Congress that each military department should, to the maximum extent practicable, provide honor guard details for the funerals of veterans.  (5 minutes)
    
    
55. Ellsworth (IN)/Emanuel (IL), Would revise the Federal Acquisition Regulation by requiring each contract awarded by the Department of Defense to contain a clause prohibiting the contractor from performing the contract using a subsidiary or subcontractor that is a foreign shell company if the foreign shell company will perform the work of the contract or subcontract using United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States.  A foreign shell company is an entity that is incorporated outside the United States or Canada and does not manage, direct, or exercise operational control over personnel performing work under a contract of the entity.  (10 minutes)
    
    
56. Hodes (NH)/DeFazio (OR)/DeLauro (CT), Provides that no funds authorized in the bill may be used for propaganda purposes, and directs the DOD Inspector General and GAO to report on whether or not the defense analysts program violated propaganda provisions of Department of Defense appropriations bills for Fiscal Years 2002 through 2008.  (20 minutes)
    
    
57. Yarmuth (KY)/Klein (FL), Would make it the policy of the United States that any Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) negotiated between the U.S. and Iraq include measures requiring the Iraqi Government to provide financial or other types of support for U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Iraq.  (10 minutes)
    
    
58. Foster (IL)/Schiff (CA), Amends title XXXI of the bill (DOE National Security Programs) to require the Administrator for Nuclear Security to establish a fellowship program for Ph.D. candidates in nuclear chemistry.  The amendment would support research and development of our nation's nuclear forensics capability, call for the enhancement and linkage of international nuclear material databases to enable prompt data access, establish a joint independent Nuclear Forensics Advisory Panel of recognized experts, and require the President to report to Congress on Cabinet-level participation in nuclear terrorism preparedness exercises that include nuclear forensics analysis.  (10 minutes)

H.R. 5658 – THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 (Rep. Skelton – Armed Services)

Afghanistan

• requires future budget submissions to clearly lay out requirements for the war in Afghanistan separate from those for Iraq
  
  
• requires a system to be set up to measure the success of the U.S.-led Provincial Reconstruction Teams
  
  
• provides the funding needed for our commanders’ reconstruction projects.
  
  
• includes funding needed to train and equip Afghan security forces and requires more robust congressional reporting on these forces
  
  
• the bill requires the Department of Defense to address the issue of the command and control structure for forces in Afghanistan operating under Operation Enduring Freedom as well as the NATO International Security Assistance Force.

Iraq

• Authorizes the $70 billion bridge fund for Iraq and Afghanistan
  
  
• requires that the Iraqis invest more in their own reconstruction and security efforts which are currently being shouldered by the U.S. military.
  
  
• takes steps forward in contracting reform beyond the substantial improvements in the law enacted by the Congress in last year’s bill
  
  
• requires the Department to address the problems with contracting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait by developing more contracting experts within the military who can be deployed to handle contracting during contingency operations, and provides the Department with the authority to hire and appropriately pay similarly trained civilians willing to deploy. 
  
  
• Addresses the issue of personal services contracts and the area of contractor conflicts of interest where the Committee holds that the line between inherently governmental functions and the appropriate functions of the contractors has become blurred
  
  
• bill increases Iraqi burden sharing by linking U.S. spending on reconstruction under the Commanders Emergency Reconstruction Program (CERP) to reconstruction contributions by the Government of Iraq and by banning the use of funds from the Iraqi Security Forces Fund to build infrastructure. 
  
  
• requires detailed reporting to Congress on any Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and how such agreements protect U.S. service members and affect U.S. operations in Iraq.

Other Items

• $31 million for the Cooperative Threat Reduction programs
  
  
• $215 million for the Department of Energy’s nonproliferation programs
  
  
• increases the size of the military by 7,000 Army troops and 5,000 Marines 1,023 Navy sailors and 450 Air Force personnel. 
  
  
• adds $800 million for equipment specifically for National Guard and Reserve units that continue to suffer severe shortages of equipment.
  
  
• $932 million to our Operations and Maintenance accounts to deal with key maintenance needs
  
  
• $1 billion dollars to deal with critical unfunded readiness needs.
  
  
• 3.9 percent pay increase for troops (0.5 percent above the President’s request of 3.4 percent)
  
  
• prohibits increases in health care fees in TRICARE and the TRICARE pharmacy program
  
  
• urges the President to appoint a Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), as required by law, at the earliest possible time.  
  
  
• Authorizes $3.1 billion for the Army and $1.2 billion for the Marine Corps to assist in providing facilities associated with planned increases in the Army and Marine Corps personnel
  
  
• Authorizes $3.2 billion to support and expand quality housing for all service members and their families

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