94–720 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 114–130 

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES 

APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016 

MAY 27, 2015.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. CULBERSON, from the Committee on Appropriations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

MINORITY VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 2578] 

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in 

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies for the fiscal year 

ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes. 

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT 

Page number 

Bill Report 

Title I—Department of Commerce ............................................................ 2 5 

Title II—Department of Justice ................................................................ 23 30 

Title III—Science ........................................................................................ 57 55 

Office of Science and Technology Policy ............................................ 57 55 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration ............................. 58 56 

National Science Foundation ............................................................. 66 65 

Title IV—Related Agencies ........................................................................ 70 69 

Commission on Civil Rights ............................................................... 70 69 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission .................................. 70 69 

International Trade Commission ....................................................... 71 70 

Legal Services Corporation ................................................................ 72 70 

Marine Mammal Commission ............................................................ 73 70 

Office of the United States Trade Representative ........................... 73 71 

State Justice Institute ........................................................................ 74 71 

Title V—General Provisions ...................................................................... 74 71 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
2 

Page number 

Bill Report 

House of Representatives Reporting Requirements ................................ ........ 75 

Minority Views ........................................................................................... ........ 116 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL

The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee has jurisdiction over a diverse group of agencies responsible for combating gangs and violent crime, drug trafficking, financial fraud, terrorism, espionage, cybercrime; enforcing trade laws; 

conducting periodic censuses; forecasting the weather; managing 

fisheries; exploring space; and advancing science. The activities of 

these agencies impact nearly every American and are integral to 

the operations of our government. 

The bill provides a total of $51,378,000,000 in discretionary 

budget authority for fiscal year 2016 which is $1,275,000,000 or 2.5 

percent above the fiscal year 2015 discretionary enacted level. The 

bill is $660,653,000 below the Administration’s request. 

DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY

($ in millions) 

FY 2015 Enacted FY 2016 Request FY 2016 Recommendation 

Discretionary ..................................................................................... 50,103 52,039 51,378 

Within the level of funds provided, the bill prioritizes funding for 

Federal law enforcement, national security, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) while freezing, reducing, 

or eliminating funding for non-critical activities. 

For the Department of Justice, the bill provides an increase of 

$856,957,000 from the current year. This includes an increase of 

$111,199,000 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to enhance its efforts to combat cybercrime, terrorism, and espionage, 

and implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Review Commission. The recommendation includes an increase of $75,719,000 or 

21.8 percent to the Executive Office for Immigration Review for 55 

additional Immigration Judge teams to markedly reduce case backlogs. The bill also supports the continued operations of critical Federal law enforcement agencies including the United States Marshals Service, the United States Attorneys, the Drug Enforcement 

Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bureau of Prisons. For State and local law enforcement activities, the bill increases funds for Violence Against 

Women Prevention and Prosecutions Programs (+$49,000,000) and 

Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (+$33,000,000). The bill also continues support for priority programs such as Drug Courts, Adam 

Walsh Act, NICS background checks, the DNA initiative, Reducing 

Sexual Assault Kit Backlogs, the Second Chance Act, and the Missing and Exploited Children program. 

NASA is a strategic asset to the nation. The Committee believes 

that additional investment is needed to maintain American leadership in space exploration and science and for NASA to successfully 

execute all of its activities and missions. A bold space exploration 

program that engages the nation will inspire new generations of 

scientists and engineers, and contribute to the economic success 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
3 

and space leadership of the country. The recommendation begins 

the process of addressing this by funding NASA at 

$18,529,100,000, an increase of $518,900,000 over fiscal year 2015 

and equal to the budget request. The bill advances space exploration and ensures our nation remains the world’s leader in space 

exploration and technology, aeronautics research, and discovery in 

space and science. The bill provides for the continued development 

of the Orion crew vehicle, Space Launch System and Exploration 

Ground Systems that will one day send astronauts beyond low 

Earth orbit. The bill continues funding for critical scientific missions and technology programs. The Committee directs NASA to 

follow the direction of the decadal surveys in prioritizing activities 

during fiscal year 2016 and in the future. 

For the National Science Foundation, the bill increases above the 

historically high level of research and related activities funding as 

provided in fiscal year 2015 by $50,000,000. 

Within the Department of Commerce, the Patent and Trademark 

Office is funded at $3,272,000,000, which is the level of fee collections estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. Funding for 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration prioritizes 

improving weather forecasting, fisheries management, and the 

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES R). 

In order to fund the priority programs described above, the bill 

recommends terminating 34 programs, resulting in savings of more 

than $400,000,000 from the fiscal year 2015 level and $500,000,000 

from the President’s request for these same programs. In addition, 

the bill recommends freezing or reducing 9 agencies in the Department of Commerce, 12 appropriation accounts in Department of 

Justice, and 6 related agency appropriation accounts. 

OVERSIGHT AND BUDGET REVIEW

In furtherance of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities and 

to protect hard earned taxpayer dollars, the Committee has included the following language: 

• Withholds funds for information technology related to the 

2020 census until a comprehensive investment plan is provided 

to the Committee and the Government Accountability Office. 

• Caps total life-cycle costs for programs that have a record 

of poor performance, including weather satellites and the 

James Webb Space Telescope. 

• Prohibits funds for the National Technical Information 

Service to charge customers for a copy of a document generated 

by the Legislative Branch unless the customer is informed of 

how to receive an electronic copy free online. 

• Requires quarterly reporting on immigration judge performance. 

• Maintains limitations on the Department of Justice’s use 

of non-appropriated funds including the Working Capital Fund 

and the Assets Forfeiture Fund. 

• Requires quarterly reporting of unobligated balances. 

• Requires agencies to provide Inspectors General with timely access to information. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
4 

• Requires agencies procuring sensitive information technology systems to conduct supply chain risk assessments in 

consultation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. • Requires contractors and grantees receiving more than $5,000,000 to certify that they are not delinquent on their Federal taxes. • Withholds funds from certain law enforcement agencies 

until the Attorney General demonstrates to the Committee 

that the recommendations of the Inspector General regarding 

sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct are being implemented. • Limits the number of agency staff that can attend an overseas conference. • Requires agencies to track undisbursed grant balances. • Requires agencies to submit spending plans for the Committee’s review. • Requires agencies to notify the Committee of project cost 

overruns and mitigation plans. • Addresses Patent and Trademark Office management failures by requiring extensive reporting on reforms of their 

telework programs, information technology system spending, 

and patent quality. 

REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURES

Section 505 of the bill contains language concerning the reprogramming of funds between programs, projects, and activities. 

The Committee reminds the departments and agencies funded in 

this bill that the reprogramming process is based on comity between the Congress and the Executive Branch. This process is intended to provide departments and agencies sufficient flexibility to 

meet changing circumstances and emergent requirements not 

known at the time of congressional review of the budget while preserving congressional priorities and intent. In the absence of comity 

and respect for the prerogatives of the Appropriations Committees 

and the Congress in general, the Committee may opt to include 

specific program limitations and details in legislation and remove 

language providing the flexibility to reallocate funds. Under these 

circumstances, programs, projects, and activities become absolutes 

and the Executive Branch shall lose the ability to propose changes 

in the use of appropriated funds except through legislative action. 

The Committee expects that each department and agency funded 

in this bill shall follow the directions set forth in this bill and the 

accompanying report, and shall not reallocate resources or reorganize activities except as provided herein. Reprogramming procedures shall apply to funds provided in this bill, unobligated balances from previous appropriations Acts that are available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 2016, and non-appropriated resources such as fee collections that are used to meet program requirements in fiscal year 2016. As specified in section 505, the 

Committee expects that the Appropriations Subcommittees on 

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies of the House and 

Senate will be notified by letter a minimum of 15 days (or in the 

case of the Department of Justice 45 days) prior to any reprogramming of funds that— 

(1) creates or initiates a new program, project or activity; 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
5 

(2) eliminates a program, project or activity; 

(3) increases funds or personnel by any means for any project 

or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted; 

(4) relocates an office or employees; 

(5) reorganizes or renames offices, programs or activities; 

(6) contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities presently performed by Federal employees; 

(7) augments existing programs, projects or activities in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, or reduces by 

10 percent funding for any program, project or activity, or 

numbers of personnel by 10 percent; or 

(8) results from any general savings, including savings from 

a reduction in personnel, which would result in a change in existing programs, projects or activities as approved by Congress. 

Any reprogramming request shall include any out-year budgetary 

impacts and a separate accounting of program or mission impacts 

on estimated carryover funds. The Committee further expects any 

department or agency funded in this bill that plans a reduction-inforce to notify the Committee by letter at least 30 days in advance 

of the date of any such planned personnel action. 

RELATIONSHIP WITH BUDGET AND COMPTROLLER OFFICES

Through the years the Appropriations Committee has channeled 

most of its inquiries and requests for information and assistance 

through the budget offices or comptroller organizations of the various departments, agencies, and commissions. Such relationships 

are necessary to accomplish the work of the Committee. While the 

Committee reserves the right to call upon all organizations in the 

departments, agencies and commissions for information and assistance, the primary contact between the Committee and these entities must be through the budget offices and comptroller organizations, or through a legislative affairs unit designated by the Committee to work on appropriations and budget matters. 

The workload generated in the budget process is large and growing; therefore, a positive, responsive relationship between the Committee and the budget and/or comptroller offices is essential for the 

Committee to fulfill the Constitutional appropriations responsibilities of Congress. 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $472,000,000 in total resources for 

the programs of the International Trade Administration (ITA), 

which is equal to fiscal year 2015 and $34,750,000 below the request. This amount is offset by $10,000,000 in estimated fee collections, resulting in a direct appropriation of $462,000,000. 

Support for firms.—The Committee encourages ITA to ensure 

that it is providing adequate support and services for women-, 

minority- and veteran-owned firms that are seeking assistance in 

gaining access to foreign markets for their products and services. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
6 

The Committee recognizes that these firms possess tremendous 

economic potential if they participate more actively and effectively 

in export markets. As such, the Committee urges ITA to reach out 

to and promote such firms to enable them to contribute to our 

trade goals of creating jobs and increasing exports. Within the level of funds provided, no less than $9,000,000 shall 

be provided for the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC) 

to improve trade enforcement by the Federal government. The 

Committee urges ITA and ITEC to facilitate the identification and 

prioritization of efforts to address trade barriers and practices in 

areas of strategic economic importance to U.S. industry and workers. Commerce should enhance its outreach to trade-impacted 

stakeholders to ensure greater transparency in the enforcement of 

trade violations. 

BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $110,000,000 for the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which is $7,500,000 above fiscal year 

2015 and $5,086,000 below the request. 

BIS is responsible for administering export controls and investigating violations of export controls related to national security, 

anti-terrorism, and foreign policy. This mission is essential to 

American national security and competitiveness, especially as license applications have increased by tens of thousands in recent 

years. Additional resources are provided to enhance BIS’ capabilities to prevent the export of inappropriate technologies to countries, such as Iran and China, and to aggressively investigate potential export violations. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $250,000,000 for the programs and 

administrative expenses of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which is equal to fiscal year 2015 and $23,028,000 

below the request. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $213,000,000 for Economic Development Assistance Programs, which is equal to fiscal year 2015 and 

$14,500,000 below the request. Funds shall be distributed as follows; any deviation shall be subject to the procedures set forth in 

section 505 of this Act: 

Public Works ....................................................................................... $100,000,000 

Partnership Planning ......................................................................... 30,000,000 

Technical Assistance .......................................................................... 10,500,000 

Research and Evaluation ................................................................... 1,500,000 

Trade Adjustment Assistance ............................................................ 12,500,000 

Economic Adjustment Assistance ...................................................... 32,500,000 

Regional Innovation Program/Section 27 ......................................... 11,000,000 

Assistance to Coal Mining Communities .......................................... 15,000,000 

Total ............................................................................................. $213,000,000 

Assistance to coal mining communities.—The Administration’s 

newly created POWER+ Plan builds on the Committee’s prior efVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
7 

forts to assist communities throughout the country that are suffering significant coal mining job losses. The Committee believes 

this targeted, collaborative effort is long overdue. The recommendation includes not less than $15,000,000 to assist coal mining communities through the POWER+ Plan or other EDA initiatives. The 

Committee appreciates that EDA is leading the POWER+ Plan and 

is bringing local leaders and stakeholders together, along with 

other Federal agencies, to develop comprehensive strategies to promote economic growth in coal mining communities. The Committee 

expects this effort to continue. Within the funds provided, the Committee directs EDA to assist communities that have yet to develop 

an economic development strategy to begin the planning process. 

For communities that have created economic development strategies, EDA shall provide assistance to implement the strategies, including the funding of authorized economic development projects. 

The Committee also appreciates that EDA is coordinating a consolidated grant application allowing impacted communities to apply for 

funds from multiple Federal agencies in one application. Within 90 

days of enactment of this Act, EDA shall report to the Committee 

on its efforts to assist coal communities and the government-wide 

POWER+ Plan. The report shall include a detailed description on 

how EDA and other Federal agencies have assisted coal communities to date and how the Federal government plans to assist them 

in the future. 

Innovative manufacturing loans.—The Committee remains disappointed at the unacceptable length of time it has taken the Department to implement the loan guarantee program for innovative 

manufacturing authorized by section 26 of the Stevenson-Wydler 

Technology Innovation Act (15 U.S.C. 3721). This program has received funding in prior Appropriations Acts as far back as fiscal 

year 2012. The Committee understands that the Department now 

expects to enter into the first of this program’s loan guarantees by 

the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, and according to the Department’s fiscal year 2016 budget submission, at least $5,000,000 in 

prior-year funding for this program is expected to be obligated during fiscal year 2016. The Committee directs the Department to provide the Committee with regular updates on the status of this program, including a written report no later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. 

Regional Innovation Program.—The recommendation provides 

$11,000,000 for Regional Innovation Programs. The Committee expects EDA to work cooperatively with universities and States that 

have made a significant commitment to establishing incubator programs. The Committee encourages EDA to support the development of regional innovation clusters that focus on advanced wood 

products. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $37,000,000 for EDA salaries and 

expenses, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and $8,528,000 

below the request. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
8 

MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The Committee recommends $32,000,000 for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which is $2,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 and $1,984,000 above the request. 

ECONOMIC AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $100,000,000 for economic and statistical analysis, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$13,849,000 below the request. 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

The Committee recommends a total of $1,113,000,000 for the Bureau of the Census, which is $25,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 

and $386,974,000 below the request. 

Account restructuring.—The recommendation adopts the Bureau’s proposed restructuring of the Census Bureau appropriations 

accounts. The restructuring would change the Salaries and Expenses account to the Current Surveys and Programs account. The 

restructuring would move funding for certain surveys conducted on 

an annual basis from the Periodic Censuses and Programs account 

to the Current Surveys and Programs account. It would also establish a new Enterprise Data Collections and Processing Systems 

line. The Committee notes that the restructuring would consolidate 

the Data Processing Systems line into the overall Census information technology budget, which is funded from the Working Capital 

Fund via a charge to each Census program. The Committee directs 

Census to include in future budget requests a breakout of Data 

Processing System funding charged to each program. The Committee expects that this restructuring will result in efficiencies, 

greater transparency, and cost savings. 

CURRENT SURVEYS AND PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $265,000,000 for the Current Surveys and Programs account of the Bureau of the Census, which is 

$3,642,000 below the comparable fiscal year 2015 level and 

$12,873,000 below the request. 

Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).—Within the 

amounts provided, Census shall continue the level of effort for the 

SIPP at no less than the fiscal year 2015 level. 

Foreign Trade Statistics.—The Committee notes the importance 

of accurate and complete international trade statistics, and directs 

the Census Bureau to include, as part of its regular reporting on 

International Trade in Goods and Services, statistics on countries 

with which the United States has a trade agreement, to include 

data on U.S. exports and imports in addition to the overall trade 

balance. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
9 

PERIODIC CENSUSES AND PROGRAMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends a total of $848,000,000 for Periodic 

Censuses and Programs, which is $28,642,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2015 level and $374,101,000 below the request. 

The recommendation provides for a transfer of $1,551,000 to the 

Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General (OIG) for 

oversight of the Census Bureau. The recommendation provides 

$130,000,000 for Economic Statistics Programs and $718,000,000 

for Demographic Statistics Programs. Within these funds, 

$600,000,000 is for decennial census programs. 

American Community Survey (ACS).—The Committee is very 

concerned about the burdensome nature of the ACS and directs 

Census to focus on its core, constitutionally mandated decennial 

Census activities. 

The Committee is aware that the Bureau has convened Federal 

agencies to review questions included on the ACS to ensure that 

all the questions are necessary and that the ACS is the appropriate 

survey vehicle to gather the information. The Committee is extremely disappointed that this initial review only resulted in a proposal to remove one question. The Committee directs the Census 

Bureau to submit, no later than 45 days after enactment of this 

Act, a plan for the expeditious removal of additional questions, as 

appropriate, from the survey. 

In addition, the Bureau shall continue to provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on efforts to ensure the necessity of all the 

questions on the ACS; on efforts to ensure that non-response follow-up is conducted in the least intrusive manner; and on congressional outreach conducted by the Respondent Advocate. Finally, the 

Committee urges the Census Bureau to pursue the support of the 

Congress with respect to its plans to use adaptive design methods 

in the ACS and the upcoming 2020 Decennial Census. 

2020 Decennial Census.—Of the amount provided for the decennial census programs, $400,000,000 is to support completion of research and the beginning of design, development, and testing for 

the 2020 Census. The Committee is aware that the Census Bureau 

has modeled design changes that it estimates could reduce the cost 

of the 2020 Census by more than $5 billion compared to repeating 

the same design and methods used for the 2010 Decennial. Significant design changes include using a ‘‘bring your own device’’ model 

for enumerators; changes in address canvassing; expanded Internet 

response options; expanded use of administrative records; a reduced field office footprint; and more directed non-response followup protocols. The Committee urges the Bureau to work aggressively to narrow its focus on various research activities underway 

and to engage the Congress regarding the various options noted 

above. The Committee notes that the increased use of administrative records would be a major change in the way the Census is conducted and directs the Bureau to ensure that the Congress and the 

public are aware of the full scope of the Bureau’s planned uses of 

such records. 

2020 Census lifecycle cost.—The Census Bureau must deliver apportionment counts to the President within nine months of the census date, traditionally December 31 of the year of each decennial. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
10 

To meet this deadline, the Bureau must have in place a well-defined life-cycle decennial plan with consistent task plans, schedules, and cost estimates that calculate the program’s critical path. 

As the Bureau assesses its alternatives for conducting the next decennial census and considers design, cost, and budget information, 

it should establish a baseline plan and a life-cycle schedule with 

more reliable information to guide Census management and stakeholders. To help promote transparency in decennial planning, management, and oversight, and to help contain risks and costs while 

reducing the likelihood of late-decade budget request increases, the 

Committee directs the Census Bureau to develop a comprehensive 

schedule for the 2020 decennial that incorporates budget estimates 

for key milestones and submit it to the Committee and the OIG no 

later than 120 days after enactment of this Act. 

Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing (CEDCaP).— The recommendation includes an increase to support Census Bureau efforts to establish an enterprise approach to data collection 

and processing. The Committee supports the Bureau’s efforts to develop a more flexible and secure enterprise architecture that will 

enable Census to realize economies of scale to support data collection efforts. The Bureau shall continue to provide quarterly briefings regarding the status of these efforts. Information in these 

briefings shall include, but not be limited to, the current systems 

costs to maintain, the surveys supported, FTE associated with 

those systems, and the anticipated date that various IT systems 

will be retired and data merged onto the larger enterprise architecture. Census shall provide these reports concurrently to the OIG 

and Government Accountability Office (GAO). 

The recommendation also includes new bill language withholding 

50 percent of the funds for information technology related to 2020 

census delivery, including the CEDCaP program, until the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appropriations and the GAO 

an expenditure plan for CEDCaP. 

Small population groups.—The Committee is concerned about 

the availability of data on small population groups. For many ethnic and immigrant communities, gathering accurate information 

about smaller subgroups is important for policymakers, as the 

needs among the various populations vary significantly. The Committee urges the Bureau to ensure that reliable information about 

these subgroups, especially numerically smaller groups, is collected 

and published, and directs the Bureau to provide a report within 

90 days of enactment of this Act describing the steps it will take 

to ensure the availability and accuracy of these data. 

Puerto Rico.—The Committee urges the Census Bureau to include all citizens of the United States, including those in Puerto 

Rico and other offshore jurisdictions, in their estimates of U.S. resident population and other national statistics. 

Language assistance.—While the Census Bureau has done some 

work to ensure that Spanish speakers receive adequate assistance 

in filling out certain Census questionnaires, the Committee is concerned that the Census Bureau has not adequately planned for assistance in other languages. The Census Bureau should provide the 

Committee with updates on its language assistance program, including information on how it will reach and assist respondents 

who speak Asian languages, Pacific Islander languages, American 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
11 

Indian and Alaska Native languages, African languages, Spanish, 

and other languages. 

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION

ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $35,200,000 for the salaries and expenses of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is $3,000,000 below fiscal year 2015 

and $14,032,000 below the request. With the conclusion of the 

Broadband Technology Grant Program oversight activities, funding 

for broadband program activity is reduced, as requested. 

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers 

(ICANN).—The Committee remains concerned by NTIA’s announcement of its intent to transition certain Internet domain 

name functions to the global multistakeholder community. Any 

such transition represents a significant public policy change and 

should be preceded by an open and transparent process. In order 

for this issue to be considered more fully by the Congress, the Committee maintains section 536 prohibiting funding for the transition. 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $3,272,000,000 for the United 

States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), the full amount of fiscal year 2016 fee collections estimated by the Congressional Budget 

Office. The spending authority provided is a reduction of 

$186,000,000 compared to fiscal year 2015. The recommendation 

continues language making available any excess fee collections 

above the estimated level and the amounts appropriated in this 

Act. PTO shall continue to provide monthly reports on its actual 

and projected fee collections. In addition to the current year fee collections available to the PTO in fiscal year 2016, PTO estimates 

using balances from their reserve fund and other sources to operate 

at a level of $3,499,048,000. 

Patent and Trademark Fee Reserve Fund.—The recommendation 

includes bill language regarding excess fees deposited in the Patent 

and Trademark Fee Reserve Fund. The Committee reminds PTO 

that prior to obligating any of the funds in the Reserve Fund during fiscal year 2016, PTO shall submit to the Committee a reprogramming notification with a spending plan describing the intended uses of funds. The Committee expects that any such reprogramming will describe how the expenditure of these reserve 

funds will improve patent quality, reduce the backlog of pending 

applications and appeals, improve the information technology infrastructure, or otherwise improve the efficiency and effectiveness of 

PTO. 

Patents End 2 End (PE2E).—PTO shall provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on the status of this information technology 

project, including the proposed retirement of legacy IT systems, 

and cost savings associated with those retirements, and any effiVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
12 

ciencies achieved in patent processing as a result of these information technology investments. 

Addressing management failures.—During fiscal year 2014, serious management concerns came to light including two Inspector 

General reports: Review of Waste and Mismanagement at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (13–1077) and Review of Conduct by a 

High-Ranking USPTO Official in the Hiring of a Trademark Organization Employee (13–0726); and a PTO Internal Administrative 

Inquiry Report in response to Inspector General Referral No. 12– 

1196–H PTO regarding abuse of telework programs at PTO. During 

fiscal year 2016, the PTO shall continue to report quarterly to the 

Committee on the implementation of reforms to ensure that employee time and attendance is appropriately managed and that 

nepotism is not tolerated. 

Patent quality.—Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, PTO 

shall report to the Committee, on its implementation of the recommendations included in the Inspector General report: USPTO 

Needs to Strengthen Patent Quality Assurance Practices and other 

steps being taken to improve the quality of patents. 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

The Committee recommends $855,000,000 for NIST, which is 

$8,900,000 below fiscal year 2015 and $264,661,000 below the request. 

Security.—The Committee is concerned about security-related 

issues at NIST, in particular potential inappropriate access of foreign nationals to NIST facilities and information systems. The 

Committee directs NIST to coordinate with the Federal Bureau of 

Investigation to improve and standardize security training and enforcement across the agency and to ensure that security, counterintelligence, and export control functions are fully staffed. 

NIST shall provide to the Committee quarterly: an accounting of 

vacancy rates in security-related offices; a summary of all known 

security incidents occurring that quarter involving access violations 

by foreign nationals or the unauthorized transfer of proprietary or 

sensitive information; and a summary of any criminal or administrative sanctions applied that quarter due to violations of securityrelated laws or regulations. 

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $675,000,000 for NIST’s scientific 

and technical programs, which is $500,000 below fiscal year 2015 

and $79,661,000 below the request. The amount for Scientific and 

Technical Research and Services includes the requested increases 

for the Materials Genome Initiative; Disaster Resilient Buildings 

and Infrastructure; Strengthening NIST Cryptographic and Privacy 

Capabilities; and Quantum-Based Sensors and Measurements. 

Laboratory programs.—The recommendation includes 

$603,500,000 for NIST Laboratory programs. Within this amount, 

up to $6,500,000 is provided for the National Strategy for Trusted 

Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC). The recommended amount only 

supports ongoing programmatic efforts and does not include the 

second year of funding for fiscal year 2015 grant awardees or funds 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
13 

to award new grants in fiscal year 2016. NIST shall provide a report to the Committee within 120 days of enactment of this Act regarding the status of each of the pilots funded, and milestones 

achieved, the near-term plans for continuing this program, and proposed future efforts. NIST shall use the remaining $10,000,000 proposed for NSTIC to enhance research and standards activities in its 

core lab programs as noted in the previous paragraph. 

Standards Coordination and Special Programs.—The recommendation includes $55,000,000 for standards coordination and 

special programs. Within these amounts, up to $5,000,000 is included to maintain NIST’s current forensic research and standards 

work. The recommendation does not include funds to support or operate Forensic Science Advisory Committees. The recommendation 

does not include the requested increase for Manufacturing Entrepreneurship. 

Lab-to-market.—The recommendation does not provide funding 

for the lab-to-market program. 

Cybersecurity.—The Committee is aware that the nation’s retail 

sector is vulnerable to and targeted by cyberattacks. The Committee encourages NIST to build on its existing industry-sector focused work to create a retail-specific cybersecurity initiative and 

partner, as appropriate, with academic entities and national leaders in retail cybersecurity and retail supply chain management and 

logistics. 

The Committee also encourages NIST, as it continues its cybersecurity-related measurement science efforts, to ensure sufficient attention is given to cybersecurity issues associated with implantable 

medical devices. 

Windstorm research and disaster resiliency.—As part of its efforts 

to improve the resiliency of buildings, NIST’s Engineering Division 

is encouraged to partner with academic research institutions that 

have expertise in the effects of natural disasters to replicate highforce windstorm impacts on buildings and test large, integrated 

models of such impacts. 

Textile research.—The Committee recognizes the importance of 

the U.S. textile industry and encourages NIST to pursue advanced 

textile and apparel research and manufacturing activities. The 

Committee directs that the Department of Commerce, no later than 

30 days after the enactment of this Act, provide a report detailing 

the Department’s efforts to fund projects specifically related to advanced textile and apparel research and manufacturing activities 

since fiscal year 2014. 

Additive manufacturing.—The Committee is aware of recent 

breakthroughs in metals-based additive manufacturing that have 

the potential to dramatically increase the ability to mass produce 

complex metallic parts. While important progress has been made, 

the Committee understands major technical barriers still exist to 

dramatically improving additive manufacturing. To that end, the 

Committee encourages NIST to examine research, development, 

and workforce training to overcome the barriers to high volume additive manufacturing of metals. 

Neuroscience.—New discoveries resulting from increased Federal 

investment in neuroscience have the potential to lead to advancement in many areas including communication, education, medicine, 

and the economy. The Committee encourages NIST to work with 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
14 

stakeholders to help expedite the commercialization of these new 

discoveries. 

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Committee recommends $130,000,000 for Industrial Technology Services, which is $8,100,000 below fiscal year 2015 and 

$176,000,000 below the request. The entire amount recommended 

in this account is for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

(MEP), which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and $11,000,000 

below the request. 

Program efficiencies.—The Committee is aware of recent efforts 

by MEP to examine ways to reduce administrative costs and provide more direct assistance to the centers. Accordingly, MEP shall 

provide to the Committee an updated report within 60 days of enactment of this Act detailing the amount of funds to be maintained 

at headquarters and the uses of those funds. NIST shall also provide the Committee with updates on the status of recompetition of 

the centers. 

Network for Manufacturing Innovation.—The recommendation 

includes section 110, which provides authority for NIST to use unobligated balances for the Network for Manufacturing Innovation 

(NMI). The Committee expects that the funds provided by section 

110 will be used only for coordination of interagency activities in 

support of the institutes and only for activities authorized by the 

Revitalize American Manufacturing Act (RAMI). The Committee 

notes that RAMI provides the authority to seek the use of unobligated balances in the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy account for manufacturing innovation institutes. The Committee notes NIST can pursue use of these funds as 

appropriate for establishment and operation of the institutes. 

Advanced manufacturing.—The Committee expects the Department to follow the direction of the RAMI, in which open competition is to be used to select the technologies that the industry-driven 

manufacturing and innovation institutes will focus on. The Committee encourages the Department, in advancing manufacturing innovation across the country, to examine the possibility of establishing regional collaborative networks with advanced manufacturing communities that make full use of the Department’s MEP 

program centers involved in advanced manufacturing to ensure the 

participation of small- and medium-sized manufacturers and encompasses the resources of the national laboratories in technology 

transfer and working directly with advanced manufacturing communities. 

