A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the organization and authorities of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense with duties relating to industrial base policy and homeland defense.
This bill reconfigures the senior civilian leadership of the Department of Defense (DoD) by creating a new Assistant Secretary focused on strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base and broadening the scope of homeland defense policy. It establishes the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Industrial Base Development and Engagement, who would report directly to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and focus on bolstering the defense supply chain and coordinating with security partners, including Taiwan. At the same time, it renames the current Assistant Secretary for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities to include “Homeland Defense” in the title and duties, giving that role new responsibilities related to homeland defense, civil authorities, Arctic/global resilience, and high-level coordination with a wide range of domestic and international actors. The bill eliminates the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs and expands the remit of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs to cover Western Hemisphere affairs. In short, the bill shifts and renames several senior DoD roles to emphasize industrial base resilience, homeland defense, and expanded international and regional coordination.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Industrial Base Development and Engagement
- 2- New position reporting directly to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
- 3- Principal duty: strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base through cooperation with security partners and allies, including Taiwan.
- 4Renaming and expanding duties of the Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities office
- 5- Renamed to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, Capabilities, and Homeland Defense.
- 6- New duties include advising the Secretary and other senior leaders on national security issues, defense strategy, and capabilities; policy and planning oversight for homeland defense and mission assurance; civil authorities support; Arctic and global resilience; and representing priority issues to federal agencies, allies, state/local/tribal governments, and private sector actors.
- 7Elimination of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs
- 8- The position is removed under this bill.
- 9Expanded scope of the International Security Affairs office
- 10- The Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs would additionally be responsible for Western Hemisphere affairs.
- 11Legal framework and reporting
- 12- Changes are to Title 10, United States Code, Section 138(b), affecting organization, reporting lines, and duties of these senior roles.