I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5980 
To establish the Commission on Securing the United States in the 21st 
Century. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 6, 2008 
Mr. SCHIFF introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission on Securing the United States 
in the 21st Century. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission on Secur-
ing the United States in the 21st Century Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
‘‘Commission on Securing the United States in the 21st 
Century’’ (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
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SEC. 3. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
The Commission shall— 
(1) conduct a comprehensive review of the glob-
al security environment that identifies the strategic 
interests and objectives of the United States for the 
security environment the United States may con-
front during the next two decades and beyond; 
(2) develop a national security strategy appro-
priate for that future security environment and for 
the Nation’s character; 
(3) develop a detailed plan to achieve the na-
tional security strategy by— 
(A) defining security goals for the United 
States; 
(B) describing the internal and external 
policy instruments required to best utilize the 
resources of the United States; 
(C) identifying steps for implementation of 
the national security strategy including the or-
ganization, coordination, planning, management 
arrangements, and procedures necessary for im-
plementation; and 
(D) reviewing budgetary and resource allo-
cations for departments and agencies and rec-
ommending changes to such allocations; 
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(4) recommend additional changes to the na-
tional security system as necessary including agency, 
institutional, and other structural reforms; and 
(5) submit to the President and Congress re-
ports pursuant to section 8 containing detailed state-
ments of the Commission findings, conclusions, and 
recommendations for corrective measures as deter-
mined by a majority of the members of the Commis-
sion. 
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 13 members, to be appointed as fol-
lows: 
(1) One member, who shall serve as chair-
person, shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, in consultation with the 
majority leader of the Senate. 
(2) One member, who shall serve as vice-chair-
person, shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
the House of Representatives, in consultation with 
the minority leader of the Senate. 
(3) One member shall be appointed by the Sec-
retary of Defense. 
(4) One member shall be appointed by the Sec-
retary of State. 
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citizens of the United States, with national recognition 
and significant depth of experience in professions such as 
governmental service, law enforcement, the armed serv-
ices, law, public administration, intelligence gathering, 
commerce, or foreign affairs. 
(e) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—Each member shall 
be appointed for the life of the Commission. 
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy shall not affect the power 
and duties of the Commission but shall be filled in the 
same manner as the original appointment. 
(g) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—Members of the 
Commission shall be appointed not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold 
hearings. 
(b) MEETINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—The Commission shall 
meet and commence its duties not later than 15 
days after the deadline for appointment of members 
under section 4(g). 
(2) REGULAR
MEETINGS.—The Commission 
shall meet at the call of its chairperson or a majority 
of its members. 
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(c) BASIC PAY.—Members shall each be paid at a 
rate not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day 
(including travel time) during which that member is en-
gaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the 
Commission. 
(d) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members shall receive trav-
el expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I 
of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away 
from their homes or regular places of business in perform-
ance of services for the Commission. 
SEC. 6. STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS AND CONSULT-
ANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT.—The chairperson, in con-
sultation with the vice-chairperson, in accordance 
with rules agreed upon by the Commission, may ap-
point a staff director and such other personnel as 
may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry 
out its duties, without regard to the provisions of 
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments 
in the competitive service. 
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(2) COMPENSATION.—The staff director and 
other personnel shall be paid without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chap-
ter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to 
classification and General Schedule pay rates, except 
that no rate of pay fixed under this paragraph may 
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of 
basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, 
for each day (including travel time) during which 
that staff member is engaged in work for the Com-
mission. 
(b) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal 
agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the per-
sonnel of such agency to the Commission to assist in car-
rying out the duties of the Commission. 
(c) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission 
may procure temporary and intermittent services under 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates 
for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the 
annual rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
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SEC. 7. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act 
at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 
as the Commission considers appropriate. 
(b) NONAPPLICABILITY OF THE FEDERAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. 
(c) CONTRACTING.—The Commission may enter into 
contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its duties 
under this Act. 
(d) OBTAINING OFFICIAL INFORMATION.— 
(1) SECURING
INFORMATION.—The Commis-
sion may secure directly from any department or 
agency of the United States, information necessary 
to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of 
the chairperson of the Commission, the head of that 
department or agency shall furnish that information 
to the Commission. 
(2) 
HANDLING
INFORMATION.—Information 
shall only be received, handled, stored, and dissemi-
nated by members of the Commission and its staff 
consistent with all applicable statutes and regula-
tions. 
(e) SECURITY CLEARANCE FOR COMMISSION MEM-
BERS AND STAFF.—The appropriate Federal agencies or 
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departments shall cooperate with the Commission in expe-
ditiously providing to the Commission members and staff 
appropriate security clearances to the extent possible pur-
suant to existing procedures and requirements, except that 
no person shall be provided with access to classified infor-
mation under this Act without the appropriate security 
clearances. 
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.— 
(1) GENERAL
SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
support services necessary for the Commission to 
carry out its responsibilities under this Act. 
(2) OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.—In 
addition to the assistance referred to in paragraph 
(1), Federal departments and agencies may provide 
to the Commission such services as such depart-
ments and agencies determine advisable and as au-
thorized by law. 
(g) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.—The Commis-
sion may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or 
devises of services or property, both real and personal, for 
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Com-
mission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds 
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from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, 
or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be 
available for disbursement upon the order of the chair-
person. 
(h) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 
States. 
SEC. 8. REPORTS. 
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission may sub-
mit to the President and Congress interim reports as the 
Commission considers appropriate. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall prepare 
and submit a final report to the President and Congress 
not later than 1 year after the Commission’s initial meet-
ing. 
(c) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.—The Commission shall 
make public copies of the reports required under sub-
sections (a) and (b). 
SEC. 9. TERMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall terminate 
60 days after submitting its final report. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES BEFORE TERMI-
NATION.—During the 60-day period referred to in sub-
section (a) the Commission may conclude its activities, in-
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cluding providing testimony to committees of Congress 
concerning its reports and disseminating the final report. 
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $2,000,000 for the fiscal year 2008 to carry out 
this Act. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 
to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) 
are authorized to remain available until expended. 
Æ 
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