118th CONGRESS 2d Session |
Supporting Senate military-connected fellowship opportunities, and for other purposes.
June 17, 2024
Mrs. Fischer (for herself and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
Supporting Senate military-connected fellowship opportunities, and for other purposes.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. Stars of Valor Fellowships program.
(a) Definitions.—In this section—
(1) the term “eligible individual” means an individual who meets the eligibility criteria established under subsection (d)(1)(A);
(2) the term “Program” means the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program established under subsection (b); and
(3) the term “Sergeant at Arms” means the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 2024, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Sergeant at Arms shall establish a central program, to be known as the “Stars of Valor Fellowships Program”, to enable eligible individuals to serve in the military-connected fellowship programs of the Senate.
(2) COMPONENTS.—The Program shall oversee and provide fellowships through—
(A) the SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program established under section 1 of Senate Resolution 442 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021;
(B) the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program established under section 1 of Senate Resolution 443 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021;
(C) the Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program established under section 2; and
(D) any additional military-connected fellowship program for eligible individuals established in regulations promulgated by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.
(c) Fellowships.—Under a fellowship in the Program, an eligible individual may serve a 24-month fellowship in the office of a Senator.
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the Program, including establishing the criteria for—
(A) eligibility to participate in the fellowship programs described in subsection (b)(2); and
(B) a method of prioritizing the assignment of fellowships to the offices of Senators under the Program, if the amount made available to carry out the Program for a fiscal year is not enough to provide fellowships in all offices requesting to participate in the Program for such fiscal year.
(2) PLACEMENT.—An eligible individual may serve in a fellowship under the Program at the office of a Senator in the District of Columbia or at a State office of the Senator.
(e) Exclusion of appointees for purposes of compensation limits.—The compensation paid to any eligible individual serving in a fellowship under the Program in the office of a Senator shall not be included in the determination of the aggregate gross compensation for employees employed by the Senator under section 105(d)(1) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575(d)(1)).
(f) Applicability.—The requirements of this section shall apply to all fellowship programs described in subsection (b)(2).
(g) Technical and conforming amendments.—
(1) SFC SEAN COOLEY AND SPC CHRISTOPHER HORTON CONGRESSIONAL GOLD STAR FAMILY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—Section 1(d) of Senate Resolution 442 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021, is amended by striking paragraph (3).
(2) MCCAIN-MANSFIELD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—Section 1(d) of Senate Resolution 443 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021, is amended by striking paragraph (3).
SEC. 2. Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program.
(a) Definitions.—In this section—
(1) the term “eligible individual” means an individual who—
(A) is, as of the date of application for the Program, a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty; and
(B) meets any other eligibility criteria established for the Program by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate under section 1(d)(1)(A);
(2) the term “Program” means the Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program established under subsection (b); and
(3) the term “Sergeant at Arms” means the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.
(b) Establishment.—Not later than December 31, 2024, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Sergeant at Arms shall establish a fellowship program, to be known as the “Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program”, for eligible individuals.
(c) Administration.—The Sergeant at Arms shall carry out the Program through the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program under section 1.