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Title I — United States policy and strategy for the Indo-Asia-Pacific region

H.R. 2621 · 115th Congress · May 24, 2017 · Lineage

I United States policy and strategy for the Indo-Asia-Pacific region

Sec. 101 Report on strategy to prioritize United States defense interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region

(a)
Required report— Not later than February 1, 2018, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on United States defense priorities that addresses the following:
(1)
The security challenges, including threats, emanating from the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
(2)
The primary objectives and priorities in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, including—
(A)
the military missions necessary to address threats on the Korean Peninsula;
(B)
the role of the Department of Defense in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region regarding security challenges posed by China; and
(C)
the primary objectives and priorities for combating terrorism in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
(3)
Department of Defense plans, force posture, capabilities, and resources to address any gaps.
(4)
The roles of allies, partners, and other countries in achieving United States defense objectives and priorities.
(5)
Actions the Department of Defense could take, in cooperation with other Federal departments or agencies, to advance United States national security interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
(6)
Any other matters the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate.
(b)
Form— The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
(c)
Annual budget— The President, acting through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall ensure that the annual budget submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, clearly highlights programs and projects that are being funded in the annual budget of the United States Government that relate to the strategy referred to in subsection (a).
(d)
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that the strategy referred to in subsection (a) should be informed by the overall strategy to promote United States interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as required by section 1261 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 1072).
(e)
Repeal— Section 1251 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3570) is hereby repealed.

Sec. 102 Assessment of United States force posture and basing needs in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region

(a)
Findings— Congress finds the following:
(1)
An enduring United States presence and engagement across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region provides the critical access and infrastructure necessary to accomplish United States defense priorities, expands the global reach of the United States across the Pacific, and facilitates a rapid United States response to complex crises and contingencies.
(2)
Forward-stationed active duty members of the Armed Forces, forward-deployed rotational units, and reserve forces assigned to the United States Pacific Command remains essential for United States planning, logistics, and operations, as well as fulfilling commitments with United States treaty allies.
(3)
Admiral Harry Harris, Jr., Commander of the United States Pacific Command, testified in February 2016 that “the tyranny of distance and short indications and warning timelines place a premium on robust, modern, and agile forward-stationed forces at high levels of readiness”.
(b)
Assessment required—
(1)
In general— The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of United States force posture and basing needs in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
(2)
Elements— The assessment required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A)
A review of military requirements based on operation and contingency plans, scenarios, capabilities of potential adversaries, and any assessed gaps or shortfalls of the Armed Forces.
(B)
A review of current United States military force posture and deployment plans of the United States Pacific Command.
(C)
An analysis of potential future realignments of United States forces in the region, including options for strengthening United States presence, access, readiness, training, exercises, logistics, and pre-positioning.
(D)
A discussion of political, diplomatic, economic, and military factors that may influence the United States posture.
(E)
Any recommended changes to the United States posture in the region.
(F)
Any other matters the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate.
(c)
Report—
(1)
In general— Not later than March 1, 2018, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the assessment required under subsection (b).
(2)
Form— The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.