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[115th Congress Public Law 56]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

[[Page 131 STAT. 1129]]

Public Law 115-56
115th Congress

                                 An Act

 
 Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2018, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Sept. 8, 2017 -  [H.R. 601]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster 
Relief Requirements Act, 2017.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 
and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 
2017''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. References.

   DIVISION A--REINFORCING EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IN DEVELOPMENT ACT

DIVISION B--SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF REQUIREMENTS 
                                ACT, 2017

          DIVISION C--TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PUBLIC DEBT RELIEF

             DIVISION D--CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

SEC. 3. <<NOTE: 1 USC 1 note.>>  REFERENCES.

    Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ``this 
Act'' contained in any division of this Act shall be treated as 
referring only to the provisions of that division.

  DIVISION <<NOTE: Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development 
 Act. 22 USC 2151c note.>>  A--REINFORCING EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IN 
DEVELOPMENT ACT
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Reinforcing 
Education Accountability in Development Act'' or the ``READ Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Assistance to promote sustainable, quality basic education.
Sec. 4. Comprehensive integrated United States strategy to promote basic 
           education.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1130]]

Sec. 5. Improving coordination and oversight.
Sec. 6. Monitoring and evaluation of programs.
Sec. 7. Transparency and reporting to Congress.

SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 22 USC 2151c note.>>  DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this Act, the term 
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.

    (b) Other Definitions.--In this Act, the terms ``basic education'', 
``marginalized children and vulnerable groups'', ``national education 
plan'', ``partner country'', and ``relevant Executive branch agencies 
and officials'' have the meanings given such terms in section 105(c) of 
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as added by section 3.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: 22 USC 2151c note.>>  ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE 
                    SUSTAINABLE, QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION.

    Section 105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Assistance To Promote Sustainable, Quality Basic Education.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Basic education.--The term `basic education' 
                includes--
                          ``(i) measurable improvements in literacy, 
                      numeracy, and other basic skills development that 
                      prepare an individual to be an active, productive 
                      member of society and the workforce;
                          ``(ii) workforce development, vocational 
                      training, and digital literacy informed by real 
                      market needs and opportunities and that results in 
                      measurable improvements in employment;
                          ``(iii) programs and activities designed to 
                      demonstrably improve--
                                    ``(I) early childhood, preprimary 
                                education, primary education, and 
                                secondary education, which can be 
                                delivered in formal or nonformal 
                                education settings; and
                                    ``(II) learning for out-of-school 
                                youth and adults; and
                          ``(iv) capacity building for teachers, 
                      administrators, counselors, and youth workers that 
                      results in measurable improvements in student 
                      literacy, numeracy, or employment.
                    ``(B) Communities of learning.--The term 
                `communities of learning' means a holistic approach to 
                education and community engagement in which schools act 
                as the primary resource center for delivery of a service 
                to the community at large, leveraging and maximizing the 
                impact of other development efforts and reducing 
                duplication and waste.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1131]]

                    ``(C) Gender parity in basic education.--The term 
                `gender parity in basic education' means that girls and 
                boys have equal access to quality basic education.
                    ``(D) Marginalized children and vulnerable groups.--
                The term `marginalized children and vulnerable groups' 
                includes girls, children affected by or emerging from 
                armed conflict or humanitarian crises, children with 
                disabilities, children in remote or rural areas 
                (including those who lack access to safe water and 
                sanitation), religious or ethnic minorities, indigenous 
                peoples, orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS, 
                child laborers, married adolescents, and victims of 
                trafficking.
                    ``(E) National education plan.--The term `national 
                education plan' means a comprehensive national education 
                plan developed by partner country governments in 
                consultation with other stakeholders as a means for 
                wide-scale improvement of the country's education 
                system, including explicit, credible strategies informed 
                by effective practices and standards to achieve quality 
                universal basic education.
                    ``(F) Nonformal education.--The term `nonformal 
                education' means organized educational activities 
                outside the established formal system, whether operating 
                separately or as an important feature of a broader 
                activity, that are intended to provide students with 
                measurable improvements in literacy, numeracy, and other 
                basic skills development that prepare an individual to 
                be an active, productive member of society and the 
                workforce.
                    ``(G) Partner country.--The term `partner country' 
                means a developing country that participates in or 
                benefits from basic education programs under this 
                subsection pursuant to the prioritization criteria 
                described in paragraph (4), including level of need, 
                opportunity for impact, and the availability of 
                resources.
                    ``(H) Relevant executive branch agencies and 
                officials.--The term `relevant Executive branch agencies 
                and officials' means the Department of State, the United 
                States Agency for International Development, the 
                Department of the Treasury, the Department of Labor, the 
                Department of Education, the Department of Agriculture, 
                and the Department of Defense, the Chief Executive 
                Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the 
                National Security Advisor, and the Director of the Peace 
                Corps.
                    ``(I) Sustainability.--The term `sustainability' 
                means, with respect to any basic education program that 
                receives funding pursuant to this section, the ability 
                of a service delivery system, community, partner, or 
                beneficiary to maintain, over time, such basic education 
                program without the use of foreign assistance.
            ``(2) Policy.--In carrying out this section, it shall be the 
        policy of the United States to work with partner countries, as 
        appropriate, other donors, multilateral institutions, the 
        private sector, and nongovernmental and civil society 
        organizations, including faith-based organizations and 
        organizations that represent teachers, students, and parents, to 
        promote sustainable, quality basic education through programs 
        and activities that--

[[Page 131 STAT. 1132]]

