H. R. 5515—389 
for the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of security coopera-
tion activities in accordance with section 383 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(b) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.—Of the amount for Oper-
ation and Maintenance, Defense-wide made available to the Depart-
ment of Defense for fiscal year 2019 for activities under section 
333 of title 10, United States Code, not more than 50 percent 
may be expended until the Secretary submits to the appropriate 
congressional committees (as such term is defined in section 301(1) 
of title 10, United States Code) a written plan for the expenditure 
of the amount allocated under subsection (a), including— 
(1) a description of the activities planned for fiscal year 
2019 for the evaluation of security cooperation programs across 
the security cooperation enterprise, including through chapter 
16 of title 10, United States Code, the Afghanistan Security 
Forces Fund, the Counter-ISIL Fund, the cooperative threat 
reduction program, and other security cooperation authorities 
as appropriate; and 
(2) a description of the activities planned for fiscal year 
2019 for the training, support, and organization of the Depart-
ment to effectively carry out responsibilities under section 383 
of title 10, United States Code. 
(c) MODIFICATION OF ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, AND EVALUA-
TION OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.—Section 383(b)(1) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) Incorporation of lessons learned from prior security 
cooperation programs and activities of the Department of 
Defense that were carried out any time on or after Sep-
tember 11, 2001.’’. 
SEC. 1212. LEGAL AND POLICY REVIEW OF ADVISE, ASSIST, AND 
ACCOMPANY MISSIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for 
Policy, in coordination with the General Counsel of the Department 
of Defense and the commanders of appropriate combatant com-
mands, shall— 
(1) conduct a review of the legal and policy frameworks 
associated with advise, assist, and accompany missions by 
United States military personnel; and 
(2) submit to the Secretary of Defense a report on the 
results of such review. 
(b) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which the Secretary receives the report required by 
subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees the report together with any comments by 
the Secretary that amplify or clarify the report. 
(c) ELEMENTS.—The report and review required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An analysis of the risks and benefits of United States 
military personnel conducting advise, assist, and accompany 
missions with foreign partner forces, and an assessment of 
the relation of such risks and benefits to United States security 
objectives. 
(2) A review of applicable execute orders and theater and 
functional campaign plans in order to ensure that such orders 
and plans comply with United States law for the employment
H. R. 5515—390 
of United States military personnel and capabilities to advise, 
assist, and accompany foreign partner forces. 
(3) An explanation of the fiscal and operational authorities 
applicable to advise, assist, and accompany missions, including 
a differentiation between— 
(A) advise, assist, and accompany missions conducted 
by United States military personnel under an execute order 
with partner forces; and 
(B) accompany missions conducted by United States 
military personnel with foreign partner forces also affiliated 
with a program authorized by section 127e or 333 of title 
10, United States Code. 
(4) An explanation of the domestic and international legal 
bases for the use of United States military personnel to provide 
collective self-defense in support of designated foreign partner 
forces inside and outside areas of active hostilities, and a 
description of any legal or policy limitation on the provision 
of collective self-defense in support of such designated foreign 
partner forces. 
(5) An assessment whether the legal and policy frameworks 
applicable to advise, assist, and accompany missions by United 
States military personnel are adequately communicated to and 
understood at all levels of operational command. 
(6) An assessment whether approvals and permissions 
related to advise, assist, and accompany missions are made 
at the appropriate level of command. 
(7) A definition, and policy guidance, for the appropriate 
use in execute orders and military doctrine of each of the 
following: 
(A) Advise. 
(B) Assist. 
(C) Accompany. 
(D) Self-defense. 
(E) Collective self-defense. 
(F) Combined operations. 
(G) Partnered operations. 
(H) Last point of cover and conceal. 
(8) Any other matters the Under Secretary or the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(d) FORM.—The report required by subsection (b) shall be sub-
mitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. 
SEC. 1213. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO SUP-
PORT BORDER SECURITY OPERATIONS OF CERTAIN FOR-
EIGN COUNTRIES. 
(a) EXPANSION
OF AUTHORITY.—Paragraph (1) of subsection 
(a) of section 1226 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2016 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, with the 
concurrence of the Secretary of State, is authorized to provide 
support on a reimbursement basis as follows: 
‘‘(A) To the Government of Jordan for purposes of 
supporting and enhancing efforts of the armed forces of 
Jordan to increase security and sustain increased security 
along the border of Jordan with Syria and Iraq.
H. R. 5515—391 
‘‘(B) To the Government of Lebanon for purposes of 
supporting and enhancing efforts of the armed forces of 
Lebanon to increase security and sustain increased security 
along the border of Lebanon with Syria. 
‘‘(C) To the Government of Egypt for purposes of sup-
porting and enhancing efforts of the armed forces of Egypt 
to increase security and sustain increased security along 
the border of Egypt with Libya. 
‘‘(D) To the Government of Tunisia for purposes of 
supporting and enhancing efforts of the armed forces of 
Tunisia to increase security and sustain increased security 
along the border of Tunisia with Libya. 
‘‘(E) To the Government of Oman for purposes of sup-
porting and enhancing efforts of the armed forces of Oman 
to increase security and sustain increased security along 
the border of Oman with Yemen. 
‘‘(F) To the Government of Pakistan for purposes of 
supporting and enhancing efforts of the armed forces of 
Pakistan to increase security and sustain increased security 
along the border of Pakistan with Afghanistan.’’. 
(b) CERTIFICATION.—Subsection (d) of such section is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) NOTICE AND CERTIFICATION BEFORE EXERCISE.—Not later 
than 15 days before providing support under the authority of sub-
section (a) to a country that has not previously received such 
support, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary 
of State, shall submit to the specified congressional committees 
a report that— 
‘‘(1) sets forth a full description of the support to be pro-
vided, including— 
‘‘(A) the purpose of such support; 
‘‘(B) the amount of support to be provided; and 
‘‘(C) the anticipated duration of the provision of such 
support; and 
‘‘(2) includes a certification that— 
‘‘(A) the recipient country has taken demonstrable 
steps to increase security along the border specified for 
such country in subsection (a); and 
‘‘(B) the provision of such support is in the interest 
of United States national security.’’. 
(c) LIMITATION ON REIMBURSEMENT OF PAKISTAN.—Such section 
is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections 
(g) and (h), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new sub-
section (e): 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION
ON REIMBURSEMENT
OF PAKISTAN PENDING 
CERTIFICATION.—No amount of reimbursement support under sub-
section (a)(1)(F) is authorized to be disbursed to the Government 
of Pakistan unless the Secretary of Defense certifies to the congres-
sional defense committees that the following conditions are met: 
‘‘(1) The military and security operations of Pakistan per-
taining to border security and ancillary activities for which 
reimbursement is sought have been coordinated with United 
States military representatives in advance of the execution 
of such operations and activities.
H. R. 5515—392 
‘‘(2) The goals and desired outcomes of each such operation 
or activity have been established and agreed upon in advance 
by the United States and Pakistan. 
‘‘(3) A process exists to verify the achievement of the goals 
and desired outcomes established in accordance with paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(4) The Government of Pakistan is making an effort to 
actively coordinate with the Government of Afghanistan on 
issues relating to border security on the Afghanistan-Pakistan 
border.’’. 
(d) QUARTERLY REPORTS.—Such section is further amended by 
inserting after subsection (e), as so designated by subsection (c) 
of this section, the following new subsection (f): 
‘‘(f) QUARTERLY REPORTS.—Not later than 30 days after the 
end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the specified congressional committees a report on reimburse-
ments pursuant to subsection (a) during the preceding fiscal quarter 
that includes— 
‘‘(1) an identification of each country reimbursed; 
‘‘(2) the date of each reimbursement; 
‘‘(3) a description of any partner nation border security 
efforts for which reimbursement was provided; 
‘‘(4) an assessment of the value of partner nation border 
security efforts for which reimbursement was provided; 
‘‘(5) the total amounts of reimbursement provided to each 
partner nation in the preceding four fiscal quarters; and 
‘‘(6) such other matters as the Secretary considers appro-
priate.’’. 
(e) EXTENSION.—Subsection (h) of such section, as so redesig-
nated, is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2019’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2021’’. 
SEC. 1214. FRAMEWORK FOR OBTAINING CONCURRENCE FOR PARTICI-
PATION IN ACTIVITIES OF REGIONAL CENTERS FOR SECU-
RITY STUDIES. 
