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States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) A description of actions taken by the Sec-
retary to reduce— 
‘‘(i) vacancies in counselor positions in the 
Readjustment Counseling Service; and 
‘‘(ii) the time it takes to hire such coun-
selors.’’. 
(e) REPORT BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OF-
FICE ON VET CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE AND FUTURE 
INVESTMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall sub-
mit to Congress a report on physical infrastructure 
and future investments with respect to Vet Centers. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by para-
graph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of— 
(i) the condition of the physical infra-
structure of all assets of Vet Centers, 
whether owned or leased by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; and 
(ii) the short-, medium-, and long- 
term plans of the Department to maintain 
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and upgrade the physical infrastructure of 
Vet Centers to address the operational 
needs of Vet Centers as of the date of the 
submittal of the report and future needs. 
(B) An assessment of management and 
strategic planning for the physical infrastruc-
ture of Vet Centers, including whether the De-
partment should buy or lease existing or addi-
tional locations in areas with stable or growing 
populations of veterans. 
(C) An assessment of whether, as of the 
date of the submittal of the report, Vet Center 
buildings, mobile Vet Centers, community ac-
cess points, and similar infrastructure are suffi-
cient to care for veterans or if such infrastruc-
ture is negatively affecting care due to limited 
space for veterans and Vet Center personnel or 
other factors. 
(D) An assessment of the areas with the 
greatest need for investments in— 
(i) improved physical infrastructure, 
including upgraded Vet Centers; or 
(ii) additional physical infrastructure 
for Vet Centers, including new Vet Centers 
owned or leased by the Department. 
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(E) A description of the authorities and re-
sources that may be required for the Secretary 
to make such investments. 
(F) A review of all annual reports sub-
mitted under 7309(e) of title 38, United States 
Code, before the date of the submittal of the re-
port under paragraph (1). 
(f) PILOT PROGRAM TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY 
AMONG VETERANS
AND FAMILY MEMBERS
OF VET-
ERANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a pilot pro-
gram to award grants to eligible entities to support 
partnerships that address food insecurity among vet-
erans and family members of veterans who receive 
services through Vet Centers or other facilities of 
the Department as determined by the Secretary. 
(2) DURATION OF PILOT.—The Secretary shall 
carry out the pilot program for a three-year period 
beginning on the date of the establishment of the 
pilot program. 
(3) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
The Secretary may provide eligible entities receiving 
grant funding under the pilot program with training 
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and technical assistance on the provision of food in-
security assistance services to veterans and family 
members of veterans. 
(4) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—For purposes of the 
pilot program, an eligible entity is— 
(A) a nonprofit organization; 
(B) an organization recognized by the Sec-
retary for the representation of veterans under 
section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; 
(C) a public agency; 
(D) a community-based organization; or 
(E) an institution of higher education. 
(5) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity seeking a 
grant under the pilot program shall submit to the 
Secretary an application therefor at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information and 
commitments as the Secretary may require. 
(6) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall select eli-
gible entities that submit applications under para-
graph (5) for the award of grants under the pilot 
program using a competitive process that takes into 
account the following: 
(A) Capacity of the applicant entity to 
serve veterans and family members of veterans. 
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(B) Demonstrated need of the population 
the applicant entity would serve. 
(C) Demonstrated need of the applicant 
entity for assistance from the grant. 
(D) Such other criteria as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(7) DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall en-
sure, to the extent practicable, an equitable geo-
graphic distribution of grants awarded under this 
subsection. 
(8) MINIMUM PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—Any 
grant awarded under this subsection shall be used— 
(A) to coordinate with the Secretary with 
respect to the provision of assistance to address 
food insecurity among veterans and family 
members of veterans described in paragraph 
(1); 
(B) to increase participation in nutrition 
counseling programs and provide educational 
materials and counseling to veterans and family 
members of veterans to address food insecurity 
and healthy diets among those individuals; 
(C) to increase access to and enrollment in 
Federal assistance programs, including the sup-
plemental nutrition assistance program under 
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the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2011 et seq.), the special supplemental nutri-
tion program for women, infants, and children 
established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition 
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), the low-income 
home energy assistance program established 
under the Low-Income Home Energy Assist-
ance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.), and 
any other assistance program that the Sec-
retary considers advisable; and 
(D) to fulfill such other criteria as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate to further the pur-
pose of the grant and serve veterans. 
(9) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—Each entity 
that receives a grant under this subsection shall pro-
vide to the Secretary, at least once each year during 
the duration of the grant term, data on— 
(A) the number of veterans and family 
members of veterans screened for, and enrolled 
in, programs described in subparagraphs (B) 
and (C) of paragraph (8); 
(B) other services provided by the entity to 
veterans and family members of veterans using 
funds from the grant; and 
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(C) such other data as the Secretary may 
require. 
(10) REPORT ON DATA COLLECTED.—For each 
year of operation of the pilot program, the Secretary 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report on the data collected under paragraph 
(9) during such year. 
(11) GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
OFFICE 
REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date on which the pilot program ter-
minates, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to Congress a report evalu-
ating the effectiveness and outcomes of the ac-
tivities carried out under this subsection in re-
ducing food insecurity among veterans and fam-
ily members of veterans. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—The report required by 
subparagraph (A) shall include the following: 
(i) A summary of the activities carried 
out under this subsection. 
(ii) An assessment of the effectiveness 
and outcomes of the grants awarded under 
this subsection, including with respect to 
eligibility screening contacts, application 
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assistance consultations, and changes in 
food insecurity among the population 
served by the grant. 
(iii) Best practices regarding the use 
of partnerships to improve the effectiveness 
and outcomes of public benefit programs to 
address food insecurity among veterans 
and family members of veterans. 
(iv) An assessment of the feasibility 
and advisability of making the pilot pro-
gram permanent and expanding to other 
locations. 
(12) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out the pilot program 
established under paragraph (1) $15,000,000 
for each fiscal year in which the program is car-
ried out, beginning with the fiscal year in which 
the program is established. 
(B) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Of the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under 
subparagraph (A), not more than ten percent 
may be used for administrative expenses of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs associated with 
administering grants under this subsection. 
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(13) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘appropriate committees of 
Congress’’ means— 
(i) the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs, the Committee on Appropriations, 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate; and 
(ii) the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs, the Committee on Appropriations, 
and the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives. 
(B) The term ‘‘facilities of the Depart-
ment’’ has the meaning given that term in sec-
tion 1701(3) of title 38, United States Code. 
(C) The term ‘‘institution of higher edu-
cation’’ has the meaning given that term in sec-
tion 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(D) The term ‘‘public agency’’ means a de-
partment, agency, other unit, or instrumentality 
of Federal, State, Tribal, or local government. 
(E) The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 101(20) of title 38, 
United States Code. 
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(F) The term ‘‘veteran’’ means an indi-
vidual who served in the Armed Forces, includ-
ing an individual who served in a reserve com-
ponent of the Armed Forces, and who was dis-
charged or released therefrom, regardless of the 
conditions of such discharge or release. 
(g) DEFINITION OF VET CENTER.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘Vet Center’’ has the meaning given that term 
in section 1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 5125. SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STUDY ON 
VA HOME LOAN BENEFIT. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a study to identify the means by which the Sec-
retary informs lenders and veterans about the availability 
of a loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, 
for any purpose described in section 3710(a) of such title. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives a report on the results of 
the study conducted under subsection (a), and shall pub-
lish such report on the website of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. 
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SEC. 5126. GAO STUDY ON POST-MARKET SURVEILLANCE 
OF MEDICAL DEVICES BY DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study on the efforts of the Under 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health relating to post- 
market surveillance of implantable medical devices. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the 
findings of the study under subsection (a). Such report 
shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the process used by the 
Veterans Health Administration for documenting 
implantable medical devices issued to patients. 
(2) An evaluation of the capability of the Vet-
erans Health Administration to identify, in a timely 
manner, adverse events and safety issues relating to 
implantable medical devices. 
(3) An evaluation of the process for, and poten-
tial barriers to, the Under Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs for Health notifying patients of an implantable 
medical device recall. 
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(4) An evaluation of the accessibility of the ad-
verse event reporting systems of the Veterans Health 
Administration for patients with disabilities. 
(5) Recommendations to address gaps in such 
adverse event reporting systems, to better identify 
adverse events and safety issues from implantable 
medical devices. 
SEC. 5127. COMPETITIVE PAY FOR HEALTH CARE PRO-
VIDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS. 
Section 7451(c) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(4)(A) The director of each medical center of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs an annual locality 
pay survey and rates of basic pay for covered posi-
tions at such medical center to ensure that pay rates 
remain competitive in the local labor market. 
‘‘(B) Not less than once per fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives a report on rates of basic pay for cov-
ered positions at medical centers of the Depart-
ment.’’. 
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SEC. 5128. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROGRAM 
TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR CERTAIN VET-
ERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED 
BY THE COVID–19 PANDEMIC. 
(a) GRANT PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a program under which the Sec-
retary shall make grants to eligible organizations to offset 
costs relating to the COVID–19 pandemic incurred during 
the covered 2020 period. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.—To be eligible to re-
ceive a grant under the program, an organization shall be 
a veterans service organization that— 
(1) as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic, ex-
perienced a loss of 50 percent or greater gross rev-
enue during the covered 2020 period (compared to 
the gross revenue collected during the covered 2019 
period); and 
(2) submits to the Secretary an application in 
such form, at such time, and containing such infor-
mation as the Secretary determines appropriate, in-
cluding— 
(A) information demonstrating the loss 
specified in paragraph (1); and 
(B) a plan for the use of such grant. 
(c) USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.—A veterans service 
organization that receives a grant under this section may 
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only use the grant in accordance with the plan referred 
to in subsection (b)(2)(B) for the following expenses of 
the organization: 
(1) Rent. 
(2) Utilities. 
(3) Scheduled mortgage payments. 
(4) Scheduled debt payments. 
(5) Other ordinary and necessary business ex-
penses, including maintenance costs, administrative 
costs (including fees and licensing), State and local 
taxes and fees, operating leases, and insurance pay-
ments. 
(d) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—A grant made to a vet-
erans service organization under the program shall be in 
an amount equal to the aggregate cost of the activities 
specified in the plan referred to in subsection (b)(2)(B), 
except that any such grant may not exceed $50,000. 
(e) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall pre-
scribe regulations to carry out the grant program. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered 2019 period’’ means the 
period beginning on April 1, 2019, and ending on 
December 31, 2019. 