                    ``(A) take into consideration and help respond to 
                the needs, capacities, and commitment of developing 
                countries to achieve measurable improvements in 
                literacy, numeracy, and other basic skills development 
                that prepare an individual to be an active, productive 
                member of society and the workforce;
                    ``(B) strengthen educational systems, promote 
                communities of learning, as appropriate, expand access 
                to safe learning environments, including by breaking 
                down specific barriers to basic education for women and 
                girls, ensure continuity of education, including in 
                conflict settings, measurably improve teacher skills and 
                learning outcomes, and support the engagement of parents 
                in the education of their children to help partner 
                countries ensure that all children, including 
                marginalized children and other vulnerable groups, have 
                access to and benefit from quality basic education;
                    ``(C) promote education as a foundation for 
                sustained economic growth and development within a 
                comprehensive assistance strategy that places partner 
                countries on a trajectory toward graduation from 
                assistance provided under this section with clearly 
                defined benchmarks of success that are used as 
                requirements for related procurement vehicles, such as 
                grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements;
                    ``(D) monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and 
                quality of basic education programs in partner 
                countries; and
                    ``(E) promote United States values, especially 
                respect for all persons and freedoms of religion, 
                speech, and the press.
            ``(3) Principles.--In carrying out the policy referred to in 
        paragraph (2), the United States shall be guided by the 
        following principles of aid effectiveness:
                    ``(A) Alignment.--Assistance provided under this 
                section to support programs and activities under this 
                subsection shall be aligned with and advance United 
                States foreign policy and economic interests.
                    ``(B) Country ownership.--To the greatest extent 
                practicable, assistance provided under this section to 
                support programs and activities under this subsection 
                should be aligned with and support the national 
                education plans and country development strategies of 
                partner countries, including activities that are 
                appropriate for and meet the needs of local and 
                indigenous cultures.
                    ``(C) Coordination.--
                          ``(i) In general.--Assistance provided under 
                      this section to support programs and activities 
                      under this subsection should be coordinated with 
                      and leverage the unique capabilities and resources 
                      of local and national governments in partner 
                      countries, other donors, multilateral 
                      institutions, the private sector, and 
                      nongovernmental and civil society organizations, 
                      including faith-based organizations and 
                      organizations that represent teachers, students, 
                      and parents.
                          ``(ii) Multilateral programs and 
                      initiatives.--Assistance provided under this 
                      section to support programs and activities under 
                      this subsection should be

[[Page 131 STAT. 1133]]

                      coordinated with and support proven multilateral 
                      education programs and financing mechanisms, which 
                      may include the Global Partnership for Education, 
                      that demonstrate commitment to efficiency, 
                      effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.
                    ``(D) <<NOTE: President.>>  Efficiency.--The 
                President shall seek to improve the efficiency and 
                effectiveness of assistance provided under this section 
                to support programs and activities under this subsection 
                by coordinating the related efforts of relevant 
                Executive branch agencies and officials.
                    ``(E) Effectiveness.--Programs and activities 
                supported under this subsection--
                          ``(i) shall be consistent with the policies 
                      and principles set forth in this subsection;
                          ``(ii) shall be designed to achieve specific, 
                      measurable goals and objectives that are directly 
                      related to the provision of basic education (as 
                      defined in this section); and
                          ``(iii) shall include appropriate targets, 
                      metrics, and indicators that--
                                    ``(I) move a country along the path 
                                to graduation from assistance provided 
                                under this subsection; and
                                    ``(II) can be applied with 
                                reasonable consistency across such 
                                programs and activities to measure 
                                progress and outcomes.
                    ``(F) Transparency and accountability.--Programs and 
                activities supported under this subsection shall be 
                subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation, which may 
                include impact evaluations, the results of which shall 
                be made publically available in a fully searchable, 
                electronic format.
            ``(4) <<NOTE: President.>>  Priority and other 
        requirements.--The President shall ensure that assistance 
        provided under this section to support programs and activities 
        under this subsection is aligned with the foreign policy and 
        economic interests of the United States and, subject to such 
        alignment, priority is given to developing countries in which--
                    ``(A) there is the greatest need and opportunity to 
                expand access to basic education and to improve learning 
                outcomes, including for marginalized and vulnerable 
                groups, particularly women and girls to ensure gender 
                parity in basic education, or populations affected by 
                conflict or crisis;
                    ``(B) such assistance can produce a substantial, 
                measurable impact on children and educational systems; 
                and
                    ``(C) there is the greatest opportunity to reduce 
                childhood and adolescence exposure to or engagement in 
                violent extremism or extremist ideologies.''.
SEC. 4. <<NOTE: President. 22 USC 2151c note. Deadline.>>  
                    COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED UNITED STATES 
                    STRATEGY TO PROMOTE BASIC EDUCATION.

    (a) Strategy Required.--Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a comprehensive United States strategy to be 
carried out during the following five fiscal years to promote quality 
basic education in partner countries by--

[[Page 131 STAT. 1134]]

            (1) seeking to equitably expand access to basic education 
        for all children, particularly marginalized children and 
        vulnerable groups; and
            (2) measurably improving the quality of basic education and 
        learning outcomes.

    (b) Requirement To Consult.--In developing the strategy required 
under subsection (a), the President shall consult with--
            (1) the appropriate congressional committees;
            (2) relevant Executive branch agencies and officials;
            (3) partner country governments; and
            (4) local and international nongovernmental organizations, 
        including faith-based organizations and organizations 
        representing students, teachers, and parents, and other 
        development partners engaged in basic education assistance 
        programs in developing countries.

