The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S1626-S1629 on May 11.
The State Department is responsibly for international relations with a budget of more than $50 billion. Tenure at the State Dept. is increasingly tenuous and it's seen as an extension of the President's will, ambitions and flaws.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, and Ms. Smith):
S. 1567. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to address the teacher and school leader shortage in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1567
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act'' or the ``RETAIN Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to create a refundable tax credit for early childhood educators, teachers, early childhood education program directors, school leaders, and school-based mental health services providers in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education settings that rewards retention based on the time spent serving high-need students.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The shortage of experienced, qualified early childhood educators and elementary school and secondary school teachers is a national problem that compromises the academic outcomes and long-term success of students.
(2) The shortage is the result of many factors including low pay, frequent turnover in school leadership, poor teaching conditions, and inadequate teacher supports.
(3) The shortage is worse in high-poverty areas where the factors contributing to the shortage are particularly acute and have an increased negative impact on teachers of color remaining in the field.
(4) A child's access to high-quality early childhood education is critical to supporting positive outcomes, and early childhood educators--
(A) play an important role in setting the foundation for future learning, and
(B) promote the development of vital skills, habits, and mindsets that children need to be successful in school and in life.
(5) In 2021, the national median pay of early childhood educators was a mere $30,210, with many early childhood educators relying on government assistance programs such as Medicaid, the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), or the temporary assistance for needy families program established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and struggling to provide for their own families.
(6) Studies have demonstrated that well-qualified, experienced teachers are the single most important school- based element contributing to a child's academic achievement and success.
(7) In the 2021-2022 academic year, the average teacher salary in public elementary schools and secondary schools was only $66,397, a 2 percent increase from the previous academic year. When adjusted for inflation, the average teacher salary has declined by 6.4 percent over the past decade.
(8) On average, public elementary school and secondary school teachers were paid 23.5 percent less than other college graduates working in non-teaching fields, and many teachers struggle with large amounts of student loan debt.
(9) In 2021, the average teacher salary for a first-year teacher in a public elementary school or secondary school was
$41,770.
(10) An experienced, well-qualified education workforce must also be reflective of the diversity of the student body across race, ethnicity, and disability.
(11) Higher pay for teachers can result in a more diverse teacher workforce, and minority students often perform better on standardized tests, have improved attendance, and are suspended less frequently when they have at least one same- race teacher.
(12) Experienced, well-qualified school leaders and school- based mental health service providers are essential for providing strong educational opportunities and services for students and promoting teacher retention through improved professional supports and teaching conditions.
(13) Between February 2020 and May 2022, at least 300,000 teachers at public elementary schools and secondary schools left the field, a nearly 3 percent decline in the teacher workforce.
SEC. 4. REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT FOR TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER
RETENTION.
(a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 36B the following new section:
``SEC. 36C. TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER RETENTION CREDIT.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of an individual who is employed in a position described in paragraph (2) during a school year ending with or within the taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable amount (as determined under subsection (b)).
``(2) Eligible positions.--The positions described in this paragraph shall consist of the following:
``(A) An eligible early childhood educator.
``(B) An eligible early childhood education program director.
``(C) An eligible early childhood education provider.
``(D) An eligible teacher.
``(E) An eligible paraprofessional.
``(F) An eligible school-based mental health services provider.
``(G) An eligible school leader.
``(b) Applicable Amount.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the applicable amount shall be an amount determined based on the number of school years for which the individual has been continuously employed in any position described in subsection
(a)(2), as follows:
``(A) Subject to paragraph (2), for the first year of employment, $5,800.
``(B) For the second continuous year of employment, $5,800.
``(C) For the third and fourth continuous year of employment, $7,000.
``(D) For the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth continuous year of employment, $8,700.
``(E) For the tenth continuous year of employment, $11,600.
``(F) For the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth continuous year of employment, $8,700.
``(G) For the sixteenth continuous year of employment,
$7,000.
``(H) For the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth continuous year of employment, $5,800.
``(2) First year.--For purposes of the first year of employment ending with or within a taxable year, an individual must have been so employed for a period of not less than 4 months before the first day of such taxable year.
``(3) Limitation based on total number of school years.--In the case of any individual who has been employed in any position described in subsection (a)(2) for a total of more than 20 school years, the applicable amount shall be reduced to zero.
``(c) Inflation Adjustment.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of any taxable year beginning after 2024, each of the dollar amounts in subsection (b)(1) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year by substituting
`calendar year 2023' for `calendar year 2016' in subparagraph
(A)(ii) thereof.
``(2) Rounding.--If any increase determined under paragraph
(1) is not a multiple of $100, such increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.
``(d) Supplementing, Not Supplanting, State and Local Education Funds.--
``(1) In general.--A State educational agency or local educational agency shall not reduce or adjust any compensation, or any assistance provided through a loan forgiveness program, to an employee of the State educational agency or local educational agency who serves in any position described in subsection (a)(2) due to the individual's eligibility for the credit under this section.
``(2) Methodology.--Upon request by the Secretary of Education, a State educational agency or local educational agency shall reasonably demonstrate that the methodology used to allocate amounts for compensation and for loan forgiveness to the employees described in paragraph (1) at qualifying schools or qualifying early childhood education programs ensures that employees at each qualifying school or qualifying early childhood education program in the State or served by the local educational agency, respectively, receive the same amount of State or local funds for compensation and loan forgiveness that the qualifying school or qualifying early childhood education program would receive if the credit under this section had not been enacted.
``(e) Information Sharing.--The Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide the Secretary with such information as is necessary for purposes of determining whether an early childhood education program or an elementary school or secondary school satisfies the requirements for a qualifying early childhood education program or a qualifying school, respectively.
``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) ESEA definitions.--The terms `elementary school',
`local educational agency', `secondary school', and `State educational agency' have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
``(2) Eligible early childhood education program director.--The term `eligible early childhood education program director' means an employee or officer of a qualifying early childhood education program who is responsible for the daily instructional leadership and managerial operations of such program.
``(3) Eligible early childhood education provider.--The term `eligible early childhood education provider' means an individual--
``(A) who--
``(i) has an associate's degree or higher degree in early childhood education or a related field, or
``(ii) is enrolled during the taxable year in a program leading to such an associate's or higher degree and is making satisfactory progress toward such degree, and
``(B) who is responsible for the daily instructional leadership and managerial operations of a qualifying early childhood education program in a home-based setting.
``(4) Eligible early childhood educator.--The term
`eligible early childhood educator' means an individual--
``(A) who--
``(i) has an associate's degree or higher degree in early childhood education or a related field, or
``(ii) is enrolled during the taxable year in a program leading to such an associate's or higher degree and is making satisfactory progress toward such degree,
``(B) who has credentials or a license under State law for early childhood education, as applicable, and
``(C) whose primary responsibility is for the learning and development of children in a qualifying early childhood education program during the taxable year.
``(5) Eligible paraprofessional.--The term `eligible paraprofessional' means an individual--
``(A) who is a paraprofessional, as defined in section 3201 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7011),
``(B) who meets the applicable State professional standards and qualifications pursuant to section 1111(g)(2)(M) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6311(g)(2)(M)),
``(C) whose primary responsibilities involve working or assisting in a classroom setting, and
``(D) who is employed in a qualifying school or a qualifying early childhood education program.
``(6) Eligible school-based mental health services provider.--The term `eligible school-based mental health services provider' means an individual--
``(A) described in section 4102(6) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7112(6)), and
``(B) who is employed in a qualifying school or a qualifying early childhood education program.
``(7) Eligible school leader.--The term `eligible school leader' means a principal, assistant principal, or other individual who is--
``(A) an employee or officer of a qualifying school, and
``(B) responsible for the daily instructional leadership and managerial operations in the qualifying school.
``(8) Eligible teacher.--The term `eligible teacher' means an individual who--
``(A) is an elementary school or secondary school teacher who, as determined by the State or local educational agency, is a teacher of record who provides direct classroom teaching
(or classroom-type teaching in a nonclassroom setting) to students in a qualifying school, and
``(B)(i) meets applicable State certification and licensure requirements, including any requirements for certification obtained through alternative routes to certification, in the State in which such school is located and in the subject area in which the individual is the teacher of record, or
``(ii) is enrolled during the taxable year in a program leading to State certification and licensure as described in clause (i) and is making satisfactory progress toward such certification and licensure requirements.
``(9) Qualifying early childhood education program.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualifying early childhood education program' means an early childhood education program, as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003), that, regardless of setting--
``(i) serves children who receive services for which financial assistance is provided in accordance with the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.), the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), or the child and adult care food program established under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766), and
``(ii) participates in a State tiered and transparent system for measuring program quality.
``(B) Special rule.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an early childhood education program that does not satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be deemed to be a qualifying early childhood education program until September 30, 2023, if the program--
``(i) satisfies all requirements of subparagraph (A) except for clause (ii) of such subparagraph, and
``(ii)(I) meets the Head Start program performance standards described in section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act
(42 U.S.C. 9836a(a)), if applicable, or
``(II) is accredited by a national accreditor of early learning programs as of the date of enactment of the Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act.
``(10) Qualifying school.--The term `qualifying school' means--
``(A) a public elementary school or secondary school that--
``(i) is in the school district of a local educational agency that is eligible for assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), or
``(ii) is served or operated by an educational service agency that is eligible for such assistance, or
``(B) an elementary school or secondary school that is funded by the Bureau of Indian Education and that is in the school district of a local educational agency that is eligible for such assistance.''.
(b) W-2 Reporting of Continuous Employment for Certain Positions at Qualifying Early Childhood Education Programs or Qualifying Schools.--Section 6051(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (16), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (17) and inserting ``, and'', and by inserting after paragraph (17) the following new paragraph:
``(18) in the case of an employee who is employed in a position described in subsection (a)(2) of section 36C, the number of school years for which such employee has been continuously employed in any such position.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B the following:
``Sec. 36C. Teacher and school leader retention credit.''.
(2) Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting ``36C,'' after ``36B,''.
(3) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``36C,'' after ``36B,''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.
SEC. 5. DEVELOPING INTERAGENCY DATA SERIES.
The Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Treasury, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall--
(1) develop and publish on the internet website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics a data series that captures--
(A) the average base salary of teachers in elementary schools and secondary schools, disaggregated by--
(i) employment in public elementary schools and secondary schools that receive assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.),
(ii) employment in public elementary schools and secondary schools that do not receive such assistance, and
(iii) geographic region, and
(B) the average base salary of early childhood educators, disaggregated by highest level of degree attained, and
(2) update the data series under paragraph (1) on an annual basis.
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By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Lankford):
S. 1571. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to restore State authority to waive for certain facilities the 35-mile rule for designating critical access hospitals under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1571
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. RESTORING STATE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE THE 35-MILE RULE
FOR CERTAIN MEDICARE CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL
DESIGNATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 1820 of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395i-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
(i) in subclause (I), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in subclause (II), by inserting ``or'' at the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
``(III) subject to subparagraph (G), is a hospital described in subparagraph (F) and is certified on or after the date of the enactment of the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2023 by the State as being a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area;''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(F) Hospital described.--For purposes of subparagraph
(B)(i)(III), a hospital described in this subparagraph is a hospital that--
``(i) is a sole community hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(D)(iii)), a medicare dependent, small rural hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(G)(iv)), a low- volume hospital that in 2021 receives a payment adjustment under section 1886(d)(12), a subsection
(d) hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(1)(B)) that has fewer than 50 beds, or, subject to the limitation under subparagraph (G)(i)(I), is a facility described in subparagraph (G)(ii);
``(ii) is located in a rural area, as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D);
``(iii)(I) is located--
``(aa) in a county that has a percentage of individuals with income that is below 150 percent of the poverty line that is higher than the national or statewide average in 2021;
``(bb) in a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act); or
``(II) has a percentage of inpatient days of individuals entitled to benefits under part A of this title, enrolled under part B of this title, or enrolled under a State plan under title XIX that is higher than the national or statewide average in 2020 or 2021;
``(iv) subject to subparagraph (G)(ii)(II), has attested to the Secretary two consecutive years of negative operating margins preceding the date of certification described in subparagraph (B)(i)(III); and
``(v) submits to the Secretary--
``(I) at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, an attestation outlining the good governance qualifications and strategic plan for multi-year financial solvency of the hospital; and
``(II) not later than 120 days after the date on which the Secretary issues final regulations pursuant to section 2(b) of the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2023, an application for certification of the facility as a critical access hospital.
``(G) Limitation on certain designations.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary may not under subsection
(e) certify pursuant to a certification by a State under subparagraph (B)(i)(III)--
``(I) more than a total of 175 facilities as critical access hospitals, of which not more than 20 percent may be facilities described in clause (ii); and
``(II) within any one State, more than 10 facilities as critical access hospitals.
``(ii) Facility described.--
``(I) In general.--A facility described in this clause is a facility that as of the date of enactment of this subparagraph met the criteria for designation as a critical access hospital under subparagraph (B)(i)(I).
``(II) Nonapplication of certain criteria.--For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i)(III), the criteria described in subparagraph (F)(iv) shall not apply with respect to the designation of a facility described in subclause (I).''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by inserting ``, subject to subsection (c)(2)(G),'' after ``The Secretary shall''.
(b) Regulations.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue final regulations to carry out subsection (a).
(c) Clarification Regarding Facilities That Meet Distance or Other Certification Criteria.--Nothing in this section shall affect the application of criteria for designation as a critical access hospital described in subclause (I) or (II) section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-4(c)(2)(B)(i)).
(d) GAO Study and Report.--
(1) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States
(in this section referred to as the ``Comptroller General''), in consultation with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall conduct a study on the implementation of the amendments made by subsection (a). Such study shall include an analysis of--
(A) the characteristics of facilities designated as critical access hospitals pursuant to section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i)(III) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a);
(B) the financial status and outlook for such facilities based on their designation as a critical access hospital pursuant to such section;
(C) any increase in expenditures under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) as a result of such designation, relative to the expected baseline expenditures under the Medicare program if such facilities had not received such designation; and
(D) whether the authority to designate facilities as critical access hospitals pursuant to such section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i)(III) should be maintained as is, modified in scale or scope, or sunset.
(2) Report.--Not later than 7 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
(e) Guidance.--Not later than 2 years after the date of on which the Comptroller General submits the report to Congress under subsection (d)(2), the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall establish a mechanism and provide guidance and technical assistance to facilities that have been designated as a critical access hospital pursuant to section 1820(c)(2)(B)(i)(III) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a), on how such facilities may consider transitioning to a different payment model under the Medicare program.
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By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. King, and Mr. Coons):
S. 1576. A bill to provide for advancements in carbon removal research, quantification, and commercialization, including by harnessing natural processes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage Technologies Act, the CREST Act. I want to thank Senator Cantwell for her partnership in working on this bill. Our bipartisan bill would direct the Department of Energy to research and evaluate the feasibility of innovative carbon removal and storage pathways. The name the ``CREST Act'' alludes to the fact that we have reached the ``crest'' of our emissions, and we must work to reduce them.
With more and more private and public sector commitments to reach net-zero emissions within certain timeframes, companies are scrambling to invest in quantifiable, durable, and verifiable carbon removal solutions. Microsoft, for example, has made a commitment to be carbon negative by 2030. Even though Microsoft plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than half, it will need to remove the rest of its carbon emissions. In order to do this, Microsoft plans to invest $1 billion in carbon removal technologies, such as direct air capture, forestation, and carbon mineralization.
Despite the growing number of companies that are looking to offset their emissions, current cost estimates show that private sector investment alone will not be sufficient to research and deploy carbon removal pathways. I supported the Energy Act of 2020, which authorized the first comprehensive Federal carbon removal research and development program, and the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which invested $3.6 billion in direct air capture. Although these investments have been significant, more work is needed in further research, increased testing, and enhanced public-private partnerships to help aid in scaling carbon removal technologies.
The CREST Act would expand the Department of Energy's carbon removal research and development programs to include carbon removal pathways that can permanently sequester carbon dioxide or use carbon dioxide to produce biofuels or products. The key areas of focus for research and development in our legislation are biomass carbon removal and storage, geological removal, atmospheric and aquatic removal, carbon dioxide storage, and carbon dioxide removal quantification.
Our legislation also aims to accelerate the commercialization of innovative carbon solutions through a pilot program at the Department of Energy. This pilot program would be charged with accelerating the deployment of affordable and proven carbon removal technologies. This reverse-auction style pilot program would position the government to purchase innovative and promising technologies, subject to certain criteria, and reduce the costs of those technologies. This would allow companies that may not have as much purchasing power as Microsoft to participate in carbon removal to help offset emissions.
This pilot program could also support companies that are leading the way in carbon removal technology, like Running Tide in Maine, in bringing down the cost of its product. Running Tide captures carbon dioxide using kelp microforests, sun, ocean currents, and gravity. This new and exciting company grows floating kelp microforests attached to biodegradable buoys that sink as they break down. The carbon captured through the floating microforest is effectively removed for hundreds of years once it hits the ocean floor. Running Tide hopes to soon be selling ``kelp carbon credits'' to help offset private entities' emissions. They are currently working to commercialize quickly. These innovative approaches are the kinds that our new pilot program could encourage.
Climate change is a significant environmental challenge that requires innovative and global solutions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. While carbon removal is only a small part of the solution, it is critical that we promote innovation in this area. Our bipartisan bill has earned endorsements from Bipartisan Policy Center Action, ClearPath Action, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, and many others. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Cantwell and me in supporting this legislation.
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By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Braun, Mr. Budd,
Mrs. Capito, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Daines, Mrs. Fischer,
Mr. Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Kennedy,
Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Risch, and Mr. Rubio):
S. 1583. A bill to require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress classified dissent cables relating to the withdrawal of the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1583
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS OF DISSENT CABLES RELATING
TO WITHDRAWAL OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
FROM AFGHANISTAN.
(a) Submission of Classified Dissent Cables to Congress.-- Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress any classified Department of State cable or memo that expresses a dissenting recommendation or opinion with respect to the withdrawal of the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
(b) Public Availability of Unclassified Dissent Cables.-- Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall make available to the public an unclassified version of any such cable or memo.
(c) Protection of Personally Identifiable Information.--The name and any other personally identifiable information of an author of a cable or memo referred to in subsection (a) shall be redacted before submission under that subsection or publication under subsection (b).
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