Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act

12/15/2023, 4:00 PM
Congress
118
Number
HR - 4690
Introduced on
2023-07-17
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/17/2023
Text
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Related

Member:  
Ami Bera
Member:  
Zachary Nunn
Member:  
Darrell Issa
Member:  
Brad R. Wenstrup
Member:  
Dean Phillips
Member:  
Donald G. Davis
Member:  
August Pfluger

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act

This bill requires the President, the Department of State, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to each provide reports to Congress related to gray zone campaigns or assets. (Gray zone campaigns involve advancing a nation's interests through activities that fall between ordinary statecraft and open warfare without provoking a kinetic military conflict. Gray zone assets are entities or proxies used in gray zone activities.)

Specifically, the bill

  • requires the President to submit a report to Congress on the processes and capabilities by which the United States responds to gray zone campaigns and recommendations to enhance such processes and capabilities;
  • requires the State Department to submit a report to Congress on the department's understanding of the gray zone threat environment and capacity to contribute to coordinated U.S. responses to adversary gray zone campaigns; and
  • expands a required Intelligence Community Assessment regarding Russian gray zone assets to include the gray zone assets of China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Syria. (ODNI must submit this expanded assessment to Congress annually.)
The Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 4690, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Defense to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the United States' ability to respond to and deter aggression in the "gray zone," which refers to conflicts that fall between traditional war and peace.

The bill mandates that the assessment include an evaluation of the capabilities and readiness of the US military to address gray zone threats, as well as an analysis of potential gaps in current strategies and resources. Additionally, the Department of Defense would be required to provide recommendations for improving the US government's ability to counter gray zone aggression.

The Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties recognizing the importance of addressing the evolving nature of modern warfare. Proponents of the bill argue that a comprehensive assessment of the US military's capabilities in the gray zone is necessary to ensure national security and protect American interests abroad. If passed, the Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act would represent a significant step towards enhancing the United States' ability to respond to emerging threats and challenges in an increasingly complex global security environment.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo assess the capacity of the United States to effectively marshal disparate elements of national power to counter adversary political warfare campaigns, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/11/2025

Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act

This bill requires the President, the Department of State, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to each provide reports to Congress related to gray zone campaigns or...

Latest Action7/17/2023
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdi...