Title 50War and National DefenseRelease 119-73not60

§3714 Use of Funds for Unspecified Purposes or for Increased Amounts

Title 50 › Chapter 48— DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION › Subchapter I— PROGRAM AUTHORITIES › § 3714

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

When Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) funds are approved by a law (not the annual appropriations bill) for specific program uses in a fiscal year, the Secretary of Defense can spend or commit those funds for other purposes if the Secretary decides it is needed for the national interests, tells the defense committees in Congress with a full explanation including the amount, and waits 15 days after sending that notice. The Secretary cannot use the funds for any purpose that another law specifically forbids. The Secretary can also spend more than the exact amount approved for a specific CTR purpose if the Secretary finds it necessary for the national interests, notifies the defense committees with a full justification including how much more will be spent, and waits 15 days after that notice.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §3714

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)For any fiscal year for which Cooperative Threat Reduction funds are specifically authorized in an Act other than an appropriations Act for specific purposes within the Program, the Secretary of Defense may obligate or expend such funds, or other funds otherwise made available for the Program for that fiscal year, for purposes other than such specified purposes if—
(A)the Secretary determines that such obligation or expenditure is necessary in the national interests of the United States;
(B)the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees—
(i)notification of the intent of the Secretary to make such an obligation or expenditure of funds; and
(ii)a complete discussion of the purpose and justification for such obligation or expenditure, including the amount of funds to be obligated or expended; and
(C)a period of 15 days has elapsed following the date on which the Secretary submits the notification and discussion under subparagraph (B).
(2)Paragraph (1) may not be construed to authorize the obligation or expenditure of Cooperative Threat Reduction Program funds for a purpose for which the obligation or expenditure of such funds is specifically prohibited under section 3731 of this title or any other provision of law.
(b)For any fiscal year for which Cooperative Threat Reduction funds are specifically authorized in an Act other than an appropriations Act for specific purposes within the Program, the Secretary may obligate or expend such funds, or other funds otherwise made available for the Program for that fiscal year, in excess of the specific amount so authorized for that purpose if—
(1)the Secretary determines that such obligation or expenditure is necessary in the national interests of the United States;
(2)the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees—
(A)notification of the intent of the Secretary to make such an obligation or expenditure of funds in excess of such authorized amount; and
(B)a complete discussion of the justification for exceeding such specified amounts, including the amount by which the Secretary will exceed such specified amounts; and
(3)a period of 15 days has elapsed following the date on which the Secretary submits the notification and discussion under paragraph (2).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsecs. (a)(1)(C), (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “15 days” for “45 days”. 2016—Subsecs. (a)(1)(C), (b)(3). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “45 days” for “15 days”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 3714

Title 50War and National Defense

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60