Congressional Record, Senate, November 17, 2021, Page S8390
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated November 17, 2021, at page S8390, carrying amendment text to H.R. 4350. One part is a Division E on Inspectors General, with a title on testimonial subpoena authority for Inspectors General and a short title citing the IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority. Another part sets up a task force on global biosecurity and zoonotic disease prevention, listing agencies including the United States Agency for International Development, the Fish and Wildlife Service, FEMA and Customs and Border Protection, with appointments within 30 days and terms of 2 years.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, November 17, 2021, Page S8390.”
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S8390 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 17, 2021
for global biosecurity and zoonotic disease (x) The United States Agency for Inter- partment of Defense, for military con-
prevention and response that leverages ex- national Development. struction, and for defense activities of
pertise in public health, consumer education (xi) The United States Fish and Wildlife the Department of Energy, to prescribe
and communication, behavior change, wild- Service. military personnel strengths for such
life health, wildlife conservation, livestock (xii) The Department of Homeland Secu-
production, veterinary health, food safety, rity, FEMA.
fiscal year, and for other purposes;
sustainable forest management, community- (xiii) United States Customs and Border which was ordered to lie on the table;
based conservation, rural food security, and Protection. as follows:
indigenous rights to coordinate zoonotic dis- (2) TIMING OF APPOINTMENTS.—Appoint- At the end, add the following:
ease surveillance internationally, including ments to the Task Force shall be made not DIVISION E—INSPECTORS GENERAL
support for One Health institutions around later than 30 days after the date of the enact- SEC. 5101. SHORT TITLE.
the world that can prevent and provide early ment of this Act. This division may be cited as the ‘‘Afghan-
detection of zoonotic outbreaks; and (3) TERMS.— istan Vetting Review, the IG Testimonial
(3) expand the scope of the implementation (A) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be ap- Subpoena Authority, and Inspector General
of the White House’s Global Health Security pointed for a term of 2 years. Access Act of 2021’’.
Strategy to more robustly support the pre- (B) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to TITLE LI—TESTIMONIAL SUBPOENA
vention of zoonotic spillover and respond to fill a vacancy occurring before the expira- AUTHORITY FOR INSPECTORS GENERAL
zoonotic disease investigations and out- tion of the term for which the member’s
breaks by establishing a 10-year strategy SEC. 5111. SHORT TITLE.
predecessor was appointed shall be appointed
with specific Federal Government domestic This title may be cited as the ‘‘IG Testi-
only for the remainder of that term. A mem-
and international goals, priorities, and monial Subpoena Authority Act’’.
ber may serve after the expiration of that
timelines for action, including to— SEC. 5112. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY PROVISIONS
term until a successor has been appointed. FOR INSPECTORS GENERAL.
(A) recommend policy actions and mecha- (d) MEETING.—
nisms in developing countries to reduce the The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—The Task Force shall
risk of zoonotic spillover and zoonotic dis- App.) is amended—
hold its initial meeting not later than 45
ease emergence and transmission, including (1) by inserting after section 6 the fol-
days after the final appointment of all mem-
in support of those activities described in lowing:
bers under subsection (c)(2).
section 1077; ‘‘SEC. 6A. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY.
(2) MEETINGS.—
(B) identify new mandates, authorities, ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force shall
and incentives needed to strengthen the ‘‘(1) the term ‘Chairperson’ means the
meet at the call of the Chairperson.
