PRC Act

To ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge over China, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Prioritizing Readiness and Competitiveness Act PRC Act 2. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States that— (1) great power competition with the People’s Republic of China will define the future of the 21st century; (2) the People’s Republic of China is a revisionist power that seeks to upend the international system in ways that are inimical to United States national interests; (3) great power competition with the People’s Republic of China is global in nature and requires a whole-of-government response; (4) resilient domestic manufacturing, a strong and advanced United States Navy, and an innovative economy are critical to succeeding in great power competition; and (5) promoting and supporting new technological research and development will be necessary to maintain a competitive advantage and effectively combat hostile efforts by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. 3. Transfer of certain unexpended funds related to Afghanistan for the purpose of building a resilient domestic industrial base and strengthening defense technology innovation (a) In general The President shall transfer to each of the following appropriations accounts for the following purposes an amount equal to one-third of the total amount rescinded under subsection (b): (1) The Defense Production Act purchases account for activities by the Department of Defense pursuant to sections 108, 301, 302, and 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 ( 50 U.S.C. 4518 (2) The Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy account of the Department of Defense. (3) The research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide account of the Department of Defense, to be available for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry out projects related to strengthening the United States global advantage in strategic technologies, which may include aerospace, robotics, artificial intelligence, information technology, new and advanced materials, biotechnology, advanced machinery, telecommunications, and energy and power generation. (b) Rescission of unexpended funds dedicated to maintaining a military and diplomatic presence in Afghanistan The following amounts are hereby rescinded: (1) The unobligated balance of amounts made available to the Department of Defense for the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund. (2) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available to the Department of State for Diplomatic Programs, all remaining funds relating to maintaining United States diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan. (3) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available for the Economic Support Fund, all remaining funds relating to implementing and supporting comprehensive strategies to combat corruption in Afghanistan, and for the reintegration of former Taliban and other extremists. (4) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available to the Department of State for the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Fund, all remaining funds relating to programs in Afghanistan. (5) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available to the Department of State for International Military Education and Training programs, all remaining funds relating to training personnel of the Afghan security forces.

Summary: Prioritizing Readiness and Competitiveness Act or the PRC Act This bill rescinds certain unexpended funds for activities in Afghanistan and transfers such funds for certain Department of Defense (DOD) activities. Specifically, the bill rescinds unexpended funds previously made available for various activities in Afghanistan, including for (1) maintaining security forces, (2) maintaining diplomatic personnel, (3) combatting corruption, and (4) reintegrating former Taliban members and other extremists. The President must transfer the rescinded funds to DOD for (1) activities to maintain or expand domestic industrial base capabilities essential for national defense, (2) the Navy's shipbuilding and conversion account, and (3) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency activities for strengthening the U.S. advantage in strategic technologies.