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the 
Secretary of State, shall establish and submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees, as such term is defined in section 301(1) 
of title 10, United States Code, a Memorandum of Agreement or 
other arrangement setting forth a framework for the procedures 
required between the Department of Defense and the Department 
of State to obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State, as 
required by law or policy, to allow non-defense and non-govern-
mental personnel of friendly foreign countries to participate in 
activities of the Department of Defense Regional Centers for Secu-
rity Studies. 
Subtitle B—Matters Relating to 
Afghanistan and Pakistan 
SEC. 1221. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER DEFENSE ARTI-
CLES AND PROVIDE DEFENSE SERVICES TO THE MILI-
TARY AND SECURITY FORCES OF AFGHANISTAN. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Subsection (h) of section 1222 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112–
H. R. 5515—393 
239; 126 Stat. 1992), as most recently amended by section 1211 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 
(Public Law 115–91; 131 Stat. 1648), is further amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2020’’. 
(b) EXCESS DEFENSE ARTICLES.—Subsection (i)(2) of such sec-
tion 1222, as so amended, is further amended by striking ‘‘December 
31, 2018,’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2020’’. 
SEC. 1222. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENTS FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS FOR AFGHAN 
ALLIES PROGRAM. 
Section 602 of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 
U.S.C. 1101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (10); 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (16) as 
paragraphs (10) through (15), respectively; 
(C) in paragraph (11)(A), as so redesignated, by striking 
‘‘the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2014’’ and inserting ‘‘the John S. McCain National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019’’; 
(D) in paragraph (12), as so redesignated, by striking 
‘‘paragraph (12)(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (11)(B)’’; and 
(E) in paragraph (13), as so redesignated, in the matter 
preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘a report to the’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘House of Representatives’’ 
and inserting ‘‘a report to the appropriate committees of 
Congress’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (c); and 
(3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c). 
SEC. 1223. AFGHANISTAN SECURITY FORCES FUND. 
(a) CONTINUATION
OF PRIOR AUTHORITIES
AND NOTICE
AND 
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Funds available to the Department 
of Defense for the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund for fiscal 
year 2019 shall be subject to the conditions contained in— 
(1) subsections (b) through (f) of section 1513 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public 
Law 110–181; 122 Stat. 428), as most recently amended by 
section 1521(d)(2)(A) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2577); 
and 
(2) section 1521(d)(1) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2017. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Section 1513(b)(1) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 is amended by striking 
‘‘security forces of Afghanistan’’ and inserting ‘‘security forces of 
the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior of the 
Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’’. 
(c) EQUIPMENT DISPOSITION.— 
(1) ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT.—Subject to para-
graph (2), the Secretary of Defense may accept equipment that 
is procured using amounts authorized to be appropriated for 
the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund by this Act and is 
intended for transfer to the security forces of Afghanistan, 
but is not accepted by such security forces.
H. R. 5515—394 
(2) CONDITIONS
ON
ACCEPTANCE
OF
EQUIPMENT.—Before 
accepting any equipment under the authority provided by para-
graph (1), the Commander of United States forces in Afghani-
stan shall make a determination that such equipment was 
procured for the purpose of meeting requirements of the secu-
rity forces of Afghanistan, as agreed to by both the Government 
of Afghanistan and the Government of the United States, but 
is no longer required by such security forces or was damaged 
before transfer to such security forces. 
(3) ELEMENTS OF DETERMINATION.—In making a determina-
tion under paragraph (2) regarding equipment, the Commander 
of United States forces in Afghanistan shall consider alter-
natives to the acceptance of such equipment by the Secretary. 
An explanation of each determination, including the basis for 
the determination and the alternatives considered, shall be 
included in the relevant quarterly report required under para-
graph (5). 
(4) TREATMENT
AS
DEPARTMENT
OF
DEFENSE
STOCKS.— 
Equipment accepted under the authority provided by paragraph 
(1) may be treated as stocks of the Department of Defense 
upon notification to the congressional defense committees of 
such treatment. 
(5) QUARTERLY REPORTS ON EQUIPMENT DISPOSITION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act and every 90-day period 
thereafter during which the authority provided by para-
graph (1) is exercised, the Secretary shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a report describing the 
equipment accepted during the period covered by such 
report under the following: 
(i) This subsection. 