global zoonotic disease plan under paragraph Chairperson of the Council of the Inspectors
(B) QUORUM.—Eight members of the Task
(2); Force shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser General on Integrity and Efficiency;
(C) define and list priority areas as coun- number may hold hearings. ‘‘(2) the term ‘Inspector General’—
tries or regions determined to be of high risk (e) COMPENSATION.— ‘‘(A) means an Inspector General of an es-
for zoonotic disease emergence, as well as (1) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION.—Except tablishment or a designated Federal entity
based on, but not limited to, factors that in- as provided in paragraph (2), members of the (as defined in section 8G(a)); and
clude wildlife biodiversity, livestock produc- Task Force may not receive additional pay, ‘‘(B) includes—
tion, human population density, and active allowances, or benefits by reason of their ‘‘(i) the Inspector General of the Central
drivers of disease emergence such as land use service on the Task Force. Intelligence Agency established under sec-
change, including forest degradation and (2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall tion 17 of the Central Intelligence Agency
loss, intensification of livestock production, receive travel expenses, including per diem Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 3517);
and wildlife trade; in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with ap- ‘‘(ii) the Inspector General of the Intel-
(D) prioritize engagement in programs that plicable provisions under subchapter I of ligence Community established under sec-
target tropical countries and regions experi- chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. tion 103H of the National Security Act of 1947
encing high rates of biodiversity loss, defor- (f) REPORTS.— (50 U.S.C. 3033);
estation, forest degradation, and land con- (1) REPORT TO TASK FORCE.—Not later than ‘‘(iii) the Special Inspector General for Af-
version and countries with significant mar- 6 months after the date of the enactment of ghanistan Reconstruction established under
kets for live wildlife for human consump- this Act and annually thereafter, the Federal section 1229 of the National Defense Author-
tion; and agencies listed in subsection (c) shall submit ization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law
(E) identify and recommend actions to ad- a report to the Task Force containing a de- 110–181; 122 Stat. 379);
dress existing gaps in efforts to prevent and tailed statement with respect to the results ‘‘(iv) the Special Inspector General for the
respond to domestic zoonotic disease emer- of any programming within their agencies Troubled Asset Relief Plan established under
gence and transmission. that addresses the goals of zoonotic spillover section 121 of the Emergency Economic Sta-
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— and disease prevention. bilization Act of 2008 (12 U.S.C. 5231); and
(1) IN GENERAL.—The members of the Task ‘‘(v) the Special Inspector General for Pan-
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1
Force established pursuant to subsection (a) demic Recovery established under section
year after the date of the enactment of this
shall be composed of representatives from 4018 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9053); and
Act and annually thereafter, the Task Force
each of the following agencies: ‘‘(3) the term ‘Subpoena Panel’ means the
shall submit to the appropriate congres-
(A) One permanent Chairperson at the panel to which requests for approval to issue
sional committees and the National Security
level of Deputy Assistant Secretary or above a subpoena are submitted under subsection
Advisor a report containing a detailed state-
from the following agencies, to rotate every (e).
ment of the recommendations of the Council
2 years in an order to be determined by the ‘‘(b) TESTIMONIAL SUBPOENA AUTHORITY.—
pursuant to subsection (b).
Administrator: (g) FACA.—Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Fed- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the au-
(i) The Department of Agriculture or the eral Advisory Committee Act shall not apply thority otherwise provided by this Act and
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. to the Task Force. This task force shall be in accordance with the requirements of this
(ii) The Department of Health and Human authorized for 7 years after the date of the section, each Inspector General, in carrying
Services or the Centers for Disease Control enactment of this Act and up to an addi- out the provisions of this Act or the provi-
and Prevention. tional 2 years at the discretion of the Task sions of the authorizing statute of the In-
(iii) The Department of the Interior or the Force Chair. spector General, as applicable, is authorized
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. SEC. 1081. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS. to require by subpoena the attendance and
(iv) The Department of State. Nothing in this subtitle shall restrict or testimony of witnesses as necessary in the
(v) The United States Agency for Inter- otherwise prohibit— performance of an audit, inspection, evalua-
national Development. (1) legal and regulated hunting, fishing, or tion, or investigation, which subpoena, in
(vi) The National Security Council. trapping activities for subsistence, sport, or the case of contumacy or refusal to obey,
(B) At least 13 additional members, with at recreation; or shall be enforceable by order of any appro-
least 1 from each of the following agencies: (2) the lawful domestic and international priate United States district court.
(i) The Centers for Disease Control and transport of legally harvested fish or wildlife ‘‘(2) PROHIBITION.—An Inspector General
Prevention. trophies. may not require by subpoena the attendance
(ii) The Department of Agriculture. --- and testimony of a Federal employee or em-
(iii) The Department of Defense. SA 4779. Mr. PETERS (for himself, ployee of a designated Federal entity, but
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
(iv) The Department of State. Mr. PORTMAN, and Mr. GRASSLEY) sub- may use other authorized procedures.
(v) The Environmental Protection Agency. mitted an amendment intended to be ‘‘(3) DETERMINATION BY INSPECTOR GEN-
(vi) The National Science Foundation. ERAL.—The determination of whether a mat-
proposed to amendment SA 3867 sub-
(vii) The National Institutes of Health. ter constitutes an audit, inspection, evalua-
(viii) The National Institute of Standards mitted by Mr. REED and intended to be tion, or investigation shall be at the discre-
and Technology. proposed to the bill H.R. 4350, to au- tion of the applicable Inspector General.
