H. R. 3996 - STABILIZATION AND RECONSTRUCTION CIVILIAN MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2004

Introduced in the House by Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) on March 18, 2004. 

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) introduced concurrent legislation (S.2127) in the Senate. 
Co-Sponsors

H.R.3996 is a bill that will authorize the United States to begin creating a civilian corps that would be trained to respond to any international crisis that would require stabilization and reconstruction. This civilian corps, tentatively named the Response Readiness Corps, would be trained and maintained by the State Department. This bill also calls for the creation of the Office of International Stabilization and Reconstruction within the State Department. This Office would work hand in hand with the Secretary of State and other relevant agencies to provide accurate monitoring, assessments, and information to maintain a rapidly deployable Response Readiness Corps.

The Response Readiness Corps

The foundational purpose of the Response Readiness Corps is to provide assistance during stabilization and reconstruction efforts in a foreign country or region that is in transition from either military or civil strife. This is strictly a support role; this Corps would not be there to have any military role in an afflicted region.

This Corps would be composed up to 250 personnel who would be trained by the State Department. There will also be a Response Readiness Reserve, who would be trained and available as needed to serve and support the active Response Readiness Corps. Written into the bill, the Corps shall be available to:

• Respond in support of stabilization and reconstruction efforts already under the government’s direction.

• They shall also be available to respond to international stabilization and reconstruction efforts.

+ FULL TEXT OF BILL