Cornyn, Peters Introduce Bill to Support Army Modernization Efforts & Army Futures Command

Last week Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and I introduced the Army Facilitating Untapped Technology, Utilities, Resources, and Equipment for Servicemembers Act (Army FUTURES Act), which would clarify roles and responsibilities for Army modernization efforts and help support the Austin-based Army Futures Command’s new and innovative strategies to keep our Armed Forces competitive in the evolving global security landscape:

Our national security depends on the readiness of our Armed Forces which is why utilizing more streamlined and innovative strategies to modernize our military is critical in our changing world. This legislation will provide more insight into some of the bureaucratic processes and clarify the roles and responsibilities as the Army continues their modernization mission.

“As the Army moves forward on its modernization strategy, it is imperative that Congress understands the relationships between Army officials and leaders who are responsible for implementing modernization plans,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to join Senator Cornyn in introducing the bipartisan Army FUTURES Act, which will help provide clarity on the various authorities being utilized to transform our Army into a forward-looking force. This is a vital step in ensuring that we’re building an Army that is capable of meeting our future national security needs.”

Background:

The Army FUTURES Act would require the U.S. Army to submit a detailed report of the roles and responsibilities of entities involved in the modernization process for the Army as well as clear definitions for the Army modernization enterprise to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. 

This report would provide lawmakers with a clearer understanding of the responsibilities of the Army Futures Command (AFC) and the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA [ALT]) as well as how recently-issued Army directives have impacted the overall process for the Army’s modernization mission.

This legislation would:

·        Require the Army to submit a detailed breakdown to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees of the roles and responsibilities of entities involved in the modernization enterprise;

·        Define what the overall modernization enterprise is comprised of;

·        And clearly define the modernization enterprise as whole.

Identical language was included in an amendment to the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act filed by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11). You can find more information about the House version here.