(ix) The Office of Science and Technology thorize appropriations for fiscal year ‘‘(c) LIMITATION ON DELEGATION.—The au-
Policy. 2022 for military activities of the De- thority to issue a subpoena under subsection
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November 17, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8391
(b) may only be delegated to an official per- ‘‘(2) TIME TO RESPOND.— other matter the Council determines nec-
forming the functions and duties of an In- ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in essary to carry out this section.
spector General when the Inspector General subparagraph (B), the Subpoena Panel shall ‘‘(h) APPLICABILITY.—The provisions of this
position is vacant or when the Inspector approve or deny a request for approval to section shall not affect the exercise of au-
General is unable to perform the functions issue a subpoena submitted under paragraph thority by an Inspector General of testi-
and duties of the Office of the Inspector Gen- (1) not later than 10 days after the submis- monial subpoena authority established under
eral. sion of the request. another provision of law.
‘‘(d) NOTICE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.— ‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PANEL.— ‘‘(i) TERMINATION.—The authorities pro-
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not less than 10 days be- If the Subpoena Panel determines that addi- vided under subsection (b) shall terminate on
fore submitting a request for approval to tional information is necessary to approve or January 1, 2027, provided that this subsection
issue a subpoena to the Subpoena Panel deny a request for approval to issue a sub- shall not affect the enforceability of a sub-
under subsection (e), an Inspector General poena submitted by an Inspector General poena issued on or before December 31,
shall— 2026.’’;
under paragraph (1), the Subpoena Panel
‘‘(A) notify the Attorney General of the (2) in section 5(a), as amended by section
shall—
plan of the Inspector General to issue the 903 of this Act—
‘‘(i) request that information; and
subpoena; and (A) in paragraph (16)(B), as so redesignated,
‘‘(ii) approve or deny the request for ap-
‘‘(B) take into consideration any informa- by striking the period at the end and insert-
proval submitted by the Inspector General
tion provided by the Attorney General relat- ing ‘‘; and’’; and
not later than 20 days after the Subpoena
ing to the subpoena. (B) by adding at the end the following:
Panel submits the request for information
‘‘(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in ‘‘(17) a description of the use of subpoenas
under clause (i).
this subsection may be construed to prevent for the attendance and testimony of certain
‘‘(3) APPROVAL BY PANEL.—If all members
an Inspector General from submitting to the witnesses authorized under section 6A.’’; and
of the Subpoena Panel unanimously approve
Subpoena Panel under subsection (e) a re- (3) in section 8G(g)(1), by inserting ‘‘6A,’’
a request for approval to issue a subpoena
quest for approval to issue a subpoena if 10 before ‘‘and 7’’.
submitted by an Inspector General under
or more days have elapsed since the date on SEC. 5113. REVIEW BY THE COMPTROLLER GEN-
paragraph (1), the Inspector General may
which the Inspector General submits to the ERAL.
issue the subpoena.
Attorney General the notification required Not later than January 1, 2026, the Comp-
‘‘(4) NOTICE TO COUNCIL AND ATTORNEY GEN-
under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to that troller General of the United States shall
ERAL.—Upon issuance of a subpoena by an In-
subpoena. submit to the appropriate congressional
‘‘(e) PANEL REVIEW BEFORE ISSUANCE.— spector General under subsection (b), the In- committees a report reviewing the use of tes-
‘‘(1) APPROVAL REQUIRED.— spector General shall provide contempora- timonial subpoena authority, which shall in-
‘‘(A) REQUEST FOR APPROVAL BY SUBPOENA neous notice of such issuance to the Chair- clude—
PANEL.—Before the issuance of a subpoena person or a designee of the Chairperson and (1) a summary of the information included
described in subsection (b), an Inspector Gen- to the Attorney General. in the semiannual reports to Congress under
eral shall submit to a panel a request for ap- ‘‘(f) SEMIANNUAL REPORTING.—On or before section 6A(f) of the Inspector General Act of
proval to issue the subpoena, which shall in- May 31, 2022, and every 6 months thereafter, 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as added by this title, in-
clude a determination by the Inspector Gen- the Council of the Inspectors General on In- cluding an analysis of any patterns and
eral that— tegrity and Efficiency shall submit to the trends identified in the use of the authority
‘‘(i) the testimony is likely to be reason- Committee on Homeland Security and Gov- during the reporting period;
ably relevant to the audit, inspection, eval- ernmental Affairs of the Senate, the Com- (2) a review of subpoenas issued by inspec-
uation, or investigation for which the sub- mittee on Oversight and Reform of the House tors general on and after the date of enact-
poena is sought; and of Representatives, and the Comptroller Gen- ment of this Act to evaluate compliance
‘‘(ii) the information to be sought cannot eral of the United States a report on the use with this Act by the respective inspector
be reasonably obtained through other means. of subpoenas described in subsection (b) in general, the Subpoena Panel, and the Coun-
‘‘(B) COMPOSITION OF SUBPOENA PANEL.— any audit, inspection, evaluation, or inves- cil of the Inspectors General on Integrity
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clauses (ii) tigation that concluded during the imme- and Efficiency; and
and (iii), a Subpoena Panel shall be com- diately preceding 6-month periods ending (3) any additional analysis, evaluation, or
prised of 3 inspectors general appointed by March 31 and September 30, which shall in- recommendation based on observations or in-
the President and confirmed by the Senate, clude— formation gathered by the Comptroller Gen-
who shall be randomly drawn by the Chair- ‘‘(1) a list of each Inspector General that eral of the United States during the course
person or a designee of the Chairperson from has submitted a request for approval of a of the review.