    (c) Public Comment.--The President shall provide an opportunity for 
public comment on the strategy required under subsection (a).
    (d) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a)--
            (1) shall be developed and implemented consistent with the 
        principles set forth in section 105(c) of the Foreign Assistance 
        Act of 1961, as added by section 3; and
            (2) shall seek--
                    (A) to prioritize assistance provided under this 
                subsection to countries that are partners of the United 
                States and whose populations are most in need of 
                improved basic education, as determined by indicators 
                such as literacy and numeracy rates;
                    (B) to build the capacity of relevant actors in 
                partner countries, including in government and in civil 
                society, to develop and implement national education 
                plans that measurably improve basic education;
                    (C) to identify and replicate successful 
                interventions that improve access to and quality of 
                basic education in conflict settings and in partner 
                countries;
                    (D) to project general levels of resources needed to 
                achieve stated program objectives;
                    (E) to develop means to track implementation in 
                partner countries and ensure that such countries are 
                expending appropriate domestic resources and instituting 
                any relevant legal, regulatory, or institutional reforms 
                needed to achieve stated program objectives;
                    (F) to leverage United States capabilities, 
                including through technical assistance, training, and 
                research; and
                    (G) to improve coordination and reduce duplication 
                among relevant Executive branch agencies and officials, 
                other donors, multilateral institutions, nongovernmental 
                organizations, and governments in partner countries.
SEC. 5. <<NOTE: 22 USC 2151c note. Establishment.>>  IMPROVING 
                    COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT.

    (a) Senior Coordinator of United States International Basic 
Education Assistance.--There is established within the United States 
Agency for International Development a Senior Coordinator of United 
States International Basic Education Assistance (referred to in this 
section as the ``Senior Coordinator''). <<NOTE: President.>>  The Senior 
Coordinator shall be appointed by the President, shall be a current 
USAID employee serving in a career or noncareer position

[[Page 131 STAT. 1135]]

in the Senior Executive Service or at the level of a Deputy Assistant 
Administrator or higher, and shall serve concurrently as the Senior 
Coordinator.

    (b) Duties.--
            (1) In general.--The Senior Coordinator shall have primary 
        responsibility for the oversight and coordination of all 
        resources and activities of the United States Government 
        relating to the promotion of international basic education 
        programs and activities.
            (2) Specific duties.--The Senior Coordinator shall--
                    (A) facilitate program and policy coordination of 
                international basic education programs and activities 
                among relevant Executive branch agencies and officials, 
                partner governments, multilateral institutions, the 
                private sector, and nongovernmental and civil society 
                organizations;
                    (B) develop and revise the strategy required under 
                section 4;
                    (C) monitor, evaluate, and report on activities 
                undertaken pursuant to the strategy required under 
                section 4; and
                    (D) establish due diligence criteria for all 
                recipients of funds provided by the United States to 
                carry out activities under this Act and the amendments 
                made by this Act.

    (c) <<NOTE: President. Consultation. Determination.>>  Offset.--In 
order to eliminate duplication of effort and activities and to offset 
any costs incurred by the United States Agency for International 
Development in appointing the Senior Coordinator under subsection (a), 
the President shall, after consulting with appropriate congressional 
committees, eliminate a position within the United States Agency for 
International Development (unless otherwise authorized or required by 
law) that the President determines to be necessary to fully offset such 
costs and eliminate duplication.
SEC. 6. <<NOTE: President. 22 USC 2151c note.>>  MONITORING AND 
                    EVALUATION OF PROGRAMS.

    The President shall seek to ensure that programs carried out under 
the strategy required under section 4 shall--
            (1) apply rigorous monitoring and evaluation methodologies 
        to determine if programs and activities provided under this 
        subsection accomplish measurable improvements in literacy, 
        numeracy, or other basic skills development that prepare an 
        individual to be an active, productive member of society and the 
        workforce;
            (2) include methodological guidance in the implementation 
        plan and support systemic data collection using internationally 
        comparable indicators, norms, and methodologies, to the extent 
        practicable and appropriate;
            (3) disaggregate all data collected and reported by age, 
        gender, marital status, disability, and location, to the extent 
        practicable and appropriate;
            (4) include funding for both short- and long-term monitoring 
        and evaluation to enable assessment of the sustainability and 
        scalability of assistance programs; and
            (5) support the increased use and public availability of 
        education data for improved decision making, program 
        effectiveness, and monitoring of global progress.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1136]]

SEC. 7. <<NOTE: 22 USC 2151c note. President.>>  TRANSPARENCY AND 
                    REPORTING TO CONGRESS.

    (a) Annual Report on the Implementation of Strategy.--Not later than 
180 days after the end of each fiscal year during which the strategy 
developed pursuant to section 4(a) is carried out, the President shall--
            (1) submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
        committees that describes the implementation of such strategy; 
        and
            (2) <<NOTE: Public information.>>  make the report described 
        in paragraph (1) available to the public.

    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The report required under subsection 
(a) shall include--
            (1) a description of the efforts made by relevant Executive 
        branch agencies and officials to implement the strategy 
        developed pursuant to section 4, with a particular focus on the 
        activities carried out under the strategy;
            (2) a description of the extent to which each partner 
        country selected to receive assistance for basic education meets 
        the priority criteria specified in section 105(c) of the Foreign 
        Assistance Act, as added by section 3; and
            (3) a description of the progress achieved over the 
        reporting period toward meeting the goals, objectives, 
        benchmarks, and timeframes specified in the strategy developed 
        pursuant to section 4 at the program level, as developed 
        pursuant to monitoring and evaluation specified in section 6, 
        with particular emphasis on whether there are demonstrable 
        student improvements in literacy, numeracy, or other basic 
        skills development that prepare an individual to be an active, 
        productive member of society and the workforce.

