,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cjbe ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #bb1 #bjag,mr4 ,smith of ,washington 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,speier1 ,mr4 ,garamendi1 ,ms4 ,bordallo1 ,mr4 ,courtney1 ,mr4 ,langevin1 ,mr4 ,brady of ,pennsylvania1 ,mrs4 ,murphy of ,florida1 ,mr4 ,gallego1 ,mrs4 ,davis of ,california1 ,mr4 ,moulton1 ,mr4 ,brown of ,maryland1 ,mr4 ,cooper1 ,ms4 ,shea-,porter1 ,mr4 ,norcross1 ,mr4 ,veasey1 ,ms4 ,tsongas1 ,mr4 ,mc,eachin1 ,ms4 ,rosen1 ,ms4 ,hanabusa1 ,mr4 ,o',halleran1 and ,mr4 ,suozzi7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to strengthen security and deterrence in ,europe and to hold the ,russian ,federation accountable for violations of the ,intermediate-,range ,nuclear ,forces ,treaty1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,fostering ,unity ,against ,russian ,aggression ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,findings and sense of ,congress 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,general ,curtis ,m4 ,scaparrotti1 ,commander of the ,united ,states ,european ,command1 testified before the ,house ,armed ,services ,committee on ,march #bg1 #bjag1 that ,today we face the most dynamic ,european security environment in history4 and that ,russia's malign actions are supported by its diplomatic1 information1 economic1 and military initiatives44 7#b7 ,the ,russian ,federation continues to be in violation of ,,inf ,treaty as a result of testing and deploying a new nuclear-capable cruise missile4 7#c7 ,the ,russian ,federation has shifted to a military doctrine that envisions using nuclear weapons in an attempt to end a failing regional conventional conflict4 ,on ,june #be1 #bjae1 ,deputy ,secretary of ,defense ,robert ,work and then-,vice-,chairman of the ,joint ,chiefs of ,staff ,admiral ,james ,winnefeld testified before the ,house ,armed ,services ,committee that ,russian military doctrine includes what some have called an escalate to de-escalate strategy--a strategy that purportedly seeks to deescalate a conventional conflict through coercive threats1 including limited nuclear use4 ,we think that this label is dangerously misleading4 ,anyone who thinks they can control escalation through the use of nuclear weapons is literally playing with fire4 ,escalation is escalation1 and nuclear use would be the ultimate escalation44 7#d7 ,general ,scaparrotti noted in his ,march #bg1 #bjag1 testimony before the ,house ,armed ,services ,committee that ,moscow's provocative rhetoric and nuclear threats increase the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscalculation44 7#e7 ,the ,russian ,federation continues to conduct ongoing influence campaigns aimed at undermining democracies around the world4 ,according to an assessment by the intelligence community1 ,russian ,president ,vladimir ,putin ordered an influence campaign in #bjaf aimed at the ,u4,s4 presidential election1 which included the use of the ,russian military intelligence organization4 ,the intelligence community also assessed that ,russia would apply lessons learned to future influence efforts worldwide1 including against ,united ,states allies and their election systems4 7#f7 ,the ,russian ,federation continues its aggression on its periphery4 ,in #bjjh1 the ,russian ,federation fomented conflict in ,georgia4 ,the ,russian ,federation has also illegally occupied and attempted to annex ,crimea4 ,further1 the ,russian ,federation is directing combined ,russian-,separatist units in eastern ,ukraine1 actively inciting violence and prolonging the most significant conflict in ,europe4 7#g7 ,the investment of over #e billion in the ,european ,reassurance ,initiative 7,,eri71 now the ,european ,deterrence ,initiative 7,,edi71 has proven successful in significantly enhancing the ability of ,united ,states forces1 ,,nato allies1 and regional partners to deter ,russian aggression4 ,,edi has not only assured our ,european allies and partners but supported essential investments in ,,nato's military capacity1 interoperability1 and agility4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the ,russian ,federation should return to compliance with the ,,inf ,treaty in a verifiable manner as soon as possible2 7#b7 the risks of miscalculation in a crisis are exacerbated by the ,russian ,federation's shift to a military doctrine of escalate to de-escalate1 lowering the threshold for ,russian use of nuclear weapons and thereby increasing the risk of using nuclear weapons1 potentially escalating in to a massive nuclear exchange2 7#c7 strengthening effective and credible conventional deterrence1 particularly on the northeastern flank of ,,nato1 is a political and military priority2 7#d7 ,,nato's formal adoption at the #bjad ,wales ,summit of the goal for each member state to allocate at least two percent of its gross domestic product to its national defense budget within a decade should be commended1 as increased defense spending by ,,nato member states is strongly encouraged to maintain the alliance's strategic vitality through the enhancement of its collective capacity2 7#e7 reaffirming support for the principle of collective defense in ,article #e of the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty for ,,nato allies is vital to a strong and meaningful alliance