COMMANDERS’ EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM.

SEC. 1202. COMMANDERS’ EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM.(a) Authority for Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007.—During each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007, from funds made available to the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance for such fiscal year, not to exceed $500,000,000 may be used by the Secretary of Defense in such fiscal year to provide funds—(1) for the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program; and(2) for a similar program to assist the people of Afghanistan.(b) Quarterly Reports.—Not later than 15 days after the end of each fiscal-year quarter of fiscal years 2006 and 2007, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report regarding the source of funds and the allocation and use of funds during that quarter that were made available pursuant to the authority provided in this section or under any other provision of law for the purposes of the programs under subsection (a).(c) Submission of Guidance.—(1) Initial submission.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a copy of the guidance issued by the Secretary to the Armed Forces concerning the allocation of funds through the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program and any similar program to assist the people of Afghanistan.119 STAT. 3456(2) Modifications.—If the guidance in effect for the purpose stated in paragraph (1) is modified, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a copy of the modification not later than 15 days after the date on which the Secretary makes the modification.(d) Waiver Authority.—For purposes of exercising the authority provided by this section or any other provision of law making funding available for the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program or any similar program to assist the people of Afghanistan, the Secretary of Defense may waive any provision of law not contained in this section that would (but for the waiver) prohibit, restrict, limit, or otherwise constrain the exercise of that authority.(e) Commanders’ Emergency Response Program Defined.—In this section, the term “Commanders’ Emergency Response Program” means the program established by the Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority for the purpose of enabling United States military commanders in Iraq to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction requirements within their areas of responsibility by carrying out programs that will immediately assist the Iraqi people.