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(2) The term ‘‘covered 2020 period’’ means the 
period beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on 
December 31, 2020. 
(3) The term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ 
means an organization that is chartered under part 
B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code, and 
includes any local or area chapter, post, or other 
unit. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$25,000,000, to remain available until expended. 
SEC. 5129. INCLUSION OF VETERANS IN HOUSING PLAN-
NING. 
(a) PUBLIC
HOUSING
AGENCY
PLANS.—Section 
5A(d)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437c–1(d)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘and dis-
abled families’’ and inserting ‘‘, disabled families, and vet-
erans (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code)’’. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE
HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY 
STRATEGIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 105 of the Cran-
ston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 
U.S.C. 12705) is amended— 
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(A) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ‘‘vet-
erans (as such term is defined in section 101 of 
title 38, United States Code),’’ after ‘‘acquired 
immunodeficiency syndrome,’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)(20), by striking ‘‘and 
service’’ and inserting ‘‘veterans service, and 
other service’’; and 
(C) in subsection (e)(1), by inserting ‘‘vet-
erans (as such term is defined in section 101 of 
title 38, United States Code),’’ after ‘‘homeless 
persons,’’. 
(2) CONSOLIDATED PLANS.—The Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development shall revise the 
regulations relating to submission of consolidated 
plans (part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regula-
tions) in accordance with the amendments made by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection to require inclusion 
of appropriate information relating to veterans and 
veterans service agencies in all such plans. 
SEC. 5130. ANNUAL REPORT ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 
VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31 of 
each year, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment shall submit a report on the activities of the Depart-
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ment of Housing and Urban Development relating to vet-
erans during such year to the following: 
(1) The Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs of the Senate. 
(2) The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate. 
(3) The Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate. 
(4) The Committee on Financial Services of the 
House of Representatives. 
(5) The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives. 
(6) The Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives. 
(7) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each report required under sub-
section (a) shall include the following information with re-
spect to the year for which the report is submitted: 
(1) The number of homeless veterans provided 
assistance under the program of housing choice 
vouchers for homeless veterans under section 
8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
(42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)), the socioeconomic charac-
teristics and racial characteristics of such homeless 
veterans, and the number, types, and locations of en-
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tities contracted under such section to administer 
the vouchers. 
(2) The number of homeless veterans provided 
assistance under the Tribal HUD–VA Supportive 
Housing Program (HUD–VASH) authorized by the 
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropria-
tions Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113–235; 128 Stat. 2733), 
the socioeconomic characteristics and racial charac-
teristics of such homeless veterans, and the number, 
types, and locations of entities contracted under 
such section to administer the vouchers. 
(3) A summary description of the special con-
siderations made for veterans under public housing 
agency plans submitted pursuant to section 5A of 
the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
1437c–1) and under comprehensive housing afford-
ability strategies submitted pursuant to section 105 
of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Hous-
ing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705). 
(4) A description of the activities of the Special 
Assistant for Veterans Affairs. 
(5) A description of the efforts of the Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Development to coordi-
nate the delivery of housing and services to veterans 
with other Federal departments and agencies, in-
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cluding the Department of Defense, Department of 
Justice, Department of Labor, Department of 
Health and Human Services, Department of Vet-
erans Affairs, and the Interagency Council on 
Homelessness. 
(6) The cost to the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development of administering the programs 
and activities relating to veterans. 
(7) Any other information that the Secretary 
considers relevant in assessing the programs and ac-
tivities of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development relating to veterans. 
(c) ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING NEEDS OF VERY LOW- 
INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—For the first report sub-
mitted pursuant to subsection (a) and every fifth re-
port thereafter, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall— 
(A) conduct an assessment of the housing 
needs of very low-income veteran families (as 
such term is defined in paragraph 5); and 
(B) shall include in each such report find-
ings regarding such assessment. 
(2) CONTENT.—Each assessment under this 
subsection shall include— 
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(A) conducting a survey of, and direct 
interviews with, a representative sample of very 
low-income veteran families (as such term is de-
fined in paragraph 5) to determine past and 
current— 
(i) socioeconomic characteristics of 
such veteran families; 
(ii) barriers to such veteran families 
obtaining safe, quality, and affordable 
housing; 
(iii) levels of homelessness among 
such veteran families; and 
(iv) levels and circumstances of, and 
barriers to, receipt by such veteran families 
of rental housing and homeownership as-
sistance; and 
(B) such other information that the Sec-
retary determines, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs and national non-
governmental organizations concerned with vet-
erans, homelessness, and very low-income hous-
ing, may be useful to the assessment. 
(3) CONDUCT.—If the Secretary contracts with 
an entity other than the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development to conduct the assessment 
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under this subsection, such entity shall be a non-
governmental organization determined by the Sec-
retary to have appropriate expertise in quantitative 
and qualitative social science research. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Housing and Urban Development, to be 
available until expended to carry out this subsection, 
$1,000,000. 
(5) VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILY.—The 
term ‘‘very low-income veteran family’’ means a vet-
eran family whose income does not exceed 50 per-
cent of the median income for the area, as deter-
mined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller 
and larger families, except that the Secretary may 
establish an income ceiling higher or lower than 50 
percent of the median for the area on the basis of 
the Secretary’s findings that such variations are nec-
essary because of prevailing levels of construction 
costs or fair market rents (as determined under sec-
tion 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
U.S.C. 1437f)). 