    DIVISION <<NOTE: Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief 
   Requirements, 2017.>>  B--SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER 
RELIEF REQUIREMENTS

     The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or 
other revenues, receipts, and funds, for the several departments, 
agencies, corporations, and other organizational units of Government for 
fiscal year 2017, and for other purposes, namely:

                     DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

                   Federal Emergency Management Agency

                          disaster relief fund

    For an additional amount for ``Disaster Relief Fund'' for major 
disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $7,400,000,000, 
to remain available until expended:  Provided, That such amount is 
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement 
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985:  Provided further, 
That <<NOTE: President.>>  the amount designated under this heading as 
an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be 
available only if the President subsequently so designates such amount 
and transmits such designation to the Congress.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1137]]

                      SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

                     disaster loans program account

                      (including transfer of funds)

    For an additional amount for the ``Disaster Loans Program Account'' 
for the cost of direct loans authorized by section 7(b) of the Small 
Business Act, $450,000,000, to remain available until expended:  
Provided, That up to $225,000,000 may be transferred to and merged with 
``Salaries and Expenses'' for administrative expenses to carry out the 
disaster loan program authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business 
Act:  Provided further, That none of the funds provided under this 
heading may be used for indirect administrative expenses:  Provided 
further, That the amount provided under this heading is designated as an 
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
1985: <<NOTE: President.>>   Provided further, That the amount 
designated under this heading as an emergency requirement pursuant to 
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 shall be available only if the President 
subsequently so designates such amount and transmits such designation to 
the Congress.

               DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                   Community Planning and Development

                       community development fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

    For an additional amount for ``Community Development Fund'', 
$7,400,000,000, to remain available until expended, for necessary 
expenses for activities authorized under title I of the Housing and 
Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) related to 
disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and 
housing, and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed 
areas resulting from a major disaster declared in 2017 pursuant to the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.):  Provided, That funds shall be awarded directly to 
the State or unit of general local government at the discretion of the 
Secretary:  Provided further, That as a 
condition <<NOTE: Grants. Certification.>>  of making any grant, the 
Secretary shall certify in advance that such grantee has in place 
proficient financial controls and procurement processes and has 
established adequate procedures to prevent any duplication of benefits 
as defined by section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155), to ensure timely expenditure 
of funds, to maintain comprehensive websites regarding all disaster 
recovery activities assisted with these funds, and to detect and prevent 
waste, fraud, and abuse of funds: <<NOTE: Plan. Criteria.>>   Provided 
further, That prior to the obligation of funds a grantee shall submit a 
plan to the Secretary for approval detailing the proposed use of all 
funds, including criteria for eligibility and how the use of these funds 
will address long-term recovery and restoration of infrastructure and 
housing and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed 
areas:  Provided further, That such funds may not

[[Page 131 STAT. 1138]]

be used for activities reimbursable by, or for which funds are made 
available by, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Army Corps 
of Engineers:  Provided further, That funds allocated under this heading 
shall not be considered relevant to the non-disaster formula allocations 
made pursuant to section 106 of the Housing and Community Development 
Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306):  Provided further, That a State or 
subdivision thereof may use up to 5 percent of its allocation for 
administrative costs:  Provided further, That in 
administering <<NOTE: Waiver authority.>>  the funds under this heading, 
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may waive, or specify 
alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation 
that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the 
Secretary or the use by the recipient of these funds (except for 
requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor 
standards, and the environment), if the Secretary finds that good cause 
exists for the waiver or alternative requirement and such waiver or 
alternative requirement would not be inconsistent with the overall 
purpose of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974: 
 Provided further, That, notwithstanding the preceding proviso, 
recipients of funds provided under this heading that use such funds to 
supplement Federal assistance provided under section 402, 403, 404, 406, 
407, or 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) may adopt, without review or 
public comment, any environmental review, approval, or permit performed 
by a Federal agency, and such adoption shall satisfy the 
responsibilities of the recipient with respect to such environmental 
review, approval or permit:  Provided further, That, notwithstanding 
section 104(g)(2) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 
(42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(2)), the Secretary may, upon receipt of a request for 
release of funds and certification, immediately approve the release of 
funds for an activity or project assisted under this heading if the 
recipient has adopted an environmental review, approval or permit under 
the preceding proviso or the activity or project is categorically 
excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.):  Provided further, That the 
Secretary <<NOTE: Notice. Federal Register, publication. Deadline.>>  
shall publish via notice in the Federal Register any waiver, or 
alternative requirement, to any statute or regulation that the Secretary 
administers pursuant to title I of the Housing and Community Development 
Act of 1974 no later than 5 days before the effective date of such 
waiver or alternative requirement:  Provided further, That of the 
amounts made available under this heading, up to $10,000,000 may be 
transferred, in aggregate, to ``Department of Housing and Urban 
Development--Program Office Salaries and Expenses--Community Planning 
and Development'' for necessary costs, including information technology 
costs, of administering and overseeing the obligation and expenditure of 
amounts under this heading:  Provided further, That such amount is 
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement 
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985: <<NOTE: President.>>   Provided further, 
That the amount designated under this heading as an emergency 
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be available only if the 
President subsequently so designates such amount and transmits such 
designation to the Congress.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1139]]

    This division may be cited as the ``Supplemental Appropriations for 
Disaster Relief Requirements, 2017''.

          DIVISION C--TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT

    Sec. 101. (a) <<NOTE: Time period. 31 USC 3101 note.>>  In 
General.--Section 3101(b) of title 31, United States Code, shall not 
apply for the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and 
ending on December 8, 2017.

    (b) Special Rule Relating to Obligations Issued During Extension 
Period.--Effective on December 9, 2017, <<NOTE: Effective date.>>  the 
limitation in effect under section 3101(b) of title 31, United States 
Code, shall be increased to the extent that--
            (1) the face amount of obligations issued under chapter 31 
        of such title and the face amount of obligations whose principal 
        and interest are guaranteed by the United States Government 
        (except guaranteed obligations held by the Secretary of the 
        Treasury) outstanding on December 9, 2017, exceeds
            (2) the face amount of such obligations outstanding on the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.

    (c) Restoring Congressional Authority Over the National Debt.--
            (1) Extension limited to necessary obligations.--An 
        obligation shall not be taken into account under section 
        101(b)(1) unless the issuance of such obligation was necessary 
        to fund a commitment incurred pursuant to law by the Federal 
        Government that required payment before December 9, 2017.
            (2) Prohibition on creation of cash reserve during extension 
        period.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall not issue 
        obligations during the period specified in section 101(a) for 
        the purpose of increasing the cash balance above normal 
        operating balances in anticipation of the expiration of such 
        period.

 DIVISION <<NOTE: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018.>>  D--CONTINUING 
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

     The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or 
other revenues, receipts, and funds, for the several departments, 
agencies, corporations, and other organizational units of Government for 
fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes, namely:
    Sec. 101. (a) Such amounts as may be necessary, at a rate for 
operations as provided in the applicable appropriations Acts for fiscal 
year 2017 and under the authority and conditions provided in such Acts, 
for continuing projects or activities (including the costs of direct 
loans and loan guarantees) that are not otherwise specifically provided 
for in this Act, that were conducted in fiscal year 2017, and for which 
appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in the 
following appropriations Acts:
            (1) The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
        Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 
        (division A of Public Law 115-31) and section 193 of Public Law 
        114-223, as amended by division A of Public Law 114-254.
            (2) The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies 
        Appropriations Act, 2017 (division B of Public Law 115-31), 
        except section 540.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1140]]

            (3) The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 
        (division C of Public Law 115-31).
            (4) The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies 
        Appropriations Act, 2017 (division D of Public Law 115-31).
            (5) The Financial Services and General Government 
        Appropriations Act, 2017 (division E of Public Law 115-31).
            (6) The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 
        2017 (division F of Public Law 115-31), except section 310.
            (7) <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  The Department of the 
        Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
        2017 (division G of Public Law 115-31), except that the language 
        under the heading ``FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund'' in 
        the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior shall be applied 
        by adding at the end the following: ``Provided further, That 
        notwithstanding the first proviso under the heading and 
        notwithstanding the FLAME Act of 2009, 43 U.S.C. 1748a(e), such 
        funds shall be available to be transferred to and merged with 
        other appropriations accounts to fully repay amounts previously 
        transferred for wildfire suppression''.
            (8) The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
        Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 
        (division H of Public Law 115-31) and sections 171, 194, and 195 
        of Public Law 114-223, as amended by division A of Public Law 
        114-254.
            (9) The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2017 
        (division I of Public Law 115-31) and section 175 of Public Law 
        114-223, as amended by division A of Public Law 114-254.
            (10) The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and 
        Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (division A of Public 
        Law 114-223), except for appropriations for fiscal year 2017 in 
        the matter preceding the first proviso under the heading 
        ``Medical Community Care'', and division L of Public Law 115-31.
            (11) The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and 
        Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2017 (division J of Public 
        Law 115-31).
            (12) The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and 
        Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (division K of Public 
        Law 115-31), except sections 420 and 421.
            (13) The Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 
        (division B of Public Law 114-254).

    (b) <<NOTE: Rate reduction.>>  The rate for operations provided by 
subsection (a) is hereby reduced by 0.6791 percent.

    Sec. 102. (a) No appropriation or funds made available or authority 
granted pursuant to section 101 for the Department of Defense shall be 
used for: (1) the new production of items not funded for production in 
fiscal year 2017 or prior years; (2) the increase in production rates 
above those sustained with fiscal year 2017 funds; or (3) the 
initiation, resumption, or continuation of any project, activity, 
operation, or organization (defined as any project, subproject, 
activity, budget activity, program element, and subprogram within a 
program element, and for any investment items defined as a P-1 line item 
in a budget activity within an appropriation account and an R-1 line 
item that includes a program element and subprogram element within an 
appropriation account)

[[Page 131 STAT. 1141]]

for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were not available 
during fiscal year 2017.
    (b) <<NOTE: Contracts.>>  No appropriation or funds made available 
or authority granted pursuant to section 101 for the Department of 
Defense shall be used to initiate multi-year procurements utilizing 
advance procurement funding for economic order quantity procurement 
unless specifically appropriated later.

    Sec. 103.  Appropriations made by section 101 shall be available to 
the extent and in the manner that would be provided by the pertinent 
appropriations Act.
    Sec. 104.  Except as otherwise provided in section 102, no 
appropriation or funds made available or authority granted pursuant to 
section 101 shall be used to initiate or resume any project or activity 
for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were not available 
during fiscal year 2017.
    Sec. 105.  Appropriations made and authority granted pursuant to 
this Act shall cover all obligations or expenditures incurred for any 
project or activity during the period for which funds or authority for 
such project or activity are available under this Act.
    Sec. 106.  <<NOTE: Expiration date.>>  Unless otherwise provided for 
in this Act or in the applicable appropriations Act for fiscal year 
2018, appropriations and funds made available and authority granted 
pursuant to this Act shall be available until whichever of the following 
first occurs:
            (1) the enactment into law of an appropriation for any 
        project or activity provided for in this Act;
            (2) the enactment into law of the applicable appropriations 
        Act for fiscal year 2018 without any provision for such project 
        or activity; or
            (3) December 8, 2017.

