Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

Section 1236 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3558) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— (i) by inserting equipment and training to counter threats from unmanned aerial systems, after $6,000,000,; and (ii) by striking December 31, 2026 and all that follows through Defending in paragraph (1) and inserting December 31, 2027 for defending; and (B) by striking paragraph (2); (2) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (e) through (o) as subsections (d), (e), and (f) through (p), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsections (b) and (c): (b) Certification (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (3), of the funds authorized to be appropriated under this section, not more than 25 percent of such funds may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Secretary of Defense certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Iraq has taken credible steps— (A) to prevent attacks by Iran, Iranian-linked proxy groups, and Iranian-backed Shia militia groups against— (i) United States forces, facilities, and interests in Iraq; and (ii) allies and partners of the United States in Iraq, including such allies and partners in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; (B) to investigate and hold accountable any Iraqi who participates in such attacks; and (C) to gain further operational control over Iran-backed Shia militia groups under the control of the Iraqi Security Forces, with the Prime Minister of Iraq as the commander in chief, in order to end Iran's financial support to and control over such militia groups. (2) Determination In the event that the Secretary of Defense is unable to make the certification described in paragraph (1) because the Government of Iraq has not taken credible steps with respect to an action described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of that paragraph, the Secretary may— (A) submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan to provide direct defensive support to Kurdish Peshmerga forces; and (B) not earlier than five business days after the date on which the appropriate congressional committees receive such plan, commence implementation of the plan. (3) Applicability The limitation on use of funds and the certification requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds authorized to be appropriated for the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service or Kurdish Peshmerga forces. (c) Funds for Kurdish Peshmerga forces Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a), not less than 50 percent of such funds shall be directed toward provision of assistance to Kurdish Peshmerga forces.; (4) in subsection (e), as redesignated, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking subsection (b)(1)(A) and inserting subsection (d)(1)(A); (5) in subsection (j), as redesignated— (A) in paragraph (1)(C)(i), by striking subsection (k)(2) and inserting subsection (l)(2); (B) by striking paragraph (2); and (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); (6) in subsection (l), as redesignated— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (D); and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking and enhance and inserting or enhance; and (II) by striking supporting international coalition efforts and inserting defending; (ii) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking subsection (i)(1)(C) and inserting subsection (j)(1)(C); and (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking subsection (j) and inserting subsection (k); and (7) in subsection (o)(6), as redesignated, by striking December 31, 2026 and inserting December 31, 2027.