and is not conditional2 7#f7 subversive and destabilizing activities by the ,russian ,federation targeting ,,nato allies and partners causes concern and should be condemned2 7#g7 strengthened deterrence efforts by ,,nato allies1 including ,,nato's ,enhanced ,forward ,presence1 should be commended and enhancing defense cooperation efforts with ,,nato allies and partners should be encouraged2 7#h7 ,european ,deterrence ,initiative 7,,edi7 investments are long-term and1 as such1 ,congress expects future budgets to reflect ,united ,states commitment by planning for funding in the base budget1 and further ,,edi should build on ,united ,states presence by increasing the ,united ,states permanent force posture2 and 7#i7 credible deterrence requires steadfast cooperation and joint action with ,,nato allies and partners and other ,united ,states allies and partners in ,europe4 #c4 ,strategy to counter threats by the ,russian ,federation 7a7 ,strategy required ,the ,secretary of ,defense1 in consultation with each of the ,secretaries of the military departments1 the ,joint ,chiefs of ,staff1 and the commanders of each of the regional and functional combatant commands1 shall develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to counter threats by the ,russian ,federation4 7b7 ,report required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the strategy required by subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,elements ,the report required by this subsection shall include the following elements3 7,a7 ,an evaluation of strategic objectives and motivations of the ,russian ,federation4 7,b7 ,a detailed description of ,russian threats to the national security of the ,united ,states1 including threats that may pose challenges below the threshold of armed conflict4 7,c7 ,a discussion of how the strategy complements the ,national ,defense ,strategy and the ,national ,military ,strategy4 7,d7 ,a discussion of the ends1 ways1 and means inherent to the strategy4 7,e7 ,a discussion of the strategy's objectives with respect to deterrence1 escalation control1 and conflict resolution4 7,f7 ,a description of the military activities across geographic regions and military functions and domains that are inherent to the strategy4 7,g7 ,a description of the posture1 forward presence1 and readiness requirements inherent to the strategy4 7,h7 ,a description of the roles of the ,united ,states ,armed ,forces in implementing the strategy1 including-- 7i7 the role of ,united ,states nuclear capabilities2 7ii7 the role of ,united ,states space capabilities2 7iii7 the role of ,united ,states cyber capabilities2 7iv7 the role of ,united ,states conventional ground forces2 7v7 the role of ,united ,states naval forces2 7vi7 the role of ,united ,states air forces2 and 7vii7 the role of ,united ,states special operations forces4 7,i7 ,an assessment of contributions of ,united ,states allies and partners in countering ,russian threats and a description of the roles of allies and partners in implementing and sustaining the strategy4 7,j7 ,an assessment of the force requirements needed to implement and sustain the strategy4 7,k7 ,a description of the logistical requirements needed to implement and sustain the strategy4 7,l7 ,an assessment of the technological research and development requirements needed to implement and sustain the strategy4 7,m7 ,an assessment of the training and exercise requirements needed to implement and sustain the strategy4 7,n7 ,an assessment of the budgetary resource requirements needed to implement and sustain the strategy through ,december #ca1 #bjcj4 7,o7 ,a discussion of how the strategy provides a framework for future planning and investments in regional defense initiatives1 including the ,european ,deterrence ,initiative4 7#c7 ,form ,the report required by this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex4 #d4 ,strategy to increase conventional precision strike weapon stockpiles in the ,united ,states ,european ,command's areas of responsibility 7a7 ,strategy required 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall develop and implement a strategy to increase conventional precision strike weapon stockpiles in the ,united ,states ,european ,command's areas of responsibility4 7#b7 ,elements ,the strategy required by this subsection shall include necessary increases in the quantities of such stockpiles that the ,secretary determines will enhance deterrence and warfighting capability of the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization forces4 7b7 ,report required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the strategy required by subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,form ,the report required by this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex4 #e4 ,plan to counter the military capabilities of the ,russian ,federation 7a7 ,plan required 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall develop and implement a plan to counter the military capabilities of the ,russian ,federation4 7#b7 ,elements ,the plan required by this subsection shall include the following3 7,a7 ,accelerating programs to improve the capability of ,united ,states military forces to operate in a ,global ,positioning ,system 7,,gps7-denied or ,,gps-degraded environment4 7,b7 ,accelerating programs of the ,department of the ,army to counter ,russian unmanned aircraft systems1 electronic warfare1 and long-range precision strike capabilities4 7,c7 ,countering unconventional capabilities and hybrid threats from the ,russian ,federation4 7,d7 ,any other elements that the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7b7 ,report required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the plan required by subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,form ,the report required by this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex4 7c7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the strategy for the ,department of ,defense to counter unconventional warfare threats posed by adversarial state and non-state actors required by section #ajig of the ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjaf 7,public ,law #aad-ib7 has not yet been submitted to the congressional defense committees and should be submitted without further delay2 and 7#b7 concerns persist over the growing sophistication of unconventional and hybrid state-sponsored threats by the ,russian ,federation as demonstrated through its advancement and integration of conventional warfare1 economic warfare1 cyber and information operations1 intelligence operations1 and other activities to undermine ,united ,states national security objectives as well as the objectives of ,united ,states allies and partners in ,europe4 #f4 ,plan to provide training to the national security forces of ,united ,states allies and partners to counter cyberspace operations and information operations of the ,russian ,federation 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the establishment by the ,commander of the ,united ,states ,european ,command of the interagency ,russian ,information ,group to counter ,russian information operations against the ,united ,states and ,united ,states allies and partners should be supported and cooperation and synchronization of efforts and activities with the ,department of ,state's ,global ,engagement ,center and with the ,,nato ,strategic ,communications ,center of ,excellence should be encouraged2 7#b7 the ,secretary of ,defense should1 to the extent appropriate1 prioritize the transfer of funds as authorized under section #abhg7;e7 of the ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjag 7,public ,law #aad-cbh2 #acj ,stat4 #bedf7 to the ,department of ,state's ,global ,engagement ,center specifically for the purpose of countering ,russia state-sponsored propaganda aimed at undermining the national security interests of the ,united ,states and ,united ,states allies and partners2 and 7#c7 the ,secretary of ,defense should prioritize providing funding to the ,,nato ,cooperative ,cyber ,defense ,center of ,excellence and the ,,nato ,strategic ,communication ,center of ,excellence or purposes of enhancing cooperation with ,,nato allies to counter cyberspace operations of the ,russian ,federation against the national security interests of the ,untied ,states and ,united ,states and allies and partners4 7b7 ,plan required ,the ,secretary of ,defense shall develop and implement a plan to provide training to the national security forces of ,united ,states allies and partners for the purpose of building the capacity of such forces to counter cyberspace operations and information operations of the ,russian ,federation4 7c7 ,report required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the plan required by subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,form ,the report required by this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex4 #g4 ,report on maintaining and expanding forward presence of ,united ,states military forces and personnel in ,europe 7a7 ,report required ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the strategy of the ,department of ,defense maintaining and expanding forward presence of ,united ,states military forces and personnel in ,europe4 7b7 ,elements ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following with respect to ,united ,states ,european ,command areas of responsibility3 7#a7 ,an assessment of the additional permanently stationed forces in ,europe required to meet ,united ,states strategic requirements and the operational requirements of the geographic combatant commander4 7#b7 ,an assessment of the infrastructure capacity of existing ,european locations and their ability to accommodate additional forces4 7#c7 ,an overview of new locations in ,europe that might be considered for permanently stationed forces and the estimated cost and scope of infrastructure investments1 to include improvements to training areas1 which would be required at those locations to support permanently stationed forces1 including an assessment of what infrastructure investments might be provided by the host-nation as well as new construction or modernization of existing facilities that would be funded by the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,a detailed list of investments in equipment1 supplies1 logistics1 storage1 and maintenance1 at current and new locations in ,europe1 required to support additional permanently stationed forces4 7#e7 ,an assessment of the readiness advantages and disadvantages associated with stationing additional permanent forces at ,european locations4 7#f7 ,a discussion of potential challenges with stationing additional permanent forces or developing new locations for permanently stationed forces as a result of treaty obligations1 international agreements1 or other legally binding instruments4 7c7 ,form ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex4 #h4 ,report on improving training areas in the ,united ,states ,european ,command's areas of responsibility 7a7 ,report required ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary of ,defense1 in coordination with the ,secretaries of the military departments1 the ,commander of the ,united ,states ,european ,command1 and the ,commander of the ,united ,states ,special ,operations ,command1 shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the location1 capabilities1 and capacities of training areas in the ,united ,states ,european ,command's areas of responsibility1 including air and ground ranges1 range complexes1 military training routes1 and special-use areas4 7b7 ,elements ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,an inventory of such training areas that are utilized by ,united ,states ,armed ,forces or with respect to which ,united ,states ,armed ,forces have access4 7#b7 ,an overview of the capabilities and capacity of such training areas to support permanent and rotational forward presence of ,united ,states ,armed ,forces4 7#c7 ,an assessment of any capability gaps of such training areas that limit the ability to meet training standards of ,united ,states ,armed ,forces4 7#d7 ,details of current and planned investments in training infrastructure to mitigate identified capability gaps1 help meet ,united ,states training standards1 and support additional permanent or rotational forces in ,europe1 to be funded by the ,,nato1 the ,united ,states1 or ,united ,states allies or partners4 #i4 ,sense of ,congress on enhancing maritime capabilities ,congress notes the #bjaf ,force ,structure ,assessment 7,,fsa7 that increased the requirement for fast attack submarine 7,,ssn7 from #dh to #ff and supports an acquisition plan that enhances maritime capabilities that address this requirement4 #aj4 ,plan to reduce the risks of miscalculation and unintended consequences that could precipitate a nuclear war 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the ,russian ,federation has adopted a dangerous nuclear doctrine that includes a strategy of escalate to de-escalate1 which could lower the threshold for ,russian use of nuclear weapons in a regional conflict2 and 7#b7 such nuclear doctrine exacerbates the risks of miscalculation and unintended consequences that could precipitate a nuclear war4 7b7 ,plan required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,march #a1 #bjah1 the ,secretary of ,defense1 in coordination with the ,chairman of the ,joint ,chief of ,staff1 the ,commander of the ,united ,states ,strategic ,command1 and the ,commander of the ,united ,states ,european ,command1 shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan that includes options to reduce the risk of miscalculation and unintended consequences that could precipitate a nuclear war4 7#b7 ,elements ,the plan required under this subsection shall include-- 7,a7 an assessment of the value of military-to-military dialog to reduce such risk2 and 7,b7 any other recommendations the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 #aa4 ,plan to impose sanctions with respect to the ,russian ,federation by reason of non-compliance by the ,russian ,federation with the ,,inf ,treaty 7a7 ,in general ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjah1 the ,president shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan to impose sanctions with respect to the ,russia ,federation by reason of non-compliance by the ,russian ,federation with the ,,inf ,treaty4 7b7 ,elements ,the plan required under subsection 7a7 should include expanding asset freezes and travel bans1 prohibiting financial transactions1 prohibiting government-to-government contracts1 and any other sanctions that the ,president determines to be appropriate4 7c7 ,termination ,the plan required under subsection 7a7 shall provide for termination of sanctions described in the plan beginning on the date on which the ,president submits to the appropriate congressional committees a certification that the ,russian ,federation has verifiably returned to compliance with the ,,inf ,treaty4 7d7 ,cooperation ,the ,secretary of ,state shall seek to cooperate with ,united ,states allies and partners to maximize the effect of sanctions described in the plan required under subsection 7a74 #ab4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,congressional defense committees ,the term congressional defense committees has the meaning given such term in section #aja of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,,inf ,treaty ,the term ,,inf ,treaty means the ,treaty ,between the ,united ,states of ,america and the ,union of ,soviet ,socialist ,republics on the ,elimination of ,their ,intermediate-,range and ,shorter-,range ,missiles1 commonly referred to as the ,intermediate-,range ,nuclear ,forces 7,,inf7 ,treaty1 signed at ,washington1 ,december #h1 #aihg1 and entered into force ,june #a1 #aihh4 7#c7 ,,nato ,the term ,,nato means the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization4