PRC Act
Bill: S.2822 | Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco (R-FL)
Policy area: International Affairs

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The President must transfer the rescinded funds to DOD for (1) activities to maintain or expand domestic industrial base capabilities essential for national defense, (2) the Navy's shipbuilding and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

To ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge over China, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Prioritizing Readiness and 
Competitiveness Act'' or the ``PRC Act''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States that--
            (1) great power competition with the People's Republic of 
        China will define the future of the 21st century;
            (2) the People's Republic of China is a revisionist power 
        that seeks to upend the international system in ways that are 
        inimical to United States national interests;
            (3) great power competition with the People's Republic of 
        China is global in nature and requires a whole-of-government 
        response;
            (4) resilient domestic manufacturing, a strong and advanced 
        United States Navy, and an innovative economy are critical to 
        succeeding in great power competition; and
            (5) promoting and supporting new technological research and 
        development will be necessary to maintain a competitive 
        advantage and effectively combat hostile efforts by the 
        Government of the People's Republic of China.

SEC. 3. TRANSFER OF CERTAIN UNEXPENDED FUNDS RELATED TO AFGHANISTAN FOR 
              THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING A RESILIENT DOMESTIC INDUSTRIAL 
              BASE AND STRENGTHENING DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION.

    (a) In General.--The President shall transfer to each of the 
following appropriations accounts for the following purposes an amount 
equal to one-third of the total amount rescinded under subsection (b):
            (1) The Defense Production Act purchases account for 
        activities by the Department of Defense pursuant to sections 
        108, 301, 302, and 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 
        (50 U.S.C. 4518, 4531, 4532, 4533).
            (2) The Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy account of the 
        Department of Defense.
            (3) The research, development, test, and evaluation, 
        Defense-wide account of the Department of Defense, to be 
        available for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to 
        carry out projects related to strengthening the United States 
        global advantage in strategic technologies, which may include 
        aerospace, robotics, artificial intelligence, information 
        technology, new and advanced materials, biotechnology, advanced 
        machinery, telecommunications, and energy and power generation.
    (b) Rescission of Unexpended Funds Dedicated to Maintaining a 
Military and Diplomatic Presence in Afghanistan.--The following amounts 
are hereby rescinded:
            (1) The unobligated balance of amounts made available to 
        the Department of Defense for the Afghanistan Security Forces 
        Fund.
            (2) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available to 
        the Department of State for Diplomatic Programs, all remaining 
        funds relating to maintaining United States diplomatic 
        personnel in Afghanistan.
            (3) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available 
        for the Economic Support Fund, all remaining funds relating to 
        implementing and supporting comprehensive strategies to combat 
        corruption in Afghanistan, and for the reintegration of former 
        Taliban and other extremists.
            (4) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available to 
        the Department of State for the International Narcotics Control 
        and Law Enforcement Fund, all remaining funds relating to 
        programs in Afghanistan.
            (5) Of the unobligated balance of amounts made available to 
        the Department of State for International Military Education 
        and Training programs, all remaining funds relating to training 
        personnel of the Afghan security forces.
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