CONSTRUCTION OF RESEARCH FACILITIES

The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for NIST construction, 

which is $300,000 below fiscal year 2015 and $9,000,000 below the 

request. NIST shall continue to provide updates on the projects 

funded within this account, to include milestones and total amount 

of funding necessary for completion. 

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends a total of $5,167,261,000 in discretionary funds for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdminisVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
15 

tration (NOAA), which is $273,712,000 below fiscal year 2015 and 

$807,428,000 below the request. The recommendation prioritizes 

funding for National Weather Service (NWS) operations, weather 

research, and related satellite programs, safe maritime navigation, 

and the National Marine Fisheries Service. 

Information technology security.—The Committee is concerned by 

the security deficiencies in National Environmental Satellite, Data 

and Information Service’s (NESDIS’) information systems. NESDIS 

and NWS missions depend on secure information systems to fulfill 

their critical missions. In fiscal year 2014, the Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report identifying significant weaknesses in both NESDIS and NWS information security. The Committee expects NESDIS and NWS to adopt 

the recommendations included in the OIG report and will continue 

to monitor NESDIS’ and NWS’ progress in this area. 

Partnering with the private sector.—The Committee encourages 

NOAA to purchase services from the private sector when such services are available, cost effective, and practicable. 

NOAA Environmental Security Computing Center.—The Committee supports the NOAA Environmental Security Computing 

Center and expects it to be adequately resourced within the funds 

provided. 

Extramural research.—The Committee believes that NOAA benefits from collaboration with academia and the private sector with 

respect to cooperative institutes and competitive research as these 

relationships build broad community support, leverage external 

funding for mission-oriented research, strengthen the science within NOAA, and create new advances in scientific knowledge. 

OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends a total program level of 

$3,295,541,000 under this account for the coastal, fisheries, marine, 

weather, satellite, and other programs of NOAA. This total funding 

level includes $3,147,877,000 in direct appropriations, a transfer of 

$130,164,000 from balances in the ‘‘Promote and Develop Fishery 

Products and Research Pertaining to American Fisheries’’ account 

and $17,500,000 derived from recoveries of prior year obligations. 

The direct appropriation of $3,147,877,000 is $54,521,000 below fiscal year 2015 and $265,483,000 below the request. 

The following narrative descriptions and tables identify the specific activities and funding levels included in this Act. 

National Ocean Service.—The recommendation provides 

$466,500,000 for National Ocean Service operations, research, and 

facilities. 

Navigation, Observations, and Positioning.—The recommendation provides $191,500,000 for Navigation, Observations, and Positioning. Within this amount, the Committee expects NOAA to 

prioritize its mission-critical responsibilities including mapping and 

charting, geodesy, tides, and current data activities. 

Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).—The recommendation includes $29,500,000 for IOOS regional observations, which is 

equal both to the current year funding and the request. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
16 

Marine Debris Program.—The Committee supports the Marine 

Debris Program’s work to address marine debris affecting the 

ocean, coastal environment, and navigation safety. The Committee 

encourages the program to continue its efforts on plastic marine debris, which NOAA has identified as one of the main types of marine debris and as having the potential to harm fish and other 

wildlife. 

Bathymetry.—The Committee encourages NOAA to continue reviewing innovative bathymetric technology as a potential contributor to NOAA’s overall hydrographic surveying mission. 

National Marine Sanctuaries.—When considering nominations 

for potential National Marine Sanctuaries, the Committee encourages NOAA to continue to enforce its requirement that applicants 

demonstrate broad community support, including the support of 

State or tribal agencies when a proposed sanctuary includes State 

or tribal lands and organizations or industries that depend on the 

resources in a nominated area. NOAA should also consider the effects of additional Federal requirements for commercial vessels in 

National Marine Sanctuaries when designating any new Sanctuaries whose primary focus is maritime heritage. The Committee 

encourages NOAA to work with the Environmental Protection 

Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard to address ongoing regulatory 

issues involving National Marine Sanctuaries. 

NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Navigation, Observations and Positioning 

Navigation, Observations and Positioning .............................................................................................. $137,000 

Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Observations .................................................................. 29,500

Hydrographic Survey Priorities/Contracts ................................................................................................ 25,000 

Navigation, Observations and Positioning ....................................................................................................... 191,500 

Coastal Science and Assessment 

Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and Restoration ..................................................................... 70,000 

Competitive External Research ................................................................................................................ 9,000 

Coastal Science and Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 79,000 

Ocean and Coastal Management and Services 

Coastal Zone Management and Services ................................................................................................ 40,000 

Coastal Zone Management Grants .......................................................................................................... 65,000 

Coral Reef Program ................................................................................................................................. 26,000 

Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas ................................................................................................ 45,000 

National Estuarine Research Reserve System ........................................................................................ 20,000 

Ocean and Coastal Management and Services ............................................................................................... 196,000 

Total, National Ocean Service, Operations, Research, and Facilities ............................................................. $466,500 

National Marine Fisheries Service.—The Committee recommends 

$828,743,000 for National Marine Fisheries Service operations, research, and facilities. The recommendation adopts the revised 

budget structure proposed in the budget request. 

Protected Resources Science and Management.—The Committee 

recommends $180,200,000 for Protected Resources Science and 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
17 

Management programs. Within available resources, the Committee 

encourages NOAA to maintain funding for marine mammal stranding grants. 

Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans.—Within the funds pro- vided for Endangered Species Act (ESA) Salmon, $4,000,000 is included for the review of Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans. 

The Committee is concerned by the existing and growing backlog 

of these plans and encourages NOAA to expedite these reviews, 

which help ensure compliance with the ESA. NOAA shall submit 

a comprehensive plan to address this backlog no later than 120 

days after enactment of this Act. 

Electronic monitoring.—Within Fisheries Science and Management, the recommendation includes funds for development and implementation of electronic monitoring and reporting technologies. 

Electronic technologies, such as e-logbooks and video monitoring 

systems, can significantly improve total catch measurement and reduce uncertainty in the data needed for stock assessments. 

Stock assessments.—The Committee recognizes that NOAA fisheries stock assessments are the cornerstone of fishery conservation 

and management measurements, but the current stock assessment 

data inputs must be improved. The Committee continues to provide 

significant funding to NOAA for fishery surveys and other activities in support of stock assessments yet problems persist with the 

frequency of surveys, adequacy of the data, and the use of independent research in developing stock assessments. NOAA shall 

continue to provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on its 

stock assessment program, to include but not be limited to, its 

process for determining its yearly data collection efforts, specific 

costs for each survey, and protocols for ingesting fishery independent data. 

Fish Information Networks.—The Committee supports the Fish 

Information Networks, the State-Federal cooperative programs that 

coordinate data collection, data management, and informational 

management essential for accurate monitoring of commercial and 

recreational fishing impacts. Fish Information Networks shall be 

adequately funded within the level of funding provided for Fisheries Data, Collections, Surveys and Assessments. 

Gulf of Mexico stock assessments.—Within the amount provided 

for Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments, an increase of $10,000,000 is provided for stock assessments and research needs for Gulf of Mexico fish stocks. The funds shall be competitively awarded to develop and apply innovative approaches to 

improve stock assessments and incorporate data from academia 

and fishermen. NMFS is directed to improve its communications 

with stakeholders on the stock assessment process and outcome. 

The Committee remains concerned about the negative impacts of 

the short recreational fishing season for red snapper in the Gulf of 

Mexico on the local economies the fishery supports and encourages 

NMFS to use a portion of the increase provided for a reward tagging pilot program. 

Cooperative research.—The recommendation includes $12,000,000 

within Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments for cooperative research which shall be used to support external, independent data collection and other research. The Committee expects 

that all funding provided shall be used for cooperative fisheries reVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
18 

search and not for NOAA activities or administrative overhead 

costs. NOAA shall submit a report no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act listing all cooperative research grants funded 

in fiscal year 2015, to include the amount, the fishery, the type of 

information collected, and the expected uses for that data. The 

Committee is concerned that cooperative research is not ingested 

into fishery stock assessments in a timely manner. The report shall 

address NOAA procedures and timeframes for making use of this 

independent fisheries research. 

Horseshoe crabs.—The Committee is concerned that horseshoe 

crab surveys along the Atlantic Coast have not been adequately 

conducted in recent years. Horseshoe crabs are critical to the ecology and economy of the Mid-Atlantic coastal region as a significant 

commercial bait fishery; a vital food source for migratory shore 

birds; and as an input for biomedical industries. NOAA shall consider completing a survey of the Horseshoe crab population and report back to the Committee on what would be required to complete 

such a survey, including a budget and comprehensive plan, no later 

than 180 days after enactment of this Act. 

Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery.—The Committee supports the continued development of area specific reference points and area specific management for the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery. 

Fishery Cooperatives.—The Committee understands that the 

North Pacific Fishery Management Council may consider the possibility of authorizing fishery cooperatives between harvesters and 

their historic processors modeled after the Gulf of Alaska Rockfish 

Pilot Program. NMFS is directed to report on the status of this possible initiative to the Committee by November 1, 2015 including a 

list of any possible barriers. 

Tribal support.—The Committee encourages NOAA to support 

mitigation and relocation efforts of coastal tribal communities that 

are seeking to mitigate the threat of severe weather storms and 

promote public safety. 

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Protected Resources Science and Management 

Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles and Other Species ................................................................................. $113,200 

ESA Salmon .............................................................................................................................................. 67,000 

Protected Resources Science and Management ............................................................................................... 180,200 

Fisheries Science and Management 

Fisheries and Ecosystem Science Programs and Services ..................................................................... 132,189 

Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments ........................................................................... 168,000 

Observers and Training ........................................................................................................................... 43,000 

Fisheries Management Programs and Services ...................................................................................... 119,000 

Salmon Management Activities ............................................................................................................... 35,500 

Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions ...................................................................................... 32,000 

Fisheries Science and Management ................................................................................................................. 529,689 

Enforcement ...................................................................................................................................................... 65,000 

Habitat Conservation and Restoration ............................................................................................................. 53,854 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
19 

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE—Continued 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Total, National Marine Fisheries Service, Operations, Research, and Facilities ............................................. $828,743 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.—The Committee recommendation includes $409,704,000 for Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Research (OAR) operations, research, and facilities. Given continued resource constraints, it is incumbent on NOAA to ensure that 

its research programs support the operational mission of each 

NOAA line office and that research efforts are an integral component in meeting line office program goals and milestones. 

Regional Climate Data and Information.—Within amounts provided for Regional Climate Data and Information, the recommendation includes $13,500,000 for the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) to support competitive research grants, 

maintain existing NIDIS activities, and develop and expand the Regional Drought Early Warning Information System. 

Independent analysis.—NOAA is encouraged to increase funding 

for academia to perform independent climate model evaluation 

studies and to enable the production of atmospheric data sets from 

satellite observations for such studies. Satellite observations of the 

atmosphere provide information that is critical in the interpretation of Earth-based observations and in the evaluation and improvement of climate model simulations. 

Weather and Air Chemistry Research.—The Committee includes 

$99,458,000 for Weather and Air Chemistry Research, an increase 

of $8,658,000 above fiscal year 2015, and encourages NOAA to continue research efforts that lead to near-term, affordable, and attainable advances in observational, computing, and modeling capabilities to deliver substantial improvements in weather forecasting 

for the protection of life and property. NOAA shall substantially accelerate the transition of its research to operations in ways easily 

adopted by the operational forecasting community. 

Joint Technology Transfer Initiative.—The recommendation includes $4,000,000 for a Joint Technology Transfer Initiative as described in Section 3(b)(4) of the introduced H.R. 1561, Weather 

Forecasting Innovation Act of 2015. These activities should be coordinated with the activities of OAR’s U.S. Weather Research Program and the National Weather Service’s Science and Technology 

Integration Program. 

Multi-Function Phased Array Radar (MPAR) Program.—The 

Committee recognizes the importance of the MPAR Program in the 

development and implementation of the next generation weather 

and aircraft radars and fully funds the budget request for this program. The Committee encourages the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NOAA to continue to collaborate on developing costsharing plans for technical risk reduction, non-recurring engineering, prototype development, deployment, and ongoing maintenance 

and operations costs. The Committee also encourages NOAA to continue collaborating with FAA and other stakeholders, as appropriate, in MPAR research and development efforts and subsequent 

formulation of key requirements for development and eventual acVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
20 

quisition strategy. The Committee encourages NOAA to facilitate a 

full evaluation of a dual-polarization MPAR system and submit a 

report to the Committee within 180 days of enactment of this Act. 

The Committee encourages NOAA and FAA to work with the Office 

of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Science and 

Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop a long term multi-year funding strategy to ensure the MPAR program is adequately resourced 

in future years. 

Severe weather studies.—The Committee rejects the proposed 

elimination of the Vortex III program and restores funding for this 

critical research. Vortex III is a partnership between NOAA and its 

Federal government and academic research partners to conduct severe weather studies in the Southeastern United States. NOAA is 

encouraged to continue its cooperation with other government 

agencies, the private sector and academic partners as appropriate. 

This research could in part establish why tornadic activity in the 

southeast region results in more deaths per capita than any other 

region of the country. This research could also advance observational, computing, and modeling capabilities and quantitative assessment tools for measuring the value of data and specific observing systems. Additionally, the funding should accelerate research 

and development of critical technologies to deliver substantial data 

improvements in weather forecasting and prediction of high-impact 

weather events such as those associated with hurricanes and tornadoes. 

Ocean Exploration and Research.—The Committee recommends 

$32,000,000 for ocean exploration and research activities. NOAA’s 

ocean exploration program should continue to conduct fundamental 

exploration and surveys of the world’s oceans with a primary focus 

on America’s Exclusive Economic Zones of the Continental United 

States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 

the Pacific Territories. The Committee encourages NOAA to continue ocean exploration in which open source data are collected in 

real-time through tele-presence technology. The Committee encourages NOAA to emphasize areas for exploration that may be of interest to NOAA laboratories, including deep water regions of marine protected areas. The Committee encourages NOAA to partner 

with non-government organizations, academic institutions, and 

other government agencies including the National Science Foundation, in these activities and, to the extent appropriate, share costs 

with these partners. NOAA shall provide the Committee a comprehensive plan for coordination with other government agencies, 

including an analysis of potential cost-sharing opportunities, not 

later than 180 days after enactment of this Act. 

Supporting the mapping and cataloguing of mineral wealth including rare earth elements.—The Committee directs NOAA to continue and, as appropriate, expand its important work of mapping 

the Extended Continental Shelf (ECS), which provides significant 

assistance in the assessment, identification, analysis and cataloguing of mineral wealth, including rare earth elements, done by 

the United States Geological Survey and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 

High-performance computing initiatives.—The recommendation 

includes $12,000,000 within the ORF account to accelerate the 

adoption of advanced computing, communications, and information 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
21 

technology throughout NOAA. In addition, the recommendation includes $22,379,000 within the Procurement, Acquisition and Construction (PAC) account for high performance computing research 

initiatives. The Committee continues to support investments in 

NOAA’s supercomputing capacity programs. NOAA shall submit a 

report no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act regarding 

the fiscal year 2015 activities and milestones achieved with funding 

provided to NOAA for these efforts, and the planned fiscal year 

2016 investments and associated milestones. 

Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research, Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.—The Committee supports collaboration between NOAA and external academic institutions that conduct scientific research for the conservation of coral reefs and coral reef 

ecosystems within U.S. waters. The Committee recognizes that the 

science sponsored through such collaboration is imperative for 

management of these coral reefs for ecosystem resilience and for 

the effective implementation of the National Coral Reef Action 

Strategy, especially with regard to the identification of local action 

strategies addressing key threats in each of the jurisdictions that 

have coral reefs within their boundaries. The Committee encourages NOAA to strengthen its partnerships with institutes focused 

on management-driven coral reef research. 

Integrated Ocean Acidification Research.—The Committee encourages NOAA, in coordination with the Office of Science and 

Technology Policy, to consider implementing a program to competitively award prizes under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) to advance the understanding, 

research, or monitoring of ocean acidification or its impacts; or to 

develop management or adaptation options for responding to ocean 

acidification. The Committee encourages NOAA to prioritize in 

prize competitions communities, environments, or industries that 

are in distress due to the impacts of ocean acidification. 

Adaptation and mitigation for ocean acidification.—The Committee encourages NOAA to continue to develop ocean monitoring 

and modeling capabilities, and vulnerability assessments, necessary to support research on innovative methods to mitigate and 

adapt to ocean acidification, such as biological uptake and iron fertilization. As the Government Accountability Office noted in its 

2014 report on ocean acidification, the Federal Government has yet 

to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies as required by the 

Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 

and the Committee encourages NOAA to actively pursue the research necessary to develop these strategies. 

OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Climate Research 

Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes ................................................................................................. $50,000 

Regional Climate Data and Information ................................................................................................. 38,000 

Climate Competitive Research, Sustained Observations and Regional Information ............................. 40,000 

Climate Research .............................................................................................................................................. 128,000 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
22 

OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH—Continued 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Weather and Air Chemistry Research 

Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes ................................................................................................. 75,000 

U.S. Weather Research Program .............................................................................................................. 7,300 

Tornado Severe Storm Research/Phased Array Radar ............................................................................ 13,158 

Joint Technology Transfer Initiative ......................................................................................................... 4,000 

Weather and Air Chemistry Research ............................................................................................................... 99,458 

Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research 

Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes ................................................................................................. 25,000 

National Sea Grant College Program ...................................................................................................... 62,800 

Marine Aquaculture Program ................................................................................................................... 2,000 

Ocean Exploration and Research ............................................................................................................. 32,000 

Integrated Ocean Acidification ................................................................................................................ 8,446 

Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring ...................................................................................... 40,000 

Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research ...................................................................................................... 170,246 

High Performance Computing Initiatives ......................................................................................................... 12,000 

Total, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Operations, Research, and Facilities .......................... $409,704 

National Weather Service.—The Committee recommends 

$967,563,000 for National Weather Service (NWS) operations, research, and facilities, which is $4,000,000 above the request, to 

maintain critical capabilities to provide weather forecasts and 

warnings. 

Analyze, Forecast, and Support.—The recommendation includes 

$488,845,000 for analyze, forecast, and support activities. The Analyze, Forecast, and Support program funds the operation of the 

Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs), River Forecast Centers (RFCs), 

the seven National Centers and the Tsunami Warning Centers. 

The recommended level will support 24x7 weather surveillance, 

forecast and warning services, and operation of the service centers. 

Observations.—The recommendation includes $204,876,000 for 

observation activities. This funding supports surface, ocean and 

upper air observations, Next Generation Weather Radar 

(NEXRAD), the Automated Surface Observing System, ocean buoys 

and aircraft observations. This level of funding will support requested increases for radiosondes and space weather observations. 

Science and Technology Integration.—The recommendation includes $134,197,000 for Science and Technology Integration activities. This program funds NWS internal research and development 

activities in cooperation with other NOAA line offices, partner 

agencies, and external weather data customers. This level supports 

the proposed increase for mid-range weather outlooks, enhanced 

water prediction capability, and the transition of the space weather 

numerical model from research to operations. 

Central Processing.—The recommendation provides $92,902,000 

for Central Processing including funds for the Advanced Weather 

Interactive Processing System, the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction 

System, modeling and supercomputing programs. The recVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
23 

ommendation does not adopt the proposed reduction in information 

technology officers. 

Dissemination.—The recommendation includes $46,743,000 for 

Dissemination activities. This activity funds the communications 

technology that NWS uses to collect, tailor and distribute its data 

and products. Systems in this program include the telecommunications gateway, NOAA weather radio, and the satellite data 

ground readiness program. 

Storm surge modeling.—The Committee encourages NOAA to solicit input from the academic research community to examine alternative real-time storm surge predictive capabilities that account for 

regional variances and may complement NOAA’s Sea, Lake, and 

Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) model. 

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Observations ..................................................................................................................................................... $204,876 

Central Processing ............................................................................................................................................ 92,902 

Analyze, Forecast and Support ......................................................................................................................... 488,845 

Dissemination ................................................................................................................................................... 46,743 

Science and Technology Integration ................................................................................................................. 134,197 

Total, National Weather Service, Operations, Research, and Facilities .......................................................... $967,563 

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service 

(NESDIS).—The Committee recommends $184,700,000 for NESDIS 

operations, research, and facilities. 

Office of Satellite and Product Operations.—The recommendation 

includes $99,000,000 for the Office of Satellite and Product Operations. This activity funds the command and control of NOAA operational environmental satellites. 

National Environmental Information Office.—The recommendation includes $58,000,000 for the National Environmental Information Office. This program is the official data management entity for 

oceanographic, geophysical, and climatological information within 

the United States. The six Regional Climate Centers shall be funded at no less than their current operating level. 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Environmental Satellite Observing Systems 

Satellite and Product Operations ............................................................................................................ $90,000 

NSOF operations ....................................................................................................................................... 9,000 

Office of Satellite and Product Operations ...................................................................................................... 99,000 

Product Development, Readiness and Application ........................................................................................... 26,000 

Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs ............................................................................................. 1,000 

Office of Space Commercialization .................................................................................................................. 600 

Group on Earth Observations ........................................................................................................................... 100 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
24 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE—Continued 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Total, Environmental Satellite Observing Systems ........................................................................................... 126,700 

National Environmental Information Office ...................................................................................................... 58,000 

Total, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, Operations, Research, and Facilities ................................................................................................................................................................ $184,700 

Program Support.—The recommendation includes $438,331,000 

for Program Support operations, research, and facilities. 

Management and administrative costs.—The recommendation includes bill language capping NOAA corporate services administrative support costs at $208,100,000. In addition to this funding, the 

Committee notes that each line office also includes its own ‘‘Headquarters Program Support’’ costs. NOAA shall continue efforts to 

standardize the treatment of management and administrative costs 

in each line office in a manner that maximizes transparency and 

accountability, and reduce or eliminate unnecessary travel, printing, supply purchases, conference attendance, and other non-mission critical costs. 

NOAA education program.—The Committee includes 

$23,631,000, $7,200,000 above the amount requested, for NOAA’s 

education program. Of this amount, $15,000,000 is provided to continue the Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving 

Institutions. Within these funds, NOAA is encouraged to create an 

additional Cooperative Science Center at an Hispanic Serving Institution. Of the total amount included, $7,200,000 is provided to 

continue the B-WET regional programs. 

STEM consolidation.—The recommendation does not adopt 

NOAA’s proposed STEM education consolidation proposals for the 

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program; the Teacher at Sea Program; the National Sea Grant College Program; or within Ocean 

Exploration and Research. 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.—The recommendation 

includes $206,600,000. 

Research vessels.—The recommendation does not include the 

funds requested to begin construction of a new oceanographic research vessel. The Committee understands that two research vessels, the Knorr and the Melville, which are owned by the Navy and 

operated by two private research institutions, are in the process of 

being retired and prepared for sale to the foreign market. NOAA, 

with input from NSF and OSTP, shall submit an analysis to the 

Committee within 60 days of enactment of this Act regarding the 

capability of either of these two vessels to fulfill NOAA’s oceangoing requirements. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
25 

PROGRAM SUPPORT 

Operations, Research, and Facilities 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Program Support 

Corporate Services 

Under Secretary and Associate Offices .......................................................................................... $27,000 

NOAA-Wide Corporate Services and Agency Management ............................................................. 100,800 

DOC Accounting System ................................................................................................................. 10,000 

Payment to the DOC Working Capital Fund ................................................................................... 39,000 

IT Security ....................................................................................................................................... 8,300 

NOAA Facilities Management, Maintenance, Construction and Safety ......................................... 23,000 

Corporate Services and Facilities ............................................................................................................ 208,100 

NOAA Education Program 

Education Partnership Program/Minority Serving Institutions ....................................................... 15,000 

NOAA Education Program Base ...................................................................................................... 1,431 

B-WET-regional programs ............................................................................................................... 7,200 

NOAA Education Program ........................................................................................................................ 23,631 

Total, Program Support ..................................................................................................................................... 231,731 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations 

Marine Operations and Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 175,000 

Aviation Operations and Aircraft Services .............................................................................................. 31,600 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations ........................................................................................................ 206,600 

Total, Program Support and OMAO, Operations, Research, and Facilities ..................................................... $438,331 

PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends a total program level of $1,973,034,000 in direct obligations under this heading, of which 

$1,960,034,000 is appropriated from the general fund and 

$13,000,000 is derived from recoveries of prior year obligations. 

The direct appropriation is $219,191,000 below fiscal year 2015 and 

$538,645,000 below the request. 

The following narrative descriptions and tables identify the specific activities and funding levels included in this Act. 

National Weather Service (NWS).—The recommendation includes 

$135,315,000 for NWS systems acquisitions and construction, the 

full amount requested. 

Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD).—Within amounts 

for Observations, the recommendation includes a requested increase to extend the useful life of the NEXRAD weather radar infrastructure through 2030. The Committee notes that 85 percent of 

all tornado warnings are based on radar detections. 

NWS Telecommunications Gateway.—Within amounts for Dissemination, the recommendation includes $9,700,000, as requested, 

to continue improvements to NWS’s infrastructure that collects and 

disseminates weather products. This multi-year effort began in fiscal year 2013 and is expected to be complete by fiscal year 2017. 

NWS Facilities.—The recommendation includes a $4,710,000, as 

requested, to support tenant improvements and support costs assoVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
26 

ciated with Weather Forecast Office (WFO) and River Forecast 

Center (RFC) relocations. NOAA shall provide a report no later 

than 180 days after enactment of this Act describing the status of 

each WFO and RFC, to include the status of forecasting equipment 

and facility conditions. 

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service.—The recommendation includes $1,802,640,000 for NESDIS acquisition and construction. The Committee recommendation focuses 

limited resources on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) programs in light of their role in ensuring accurate and timely weather forecasts and warnings. The Committee continues to be concerned with the challenges that plague these programs which have 

been identified by the GAO, OIG, and the NESDIS Independent 

Review Team (IRT). The Committee expects the Department of 

Commerce to ensure that these critical programs are proceeding 

within the cost estimates and meeting program milestones. The 

Committee expects to be notified promptly if any issues arise that 

could jeopardize the current launch schedules. The Department of 

Commerce and NOAA shall remain engaged in the overall management of JPSS and GOES–R programs and efforts to develop solutions to mitigate any gaps in either JPSS or GOES–R programs 

and to address the fragility of the JPSS program. NOAA shall continue to provide quarterly briefings to the Committee regarding all 

NOAA satellite programs. These briefings shall include the status 

of obligations for each program, including spacecraft, launch, sensor, integration, and ground components. NOAA shall also include 

in these briefings updates on all of its operational satellite systems. 

Oversight.—The Committee reiterates its desire to ensure that 

OIG and GAO staff are permitted at NOAA’s monthly satellites 

meetings. To further aid the Committee in its oversight function, 

NOAA shall include biannual updates to the Committee regarding 

the status of implementing OIG, GAO, and IRT recommendations 

for NOAA’s satellite programs. 

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS).—The recommendation includes $808,966,000 for JPSS, the full requested amount. This level 

of funding will support the continuing development of instruments, 

ground systems and spacecraft associated with the planned launch 

of JPSS–1 no later than the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. The 

Committee is concerned by the continuous delays in producing a 

critical sensor for JPSS–1, the Advanced Technology Microwave 

Sounder, and expects to be kept informed of this issue. 

JPSS gap mitigation.—The Committee remains concerned about 

the potential polar satellite data gap and expects NOAA to continue to prepare for the potential data gap. The Committee expects 

NOAA to investigate ways to prioritize mitigation projects with the 

greatest potential benefit to weather forecasting and to ensure that 

all relevant entities follow the reporting requirements identified in 

NOAA’s Contingency Plan. NOAA shall keep the Committee informed regarding development, integration, and testing of JPSS 1 

and preparation for a potential data gap. 

Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and 

Climate (COSMIC) 2.—The recommendation includes $20,000,000, 

as requested, to support ground processing activities and procurement of the next set of six COSMIC–2 Radio Occultation sensors, 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
27 

now planned for launch in fiscal year 2019. The current COSMIC 

constellation reached the end of its expected design life in 2011; 

only four of those six satellites are in operation. Data from the 

COSMIC program is used in numerical weather forecasting and 

serves as a calibration tool for other NOAA weather observations. 

The Committee still has not seen a comprehensive plan for the 

next segment of the COSMIC–2 Mission, the launch of six additional COSMIC satellites, despite having required this plan last 

year in report language. NOAA shall submit this plan no later than 

30 days after enactment of this Act, to include expected outyear 

costs by agency and outside partners, with appropriate milestones 

and deliverables. This plan also shall explain why the launch of the 

next segment of COSMIC–2 sensors has been delayed to fiscal year 

2019. NOAA also shall include in this report an analysis for acquiring radio occultation weather data from private sector providers. 

NOAA shall include within this plan the results of its observing 

system simulation experiment or other data denial studies conducted to determine the value of data from both global positioning 

system radio occultation and a geostationary hyperspectral sounder 

global constellation. The Committee underscores the value of COSMIC data as a potential gap filler for the fragile JPSS program and 

therefore directs NOAA to provide the analysis requested above 

within the prescribed timeframe. 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite–R (GOES– 

R).—The recommendation includes $871,791,000 for the GOES–R 

program, the full amount requested. This amount supports a 

planned launch date in the second quarter of fiscal year 2016. 

