To direct the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report on Department of Defense restrictions on the employment of former Department employees by certain countries.
Impact
If enacted, HB6901 would reinforce the United States' stance towards adversarial nations by ensuring that former Department of Defense employees do not engage with these countries in ways that could compromise intelligence or operational security. The report's findings could potentially influence future policies surrounding personnel transitions from the Department of Defense to foreign entities. Moreover, the implications of allowing or restricting employment in certain countries could also affect international relations and defense partnerships, as the results may illuminate vulnerabilities in current employment practices.
Summary
House Bill 6901 mandates that the Secretary of Defense submit a detailed report to Congress regarding the existing restrictions on the employment of former Department of Defense employees by certain foreign countries, particularly those that are considered adversarial to U.S. interests. The report is required to be delivered no later than March 30, 2024 and aims to examine the current Department of Defense policies, identifying specific positions subject to these restrictions and reporting any incidents of former employees seeking employment in contravention of these rules. This bill underscores the importance of safeguarding national security by monitoring former officials' movements into potentially hostile environments.
Contention
While the bill does not present overt points of contention in its text, the nature of its focus on adversarial nations may spark discussions regarding the appropriateness of the restrictions in relation to American employment freedoms. Concerns may arise about the implications of broad definitions of 'adversarial behavior' and how they might affect former employees' job prospects. Potential debates could include the balance between national security and individual rights, as well as the effectiveness of such measures in preventing security breaches.
To direct the Department of Defense to report to Congress on the efforts of the Department to coordinate with the defense industrial base for purposes of countering certain capabilities of the People's Liberation of Army.
To direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct an operational assessment of the installation defense capabilities of the Department of Defense to defeat unmanned aircraft system.
To direct the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to conduct a study on certain grace periods under the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense.
To direct the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security to provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on challenges relating to information operations, and for other purposes.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Defense relating to "Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Architect and Engineering Service Fees (DFARS Case 2024-D019)".
To direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a threat analysis of any potential threats the illicit fentanyl drug trade poses to the defense interests of the United States.
To require the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology submit to Congress a report on light tactical wheeled vehicles of the Army, and for other purposes.