(ii) Section 1521(b) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 
114–328; 130 Stat. 2575). 
(iii) Section 1531(b) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 
114–92; 129 Stat. 1088). 
(iv) Section 1532(b) of the Carl Levin and Howard 
P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 
3613). 
(v) Section 1531(d) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 
113–66; 127 Stat. 938; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note). 
(B) ELEMENTS.—Each report under subparagraph (A) 
shall include a list of all equipment that was accepted 
during the period covered by such report and treated as 
stocks of the Department of Defense and copies of the 
determinations made under paragraph (2), as required by 
paragraph (3). 
(d) SECURITY OF AFGHAN WOMEN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds available to the Department 
of Defense for the Afghan Security Forces Fund for fiscal year 
2019, it is the goal that $25,000,000, but in no event less 
than $10,000,000, shall be used for—
H. R. 5515—395 
(A) the recruitment, integration, retention, training, 
and treatment of women in the Afghan National Defense 
and Security Forces; and 
(B) the recruitment, training, and contracting of female 
security personnel for future elections. 
(2) TYPES OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.—Such programs 
and activities may include— 
(A) efforts to recruit women into the Afghan National 
Defense and Security Forces, including the special oper-
ations forces; 
(B) programs and activities of the Directorate of 
Human Rights and Gender Integration of the Ministry 
of Defense of Afghanistan and the Office of Human Rights, 
Gender and Child Rights of the Ministry of Interior of 
Afghanistan; 
(C) development and dissemination of gender and 
human rights educational and training materials and pro-
grams within the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry 
of Interior of Afghanistan; 
(D) efforts to address harassment and violence against 
women within the Afghan National Defense and Security 
Forces; 
(E) improvements to infrastructure that address the 
requirements of women serving in the Afghan National 
Defense and Security Forces, including appropriate equip-
ment for female security and police forces, and transpor-
tation for policewomen to their station; 
(F) support for Afghanistan National Police Family 
Response Units; and 
(G) security provisions for high-profile female police 
and military officers. 
(e) ASSESSMENT OF AFGHANISTAN PROGRESS ON OBJECTIVES.— 
(1) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.—Not later than May 1, 2019, 
the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of State, submit to the Committee on Armed Services 
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Armed Services and the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate an assessment 
describing— 
(A) the progress of the Government of the Islamic 
Republic of Afghanistan toward meeting shared security 
objectives; and 
(B) the efforts of the Government of the Islamic 
Republic of Afghanistan to manage, employ, and sustain 
the equipment and inventory provided under subsection 
(a). 
(2) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—In conducting the assess-
ment required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall 
include each of the following: 
(A) A consideration of the extent to which the Govern-
ment of Afghanistan has a strategy for, and has taken 
steps toward, increased accountability and the reduction 
of corruption within the Ministry of Defense and the Min-
istry of Interior of Afghanistan. 
(B) A consideration of the extent to which the capability 
and capacity of the Afghan National Defense and Security 
Forces have improved as a result of Afghanistan Security
H. R. 5515—396 
Forces Fund investment, including through training, and 
an articulation of the metrics used to assess such improve-
ments. 
(C) A consideration of the extent to which the Afghan 
National Defense and Security Forces have been able to 
increase pressure on the Taliban, al-Qaeda, the Haqqani 
network, and other terrorist organizations, including by 
re-taking territory, defending territory, and disrupting 
attacks. 
(D) A consideration of the distribution practices of the 
Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and whether 
the Government of Afghanistan is ensuring that supplies, 
equipment, and weaponry supplied by the United States 
are appropriately distributed to, and employed by, security 
forces charged with fighting the Taliban and other terrorist 
organizations. 
(E) A consideration of the extent to which the Govern-
ment of Afghanistan has designated the appropriate staff, 
prioritized the development of relevant processes, and pro-
vided or requested the allocation of resources necessary 
to support a peace and reconciliation process in Afghani-
stan. 
(F) A description of the ability of the Ministry of 
Defense and the Ministry of Interior of Afghanistan to 
manage and account for previously divested equipment, 
including a description of any vulnerabilities or weaknesses 
of the internal controls of such Ministry of Defense and 
Ministry of Interior and any plan in place to address short-
falls. 
(G) A description of the monitoring and evaluation 
systems in place to ensure assistance provided under sub-
section (a) is used only for the intended purposes. 
(H) A description of any significant irregularities in 
the divestment of equipment to the Afghan National 
Defense and Security Forces during the 5-year period begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act, including 
any major losses of such equipment or any inability on 
the part of the Afghan National Defense and Security 
Forces to account for equipment so procured. 
(I) A description of the sustainment and maintenance 
costs required during the 5-year period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act for major weapons plat-
forms previously divested, and a plan for how the Afghan 
National Defense and Security Forces intends to maintain 
such platforms in the future. 
(J) A consideration of the extent to which the Govern-
ment of Afghanistan is adhering to conditions for receiving 
assistance established in annual financial commitment let-
ters or any other bilateral agreements with the United 
States. 
(K) A consideration of the extent to which the Govern-
ment of Afghanistan has made progress in achieving secu-
rity sector benchmarks as outlined by the United States- 
Afghan Compact (commonly known as the ‘‘Kabul Com-
pact’’). 
(L) Such other factors as the Secretaries consider 
appropriate.
H. R. 5515—397 
(3) FORM.—The assessment required by paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
annex. 
(4) 
WITHHOLDING
OF
ASSISTANCE
FOR
INSUFFICIENT 
PROGRESS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Defense deter-
mines, in coordination with the Secretary of State, pursuant 
to the assessment under paragraph (1) that the Govern-
ment of Afghanistan has made insufficient progress in the 
areas described in paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense 
may withhold assistance for the Afghan National Defense 
and Security Forces until such time as the Secretary deter-
mines sufficient progress has been made. 
(B) NOTICE TO CONGRESS.—If the Secretary of Defense 
withholds assistance under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State, provide 
notice to Congress not later than 30 days after making 
the decision to withhold such assistance. 
SEC. 1224. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF COMMANDERS’ EMER-
GENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 1201 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 125 
Stat. 1619), as most recently amended by section 1211 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public 
Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2477), is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘December 31, 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘December 31, 2019’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2017 and 
fiscal year 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2017 through 2019’’; 
and 
(3) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘December 31, 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘December 31, 2019’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION.—Subsection (b) of section 1211 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public 
Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2477) is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘AND SYRIA’’ and inserting 
‘‘SYRIA, SOMALIA, LIBYA, AND YEMEN’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or Syria’’ and inserting 
‘‘Syria, Somalia, Libya, or Yemen’’. 
SEC. 1225. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR 
REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN COALITION NATIONS FOR 
SUPPORT PROVIDED TO UNITED STATES MILITARY OPER-
ATIONS. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Subsection (a) of section 1233 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110– 
181; 122 Stat. 393), as most recently amended by section 1212 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 
(Public Law 115–91), is further amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘October 1, 2017, and ending on December 31, 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2019’’; 
and 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) Pakistan for certain activities meant to enhance the 
security situation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region 
pursuant to section 1226 of the National Defense Authorization
H. R. 5515—398 
Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note), as amended 
by the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2019.’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION TO LIMITATIONS.—Subsection (d) of such sec-
tion is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the first sentence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘October 1, 2017, and ending on 
December 31, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018, 
and ending on December 31, 2019’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘$900,000,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$350,000,000’’; and 
(B) by striking the second sentence; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (3). 
(c) REPEAL
OF PROVISION RELATING
TO REIMBURSEMENT
TO 
PAKISTAN FOR SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES.—Such section 
is further amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (e); and 
(2) by redesignating subsections (f) through (h) as sub-
sections (e) through (g), respectively. 
(d) NOTICE TO CONGRESS.—Paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of 
such section, as redesignated by subsection (c) of this section, is 
amended by striking the second sentence. 
Subtitle C—Matters Relating to Syria, Iraq, 
and Iran 
SEC. 1231. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PRO-
VIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE VETTED SYRIAN OPPOSITION. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 1209(a) of the Carl Levin and Howard 
P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3559), as most recently 
amended by section 1221(a) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2485), 
is further amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2019’’. 
(b) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS IN GENERAL.— 
(1) LIMITATION.—None of the funds authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of Defense 
may be obligated or expended for activities under the authority 
in section 1209 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, as 
amended by subsection (a), until the later of the following: 
(A) The date on which the President submits the report 
on United States strategy in Syria required by section 
1221 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91; 131 Stat. 1650). 
(B) The date that is 30 days after the date on which 
the Secretary of Defense submits the report described in 
paragraph (2). 
(2) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
setting forth the following:
H. R. 5515—399 
(i) A description of the efforts the United States 
will undertake to train and equip appropriately vetted 
Syrian opposition forces, and a description of any roles 
or contributions of partner countries with respect to 
such efforts. 
(ii) A detailed description of the internal security 
forces of the vetted Syrian opposition to be trained 
and equipped under such authority, including a 
description of their geographic locations, demographic 
profiles, political affiliations, current capabilities, and 
relation to the objectives under the authority in section 
1209 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2015, as amended by subsection (a). 
(iii) An assessment of the current operational 
effectiveness of such forces and their command and 
control structures. 
(iv) A detailed description of planned capabilities, 
including categories of training, equipment, financial 
support, sustainment, and supplies intended to be pro-
vided to the elements of the vetted Syrian opposition 
under such authority, and timelines for delivery. 
(v) A description of the planned posture of United 
States forces and the planned level of engagement 
by such forces with the elements of the vetted Syrian 
opposition, including the oversight of equipment pro-
vided under such authority and the activities conducted 
by such vetted Syrian opposition forces. 
(vi) An explanation of the processes and mecha-
nisms for local commanders of the vetted Syrian opposi-
tion to exercise command and control of the elements 
of the vetted Syrian opposition after such elements 
of the vetted Syrian opposition have been trained and 
equipped under such authority. 
(vii) An explanation of complementary local 
governance and other stabilization activities in areas 
in which elements of the local internal security forces 
trained and equipped under such authority will be 
operating and the relation of such local governance 
and other stabilization activities to the oversight of 
such security forces. 
(B) FORM.—The report required by subparagraph (A) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include 
a classified annex. 
(c) REPROGRAMMING REQUIREMENT.—Subsection (f) of such sec-
tion 1209, as most recently amended by section 1221 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114– 
328; 130 Stat. 2485), is further amended by striking ‘‘December 
31, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2019’’. 
(d) QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees and leadership of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Senate a progress report under section 
1209 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. Such progress
H. R. 5515—400 
report shall, based on the most recent quarterly information, 
include an assessment of the following: 
(A) Whether, during the 90-day period, demonstrable 
progress was made— 
(i) to retake control of territory in Syria from the 
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS); or 
(ii) to stabilize areas in Syria formerly held by 
the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. 
(B) Whether, during such period, the vetted Syrian 
opposition tasked with conducting local security operations 
that United States forces are training and equipping under 
the authority in section 1209 of the Carl Levin and Howard 
P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2015, as amended by subsection (a), were demo-
graphically representative of the local communities and 
serve local governance bodies that are similarly representa-
tive of the local communities. 
(C) Whether, during such period, the Department of 
Defense took actions to mitigate any pause in offensive 
operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria 
through alternative approaches to the training, equipping, 
and assistance of the vetted Syrian opposition. 
(D) Whether, during such period, support provided 
under the authority referred to in subparagraph (B) was 
consistent with United States standards regarding respect 
for human rights, rule of law, and support for stable and 
equitable governance. 
(E) Whether, during such period, members of the vetted 
Syrian opposition receiving support under the authority 
referred to in subparagraph (B) demonstrated respect for 
human rights and rule of law, violations of human rights 
and rule of law by such members were appropriately inves-
tigated, and the individuals responsible for such violations 
were appropriately held accountable. 
(2) FORM.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
annex. 
(3) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.— 
In this subsection, the term ‘‘appropriate congressional commit-
tees’’ means— 
(A) the congressional defense committees; and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives. 
SEC. 1232. SYRIAN WAR CRIMES ACCOUNTABILITY. 
