What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
This bill modifies the organization and responsibilities of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense (ASDs). Current law provides for 19 ASDs, with some of these positions established in statute and others specified by the Department of Defense (DOD). First, the bill establishes in statute an ASD for International Industrial Base Development and Engagement, whose main duty is to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base through cooperation with security partners and allies, including Taiwan. Next, the bill establishes in statute an ASD for Strategy, Plans, Capabilities, and Homeland Defense. The principal duty of such ASD is to advise the Secretary of Defense and others on national security issues and defense strategy, policy and planning oversight of various issues, and advancing and representing priority issues. This position replaces the DOD-specified ASD for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities. The bill eliminates the DOD-specified ASD for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs. Finally, the bill expands the responsibilities of the DOD-specified ASD for International Security Affairs to include Western Hemisphere affairs.
Action Timeline
2025-02-05
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
2025-02-05
Introduced in Senate
Frequently Asked Questions
Did S.436 pass?
S.436 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: 49%.
What does S.436 do?
This bill modifies the organization and responsibilities of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense (ASDs). Current law provides for 19 ASDs, with some of these positions established in statute and others specified by the Department of Defense (DOD). First, the bill establishes in statute an ASD for International Industrial Base Development and Engagement, whose main duty is to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base through cooperation with security partners and allies, including Taiwan. Next, the bill establishes in statute an ASD for Strategy, Plans, Capabilities, and Homeland Defense. The…
Who sponsored S.436?
S.436 was sponsored by Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).
Full Bill Text
119 S436 IS: To amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the organization and authorities of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense with duties relating to industrial base policy and homeland defense. U.S. Senate 2025-02-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 436 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 5, 2025 Mr. Sullivan introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the organization and authorities of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense with duties relating to industrial base policy and homeland defense. 1. Modification of organization and authorities of Assistant Secretaries of Defense with duties relating to industrial base policy and homeland defense (a) Establishment of Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Industrial Base Development and Engagement Section 138(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (8) and (9), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph (7): (7) One of the Assistant Secretaries is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Industrial Base Development and Engagement, who shall report directly to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. The principal duty of the Assistant Secretary shall be to strengthen the United States defense industrial base through the promotion of cooperation with security partners and allies of the United States, including Taiwan. . (b) Renaming of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, Capabilities, and Homeland Defense (1) In general On and after the date of the enactment of this Act— (A) the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities shall be known as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, Capabilities, and Homeland Defense; and (B) any reference in any law or regulation to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities shall be deemed to be a reference to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, Capabilities, and Homeland Defense. (2) Establishment Section 138(b) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (10) (A) One of the Assistant Secretaries is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, Capabilities, and Homeland Defense. (B) The principal duty of the Assistant Secretary shall be to advise the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense on— (i) national security issues and defense strategy and the capabilities, forces, and contingency plans necessary to implement the defense strategy; (ii) policy and planning oversight for— (I) homeland defense and mission assurance by the Department of Defense; (II) support by the Department for civil authorities; and (III) Arctic and global resilience; and (iii) advancing and representing priority issues with— (I) other Federal agencies; (II) countries that are allies and partners of the United States; (III) State, local, territorial, and Tribal governments; and (IV) private sector organizations. . (c) Elimination of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs The position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs is eliminated. (d) Expanded authority of Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs The responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs shall include responsibility for Western Hemisphere affairs.
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