NOAA shall continue to provide updates to the Committee regarding the status of this program to include the on-orbit GOES satellites. 

Satellite ground services.—The recommendation supports the full request for Systems Acquisition and includes $2,717,000 to continue development of an enterprise ground system. NOAA shall 

provide a report to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act regarding research and investments undertaken during fiscal year 2014 and 2015 and plans for 2016 on a 

common ground system and integrated architecture. 

PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 

Systems Acquisition 

Research Supercomputing/CCRI ..................................................................................................... $22,379 

National Weather Service 

Systems Acquisition 

Observations ................................................................................................................................... 16,720 

Central Processing .......................................................................................................................... 64,261 

Dissemination ................................................................................................................................. 45,684 

Subtotal, National Weather Service, Systems Acquisition ...................................................................... 126,665 

Weather Forecast Office Construction ............................................................................................ 8,650 

Total, National Weather Service - PAC ............................................................................................................. 135,315 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
28 

PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service 

Systems Acquisition 

GOES R ............................................................................................................................................ 871,791 

Space Weather Follow-on ................................................................................................................ 2,500 

Jason-3 ............................................................................................................................................ 7,458 

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) ................................................................................................ 808,966 

DSCOVR ........................................................................................................................................... 3,200 

COSMIC 2 ........................................................................................................................................ 20,000 

Satellite Ground Services ................................................................................................................ 58,525 

System Architecture and Advanced Planning ................................................................................ 3,000 

Projects, Planning, and Analysis .................................................................................................... 25,200 

Subtotal, NESDIS Systems Acquisition .................................................................................................... 1,800,640 

Construction 

Satellite CDA Facility ...................................................................................................................... 2,000 

Total, NESDIS - PAC ......................................................................................................................................... 1,802,640 

Program Support 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations 

Fleet Replacement 

Fleet Capital Improvements and Technology Infusion ................................................................... 11,700 

NOAA Construction ................................................................................................................................... 1,000 

Subtotal, OMAO ........................................................................................................................................ 12,700 

Total, Program Support - PAC .......................................................................................................................... 12,700 

Total, Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction .......................................................................................... $1,973,034 

PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY

The Committee recommends $65,000,000 for Pacific Coastal 

Salmon Recovery, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$7,000,000 above the request. In addition, the accompanying bill 

includes language that requires all funds to be allocated based on 

scientific and merit principles and prohibits the availability of 

funds for marketing activities. 

FISHERMEN’S CONTINGENCY FUND

The Committee recommends $350,000 for the Fishermen’s Contingency Fund, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and the request. This Fund is available to compensate U.S. commercial fishermen for damage or loss caused by obstructions related to oil and 

gas exploration, and is derived from fees collected by the Secretary 

of the Interior. 

FISHERIES FINANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

The Committee recommends language under this heading limiting obligations of direct loans to $24,000,000 for Individual Fishing Quota loans and $100,000,000 for traditional direct loans. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
29 

DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for Departmental Management, which is $6,000,000 below fiscal year 2015 and 

$21,095,000 below the request. 

Cybersecurity.—The Secretary is directed to submit quarterly reports to the Committee on the Department’s activities to improve 

its cybersecurity including updates on addressing the Inspector 

General’s cybersecurity concerns. 

Federally funded research.—The Committee believes that commercial technologies developed as a result of federally funded research should be manufactured in the United States to the maximum extent possible. The Department is working with the agencies funded in this Act to develop and issue a report on this subject, 

as directed by the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 

113–76. The Committee looks forward to receiving this report and 

reviewing its findings. 

China travel reports.—The Committee retains bill language regarding official staff travel to China. In addition, the Secretary and 

agency heads shall review the instances of official staff travel to 

China to ensure that travel is necessary and is in furtherance of 

the mission of the Department of Commerce. The Secretary shall 

provide these reports concurrently to the OIG and Office of Security. 

Middle-market job growth.—Within the funds provided, the Committee encourages the Department to initiate an independent 

study, through a competitive bid process, to determine the impact 

of private capital on middle-market job growth, company revenues, 

and economic development. 

RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION

The recommendation includes $3,989,000 for the Department’s 

cost of the Herbert C. Hoover Building renovation and modernization which is $511,000 below fiscal year 2015 and is $20,073,000 

below the request. The recommendation includes $1,082,000 for security systems and $2,907,000 for blast-resistant windows. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $32,000,000 for the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which is $1,404,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$3,190,000 below the request. The recommendation also includes 

transfers of $1,551,000 from the Census Bureau, $1,302,000 from 

NOAA, and $2,000,000 from PTO for OIG oversight of those activities. 

The Committee expects the OIG to continue its oversight work 

on cybersecurity, satellite procurements, telework, patent quality, 

and the decennial census. 

Security.—The Committee is concerned about potential violations 

of security-related laws, regulations and policies at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), especially cases involving the inappropriate access of foreign nationals to NIST facilities or information systems. The Committee supports the thorough 

investigation and pursuit of criminal and administrative remedies 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
30 

for such violations and directs the OIG to undertake a review of 

NIST security and foreign national access. The OIG shall provide 

the Committee with its assessment of the NIST security program 

no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

The Committee recommends the following general provisions for 

the Department of Commerce: 

Section 101 makes funds available for advanced payments only 

upon certification of officials designated by the Secretary that such 

payments are considered to be in the public interest. 

Section 102 makes appropriations for the Department available 

for hire of passenger motor vehicles, for services, and for uniforms 

and allowances as authorized by law. 

Section 103 provides the authority to transfer funds between Department of Commerce appropriation accounts and requires notification to the Committee of certain actions. 

Section 104 extends congressional notification requirements for 

NOAA satellite programs. 

Section 105 provides for reimbursement for services within Department of Commerce buildings. 

Section 106 clarifies that grant recipients under the Department 

of Commerce may continue to deter child pornography, copyright 

infringement, or any other unlawful activity over their networks. 

Section 107 provides the NOAA Administrator with the authority 

to avail NOAA of needed resources, with the consent of those supplying the resources, to carry out responsibilities of any statute administered by NOAA. 

Section 108 prohibits the National Technical Information Service 

from charging for certain activities. 

Section 109 allows the Secretary of Commerce to waive certain 

bond requirements regarding vessel construction, alteration, or repair. 

Section 110 permits National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to use unobligated balances from its Industrial Technology Services account to fund NIST activities related to the Network for Manufacturing Innovation. 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $105,000,000 for Department of 

Justice, General Administration, Salaries and Expenses, which is 

$6,500,000 below fiscal year 2015 and $14,437,000 below the request. Within the funding provided, the Committee encourages the 

Department to fund the Justice Management Division at no less 

than the fiscal year 2015 level. 

Settlement awards.—The Committee is aware that in some cases 

where large mortgage lending settlements have been awarded, the 

Department has directed a significant portion to organizations that 

were neither parties in the litigation nor represented victims of the 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
31 

alleged unlawful activity. The Committee is concerned with the 

lack of transparency about such awards, their size and their relationship to other Federal programs and policy objectives. The Committee therefore directs the Department to submit a report, to accompany the President’s fiscal year 2017 budget request, listing 

settlement awards made in fiscal years 2015 and 2016, together 

with any awards made to organizations or groups that were not 

parties to litigation or named as victims. 

Misconduct in Department of Justice law enforcement agencies.— The Committee is gravely concerned with findings of misconduct 

outlined in a recent report from the Office of Inspector General 

(OIG): The Handling of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Allegations by the Department’s Law Enforcement Components (Evaluation and Inspections Division 15–4). The report indicates that policies, procedures and training have failed to ensure that Federal 

law enforcement agents and personnel, who are privileged to serve 

in sensitive positions of trust and responsibility, are being held to 

the highest possible standard for professional and personal conduct. The report underscores that the Department and its agencies 

have not had in place sound policies, training, and disciplinary 

practices to uphold such standards. The Committee is further disappointed to learn that in a number of cases individuals who were 

found to have engaged in notoriously disgraceful conduct remain 

agency employees or were subject to minor disciplinary action. 

The Committee therefore has included bill language withholding $20,000,000 from obligation from the General Administration appropriation account, as well as from each of the Salaries and Expenses accounts for the United States Marshals Service, the Drug 

Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 

and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives until 

the Attorney General demonstrates to the Committee that the Department and agencies have implemented or are in the process of 

implementing the OIG recommendations accompanying those reports. In addition, the Inspector General shall report to the Committee not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act and six 

months thereafter on the progress of implementing the recommendations. 

Inspector General access to department records.—Section 218 of 

the fiscal year 2015 Department of Justice Appropriations Act provided that no funds in the Act could be used to deny the Inspector 

General ‘‘timely access’’ to any and all records or information they 

might require, with the exception of an express limitation of section 

6(a) of the Inspector General Act. The Committee has included a 

new general provision that applies this standard to other Departments and agencies in this bill. The Committee expects the Department to comply with this requirement and promptly honor requests 

by the Office of Inspector General for information needed to carry 

out their statutory responsibility to audit and oversee the Department of Justice. 

Active shootings and technology.—The Committee is aware of the 

value of gunshot detection technology as both a first responder and 

forensic tool, and the development of new systems for this purpose. 

The Committee encourages the Department to explore the benefits 

of integrating such systems into first responder active shooter 

training, to include evaluating how such integration could improve 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
32 

first responder effectiveness and to develop best practices. The Department is also encouraged to work with the General Services Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to determine how such systems might be deployed for purposes of augmenting security and responses to active shooter situations inside 

Federal facilities. 

Wildlife trafficking.—The Committee understands that illegal 

wildlife and natural resources trafficking is linked with other 

transnational organized crimes. Revenue from illegal harvesting of 

elephant ivory and other high-value wildlife products is used to finance armed insurgencies and other groups, and threatens the stability and development of African countries as well as U.S. security 

interests. The Committee supports the Department’s membership 

on the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, and directs 

the Attorney General to submit a status update, not later than 120 

days after the date of enactment of this Act, outlining the specific 

steps the Department is taking to meet its goals, established in the 

National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking Implementation Plan, to 

further address wildlife trafficking and the illegal natural resources trade, including increasing prosecutions of traffickers and 

working to build prosecutorial and legal structures to help address 

wildlife trafficking in other countries. 

Cuban Government operatives.—The Committee is deeply troubled by the escalation of illegal drug cultivation, and Medicare, Social Security and insurance fraud by Cuban nationals who defraud 

U.S. taxpayers and businesses of millions of dollars and then flee 

to Cuba to avoid prosecution. Accordingly, the Committee directs 

the Department of Justice to ensure it does not train any employee 

of the Cuban Government and thereby provide them with skills 

which they then turn to sophisticated and lucrative criminal activity. 

Smartphone encryption.—The Committee is aware of concerns regarding virtually unbreakable smartphone encryption. The Committee recommends the Department be engaged on this critical 

matter and update the Committee on the impacts on law enforcement, as well as any needs for resources or legislation. 

Enforcement of Federal cyber-stalking and threat crimes.—The 

Committee is aware of concerns regarding increased instances of 

severe harassment, stalking, and threats transmitted in interstate 

commerce in violation of Federal law. These targeted attacks 

against Internet users, particularly women, have resulted in the release of personal information, forced individuals to flee their 

homes, has had a chilling effect on free expression, and are limiting 

access to economic opportunity. The Committee strongly urges the 

Department to intensify its efforts to combat this destructive abuse 

and expects to see increased investigations and prosecutions of 

these crimes. 

Identity theft and senior citizens.—The Committee is aware that 

senior citizens are susceptible to tax-related identity theft and encourages the Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service, and 

Federal Trade Commission to collaborate on joint efforts to prevent 

and reduce the incidence of tax-related identity theft among vulnerable populations, especially senior citizens. 

Conferences.—The Committee understands that OMB Memorandum M–12–12 called for agencies to reduce travel expenses 30 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
33 

percent compared to the fiscal year 2010 level, and limit conference 

spending. The Committee expects the Department of Justice to 

minimize conferences and conference expenses to those necessary 

to carry out the mission of the Department. The Committee expects 

the Department to make conference location decisions based on 

transparency, accountability and best value in the use of appropriated funds. 

White-collar prosecutions.—The Department of Justice shall report to the Committee, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, on 

the actions taken and settlements achieved on financial fraud cases 

in the wake of the recent financial crisis, to include completed 

cases against CEOs, board members, and other executives of Wall 

Street firms, hedge funds, and banks; the amount paid by financial 

institutions and individuals since 2009 in civil and criminal cases; 

and the percentage of white-collar prosecutions represented as an 

average of all Federal cases. 

Countering recruitment by violent extremists.—The Committee is 

concerned by the radicalization and recruitment in the United 

States of young adults who seek to join terrorist organizations such 

as al-Shabab in Somalia and ISIS in Syria. The Committee supports the efforts of the Department of Justice to build resiliency 

against ideologically based extremist violence in communities with 

at-risk populations. Activities that bring together community representatives, law enforcement, religious leaders, and United States 

Attorneys to improve local engagement, to counter violent extremism, and to build community partnerships to prevent the recruitment of at-risk youth are strongly encouraged. The Committee requests that the Attorney General submit to the Committee, not 

later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a 

report outlining efforts by the Department of Justice to prevent the 

recruitment of youth by violent extremists to join foreign terrorist 

organizations, the resources allocated by the Department by program to address these recruitment activities, and the Department 

benchmarks for the evaluation of program success. 

JUSTICE INFORMATION SHARING TECHNOLOGY

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $25,842,000 for Justice Information 

Sharing Technology, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$11,598,000 below the request. In addition, the Committee has included modified bill language to give the Department discretion 

and flexibility to use Departmental funds to meet its increased 

needs for digital services, IT transformation and cybersecurity, subject to the reprogramming procedures included in this Act. 

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND APPEALS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $426,791,000 for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Office of the Pardon 

Attorney, of which $4,000,000 is from immigration examination 

fees. The recommendation is $75,719,000 above fiscal year 2015 

and $61,590,000 below the request. The recommendation will support the requested increase of 55 new immigration judge (IJ) 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
34 

teams, enhancements to video teleconferencing and information 

technology capacity, as well as additional immigration support in 

coordination with Department of Homeland Security enforcement 

initiatives. In hiring the additional immigration judge teams the 

Committee encourages EOIR to look at the pool of candidates it 

identified for selection as temporary immigration judges in 2014. 

The Committee expects EOIR will deploy additional IJ teams and 

supporting personnel to areas that have the highest workload. The 

recommendation does not include funding to expand the legal orientation program (LOP) or establish a legal representation program. The recommendation includes $1,000,000 for information 

help desks, to provide orientation information for non-detained individuals at the most backlogged immigration courts. These funds 

are not for legal representation. 

EOIR Performance reporting.—The Committee is greatly concerned about EOIR’s continuing and significant case backlog. Immigration courts have become a critical bottleneck in dealing with the 

surge in illegal immigration, causing unacceptable delays, great expense and needless human hardship. To help relieve this situation 

the Committee has included $421,873,000 for EOIR to support hiring new IJs, support staff, and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) 

lawyers to reduce the backlog of cases and expedite judgments. It 

is essential for the Committee to have timely and useful data about 

the impact of this investment, to include the status of immigration 

judge hiring, as well as adjudication caseload and outcomes. The 

Committee therefore directs EOIR to submit, not later than the 

first day of each quarter, the following data: the planned number 

of immigration judges and associated immigration judge team staff 

to be hired in fiscal year 2016; the numbers of IJs, attorneys, and 

other staff on-board; and the numbers of those positions in various 

stages of the hiring pipeline. The quarterly report should include 

case information, broken out by Department of Homeland Security 

priority case code, as follows: initial case receipts; the number of 

associated case completions, noting whether they are IJ Decisions 

and Other Completions; the average case processing time; and, for 

each case code, the number of pending cases and the average age 

of such cases. Finally, the report should include summary data on 

the number of IJ decisions for Voluntary Departures and Removals, 

including the number of removal decisions made in absentia, and 

the impact of EOIR implementation of electronic registry, filing, 

and case information applications on productivity and backlog reduction. 

Management of cases and appeals.—The Committee is aware 

that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in an October 2012 report (I–2013–001) recommended ways to streamline immigration 

hearing proceedings, specifically the need for consistent tracking 

mechanisms that avoid double counting cases which occur when a 

person is transferred between jurisdictions to a different IJ team. 

The Committee directs EOIR to brief the Committee not later than 

90 days after enactment of this Act on the status of the implementation of those recommendations. 

Immigration Judge training.—EOIR immigration judge training 

should address how to adjudicate cases involving vulnerable populations, to include how best to elicit information from trauma survivors, victims of gender based violence, and children. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
35 

Legal orientation program and pilots.—The Committee commends EOIR for the LOP and other programs that improve the efficiency of court proceedings, reduce court costs, and help ensure 

fairness and due process. The Committee encourages EOIR, within 

the funding provided, and subject to the limitation of Section 292 

of the Immigration and Nationality Act, to continue to explore 

ways to better serve vulnerable populations such as children and 

improve court efficiency through pilot efforts aimed at improving 

their legal representation. The Committee directs that such pilots 

shall not require the U.S. Government to bear any expense for 

legal representation for any alien in removal proceedings, except to 

the extent required by Federal court order. Recognizing that LOP 

served detained individuals in a limited number of States last year, 

EOIR shall brief the Committee not later than 90 days after the 

date of enactment on how it is allocating LOP services nationwide, 

including to remote immigration detention sites that are far from 

legal service providers in urban centers. 

Video teleconferencing.—Immigration judges make extensive use 

of video teleconferencing (VTC), especially on the detained docket. 

The Committee is disappointed that the Department has not submitted the report on VTC use that was to be submitted with the 

fiscal year 2016 budget request. The Committee directs EOIR to 

submit the report as soon as possible. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $92,000,000 for the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which is $3,423,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$1,709,000 below the request. The Committee notes that the OIG 

has had significant investigative and audit workload. As noted 

above, the Committee has included language directing the Inspector General to report to the Committee not later than 90 days after 

enactment of this Act and six months thereafter on the progress of 

implementing the recommendations included in OIG Evaluation 

and Inspections Division report 15–4 related to the Department’s 

handling of misconduct by law enforcement personnel. 

UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $13,308,000 for the United States 

Parole Commission, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$239,000 below the request. 

LEGAL ACTIVITIES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, GENERAL LEGAL ACTIVITIES

The Committee recommends $885,000,000 for General Legal Activities, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and $152,386,000 

below the request. This appropriation supports the establishment 

of litigation policy, the conduct of litigation, and other legal responsibilities of the Department of Justice through the Office of the Solicitor General, the Tax Division, the Criminal Division, the Civil 

Division, the Environment and Natural Resources Division, the 

Civil Rights Division, the Office of Legal Counsel, and INTERPOL 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
36 

Washington. The Committee has provided separate funding recommendations by decision unit as follows: 

Office of the Solicitor General ............................................................................................................................. $11,678,000 

Tax Division .......................................................................................................................................................... 106,674,000 

Criminal Division .................................................................................................................................................. 183,000,000 

Civil Division ........................................................................................................................................................ 285,226,000 

Environment and Natural Resources Division ..................................................................................................... 110,000,000 

Office of Legal Counsel ........................................................................................................................................ 7,836,000 

Civil Rights Division ............................................................................................................................................. 147,239,000 

INTERPOL Washington .......................................................................................................................................... 33,347,000 

Total, General Legal Activities .................................................................................................................... $885,000,000 

Within the funding provided the Committee supports use of funding in the Criminal Division to address the backlog in handling 

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) requests, and to sustain 

positions added and case management improvements made in fiscal 

year 2015. Also within the funding provided, the Committee supports enhancement of the ICITAP and OPDAT programs to support 

developing stronger relationships with foreign law enforcement and 

prosecutorial counterparts. The Committee also encourages the Department, within the funding provided, to strengthen prosecution of 

intellectual property rights, cybercrime, and fraud. Finally, the 

Committee supports the Department’s plans to implement the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking, and directs the 

Department to fund the Initiative within the funds provided. 

Human trafficking.—The Committee recommends that the 

Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU) in the Civil Rights 

Division and the Department’s Anti-Trafficking Coordination 

Teams sustain current efforts against human trafficking and slavery, and make it a priority to help victim service providers and 

non-governmental organizations assist victims as part of broader 

efforts to combat human trafficking and slavery in the United 

States. 

Civil rights division, voting section.—The Department of Justice 

shall submit to the. Committee, at the time the 2017 budget request is submitted, the following information about Section 203 

cases investigated in fiscal year 2016, including: the number of 

cases, broken out by language(s) involved; the number of such investigations opened and number closed, by reason closed (e.g., not 

enough evidence of non-compliance available, no evidence of noncompliance, MOA); the average number of investigations per attorney; and the average length of time per investigation. 

VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION TRUST FUND

The recommendation includes $8,000,000 as a reimbursement 

from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund for costs of litigating cases under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 

1986 (Public Law 99–660). 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, ANTITRUST DIVISION

The Committee recommends $162,246,000 for salaries and expenses of the Antitrust Division, which is the same as fiscal year 

2015 and $2,731,000 below the request. The recommended funding 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
37 

level is offset by $124,000,000 in estimated fee collections for a net 

direct appropriation of $38,246,000. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS

The Committee recommends $1,995,000,000 for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys and the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices, which is $35,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$37,216,000 below the request. Within this amount the Department 

is expected to support enhanced efforts to address growing MLAT 

request backlogs, human trafficking investigations, and cybercrime. 

Prosecuting immigration crime.—The Committee is concerned 

with the inconsistent enforcement of Federal criminal immigration 

laws and supports programs like Operation Streamline. The Attorney General is directed to submit a report to the Committee not 

later than 120 days after enactment of this Act that includes the 

following information, by U.S. District Court, for each of the fiscal 

years 2008 through 2015: the number of Federal criminal immigration cases filed; the number of case terminations; and for defendants, the number tried, the number convicted, the number sentenced to prison; and the number of those convicted who were deported after completing their sentence. The report shall describe 

steps the Department is taking to ensure that Federal criminal immigration law is enforced vigorously and consistently across the 

country to include prosecution guidelines and policies by district. 

Prescription drug abuse.—The growing, nationwide crisis of prescription drug abuse has resulted in skyrocketing fatalities, and addressing this challenge remains a core Federal law enforcement 

mission. The Committee expects U.S. Attorneys to make it a priority to investigate and prosecute criminals who profit from such 

trafficking, to include pain clinics that serve as fronts for the illegal 

distribution of addictive painkillers. 

Human trafficking.—The recommendation continues bill language directing each U.S. Attorney to participate in human trafficking task forces. 

Trafficking and money laundering enforcement.—The Committee 

expects the Department to continue to make drug trafficking and 

money laundering enforcement an investigative and prosecutorial 

priority for Federal prosecutors. 

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement.—The Committee 

expects the Department to continue to make IPR enforcement an 

investigative and prosecutorial priority for Federal prosecutors. 

UNITED STATES TRUSTEE SYSTEM FUND

The Committee recommends $225,908,000 for the United States 

Trustee Program, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$2,199,000 below the request. The recommended funding is offset 

by $162,000,000 in estimated fee collections for a net direct appropriation of $63,908,000. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, FOREIGN CLAIMS SETTLEMENT COMMISSION

The Committee recommends $2,326,000 for the Foreign Claims 

Settlement Commission, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$48,000 below the request. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
38 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF WITNESSES

The Committee recommends $270,000,000, which is the same as 

fiscal year 2015 and the request, for fees and expenses of witnesses 

who appear on behalf of the Government in cases in which the 

United States is a party. This appropriation is considered mandatory for scorekeeping purposes. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES, COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $13,000,000 for the Community Relations Service, which is $750,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$1,446,000 below the request. 

UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $1,220,000,000 for the salaries and 

expenses of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), which is 

$25,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 and $10,581,000 below the request. As explained in detail under the General Administration appropriation, the Committee has included language withholding 

$20,000,000 pending demonstration by the Attorney General that 

the Department has implemented or is in the process of implementing OIG recommendations to address employee misconduct. 

Detection technology.—The Committee encourages the USMS to 

seek cost effective ways to build on and leverage their use of detection technologies to increase officer safety, saving both lives and 

money. 

CONSTRUCTION

The Committee recommends $11,000,000, which is $1,200,000 

above fiscal year 2015 and $4,000,000 below the request, for construction and related expenses in space controlled, occupied or used 

by USMS for prisoner holding and related support. 

FEDERAL PRISONER DETENTION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $1,058,081,000 for Federal Prisoner 

Detention, which is $562,774,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$396,333,000 below the request. A rescission of $69,500,000 in unobligated balances in this account is included in title V of this Act. 

In fiscal year 2015, this account used surplus Assets Forfeiture 

Fund balances totaling $1,100,000,000 to offset its funding requirements. These funds are no longer available for this account. Therefore, an increase in discretionary appropriations is required to ensure USMS has sufficient resources to house prisoners throughout 

fiscal year 2016. If funds provided are insufficient to meet the program’s requirements, the Department may propose and the Committee will consider the use of funds available through transfer and 

reprogramming authorities, in compliance with the procedures established by section 505 of this Act, to supplement this account. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
39 

NATIONAL SECURITY DIVISION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $95,000,000 for the National Security Division (NSD), which is $2,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$1,596,000 below the request. This amount will help the NSD address the growing workload for its national security mission, including its Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act responsibilities. 

INTERAGENCY LAW ENFORCEMENT

INTERAGENCY CRIME AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT

The Committee recommends $510,000,000 for Interagency Crime 

and Drug Enforcement, which is $2,806,000 above fiscal year 2015 

and $9,301,000 below the request. Funds are included under this 

heading to support interagency Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which target high-level drug trafficking organizations through coordinated, multi-jurisdictional investigations. 

Decision unit subtotals.—The recommendation includes 

$357,500,000 for investigations and $152,500,000 for prosecutions. 

Within these levels the Committee expects OCDETF will enhance 

its investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial efforts through 

OCDETF-led activities, including the OCDETF Fusion Center, 

OCDETF Co-located Strike Forces, and the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center, as well as through 

the direct collaboration with State and local law enforcement, the 

United States Attorneys’ offices, and the Criminal Division. 

Full-Time Equivalents (FTE).—The Committee has not yet received the report required by the fiscal year 2015 Appropriations 

Act on current and historical levels of investigative and prosecutorial FTE assigned to OCDETF task forces and cases. The Department is directed to submit that report as soon as possible, and to 

provide an updated report with its fiscal year 2017 budget request. 

That updated report should include actual and projected investigative and prosecutorial FTE devoted to OCDETF cases in fiscal 

years 2015–2017, broken out by agency and funding source. 

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $8,489,786,000 for the salaries and 

expenses account of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 

which is $163,217,000 above fiscal year 2015 and $75,161,000 

above the request. The increase reflects funding necessary to carry 

out several critical and underfunded elements of FBI’s mission, informed by the recently completed report on the implementation of 

9/11 Commission recommendations. These include supporting necessary work on the Next Generation Cyber program and IT Infrastructure; addressing capacity constraints in data sharing that 

have impacts on the FBI’s ability to timely share vast quantities 

of forensic and other data; and helping the FBI meet persistent and 

increasing challenges to cybersecurity, combat intrusions, and inVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
40 

vestigate cybercrime. The Committee is also aware that the growing demand for FBI training and collaboration in the field has been 

limited by the lack of adequate operational infrastructure for secure facilities, communications and information technology, and so 

the increase in funding would help relieve this, consistent with the 

9/11 review findings. In addition, the Committee funds the increase 

necessary to ensure the FBI has the capacity to address the threat 

from the increase in ‘‘foreign fighters’’ and other terrorists at home 

and abroad; the need to build counter-threat capability to anticipate challenges to national and cyber security; and to sustain growing operational workload in the field these increased threats generate. One related impact of this growing workload is a need for 

enhanced capacity to carry out physical surveillance for both national security and criminal investigations, and the Committee expects the FBI to enhance this capability from within the funding 

provided. The recommendation includes funding to sustain the National Gang Intelligence Center at no less than the fiscal year 2015 

level of operations. The Committee also expects the FBI will maintain current levels of effort through its Violent Gang, Safe Street 

and Safe Trails task forces. 

Finally, the recommendation supports the programs of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division, including but not limited 

to Next General Identification, the National Crime Information 

Center, and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. 

As explained in detail under the General Administration appropriation, the Committee has included language withholding 

$20,000,000 pending demonstration by the Attorney General that 

the Department has implemented or is in the process of implementing OIG recommendations to address employee misconduct. 

The Committee has provided separate funding recommendations 

by decision unit as follows: 

Intelligence .......................................................................................... $1,703,500,000 

Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence .............................................. 3,425,421,000 

Criminal Enterprise/Federal Crimes ................................................ 2,892,970,000 

Criminal Justice Services .................................................................. 467,895,000 

Total, Salaries and Expenses ..................................................... $8,489,786,000 

Computer intrusions, cyber threats and cybersecurity.—The FBI 

Director testified before the Subcommittee again this year that 

meeting the challenges of cybersecurity, cyber-attacks and other 

cybercrimes remains a priority mission for the FBI. The Committee 

has included additional funding in its recommendation to ensure 

the FBI can continue to develop and implement its Next Generation Cyber (NGC) approach, a comprehensive ‘‘whole of government’’ approach to investigating computer intrusions and defeating 

cyber threat actors, including through its national network of cyber 

task forces with Federal, State, local and international partners in 

government, industry, and academia, and in particular the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force. 