(a) REPORT
ON ACCOUNTABILITY
FOR WAR CRIMES, CRIMES 
AGAINST HUMANITY, AND GENOCIDE IN SYRIA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall submit a 
report on war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide 
in Syria to the appropriate congressional committees not later 
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
another such report not later than 180 days after the Secretary 
of State determines that the violence in Syria has ceased. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The reports required under paragraph (1) 
shall include—
H. R. 5515—401 
(A) a description of alleged war crimes, crimes against 
humanity, and genocide perpetrated during the civil war 
in Syria, including— 
(i) incidents that may constitute war crimes, 
crimes against humanity, or genocide committed by 
the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and all forces 
fighting on its behalf; 
(ii) incidents that may constitute war crimes, 
crimes against humanity, or genocide committed by 
violent extremist groups, anti-government forces, and 
any other combatants in the conflict; 
(iii) any incidents that may violate the principle 
of medical neutrality and, if possible, the identification 
of the individual or individuals who engaged in or 
organized such incidents; and 
(iv) if possible, a description of the conventional 
and unconventional weapons used for such crimes and 
the origins of such weapons; and 
(B) a description and assessment by the Department 
of State Office of Global Criminal Justice, the United States 
Agency for International Development, the Department of 
Justice, and other appropriate agencies of programs that 
the United States Government has undertaken to ensure 
accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, 
and genocide perpetrated against the people of Syria by 
the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, violent extremist 
groups, and other combatants involved in the conflict, 
including programs— 
(i) to train investigators within and outside of 
Syria on how to document, investigate, develop findings 
of, and identify and locate alleged perpetrators of war 
crimes, 
crimes 
against 
humanity, 
or 
genocide, 
including— 
(I) the number of United States Government 
or contract personnel currently designated to work 
full-time on these issues; and 
(II) the identification of the authorities and 
appropriations being used to support such training 
efforts; 
(ii) to promote and prepare for a transitional jus-
tice process or processes for the perpetrators of war 
crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Syria 
beginning in March 2011; 
(iii) to document, collect, preserve, and protect evi-
dence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and 
genocide in Syria, including support for Syrian, foreign, 
and international nongovernmental organizations, and 
other entities, including the International, Impartial 
and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investiga-
tion and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the 
Most Serious Crimes under International Law Com-
mitted in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 
and the Independent International Commission of 
Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic; and 
(iv) to assess the influence of accountability meas-
ures on efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to 
the Syrian conflict during the reporting period.
H. R. 5515—402 
(3) FORM.—The reports required under paragraph (1) may 
be submitted in unclassified or classified form, but shall include 
a publicly available annex. 
(4) PROTECTION OF WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE.—The Sec-
retary shall take due care to ensure that the identification 
of witnesses and physical evidence are not publicly disclosed 
in a manner that might place such persons at risk of harm 
or encourage the destruction of evidence by the Government 
of Syria, violent extremist groups, anti-government forces, or 
any other combatants or participants in the conflict. 
(b) TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE STUDY.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
(acting through appropriate officials and offices, which may include 
the Office of Global Criminal Justice), after consultation with the 
Department of Justice, the United States Agency for International 
Development, and other appropriate Federal agencies, shall— 
(1) complete a study of the feasibility and desirability of 
potential transitional justice mechanisms for Syria, including 
a hybrid tribunal, to address war crimes, crimes against 
humanity, and genocide perpetrated in Syria beginning in 
March 2011; and 
(2) submit a detailed report of the results of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1), including recommendations on 
which transitional justice mechanisms the United States 
Government should support, why such mechanisms should be 
supported, and what type of support should be offered, to— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee 
on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives. 
(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State (acting through 
appropriate officials and offices, which may include the Office 
of Global Criminal Justice), after consultation with the Depart-
ment of Justice and other appropriate Federal agencies, is 
authorized to provide appropriate assistance to support entities 
that, with respect to war crimes, crimes against humanity, 
and genocide perpetrated by the regime of President Bashar 
al-Assad, all forces fighting on its behalf, and all non-state 
armed groups fighting in the country, including violent 
extremist groups in Syria beginning in March 2011— 
(A) identify suspected perpetrators of war crimes, 
crimes against humanity, and genocide; 
(B) collect, document, and protect evidence of crimes 
and preserve the chain of custody for such evidence; 
(C) conduct criminal investigations; 
(D) build Syria’s investigative and judicial capacities 
and support prosecutions in the domestic courts of Syria, 
provided that President Bashar al-Assad is no longer in 
power; 
(E) support investigations by third-party states, as 
appropriate; or 
(F) protect witnesses that may be helpful to prosecu-
tions or other transitional justice mechanisms.