a pool of all such inspectors general. subpoena to the Subpoena Panel; TITLE LII—INVESTIGATIONS OF
‘‘(ii) CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.—If consider- ‘‘(2) for each applicable Inspector General, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PERSONNEL
ation of a request for a subpoena submitted the number of subpoenas submitted to the
SEC. 5121. SHORT TITLE.
under subparagraph (A) would require access Subpoena Panel, approved by the Subpoena
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Inspector
to classified information, the Chairperson or Panel, and disapproved by the Subpoena
General Access Act of 2021’’.
a designee of the Chairperson may limit the Panel;
SEC. 5122. INVESTIGATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF
pool of inspectors general described in clause ‘‘(3) for each subpoena submitted to the JUSTICE PERSONNEL.
(i) to appropriately cleared inspectors gen- Subpoena Panel for approval—
Section 8E of the Inspector General Act of
eral. ‘‘(A) an anonymized description of the indi- 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
‘‘(iii) CONFIRMATION OF AVAILABILITY.—If an vidual or organization to whom the subpoena (1) in subsection (b)—
inspector general drawn from the pool de- was directed; (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and para-
scribed in clause (i) does not confirm their ‘‘(B) the date on which the subpoena re- graph (3)’’;
availability to serve on the Subpoena Panel quest was sent to the Attorney General, the (B) by striking paragraph (3);
within 24 hours of receiving a notification date on which the Attorney General re- (C) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5)
from the Chairperson or a designee of the sponded, and whether the Attorney General as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
Chairperson regarding selection for the Sub- provided information regarding the subpoena (D) in paragraph (4), as redesignated, by
poena Panel, the Chairperson or a designee request, including whether the Attorney striking ‘‘paragraph (4)’’ and inserting
of the Chairperson may randomly draw a General opposed issuance of the proposed ‘‘paragraph (3)’’; and
new inspector general from the pool to serve subpoena; (2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘, except
on the Subpoena Panel. ‘‘(C) the members of the Subpoena Panel with respect to allegations described in sub-
‘‘(C) CONTENTS OF REQUEST.—The request considering the subpoena; section (b)(3),’’.
described in subparagraph (A) shall include ‘‘(D) the date on which the subpoena re-
quest was sent to the Subpoena Panel, the TITLE LIII—REVIEW RELATING TO AF-
any information provided by the Attorney
date on which the Subpoena Panel approved GHANISTAN RESETTLEMENT AND SPE-
General related to the subpoena, which the
or disapproved the subpoena request, and the CIAL IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM
Attorney General requests that the Sub-
decision of the Subpoena Panel; and SEC. 5131. REVIEW RELATING TO VETTING, PROC-
poena Panel consider.