Regional Computer Forensics Laboratories.—The Committee is 

aware that the FBI is exploring the possibility of expanding Regional Computer Forensics Laboratories, to include coverage in 

areas not currently served by them. The Committee supports this 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
41 

effort and expects the FBI to keep the Committee apprised of any 

plans to expand the laboratories or add new ones. 

Counterintelligence.—The Committee continues to be concerned 

with the espionage threat posed by China and other countries and 

entities. Within the funds provided in this Act, the FBI shall increase its efforts to prevent and investigate espionage threats. The 

Committee appreciates that the FBI is developing procurement 

guidelines for agencies to use when buying sensitive information 

technology systems to ensure that supply chain risks are identified 

and mitigated. The Committee also appreciates FBI efforts to educate and support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. However, the Committee believes that the FBI must do more to educate 

government agencies and the private sector on current counterintelligence threats. 

Domestic radicalization and violent extremism.—The Committee 

is concerned with the emergent problem of foreign fighters returning from conflicts abroad to their home countries, particularly those 

coming to the United States. The Committee awaits a briefing on 

efforts of the National Security Branch’s office of Countering Violent Extremism, and directs the FBI to provide this briefing not 

later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. 

Secure Content Management.—The Committee is aware the FBI 

is conducting a proof of concept test of Digital Rights Management 

technology as it looks to protect the FBI’s most sensitive information. The Committee requests that the FBI keep it informed regarding the potential value of this technology for information security and secure content management across the FBI enterprise. 

9/11 Review Commission.—In fiscal year 2013, the Committee 

directed the establishment of a Review Commission to assess FBI’s 

implementation of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations. The 

Committee greatly appreciates the Review Commission’s work to 

improve the operations of the FBI. The Review Commission found 

the FBI has made progress in transforming into an intelligence 

driven organization, but that there is room for further improvement. The bill provides additional resources for the FBI to address 

the 9/11 Review Commission’s concerns. The FBI is directed to submit to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act a report outlining its implementation of each of the 9/11 Review Commission’s recommendations. 

Private sector laboratory DNA testing.—The Committee encourages the FBI to explore the development of a system to expedite 

the upload of DNA profiles to the Combined DNA Index System 

(CODIS). The Committee encourages the FBI to develop a method 

for timely technical review of private lab analysis that will result 

in DNA profiles being uploaded to CODIS in a timely fashion. The 

Committee also encourages the FBI to advise the Committee of any 

other options that will not only maintain the integrity of CODIS 

but will expedite the current upload of DNA profiles. 

CONSTRUCTION

The Committee recommends $57,982,000 for the construction of 

FBI facilities and related activities, which is $52,018,000 below fiscal year 2015 and $11,000,000 below the request. Funding in this 

account will facilitate and expedite work on current design and 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
42 

construction projects, to include sustaining work at Quantico, ongoing secure work environment building and modifications, and data 

center consolidation. The Committee understands that there are 

prior year balances available that may be used to fund fiscal year 

2016 requirements in this account. 

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends total budget authority of $2,445,459,000 for salaries and expenses, of which $371,514,000 is 

derived from fees deposited in the Diversion Control Fund, and 

$2,073,945,000 is provided by direct appropriation. The recommended direct appropriation is $40,625,000 above fiscal year 

2015 and $17,664,000 below the request. The increase will support 

DEA’s workforce restoration and hiring, in the aftermath of the 

hiring freeze, and help it meet a growing enforcement workload, including challenges in its overseas programs, and provide continuing 

support of State and local partners. 

Employee Conduct.—The Committee is gravely disappointed with 

recent OIG reports on the conduct of DEA personnel on overseas 

assignment, and a record of sexual misconduct and harassment 

that appears to have been underreported and inappropriately handled for a number of years. The unfortunate consequence of such 

management shortcomings is that the exemplary work of DEA’s 

dedicated and professional workforce has been eclipsed by the misbehavior of a few individuals. The failure of agency and Departmental management to address such behavior firmly and promptly 

harms public confidence in DEA, but more importantly, could result in compromising its important work. The Committee expects 

DEA and the Department to move swiftly to close the gaps identified in the OIG reports. As explained in detail under the General 

Administration appropriation, the Committee has included language withholding $20,000,000 pending demonstration by the Attorney General that the Department has implemented or is in the 

process of implementing OIG recommendations to address employee misconduct. 

Diversion control.—The recommendation includes $371,514,000 

for the regulatory and enforcement activities of DEA’s Diversion 

Control Program. The Diversion Control Program is funded by fee 

collections. Within this level of funding, the Committee expects 

DEA to sustain or expand its current level of effort for Tactical Diversion Squads and scheduled regulatory investigations. 

Methamphetamine lab cleanup.—The funding recommendation 

for Community Oriented Policing Services includes $11,000,000 for 

transfer to DEA to assist State, local and tribal law enforcement 

agencies with the removal and disposal of hazardous materials at 

methamphetamine labs, including funds for training, technical assistance, purchase of equipment, and a container program. 

Prescription drug and heroin abuse.—The Committee is extremely concerned about the growing menace of prescription drug 

abuse, and the resurgent heroin abuse and overdoses that appear 

connected to vigorous enforcement of laws against prescription 

drug diversion. Data collected by the National Center for Health 

Statistics show that the growth in opioid overdose deaths has risen 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
43 

steadily, nearly quadrupling from 1999 to 2013. While most of that 

growth was from abuse of painkillers, in recent years the death 

rate from heroin overdoses has grown even faster, rising 172 percent from 2010 to 2013 alone. The Committee recommendation supports a vigorous investigative program for DEA to deal with these 

rising threats, and directs DEA to report to the Committee no later 

than 60 days after enactment of this Act on the actual or estimated 

number of heroin and prescription drug diversion investigations for 

fiscal years 2013 through 2016, the amounts and street value of 

drugs associated with such investigations, and prosecutions resulting from investigations. 

Marijuana eradication.—The Committee is concerned about the 

spread of illegal marijuana cultivation in the United States and the 

burden such crime imposes on small and rural law enforcement 

agencies with regard to marijuana eradication. The Committee is 

aware that some small and rural law enforcement agencies may 

face limits in eligibility for overtime compensation for participation 

in drug task forces due to multi-agency policies that cap such overtime across all Federal agencies. When this occurs, local law enforcement is no longer available to assist Federal investigation, 

eradication or enforcement operations. The Committee notes with 

great disappointment that it has not yet received the report required under the fiscal year 2015 Appropriation on DEA’s outreach 

to agency partners, addressing whether changes to current policy 

are permitted under existing authority and provide recommendations, and directs DEA to submit the report as soon as possible. 

The Committee expects DEA to be more responsive. 

Medical efficacy of marijuana.-The Committee directs the DEA to 

review all relevant DEA rules governing research on the medical 

efficacy of marijuana and determine ways to facilitate further research through streamlining the DEA approval process. The Committee further directs DEA to work in collaboration with NIH/ 

NIDA and FDA to facilitate such research efforts. The Committee 

requests DEA to report back to the Committee within 120 days 

with a plan by which the agency can facilitate additional research. 

BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $1,250,000,000 for the salaries and 

expenses of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which is $49,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$11,158,000 below the request. Within this funding level, the Committee expects ATF will meet its critical staffing requirements; improve its capacity to process National Firearms Act and related applications and service requests; and sustain the updating and expansion of the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. 

As explained under the General Administration appropriation, the 

Committee has included language withholding $20,000,000 pending 

demonstration by the Attorney General that the Department has 

implemented or is in the process of implementing OIG recommendations to address employee misconduct. 

Crime gun investigations and firearm trafficking.—The Committee is aware of the 2000 ATF report on its firearm trafficking 

investigations, ‘‘Following the Gun: Enforcing Federal Laws 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
44 

Against Firearms Traffickers’’. The Committee expects that in light 

of changes in trafficking patterns, especially the rise of Internetbased markets, an updated analysis would benefit law enforcement 

by providing insights into criminals’ sources of firearms, ways to 

strengthen law enforcement responses to trafficking, and the value 

of practices like crime gun tracing. The Committee encourages ATF 

to conduct and share such an analysis. 

Industry operations investigators.—The Committee recommends 

that ATF, within funds provided, enhance its hiring and training 

of Industry Operations Investigators in fiscal year 2016. 

FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Committee recommends $6,951,500,000 for salaries and expenses of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which is $136,500,000 

above fiscal year 2015 and $252,658,000 below the request. The 

Committee recommends funding by decision unit as follows: 

Inmate Care and Programs ............................................................... $2,646,500,000 

Security and Administration ............................................................. 3,050,000,000 

Management and Administration ..................................................... 200,000,000 

Contract Confinement ........................................................................ 1,055,000,000 

Total, Salaries and Expenses ..................................................... $6,951,500,000 

Thomson, Illinois facility.—No funding is provided for additional 

activation efforts at the Thomson, Illinois facility. 

Contract confinement.—The Committee recognizes that contract 

confinement is an effective resource to help BOP meet growing low 

security facility requirements. The Committee expects BOP to continue to meet bed space needs by using State, local and private 

prison capacity, if such facilities meet BOP standards, as a means 

to help alleviate overcrowding. 

Medication Assisted Treatment.—The Committee encourages the 

Bureau of Prisons to make abstinence-based relapse prevention 

treatments options available to inmates with a history of opioid dependence. 

Oleoresin capsicum (OC) aerosol spray pilot program.—The Committee is aware that BOP has completed an interim assessment of 

the OC pilot it conducted at seven high security institutions, which 

showed significant reductions in injuries to staff and inmates when 

OC was deployed. As a result, BOP expanded the pilot in February 

2015 to authorize carrying of OC by all staff at high security institutions, medium security facilities, jail units, and detention and 

medical centers. The Committee encourages BOP to keep the Committee informed about this program and its results. 

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

The Committee recommends $230,000,000 for the construction, 

acquisition, modernization, maintenance, and repair of prison and 

detention facilities housing Federal inmates, which is $124,000,000 

above fiscal year 2015 and $89,436,000 above the request. The recommendation includes $145,000,000 for costs related to construction of new facilities; not less than $72,000,000 for maintenance 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
45 

and repairs of existing facilities, to include inmate work areas, of 

which not to exceed $14,000,000 shall be available to construct 

areas for inmate work programs; and up to $13,000,000 for the cost 

of base construction staff and operations. 

The Committee directs the Bureau to move forward with ongoing 

facilities planning efforts and associated new construction for future prison construction projects to meet projected capacity requirements as identified in the monthly status of construction reports to 

the Committees on Appropriations. The Committee recommendation does not include any new funding for renovation, upgrades or 

construction at the Thomson, Illinois facility. 

The Committee directs the BOP to continue to provide monthly 

status of construction reports, and to notify the Committee of any 

changes reflected in those reports. 

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, FEDERAL PRISON

INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

The Committee recommends a limitation on administrative expenses of $2,700,000 for Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, 

(FPI) which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and the request. 

STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES

In total, the Committee recommends $2,003,700,000 for State 

and local law enforcement and crime prevention grant programs, 

including $1,931,700,000 in discretionary appropriations. The discretionary total is $326,100,000 below fiscal year 2015 and 

$495,200,000 below the request. 

Management and administrative expenses.—The Committee encourages grant offices to minimize administrative spending in order 

to maximize funding for grants or training and technical assistance. The Committee also directs the Department to ensure that 

the methodology for assessing management and administration 

costs is equitable and reflects a fair representation of the share of 

common management and administrative costs associated with 

each program. The Committee notes that an across-the-board percentage assessment may not be the most appropriate solution. The 

Committee is aware that, in general, the Department’s grant offices 

for State and Local Law Enforcement Activities have authority to 

allocate certain expenses administratively to activities that are ancillary to the core purposes of the appropriation (e.g., peer review 

for a competitive program, training and technical assistance, and 

research and statistical activities). 

Research, evaluation and statistics.—In lieu of providing a base 

appropriation for the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau 

of Justice Statistics, the recommendation provides flexibility for the 

Department to fund these functions through a set-aside of grant 

programs. The Department shall provide a proposed allocation of 

funds for these activities in the spending plan required by this Act. 

Office of Victims of Crime (OVC).—The recommendation provides 

$344,164,000 above the current level for OVC. Within available resources, OVC may implement the office’s Vision 21, which seeks to 

bring better technology, planning, research and data into the crime 

victims services field. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
46 

The Committee understands that OVC recently released new 

guidelines to revise performance metrics for both Victim Compensation and Victim Assistance formula grant programs. The 

Committee directs OVC to submit a report, no later than 90 days 

after enactment of this Act, on the steps it has taken to assist 

grantees in complying with the new requirements. 

The Committee expects the Department of Justice to consult with 

Indian tribal governments on the distribution of the funds made 

available in Sec. 510 from the Crime Victims Fund. 

Forensics.—The recommendation does not include funding for the 

forensics initiative. The Committee is concerned that the Administration’s forensic sciences initiative lacks the involvement of the 

State and local practitioner community, making the community an 

observer—not a participant—in addressing forensic reform, and 

thereby running the risk that the initiative will not take into consideration existing, proven standards and processes used within 

the community. This matter is also addressed elsewhere in the report. 

OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION

PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $479,000,000 for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), which is $49,000,000 above fiscal 

year 2015 and $5,500,000 above the request. The recommendation 

includes funding above the request for Services, Training, Officers, 

and Prosecutors (STOP) grants, transitional housing assistance, research and evaluation on violence against women, the Consolidated 

Youth-Oriented Program, grants to encourage arrest policies, the 

sexual assault services program, the elder abuse program, and education and training for disabled female victims. The recommendation also funds the victims of trafficking program under this heading. Funds are distributed as follows: 

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

STOP Grants ...................................................................................................................................................... $196,000 

Transitional Housing Assistance ...................................................................................................................... 28,000 

Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women ................................................................................... 8,000 

Consolidated Youth-Oriented Program ............................................................................................................. 11,000 

Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies ................................................................................................................. 51,000 

Homicide Reduction Initiative .................................................................................................................. (4,000 ) 

Sexual Assault Victims Services ....................................................................................................................... 35,000 

Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement ................................................................................. 33,000 

Violence on College Campuses ......................................................................................................................... 16,000 

Civil Legal Assistance ...................................................................................................................................... 42,500 

Elder Abuse Grant Program .............................................................................................................................. 4,500 

Family Civil Justice ........................................................................................................................................... 16,000 

Education and Training for Disabled Female Victims ..................................................................................... 6,000 

National Resource Center on Workplace Responses ........................................................................................ 500 

Research on Violence Against Indian Women .................................................................................................. 1,000 

Indian Country—Sexual Assault Clearinghouse .............................................................................................. 500 

Victims of trafficking ........................................................................................................................................ 25,000 

Rape Survivor Child Custody Act ..................................................................................................................... 5,000 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
47 

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS—Continued 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

TOTAL, Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs ................................................ $479,000 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS

STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE

The Committee recommends $1,015,400,000 for State and Local 

Law Enforcement Assistance programs, which is $225,600,000 

below fiscal year 2015 and $126,900,000 below the request. Funds 

are distributed as follows: 

STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants ...................................................................................................... $409,000 

Officer Robert Wilson III VALOR Initiative ............................................................................................... (15,000 ) 

Domestic Radicalization Research .......................................................................................................... (4,000 ) 

Bulletproof Vest Partnership .................................................................................................................... (22,500 ) 

Juvenile Indigent Defense ........................................................................................................................ (2,500 ) 

Convention security .................................................................................................................................. (20,000 ) 

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program ........................................................................................................ 220,000 

Drug Courts ....................................................................................................................................................... 41,000 

Mentally Ill Offender Act ................................................................................................................................... 7,000 

Capital Litigation and Wrongful Conviction Review ........................................................................................ 2,000 

Economic, High-tech and Cybercrime Prevention ............................................................................................ 5,000 

Adam Walsh Act Implementation ..................................................................................................................... 20,000 

National Sex Offender Public Website .............................................................................................................. 1,000 

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Initiative .......................................................... 73,000 

DNA Initiative .................................................................................................................................................... 125,000 

Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants ......................................................................................................... (117,000 ) 

Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grants ........................................................................... (4,000 ) 

Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program Grants ...................................................................................... (4,000 ) 

CASA—Special Advocates ................................................................................................................................ 6,000 

Veterans Treatment Courts ............................................................................................................................... 5,000 

Prescription Drug Monitoring ............................................................................................................................ 11,000 

Prison Rape Prevention and Prosecution ......................................................................................................... 13,000 

NamUs ............................................................................................................................................................... 2,400 

Comprehensive School Safety Initiative ........................................................................................................... 75,000 

TOTAL, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance ............................................................................ $1,015,400 

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Initiative grants.—The recommendation includes $73,000,000 for 

grants to improve records in the NICS system. This initiative combines the National Criminal History Improvement Program 

(NCHIP) and the NICS Act Record Improvement Program 

(NARIP). The Committee directs that the grants made under the 

broader NCHIP authorities be made available only for efforts to 

improve records added to NICS. Additionally, the Department shall 

prioritize funding under NARIP authorities with the goal of making all States NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) 

compliant. The Department also shall apply penalties to noncompliant States to the fullest extent of the law. 

The Committee understands that ATF is willing to provide technical assistance to all States seeking to establish programs that 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
48 

meet the NIAA requirements for NARIP grants. Even in the absence of funding exclusively for NARIP, the Committee directs the 

Department to continue these efforts. The Committee again urges 

the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), ATF and FBI to assist States 

that are not currently eligible for NARIP grants in meeting the eligibility requirements. 

The Committee also reiterates existing legal requirements that 

data in the NICS be deleted after a check is completed. 

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program.—The recommendation includes $409,000,000 for the Byrne/ 

JAG program. Funding under this formula program is authorized 

for law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; 

prevention and education programs; corrections programs; drug 

treatment and enforcement programs; planning, evaluation, and 

technology improvement programs; and crime victim and witness 

programs, other than compensation. Within the amount provided, 

$20,000,000 is for presidential nominating convention security; 

$4,000,000 is for research on domestic radicalization; $15,000,000 

is for the Officer Robert Wilson III Preventing Violence Against 

Law Enforcement and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative; $22,500,000 is for the Bulletproof Vest 

Partnership program; and $2,500,000 is juvenile indigent defense. 

Excluding carveouts, the recommendation for Byrne/JAG is 

$12,250,000 above fiscal year 2015 and $25,500,000 above the request. The Committee is concerned by the impact on law enforcement of the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin 

abuse, and notes that funds within this account may be utilized for 

the implementation of medication-assisted treatment to maintain 

abstinence from all opioids and heroin. The Committee notes that 

Byrne/JAG funding can be used for law enforcement purposes, including the hiring of law enforcement officers. 

Officer Robert Wilson III.—The Committee includes bill language 

naming the Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officer 

Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) initiative in honor of Officer 

Robert Wilson III. 

The Committee encourages the Officer Robert Wilson III VALOR 

Initiative to continue its training partnerships that offer nationwide dynamic, force-on-force scenario-based training. The Committee understands the training has been adopted by numerous 

States and agencies as their standard active shooter training and 

the FBI has adopted this program as its national training standard 

for active shooter response. 

Presidential nominating conventions.—The recommendation includes $20,000,000 to address extraordinary local law enforcement 

costs related to the 2016 presidential nominating conventions. The 

Committee notes that the Department failed to request any funding for this activity, and the Department ignored direction in the 

fiscal year 2012 conference agreement accompanying Public Law 

112–55 that future budget requests will address known resource requirements associated with convention security. The Committee directs that the funds included in this recommendation be used solely 

for extraordinary law enforcement expenses incurred with respect 

to local law enforcement’s role in providing security for these 

events. The Committee expects the Department to develop clear 

guidelines to govern allowable expenses, and all payments or reimVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
49 

bursements shall be reviewed and approved by the Department 

prior to expenditure, as well as audited by the OIG, to ensure efficiency and accountability. Finally, the Committee expects that 

planning committees for the nominating conventions will assist in 

addressing security needs to the greatest extent possible from other 

funding sources. 

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).—The recommendation includes $220,000,000 for SCAAP, which is 

$35,000,000 above fiscal year 2015. SCAAP provides grants that reimburse States and localities for the costs incurred in incarcerating 

undocumented criminal aliens. The President’s request proposed to 

terminate this program. 

Competitive grants.—The Committee urges the Department to 

prioritize support for an integrated continuum and evidence-based 

or evidence-informed services and programs for both at-risk children and their families for the prevention, control or reduction of 

juvenile delinquency. The Committee also urges the Department to 

prioritize support for work to improve forensic interview training 

for child abuse investigation and prosecution professionals. 

Forensics training.—The Committee understands there is a lack 

of emphasis on solution-based approaches to training local officers 

and using available technology to reduce court backlogs and increase prosecutions. The Committee encourages that an emphasis 

be placed on providing resources for multi-jurisdictional forensic 

service providers who, in collaboration with universities, can help 

provide access to forensic expertise, assistance and continuing education to law enforcement agencies, particularly in rural underserved areas. 

Digital forensics tools.—The Committee understands that there is 

a sizable backlog in completing investigations to enable prosecution 

of child sexual exploitation cases. Greater use of innovative technologies may be of great value in reducing the backlog. As such, 

the Committee encourages the Department to examine the use of 

mobile digital forensic tools to help combat child sexual exploitation. 

DNA initiative.—The recommendation includes $125,000,000 for 

DNA-related and forensic programs and activities, an increase of 

$20,000,000 above the request and the same as the fiscal year 2015 

level. Within the funds provided, the Committee provides 

$4,000,000 each for Post-Conviction DNA Testing grants and Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program grants. The Committee expects that OJP will make funding for DNA analysis and capacity 

enhancement a priority to meet the purposes of the Debbie Smith 

DNA Backlog Grant Program. The Committee directs the Department to submit, as part of its spending plan, a plan for the use of 

all funds appropriated for DNA-related and forensic programs and 

a report on the alignment of appropriated funds with the authorized purposes of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. 

Victims of trafficking grants.—In the OVW account, the recommendation includes $25,000,000 for human trafficking task force 

activities and for services for victims, an increase of $14,500,000 

above the request. These funds may also be used to develop, expand and strengthen assistance programs for child victims of sex 

and labor trafficking. The Committee notes that the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which is expected to be signed into law, esVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
50 

tablished a Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund, which will provide 

additional resources for these programs. The Committee directs 

DOJ to support the victim-centered approach to recognizing and responding to human trafficking, especially across partnerships between Federal and local law enforcement agencies and victim service providers. The Department shall include a planned allocation of 

these funds in its spending plan. 

Preventing trafficking of girls.—The Committee encourages the 

Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention to examine ways to assist nonprofits and 

other nongovernmental entities with a proven track record of administering successful prevention and early intervention programs 

for girls vulnerable to trafficking. 

Prescription drug monitoring.—The recommendation includes 

$11,000,000 for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program 

(PDMP). The diversion and abuse of prescription medications has 

become our Nation’s fastest growing drug problem, with overdose 

deaths now surpassing motor vehicle accidents as the number one 

cause of accidental deaths nationwide. The Committee maintains 

its support for the provision of technical assistance for PDMPs, 

PDMP data users and other key stakeholders through this program. Further, the Committee directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to continue partnerships with other professional organizations that foster interstate interoperability and connectivity 

among State-run PDMPs, and encourages BJA to continue its support for efforts to establish a national network of interconnected 

PDMPs. The Committee also supports efforts to increase use of 

PDMPs among authorized users. The Committee directs BJA to assess the impact of establishing threshold enrollment and utilization 

rates and, where enrollment and utilization rates are not 100 percent, assess the feasibility of requiring benchmarks for improvements in enrollment and utilization as grant eligibility criteria. The 

Committee directs the Department to report, not later than 180 

days after enactment of this Act, on this assessment, including the 

potential of prioritizing funding based on the goal of optimizing 

prescriber and dispenser enrollment and utilization rates for 

PDMPs by prescriber and dispensers. In the meantime, the Committee directs BJA to prioritize grant funding for States which are 

engaged in initiatives to integrate PDMP data with electronic 

health systems, such as electronic health records and electronic 

prescribing systems. 

Drug courts.—The recommendation includes $41,000,000 for drug 

courts, which is $5,000,000 above the request. Drug courts help reduce recidivism and substance abuse among non-violent offenders 

and increase the likelihood of an offender’s successful rehabilitation 

through intense, judicially supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, community supervision, and appropriate sanctions. The Committee expects these funds to be used to provide 

grants and technical assistance to State, local, and tribal governments to support the development, expansion, and enhancement of 

drug courts, based upon their efficacy as a systematic response to 

substance abuse and crime. 

Veterans treatment courts.—The recommendation includes 

$5,000,000 to support veterans treatment courts. The Committee 

expects the Department to work in conjunction with the DepartVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
51 

ment of Veterans Affairs, as appropriate, to provide grant support 

for collaborative, rehabilitative approaches for continuing judicial 

supervision over offenders who are veterans. These funds are to be 

used for court startup and training costs. 

Supporting community-driven criminal justice reform.—The Committee supports BJA’s strategic goals of supporting programs and 

initiatives that reduce crime, recidivism, unnecessary confinement 

and promote a safe and fair criminal justice system. To help 

achieve these goals the Committee supports community-based solutions to crime problems and the early identification of nonviolent 

offenders suitable for diversion, especially those whose underlying 

problems contribute to recidivism such as mental illness, substance 

abuse, debt, or homelessness. 

Training of State and local prosecutors and defense attorneys.— Training of State and local prosecutors and defense attorneys is essential to the functioning of the criminal justice system and ensuring justice is served. The Committee encourages BJA to support individualized training for prosecutors and defense attorneys to provide a hands-on approach to topics such as criminal process, trial 

advocacy, ethics, and evidence. 

JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $183,500,000 for Juvenile Justice 

programs, which is $68,000,000 below fiscal year 2015 and 

$155,900,000 below the request. Funds are distributed as follows: 

JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Youth Mentoring Grants .................................................................................................................................... $95,000 

Victims of Child Abuse Programs .................................................................................................................... 19,000 

Missing and Exploited Children Programs ....................................................................................................... 68,000 

Training for Judicial Personnel ......................................................................................................................... 1,500 

TOTAL, Juvenile Justice ............................................................................................................................ $183,500 

Youth mentoring grants.—The recommendation includes 

$95,000,000 for youth mentoring grants, which is $5,000,000 above 

fiscal year 2015 and $37,000,000 above the request. 

Grantee audit recommendations.—The Committee strongly supports the efforts of OJP and OIG to ensure that Federal grant 

funding is efficiently and effectively spent. The Committee urges 

OJP to continue working with both OIG and affected grantees to 

review and implement audit recommendations as quickly as practicable in order to minimize the administrative and financial burden on those grantees and the disruption of services to the community. 

Missing and exploited children programs.—The recommendation 

includes $68,000,000 for missing and exploited children programs, 

the same as fiscal year 2015 and $1,000,000 above the request. The 

Committee expects the Department to allocate no less than the current year level, for task force grants, training and technical assistance, research and statistics, and administrative costs for the 

Internet Crimes Against Children program. The Committee expects 

the Department to allocate $1,000,000 to be used to hire and equip 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
52 

wounded, ill, or injured veterans as digital forensic analysts or investigators to support child exploitation investigations. 

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS

The Committee recommends a total of $88,300,000 for the Public 

Safety Officer Benefits program, which is $1,000,000 above fiscal 

year 2015 and the same as the request. Within the funds provided, 

$72,000,000 is for death benefits for survivors, an amount estimated by the Congressional Budget Office that is considered mandatory for scorekeeping purposes. Also within the total, 

$16,300,000 is recommended, as requested, for disability benefits 

for public safety officers who are permanently and totally disabled 

as a result of a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty, 

and for education benefits for the spouses and children of officers 

who are killed in the line of duty or who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of a catastrophic injury sustained in the 

line of duty. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The recommendation includes $237,500,000 for COPS programs, 

which is $29,500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 level and 

$66,000,000 below the request. Funds are to be distributed as follows: 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Transfer to DEA for Methamphetamine Lab Cleanups .................................................................................... $11,000 

Community trust initiative ................................................................................................................................ 52,500 

Collaborative reform ................................................................................................................................ (5,000 ) 

Body worn camera partnership initiative ................................................................................................ (15,000 ) 

Justice Reinvestment Initiative ................................................................................................................ (27,500 ) 

Research and statistics on community trust ......................................................................................... (5,000 ) 

Second Chance Act ........................................................................................................................................... 68,000 

Community Teams to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Backlog ............................................................. 41,000 

Tribal assistance .............................................................................................................................................. 30,000 

Regional information sharing activities ........................................................................................................... 35,000 

TOTAL, Community Oriented Policing Services ........................................................................................ $237,500 

Methamphetamine lab cleanup.—The recommendation includes 

$11,000,000, which shall be transferred to DEA to assist State, 

local and tribal law enforcement agencies with the removal and disposal of hazardous materials at methamphetamine labs, including 

funds for training, technical assistance, the purchase of equipment, 

and a container program. 

Military installations.—The Committee encourages DOJ to account for the impacts of lower tax bases, as a result of military installations and other untaxed Federal lands, when distributing 

grants. 

Community trust initiative.—The recommendation included 

$52,500,000 for a program to improve police-community relations. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
53 

Included in this initiative is $5,000,000 for collaborative reform, no 

less than $27,500,000 for justice reinvestment, $15,000,000 for a 

body-worn camera partnership initiative, and $5,000,000 for research and statistics. 

The body-worn camera partnership initiative includes pilot and 

demonstration grants for purchase of body-worn cameras for police. 