    Sec. 107.  Expenditures made pursuant to this Act shall be charged 
to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a bill 
in which such applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization is 
contained is enacted into law.
    Sec. 108.  Appropriations made and funds made available by or 
authority granted pursuant to this Act may be used without regard to the 
time limitations for submission and approval of apportionments set forth 
in section 1513 of title 31, United States Code, but nothing in this Act 
may be construed to waive any other provision of law governing the 
apportionment of funds.
    Sec. 109.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, except 
section 106, for those programs that would otherwise have high initial 
rates of operation or complete distribution of appropriations at the 
beginning of fiscal year 2018 because of distributions of funding to 
States, foreign countries, grantees, or others, such high initial rates 
of operation or complete distribution shall not be made, and no grants 
shall be awarded for such programs funded by this Act that would impinge 
on final funding prerogatives.
    Sec. 110.  This Act shall be implemented so that only the most 
limited funding action of that permitted in the Act shall be taken in 
order to provide for continuation of projects and activities.
    Sec. 111. (a) For entitlements and other mandatory payments whose 
budget authority was provided in appropriations Acts for fiscal year 
2017, and for activities under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 
activities shall be continued at the rate to maintain

[[Page 131 STAT. 1142]]

program levels under current law, under the authority and conditions 
provided in the applicable appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017, to 
be continued through the date specified in section 106(3).
    (b) <<NOTE: Time period. Continuation.>>  Notwithstanding section 
106, obligations for mandatory payments due on or about the first day of 
any month that begins after October 2017 but not later than 30 days 
after the date specified in section 106(3) may continue to be made, and 
funds shall be available for such payments.

    Sec. 112.  Amounts made available under section 101 for civilian 
personnel compensation and benefits in each department and agency may be 
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to avoid furloughs 
within such department or agency, consistent with the applicable 
appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017, except that such authority 
provided under this section shall not be used until after the department 
or agency has taken all necessary actions to reduce or defer non-
personnel-related administrative expenses.
    Sec. 113.  Funds appropriated by this Act may be obligated and 
expended notwithstanding section 10 of Public Law 91-672 (22 U.S.C. 
2412), section 15 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 
(22 U.S.C. 2680), section 313 of the Foreign Relations Authorization 
Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (22 U.S.C. 6212), and section 504(a)(1) 
of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3094(a)(1)).
    Sec. 114. (a) Each amount incorporated by reference in this Act that 
was previously designated by the Congress for Overseas Contingency 
Operations/Global War on Terrorism or as an emergency requirement 
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant to 
section 251(b)(2)(D) of such Act is designated by the Congress for 
Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism or as an 
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of such Act or as 
being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of such Act, 
respectively.
    (b) The reduction in section 101(b) of this Act shall not apply to--
            (1) amounts designated under subsection (a) of this section;
            (2) amounts made available by section 101(a) by reference to 
        the second paragraph under the heading ``Social Security 
        Administration--Limitation on Administrative Expenses'' in 
        division H of Public Law 115-31; or
            (3) amounts made available by section 101(a) by reference to 
        the paragraph under the heading ``Centers for Medicare and 
        Medicaid Services--Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account'' 
        in division H of Public Law 115-31.

    (c) <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Section 6 of Public Law 115-31 shall 
apply to amounts designated in subsection (a) for Overseas Contingency 
Operations/Global War on Terrorism or as an emergency requirement.

    Sec. 115.  During the period covered by this Act, discretionary 
amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2018 that were provided in advance 
by appropriations Acts shall be available in the amounts provided in 
such Acts, reduced by the percentage in section 101(b).
    Sec. 116.  Notwithstanding section 101, amounts are provided for 
``Department of Agriculture--Domestic Food Programs--Food and Nutrition 
Service--Commodity Assistance Program'' at a rate for operations of 
$317,139,000, of which $238,120,000 shall be for the Commodity 
Supplemental Food Program.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1143]]

    Sec. 117.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  The final proviso in section 
715 of division A of Public Law 115-31 shall be applied during the 
period covered by this Act by adding ``from amounts first made available 
for fiscal year 2018'' after ``unobligated balances'' and as if the 
following were struck from such proviso: ``the carryover amounts 
authorized in the first proviso of this section for section 32 and''.

    Sec. 118.  Amounts made available by section 101 for ``Department of 
Commerce--Bureau of the Census--Periodic Censuses and Programs'' may be 
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to maintain the 
schedule and deliver the required data according to statutory deadlines 
in the 2020 Decennial Census Program.
    Sec. 119.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Section 1215(f)(1) of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-
81; 10 U.S.C. 113 note), as most recently amended by section 1223 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-
328), shall be applied by substituting ``2018'' for ``2017'' through the 
earlier of the date specified in section 106(3) of this Act or the date 
of the enactment of an Act authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 
2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense.

    Sec. 120. (a) Funds made available by section 101 for ``Department 
of Energy--Energy Programs--Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and 
Decommissioning Fund'' may be apportioned up to the rate for operations 
necessary to avoid disruption of continuing projects or activities 
funded in this appropriation.
    (b) <<NOTE: Notification. Deadline.>>  The Secretary of Energy shall 
notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate not later than 3 days after each use of the authority 
provided in subsection (a).

    Sec. 121.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Section 104(c) of the 
Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 (43 U.S.C. 
2214(c)) shall be applied by substituting the date specified in section 
106(3) for ``September 30, 2017''.

    Sec. 122. <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  (a) Notwithstanding section 101, 
the third proviso under the heading ``Power Marketing Administrations--
Operation and Maintenance, Southeastern Power Administration'' in 
division D of Public Law 115-31 shall be applied by substituting 
``$51,000,000'' for ``$60,760,000''.

    (b) Notwithstanding section 101, the third proviso under the heading 
``Power Marketing Administrations--Operation and Maintenance, 
Southwestern Power Administration'' in division D of Public Law 115-31 
shall be applied by substituting ``$10,000,000'' for ``$73,000,000''.
    (c) Notwithstanding section 101, the third proviso under the heading 
``Power Marketing Administrations--Construction, Rehabilitation, 
Operation and Maintenance, Western Area Power Administration'' in 
division D of Public Law 115-31 shall be applied by substituting 
``$179,000,000'' for ``$367,009,000''.
    Sec. 123.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, except 
section 106, the District of Columbia may expend local funds under the 
heading ``District of Columbia Funds'' for such programs and activities 
under the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2017 (title IV of 
division E of Public Law 115-31) at the rate set forth under ``Part A--
Summary of Expenses'' as included in the Fiscal Year 2018 Local Budget 
Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-99), as modified as of the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

[[Page 131 STAT. 1144]]

    Sec. 124. <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  (a) Notwithstanding section 101, 
amounts are provided for ``General Services Administration--Allowances 
and Office Staff for Former Presidents'' to carry out the provisions of 
the Act of August 25, 1958 (3 U.S.C. 102 note), at a rate for operations 
of $4,754,000.

    (b) Notwithstanding section 101, no funds are provided by this Act 
for ``General Services Administration--Expenses, Presidential 
Transition'' and ``Executive Office of the President and Funds 
Appropriated to the President--Presidential Transition Administrative 
Support''.
    (c) Notwithstanding section 101, the matter preceding the first 
proviso under the heading ``District of Columbia--Federal Payment for 
Emergency Planning and Security Costs in the District of Columbia'' in 
division E of Public Law 115-31 shall be applied by substituting 
``$14,900,000'' for ``$34,895,000'' and the first proviso under that 
heading shall not apply during the period covered by this Act.
    (d) Notwithstanding section 101, the matter preceding the first 
proviso under the heading ``National Archives and Records 
Administration--Operating Expenses'' in division E of Public Law 115-31 
shall be applied by substituting ``$375,784,000'' for ``$380,634,000''.
    (e) Notwithstanding section 101, the matter preceding the first 
proviso under the heading ``Department of the Interior--National Park 
Service--Operation of the National Park System'' in division G of Public 
Law 115-31 shall be applied by substituting ``$2,420,818,000'' for 
``$2,425,018,000''.
    Sec. 125.  Amounts made available by section 101 for ``Department of 
Homeland Security--Office of the Secretary and Executive Management--
Operations and Support'', ``Department of Homeland Security--Management 
Directorate--Operations and Support'', and ``Department of Homeland 
Security--Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination--
Operations and Support'' may be apportioned up to the rate for 
operations necessary to carry out activities previously funded under 
``Department of Homeland Security--Working Capital Fund'', consistent 
with the fiscal year 2018 President's Budget.
    Sec. 126.  Amounts made available by section 101 for ``U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection--Operations and Support'', ``U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement--Operations and Support'', ``Transportation Security 
Administration--Operations and Support'', and ``United States Secret 
Service--Operations and Support'' accounts of the Department of Homeland 
Security may be apportioned at a rate for operations necessary to 
maintain not less than the number of staff achieved on September 30, 
2017.
    Sec. 127.  <<NOTE: Continuation.>>  The authority provided by 
section 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 391) shall 
continue in effect through the date specified in section 106(3) of this 
Act.

    Sec. 128.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Section 404 of the Coast Guard 
Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281; 124 Stat. 2950), as 
amended, shall be applied in subsection (b) by substituting the date 
specified in section 106(3) for ``September 30, 2017''.

    Sec. 129.  Amounts made available by section 101 for ``Department of 
Homeland Security--Federal Emergency Management Agency--Disaster Relief 
Fund'' may be apportioned up to the rate

[[Page 131 STAT. 1145]]

for operations necessary to carry out response and recovery activities 
under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
    Sec. 130.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Sections 1309(a) and 1319 of 
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4016(a) and 4026) 
shall be applied by substituting the date specified in section 106(3) of 
this Act for ``September 30, 2017''.

    Sec. 131.  Section 810 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement 
Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2018'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
    Sec. 132.  <<NOTE: Continuation.>>  The authority provided by 
subsection (m)(3) of section 8162 of the Department of Defense 
Appropriations Act, 2000 (40 U.S.C. 8903 note; Public Law 106-79) shall 
continue in effect through the date specified in section 106(3) of this 
Act.

    Sec. 133.  In addition to the amounts otherwise provided by section 
101, an additional amount is provided for ``Environmental Protection 
Agency--Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account'' 
for administrative expenses to carry out the direct and guaranteed loan 
programs, notwithstanding section 5033 of the Water Infrastructure 
Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, at a rate for operations of 
$3,000,000.
    Sec. 134. <<NOTE: Continuation. Applicability.>>  (a) The following 
sections of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
shall continue in effect through the date specified in section 106(3) of 
this joint resolution--
            (1) subparagraphs (C) through (E) of section 4(i)(1) (7 
        U.S.C. 136a-1(i)(1)(C)-(E));
            (2) section 4(k)(3) (7 U.S.C. 136a-1(k)(3));
            (3) section 4(k)(4) (7 U.S.C. 136a-1(k)(4)); and
            (4) section 33(c)(3)(B) (7 U.S.C. 136w-8(c)(3)(B)).

    (b)(1) Section 4(i)(1)(I) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136a-1(i)(1)(I)) shall be applied by 
substituting the date specified in section 106(3) of this joint 
resolution for ``September 30, 2017''.
    (2) Notwithstanding section 33(m)(2) of the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136w-8(m)(2)), section 33(m)(1) 
of such Act (7 U.S.C. 136w-8(m)(1)) shall be applied by substituting the 
date specified in section 106(3) of this joint resolution for 
``September 30, 2017''.
    (c) Section 408(m)(3) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(21 U.S.C. 346a(m)(3)) shall be applied by substituting the date 
specified in section 106(3) of this joint resolution for ``September 30, 
2017''.
    Sec. 135.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Section 114(f) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011c(f)) shall be applied by 
substituting the date specified in section 106(3) of this Act for 
``September 30, 2017''.

    Sec. 136.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  The second proviso under the 
heading ``Department of Health and Human Services--Administration for 
Children and Families--Children and Families Services Programs'' in 
title II of division H of Public Law 115-31 shall be applied during the 
period covered by this Act as if the following were struck from such 
proviso: ``, of which $80,000,000 shall be available for a cost of 
living adjustment notwithstanding section 640(a)(3)(A) of such Act''.

    Sec. 137.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  The proviso at the end of 
paragraph (1) under the heading ``Department of Labor--Employment and 
Training Administration--State Unemployment Insurance and Employment 
Service Operations'' in title I of division G of Public Law 113-

[[Page 131 STAT. 1146]]

235 shall be applied through the date specified in section 106(3) of 
this Act by substituting ``seven'' for ``six''.

    Sec. 138.  <<NOTE: Continuation. Applicability.>>  In making Federal 
financial assistance, the National Institutes of Health shall continue 
through the date specified in section 106(3) of this Act to apply the 
provisions relating to indirect costs in part 75 of title 45, Code of 
Federal Regulations, including with respect to the approval of 
deviations from negotiated rates, to the same extent and in the same 
manner as the National Institutes of Health applied such provisions in 
the third quarter of fiscal year 2017. None of the funds appropriated in 
this Act may be used to develop or implement a modified approach to such 
provisions, or to intentionally or substantially expand the fiscal 
effect of the approval of such deviations from negotiated rates beyond 
the proportional effect of such approvals in such quarter.

    Sec. 139. <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  (a) Section 529 of division H of 
Public Law 115-31 shall be applied by substituting ``prior to the 
beginning of fiscal year 2018 under section 2104(n)(2)'' for ``from the 
appropriation to the Fund for the first semiannual allotment period for 
fiscal year 2017 under section 2104(n)(2)(A)(ii)''; and

    (b) section 532 of division H of Public Law 115-31 shall be applied 
by substituting ``2,652,000,000'' for ``1,132,000,000''.
    Sec. 140.  Notwithstanding 2 U.S.C. 4577, amounts made available by 
section 101 for ``Legislative Branch--Senate--Salaries, Officers and 
Employees--Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper'' may be 
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to maintain current 
Senate cybersecurity capabilities.
    Sec. 141. <<NOTE: Rescissions.>>  (a) The remaining unobligated 
balances of funds made available under the heading ``Department of 
Veterans Affairs--Departmental Administration--Construction, Major 
Projects'' in division A of the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 
2013 and Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-2) are 
hereby rescinded:  Provided, That the amounts rescinded pursuant to this 
section that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency 
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are designated by the Congress 
as an emergency requirement pursuant to that section of that Act.

    (b) <<NOTE: Expiration date.>>  In addition to the amount otherwise 
provided by section 101 for ``Department of Veterans Affairs--
Departmental Administration--Construction, Major Projects'', there is 
appropriated for an additional amount for fiscal year 2017, to remain 
available until September 30, 2022, an amount equal to the unobligated 
balances rescinded pursuant to subsection (a), for renovations and 
repairs as a consequence of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy:  Provided, 
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds may be 
obligated and expended to carry out planning and design and major 
medical facility construction not otherwise authorized by law:  Provided 
further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an 
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

    (c) <<NOTE: President.>>  Each amount designated in this section by 
the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
of 1985 shall be available (or rescinded, if applicable) only if the 
President

[[Page 131 STAT. 1147]]

subsequently so designates all such amounts and transmits such 
designations to the Congress.

    (d) <<NOTE: Effective date.>>  This section shall become effective 
immediately upon enactment of this Act.

    Sec. 142.  <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Sections 579(a)(1) and (b) of 
the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 
(42 U.S.C. 1437f note) shall be applied by substituting the date 
specified in section 106(3) for ``October 1, 2017''.

    This division may be cited as the ``Continuing Appropriations Act, 
2018''.

    Approved September 8, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 601:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
            Jan. 24, considered and passed House.
            Aug. 1, considered and passed Senate, amended.
            Sept. 6, House concurred in certain Senate amendments, in 
                another with an amendment, pursuant to H. Res. 502. 
                Senate considered concurring in House amendment with an 
                amendment.
            Sept. 7, Senate considered and concurred in House amendment 
                with an amendment.
            Sept. 8, House concurred in Senate amendment.

                                  <all>
```