ESSING, AND RESETTLEMENT OF
‘‘(D) PROTECTION FROM DISCLOSURE.— ‘‘(E) the date on which the subpoena was
EVACUEES FROM AFGHANISTAN
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The information con- issued, if approved; and AND THE AFGHANISTAN SPECIAL IM-
tained in a request submitted by an Inspec- ‘‘(4) any other information the Council of
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
MIGRANT VISA PROGRAM.
tor General under subparagraph (A) and the the Inspectors General on Integrity and Effi- (a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the
identification of a witness shall be protected ciency considers appropriate to include. Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.),
from disclosure to the extent permitted by ‘‘(g) TRAINING AND STANDARDS.—The Coun- the Inspector General of the Department of
law. cil of the Inspectors General on Integrity Homeland Security, jointly with the Inspec-
‘‘(ii) REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE.—Any re- and Efficiency, in consultation with the At- tor General of the Department of State, and
quest for disclosure of the information de- torney General, shall promulgate standards in coordination with any appropriate inspec-
scribed in clause (i) shall be submitted to the and provide training relating to the issuance tor general established by that Act or sec-
Inspector General requesting the subpoena. of subpoenas, conflicts of interest, and any tion 103H of the National Security Act of 1947
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S8392 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 17, 2021
(50 U.S.C. 3033), shall conduct a thorough re- (B) the number of such special immigrant (ii) whether the evacuee has a valid identi-
view of efforts to support and process evac- visa applications received, approved, and de- fication documentation; and
uees from Afghanistan and the Afghanistan nied, disaggregated by fiscal year; (iii) whether any database of the United
special immigrant visa program. (C) the number of such special immigrant States Government contains derogatory in-
(b) ELEMENTS.—The review required by visas issued, as compared to the number formation about the evacuee.
subsection (a) shall include an assessment of available under law, disaggregated by fiscal (C) VET; VETTING.—The term ‘‘vet’’ and
the systems, staffing, policies, and programs year; ‘‘vetting’’, with respect to an evacuee, means
used— (D) an assessment of the average length of the process by which a Federal official inter-
(1) to the screen and vet such evacuees, in- time taken to process an application for such views the evacuee to determine whether the
cluding— a special immigrant visa, beginning on the evacuee is who they purport to be, including
(A) an assessment of whether personnel date of submission of the application and whether the evacuee poses a national secu-
conducting such screening and vetting were ending on the date of final disposition, rity risk.
appropriately authorized and provided with disaggregated by fiscal year; (d) DISCHARGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES.—The
training, including training in the detection (E) an accounting of the number of applica- Inspector General of the Department of
of fraudulent personal identification docu- tions for such special immigrant visas that Homeland Security and the Inspector Gen-
ments; remained pending at the end of each fiscal eral of the Department of State shall dis-
(B) an analysis of the degree to which such year; charge the responsibilities under this section
screening and vetting deviated from United (F) an accounting of the number of inter- in a manner consistent with the authorities
States law, regulations, policy, and best views of applicants for such special immi- and requirements of the Inspector General
practices relating to— grant visas conducted during each fiscal Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) and the authori-
(i) the screening and vetting of parolees, year; ties and requirements applicable to the In-
refugees, and applicants for United States (G) the number of noncitizens who were ad- spector General of the Department of Home-
visas that have been in use at any time since mitted to the United States pursuant to such land Security and the Inspector General of
January 1, 2016, particularly for individuals a special immigrant visa during each fiscal the Department of State under that Act.
from countries with active terrorist organi- year; (e) COORDINATION.—Upon request of an In-
zations; and (H) an assessment of the extent to which spector General for information or assist-
(ii) the screening and vetting of parolees, each participating department or agency of ance under subsection (a), the head of any
refugees, and applicants for United States the United States Government, including the Federal agency involved shall, insofar as is
visas pursuant to any mass evacuation effort Department of State and the Department of practicable and not in contravention of any
since 1975, particularly for individuals from Homeland Security, adjusted processing existing statutory restriction or regulation
countries with active terrorist organiza- practices and procedures for such special im- of the Federal agency from which the infor-
tions; migrant visas so as to vet applicants and ex- mation is requested, furnish to such Inspec-
(C) an identification of any risk to the na- pand processing capacity since the February tor General, or to an authorized designee,
tional security of the United States posed by 29, 2020, Doha Agreement between the United such information or assistance.