This initiative will also establish baseline procedures for the use of 

body-worn cameras, support state and local efforts regarding the 

use of such equipment, and provide necessary research into the use 

of this technology. The demonstration grants shall require a 1:1 

match by the grantee and shall not be used to pay for the ongoing 

costs or data storage costs associated with body camera footage. Of 

the funds for this initiative, no less than half shall be for research 

and statistics on body worn cameras. The demonstration grants 

shall only be provided to States with laws governing the use of 

body-worn cameras and shall not interfere with State laws and requirements. The Bureau of Justice Assistance shall administer this 

initiative and provide periodic updates to the Committee regarding 

its implementation. 

As the Committee believes that improving police-community relations will require more than just equipment procurement, the recommendation provides $27,500,000 for the justice reinvestment initiative, which provides assistance to jurisdictions to implement 

data-driven strategies to improve public safety by reducing corrections spending and reinvesting those savings in efforts to decrease 

crime and strengthen neighborhoods. The Committee recognizes 

the tremendous potential of justice reinvestment efforts, noting 

that successful efforts in States, such as Texas, Kansas, North 

Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, which have saved millions of 

dollars and serve as models for criminal justice reform in the Nation. Funding may be used to provide technical assistance to States 

with existing reinvestment programs, expand the initiative to additional States, or provide additional funding for existing sites. 

The Committee is also aware that statistics on police use of force 

may not be complete. The recommendation provides $5,000,000 to 

improve research and statistics on community trust, to include statistics on use of force. 

Second Chance Act/offender reentry programs.—The recommendation includes $68,000,000 for Second Chance Act grants. 

Excluding carveouts, the recommendation is $18,500,000 above fiscal year 2015. 

The Committee remains concerned that despite a dramatic increase in corrections spending over the past two decades, recidivism and re-incarceration rates are largely unchanged. The Committee is aware that case studies of innovative, evidence-based 

practices provide a strong indication that this pattern can be reversed. The Committee expects that Second Chance Act grants will 

foster the implementation of strategies that have been proven to 

reduce recidivism and ensure safe and successful reentry back to 

their communities of adults released from prisons and jails. The 

Committee expects DOJ to designate funds for proven, evidencedbased programs that will further the goal of maximizing public 

safety. 

Vocational and intensive outpatient services.—The Committee is 

aware of promising program models which combine vocational and 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
54 

intensive outpatient services for individuals recovering from addiction referred through the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System. The Committee encourages OJP to demonstrate and measure 

the impact of these models. The Department shall report, no later 

than 90 days after enactment of this Act, on the status of these efforts. 

Tribal assistance.—The recommendation includes $30,000,000 for 

OJP tribal grant programs. The Committee expects OJP to continue to consult closely with tribes to determine how tribal assistance funds will be allocated among grant programs that improve 

public safety in tribal communities, such as grants for detention facilities under section 20109 of subtitle A of title II of the Violent 

Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103– 

322), civil and criminal legal assistance as authorized by title I of 

Public Law 106–559, tribal courts, and alcohol and substance abuse 

reduction assistance programs. The Committee directs OJP to use 

such consultation to inform the allocation of funds it shall submit 

as part of its spending plan. The Committee notes that the recommendation includes additional grant funding for tribal law enforcement programs through OVW. 

Sexual assault kit backlog grants.—The Committee is concerned 

with the ongoing sexual assault kit backlog in jurisdictions across 

the country. The Committee encourages stakeholders and local law 

enforcement to continue working with Federal law enforcement to 

resolve this important issue. The recommendation includes 

$41,000,000 for grants to address the sexual assault kit backlog. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

The Committee has included the following general provisions for 

the Department of Justice: 

Section 201 makes available additional reception and representation funding for the Attorney General from the amounts provided 

in this title. 

Section 202 prohibits the use of funds to pay for an abortion, except in the case of rape, incest, or to preserve the life of the mother. 

Section 203 prohibits the use of funds to require any person to 

perform or facilitate the performance of an abortion. 

Section 204 establishes the obligation of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to provide escort services to an inmate receiving an 

abortion outside of a Federal facility, except where this obligation 

conflicts with the preceding section. 

Section 205 establishes the Committee’s requirements and procedures for transfer proposals. 

Section 206 authorizes the Attorney General to extend an ongoing Personnel Management Demonstration Project. 

Section 207 prohibits the use of certain funds for transporting 

prisoners classified as maximum or high security, other than to a 

facility certified by the Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. 

Section 208 prohibits the use of funds for the purchase or rental 

by Federal prisons of audiovisual equipment, services and materials used primarily for recreational purposes, except for those 

items and services needed for inmate training, religious, or educational purposes. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
55 

Section 209 requires review by the Deputy Attorney General and 

the Department Investment Review Board prior to the obligation or 

expenditure of funds for major information technology projects. 

Section 210 requires the Department to follow reprogramming 

procedures for any deviation from the program amounts specified 

in this title or the accompanying report, or the reuse of deobligated 

funds provided in previous years. 

Section 211 prohibits the use of funds for A–76 competitions for 

work performed by employees of Federal Prison Industries, Inc. 

Section 212 prohibits U.S. Attorneys from holding additional responsibilities that exempt U.S. Attorneys from statutory residency 

requirements. 

Section 213 permits up to 3 percent of grant and reimbursement 

program funds made available to OJP to be used for training and 

technical assistance and permits grant or reimbursement funds to 

be used for criminal justice research, evaluation and statistics. 

Section 214 waives the requirement that the Attorney General 

reserve certain funds from amounts provided for offender incarceration. 

Section 215 permanently prohibits funds, other than funds for 

the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, from 

being used to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to a 

known or suspected agent of a drug cartel where law enforcement 

personnel do not continuously monitor or control such firearm. 

Section 216 places limitations on the obligation of funds from certain Department of Justice accounts and funding sources. 

Section 217 makes certain funding unavailable for obligation 

until the Attorney General demonstrates to the Committees on Appropriations that the Department of Justice has implemented or is 

implementing recommendations of the Office of Inspector General 

with regards to handling allegations of misconduct by Department 

law enforcement officials. The Department of Justice Inspector 

General is directed to report on the status of such implementation. 

TITLE III 

SCIENCE 

OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

The Committee recommends $5,555,000 for the Office of Science 

and Technology Policy (OSTP), which is the same as fiscal year 

2015 and $11,000 less than the request. The Committee urges 

OSTP to address concerns raised by the Congress with respect to 

the roles and responsibilities of various OSTP personnel. 

Recommendations of the Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience (IWGN).—The Committee commends OSTP and the IWGN 

for their continuing commitment to neuroscience and urges OSTP 

and the IWGN to continue their coordination activities and efforts 

to increase the nation’s knowledge of the brain. The Committee further urges OSTP and the IWGN to expeditiously implement key 

recommendations from the IWGN’s 2014 report, ‘‘Priorities for Accelerating Neuroscience Research through Enhanced Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration.’’ Furthermore, the Committee urges OSTP and the IWGN to work with stakeholders to 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
56 

identify the most promising areas of research into innovative treatments for neurological diseases. The Committee directs OSTP to 

brief the Committee, no later than 120 days after enactment of this 

Act, on the implementation status of the IWGN report recommendations. 

Public access to Federally funded research.—In response to direction from the Committee, OSTP has coordinated Federal agency 

plans to develop and implement policies to increase public access 

to the results of Federally funded scientific research. The Committee understands that a number of agencies already have posted 

access plans online, and that agency scientific research data will be 

publicly available online by January 2016. OSTP shall provide a report to the Committee no later than 30 days after enactment of this 

Act regarding progress toward this deadline. Further, the Committee urges OSTP to coordinate the development and implementation of policies by Federal agencies that require the deposition of 

research data underpinning the results described in scientific publications in publicly accessible repositories and to ensure that such 

data is freely available to the public. Such expanded access to research data sparks widespread reuse and begins to address some 

of the issues in the reproducibility of scientific research results. 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

The Committee recommends $18,529,100,000 for the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which is 

$518,900,000 above fiscal year 2015 and the same as the request. 

Decadal surveys.—The Committee directs that the priorities as 

outlined in the decadal surveys for planetary science, earth science, 

astrophysics, and heliophysics shall drive NASA mission priorities. 

Government Accountability Office (GAO) assessments of largescale projects.—NASA shall continue to cooperate fully and provide 

timely information to the GAO so that it can fulfill its congressional mandate to report on the status of large-scale projects at 

NASA. Such information includes, but is not limited to, copies of 

preliminary cost estimates; access to online agency applications, 

databases, and web portals; and access to contractor and agency 

personnel. 

Cost breach reporting.—NASA shall submit to the Committee any 

notifications and reports on cost overruns required by section 103 

of the NASA Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109—155). 

Cost, schedule, and performance goals.—The Committee notes 

that many of the issues discussed in the September 2012, NASA 

Inspector General (IG) audit, NASA’s Challenges to Meeting Cost, 

Schedule, and Performance Goals, remain. NASA shall compile a list of all programs with a life cycle cost exceeding $250,000,000 

and begin quarterly status briefings for the Committee on those 

programs. NASA shall consult with the Committee regarding this 

effort. 

Termination liability.—Consistent with section 702(4) of H.R. 

2039, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act for 2016 and 2017, as introduced, NASA shall submit 

a report no later than 180 days after enactment of this Act outlining a termination liability policy. 

Infrastructure and facilities.—A February 2013 NASA IG audit, 

NASA’s Efforts to Reduce Unneeded Infrastructure and Facilities, 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
57 

found that NASA maintains more than 124,000 acres and over 

4,900 buildings and other structures, most of which were constructed in the 1960s. NASA shall submit a multi-year proposal no 

later than one year after enactment of this Act that includes plans 

to reduce infrastructure that has not been used in the last 10 or 

more years. 

Program and project totals.—The Committee’s program and 

project recommendations for NASA are included in the consolidated 

funding table below and in narrative direction throughout this report. The Committee reminds NASA that any deviations from the 

amounts included in the table below are subject to section 505 requirements of this Act. When executing its budget for fiscal year 

2016, NASA shall incorporate the funding levels established in 

both the table and the narrative direction. NASA is reminded that 

comity has existed between the Congress and the executive branch 

with respect to abiding by language included in the report accompanying the appropriations Act. The Committee expects NASA to 

respect this long-standing practice. 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Science 

Earth Science ........................................................................................................................................... $1,682,900 

Planetary Science ..................................................................................................................................... 1,557,000 

Astrophysics ............................................................................................................................................. 735,600 

James Webb Space Telescope ................................................................................................................. 620,000 

Heliophysics ............................................................................................................................................. 642,000 

Total, Science .................................................................................................................................................... 5,237,500 

Aeronautics ....................................................................................................................................................... 600,000 

Space Technology .............................................................................................................................................. 625,000 

Exploration 

Human Exploration Capabilities .............................................................................................................. 3,409,300 

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle .................................................................................................. (1,096,300 ) 

Space Launch System (SLS) ........................................................................................................... (2,313,000 ) 

SLS Vehicle Development ...................................................................................................... (1,850,000 ) 

Exploration Ground Systems .................................................................................................. (410,000 ) 

SLS Integration ...................................................................................................................... (53,000 ) 

Commercial Spaceflight ........................................................................................................................... 1,000,000 

Exploration Research and Development .................................................................................................. 350,000 

Total, Exploration .............................................................................................................................................. 4,759,300 

Space Operations 

International Space Station ..................................................................................................................... 3,075,600 

Space and Flight Support ........................................................................................................................ 881,700 

Total, Space Operations .................................................................................................................................... 3,957,300 

Education 

NASA Space Grant ................................................................................................................................... 40,000 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research .................................................................... 18,000 

Minority University Research Education Program ................................................................................... 32,000 

STEM Education and Accountability Projects .......................................................................................... 29,000 

Total, Education ................................................................................................................................................ 119,000 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
58 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION—Continued 

(in thousands of dollars) 

Program Amount 

Safety, Security and Mission Services .............................................................................................................. 2,768,600 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration ....................................................................... 425,000 

Office of Inspector General ............................................................................................................................... 37,400 

Total, NASA ....................................................................................................................................................... $18,529,100 

SCIENCE

The Committee recommends $5,237,500,000 for Science, which is 

$7,200,000 below fiscal year 2015 and $51,100,000 below the request. 

Earth Science.—The recommendation includes $1,682,900,000 for 

Earth Science programs. This amount maintains most programs at 

the fiscal year 2015 operating level and adopts reductions proposed 

in the budget request for the Soil Moisture Active and Passive satellite; the Global Precipitation Measurement Project; and GRACE 

follow-on activities. No funds are provided for the Thermal-Infrared 

Free-Flyer. Instead, $32,900,000 is for Landsat-9 in accordance 

with direction on the Landsat program provided in the statement 

accompanying Public Law 113—235. NASA shall provide a report 

no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act regarding cost, 

schedule, and milestones toward achieving a launch of Landsat-9 

no later than 2023. NASA shall ensure that the Earth Science portfolio is focused on the science priorities as outlined in the 2007 

Earth Science decadal survey. 

Planetary Science.—The recommendation includes $1,557,000,000 

for Planetary Science. NASA’s request for Planetary Science once 

again proposes a decrease below appropriated levels and would 

have a negative impact on both planned and existing missions. The 

recommendation provides $277,000,000 for Planetary Science Research, including $50,000,000 for near earth object observations; 

and $175,000,000 for Discovery, including restoration of 

$19,000,000 for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter program. 

Exploration goals.—While questions remain about the overarching mission of the asteroid redirect mission, the Committee understands that it has been useful to the extent that it has motivated NASA to develop new rocket propulsion technology to be 

used in interstellar travel and methods to deflect near earth objects 

that threaten the Earth. The Committee is particularly supportive 

of these portions of the mission and directs NASA to provide biannual updates, beginning with the second quarter of fiscal year 

2016, regarding the overall program. The Committee urges NASA 

to finalize a mission concept, with input from partners in academia 

and the science community, which will galvanize support and interest. 

Mars Exploration.—The recommendation includes $448,000,000 

for Mars Exploration, of which not less than $250,000,000 is for a 

Mars Rover 2020 mission that meets scientific objectives from the 

most recent Planetary Science decadal survey. The Committee is 

convinced that additional early funding for the Mars 2020 mission 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
59 

will enable overall economies to be achieved by procuring elements 

identical to the Curiosity Rover successfully operating on Mars. 

The recommendation also restores $13,700,000 for the Mars Opportunity Rover which the budget proposed to eliminate. 

Ocean Worlds Exploration Program.—The recommendation pro- vides $226,000,000 for Outer Planets, of which not less than 

$140,000,000 is for the Jupiter Europa Clipper, or comparable mission, to support the process of finalizing the mission design concept 

that meets the scientific objectives described in the most recent 

Planetary Science decadal survey. To support sustained momentum 

in this program, NASA shall ensure that future funding requests 

are consistent with achieving a launch no later than 2022, with the 

goal of launching on a Space Launch System platform as discussed 

elsewhere in this report. 

Many of NASA’s most exciting discoveries in recent years have 

been made during the robotic exploration of the outer planets. The 

Cassini mission has discovered vast oceans of liquid hydrocarbons 

on Saturn’s moon Titan and a submerged salt water sea on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. The Committee directs NASA to create an 

Ocean World Exploration Program whose primary goal is to discover extant life on another world using a mix of Discovery, New 

Frontiers and flagship class missions consistent with the recommendations of current and future Planetary Decadal surveys. 

Plutonium-238 production.—The recommendation includes 

$172,000,000 for Planetary Science Technology, of which 

$20,000,000 shall be for NASA to work with the Department of Energy to domestically produce between 3.3 and 11 pounds of plutonium-238 annually beginning in fiscal year 2016. The resulting plutonium-238 shall be made available to NASA for use as a source 

of energy in space missions. 

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).—The recommendation for 

the JWST is $620,000,000, which is the same as the request and 

$25,500,000 below fiscal year 2015. According to the most recent 

GAO report, JWST officials note that the project remains within its 

cost cap and is maintaining its 2018 launch date, but that the program is entering the critical integration stage and issues persist 

that may impact the overall schedule. NASA shall continue to provide the Committee with quarterly briefings on JWST’s technical 

status and achievement of program milestones, and budget and 

schedule performance. 

Astrophysics.—The recommendation includes $735,600,000 for 

Astrophysics. The Committee recognizes that the Kepler Mission 

has revolutionized the pace of planet finding, suggesting that the 

Milky Way Galaxy is teeming with exoplanets. As a result, the 

Committee recommends that NASA accelerate its exoplanet program goals to discover, characterize, and eventually identify 

exoplanet candidates that could harbor life. An increase of 

$35,800,000 is recommended to develop capabilities within the 

Exoplanet Exploration program to directly image exoplanets on the 

Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission with a 

coronagraph and to develop technology for future potential missions, consistent with the priorities in the Astrophysics Decadal 

Survey for WFIRST and exoplanet technology. 

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).—The 

recommendation includes $85,200,000 as requested for SOFIA. The 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
60 

Committee understands that NASA is planning to conduct a Senior 

Review of Operating Missions for SOFIA in early 2016. The Committee understands that, as determined by policy established in the 

NASA authorization Act, NASA conducts such senior reviews of 

programs that have exceeded planned operational life; completed 

the mission/operational activities designed to meet its initial, approved science objectives and requirements; are beyond prime mission; or will not still be in its prime mission when the subsequent 

review occurs two years hence. Given that SOFIA has not met any 

of these conditions, having just begun its prime mission in 2014 

and with a designed operational life of up to 20 years, NASA shall 

not commence a review of SOFIA until it meets the requirements 

for such senior reviews as outlined above. Additionally, the accompanying bill includes section 542 regarding this matter. 

Heliophysics.—The recommendation includes $642,000,000 for 

Heliophysics. 

Education and Public Outreach (EPO).—The recommended level 

for the Astrophysics Division includes $32,000,000 for Science Mission Directorate (SMD)-wide EPO activities. NASA shall, in the fiscal year 2016 spending plan, proportionally reallocate these funds 

among the SMD divisions, resulting in a dedicated budget line for 

each division’s own EPO activities. This approach will still permit 

competition among projects for the best use of funds and focus that 

competition among projects that are more easily compared to one 

another and provide better stability for the educational communities in each major SMD discipline. 

AERONAUTICS

The Committee recommends $600,000,000 for Aeronautics, which 

is $51,000,000 below fiscal year 2015 and $28,600,000 above the request. 

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

The Committee recommends $625,000,000 for Space Technology, 

which is $29,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 and $99,800,000 below 

the request. 

Icy planets.—The recommendation includes no less than 

$25,000,000 for icy satellite surface technology and test-bed activities. 

Nuclear propulsion.—The recommendation includes no less than 

$20,000,000 for nuclear propulsion technologies for space transportation and exploration. NASA shall provide a report within 180 

days of enactment of this Act on ongoing nuclear propulsion research and how NASA intends to employ this technology to support 

various exploration programs. 

EXPLORATION

The Committee recommends $4,759,300,000 for Exploration, which is $402,600,000 above fiscal year 2015 and $253,400,000 

above the request. The Committee remains concerned about the 

long term cost, progress, and risks associated with NASA’s human 

spaceflight efforts and the lack of insight into these programs that 

NASA has provided the Congress to date. Given the already significant investment in these various programs, continuing concerns 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
61 

about the level of funding requested for these efforts, and the Committees’ desire to see these programs executed in a timely fashion 

in accordance with the direction of the Congress, the Committee directs the GAO to review the acquisition progress of NASA’s human 

exploration programs, specifically the Space Launch System (SLS) 

program, the Orion program, the Ground Systems Development 

and Operations program and the Commercial Crew Program. GAO 

shall consult with the Committee on the timing and scope of these 

reviews. 

Human exploration.—The recommendation includes a total of 

$3,409,300,000 for human exploration, including $1,096,300,000 for 

the Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle; $1,850,000,000 for SLS vehicle development; $53,000,000 for SLS program integration; and 

$410,000,000 for exploration ground systems. NASA’s budget request again proposes a reduction in the funds necessary to clearly 

articulate and achieve the Nation’s immediate and long-term space 

exploration goals. Unfortunately, the budget request reflects flagging commitment on the part of NASA to present a bold vision with 

distinct milestones and costs necessary to support an exploration 

program that engages the nation, inspires new generations of scientists and engineers, and contributes to the economic success and 

space leadership standing of the United States. 

Space Launch System.—The recommended level of 

$1,850,000,000 for launch vehicle development includes no less 

than $50,000,000 for continued enhanced upper stage (EUS) development. NASA shall provide the Committee with a report no later 

than 120 days after enactment of this Act describing investments 

to date on the EUS and a spend plan with milestones for the funds 

provided in fiscal year 2016. In addition, NASA shall continue submitting quarterly reports on SLS spending by major program element, as first required in the statement accompanying Public Law 

112–55. Finally, the Committee directs that, to the maximum extent possible, NASA shall ensure that all vehicle development funding leverages existing investments; promotes efficiency through 

commonality of design and simultaneous development; and minimizes the need for redesigns or other costly changes affecting future SLS vehicle configurations. 

Orion.—The recommendation provides the requested level of 

$1,096,300,000 for the Orion program. NASA shall provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on efforts to address parachute 

issues that arose during the December 2014 test flight and to address heat shield issues that NASA has been working to resolve 

since 2013. These updates shall include the overall status of Orion 

and its ability to ride on SLS for Exploration Mission (EM)–1. Further, the Committee is concerned that NASA’s current schedule 

does not provide adequate time to fully test all systems necessary 

to support humans prior to EM–2. NASA shall provide the Committee with an assessment, no later than the second quarter of fiscal year 2016, of its ability to test all human-rated systems on EM– 

1. 

Integrated launch readiness.—The recommendation includes 

$53,000,000 as requested for SLS, Orion and ground system integration activities. These funds will address coordination issues 

among the three programs and ensure that they are progressing in 

tandem toward EM–1 and future missions. Further, the Committee 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
62 

understands that NASA will determine an integrated launch readiness date for the EM–1 mission by December 2015. NASA shall notify the Committee no later than 10 days after that determination. 

In addition, to provide the Committee with a greater understanding of the complete costs of an integrated SLS/Orion program, 

NASA shall submit a comprehensive plan, with yearly budgets by 

component including various ground facilities and quarterly milestones, to achieve an integrated launch readiness dates for EM–1 

and EM–2. This report shall also provide an analysis of various capabilities that will be provided with 70, 105, and 130 metric ton capabilities, to include the yearly costs necessary to proceed with this 

incremental approach. As noted elsewhere in this report, the Committee understands that various risks need to be retired in the integrated program prior to safely transporting humans. Nothing in 

this report or accompanying Act directs NASA to proceed with any 

human spaceflight programs until all of the risks have been retired. 

Exploration goals.—The recommendation includes a substantial 

investment in NASA’s exploration program, but as noted earlier 

the goals of the program beyond EM–2 are not well-defined. Within 

one year of enactment of this Act, NASA shall provide the Committee with a comprehensive, multi-year plan outlining long-term 

exploration goals beyond EM–2, using the 130 metric ton SLS or 

a comparable launch vehicle. This plan shall assess and propose alternative payloads, mission capabilities, necessary propulsion, 

crewed and uncrewed options and alternative destinations, such as 

Mars or Europa. This plan shall include yearly funding estimates 

and define quarterly milestones by mission directorate that will be 

necessary to achieve a range of possible missions, which will enable 

a more frequent SLS launch tempo than currently projected by 

NASA. This plan shall also incorporate funding estimates and milestones necessary to complete the EUS for EM–2 and additional 

missions beyond EM–2. 

Commercial Crew.—The recommendation includes 

$1,000,000,000 for the Commercial Crew program. The Committee 

understands and is concerned that some project milestones have 

slipped for a variety of reasons. NASA shall continue submitting 

quarterly reports on the status of the Commercial Crew Integrated 

Capability and Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contracts. NASA also shall provide an assessment within 90 days of 

enactment of this Act on the need to reserve flights on the Soyuz 

capsule in tandem with the Commercial Crew program in 2017 and 

2018. 

Exploration Research and Development (R&D).—The recommendation includes $350,000,000 for Exploration R&D. Within 

amounts provided, the Committee expects NASA to support the 

National Space Biomedical Research Institute at the budget request. The Committee urges NASA to continue its work with the 

private sector to develop exploration capabilities such as advanced 

propulsion, habitats and landers that may be used with Orion and 

SLS and are necessary to enable space and human exploration to 

the Moon, Mars, and other deep space destinations. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
63 

SPACE OPERATIONS

The Committee recommends $3,957,300,000 for Space Operations, which is $129,500,000 above fiscal year 2015 and 

$46,400,000 below the request. 

International Space Station (ISS) operations.—The Committee 

remains concerned, particularly in light of NASA’s proposal to extend the life of the Station through 2024, that annual ISS operations costs are increasing. NASA must continue to implement cost 

savings measures with the goal of slowing and reducing the ISS operations budget while maximizing research opportunities. All reductions from the request level shall be implemented in the operations budget rather than ISS research or crew and cargo transportation. 

ISS research.—NASA’s budget request continues to allocate insufficient funding and effort to ISS research. The Committee believes that this imbalance must be addressed by directing a greater 

share of research funding to actual physical and biological science 

research, and directs NASA to provide a strategy for accomplishing 

this goal over the next five fiscal years. This strategy shall be provided no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act. 

21st Century Space Launch Complex.—This program is designed 

to modernize and upgrade both Wallops Flight Facility and Kennedy Space Center launch and range complexes. The recommendation includes the requested level of $23,300,000 for the 21st Century Space Launch Complex. NASA shall provide periodic updates 

to the Committee regarding status of the Wallops Flight Facility 

and its ability to resume commercial launches. The Committee supports maintaining launch sites serving the International Space Station at both the Kennedy Space Center and the Wallops Flight Facility to ensure uninterrupted domestic cargo access to the Station. 

Commercial cargo losses.—NASA shall submit a report within 

180 days of enactment of this Act on all anomalies and losses in 

the commercial cargo program and how any such anomalies have 

been corrected. 

EDUCATION

The Committee recommends $119,000,000 for Education, which 

is the same as fiscal year 2015 and $30,100,000 above the request. 

National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.—The 

recommendation includes $40,000,000 for the Space Grant program, which is the same as fiscal year 2015. The Committee is concerned that NASA’s overhead for this program is about 19 percent. 

NASA shall make every effort to achieve efficiencies to ensure that 

no more than 5 percent of the amounts provided for the program 

are used for administration and other overhead costs. In addition, 

the Committee is aware that NASA is planning for an independent 

evaluation of the Space Grant program. NASA is encouraged to ensure that there is no gap in Space Grant operations while the evaluation is underway. NASA shall provide the Committee with periodic updates regarding the status of the evaluation process. 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 

(EPSCoR).—The recommendation includes $18,000,000 for 

EPSCoR, which is the same as fiscal year 2015. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
64 

Youth service organizations.—The Committee notes that NASA 

has worked in partnership with youth service organizations, including those with a nationwide footprint, to engage K–12 students in 

STEM-related activities and to help encourage those students to 

pursue future STEM-related studies and careers. These efforts are 

an effective way to help build the strong STEM workforce needed 

to ensure a globally competitive U.S. economy. NASA is directed to 

continue its K–12 STEM education efforts with youth service organizations and to report to the Committee on these efforts no later 

than 90 days after the enactment of this Act. In addition, the Committee urges NASA to leverage its extensive partnerships with the 

private sector to further promote STEM learning and STEM activities for young people. 

STEM Education and Accountability Programs (SEAP).—NASA 

shall brief the Committee on the intended distribution of SEAP resources to individual activities; how that distribution compares to 

the fiscal year 2015 distribution of SEAP funding; how that distribution supports the priorities contained in the government-wide 

STEM education strategic plan; and what partnerships NASA has 

formed through its various SEAP programs with Hispanic Serving 

Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

SAFETY, SECURITY AND MISSION SERVICES

The Committee recommends $2,768,600,000 for Safety, Security and Mission Services, which is $9,700,000 above fiscal year 2015 

and $74,500,000 below the request. 

Security.—NASA shall continue to submit quarterly reports as 

directed in fiscal year 2014 on the status of implementing recommendations from the NASA OIG regarding the occurrence of security violations and a lack of accountability for those violations at 

the Langley and Ames Research Centers, as well as findings of the 

National Academy of Public Administration regarding problems 

and vulnerabilities in NASA’s agency-wide security controls and 

practices. In addition, NASA shall ensure that all employees and 

contract employees, as appropriate, receive counterintelligence 

training. NASA also shall brief the Committee within 30 days of 

enactment of this Act and quarterly thereafter regarding collaboration with the FBI with respect to implementation of other counterintelligence protocols throughout NASA facilities. 

Working Capital Fund (WCF) reporting.—NASA shall continue to 

submit quarterly reports to the Committee on the expenditures and 

unobligated balances of NASA’s WCF, as first required in the statement accompanying Public Law 112–55. 

Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V).—NASA shall 

ensure that it allocates sufficient funds toward IV&V activities and 

that, if necessary, NASA shall fund any additional IV&V activities 

from within the mission directorates that make use of IV&V services. 

