Americas Defense Initiative

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish an initiative, to be known as the Americas Defense Initiative (in this section referred to as the Initiative), to carry out prioritized activities to enhance the defense and security of the United States, counter transnational criminal organizations and malign foreign actors, and strengthen the capacity of partner nations in the Western Hemisphere. (b) Activities To improve the design and posture of the joint force within the area of responsibility of the United States Southern Command, the Secretary, through the Initiative, shall— (1) enhance the ability of the United States and partner nations in the detection and monitoring of the aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs into the United States; (2) support efforts to identify, disrupt, and degrade transnational criminal organizations; (3) increase persistent maritime and air domain awareness through the deployment of autonomous and unmanned systems; (4) provide cost-effective, lower-maintenance, and sustainable capabilities to partner nations in the Western Hemisphere; (5) strengthen regional security cooperation and interoperability with partner nations by improving the capabilities of partner nations in counter-illicit drug trafficking, counter-transnational organized crime operations, and border security operations; (6) invest in geographic areas of key strategic terrain, including Panama, Jamaica, and United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and (7) develop and coordinate planning with the United States Northern Command, Joint Interagency Task Force–Counter Cartel, and relevant interagency partners. (c) Annual report required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Commander of the United States Southern Command, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on future-year activities and resources of the Initiative. (2) Elements Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the activities and resources of the Initiative for the first fiscal year that begins after the date on which the report is submitted, and the plan for such activities and resources for not fewer than the four following fiscal years, organized by the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b). (B) A summary of progress made toward achieving the purposes of the Initiative, including through investments in— (i) the procurement, integration, and deployment of low-cost, low-maintenance autonomous and robotic systems designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and maritime domain awareness; (ii) improved interoperability and information sharing with partner nations; (iii) bilateral and multilateral military exercises and training with partner nations; and (iv) the use of security cooperation authorities to further build the capacity of partner nations. (C) A description of any significant parts of the Initiative not achieved and a detailed explanation of the obstacles that prevented achievement of the Initiative. (D) A detailed explanation of any significant modifications to activities or resources of the Initiative, as compared to reports previously submitted under this subsection. (E) Any other matter, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Budget display information (1) In general The Secretary shall include a detailed budget display for the Initiative in the materials of the Department of Defense submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the President pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter. (2) Elements Each budget display required by paragraph (1) shall include the following information: (A) The resources necessary for the Initiative to carry out the activities required by subsection (b) for the applicable fiscal year and not fewer than the four following fiscal years, organized by the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of such subsection. (B) With respect to procurement accounts— (i) amounts displayed by account, budget activity, line number, line item, and line item title; and (ii) a description of the requirements for such amounts specific to the Initiative. (C) With respect to research, development, test, and evaluation accounts— (i) amounts displayed by account, budget activity, line number, program element, and program element title; and (ii) a description of the requirements for such amounts specific to the Initiative. (D) With respect to operation and maintenance accounts— (i) amounts displayed by account title, budget activity title, line number, and subactivity group title; and (ii) a description of the specific manner in which such amounts will be used. (E) With respect to military personnel accounts— (i) amounts displayed by account, budget activity, budget subactivity, and budget subactivity title; and (ii) a description of the requirements for such amounts specific to the Initiative. (F) With respect to each project under military construction accounts (including with respect to unspecified minor military construction and amounts for planning and design), the country, location, project title, and project amount by fiscal year. (G) With respect to the activities described in subsection (b)— (i) amounts displayed by account title, budget activity title, line number, and subactivity group title; and (ii) a description of the specific manner in which such amounts will be used. (H) With respect to each military service— (i) amounts displayed by account title, budget activity title, line number, and subactivity group title; and (ii) a description of the specific manner in which such amounts will be used. (I) With respect to the amounts described in each of subparagraphs (B)(i), (C)(i), (D)(i), (E)(i), (G)(i), and (H)(i), a comparison between— (i) the amount in the budget of the President for the following fiscal year; and (ii) the amount projected in the previous budget of the President for the following fiscal year. (J) A detailed summary of funds obligated for the Initiative during the previous fiscal year. (K) A detailed comparison of funds obligated for the Initiative during the previous fiscal year to the amount of funds requested for such fiscal year. (e) Annual briefing required Not later than March 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the budget proposal for and programs of the Initiative, including the budget display information for the applicable fiscal year required by subsection (d).