States and the Taliban; (f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this
any such deviations;
(I) a list of specific steps, if any, taken be- section shall be construed to limit the abil-
(D) an analysis of the processes used for
tween February 29, 2020, and August 31, 2021— ity of the Inspector General of the Depart-
evacuees traveling without personal identi-
(i) to streamline the processing of applica- ment of Homeland Security or the Inspector
fication records, including the creation or
tions for such special immigrant visas; and General of the Department of State to enter
provision of any new identification records
(ii) to address longstanding bureaucratic into agreements to conduct joint audits, in-
to such evacuees; and
hurdles while improving security protocols; spections, or investigations in the exercise of
(E) an analysis of the degree to which such
(J) a description of the degree to which the the oversight responsibilities of the Inspec-
screening and vetting process was capable of
Secretary of State implemented rec- tor General of the Department of Homeland
detecting—
ommendations made by the Department of Security and the Inspector General of the
(i) instances of human trafficking and do-
State Office of Inspector General in its June Department of State, in accordance with the
mestic abuse;
2020 reports on Review of the Afghan Special Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.),
(ii) evacuees who are unaccompanied mi-
Immigrant Visa Program (AUD-MERO-20-35) with respect to oversight of the evacuation
nors; and
and Management Assistance Report: Quar- from Afghanistan, the selection, vetting, and
(iii) evacuees with a spouse that is a
terly Reporting on Afghan Special Immi- processing of applicants for special immi-
minor;
grant Visa Program Needs Improvement grant visas and asylum, and any resettle-
(2) to admit and process such evacuees at
(AUD-MERO-20-34); ment in the United States of such evacuees.
United States ports of entry;
(3) to temporarily house such evacuees (K) an assessment of the extent to which ---
challenges in verifying applicants’ employ- SA 4780. Mr. PETERS (for himself,
prior to resettlement;
(4) to account for the total number of indi- ment with the Department of Defense con- Mr. PORTMAN, and Mr. GRASSLEY) sub-
vidual evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021 tributed to delays in the processing of such mitted an amendment intended to be
with support of the United States Govern- special immigrant visas, and an accounting proposed to amendment SA 3867 sub-
ment, disaggregated by— of the specific steps taken since February 29, mitted by Mr. REED and intended to be
(A) country of origin; 2020, to address issues surrounding employ- proposed to the bill H.R. 4350, to au-
(B) age; ment verification; and thorize appropriations for fiscal year
(C) gender; (L) recommendations to strengthen and
streamline such special immigrant visa proc-
2022 for military activities of the De-
(D) eligibility for special immigrant visas partment of Defense, for military con-
under the Afghan Allies Protection Act of ess going forward.
2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 111–8) or (c) INTERIM REPORTING.—
struction, and for defense activities of
section 1059 of the National Defense Author- (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days the Department of Energy, to prescribe
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1101 after the date of the enactment of this Act, military personnel strengths for such
note; Public Law 109–163) at the time of evac- the Inspector General of the Department of fiscal year, and for other purposes;
uation; Homeland Security and the Inspector Gen- which was ordered to lie on the table;
(E) eligibility for employment-based non- eral of the Department of State shall submit as follows:
immigrant visas at the time of evacuation; to the appropriate congressional committees At the end, add the following:
and not fewer than one interim report on the re-
DIVISION E—INSPECTOR GENERAL INDE-
(F) familial relationship to evacuees who view conducted under this section.
PENDENCE AND EMPOWERMENT ACT
are eligible for visas described in subpara- (2) FORM.—Any report submitted under
OF 2021
graphs (D) and (E); and paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassi-
(5) to provide eligible individuals with spe- fied form, but may include a classified SEC. 5101. SHORT TITLE.
cial immigrant visas under the Afghan Allies annex. This division may be cited as the ‘‘Inspec-
Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; (3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: tor General Independence and Empowerment
Public Law 111–8) and section 1059 of the Na- (A) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT- Act of 2021’’.
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional TITLE LI—INSPECTOR GENERAL
Year 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 109– committees’’ has the meaning given the INDEPENDENCE
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
163) since the date of the enactment of the term in section 12 of the Inspector General SEC. 5111. SHORT TITLE.
Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as amended by This title may be cited as the ‘‘Securing
1101 note; Public Law 111–8), including— this Act. Inspector General Independence Act of 2021’’.
(A) a detailed step-by-step description of (B) SCREEN; SCREENING.—The terms SEC. 5112. REMOVAL OR TRANSFER OF INSPEC-
the application process for such special im- ‘‘screen’’ and ‘‘screening’’, with respect to an TORS GENERAL; PLACEMENT ON
migrant visas, including the number of days evacuee, mean the process by which a Fed- NON-DUTY STATUS.
allotted by the United States Government eral official determines— (a) IN GENERAL.—The Inspector General
for the completion of each step; (i) the identity of the evacuee; Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
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