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

The Committee recommends $425,000,000 for Construction and 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration, which is $5,900,000 

above fiscal year 2015 and $40,300,000 below the request. The recommended level includes $350,000,000 for Construction and 

$75,000,000 for Environmental Compliance. Within these amounts, 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
65 

the Committee is supportive of the budget request for the ongoing, 

multi-year revitalization plan at the Measurement Systems Laboratory. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $37,400,000 for the OIG, which is 

$400,000 above fiscal year 2015 and the same as the request. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The Committee has included the following administrative provisions for NASA: 

The bill includes a provision that makes funds for any announced 

prize available without fiscal year limitation until the prize is 

claimed or the offer is withdrawn. 

The bill includes a provision that establishes terms and conditions for the transfer of funds. 

The bill includes a provision that requires NASA to submit its 

agency spending plan at the activity level and subjects both the 

spending plan and specified changes to that plan to reprogramming 

procedures under section 505 of this Act. 

The bill includes a provision that allows the transfer of balances 

under a previous appropriations account structure to the new appropriations account structure. 

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

The Committee recommends $7,394,205,000 for the National 

Science Foundation (NSF), which is an increase of $50,000,000 

above fiscal year 2015 and $329,345,000 below the request. 

Transparency and accountability.—The Committee supports section 106 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, 

H.R. 1806, as reported, that enhances transparency and accountability of NSF grants by requiring that public award abstracts articulate how the projects serve the national interest. The Committee understands that NSF has already taken steps to implement these transparency processes. NSF is directed to comply with 

section 106 and provide periodic updates to the Committee on its 

transparency activities. 

Replication of scientific research.—The Committee concurs that 

the gold standard of science is the ability of a research lab to reproduce a method and finding. NSF shall develop guidelines and 

present a plan to the Committee within 180 days of enactment of 

this Act to ensure that research conducted by NSF grantees is 

replicable. 

Technology transfer.—NSF shall allow public and private nonprofit technology transfer organizations that facilitate or accelerate 

commercialization of technologies developed by one or more institutions of higher education to apply as prime investigators for grants 

that are focused on commercialization of technology. 

Innovation Corps.—The Committee commends the NSF’s Innovation Corps for its work in supporting entrepreneurship and commercialization of technologies produced by NSF grantees. The Committee encourages the NSF to continue to work with other Federal 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
66 

agencies to enable researchers funded by those agencies to be eligible to participate in the Innovation Corps. 

Ocean sciences.—The Committee notes that the 2015–2025 

Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences calls for immediate reductions in 

academic fleet costs for operations and maintenance. Prior to implementation of such reductions, the Committee directs NSF to 

submit in its fiscal year 2017 budget request a comprehensive plan 

to balance the need for fleet cost reductions with the retention of 

unique research capabilities within the fleet. 

RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

The Committee recommends $5,983,645,000 for Research and Related Activities, which is an increase of $50,000,000 above fiscal 

year 2015 and $202,655,000 below the request. The Committee directs NSF to ensure that Mathematical and Physical Sciences; 

Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Engineering; 

and Biological Sciences comprise no less than 70 percent of the 

funding within Research and Related Activities. Further, the Committee directs that NSF allocate no less than the fiscal year 2015 

levels for the Office of International Science and Engineering; Integrative Activities; and the U.S. Arctic Commission. NSF shall ensure that its peer review process includes a variety of analysis and 

input from divergent views. 

Neuroscience.—The recommendation includes $146,930,000 for 

research related to the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative and cognitive science 

and neuroscience research. NSF is uniquely positioned to advance 

the nonmedical aspects of cognitive science and neuroscience, particularly through interdisciplinary science, computational models, 

visualization techniques, innovative technologies, and the underlying data and data infrastructure needed to transform our understanding of these areas. The Committee encourages NSF to continue to work in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group 

on Neuroscience as well as BRAIN the initiative to accelerate understanding of how the brain functions. 

The Committee looks forward to the National Brain Observatory 

working group’s report on the use of the data infrastructure of the 

NSF, the Department of Energy’s national laboratory network, and 

other applicable agencies to help neuroscientists collect, standardize, manage, and analyze the large amounts of data that will result from research attempting to understand how the brain functions. Of the amount provided for the BRAIN initiative and cognitive science and neuroscience research, $3,000,000 is provided to 

begin implementation of this initiative. 

International Coordination on Neuroscience Research.—Within 

the amounts provided for NSF, funds are included to continue support for an annual international conference on neuroscience. This 

conference should convene government representatives, neuroscience researchers, private and non-profit institutions, and others 

to come together to share research and foster collaboration around 

neuroscience-related activities. NSF shall report to the Committee 

on the results of the first such conference. 

Advanced Manufacturing.—The recommendation includes 

$176,570,000 for the Advanced Manufacturing initiative. Future 

economic prosperity in the United States will depend largely on our 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
67 

ability to develop and manufacture new products based on advanced technologies, both for the domestic market and for export. 

Basic research supported through NSF and other Federal science 

agencies is critical to this effort because it will help provide the 

foundation for the development of new products and technologies 

by the private sector. 

Astronomical Sciences Portfolio Review.—The Committee recognizes that the continued operation of the NSF network of astronomical observatories is a strategic asset to the nation, and that 

each observatory serves a specific need in Astronomical Sciences. 

These observatories have resulted from strong Federal investment 

and the observatories shall remain under NSF operation where 

possible. NSF shall not implement any final divestment of infrastructure tied to the findings of its 2012 Astronomical Sciences 

Portfolio Review without first reporting such actions to the Committee. Further, such actions shall be carried out in accordance 

with any relevant reprogramming requirements. 

High-performance computing.—The Committee urges NSF to continue its commitment to modernizing its world-class big data and 

high-performance computing, which support all areas of scientific 

research and education, including the most demanding scientific 

challenges. 

International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP).—The recommendation provides $50,000,000, as requested, for the IODP. 

The Committee recognizes that IODP has recently undertaken an 

effort to maximize efficiencies within its budget and to increase 

public-private partnership opportunities to bring in additional revenue. NSF shall require IODP to implement additional infrastructure account-wide efficiency measures only to the extent that the 

operation time for the JOIDES Resolution is not impacted. NSF 

shall continue to maximize international and industry partner investments in this program. 

Dyslexia.—The Committee encourages NSF to continue funding 

meritorious research on dyslexia and other learning disabilities. 

Domestic manufacturing.—The Committee encourages NSF to 

continue to support meritorious research on the U.S. steel industry. 

International collaborations.—The Committee encourages NSF to 

continue to support meritorious collaborative academic research between United States and strategic international partners, including 

Israel, with the intent of advancing science. 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 

(EPSCoR).—The recommendation includes $160,000,000 for the 

EPSCoR program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2015 level. 

MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION

The Committee recommends $200,030,000 for Major Research 

Equipment and Facilities Construction, which is $730,000 below 

fiscal year 2015 and $280,000 below the request. 

Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).—The recommendation 

includes $99,670,000, the requested amount, for the LSST. The 

LSST, which was ranked as the top large ground-based astronomy 

project by the National Research Council 2010 Decadal Survey, will 

produce the deepest, widest-field sky image ever, and issue alerts 

for moving and transient objects within 60 seconds of discovery. 

NSF shall provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on the staVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
68 

tus of this project, to include updates on addressing the issues 

identified by the NSF Inspector General in its 2015 Management 

Challenges report. 

EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

The Committee recommends $866,000,000 for Education and 

Human Resources, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$96,570,000 below the request. 

Advanced Technological Education (ATE).—The recommendation 

provides no less than the fiscal year 2015 level for the ATE program. 

Broadening participation programs.—To broaden the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM education programs 

and, ultimately, the STEM workforce, the recommendation provides no less than $35,000,000 for the Historically Black Colleges 

and Universities Undergraduate Program; $46,000,000 for the 

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation; and $14,000,000 

for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program. In addition, the 

Committee reminds NSF about the America COMPETES Act of 

2010, which directed NSF to establish a new program for Hispanic 

Serving Institutions (HSIs) and authorized $30,000,000 for this 

purpose. NSF shall report to the Committee on the distribution of 

HSI targeted opportunities across programs and demonstrate a 

$30,000,000 investment no later than September 30, 2016. 

Informal STEM learning.—The recommendation provides 

$65,000,000 for the Advancing Informal STEM learning program. 

Of the amount provided, no less than $5,000,000 is for increasing 

minority interest in STEM disciplines by providing out of classroom 

educational experiences that are aligned with college and career 

readiness standards. Efforts should be focused on organizations 

that have demonstrated capacity to serve minority youth in informal STEM settings. 

AGENCY OPERATIONS AND AWARD MANAGEMENT

The Committee recommends $325,000,000 for Agency Operations 

and Award Management, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$29,840,000 below the request. 

Headquarters.—NSF shall keep the Committee informed regarding overall status of the new headquarters building. 

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD

The Committee recommends $4,370,000 for the National Science 

Board, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and the request. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Committee recommends $15,160,000 for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which is $730,000 above fiscal year 2015 

and the same as the request. 

Management challenges.—The OIG shall brief the Committee on 

a quarterly basis regarding NSF’s progress in addressing issues 

raised in various OIG reports and alert memos. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
69 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

The bill includes a provision that establishes thresholds for the 

transfer of funds. 

TITLE IV 

RELATED AGENCIES 

COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $9,200,000 for the Commission on 

Civil Rights, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and $213,000 

below the request. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $364,500,000 for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is the same as fiscal 

year 2015 and $8,612,000 below the request. The recommendation 

includes language making up to $29,500,000 available for payments to State and local enforcement agencies. 

Testers.—The EEOC has a critical mission to stop and redress 

employment discrimination in our country. In fiscal year 2014, the 

Commission received over 88,000 charges of employment discrimination from individuals across the United States. The Committee 

maintains its long-standing concern that the use of testers diverts 

the EEOC from its core mission to assess the validity of and take 

action on potentially colorable charges of employment discrimination, and was dismayed to learn that Federal funds have been used 

to support tester programs by one of the EEOC’s Fair Employment 

Practice Agencies. Federal payments to State and local agencies 

are not appropriate to pay for testers. The Committee directs the 

Commission to maintain its current restriction on the use of Federal funds for this purpose and to focus its resources on reducing 

the backlog of current charges pending at the EEOC rather than 

prioritizing systemic cases in which no complaint was filed by an 

actual/former employee or applicant. 

Backlog reduction.—The Committee expects the EEOC to continue to prioritize inventory reduction and to examine new ways to 

address the backlog and increase productivity. EEOC shall provide 

an annual report on the backlog, to include data on the number 

and pendency of charges, on any changes to EEOC’s priority charge 

handling procedures, and the effect of such changes on inventory 

reduction. 

Conciliation.—The Committee is concerned with the EEOC’s pursuit of litigation absent good faith conciliation efforts. The Committee directs the EEOC to engage in such efforts before undertaking litigation. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
70 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $84,500,000 for the International 

Trade Commission (ITC), which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and 

$47,000,000 below the request. 

Internal controls.—The Committee is pleased with ITC’s progress 

in addressing internal control issues identified in audits. However, 

ITC must continue to take aggressive action to address any remaining shortcomings. 

Cybersecurity.—ITC handles sensitive and proprietary data and 

therefore is a potential target for cyber attacks. The Committee expects ITC to prioritize efforts to improve its cybersecurity posture. 

The Committee also encourages ITC to work with other relevant 

Federal agencies to inform its actions. 

Building lease.—The Committee is aware that the ITC’s current 

building lease is scheduled to expire in August 2017. The Committee directs ITC to submit a report, no later than 90 days after 

enactment of this Act, identifying lower cost alternatives. 

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

PAYMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

The Committee recommends $300,000,000 for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which is $75,000,000 below fiscal year 2015 and 

$152,000,000 below the request. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION—LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

The bill continues restrictions on the uses of LSC funding. None 

of the funds appropriated in this Act to the LSC shall be expended 

for any purpose prohibited or limited by, or contrary to any of the 

provisions of, sections 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506 of Public 

Law 105–119, and all funds appropriated in this Act to the LSC 

shall be subject to the same terms and conditions set forth in such 

sections, except that all references in sections 502 and 503 to 1997 

and 1998 shall be deemed to refer instead to 2015 and 2016, respectively. 

Unauthorized uses of funds.—The Inspector General (IG) of the 

LSC is encouraged to conduct annual audits of LSC grantees to ensure that funds are not used in contravention of the restrictions on 

engaging in political activities, representing illegal immigrants, or 

any of the other restrictions by which LSC grantees are required 

to abide. The Committee recommends the removal of funds from 

any LSC grantee determined by the IG to have engaged in unauthorized activity. 

The Committee directs LSC to ensure grantees, to the extent required by State law and court rulings, reimburse attorney’s fees in 

cases in which they are responsible for attorney’s fees. 

MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $3,340,000 for the Marine Mammal 

Commission, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and $91,000 

below the request. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
71 

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $54,250,000 for the Office of the 

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which is the same as fiscal year 

2015 and $2,018,000 below the request. 

China.—The Committee expects that USTR will coordinate and 

implement a comprehensive and vigorous strategy to address the 

United States’ trade imbalance with China. Within the amounts 

provided, the USTR is encouraged to maintain staff who can translate trade documents that USTR receives from China. The Committee believes that USTR should have its own translators on staff 

given the challenges associated with enforcing existing U.S. trade 

laws with China. 

U.S.-India bilateral trade and investment.—The Committee notes 

the importance of U.S.-India bilateral trade and investment. However, the Committee is concerned that India, while striving to improve its economic growth, has been enacting a series of policies to 

increase domestic manufacturing and protect domestic industries 

and agricultural production that discriminate against U.S. exports 

and investment. The Committee is concerned about the standards 

of IP protection and forced localization measures, as well as the unfair treatment by India of U.S. exports of American-produced boric 

acid, the illegal rebranding and smuggling of U.S.-grown almonds 

into India, and a whole host of other market access issues. The 

Committee understands the Trade Representative has raised these 

unfair barriers to trade multiple times with the Indian government 

and supports the efforts of USTR to resolve these issues. 

Free trade agreements.—The Committee directs USTR to continue to pursue free trade agreements with additional countries 

and trading blocs to continue advancing trade to and from the 

United States. 

STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Committee recommends $5,121,000 for the State Justice Institute, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and the request. 

TITLE V 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

Section 501 prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda 

purposes unless expressly authorized by law. 

Section 502 prohibits any appropriation contained in this Act 

from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal 

year unless expressly authorized. 

Section 503 provides that the expenditure of any appropriation 

contained in this Act for any consulting service through procurement contracts shall be limited to those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law or 

under existing Executive order issued pursuant to existing law. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
72 

Section 504 provides that if any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance shall be held 

invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of other provisions shall not be affected. 

Section 505 prohibits a reprogramming of funds that: (1) creates 

or initiates a new program, project, or activity; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases funds or personnel by any 

means for any project or activity for which funds have been denied 

or restricted; (4) relocates an office or employees; (5) reorganizes or 

renames offices, programs, or activities; (6) contracts out or 

privatizes any function or activity presently performed by Federal 

employees; (7) augments funds for existing programs, projects, or 

activities in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, or 

reduces by 10 percent funding for any program, project, or activity, 

or numbers of personnel by 10 percent; or (8) results from any general savings, including savings from a reduction in personnel, 

which would result in a change in existing programs, activities, or 

projects as approved by Congress, unless the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations are notified 15 days in advance of 

such reprogramming of funds. For the Department of Justice, the 

notification requirement is 45 days in advance. 

Section 506 provides that if it is determined that any person intentionally affixes a ‘‘Made in America’’ label to any product that 

was not made in America that person shall not be eligible to receive any contract or subcontract made with funds made available 

in this Act. The section further provides that to the extent practicable, with respect to purchases of promotional items, funds made 

available under this Act shall be used to purchase items manufactured, produced, or assembled in the United States or its territories 

or possessions. 

Section 507 requires quarterly reporting to Congress on the status of balances of appropriations. 

Section 508 provides that any costs incurred by a department or 

agency funded under this Act resulting from, or to prevent, personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions in this Act, 

or, for the Department of Commerce, from actions taken for the 

care and protection of loan collateral or grant property, shall be absorbed within the budgetary resources available to the department 

or agency, and provides transfer authority between appropriation 

accounts to carry out this provision, subject to reprogramming procedures. 

Section 509 prohibits funds made available in this Act from being 

used to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products 

or to seek the reduction or removal of foreign restrictions on the 

marketing of tobacco products, except for restrictions which are not 

applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco products of the same type. 

This provision is not intended to impact routine international trade 

services to all U.S. citizens, including the processing of applications 

to establish foreign trade zones. 

Section 510 limits the obligation of receipts deposited into the 

Crime Victims Fund at $2,705,164,000 during fiscal year 2016, an 

increase of $344,164,000 above the fiscal year 2015 level of obligations. This language is continued to ensure that a stable level of 

funds will remain available for the program, despite inconsistent 

levels of fines deposited annually into the Fund. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
73 

Section 511 prohibits the use of Department of Justice funds for 

programs that discriminate against or denigrate the religious or 

moral beliefs of students participating in such programs. 

Section 512 prohibits the transfer of funds made available in this 

Act to any department, agency or instrumentality of the United 

States Government, except for transfers made by, or pursuant to 

authorities provided in, this Act or any other appropriations Act. 

Section 513 provides that funds provided in this Act for E-Government Initiatives shall be subject to the procedures set forth in 

section 505 of this Act. 

Section 514 requires certain timetables and procedures for specified audits performed by Inspectors General of the departments 

and agencies funded in this Act and sets limits and restrictions on 

the awarding and use of grants or contracts funded by amounts appropriated by this Act. 

Section 515 prohibits funds for acquisition of certain information 

systems unless the acquiring department or agency has reviewed 

and assessed certain risks. Any acquisition of such an information 

system is contingent upon the development of a risk mitigation 

strategy and a determination that the acquisition is in the national 

interest. Each department or agency covered by this section shall 

consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other 

relevant agencies when reviewing supply chain risks and making 

a determination that the acquisition is in the national interest. The 

FBI is working to develop standards that agencies should use when 

assessing acquisition risks. Each department or agency covered by 

this section is directed to ensure it is following the criteria established by the FBI and the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology when acquiring or renewing certain information systems. Each department or agency covered under this section shall 

submit a quarterly report to the Committees on Appropriations of 

the House and Senate describing reviews and assessments of risk 

made pursuant to this section and any associated findings or determinations. 

Section 516 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to support or justify the use of torture by any official or contract 

employee of the United States Government. 

Section 517 permanently prohibits the use of funds to require 

certain export licenses. 

Section 518 permanently prohibits the use of funds to deny certain import applications regarding ‘‘curios or relics’’ firearms, parts, 

or ammunition. 

Section 519 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to include certain language in trade agreements. 

Section 520 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to authorize or issue a national security letter (NSL) in contravention of certain laws authorizing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to issue NSLs. 

Section 521 requires congressional notification regarding any 

project within the Departments of Commerce or Justice, the National Science Foundation or the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration totaling more than $75,000,000 that has cost increases of 10 percent or more. 

Section 522 deems funds for intelligence or intelligence related 

activities as authorized by Congress during fiscal year 2016 until 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
74 

the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 

2016. 

Section 523 prohibits contracts or grant awards in excess of $5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies 

that the organization has filed all Federal tax returns, has not 

been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue 

Code of 1986, and has no unpaid Federal tax assessment. 

(RESCISSIONS)

Section 524 provides for rescissions of unobligated balances from 

the Departments of Commerce and Justice. 

Section 525 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

for the purchase of first class or premium air travel in contravention of certain Federal travel regulations. 

Section 526 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to pay for the attendance of more than 50 department or agency 

employees at any single conference outside the United States, unless the conference is a law enforcement training or operational 

event where the majority of Federal attendees are law enforcement 

personnel stationed outside the United States. 

Section 527 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other Act 

for the transfer or release of certain individuals detained at United 

States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to or within the 

United States, its territories, or possessions. 

Section 528 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other Act 

to construct, acquire, or modify any facility in the United States, 

its territories, or possessions to house certain individuals who, as 

of June 24, 2009, were located at United States Naval Station, 

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or control of the Department of Defense. 

Section 529 requires, when practicable, the use of funds in this 

Act to purchase light bulbs that have the ‘‘Energy Star’’ or ‘‘Federal 

Energy Management Program’’ designation. 

Section 530 requires tracking and reporting of undisbursed balances in expired grant accounts. 

Section 531 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or 

the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to engage in bilateral activities with China or a Chinese-owned company unless 

the activities are authorized by subsequent legislation or NASA or 

OSTP have made a certification pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) 

of this section. 

Section 532 permanently prohibits funds from being used to deny 

the importation of shotgun models if no application for the importation of such models, in the same configuration, had been denied 

prior to January 1, 2011, on the basis that the shotgun was not 

particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes. 

Section 533 prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act 

to establish or maintain a computer network that does not block 

pornography, except for law enforcement purposes. 

Section 534 requires each department and agency funded in the 

bill to submit spending plans. 

Section 535 prohibits funds made available by this Act to implement the Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a resolution of ratification. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
75 

Section 536 prohibits the use of funds to relinquish the responsibility of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration with respect to Internet domain name system functions. 

Section 537 prohibits funds from being used to require a person 

licensed under section 923 of title 18, United States Code, to report 

information to the Department of Justice regarding the sale of multiple rifles or shotguns to the same person. 

Section 538 requires the Departments of Commerce and Justice, 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation to provide inspectors general with timely 

information. 

Section 539 requires a monthly report from the Department of 

Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 

the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Science and 

Technology Policy on travel to China. 

Section 540 prohibits funds to facilitate, permit, license, or promote certain exports to Cuba. This section does not apply to exports permitted under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. 

Section 541 prohibits funds for the termination of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. 

SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT

Section 542 establishes a Spending Reduction Account. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The following materials are submitted in accordance with various 

requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives: 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
76 

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 027 here HR130.001
77 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 028 here HR130.002
78 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 029 here HR130.003
79 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is a statement of general performance goals and objectives for which this measure authorizes funding: The Committee on Appropriations considers program performance, including a program’s success in developing and attaining 

outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing funding recommendations. 

RESCISSION OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the 

rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill: 

Department of Commerce: 

National Technical Information Service .................................... 10,000,000 

Department of Justice: 

Working Capital Fund ................................................................ 100,000,000 

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Salaries and Expenses ........ 120,000,000 

U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Prisoner Detention ................. 69,500,000 

State and Local Law Enforcement Activities: 

Office on Violence Against Women, Violence Against 

Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs .............. 15,000,000 

Office of Justice Programs ................................................... 40,000,000 

Community Oriented Policing Services .............................. 20,000,000 

TRANSFERS OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is submitted describing the transfers of funds provided in the accompanying bill: 

In title I, under Bureau of the Census, Periodic Censuses and 

Programs, language is included to transfer funds to the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General. 

Under U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Salaries and Expenses, language is included to transfer funds to the Civil Service 

Retirement and Disability Fund, the Federal Employees Health 

Benefit Fund, the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Fund, 

and the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General. 

Under National Institute of Standards and Technology, Scientific 

and Technical Research and Services, language is included allowing for transfers to the Working Capital Fund. 

Under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, language is included to transfer 

funds from the Promote and Develop Fishery Products and Research Pertaining to American Fisheries fund. 

Under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction, language is included to 

transfer funds to the Department of Commerce, Office of the Inspector General. 

Section 103 provides for the transfer of funds between Department of Commerce appropriations in certain circumstances. 

In title II, General Administration, Justice Information Sharing 

Technology, language is included allowing for the transfer of funds. 

Under General Administration, Administrative Review and Appeals, language is included to transfer funds to the Executive Office 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
80 

for Immigration Review from fees deposited in the Immigration Examinations Fee account. 

Under Legal Activities, Salaries and Expenses, Community Relations Service, language is included allowing for the transfer of 

funds in certain circumstances. 

Under United States Marshals Service, Federal Prisoner Detention, language is included transferring available unobligated balances from General Administration, Detention Trustee to this account. 

Under National Security Division, Salaries and Expenses, language is included allowing for the transfer of funds in certain circumstances. 

Under Federal Prison System, Salaries and Expenses, language 

is included to allow the transfer of funds to the Department of 

Health and Human Services. 

Section 205 provides language for the transfer of funds between 

Department of Justice appropriations in certain circumstances. 

In title III, under National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Administrative Provisions, language is included providing for 

the transfer of funds between appropriations in certain circumstances. 

Under National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Administrative Provisions, language is included to allow unexpired balances of a previous account to be transferred to the new account 

established in this Act funding the same activities. 

Under National Science Foundation, Administrative Provisions, 

language is included providing for the transfer of funds between 

appropriations in certain circumstances. 

Under General Provisions, Section 508 provides for the transfer 

of funds in certain circumstances. 

DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED

SPENDING ITEMS

Neither the bill nor the report contains any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3(e) (RAMSEYER RULE)

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee notes that the accompanying bill does not propose to repeal or amend a statute or part 

thereof. 

CHANGES IN THE APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted 

describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill which 

directly or indirectly change the application of existing law. 

Language is included for a number of accounts placing limitations on representation and reception allowances in order to reduce 

the amount of money that would otherwise be spent on these activities. The bill also provides that a number of appropriations 

shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year. 

While these provisions are not specifically authorized for all of the 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
81 

items, it is deemed desirable to include such language for certain 

programs in order to provide for orderly administration and effective use of funds. 

In title I, Department of Commerce, under International Trade 

Administration, Operations and Administration, language is included providing that funds may be used for engaging in trade promotion activities abroad, including expenses of grants and cooperative agreements, for the purposes of promoting exports of U.S. 

firms. Language is also provided allowing for full medical coverage 

for dependent members of immediate families of employees stationed overseas and employees temporarily posted overseas; travel 

and transportation of employees of the International Trade Administration; employment of Americans and aliens by contract for services; rental of space abroad and expenses of alteration, repair, or 

improvement; purchase or construction of temporary demountable 

exhibition structures for use abroad; and payment of tort claims. In 

addition, language is included regarding official representation expenses abroad, purchase of passenger motor vehicles for official use 

abroad, obtaining insurance on official motor vehicles, and rental 

of tie lines. Language is also recommended deriving a portion of 

available funds from fees. Furthermore, language is included designating funding for China antidumping and countervailing duty enforcement and compliance activities. Moreover, language is included providing for two-year availability of funds. Finally, language is included regarding the contributions under the Mutual 

Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. 

Under Bureau of Industry and Security, Operations and Administration, the language provides for no-year availability of funds. 

Language is included regarding the costs associated with the performance of export administration field activities both domestically 

and abroad; full medical coverage for dependent members of immediate families of employees stationed overseas; employment of 

Americans and aliens by contract for services abroad; payment of 

tort claims; official representation expenses abroad; awards of compensation to informers; and purchase of passenger motor vehicles 

for official use and motor vehicles for law enforcement use without 

regard to any price limitation established by law. In addition, language is included regarding the Mutual Educational and Cultural 

Exchange Act of 1961. Finally, language is recommended providing 

that payments and contributions collected and accepted for materials or services may be retained for use in covering the cost of 

those activities and other communications. 

Under Economic Development Administration, Economic Development Assistance Programs, the language provides for no-year 

availability of funds. 

Also, under Salaries and Expenses, language is included regarding the monitoring of approved projects. 

Under Minority Business Development Agency, Minority Business Development, language is included making funds available for 

fostering, promoting, and developing minority business enterprises, 

including expenses of grants, contracts and other agreements. 

Under Economic and Statistical Analysis, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included providing for two-year availability of funds. 

Under Bureau of the Census, Current Surveys and Programs, 

language is included providing that funds may be used for colVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
82 

lecting, compiling, analyzing, preparing and publishing statistics 

and for promotion, outreach and marketing activities. Language is 

also included requiring the collection of certain data in a certain 

survey. 

Also, under Periodic Censuses and Programs, language is included providing two-year availability of funds. Language is also 

included providing that funds may be used for collecting, compiling, 

analyzing, preparing and publishing statistics and for promotion, 

outreach and marketing activities. In addition, language is included providing for a transfer to the ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’ 

account for activities associated with carrying out investigations 

and audits related to the Bureau of the Census. Finally, language 

is included withholding funds for certain Census information technology projects until the Bureau submits an expenditure plan. 

Under National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Salaries and Expenses, language is included providing for 

two-year availability of funds. Language is also included permitting 

the Secretary of Commerce to charge Federal agencies for costs in 

spectrum management, analysis, operations, and related services; 

and to use such collections in telecommunications research. The 

language also allows the Secretary to retain and use as offsetting 

collections all funds transferred, or previously transferred for telecommunications research, engineering and activities by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences of NTIA. Finally, language is 

included providing that funds so transferred shall remain available 

until expended. 

Also, under Public Telecommunications Facilities, Planning and 

Construction, language is included allowing recoveries and unobligated balances of funds previously appropriated to be available for 

the administration of all open grants until their expiration. 

Under United States Patent and Trademark Office, Salaries and 

Expenses, language is included providing that appropriated funds 

be reduced as offsetting collections are assessed and collected. Language is including making funds available until expended and providing that funds received in excess of appropriations be deposited 

in a Patent and Trademark Fee Reserve fund, to be available until 

expended pursuant to the Director submitting a spending plan subject to section 505 of this Act, after which the funds shall be transferred to the Salaries and Expenses account. In addition, language 

is included limiting representation expenses. Language is also included regarding basic pay and certain retirement benefits. Additional language is included regarding USPTO’s financial statements. Furthermore, language is included providing that fees and 

surcharges charged are available to USPTO pursuant to section 

42(c) of title 35, United States Code. Finally, the language provides 

that an amount be transferred to the Office of Inspector General 

(OIG). 