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SEC. 5131. PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED DUR-
ING WORLD WAR II IN THE UNITED STATES 
MERCHANT MARINE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPENSATION FUND.— 
Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 534. Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund 
‘‘(a) COMPENSATION FUND.—(1) There is in the gen-
eral fund of the Treasury a fund to be known as the ‘Mer-
chant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund’ (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘compensation fund’). 
‘‘(2) Subject to the availability of appropriations pro-
vided in advance in a appropriations Act specifically for 
the purpose of carrying out this section, and no other 
funding source, amounts in the compensation fund shall 
be available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation 
to make payments to eligible individuals in accordance 
with this section. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.—(1) An eligible indi-
vidual is an individual who— 
‘‘(A) during the one-year period beginning on 
the date of the enactment of this section, submits to 
the Secretary an application containing such infor-
mation and assurances as the Secretary may require; 
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‘‘(B) has not received benefits under the Serv-
icemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (Public Law 
78–346); and 
‘‘(C) has engaged in qualified service. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), a person has en-
gaged in qualified service if, between December 7, 1941, 
and December 31, 1946, the person— 
‘‘(A) was a member of the United States mer-
chant marine (including the Army Transport Service 
and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crew-
member of a vessel that was— 
‘‘(i) operated by the War Shipping Admin-
istration or the Office of Defense Transpor-
tation (or an agent of the Administration or Of-
fice); 
‘‘(ii) operated in waters other than inland 
waters, the Great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, 
and harbors of the United States; 
‘‘(iii) under contract or charter to, or prop-
erty of, the Government of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(iv) serving the Armed Forces; and 
‘‘(B) while so serving, was licensed or otherwise 
documented for service as a crewmember of such a 
vessel by an officer or employee of the United States 
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authorized to license or document the person for 
such service. 
‘‘(3) In determining the information and assurances 
required in the application pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), 
the Secretary shall accept a DD–214 form as proof of 
qualified service. 
‘‘(c) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.—The Secretary shall 
make one payment out of the compensation fund in the 
amount of $25,000 to an eligible individual. The Secretary 
shall make such a payment to eligible individuals in the 
order in which the Secretary receives the applications of 
the eligible individuals. Payments may only be made sub-
ject to the availability of funds provided in advance in an 
appropriations Act for this purpose. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2022 
$125,000,000 for the compensation fund. Such amount 
shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(e) REPORTS.—The Secretary shall include, in docu-
ments submitted to Congress by the Secretary in support 
of the President’s budget for each fiscal year, detailed in-
formation on the operation of the compensation fund, in-
cluding the number of applicants, the number of eligible 
individuals receiving benefits, the amounts paid out of the 
compensation fund, the administration of the compensa-
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tion fund, and an estimate of the amounts necessary to 
fully fund the compensation fund for that fiscal year and 
each of the three subsequent fiscal years. 
‘‘(f) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall prescribe 
regulations to carry out this section.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
prescribe the regulations required under section 534(f) of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item related to section 532 the following new 
item: 
‘‘534. Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund.’’. 
SEC. 5132. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HOSPITAL 
CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND NURSING 
HOME CARE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE VETERANS 
OF WORLD WAR II. 
Section 1710(a)(2)(E) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘of the Mexican border period 
or of World War I;’’ and inserting ‘‘of—’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
clauses: 
‘‘(i) the Mexican border period; 
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‘‘(ii) World War I; or 
‘‘(iii) World War II;’’. 
SEC. 5133. PILOT PROGRAM ON CYBERSECURITY TRAINING 
FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY SPOUSES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Home-
land Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, shall establish a pilot program under which 
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide cyberse-
curity training to eligible individuals at no cost to such 
individuals. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The cybersecurity training provided 
under the pilot program shall include— 
(1) coursework and training that, if applicable, 
qualifies for postsecondary credit toward an asso-
ciate or baccalaureate degree at an institution of 
higher education; 
(2) virtual learning opportunities; 
(3) hands-on learning and performance-based 
assessments; 
(4) Federal work-based learning opportunities 
and programs; and 
(5) the provision of recognized postsecondary 
credentials to eligible individuals who complete the 
pilot program. 
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(c) ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible for the pilot 
program under this section an individual shall be— 
(A) a veteran who is entitled to educational 
assistance under chapter 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 
of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 
of title 10, United States Code; 
(B) a member of an active or a reserve 
component of the Armed Forces who the Sec-
retary determines will become an eligible indi-
vidual under paragraph (1) within 180 days of 
the date of such determination; or 
(C) an eligible spouse described in section 
1784a(b) of title 10, United States Code. 
(2) NO
CHARGE
TO
ENTITLEMENT.—In the 
case of an individual described in paragraph (1)(A), 
training under this section shall be provided to the 
individual without charge to the entitlement of the 
individual to educational assistance under the laws 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(d) ALIGNMENT WITH NICE WORKFORCE FRAME-
WORK FOR CYBERSECURITY.—In carrying out the pilot 
program, the Secretary shall ensure alignment with the 
taxonomy, including work roles and competencies and the 
associated tasks, knowledge, and skills, from the National 
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Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Workforce Frame-
work for Cybersecurity (NIST Special Publication 800– 
181, Revision 1), or successor framework. 
(e) COORDINATION.— 
(1) 
TRAINING, 
PLATFORMS, 
AND
FRAME-
WORKS.—In developing the pilot program, the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of 
Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the Director of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, and 
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
to evaluate and, where possible, leverage existing 
training, platforms, and frameworks of the Federal 
Government for providing cybersecurity education 
and training to prevent duplication of efforts. 
(2) FEDERAL WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPOR-
TUNITIES AND PROGRAMS.—In developing the Fed-
eral work-based learning opportunities and programs 
required under subsection (b)(4), the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall coordinate with the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, 
the Secretary of Labor, the Director of the Office of 
Personnel Management, and the heads of other ap-
propriate Federal agencies to identify or create, as 
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necessary, interagency opportunities to provide par-
ticipants in the pilot program with— 
(A) opportunities to acquire and dem-
onstrate competencies; and 
(B) the capabilities necessary to qualify for 
Federal employment. 
(f) RESOURCES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In any case in which the 
pilot program— 
(A) uses training, platforms, and frame-
works described in subsection (e)(1), the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall en-
sure that the trainings, platforms, and frame-
works are expanded and resourced to accommo-
date usage by eligible individuals participating 
in the pilot program; or 
(B) does not use training, platforms, and 
frameworks described in subsection (e)(1), the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall de-
velop or procure training, platforms, and frame-
works necessary to carry out the requirements 
of subsection (b) and accommodate the usage 
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by eligible individuals participating in the pilot 
program. 
(2) ACTIONS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), 
the Secretary of Homeland Security may provide ad-
ditional funding, staff, or other resources to— 
(A) recruit and retain women, underrep-
resented minorities, and individuals from other 
underrepresented communities; 
(B) provide administrative support for 
basic functions of the pilot program; 
(C) ensure the success and ongoing en-
gagement of eligible individuals participating in 
the pilot program; 
(D) connect participants who complete the 
pilot program to job opportunities within the 
Federal Government; and 
(E) allocate dedicated positions for term 
employment to enable Federal work-based 
learning opportunities and programs, as re-
quired under subsection (b)(4), for participants 
to gain the competencies necessary to pursue 
permanent Federal employment. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
(1) SECRETARY.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date on which the pilot program is established, 
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and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report on the pilot program. Such re-
port shall include— 
(A) a description of— 
(i) any activity carried out by the De-
partment of Homeland Security under this 
section; and 
(ii) the existing training, platforms, 
and frameworks of the Federal Govern-
ment leveraged in accordance with sub-
section (e)(1); and 
(B) an assessment of the results achieved 
by the pilot program, including— 
(i) the admittance rate into the pilot 
program; 
(ii) the demographics of participants 
in the program, including representation of 
women, underrepresented minorities, and 
individuals from other underrepresented 
communities; 
(iii) the completion rate for the pilot 
program, including if there are any identi-
fiable patterns with respect to participants 
who do not complete the pilot program; 
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(iv) as applicable, the transfer rates to 
other academic or vocational programs, 
and certifications and licensure exam pas-
sage rates; 
(v) the rate of continued employment 
within a Federal agency for participants 
after completing the pilot program; 
(vi) the rate of continued employment 
for participants after completing the pilot 
program; and 
(vii) the median annual salary of par-
ticipants who completed the pilot program 
and were subsequently employed. 
(2) COMPTROLLER GENERAL.—Not later than 
4 years after the date on which the pilot program 
is established, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot 
program, including the recommendation of the 
Comptroller General with respect to whether the 
pilot program should be extended. 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
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(2) The term ‘‘recognized postsecondary creden-
tial’’ has the meaning given the term in section 3 of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3102). 
(3) The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(4) The term ‘‘work-based learning’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. 
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302). 
(i) TERMINATION.—The authority to carry out the 
pilot program under this section shall terminate on the 
date that is 5 years after the date on which the Secretary 
establishes the pilot program under this section. 
(j) FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE ASSESS-
MENT EXTENSION.—Section 304(a) of the Federal Cyber-
security Workforce Assessment Act of 2015 (5 U.S.C. 301 
note) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘2022’’ and inserting ‘‘2025’’. 
SEC. 5134. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AWARE-
NESS CAMPAIGN ON FERTILITY SERVICES. 
(a) AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall conduct an awareness campaign re-
garding the types of fertility treatments, procedures, and 
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services covered under the medical benefits package of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs that are available to vet-
erans experiencing issues with fertility. 
(b) MODES OF OUTREACH.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall ensure that a variety of 
modes of outreach are incorporated into the awareness 
campaign under such subsection, taking into consideration 
the age range of the veteran population. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees a report that 
includes a summary of the actions that have been taken 
to implement the awareness campaign under subsection 
(a) and how the Secretary plans to better engage women 
veterans, to ensure awareness of such veterans regarding 
covered fertility services available. 
(d) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate con-
gressional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committees on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate; and 
(2) the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate. 
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TITLE LII—HOMELAND 
SECURITY MATTERS 
SEC. 5201. CHEMICAL SECURITY ANALYSIS CENTER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 323. CHEMICAL SECURITY ANALYSIS CENTER. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall 
designate the laboratory described in subsection (b) as an 
additional laboratory pursuant to the authority under sec-
tion 308(c)(2). Such laboratory shall be used to conduct 
studies and analyses for assessing the threat and hazards 
associated with an accidental or intentional large-scale 
chemical event or chemical terrorism event. 
‘‘(b) LABORATORY DESCRIBED.—The laboratory de-
scribed in this subsection is the laboratory known, as of 
the date of the enactment of this section, as the Chemical 
Security Analysis Center. 
‘‘(c) LABORATORY ACTIVITIES.—The Chemical Secu-
rity Analysis Center shall— 
‘‘(1) identify and develop countermeasures to 
chemical threats, including the development of com-
prehensive, research-based definable goals for such 
countermeasures; 
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‘‘(2) provide an enduring science-based chemical 
threat and hazard analysis capability; 
‘‘(3) provide expertise in risk and consequence 
modeling, chemical sensing and detection, analytical 
chemistry, chemical toxicology, synthetic chemistry 
and reaction characterization, and nontraditional 
chemical agents and emerging chemical threats; 
‘‘(4) staff and operate a technical assistance 
program that provides operational support and sub-
ject matter expertise, design and execute laboratory 
and field tests, and provide a comprehensive knowl-
edge repository of chemical threat information that 
is continuously updated with data from scientific, in-
telligence, operational, and private sector sources; 
and 
‘‘(5) carry out such other activities as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be construed as affecting in any manner the au-
thorities or responsibilities of the Countering Weapons of 
Mass Destruction Office of the Department.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
322 the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 323. Chemical Security Analysis Center.’’. 
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SEC. 5202. NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS 
CONSORTIUM. 
The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consor-
tium Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–122; 6 U.S.C. 652 
note) is amended— 
(1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ‘‘The 
Secretary may work with one or more consortia’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘The Secretary 
shall work with not fewer than three consortia’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘In selecting a consortium’’ and in-
serting ‘‘In selecting the consortia’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Geo-
graphic diversity of the members of any such 
consortium’’ and inserting ‘‘Regional diversity 
of such consortia, and geographic diversity of 
the members of such consortia,’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘If the Sec-
retary works with a consortium’’ and inserting ‘‘In 
working with the consortia’’. 
SEC. 5203. REPORT ON CYBERSECURITY ROLES AND RE-
SPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
HOMELAND SECURITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Home-
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land Security, in coordination with the Director of the Cy-
bersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the De-
partment of Homeland Security, shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
ernmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the roles and 
responsibilities of the Department and its components re-
lating to cyber incident response. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) A review of how the cyber incident response 
plans under section 2210(c) of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 660(c)) are utilized in 
the Federal Government’s response to a cyber inci-
dent. 
(2) An explanation of the roles and responsibil-
ities of the Department of Homeland Security and 
its components with responsibility for, or in support 
of, the Federal Government’s response to a cyber in-
cident, including primary responsibility for working 
with impacted private sector entities. 
(3) An explanation of which and how authori-
ties of the Department and its components are uti-
lized in the Federal Government’s response to a 
cyber incident. 
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(4) Recommendations to provide further clarity 
for roles and responsibilities of the Department and 
its components relating to cyber incident response. 
SEC. 5204. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN HOMELAND SECURITY 
FEES FOR CERTAIN IMMEDIATE RELATIVES 
OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO RECEIVED THE PUR-
PLE HEART. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Home-
land Security shall include on a certain application or peti-
tion an opportunity for certain immediate relatives of an 
individual who was awarded the Purple Heart to identify 
themselves as such an immediate relative. 
(b) FEE EXEMPTION.—The Secretary shall exempt 
certain immediate relatives of an individual who was 
awarded the Purple Heart, who identifies as such an im-
mediate relative on a certain application or petition, from 
a fee with respect to a certain application or petition and 
any associated fee for biometrics. 
(c) PENDING APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS.—The 
Secretary of Homeland Security may waive fees for a cer-
tain application or petition and any associated fee for bio-
metrics for certain immediate relatives of an individual 
who was awarded the Purple Heart, if such application 
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or petition is submitted not more than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CERTAIN APPLICATION OR PETITION.—The 
term ‘‘certain application or petition’’ means— 
(A) an application using Form–400, Appli-
cation for Naturalization (or any successor 
form); or 
(B) a petition using Form I-360, Petition 
for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immi-
grant (or any successor form). 
(2) CERTAIN IMMEDIATE RELATIVES OF AN IN-
DIVIDUAL
WHO
WAS
AWARDED
THE
PURPLE 
HEART.—The term ‘‘certain immediate relatives of 
an individual who was awarded the Purple Heart’’ 
means an immediate relative of a living or deceased 
member of the Armed Forces who was awarded the 
Purple Heart and who is not a person ineligible for 
military honors pursuant to section 985(a) of title 
10, United States Code. 
(3) IMMEDIATE RELATIVE.—The term ‘‘imme-
diate relative’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 201(b) of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)). 
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SEC. 5205. CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING SCOPE OF EM-
PLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
(a) CLARIFICATION
REGARDING
DEFINITION
OF 
RIGHTS AND BENEFITS.—Section 4303(2) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ before ‘‘The term’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(B) Any procedural protections or provisions 
set forth in this chapter shall also be considered a 
right or benefit subject to the protection of this 
chapter.’’. 
(b) CLARIFICATION
REGARDING
RELATION
TO 
OTHER LAW AND PLANS FOR AGREEMENTS.—Section 
4302 of such title is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(c)(1) Pursuant to this section and the procedural 
rights afforded by subchapter III of this chapter, any 
agreement to arbitrate a claim under this chapter is unen-
forceable, unless all parties consent to arbitration after a 
complaint on the specific claim has been filed in court or 
with the Merit Systems Protection Board and all parties 
knowingly and voluntarily consent to have that particular 
claim subjected to arbitration. 
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‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, consent shall 
not be considered voluntary when a person is required to 
agree to arbitrate an action, complaint, or claim alleging 
a violation of this chapter as a condition of future or con-
tinued employment, advancement in employment, or re-
ceipt of any right or benefit of employment.’’. 
SEC. 5206. CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY SECURITY CENTERS. 
(a) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY SECURITY CENTERS.— 
Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
‘‘SEC. 323. CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY SECURITY CENTERS. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science 
and Technology, and in coordination with the Director, 
shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
to covered entities for the establishment of not fewer than 
two cybersecurity-focused Critical Technology Security 
Centers to evaluate and test the security of critical tech-
nology. 
‘‘(b) EVALUATION AND TESTING.—In carrying out 
the evaluation and testing of the security of critical tech-
nology pursuant to subsection (a), the Critical Technology 
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Security Centers referred to in such subsection shall ad-
dress the following technologies: 
‘‘(1) The security of information and commu-
nications technology that underpins national critical 
functions related to communications. 
‘‘(2) The security of networked industrial equip-
ment, such as connected programmable data logic 
controllers and supervisory control and data acquisi-
tion servers. 
‘‘(3) The security of open source software that 
underpins national critical functions. 
‘‘(4) The security of critical software used by 
the Federal Government. 
‘‘(c) ADDITION OR TERMINATION OF CENTERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for 
Science and Technology may, in coordination with 
the Director, award or terminate grants, contracts, 
or cooperative agreements to covered entities for the 
establishment of additional or termination of exist-
ing Critical Technology Security Centers to address 
critical technologies. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The authority provided 
under paragraph (1) may be exercised except if such 
exercise would result in the operation at any time of 
fewer than two Critical Technology Security Centers. 
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‘‘(d) SELECTION OF CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Before awarding a grant, 
contract, or cooperative agreement to a covered enti-
ty to establish a Critical Technology Security Cen-
ter, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology 
shall coordinate with the Director, who shall provide 
the Under Secretary a list of critical technologies or 
specific guidance on such technologies that would be 
within the remit of any such Center. 
‘‘(2) EXPANSION
AND
MODIFICATION.—The 
Under Secretary for Science and Technology, in co-
ordination with the Director, is authorized to expand 
or modify at any time the list of critical technologies 
or specific guidance on technologies referred to in 
paragraph (1) that is within the remit of a proposed 
or established Critical Technology Security Center. 
‘‘(e) RESPONSIBILITIES.—In carrying out the evalua-
tion and testing of the security of critical technology pur-
suant to subsection (a), the Critical Technology Security 
Centers referred to in such subsection shall each have the 
following responsibilities: 
‘‘(1) Conducting rigorous security testing to 
identify vulnerabilities in such technologies. 
‘‘(2) Utilizing the coordinated vulnerability dis-
closure processes established under subsection (g) to 
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report to the developers of such technologies and, as 
appropriate, to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure 
Security 
Agency, 
information 
relating 
to 
vulnerabilities discovered and any information nec-
essary to reproduce such vulnerabilities. 
‘‘(3) Developing new capabilities for improving 
the security of such technologies, including vulner-
ability discovery, management, and mitigation. 
‘‘(4) 
Assessing 
the 
security 
of 
software, 
firmware, and hardware that underpin national crit-
ical functions. 
‘‘(5) Supporting existing communities of inter-
est, including through grant making, in remediating 
vulnerabilities discovered within such technologies. 
‘‘(6) Utilizing findings to inform and support 
the future work of the Cybersecurity and Infrastruc-
ture Security Agency. 
‘‘(f) RISK BASED EVALUATIONS.—Unless otherwise 
directed pursuant to guidance issued by the Under Sec-
retary or Director under subsection (d), to the greatest 
extent practicable activities carried out pursuant to the re-
sponsibilities specified in subsection (e) shall leverage risk- 
based evaluations to focus on activities that have the 
greatest effect practicable on the security of the critical 
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technologies within each Critical Technology Security Cen-
ter’s remit, such as the following: 
‘‘(1) Developing capabilities that can detect or 
eliminate entire classes of vulnerabilities. 
‘‘(2) Testing for vulnerabilities in the most 
widely used technology or vulnerabilities that affect 
many such critical technologies. 
‘‘(g) COORDINATED VULNERABILITY DISCLOSURE 
PROCESSES.—Each Critical Technology Security Center 
shall establish, in coordination with the Director, coordi-
nated vulnerability disclosure processes regarding the dis-
closure of vulnerabilities that— 
‘‘(1) are adhered to when a vulnerability is dis-
covered or disclosed by each such Center, consistent 
with international standards and coordinated vulner-
ability disclosure best practices; and 
‘‘(2) are published on the website of each such 
Center. 
‘‘(h) APPLICATION.—To be eligible for an award of 
a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement as a Critical 
Technology Security Center pursuant to subsection (a), a 
covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an application 
at such time, in such manner, and including such informa-
tion as the Secretary may require. 
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‘‘(i) PUBLIC REPORTING
OF VULNERABILITIES.— 
The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall en-
sure that vulnerabilities discovered by a Critical Tech-
nology Security Center are reported to the National Vul-
nerability Database of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, as appropriate and using the coordinated 
vulnerability disclosure processes established under sub-
section (g). 
‘‘(j) ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.—The Under Secretary 
for Science and Technology, in coordination with the Di-
rector, shall develop, and periodically update, guidance, in-
cluding eligibility and any additional requirements, relat-
ing to how Critical Technology Security Centers may 
award grants to communities of interest pursuant to sub-
section (e)(5) to remediate vulnerabilities and take other 
actions under such subsection and subsection (k). 
‘‘(k) 
OPEN
SOURCE
SOFTWARE
SECURITY 
GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Any Critical Technology 
Security Center addressing open source software se-
curity may award grants, in consultation with the 
Under Secretary for Science and Technology and Di-
rector, to individual open source software developers 
and maintainers, nonprofit organizations, and other 
non-Federal entities as determined appropriate by 
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any such Center, to fund improvements to the secu-
rity of the open source software ecosystem. 
‘‘(2) IMPROVEMENTS.—A grant awarded under 
paragraph (1) may include improvements such as 
the following: 
‘‘(A) Security audits. 
‘‘(B) Funding for developers to patch 
vulnerabilities. 
‘‘(C) Addressing code, infrastructure, and 
structural weaknesses, including rewrites of 
open source software components in memory- 
safe programming languages. 
‘‘(D) Research and tools to assess and im-
prove the overall security of the open source 
software ecosystem, such as improved software 
fault isolation techniques. 
‘‘(E) Training and other tools to aid open 
source software developers in the secure devel-
opment of open source software, including se-
cure coding practices and secure systems archi-
tecture. 
‘‘(3) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under 
paragraph (1), a Critical Technology Security Cen-
ter shall prioritize, to the greatest extent practicable, 
the following: 
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‘‘(A) Where applicable, open source soft-
ware components identified in guidance from 
the Director, or if no such guidance is so pro-
vided, utilizing the risk-based evaluation de-
scribed in subsection (f). 
‘‘(B) Activities that most promote the 
long-term security of the open source software 
ecosystem. 
‘‘(l) BIENNIAL REPORTS TO UNDER SECRETARY.— 
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this section and every two years thereafter, each Critical 
Technology Security Center shall submit to the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology and Director a re-
port that includes the following: 
‘‘(1) A summary of the work performed by such 
Center. 
‘‘(2) Information relating to the allocation of 
Federal funds at such Center. 
‘‘(3) A description of each vulnerability that has 
been publicly disclosed pursuant to subsection (g), 
including information relating to the corresponding 
software weakness. 
‘‘(4) An assessment of the criticality of each 
such vulnerability. 
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‘‘(5) A list of critical technologies studied by 
such Center. 
‘‘(6) An overview of the methodologies used by 
such Center, such as tactics, techniques, and proce-
dures. 
‘‘(7) A description of such Center’s development 
of capabilities for vulnerability discovery, manage-
ment, and mitigation. 
‘‘(8) A summary of such Center’s support to ex-
isting communities of interest, including an account-
ing of dispersed grant funds. 
‘‘(9) For such Center, if applicable, a summary 
of any grants awarded during the period covered by 
the report that includes the following: 
‘‘(A) An identification of the entity to 
which each such grant was awarded. 
‘‘(B) The amount of each such grant. 
‘‘(C) The purpose of each such grant. 
‘‘(D) The expected impact of each such 
grant. 
‘‘(10) The coordinated vulnerability disclosure 
processes established by such Center. 
‘‘(m) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Upon receiving the 
reports required under subsection (l), the Under Secretary 
for Science and Technology shall submit to the appro-
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Homeland Security of the House of Representa-
tives, the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Government Affairs of the Senate, the Perma-
nent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
House of Representatives, and the Select Com-
mittee on Intelligence of the Senate, a report 
that— 
‘‘(i) provides an overview of the intel-
ligence information shared with system-
ically important entities; and 
‘‘(ii) evaluates the relevance and suc-
cess of the classified, actionable informa-
tion the intelligence community (as such 
term is defined in section 3(4) of the Na-
tional Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
3003(4)) provided to systemically impor-
tant entities. 
‘‘(E) INTELLIGENCE
SHARING.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, information 
or intelligence shared with systemically impor-
tant entities under the processes established 
under this subsection shall not constitute favor-
ing one private entity over another. 
‘‘(f) PRIORITIZATION.—In allocating Department re-
sources, the Secretary shall prioritize systemically impor-
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(A) efforts of the Federal Government to 
address or improve the cybersecurity of com-
mercial satellite systems and support related ef-
forts with international entities or the private 
sector; 
(B) the resources made available to the 
public by Federal agencies to address cyberse-
curity risks and cybersecurity threats to com-
mercial satellite systems; 
(C) the extent to which commercial sat-
ellite systems and the cybersecurity threats to 
such systems are integrated into critical infra-
structure risk analyses and protection plans of 
the Department of Homeland Security; and 
(D) the extent to which Federal agencies 
coordinate or duplicate authorities and take 
other actions focused on the cybersecurity of 
commercial satellite systems. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out para-
graphs (1) and (2), the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall coordinate with appropriate Fed-
eral agencies and organizations, including— 
(A) the Department of Homeland Security; 
(B) the Department of Commerce; 
(C) the Department of Defense; 
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