Under National Institute of Standards and Technology, Scientific 

and Technical Research and Services, language is included providing for no-year availability of funds. In addition, language is included allowing transfers to the working capital fund. Language is 

included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. Finally, language is included allowing NIST to provide 

local transportation for a certain fellowship program. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
83 

Also, under Industrial Technology Services, language is included 

providing no-year availability of funds. The language also designates an amount for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. 

In addition, under Construction of Research Facilities, language 

is included providing for no-year availability of funds. Language is 

also included regarding the submission of certain materials in support of construction budget requests. 

Under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, language is included allowing for 

two-year availability for funds, except for cooperative enforcement 

funds, which are available for three years. Language is also included allowing maintenance, operation, and hire of aircraft and 

vessels; grants, contracts, or other payments to nonprofit organizations for the purposes of conducting activities pursuant to cooperative agreements; and relocation of facilities. Language is included 

allowing fees and donations received by a particular office to be retained and used for expenses related to certain activities. In addition, language is included that provides that certain funds be derived from various sources and restricting their use to certain activities. Furthermore, language is included limiting the amount of 

funds that can be provided for corporate services administrative 

support. Moreover, language is included specifying that deviations 

from amounts included in the report accompanying the Act shall be 

subject to section 505 of this Act. Finally, language is included providing for retired pay expenses. 

Also, under Procurement, Acquisition and Construction, language 

is included providing for three-year availability for funds, except 

for construction funds, which are available until expended. Language is also included providing that certain funds be derived from 

various sources. In addition, language is included specifying that 

deviations from amounts included in the report accompanying the 

Act shall be subject to section 505 of this Act. Language is included 

regarding the submission of certain materials in support of construction budget requests. Finally, language is included transferring an amount to the OIG. 

In addition, under Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery, language is 

included providing for two-year availability of funds. Language is 

also included allowing the Secretary of Commerce to issue grants 

to specific States and federally recognized tribes for conservation 

projects for listed endangered or threatened salmon and steelhead 

populations, populations at risk to be so listed, and for maintaining 

populations necessary for the exercise of tribal treaty fishing 

rights, and for conservation of Pacific coastal salmon and steelhead 

habitat, to be allocated under scientific and merit principles and 

not available for marketing activities; and requiring a State match. 

Furthermore, under Fishermen’s Contingency Fund, language is 

included providing for the appropriation of funds to be derived from 

receipts collected pursuant to Title IV of Public Law 95–372. 

Moreover, under Fisheries Finance Program Account, language is 

included placing limitations on individual fishing quota loans and 

traditional direct loans. 

Under Departmental Management, Salaries and Expenses, language is included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
84 

Under Renovation and Modernization, language is included making funds available until expended for security systems and blastresistant windows. 

Under Department of Commerce, General Provisions, the following general provisions that fall within the rule are recommended: 

Section 101 makes funds available for advanced payments 

only upon certification of officials designated by the Secretary 

that such payments are considered to be in the public interest. 

Section 102 makes appropriations for the Department available for hire of passenger motor vehicles, for services, and for 

uniforms and allowances as authorized by law. 

Section 103 provides the authority to transfer funds between 

Department of Commerce appropriation accounts and requiring 

notification to the Committee of certain actions. 

Section 104 extends Congressional notification requirements 

for NOAA satellite programs. 

Section 105 provides for reimbursement for services within 

Department of Commerce buildings. 

Section 106 clarifies that grant recipients under the Department of Commerce may continue to deter child pornography, 

copyright infringement, or any other unlawful activity over 

their networks. 

Section 107 provides the Administrator with the authority to 

avail NOAA of needed resources, with the consent of those supplying the resources, to carry out responsibilities of any statute 

administered by NOAA. 

Section 108 prohibits the National Technical Information 

Service from charging customers for certain publications, except under certain conditions and requires charges be limited 

to recovering costs. 

Section 109 provides the Secretary with the authority to 

waive bond requirements for the construction, alteration, or repair of vessels. 

Section 110 permits use of certain unobligated balances for 

certain activities authorized by the Revitalizing American 

Manufacturing Act. 

In title II, Department of Justice, under General Administration, 

Salaries and Expenses, language is included providing for an 

amount for security and construction of Department of Justice facilities, which shall remain available until expended. 

Also, under Justice Information Sharing Technology, language is 

included providing that funds be available until expended. Language is also included allowing transfers up to a certain amount 

to this account for information technology initiatives. 

In addition, under Administrative Review and Appeals, language 

is included providing that an amount shall be derived by transfer 

from the Executive Office for Immigration Review fees deposited in 

the ‘‘Immigration Examinations Fee’’ account. Language is also included making an amount available until expended for certain purposes. 

Moreover, under Office of Inspector General, language is included providing for not to exceed $10,000 to meet unforeseen 

emergencies of a confidential character. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
85 

Under Legal Activities, Salaries and Expenses, General Legal Ac- tivities, language is included providing not to exceed $20,000 for 

expenses of collecting evidence, to be expended under the direction 

of, and to be accounted for solely under the certificate of, the Attorney General. Language is also included providing for rental of 

space in the District of Columbia. Language is included making an 

amount available until expended for litigation support contracts. In 

addition, language is included making certain funds available to 

INTERPOL available until expended. Also, language is included 

limiting the amount of funds for official representation and reception expenses available to INTERPOL Washington. Furthermore, 

language is included providing funds to the Civil Rights Division 

for expenses associated with election monitoring, authority to reimburse the Office of Personnel Management for such expenses, and 

availability of such funds until expended. Finally, language is included for expenses associated with processing cases under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. 

Also, under Salaries and Expenses, Antitrust Division, language 

is included providing for no-year availability of funds. The language also provides that fees collected for premerger notification 

filings, regardless of the year of collection, shall be retained and 

used for necessary expenses in this appropriation, and shall remain 

available until expended. 

In addition, under Salaries and Expenses, United States Attorneys, language is included regarding inter-governmental and cooperative agreements and limiting funds for official reception and 

representation expenses. Language is also included extending the 

availability of certain funds. Finally, language is included requiring 

each United States Attorney to establish or participate in a task 

force on human trafficking. 

Furthermore, under United States Trustee System Fund, language is included regarding refunds due depositors. Language is 

also included providing for the extended availability of certain 

funds and the use of offsetting collections. 

Moreover, under Fees and Expenses of Witnesses, language is included regarding contracts for the procurement and supervision of 

expert witnesses. In addition, language is included regarding funds 

for construction of buildings for safesites, armored and other vehicles, and telecommunication equipment. The language also provides 

for no-year availability of funds. In addition, language is included 

providing no funds may be transferred pursuant to section 205 of 

this Act. 

And under Salaries and Expenses, Community Relations Service, 

language is included regarding the transfer of funds for conflict resolution and violence prevention activities, which shall be subject to 

the provisions of section 505 of this Act. 

Under United States Marshals Service, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included limiting official reception and representation 

expenses, and providing for no-year availability for part of the appropriation. 

Also, under Construction, language is included providing for noyear availability of funds. 

In addition, under Federal Prisoner Detention, language is included providing for no-year availability of funds. Language is also 

included providing that the United States Marshals Service shall 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
86 

be responsible for managing the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System. In addition, language is included limiting the 

amount of funds considered ‘‘funds appropriated for State and local 

law enforcement assistance’’. Finally, language is included transferring to this account unobligated balances from funds appropriated 

in prior years to the Detention Trustee. 

Under National Security Division, Salaries and Expenses, language is included providing for the no-year availability of funds for 

IT systems. Language is also included providing that upon a determination by the Attorney General that emergent circumstances require additional funding for the activities of the National Security 

Division, the Attorney General may transfer such amounts to this 

heading from available appropriations for the current fiscal year 

for the Department of Justice, as may be necessary to respond to 

such circumstances. The language provides such a transfer be 

treated as a reprogramming under section 505 of this Act. 

Under Interagency Law Enforcement, Interagency Crime and 

Drug Enforcement, language is included providing for no-year 

availability for some of the funds. Language is also included regarding authorities under which funds may be used. 

Under Federal Bureau of Investigation, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included providing for no-year availability of certain 

funds. Language is included providing for a limitation on representational expenses. 

Under Construction, language is included specifying the purpose 

of the appropriation and making it available until expended. 

Under Drug Enforcement Administration, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included providing for funds to meet unforeseen emergencies of a confidential character. Language is also included allowing conduct of drug education and training programs, including 

travel and related expenses for participants in such programs and 

the distribution of items of token value that promote the goals of 

such programs. In addition, language is included providing for noyear availability of certain funds. Finally, language is included providing for a limitation on representational expenses. 

Under Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Salaries and Expenses, language is included allowing training of State 

and local law enforcement agencies with or without reimbursement, including training in connection with the training and acquisition of canines for explosives and fire accelerants detection, and 

allowing provision of laboratory assistance to State and local law 

enforcement agencies, with or without reimbursement. Language is 

also included limiting official reception and representation expenses. In addition, language is included providing funds for the 

payment of attorneys’ fees. In addition, language is included providing for no-year availability of certain funds. Additional language 

is included prohibiting expenses to investigate or act upon applications for relief from Federal firearms disabilities under section 

925(c) of title 18, United States Code. Language is further included 

regarding expenses to investigate applications filed by corporations 

for relief from section 925(c) of title 18, United States Code. Moreover, language is included that prohibits funds to transfer the functions, missions or activities of ATF to other agencies or departments. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
87 

Under Federal Prison System, Salaries and Expenses, language 

is included that provides for the transfer to the Department of 

Health and Human Services funds necessary for medical relief for 

inmates. Language is also included that provides authority to the 

Director to enter into contracts to furnish health care. In addition, 

language is included placing a limitation on funds for reception and 

representation expenses. Furthermore, language is included extending the availability of certain funds. Finally, language is included providing authority for the Federal Prison System to accept 

donated property and services. 

Also, in Building and Facilities, language is included providing 

for no-year availability of funds and establishing funding levels for 

certain activities. Language is also included stating labor of prisoners may be used for work under this heading. 

Additionally, under Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, language is included authorizing Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, to make such expenditures, within the limits of funds and 

borrowing authority available, and in accord with the law, and to 

make such contracts and commitments, without regard to fiscal 

year limitations, as may be necessary in carrying out the program 

set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for such corporation. 

Furthermore, under Limitation on Administrative Expenses, Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, language is included making 

available funds for its administrative expenses, and for certain 

services, to be computed on an accrual basis to be determined in 

accordance with the corporation’s current prescribed accounting 

system, and such amounts shall be exclusive of depreciation, payment of claims, and expenditures which such accounting system requires to be capitalized or charged to cost of commodities acquired 

or produced, including selling and shipping expenses, and expenses 

in connection with acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, improvement, protection, or disposition of facilities and 

other property belonging to the corporation or in which it has an 

interest. 

Under State and Local Law Enforcement Activities, Office on Violence Against Women, Violence Against Women Prevention and 

Prosecution Programs, language is included making funds available 

until expended. Language is also included placing a limitation on 

funds to be made available for expenses related to evaluation, 

training, and technical assistance. In addition, language is included 

providing for specific appropriations for various programs within 

the Office on Violence Against Women. Furthermore, language is 

included making available certain unobligated balances for specified programs. The language also applies certain conditions to specified grants. 

Also, under State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, language is included to provide for no-year availability of funds. Language is also included regarding an Officer Robert Wilson III memorial Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officer Resilience and Survivability Initiative, domestic radicalization research, 

juvenile indigent defense and convention security grants. In addition, language is included regarding Federal immigration and other 

detainees housed in State and local detention facilities. Furthermore, language is included regarding local government use of funds 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
88 

to increase the number of law enforcement officers. Language is 

also included regarding DNA training and education for law enforcement, correctional personnel, and court officers. Finally, the 

language specifies appropriations for various programs within the 

Office of Justice Programs. 

In addition, under Juvenile Justice Programs, language is included providing for no-year availability of funds. Language is also 

included waiving a provision of law with respect to funding for 

missing and exploited children programs. Finally, the language delineates certain amounts for various programs under this heading. 

Furthermore, under Public Safety Officer Benefits, language is 

included providing for no-year availability of funds. Language is 

also included providing for the transfers of funds in emergent circumstances, which shall be subject to the provisions of section 505 

of this Act. 

Under Community Oriented Policing Services, Community Oriented Policing Services Programs, language is included providing 

for no-year availability of funds. Language is also included requiring that balances available through deobligations only be available 

through reprogramming. In addition, language is included regarding transfers of funds for anti-methamphetamine activities. There 

is further language regarding certain time limitations under the 

Second Chance Act. Finally, the language delineates certain 

amounts for various programs under this heading. 

Under Department of Justice, General Provisions, the following 

general provisions that fall within the rule are recommended: 

Section 201 makes available additional reception and representation funding for the Attorney General from the amounts 

provided in this title. 

Section 202 prohibits the use of funds to pay for an abortion, 

except in the case of incest, rape or to preserve the life of the 

mother. 

Section 203 prohibits the use of funds to require any person 

to perform or facilitate the performance of an abortion. 

Section 204 establishes the obligation of the Director of the 

Bureau of Prisons to provide escort services to an inmate receiving an abortion outside of a Federal facility, except where 

this obligation conflicts with the preceding section. 

Section 205 establishes the Committee’s requirements and 

procedures for transfer proposals. 

Section 206 authorizes the Attorney General to extend an ongoing Personnel Management Demonstration Project. 

Section 207 prohibits the use of certain funds for transporting prisoners classified as maximum or high security, other 

than to a facility certified by the Bureau of Prisons as appropriately secure. 

Section 208 prohibits the use of funds for the purchase or 

rental by Federal prisons of audiovisual equipment, services 

and materials used primarily for recreational purposes, except 

for those items and services needed for inmate training, religious, or educational purposes. 

Section 209 requires review by the Deputy Attorney General 

and the Department Investment Review Board prior to the obligation or expenditure of funds for major information technology projects. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
89 

Section 210 requires the Department to follow reprogramming procedures prior to any deviation from the program 

amounts specified in this title or the reuse of specified 

deobligated funds provided in previous years. 

Section 211 prohibits the use of funds for A–76 competitions 

for work performed by employees of Federal Prison Industries, 

Inc. 

Section 212 prohibits U.S. Attorneys from holding dual or 

additional responsibilities that exempt U.S. Attorneys from 

statutory residency requirements. 

Section 213 permits up to 3 percent of grant and reimbursement program funds made available to OJP to be used for 

training and technical assistance and permits grant or reimbursement funds made available to the Department to be used 

for criminal justice research, evaluation and statistics. 

Section 214 waives the requirement that the Attorney General reserve certain funds from amounts provided for offender 

incarceration. 

Section 215 prohibits funds, other than funds for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established 

under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, from being 

used to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to a 

known or suspected agent of a drug cartel where law enforcement personnel do not continuously monitor or control such 

firearm. This language is made permanent. 

Section 216 places limitation on the obligation of funds from 

certain Department of Justice accounts and funding sources. 

Section 217 withholds certain funds from obligation for several Department of Justice agencies until the Attorney General 

has demonstrated that recommendations from the Office of Inspector General with regard to addressing employee misconduct have been or are in the process of being implemented. 

In title III, Science, under Office of Science and Technology Policy, language is included providing that certain funds be available 

for reception and representation expenses, and rental of conference 

rooms. 

Under National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Science, 

language is included providing for the multi-year availability of 

funds. Language is also included concerning a planetary science 

mission, and a limitation on formulation and development costs of 

a certain program with an associated notification requirement. 

Also, under Aeronautics, language is included providing for the 

multi-year availability of funds. 

In addition, under Space Technology, language is included providing for the multi-year availability of funds. 

Under Exploration, language is included providing for the multiyear availability of funds. Language is also included that delineates 

amounts for program components. 

In Space Operations, language is included providing for the 

multi-year availability of funds. 

Additionally, under Education, language is included providing for 

the multi-year availability of funds. Language is also included delineating amounts for program components. 

Under Safety, Security and Mission Services, language is included providing for the multi-year availability of funds. Language 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
90 

is also included to limit official reception and representation expenses. 

Under Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration, language is included providing for the multi-year availability 

of funds. Language is also included restricting receipts and expenditures made pursuant to enhanced use lease arrangements and requiring the inclusion of estimates in future budget requests. 

Under Office of Inspector General, language is included providing 

for the multi-year availability of some funds. 

In the Administrative Provisions, language is included regarding: 

availability of funds for announced prizes; limitations on transfers 

of funds among NASA accounts; the submission of a spending plan; 

and the transfer of certain unexpired balances. 

Under National Science Foundation, Research and Related Activities, language is included that provides for the multi-year availability of funds. Language is also included that governs funding 

availability for polar research and operational support. In addition, 

language is included providing that certain receipts may be credited to this appropriation. 

Also, under Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction, language is included providing for no-year availability of 

funds. 

In addition, under Education and Human Resources, language is 

included providing for the multi-year availability of funds. 

Furthermore, under Agency Operations and Award Management, 

language is included regarding contracts for maintenance and operation of facilities and other services. Language is also included limiting representation expenses, and providing for no-year availability of some funds. 

Under Office of the National Science Board, language is included 

limiting funds for official reception and representation. 

Under Office of Inspector General, language is included providing 

for the multi-year availability of some funds. 

Under Administrative Provision, language is included regarding 

transfers of funds. 

In title IV, Related Agencies, under Commission on Civil Rights, 

Salaries and Expenses, language is included prohibiting expenses 

to employ in excess of a specific level of full-time individuals or to 

reimburse Commissioners for certain billable days. Language is 

also included prohibiting certain unauthorized activities. 

Under Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Salaries and 

Expenses, language is included designating an amount for payments to State and local enforcement agencies. Language is also included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. Finally, language is included authorizing the Chair to accept donations or gifts to carry out the work of the Commission. 

Under International Trade Commission, Salaries and Expenses, 

language is included limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. Language is also included providing for noyear availability of funds. 

Under Legal Services Corporation, Payment to the Legal Services 

Corporation, language is included regarding pay for officers and 

employees. Language is also included delineating amounts for specific programs and regarding authorities to transfer funds. In addition, language is included designating the Legal Services CorporaVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
91 

tion as an agency of the Federal Government for the purposes of 

reprogramming. 

Under Administrative Provision, Legal Services Corporation, language is included that prohibits the use of funds for certain activities. 

Under Office of the United States Trade Representative, Salaries 

and Expenses, language is included providing for the no-year availability of some funds. Language is also included limiting funds for 

official reception and representation expenses. 

Under State Justice Institute, Salaries and Expenses, language 

is included limiting funds for reception and representation expenses. Language is also included providing for multi-year availability of some funds. In addition, language is included designating 

the State Justice Institute as an agency of the Federal Government 

for the purposes of reprogramming. 

In title V, General Provisions, the following general provisions 

that fall within the rule are recommended: 

Section 501 prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes unless expressly authorized by law. 

Section 502 prohibits any appropriation contained in this Act 

from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly authorized. 

Section 503 provides that the expenditure of any appropriation contained in this Act for any consulting service through 

procurement contracts shall be limited to those contracts 

where such expenditures are a matter of public record and 

available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law or under existing Executive order 

issued pursuant to existing law. 

Section 504 provides that if any provision of this Act or the 

application of such provision to any person or circumstance 

shall be held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of other provisions shall not be affected. 

Section 505 specifies requirements for the reprogramming of 

funds. 

Section 506 provides that if it is determined that any person 

intentionally affixes a ‘‘Made in America’’ label to any product 

that was not made in America that person shall not be eligible 

to receive any contract or subcontract made with funds made 

available in this Act. The section further provides that to the 

extent practicable, with respect to purchases of promotional 

items, funds made available under this Act shall be used to 

purchase items manufactured, produced, or assembled in the 

United States or its territories or possessions. 

Section 507 requires quarterly reporting to Congress on the 

status of balances of appropriations. 

Section 508 provides that any costs incurred by a department or agency funded under this Act resulting from, or to prevent, personnel actions taken in response to funding reductions 

in this Act, or, for the Department of Commerce, from actions 

taken for the care and protection of loan collateral or grant 

property, shall be absorbed within the budgetary resources 

available to the department or agency, and provides transfer 

authority between appropriation accounts to carry out this provision, subject to reprogramming procedures. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
92 

Section 509 prohibits funds made available in this Act from 

being used to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco 

products or to seek the reduction or removal of foreign restrictions on the marketing of tobacco products, except for restrictions which are not applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco 

products of the same type. 

Section 510 limits the obligation of certain funds. 

Section 511 prohibits the use of Department of Justice funds 

for programs that discriminate against or denigrate the religious or moral beliefs of students participating in such programs. 

Section 512 prohibits the transfer of funds made available in 

this Act to any department, agency or instrumentality of the 

United States Government, except for transfers made by, or 

pursuant to authorities provided in, this Act or any other appropriations Act. 

Section 513 provides that funds provided in this Act for EGovernment Initiatives shall be subject to the procedures set 

forth in section 505 of this Act. 

Section 514 requires certain timetables and procedures for 

specified audits performed by Inspectors General of the departments and agencies funded in this Act and sets limits and restrictions on the awarding and use of grants or contracts funded by amounts appropriated by this Act. 

Section 515 prohibits funds for acquisition of certain information systems unless the acquiring department or agency has 

reviewed and assessed certain risks. Language is also included 

making such acquisition contingent upon the development of a 

risk mitigation strategy and a determination that the acquisition is in the national interest. 

Section 516 prohibits the use of funds made available in this 

Act to support or justify the use of torture by any official or 

contract employee of the United States Government. 

Section 517 permanently prohibits the use of funds to require certain export licenses. 

Section 518 permanently prohibits the use of funds to deny 

certain import applications regarding ‘‘curios or relics’’ firearms, parts, or ammunition. 

Section 519 prohibits the use of funds made available in this 

Act to include certain language in trade agreements. 

Section 520 prohibits the use of funds made available in this 

Act to authorize or issue a national security letter (NSL) in 

contravention of certain laws authorizing the Federal Bureau 

of Investigation to issue NSLs. 

Section 521 requires congressional notification regarding any 

project within the Departments of Commerce or Justice, the 

National Science Foundation or the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration totaling more than $75,000,000 that has 

cost increases of 10 percent or more. 

Section 522 deems funds for intelligence or intelligence related activities as authorized by Congress during fiscal year 

2016 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act 

for fiscal year 2016. 

Section 523 prohibits contracts or grant awards in excess of 

$5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee cerVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
93 

tifies that the organization has filed all Federal tax returns, 

has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal 

Revenue Code of 1986, and has no unpaid Federal tax assessment. 

Section 524 provides for rescissions of unobligated balances 

from the Departments of Commerce and Justice. 

Section 525 prohibits the use of funds made available in this 

Act for the purchase of first class or premium air travel in contravention of certain Federal travel regulations. 

Section 526 prohibits the use of funds made available in this 

Act to pay for the attendance of more than 50 department or 

agency employees at any single conference outside the United 

States, unless the conference is a law enforcement training or 

operational event where the majority of Federal attendees are 

law enforcement personnel stationed outside the United States. 

Section 527 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other 

Act for the transfer or release of certain individuals detained 

at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to or 

within the United States, its territories, or possessions. 

Section 528 prohibits the use of funds in this or any other 

Act to construct, acquire, or modify any facility in the United 

States, its territories, or possessions to house certain individuals who, as of June 24, 2009, were located at United States 

Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or control of the Department of Defense. 

Section 529 requires, when practicable, the use of funds in 

this Act to purchase light bulbs that have the ‘‘Energy Star’’ 

or ‘‘Federal Energy Management Program’’ designation. 

Section 530 requires tracking and reporting of undisbursed 

balances in expired grant accounts. 

Section 531 prohibits the use of funds made available in this 

Act by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) or the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 

to engage in bilateral activities with China or a Chinese-owned 

company unless the activities are authorized by subsequent 

legislation or NASA or OSTP have made a certification pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this section. 

Section 532 permanently prohibits funds from being used to 

deny the importation of shotgun models if no application for 

the importation of such models, in the same configuration, had 

been denied prior to January 1, 2011, on the basis that the 

shotgun was not particularly suitable for or readily adaptable 

to sporting purposes. 

Section 533 prohibits the use of funds made available in this 

Act to establish or maintain a computer network that does not 

block pornography, except for law enforcement purposes. 

Section 534 requires each department and agency funded in 

the bill to submit spending plans. 

Section 535 prohibits funds made available by this Act to implement the Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a 

resolution of ratification. 

Section 536 prohibits the use of funds to relinquish the responsibility of the National Telecommunications and InformaVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
94 

tion Administration with respect to Internet domain name system functions. 

Section 537 prohibits funds from being used to require a person licensed under section 923 of title 18, United States Code, 

to report information to the Department of Justice regarding 

the sale of multiple rifles or shotguns to the same person. 

Section 538 requires the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and 

the National Science Foundation to provide inspectors general 

with timely access to information. 

Section 539 requires a monthly report from the Department 

of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of 

Science and Technology Policy on travel to China. 

Section 540 prohibits funds to facilitate, permit, license, or 

promote certain exports to Cuba. 

Section 541 prohibits funds for the termination of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. 

APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

The Committee, in a number of instances, has found it necessary 

to recommend funding for ongoing activities and programs for 

which authorizations have not been enacted to date. Pursuant to 

clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law for the period concerned: 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
95 

UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS 

Fiscal Year 2016 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

Department of Commerce: 

International Trade Administration 

Operations and Administration 

Export Promotion Activities .................................................................................................................. 1996 such sums 264,885 ‡‡

Bureau of Industry and Security 

Operations and Administration ..................................................................................................................... 1994 such sums 34,747 110,000 

Economic Development Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2008 such sums 30,832 37,000 Economic Development Assistance Programs .............................................................................................. various 213,000 

Public Works and Economic Development Act Programs .................................................................... 2008 500,000 349,100 (202,000 ) 

Minority Business Development Agency 

Minority Business Development .................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 32,000 

Economic and Statistical Analysis 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 100,000 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 1993 17,900 18,493 35,200 

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Scientific and Technical Research and Services ......................................................................................... 2013 676,700 609,514 675,000 Industrial technology services ...................................................................................................................... 2013 241,709 140,316 130,000 

Manufacturing extension partnerships ................................................................................................ 2013 (165,100 ) (126,088 ) (130,000 ) 

Construction of research facilities ............................................................................................................... 2013 121,300 58,874 50,000 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Operations, Research and Facilities 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research .................................................................................................... 1993 1,589,081 202,172 †

Climate and air quality research activities ............................................................................... 1993 (103,877 ) * *Atmospheric research activities .................................................................................................. 1993 (44,781 ) * *

National Ocean Service ........................................................................................................................ 1993 121,183 150,864 466,500 

Coral Reef Conservation ............................................................................................................. 2004 (16,000 ) (16,000 ) (26,000 ) Costal Zone Management ........................................................................................................... 1999 (55,300 ) (52,700 ) (105,000 ) Marine Protection, Research, Preservation & Sanctuaries ......................................................... 2005 (40,000 ) (57,958 ) (45,000 ) 

National Marine Fisheries Services ...................................................................................................... various †

Endangered Species Act Activities ............................................................................................. 1992 6,750 † †


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
96 

UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS—Continued 

Fiscal Year 2016 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

Marine Mammal Protection Act Activities .................................................................................. 1999 34,768 † †

NOAA Marine Fisheries Program Activities ................................................................................. 2000 110,470 † †

National Weather Service 

Operations and research activities ............................................................................................. 1993 395,822 * *Public warning and forecast systems ........................................................................................ 1993 132,034 *, ‡ *, ‡

NESDIS 

Satellite observing systems activities (NESDIS) ......................................................................... 1993 336,000 *, ‡ *, ‡Data and information services activities ................................................................................... 1993 39,596 10,300 *, ‡

Program Support 

Executive Direction and Administrative Activities ...................................................................... 1993 75,750 25,000 215,300 Marine Services ........................................................................................................................... 1993 68,518 61,200 175,000 Aircraft Services .......................................................................................................................... 1993 10,336 9,500 31,600 

Procurement, Acquisition and Construction 

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations 

Fleet modernization and replacement ........................................................................................ 1997 such sums 8,000 11,700 

Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery ................................................................................................................. 2009 90,000 80,000 65,000 

Departmental Management 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 50,000 Renovation and Modernization ...................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 3,989 

Department of Justice: 

General Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 181,561 105,805 105,000 Justice Information Sharing Technology ....................................................................................................... 2009 204,152 80,000 25,842 Administrative review and appeals .............................................................................................................. 2009 243,291 270,000 426,791 Office of Inspector General ........................................................................................................................... 2009 81,922 80,681 92,000 

United States Parole Commission 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 12,711 12,570 13,308 

Legal Activities 

Salaries and Expenses, General Legal Activities ......................................................................................... 2009 764,526 805,655 885,000 Salaries and Expenses, Antitrust Division .................................................................................................... 2009 162,488 157,788 162,246 Salaries and Expenses, United States Attorneys .......................................................................................... 2009 1,829,194 1,851,336 1,995,000 Salaries and Expenses, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission ................................................................ 2009 1,429 1,823 2,326 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
97 

Fees and Expenses of Witnesses .................................................................................................................. 2009 203,755 168,300 270,000 Salaries and Expenses, Community Relations Service ................................................................................. 2009 10,977 9,873 13,000 

United States Marshals Service ............................................................................................................................. 2009 900,178 954,000 2,289,081 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. § (960,000 ) (1,220,000 ) 

Construction .................................................................................................................................................. § (4,000 ) (11,000 ) 

Federal Prison Detention¶ ............................................................................................................................. 2009 1,858,509 1,355,319 (1,058,081 ) 

National Security Division 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 95,000 

Interagency Law Enforcement 

Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement ................................................................................................... 2009 744,593 515,000 510,000 

Federal Bureau of Investigation ............................................................................................................................ 2009 6,480,608 7,301,191 8,547,768 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. § (7,182,700 ) (8,489,786 ) 

Construction .................................................................................................................................................. § (153,491 ) (57,982 ) 

Drug Enforcement Administration 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 1,930,462 1,959,084 2,073,945 

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2009 1,038,939 1,078,215 1,250,000 

Federal Prison System ............................................................................................................................................ 2009 5,698,292 6,171,561 7,181,500 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. § (5,600,792 ) (6,951,500 ) 

Buildings and Facilities ................................................................................................................................ § (575,807 ) (230,000 ) 

Office on Violence Against Women 

Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs 

Research and Evaluation on Violence against Women ....................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 8,000 Family Civil Justice .............................................................................................................................. various 16,000 

Court Training and Improvements Program ............................................................................... 2011 5,000 Δ

Safe Havens Program ................................................................................................................. 2011 20,000 Δ

Consolidated Youth-oriented Program ................................................................................................. various 11,000 

Engaging Men and Youth in Prevention ..................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a #

Grants to Assist Children and Youth Exposed to Violence ........................................................ n/a n/a n/a #Supporting Teens Through Education Program .......................................................................... 2011 5,000 Δ #Services to Advocate and Respond to Youth ............................................................................. n/a n/a n/a #

Research on Violence Against Indian Women ..................................................................................... 2015 1,000 940 1,000 Indian Country—Sexual Assault Clearinghouse .................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 500 Rape Survivor Child Custody Act ......................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 5,000 

Office of Justice Programs 

State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance 

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants .......................................................................................... 2012 1,095,000 470,000 409,000 

Domestic Radicalization Research .............................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a (4,000 ) Officer Robert Wilson III VALOR Initiative .................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a (15,000 ) Bulletproof Vests Partnerships ................................................................................................... 2012 50,000 24,000 (22,500 ) 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
98 

UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS—Continued 

Fiscal Year 2016 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

Juvenile Indigent Defense ........................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a (2,500 ) Convention security ..................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a (20,000 ) 

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program ........................................................................................... 2011 950,000 Δ 220,000 

Drug Courts .......................................................................................................................................... 2008 70,000 15,200 41,000 Mentally Ill Offender Act ...................................................................................................................... 2014 50,000 9,000 7,000 Capital Litigation and Wrongful Conviction Review ............................................................................ 2009 75,000 5,500 2,000 Economic, High-tech, Cybercrime Prevention ...................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 5,000 Adam Walsh Act Implementation ........................................................................................................ 2009 such sums 18,000 20,000 National Sex Offender Public Website ................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 1,000 NICS Initiative ...................................................................................................................................... various 73,000 

NICS Act Record Improvement Program ..................................................................................... 2013 125,000 12,000 ‡‡

National Criminal History Improvement Program ....................................................................... 2013 62,500 6,000 ‡‡

DNA Initiative 

Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants ............................................................................................. 2014 151,000 117,000 117,000 Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grants .......................................................................................... 2009 5,000 5,000 4,000 Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program Grants ......................................................................... 2014 30,000 4,000 4,000 

Veterans Treatment Courts .................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 5,000 Prescription Drug Monitoring ............................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 11,000 Prison Rape Prevention and Prosecution ............................................................................................. 2010 40,000 15,000 13,000 NamUs .................................................................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a 2,400 Comprehensive School Safety Initiative ............................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 75,000 

Juvenile Justice Programs 

Youth Mentoring Grants ....................................................................................................................... 2007 such sums †† 95,000 

Victims of Child Abuse Programs ........................................................................................................ 2005 8,481 11,000 19,000 Missing and Exploited Children Programs .......................................................................................... various 68,000 

AMBER Alert grants .................................................................................................................... 2004 ‡‡ ‡‡ ‡‡

Community Oriented Policing Services 

Transfer to DEA for Methamphetamine Lab Cleanups ........................................................................ n/a n/a n/a 11,000 Community trust initiative ................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a 52,500 

Collaborative Reform ................................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a (5,000 ) Body-worn Camera Partnership .................................................................................................. n/a n/a n/a (15,000 ) Justice Reinvestment Initiative ................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a (27,500 ) 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
99 

Research and statistics on community trust ............................................................................. n/a n/a n/a (5,000 ) 

Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry .................................................................................................. 2010 55,000 100,000 68,000 Community Teams to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Backlog ................................................. n/a n/a n/a 41,000 Tribal Assistance .................................................................................................................................. various 30,000 

Tribal Courts ............................................................................................................................... 2004 such sums (8,000 ) **

Alcohol and Substance Abuse .................................................................................................... n/a n/a n/a **Indian Prison Grants ................................................................................................................... 2000 (2,753 ) (5,000 ) **Training/TA Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance ....................................................................... n/a n/a n/a **

Regional information sharing activities .............................................................................................. 2003 100,000 29,000 35,000 

Science: 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Science .......................................................................................................................................................... 2013 5,509,600 5,047,447 5,237,500 Aeronautics .................................................................................................................................................... 2013 590,000 559,301 600,000 Space Technology .......................................................................................................................................... 2013 515,000 629,950 625,000 Exploration ..................................................................................................................................................... 2013 5,264,000 3,814,041 4,759,300 Space Operations .......................................................................................................................................... 2013 4,253,300 3,878,802 3,957,300 Education ...................................................................................................................................................... 2013 145,700 122,654 119,000 Safety, Security and Mission Services .......................................................................................................... 2013 3,276,800 2,770,012 2,768,600 Construction and Environmental Compliance and Remediation .................................................................. 2013 366,900 667,236 425,000 Office of Inspector General ........................................................................................................................... 2013 38,700 37,287 37,400 

National Science Foundation 

Research and Related Activities ................................................................................................................... 2013 6,637,849 5,870,974 5,983,645 Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction .............................................................................. 2013 236,764 192,488 200,030 Education and Human Resources ................................................................................................................. 2013 1,041,762 878,799 866,000 Agency Operations and Award Management ................................................................................................ 2013 363,670 293,780 325,000 Office of the National Science Board ........................................................................................................... 2013 4,906 4,357 4,370 Office of Inspector General ........................................................................................................................... 2013 15,049 13,933 15,160 

Related Agencies: 

Commission on Civil Rights 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 1995 9,500 8,904 9,200 

International Trade Commission 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2004 57,240 58,295 84,500 

Legal Services Corporation 

Payment to the Legal Services Corporation ................................................................................................. 1980 205,000 300,000 300,000 

Marine Mammal Commission 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 1999 1,750 1,240 3,340 

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2004 33,108 41,552 54,250 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
100 

UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS—Continued 

Fiscal Year 2016 

(dollars in thousands) 

Program Last year of au- thorization Authorization level in last year of authorization Appropriations in last year of authorization Appropriations in this bill 

State Justice Institute 

Salaries and Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 2008 7,000 3,760 5,121 

* The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (P.L. 102–567) provides authorizations for general categories of activities, rather than specific programs. Since a program 

may cut across several authorizations, it is impossible to determine the exact amount of unauthorized appropriations. † Authorization covers multiple lines in the NOAA control table. 

‡ This authorization provides for both procurement and operations activities, but does not provide a breakdown for each. § Authorization does not provide amounts for specific accounts within this agency. ¶ This was formerly the ‘‘General Administration, Detention Trustee’’ account. Δ The authorization for this program expired in FY2011. Since the government was funded by a full-year continuing resolution, the Committee did not provide a specific appropriation for this program. # These programs have been combined into the Consolidated Youth-oriented Program. ** The recommendation includes an overall amount for tribal assistance but does not specify amounts for each particular program. †† The authorization for this program expired in FY2007. Since the government was funded by a full-year continuing resolution, the Committee did not provide a specific appropriation for this program. ‡‡ The recommendation does not provide a specific amount for this program. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
101 

COMPARISON WITH THE BUDGET RESOLUTION

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives and section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares the levels of new 

budget authority and outlays provided in the bill with the appropriate allocations made under section 302(b) of the Budget Act: 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED

AGENCIES

[In millions of dollars] 

302b allocation This bill 

Budget 

Authority Outlays Budget Authority Outlays 

General purposes discretionary ............................ 51,378 62,400 51,378 * 62,141 

Mandatory ............................................................. 319 320 319 * 320 

* Includes outlays from prior year budget authority. 

FIVE YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 308(a)(1)(B) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains 

five-year outlay projections associated with the budget authority 

provided in the accompanying bill, as provided to the Committee by 

the Congressional Budget Office: 

[In millions of dollars] 

Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation: 

2016 ............................................................................................................................. * 40,628 

2017 ............................................................................................................................. 13,250 

2018 ............................................................................................................................. 3,630 

2019 ............................................................................................................................. ¥23 

2020 ............................................................................................................................. 4,726 

* Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 308(a)(1)(C) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Congressional Budget 

Office has provided the following estimates of new budget authority 

and outlays provided by the accompanying bill for financial assistance to State and local governments: 

[In millions of dollars] 

Budget Authority Outlays 

Financial assistance to State and local government ¥7,959 * 400 

* Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

PROGRAM DUPLICATION

Pursuant to section 3(g) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress), no provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
102 

Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified 

in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DIRECTED RULE MAKING

Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress), the bill 

does not direct any rule making. 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) 

AUTHORITY

The following table provides a detailed summary, for each department and agency, comparing the amounts recommended in the 

bill with fiscal year 2015 enacted amounts and budget estimates 

presented for fiscal year 2016: 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
103 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 05 here 93750A.001
104 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 06 here 93750A.002
105 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 07 here 93750A.003
106 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 08 here 93750A.004
107 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 09 here 93750A.005
108 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 010 here 93750A.006
109 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 011 here 93750A.007
110 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 012 here 93750A.008
111 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 013 here 93750A.009
112 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 014 here 93750A.010
113 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 015 here 93750A.011
114 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 016 here 93750A.012
115 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARINGInsert offset folio 017 here 93750A.013
116 

MINORITY VIEWS OF REP. NITA LOWEY AND REP. CHAKA 

FATTAH 

We commend Chairman Rogers and Chairman Culberson for 

their overall efforts in assembling the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) bill. We acknowledge that they have 

made an effort to fund several important public investments at 

healthy funding levels. However, this bill also demonstrates that 

the mindless austerity of sequestration is preventing a great many 

critical national needs from receiving the resources necessary to ensure public safety, boost economic development, deliver a cost-effective 2020 Census, and much more. 

The House Republican ‘‘Work Harder for Less’’ budget resolution 

was opposed by every member on our side of the aisle because it 

makes it impossible to provide the funding necessary in the twelve 

appropriations bills to grow our economy and give hardworking 

Americans opportunity to succeed. Democrats much preferred the 

approach taken by the President, calling for an end to the sequester and more reasonable and realistic budgeting that could help 

families afford college, a home, and a secure retirement. 

Refusing to adopt a sufficient overall allocation for discretionary 

investments has a significant impact on the initiatives in all the 

appropriations bills that grow the economy, create jobs, and make 

us more secure. Although we appreciate the chairman’s efforts, the 

grossly inadequate allocation creates shortcomings that are evident 

in the FY 2016 Commerce, Justice and Science bill. 

While the Murray-Ryan plan was not perfect, another similar 

budget deal is essential for FY 2016 and beyond. Without such an 

agreement this year, our appropriations process is deeply imperiled. The sequester-level caps also would put discretionary funding 

at its lowest level, adjusted for inflation, since 2006. We must 

again act to ensure reasonable allocations for the important programs and investments funded through the appropriations process. 

While the Commerce-Justice-Science bill has a great many shortcomings due to its woefully inadequate allocation, we do want to 

highlight several efforts to which we, in working with Chairman 

Culberson, have been able to devote strong finding, including the 

following: 

• Neuroscience: Building on the work of the Interagency 

Working Group on Neuroscience, the bill provides an increase 

of $37.5 million above FY 2015, and $3 million above the Administration’s request for neuroscience activities at the National Science Foundation (NSF). This will allow NSF to continue its interdisciplinary approach to transforming our understanding of the mechanisms of the brain. Of the increase provided, $3,000,000 is to begin implementation the National 

Brain Observatory, which will make use of the data infrastructure of the NSF, the Department of Energy’s national laboratory network, and other applicable agencies to help 

neuroscientists collect, standardize, manage, and analyze the 

large amounts of data that will result from research attempting to understand how the brain functions. In addition to the 

funding increase, the report directs NSF to continue to organize an annual international conference on neuroscience, convening government representatives, neuroscience researchers, 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
117 

private entities, non-profit institutions and others to share research and foster collaboration around neuroscience research. 

We are on the cusp of significant breakthroughs related to the 

treatment of brain injuries, cognitive developmental disorders 

such as autism, and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that will have tremendous implications 

for the mental health of the American people and the cost of 

health care. 

• Youth Mentoring: The bill provides $95 million for Youth 

Mentoring. At a time when the number of people in Federal 

prison continues to rise, these programs are of vital importance 

in cutting the costs associated with crime and delinquency. We 

need to focus our resources on programs like these that provide 

early intervention to help positively influence the lives of our 

young people. 

• Weather Forecasting: As noted below, strong funding levels are provided both for National Weather Service operating 

expenses as well as for weather research and for the procurement of two critical upcoming weather satellites. 

The FY 2016 bill approved by the Committee provides net budget authority of $51.4 billion, an increase of nearly $1.3 billion above 

FY 2015. However, this comparison is very misleading, as significant differences in Asset Forfeiture Fund balances, rescissions, and 

scorekeeping adjustments exist between FY 2015 and FY 2016. 

When comparing total new discretionary budget authority between 

FY 2015 and FY 2016, the committee bill is essentially frozen at 

the FY 2015 level and a full $3.5 billion below the President’s FY 

2016 request. 

Within this allocation, the bill provides some increases to most 

federal law enforcement components and most federal science efforts. However, a large number of the CJS bill’s ongoing and critical public investments simply do not receive adequate levels of resources in this bill, with many cut below current levels of effort. In 

particular, the bill contains very damaging cuts in state and local 

law enforcement, legal aid to the poor, climate research, and a 

number of other responsibilities. As the process moves forward, we 

hope to work with our colleagues on the other side to reform the 

overall budget framework and provide vital resources in these and 

other areas, while preserving the positive aspects of the bill. Given 

the wide array of public needs that must be funded at workable 

levels in this bill, our careful attention to all of these efforts is absolutely crucial. 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

With regard to Title I of the bill, we appreciate the strong funding level for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), 

which will allow MBDA to continue to assist minority-owned enterprises as they work to create jobs across the country. There is a 

modest increase for the Regional Innovation Strategies program. 

The increase for the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), while 

not quite up to the President’s request, will allow BIS to continue 

its efforts to protect national security while coping with an increased workload of export license applications. Within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there are 

strong finding levels for National Weather Service operating exVerDate Sep 11 2014 10:57 May 28, 2015 Jkt 094720 PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR130.XXX HR130

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
118 

penses and near-term satellites, weather research, and certain 

NOAA fisheries programs. 

At the same time, however, many important responsibilities in 

other areas are badly underfunded. The International Trade Administration and Economic Development Administration, both of 

which play very important roles in helping to create American jobs, 

are frozen at the current funding level and far below the President’s request. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, which advances U.S. technological innovation and industrial competitiveness, is cut below FY 2015 and more than $264 

million below the President’s request. 

The Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau are 

critical national institutions that enable policymakers and the general public to better understand and predict changes in the American economy and the health of American communities, which in 

turn helps inform good public policy. Yet both agencies are woefully 

underfunded in this bill. 

In particular, the bill’s funding level for the Census Bureau is 

completely shortsighted and would actually cost taxpayers billions 

more in the long run. The Bureau is cut nearly $387 million below 

the President’s request. This cut is completely unacceptable and 

will greatly damage the Bureau’s 2020 Census preparations. Specifically, it would force huge reductions in 2020 Census systems research, development, and testing efforts, which are essential to ensuring that the 2020 Census operates in a more cost-effective manner than previous decennial censuses. The innovative census design options being tested by the Census Bureau include new methodologies to conduct address canvassing, innovative ways of optimizing self-response, the use of administrative records to reduce 

the nonresponse follow-up workload, and the use of technology to 

replace tasks traditionally conducted by temporary employees and 

their supervisors during field operations. These changes could potentially save taxpayers up to $5 billion dollars at the end of this 

decade, compared to business-as-usual methods. But in order to ensure these cost-saving measures can be put in place in a timely 

manner, a significant amount of system research, development, and 

testing needs to be conducted over the next several years, in time 

to enable a complete end-to-end systems test in 2018. This end-toend test, in turn, is absolutely critical—it is exactly what was missing from both the 2010 Census and other failed government information technology ventures that experienced billions in cost overruns as a result. In order to avoid seeing this happen again, Congress needs to sufficiently fund the Census Bureau, but the Bureau’s funding level in this bill clearly falls far short of what is required. 

Within NOAA, while weather forecasting and research are wellfunded, we are greatly disappointed by damaging cuts in other 

areas. In particular, a number of programs important to the economic vitality of coastal and Great Lakes areas are cut below FY 

2015 levels, including Coastal Zone Management Grants, Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas, Fisheries Habitat Management and Restoration, Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring, and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. In 

addition, no funding at all is provided for Regional Coastal Resilience Grants. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
119 

Furthermore, while the bill does provide full funding for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite System, the Joint 

Polar Satellite System, and certain other weather observation infrastructure, no funding is provided for the Polar Follow-on, which 

the Administration proposed and an independent senior review 

team recommended as a way to help build backup redundancy into 

the polar-orbiting weather satellite system. In addition, no funding 

is provided for NOAA’s request for a new ocean survey vessel. This 

request is part of a NOAA initiative to recapitalize its fleet. Without recapitalization, NOAA’s fleet will decline by 50 percent between FY 2016 and FY 2028. These vessels perform a wide variety 

of critical missions, including repairing both weather buoys and 

tsunami detection buoys, and mapping the ocean floor to support 

nautical charts. 

Furthermore, we are greatly disappointed that the Committee 

bill slashes funding for important climate science efforts of NOAA 

and its external partners. The Committee provides $128 million for 

NOAA climate research, a cut of $30 million (19%) below FY 2015 

and $60.8 million (32%) below the Administration’s request. According to the third National Climate Assessment, released in May 

2014, the average temperature in the U.S. increased by between 

1.3 and 1.9 degrees Fahrenheit since recordkeeping began in 1895, 

with 80 percent of this increase occurring since 1970. The assessment noted that impacts related to climate change are already evident in many sectors and are expected to become increasingly disruptive across the nation throughout this century. For example, 

storm surge on top of the rise in sea level exacerbates coastal flooding during hurricanes. Climate change is also increasing the risks 

of respiratory stress from poor air quality, heat stress, and the 

spread of foodborne, insectborne, and waterborne diseases. These 

are just some examples of what we face as a result of climate 

change. We must fully fund NOAA’s research in this area, which 

will greatly improve our nation’s ability to understand and predict 

climate change and thus enhance our ability to plan and respond. 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

For the Department of Justice (D0J), a total of $27.55 billion is 

provided, an increase of $857 million above FY 15 and $1.35 billion 

below the budget request. This increase is misleading, however, because last year, $1.1 billion in unobligated balances were used to 

fund Federal Prisoner Detention. 

The reduction of $6.5 million from General Administration 

threatens the Attorney General’s ability to manage a department 

responsible for enforcing the laws and defending the interests of 

the United States. 

The Committee report mentions several important areas for increased efforts in the General Legal Activities divisions such as 

cybercrime and intellectual property enforcement, strengthening 

foreign law enforcement and prosecution, and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty reform. However, no additional funding is provided for 

these efforts or for the Administration’s request for additional funding for increased civil rights enforcement. 

We are encouraged that $422.8 million is provided for Administrative Review and Appeals, $75.7 million above FY 2015. The increase would fund additional judge teams, improve technology, and 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
120 

establish a legal help desk. However, the funding level provided is 

$61.6 million below the request. Proposals to provide direct representation for minors and to expand the Legal Orientation Program were not funded. These efforts are essential to both efficient 

operations of the courts and to ensure fair outcomes for individuals 

in immigration proceedings. 

Increases above the FY 2015 level for Federal law enforcement 

and the Office of U.S. Attorneys will allow for continued efforts to 

conduct investigations, protect national security, and litigate civil 

and criminal cases. 

We are pleased that the bill provides $73 million for grants to 

improve the submission of records to the National Instant Criminal 

Background Check System, an increase of $18 million above the request and the same as the FY 2015 level. Furthermore, the bill 

provides $75 million for the Comprehensive School Safety Initiative, the same level of funding as proposed in the President’s budget and provided last year. This funding will continue to support research and to help schools implement evidence-based approaches to 

improving school safety. 

We are pleased that many important grant programs are protected through level funding or increases, including the State 

Criminal Alien Assistance Program, Crime Victims Fund programs, 

the Byrne-JAG formula grant program, the Justice Reinvestment 

Initiative, the Youth Mentoring program, and the Office on Violence Against Women grant programs. However, moving the Victims of Trafficking Grants into the Violence Against Women program area creates the illusion of an increase above the Administration’s request. Within the Byrne-JAG account, $20 million is provided for reimbursement for security costs at presidential nominating conventions. We would like to work to increase this to past levels as the 

process moves forward. 

However, the bill slashes state and local grant programs at DOJ overall. These programs receive a massive $325 million cut from 

the FY 2015 enacted level and $495 million below the President’s 

request. The bill eliminates the Research, Evaluation, and Statistics appropriations account, which provides funding for the Bureau 

of Justice Statistics and the National Institute of Justice. These 

agencies provide statistics, and research and evaluate programs. 

New bill language grants authority to shift other grant program 

funding to fund these activities, effectively further cutting into already low levels of funding for DOJ grant programs. 

Several important grant programs are eliminated entirely, including the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program, the 

Project Hope Opportunity Probation with Enforcement program, 

the Vision 21 program, Coverdell Forensic Science grants, the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction initiative, the National Center 

for Campus Public Safety, the Children Exposed to Violence Initiative, the John R. Justice grant program, and the Byrne Criminal 

Justice Innovation program. 

Juvenile Justice programs overall are decimated, with a cut of 

$68 million below FY 2015 and $155.9 million below the request. 

This includes the elimination of the Community-Based Violence 

Initiative, the National Forum on Youth Violence, Part B formula 

grants, the Local Delinquency Prevention Incentive grant program, 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
121 

the Children of Incarcerated Parents program, and a program targeting girls in the justice system. These eliminations would have 

severe consequences for at-risk and disadvantaged youth as well as 

those who depend on these resources to improve outcomes for these 

young people. 

The most egregious of these cuts is the elimination of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring program. This important public safety program is cut by $180 million below FY 2015 

and $249.5 million below the request. Had it been funded at the 

request, this program would have provided for the hiring of approximately 1,300 new law enforcement professionals. The overall 

funding provided for the COPS account in the bill is misleading— 

of the $237.5 million provided in the account, only $5 million is for 

COPS-administered programs. Programs funded or requested in 

other accounts were moved into the COPS account to create the illusion of increased funding. While Byrne-JAG funding can be used 

for hiring, that is only one of many allowable uses—the program 

is not intended to target the hiring of new officers. 

We are disappointed that most of the Administration’s proposed 

new grant programs were not funded in the bill. For example, 

these initiatives would seek to improve equal access to justice, support better police-community relations, and combat violent extremism, among other activities. Moving forward, funding for these 

and other important programs should be included in the final FY 

2016 CJS Appropriations Act. 

SCIENCE

The Committee is to be commended for making National Science 

Foundation (NSF) funding a priority in the bill. The bill provides 

$7.4 billion overall for NSF, $50 million above the FY 2015 level 

and $329.4 million below the request. For NSF’s Research and Related Activities account, the bill provides $5.98 billion, $50 million 

above FY 2015 and $202.7 million below the request. 

However, we are disappointed that report language accompanying the bill is included that will force NSF to cut approximately $257 million from two research directorates: Geosciences 

and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences. This cut of 16% 

would have a devastating impact on research supported by these 

directorates, cutting research into areas as diverse as. prediction of 

extreme weather, disaster preparedness, cybersecurity, and children’s education and learning. Politically motivated cuts to science 

hinder discovery and innovation and seriously impair the United 

States’ global competitiveness. 

The bill provides a healthy overall total of $18.5 billion for the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), equal to 

the request, though with both increases and decreases relative to 

the request. We are disappointed that while strong funding levels 

are included for most activities in the Science account, Earth 

Science is cut by $89.6 million below FY 2015 and by $264.4 million below the request. Increases above FY 2015 are provided for 

the Commercial Crew program, aimed at ensuring U.S. access to 

low Earth orbit on American-made spacecraft, and for Space Technology. However, both of these programs are below the requested 

levels. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
122 

IRRESPONSIBLE GUN RIDERS

We continued to be extremely troubled by the inclusion of gunrelated riders, including one that would effectively prevent the enforcement of an existing requirement that Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in four southwest border states report to the National 

Tracing Center on the sale of certain kinds of semi-automatic rifles 

favored by the Mexican drug cartels. This reporting requirement is 

narrow and targeted, applying only to the four border states 

(Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California), and only when a 

dealer sells two or more qualifying long guns to a single individual 

within five business days. Qualifying guns are rifles that (1) are 

semi-automatic; (2) are greater than .22 caliber; and (3) can hold 

a detachable magazine. It does not apply to shotguns or the vast 

majority of rifles regularly used for hunting or sporting purposes. 

This reporting requirement is identical to one that has existed 

for decades for handguns, and in no way does it hinder the ability 

of any law-abiding person to purchase as many rifles as he desires. 

It is not an undue burden on FFLs, with the time to complete a 

multiple sales form estimated at 12 minutes and an estimated annual cost in employee time of only $16. 

This very limited reporting requirement has proven to be an important tool for Federal law enforcement in the effort to uncover illegal trafficking operations intended to supply semi-automatic 

weapons to the violent drug gangs across the border. According to 

the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), 

these multiple sales reports have thus far led to more than 200 defendants recommended for prosecution, including both alleged 

straw purchasers and others further up the firearms trafficking 

chain. Also according to ATF, the reporting requirement is forcing 

firearms traffickers to change tactics, making straw purchases 

more difficult and serving as a deterrent for many people who 

might have engaged in straw purchasing in the past. 

This is not about gun control or compiling a registry of long gun 

owners. Information that does not become part of a trafficking investigation is purged from ATF records within two years. This is 

a law enforcement response to the evidence from successful tracings of weapons recovered in Mexico. These tracings show that a 

large number of these weapons were initially sold by licensed gun 

dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas. 

In 2013, a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 

Fifth Circuit affirmed an earlier court finding that Federal law 

‘‘unambiguously authorizes’’ this reporting requirement. This Committee simply has no business in tying the hands of law enforcement agencies as they attempt to carry out Federal law. 

RELATED AGENCIES

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is irresponsibly cut by $75 

million below the FY 2015 level of $375 million, when it should 

have received an increase. This is the lowest level since FY 1999 

and is simply unacceptable. This misguided cut to the LSC will result in the termination of over 1,000 full-time staff including 430 

attorney positions. In addition, grantees will be forced to close 85 

offices, complete 150,000 fewer cases, and serve 350,000 fewer people. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
123 

The final FY 2015 CJS Act did provide a $10 million increase 

above FY 2014. The President recognized the need for additional 

funding by recommending $452 million in FY 2016 for the LSC. 

The harmful cut in the FY 2016 bill must be reversed. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

We are disappointed that the Committee did not adopt the Lowey 

amendment to allow the Department of Justice to block the sales 

of firearms to persons known or suspected to be engaged in conduct 

related to terrorism. Currently, Federal law prohibits nine categories of dangerous people from purchasing or owning firearms. 

However, Federal law does not allow the Attorney General the discretion to block a firearms purchase to an individual on a terror 

watch list. There have been consequences. On November 5, 2009, 

13 people were shot and killed and 30 others wounded by Major 

Nidal Hasan, who was able to pass a background check and buy 

a handgun even though he was under investigation by the FBI for 

links to terrorism. We believe that allowing the Attorney General 

the discretion to block these purchases is a common sense approach 

that should be widely supported. 

We are disappointed the Committee did not accept the Farr 

amendment to strike a new Cuba rider included in the bill. The 

rider appears to target certain categories of U.S. exports to Cuba 

authorized by the Obama Administration as part of its policy shift 

on Cuba. This bill is not the place to meddle in foreign policy. We 

are also deeply concerned by the way the Committee chose to deny 

a record vote on the Farr amendment to strike the Cuba rider. 

CONCLUSION

In spite of all our concerns, we would like to reiterate our appreciation for Chairman Culberson’s work with us on a number of 

issues. Within the constraints facing the bill, it does fund a number 

of the interests we have expressed. However, the shortcomings in 

this and other appropriations bills are many and very real. It is our 

firm hope that the Committee will be provided a sensible overall 

budget level which will provide a path forward for all of the FY 

2016 Appropriations bills. We look forward to the day when allocations across all Subcommittees are returned to acceptable levels 

and to working with the Chairman and the Members of this Committee to advance the process. 

NITA M. LOWEY. 

CHAKA FATTAH. 

Æ 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING