42–753 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 110–775 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND 

RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2009 

JULY 24, 2008.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas, from the Committee on Appropriations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 6599] 

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in 

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for 

military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and 

for other purposes. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose of the Bill ................................................................................................... 2 

Summary of Committee Recommendation ............................................................ 2 

Comparative Statement of New Budget Authority ............................................... 4 

Items of Interest ...................................................................................................... 13 

Department of Defense: 

Military Construction ....................................................................................... 16 

NATO Security Investment Program .............................................................. 24 

Family Housing Construction and Operation and Maintenance .................. 25 

Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide ............................... 30 

Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990 ..................................... 30 

Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005 ..................................... 31 

Administrative Provisions ................................................................................ 31 

Department of Veterans Affairs: 

Overview ............................................................................................................ 33 

Veterans Benefits Administration ................................................................... 34 

Veterans Health Administration ..................................................................... 38 

National Cemetery Administration ................................................................. 45 

Departmental Administration ......................................................................... 46 

Administrative Provisions ................................................................................ 51 


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Related Agencies: 

American Battle Monuments Commission ..................................................... 53 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims .................................................... 54 

Cemeterial Expenses, Army ............................................................................ 55 

Armed Forces Retirement Home ..................................................................... 55 

General Provisions ................................................................................................... 56 

Changes in Application of Existing Law ................................................................ 56 

Appropriations Not Authorized by Law ................................................................. 59 

Transfer of Funds .................................................................................................... 60 

Rescissions ................................................................................................................ 61 

Constitutional Authority ......................................................................................... 62 

Comparison With the Budget Resolution .............................................................. 62 

Five-Year Projection of Outlays .............................................................................. 62 

Financial Assistance to State and Local Governments ........................................ 62 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 62 

Compliance with Rule XIII ..................................................................................... 63 

Earmarks .................................................................................................................. 64 

State Project List ..................................................................................................... 93 

Additional Views ...................................................................................................... 111 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of the bill is to support our military and their families and provide the benefits and medical care that our veterans 

have earned for their service. This is accomplished through the programs funded in the bill. Programs that provide the facilities and 

infrastructure needed to house, train, and equip our military personnel to defend this nation; both in the United States and abroad; 

programs that provide the housing and military community infrastructure that sustains quality of life for them and their families; 

and programs that allow the military to efficiently and effectively 

maintain a right-sized base structure. The bill also funds programs 

to ensure that all of our veterans receive the benefits and medical 

care that they have earned as a result of the sacrifices they have 

made in their service to our country. Finally, the bill funds four related agencies that provide support to our nation’s heroes; the 

American Battle Monuments Commission, Cemeterial Expenses, 

Army (Arlington Cemetery), the United States Court of Appeals for 

Veterans Claims, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $118,726,081,000 in new budget authority for the programs and activities funded in the bill. This recommendation is an increase of $10,334,831,000 above the fiscal 

year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $3,382,000,000 above 

the President’s request. Included in this amount is $45,996,925,000 

in mandatory authority and $72,729,156,000 in discretionary authority. 

The Committee recommendation highlights the continued commitment to our servicemembers and their families and to our veterans. The bill includes significant increases in both the military 

construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs budgets. The 

total funding level for military construction is $24,800,239,000, a 

20 percent increase over the fiscal year 2008 enacted level. This 

level of unprecedented funding supports the servicemen and women 

and their families who are making the ultimate sacrifice during 

this time of war. The programs funded in the bill for the Department of Defense address the numerous challenges we have asked 

our military to accomplish simultaneously. These funds support an 


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increase in troop strength for both the Army and Marine Corps, 

continue the cleanup of military bases closed during Base Realignment and Closure rounds, resource the military’s global re-stationing plan, and ensure that our military personnel and their families’ quality of life is preserved within these plans. The total funding level of $93,685,057,000 for the Department of 

Veterans Affairs is a seven percent increase over the fiscal year 

2008 enacted level. The recommendation provides funding to increase support for benefits claims in order to reduce the claims 

processing backlog and length of time it takes to process an initial 

claim. The Committee also provides increases for medical care 

funding for all veterans and provides additional funding in order 

to increase Priority 8 enrollment by 10 percent, and to improve access to medical care for veterans where Veterans Health Administration services are not available. The Committee is also concerned 

with the backlog in non-recurring maintenance and has provided 

additional resources to address this issue. 

The following table compares amounts recommended in the bill 

to the President’s request and amounts appropriated in fiscal year 

2008: 


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ITEMS OF INTEREST

Quality of Life Initiative.—The Committee’s recommendation for 

military construction continues the initiative, begun in fiscal year 

2008, to provide additional quality of life facilities for military personnel and their families. The Committee’s recommendation therefore includes $199,200,000 for five additional troop housing facilities for Army and Marine Corps recruits and trainees. While both 

the Army and Marine Corps have made a commitment to fund improved barracks, the Committee believes that more effort is needed 

on behalf of marines and soldiers who are going through basic and 

advanced training. The Committee also recommends building upon 

a prior initiative by adding $136,481,000 for medical treatment facility design and construction. This will provide $57,900,000 to renovate the hospital at Camp Lejeune, which will add 7,410 marines 

under the Growing the Force initiative, and $78,581,000 to accelerate planning and design for a hospital replacement at Fort Bliss, 

which will receive four additional brigades by 2012 under Army 

plans for Base Realignment and Closure and global restationing. 

Report on Child Care Waiting Lists.—The Committee notes that 

the President has called for an increased commitment to providing 

child care and youth activity services to military families. The 

Committee fully supports this commitment and commends the Department of Defense for following the lead of Congress and increasing the number of child development and youth activity facilities 

from three in the fiscal year 2008 request to eleven in the fiscal 

year 2009 request. The Committee believes that more effort is 

needed, and to further this initiative, the Committee directs that 

the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force each provide a 

report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the current waiting list for child care services at each installation no later than August 1, 2008. 

BRAC, Global Restationing, Growing the Force, and Local School 

Impacts.—The Committee remains concerned by the impact that 

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), global restationing, and 

the Growing the Force initiative will have on the ability of localities near growing bases to accommodate increased demands for offbase infrastructure such as schools. In order to help local communities plan and budget for such impacts, the Committee directs the 

Department of Defense to keep the responsible authorities fully informed about the effects of force structure changes on base populations. The Committee further directs the Army and Marine Corps 

to submit no later than October 1, 2008, and semi-annually thereafter, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an updated report on projected base population increases for 

those installations that will add at least 1,000 permanent party 

military personnel (compared to the 2003 baseline) under BRAC, 

global restationing, and Growing the Force. In addition to the total 

growth in base population for each such installation from 2003– 

2013, this report shall provide, at minimum, a breakout of the data 

for each such installation showing the growth during the same period in the numbers of permanent party active duty military members, Department of Defense civilians, Reserve component personnel, students and trainees, contractors, military family members, school age children of military family members, and school 


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age children of DoD civilians. In addition, the report shall also contain a description of the status of local school construction efforts 

at all installations with an expected base population growth of 20 

percent or more. 

Management of Overseas Basing.—On September 17, 2004, the 

Department of Defense delivered its ‘‘Report to Congress on 

Strengthening U.S. Global Defense Posture’’, inaugurating what it 

described as ‘‘the most profound re-ordering of U.S. military forces 

overseas since our current posture was cemented at the end of 

World War II and the Korean War.’’ The report announced a shift 

away from forward-stationed garrisons to deter specific threats toward a flexible network of smaller, but rapidly expandable, sites to 

meet a wide range of possible contingencies. This shift toward forward operating sites and cooperative security locations reduced the 

need for new overseas military construction projects and increased 

reliance on host nation and contractor-maintained facilities. The 

Committee is concerned that the Department has not made a concomitant effort to ensure that planning, budgeting, and financial 

management practices are in place to ensure adequate oversight of 

the costs and operations of this new base structure. Currently, 

management and oversight are fragmented between different command levels of both the services and the Combatant Commands, 

defeating transparency and accountability. The Committee therefore directs the Department to include, with the Overseas Master 

Plan submission in 2009, a management annex that describes current arrangements for planning, programming, budgeting, financial 

management, and contract management for overseas bases, as well 

as initiatives being taken to correct deficiencies in such arrangements. The Committee understands that the Army has instituted 

a pilot program under which the Installation Management Command will assume responsibility for the forward operating site at 

Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras. The management annex shall 

also include an assessment of this pilot program and a discussion 

of both ‘‘lessons learned’’ and the prospect of applying this approach to all overseas forward operating sites and cooperative security locations. 

Need for Review of Global Basing Strategy.—The Committee is 

also concerned by recent developments that have called into question the underlying rationale of the Integrated Global Presence and 

Basing Strategy (IGPBS) that was developed from the global posture review. In response to concerns expressed by the Commander 

of European Command (EUCOM) about the adequacy of the forces 

to be left within the EUCOM area of responsibility by IGPBS, the 

Secretary of Defense decided in 2007 to extend two brigade combat 

teams (BCTs) in Germany until 2012–2013, during which these two 

BCTs purportedly will be moved to the United States, though it is 

unclear whether the reasons necessitating this extension will no 

longer apply by then. The Secretary also decided recently to halt 

the planned removal of approximately 3,500 troops from Korea, for 

reasons that are not entirely clear. Furthermore, the decision by 

the Administration to create Africa Command (AFRICOM) has 

opened the question of what basing structure in Africa should be 

created to support this new command. Finally, the conflicts in Iraq 

and Afghanistan have demonstrated a need to reconcile this new 

basing approach to long-term conflicts involving continuous rotaVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:14 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 043694 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR775.XXX HR775

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tion of large forces to the same areas over a period of many years, 

blurring the distinction between ‘‘forward-deployed’’ and ‘‘forwardstationed’’ forces, and between ‘‘expeditionary’’ and ‘‘enduring’’ locations. The new Global Posture strategy rested on certain key assumptions, such as: 

(1) Pursuant to the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, the 

U.S. should shift its approach to strategic planning from a 

‘‘threat-based’’ approach to a ‘‘capabilities-based’’ approach. 

This approach is expressed in the statement of the September 

2004 report that ‘‘we cannot know exactly where or when we 

will be called on to fight’’; 

(2) U.S. military forces would acquire and maintain the necessary capabilities in mobility, deployment readiness, and expeditionary base construction to overcome any reduction in the 

advantages of forward stationing; and 

(3) Overseas force reductions in certain areas could be implemented without any undue harm to U.S. relationships with 

host nations, NATO, or new security commitments. 

The Committee believes that the next Administration should conduct a reassessment of these assumptions and adjust the Integrated Global Presence and Basing Strategy to account for developments that were not anticipated or accounted for by the Department in its initial global posture review. 

Africa Command.—The Committee is concerned about the Department’s conflicting indications regarding the future permanent 

headquarters of Africa Command. The Committee has been informed in the past that headquarters locations in the United States 

were ruled out; however, recent reports suggest that U.S. locations 

will be included in a comprehensive survey of potential locations, 

in addition to those in Africa and Europe. The Committee therefore 

directs the Department of Defense to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on potential 

future locations for AFRICOM headquarters no later than December 31, 2008. This report shall include, at minimum: (1) the fundamental considerations that need to be taken into account in the 

siting of an AFRICOM headquarters, such as proximity to the area 

of responsibility, utilization of existing U.S. infrastructure including State Department facilities, host nation political sensitivities, 

and consistency with AFRICOM’s structure and mission; (2) the 

specific criteria to be considered in deciding between specific locations within the African continent, should that be the chosen approach; (3) the merits and disadvantages of keeping AFRICOM 

headquarters at its current location in Stuttgart, Germany; and (4) 

a comprehensive listing of all specific locations that have been considered. In addition, this report shall include an assessment of existing cooperative security locations and forward operating sites in 

Africa and the extent to which they meet AFRICOM’s mission requirements. This report may be submitted in classified form. 

Inflation in Military Construction.—The Committee remains very 

concerned by the inadequacy of inflation factors used to form the 

budget requests for military construction and family housing. The 

baseline construction inflation rate used by the Department of Defense, which is based on the gross domestic product price index 

rather than indices of material and labor costs in the construction 

sector, is merely 2 percent for fiscal year 2009. This figure is grossVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:14 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 043694 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR775.XXX HR775

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ly out of step with the construction inflation estimates reported by 

the private sector. The Committee also notes a report by the Department that the fiscal year 2008 Base Realignment and Closure 

program would require 11 percent additional funding if the 2007, 

rather than 2006, pricing guidance had been used to form that program. The Committee is fully supportive of efforts by the Department to more accurately account for recent changes and regional 

variation in the construction market through the use of more upto-date pricing guidance and area cost factors. However, the Committee believes that the overall military construction budget will 

continue to be at risk if the baseline inflation rate does not better 

reflect actual market conditions. The failure to fully account for 

these conditions is evidenced by the increased number of scope reductions, project cancellations, and reprogramming requests in recent years. The Committee therefore directs the Department to incorporate more realistic inflation estimates into its construction 

program. The Committee further directs the Department to report 

to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

the baseline inflation rate used to form the fiscal year 2010 military construction and family housing request, along with a comparison of this figure to the construction inflation rate used by 

other Federal agencies in their fiscal year 2010 budget requests for 

construction. This report shall be submitted no later than seven 

days after the submission of the fiscal year 2010 budget request. 

Fort Monmouth.—The Committee is concerned that the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have not taken adequate 

steps to ensure the availability of medical services for veterans and 

military retirees after the scheduled closure of Fort Monmouth, 

which will occur by September 2011. The Committee therefore directs the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs jointly to 

submit a report on how the medical service needs of these populations will be addressed, including the potential need for new facilities, no later than January 30, 2009. 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescissions) .................... $9,926,457,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 11,362,876,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill (including rescissions) ...... 11,741,876,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 1,815,419,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 379,000,000 

Military construction accounts provide funds for new construction, construction improvements, planning and design, and host nation support. Projects funded by these accounts include facilities for 

operations, training, maintenance, research and development, supply, medical care, and force protection, as well as unaccompanied 

housing, utilities infrastructure, and land acquisition. 

The Committee recommends a total appropriation of $11,814,466,000 and rescissions of $72,590,000 for Military Construction, an increase of $1,815,419,000 above the fiscal year 2008 


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enacted level and an increase of $379,000,000 above the budget request. 

Use of Planning and Design Funds to Source Reprogrammings.— 

The Committee notes with concern the increased utilization of 

planning and design funds to offset prior approval reprogramming 

requests. Planning and design funds are appropriated by the Committee to ensure that the Future Years Defense Program for military construction and family housing is adequately scoped and executable upon the approval of construction funds. The Committee 

expects that such funds will be used solely for this purpose. The 

increasing frequency of the use of such funds to offset shortfalls in 

actual construction indicates two things: first, that the Department 

has failed to adequately budget for inflation in the construction 

market to the point where incidental bid savings on certain 

projects are no longer adequate to cover unforeseeable cost increases on other projects; and second, that the Department has 

overestimated its planning and design requirements in previous 

budget submissions. To correct for the over-estimation of planning 

and design funds, the Committee recommends the following adjustments to military construction planning and design accounts: 

Army, ¥$30,000,000; Air Force, ¥$5,000,000; Defense-Wide, 

¥$5,000,000 (Special Operations Command, ¥$2,500,000; National Security Agency, ¥$2,500,000); and Army National Guard, 

¥$10,000,000. The Committee further encourages the services and 

Defense agencies to make greater use of alternatives to the designbid-build approach, such as design-build and early contractor involvement. 

Innovative Construction Methods.—The Committee notes that the 

current level of spending on military construction is higher, in constant dollars, than during any sustained period since the mid1950s. Given the enormous volume of construction to be executed 

to satisfy the requirements of Base Realignment and Closure, global restationing, Growing the Force, and numerous other initiatives, 

the Committee encourages the Department of Defense to make full 

use of innovative construction techniques, such as standard designs 

and permanent modular facilities, consistent with departmental 

goals for sustainability, recapitalization, quality of life, and operational requirements. 

Submission of Project-Level Detail for Military Construction Initiatives.—The Committee is concerned by indications that the Department of Defense may include a lump-sum request for military 

construction associated with the relocation of Marine Corps personnel and dependents from Okinawa to Guam in the fiscal year 

2010 budget request, rather than specifying individual projects in 

accordance with normal practice. The Committee has rejected this 

approach when the Department has requested lump-sum appropriations for previous military construction initiatives, such as the 

Growing the Force initiative for the Army and Marine Corps. The 

Committee directs the Department to ensure that all military construction requests for initiatives, including the relocation to Guam, 

comprise specific projects that are individually scoped and executable in the year of appropriation, and to submit the corresponding 

project-level detail, including 1391 forms, to the Committee along 

with any such requests. 


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Incremental Funding of Military Construction Projects.—The 

Committee will continue to exercise its prerogative to recommend 

incremental funding of military construction projects where appropriate, in accordance with authorizing legislation. The Committee 

recommends incremental funding for the Command and Battle 

Center at Wiesbaden, Germany under Military Construction, Army. 

Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization 

(FSRM).—The Department is directed to continue describing on 

form 1390 the backlog of FSRM requirements at installations with 

future construction projects. For troop housing requests, form 1391 

should describe any FSRM conducted in the past two years. Likewise, future requirements for unaccompanied housing at the corresponding installation should be included. Additionally, the forms 

should include English equivalent measurements for projects presented in metric measurement. Rules for funding repairs of facilities under the Operation and Maintenance accounts are described 

below: 

(1) components of the facility may be repaired by replacement. Such replacement can be up to current standards or 

codes; 

(2) interior arrangements and restorations may be included 

as repair; 

(3) additions, new facilities, and functional conversions must 

be performed as military construction projects. Such projects 

may be done concurrently with repair projects as long as the 

final conjunctively funded project is a complete and usable facility; and 

(4) the appropriate service Secretary shall notify the appropriate committees 21 days prior to carrying out any repair 

project with an estimated cost in excess of $7,500,000. 

Transfer of Funds to Foreign Currency Account.—The Committee 

directs the Department of Defense to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 

December 1, 2008, on the amounts of expired funds transferred 

from military construction and family housing accounts to the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense account at the 

end of fiscal year 2008. 

Projects.—Congress has made significant reforms in the way it 

reviews funding for the Federal government; reforms which the 

Committee takes very seriously as it executes its constitutional authority. Earmarking or directed spending of Federal dollars does 

not begin with Congress. It begins with the Executive Branch. The 

Administration, in selecting projects, goes through a process that 

is the functional equivalent of earmarking. When the Committee 

reviews the budget request, it goes through a process of rigorous 

review and may alter or modify this list to reflect additional priorities. The Committee is concerned that Executive Order 13457 effectively gives the Administration line-item veto authority over 

military construction projects funded in the bill, which would negatively impact the long history of cooperation the Committee has 

had with the Department of Defense regarding such projects. 

Therefore, the Committee has included bill language incorporating 

the military construction projects specified in the table entitled 

‘‘Military Construction’’ that appear on pages 93 through 110 into 

the text of the bill by reference. 


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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescissions) .................... $3,927,893,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 4,615,920,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill (including rescissions) ...... 4,750,216,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 822,323,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 134,296,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,801,536,000 

and rescissions of $51,320,000 for Military Construction, Army, an 

increase of $822,323,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level 

and an increase of $134,296,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee recommends the following rescissions due to bid 

savings and cancellations of previously appropriated projects: 

Public law/location Project title Conference 

Agreement 

PL 110–5 (FY 2007); 

NC: Fort Bragg ....... Digital Multipurpose Range Complex .............................................................. ¥20,000,000 

Italy: Vicenza .......... Barracks Complex (PN 61847) ........................................................................ ¥4,980,000 

Italy: Vicenza .......... Barracks Complex (PN 62438) ........................................................................ ¥4,440,000 

Italy: Vicenza .......... Brigade Complex .............................................................................................. ¥5,300,000 

Subtotal, PL 110–5 .......................................................................................................................... ¥34,720,000 

PL 110–161 (FY 2008): 

NV: Hawthorne Army 

Depot.

Ground Water Treatment Plant ........................................................................ ¥3,500,000 

NY: Fort Drum ........ Brigade Complex-Company Operations ........................................................... ¥6,600,000 

TX: Fort Bliss .......... Health and Dental Clinic ................................................................................. ¥6,500,000 

Subtotal, PL 110– 

161.

.......................................................................................................................... ¥16,600,000 

Total ..... .......................................................................................................................... ¥51,320,000 

Virginia-Fort Myer: Hatfield Gate Expansion.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $300,000 be made available for the design 

of this project. 

Unaccompanied Housing Privatization Feasibility Study.—The 

Committee notes that the Army has committed to fully funding the 

modernization of 147,700 permanent party barracks spaces by fiscal year 2013, two years later than the previous, pre-Growing the 

Force target of 134,500 spaces. While the Army should be commended for making this commitment to better housing for unaccompanied soldiers, the Committee is concerned that budgetary 

pressures will lead to further extensions of the timeline for completion. The Committee believes that the Army should consider the 

possibility of expanding unaccompanied housing privatization for 

both senior and junior enlisted personnel. The Committee therefore 

directs the Army to study the feasibility of such an initiative and 

report its findings to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress no later than December 31, 2008. This study 

shall analyze both the financial and legal aspects of privatization, 

as well as potential impacts on command, unit cohesion, and quality of life. 


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Army Medical Action Program.—The Committee is concerned 

that current facilities for the Army Medical Action Program 

(AMAP) are insufficient for their purpose, as indicated by the recent report that wounded warriors suffering from post-traumatic 

stress disorder at one installation are regularly exposed in their 

current housing to the noise of gunfire from nearby training 

ranges. Although the Army included $138,100,000 for such facilities in the fiscal year 2008 emergency supplemental request, the 

Committee understands that the full estimated requirement for 

AMAP military construction is approximately $1,400,000,000. The 

Department of Defense has not responded to repeated Committee 

requests for a full list of AMAP projects and the associated 1391 

forms. The Committee finds this unacceptable and directs the 

Army to submit a list of all AMAP projects and the associated 1391 

forms to the Committee no later than July 18, 2008. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescissions) .................... $2,187,837,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 3,096,399,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 3,280,809,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 1,092,972,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 184,410,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,280,809,000 

for Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps, an increase of 

$1,092,972,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $184,410,000 above the budget request. 

Maine-Portsmouth NSY: Dry Dock #3 Waterfront Support Facility.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $1,450,000 be made available for the design of this project. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $1,149,277,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 934,892,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill (including rescissions) ...... 958,843,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... (190,434,000) 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 23,951,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $976,524,000 

and rescissions of $17,681,000 for Military Construction, Air Force, 

a decrease of $190,434,000 below the fiscal year 2008 enacted level 

and an increase of $23,951,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee recommends the following rescissions due to bid 

savings from previously appropriated projects: 

Public law/location Project title Conference 

Agreement 

PL 109–114 (FY 2006); 

Korea; Kunsan AB .. Dormitory .......................................................................................................... ¥1,359,000 

PL 110–5 (FY 2007): 

AK: Eielson AFB ...... Add/Alter Physical Fitness Center ................................................................... ¥1,415,000 

AK: Elmendorf AFB F/A–22 Corrosion Control/Low Observable Composite Repair Facility ........... ¥1,119,000 

HI: Hickam AFB ...... C–17 Fuel Cell Nose Dock ............................................................................... ¥1,047,000 

Subtotal, PL 110–5 .......................................................................................................................... ¥3,581,000 


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Public law/location Project title Conference 

Agreement 

PL 110–161 (FY 2008): 

AK: Elmendorf AFB F–22A Taxiway, Taxilanes & Arm/De-Arm Apron ............................................ ¥12,741,000 

Total ..... .......................................................................................................................... ¥17,681,000 

Arizona-Luke AFB: Repair Runway Pavement.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $1,755,000 be made available for the design 

of this project. 

Texas-Lackland AFB: Security Forces Building, Phase 1.—Of the 

funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $900,000 be made available for 

the design of this project. 

Texas-Laughlin AFB: Student Officer Quarters, Phase 2.—Of the 

funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $1,440,000 be made available for 

the design of this project. 

Texas-Randolph AFB: Fire and Rescue Station.—Of the funds 

provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee 

directs that not less than $972,000 be made available for the design of this project. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescissions) .................... $1,599,404,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 1,783,998,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill (including rescission) ........ 1,610,861,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 11,457,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ (173,137,000) 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,614,450,000 and a rescission of $3,589,000 for Military Construction, DefenseWide, an increase of $11,457,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted 

level and a decrease of $173,137,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee recommends the following rescission due to the 

cancellation of a previously appropriated project: 

Public law/location Project title Conference 

Agreement 

PL 108–324 (FY 2005): 

VA: Oceana NAS ..... Bulk Fuel Storage Tank ................................................................................... ¥3,589,000 

Total .............. .......................................................................................................................... ¥3,589,000 

Medical Treatment Facilities Construction.—The Committee is 

greatly concerned with the large backlog of needed recapitalization 

for medical treatment facilities for military servicemembers and 

their families. The current Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) 

for Tricare Management Activity military construction averages 

$412,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2009 through 2013, and 

much of this amount is accounted for by medical research facilities. 

With the services identifying recapitalization requirements ranging 

in the several billions of dollars, the current FYDP for medical construction is obviously and severely insufficient. The Department’s 

inventory of medical treatment facilities is riddled with aging hosVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:14 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 043694 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR775.XXX HR775

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22 

pitals, clinics, and other facilities that do not meet current standards for medical care. Adding to this problem is the fact that several installations are adding thousands of personnel and dependents due to base realignment and closure, the relocation of units 

from Europe and Korea to the United States, and the Growing the 

Force initiative that will add 92,000 active duty personnel to the 

Army and Marine Corps. The Committee therefore directs the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive master plan for 

medical treatment facilities construction, to include both recapitalization and new requirements. This plan shall include a comprehensive priority list of projects for all services, provide a cost estimate for each project, supply data on the current state of facilities 

and the projected change in demand for services due to growth for 

each location on the list, indicate the extent to which identified 

construction requirements are programmed in the FYDP, and indicate the resources required for associated planning and design 

work. This report shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than December 31, 

2008. 

Department of Defense Education Activity.—The Committee is 

concerned that the current rate of funding for Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) construction is not sufficient to 

maintain the quality of schools deserved by the children of 

servicemembers. The Committee therefore directs DODEA to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress on the status of its military construction program no 

later than December 31, 2008. The report shall include, at minimum: (1) a comprehensive list of all current DODEA schools and 

a quality assessment of each school’s facilities, indicating where facilities are nonexistent, undersized, or otherwise inadequate to 

carry out authorized activities; (2) a comprehensive list of all construction projects required to bring facilities up to current standards as indicated by the DODEA Education Facilities Specifications 

and eliminate temporary facilities, as well as the estimated cost of 

each project; (3) the impact of base realignment and closure and 

global restationing actions on the student populations of affected 

schools; and (4) an estimate of the total annual sustainment, restoration and modernization funds required to maintain the facilities of each DODEA district at current codes and the Departmentprescribed recapitalization rate. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescissions) .................... $536,656,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 539,296,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 628,668,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 92,012,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 89,372,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $628,668,000 for 

Military Construction, Army National Guard, an increase of 

$92,012,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $89,372,000 above the budget request. 

Maryland-Dundalk: Readiness Center Add/Alt.—Of the funds 

provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee 


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23 

directs that not less than $579,000 be made available for the design of this project. 

Minnesota-Arden Hills ATS: Infrastructure Improvements.—Of 

the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the 

Committee directs that not less than $1,005,000 be made available 

for the design of this project. 

North Carolina-Camp Butner: Training Complex.—Of the funds 

provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee 

directs that not less than $1,376,000 be made available for the design of this project. 

Pennsylvania-Honesdale: Readiness Center Add/Alt.—Of the 

funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $504,000 be made available for 

the design of this project. 

Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh: Combined Support Maintenance 

Shop.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $3,250,000 be made 

available for the design of this project. 

South Carolina-Sumter: Readiness Center.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $382,000 be made available for the design 

of this project. 

Vermont-Ethan Allen Range: Readiness Center.—Of the funds 

provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee 

directs that not less than $323,000 be made available for the design of this project. 

Virginia-Fort Belvoir: Readiness Center and NGB Conference 

Center.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $1,085,000 be made 

available for the design of this project. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $287,537,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 34,374,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 142,809,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... (144,728,000) 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 108,435,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $142,809,000 for 

Military Construction, Air National Guard, a decrease of 

$144,728,000 below the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $108,435,000 above the budget request. 

Illinois-Greater Peoria RAP: C–130 Squadron Operations Center.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, 

the Committee directs that not less than $400,000 be made available for the design of this project. 

Massachusetts-Otis ANGB: TFI Digital Ground Station FOC Beddown.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $1,700,000 be made 

available for the design of this project. 

Rhode Island-Quonset State AP: Replace Control Tower.—Of the 

funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not less than $600,000 be made available for 

the design of this project. 


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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $148,133,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 281,687,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 282,607,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 134,474,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 920,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $282,607,000 for 

Military Construction, Army Reserve, an increase of $134,474,000 

above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of 

$920,000 above the budget request. 

Texas-Bryan: Reserve Center.—Of the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the Committee directs that not 

less than $920,000 be made available for the design of this project. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY RESERVE

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $64,430,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 57,045,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 57,045,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... (7,385,000) 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $57,045,000 for 

Military Construction, Navy Reserve, a decrease of $7,385,000 

below the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the same as the budget request. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescission) ...................... $25,290,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 19,265,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 30,018,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 4,728,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 10,753,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,018,000 for 

Military Construction, Air Force Reserve, an increase of $4,728,000 

above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of 

$10,753,000 above the budget request. 

Massachusetts-Westover ARB: Joint Service Lodging Facility. Of 

the funds provided for planning and design in this account, the 

Committee directs that not less than $943,000 be made available 

for the design of this project. 

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION SECURITY INVESTMENT

PROGRAM

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $201,400,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 240,867,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 218,867,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 17,467,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ (22,000,000) 

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment 

Program (NSIP) consists of annual contributions by NATO member 

countries. The program finances the costs of construction needed to 

support the roles of the major NATO commands. The investments 

cover facilities such as airfields, fuel pipelines and storage, harbors, 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
25 

communications and information systems, radar and navigational 

aids, and military headquarters. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $218,867,000 for NSIP, an increase of $17,467,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and a decrease of $22,000,000 below the budget request. 

The decrease from the budget request is due to the Committee’s 

recommendation to appropriate the funds for the Department of 

Defense contribution to the new NATO headquarters facility under 

Military Construction, Defense-Wide, rather than under NSIP. 

Occasionally, the U.S. has been forced to delay temporarily the 

authorization of projects due to shortfalls in U.S. obligation authority. The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the 

Committee 30 days prior to taking such action. 

FAMILY HOUSING OVERVIEW

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescissions) .................... $2,866,724,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 3,203,455,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 3,166,455,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 299,731,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ (37,000,000) 

Family housing construction accounts provide funds for new construction, construction improvements, the Federal government 

costs for family housing privatization projects, and planning and 

design. The operation and maintenance accounts provide funds to 

pay for maintenance and repair, furnishings, management, services, utilities, leasing, interest, mortgage insurance, and miscellaneous expenses. 

The Committee recommends a total appropriation of $3,166,455,000 for the family housing construction and operation 

and maintenance accounts, an increase of $299,731,000 above the 

fiscal year 2008 enacted level and a decrease of $37,000,000 below 

the budget request. 

Report on Government-Owned Family Housing.—The Committee 

understands that the Department of Defense defines an inadequate 

family housing unit as any unit requiring whole-house repair, improvement, or replacement exceeding a per unit cost of $50,000 adjusted by the area cost factor. The Committee further understands 

that the Services utilize condition assessments, based on private 

sector housing industry construction codes and sizing standards, as 

the basis for determining whether a unit meets the threshold of inadequacy. The Committee is concerned that this minimal definition 

of inadequacy will result in a remnant of Government-owned housing that does not keep pace with the rising expectations of 

servicemembers and their families due to the success of privatization. The Committee therefore directs the Secretaries of the Army, 

Navy and Air Force to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the application of the 

DoD definition of inadequate housing no later than December 31, 

2008. This report shall include at minimum: (1) a detailed description of the condition assessment method utilized, including the specific basis of sizing standards; (2) a breakdown of the total units 

currently assessed as ‘‘adequate’’ into quintiles according to the per 

unit cost of whole-house repair, improvement, or replacement; and 

(3) a breakdown of all government-owned units, both adequate and 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
26 

inadequate, by installation (along with an indication, where applicable, of those units for which a privatization, replacement, or improvement project is currently programmed in the Future Years 

Defense Program). 

Growing the Force and Family Housing Requirements.—The 

Growing the Force initiatives to add 92,000 active duty personnel 

to the Army and Marine Corps will generate significant new requirements for family housing. At the direction of the Committee, 

both the Army and Marine Corps submitted a stationing plan indicating the units and numbers of personnel to be added to each installation. The Committee directs the Secretaries of the Army and 

the Navy to submit a plan for addressing the additional family 

housing requirements due to Growing the Force. This plan shall 

specify, by each affected installation, the projected additional family members, the projected requirement for privatized or government-owned military family housing, the current housing deficit (if 

any) at the installation, the projects programmed into the current 

Future Years Defense Plan to address the requirement, and a target date for meeting the requirement. This plan shall be submitted 

no later than December 31, 2008. 

Family Housing Privatization Progress Reports.—The Committee 

directs the Department of Defense to continue submitting semi-annual progress reports on the family housing privatization program, 

including a breakout of military tenant satisfaction rates by 

project. 

Foreign Currency Savings and Sub-Account Transfers.—The 

Committee directs that savings from foreign currency re-estimates 

be used to maintain existing family housing units. The Comptroller 

is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress on how these savings are allocated by December 1, 2008. In addition, the Committee directs the Services and 

Defense agencies to notify the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress within 30 days of a transfer of funds between subaccounts within the family housing construction and family housing operation and maintenance accounts, if such transfer is 

in excess of 10 percent of the funds appropriated to the sub-account 

to which the funds are being transferred. Notifications to the Committees shall indicate the sub-accounts and amounts that are being 

used to source the transfer. 

Leasing Reporting Requirements.—The Secretary of Defense is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress quarterly on the details of all new or renewed 

domestic leases entered into during the previous quarter that exceed the cost threshold set by 10 U.S.C. 2828(b)(2), including certification that less expensive housing was not available for lease. 

For foreign leases, the Department is directed to: (1) perform an 

economic analysis on all new leases or lease/contract agreements 

where more than 25 units are involved; (2) report the details of 

new or renewed lease agreements that exceed the cost threshold 

set by 10 U.S.C. 2828(e)(1) 21 days prior to entering into such an 

agreement; and (3) base leasing decisions on the economic analysis. 

Projects.—Congress has made significant reforms in the way it 

reviews funding for the Federal government; reforms which the 

Committee takes very seriously as it executes its constitutional authority. Earmarking or directed spending of Federal dollars does 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
27 

not begin with Congress. It begins with the Executive Branch. The 

Administration, in selecting projects, goes through a process that 

is the functional equivalent of earmarking. When the Committee 

reviews the budget request, it goes through a process of rigorous 

review and may alter or modify this list to reflect additional priorities. The Committee is concerned that Executive Order 13457 effectively gives the Administration line-item veto authority over 

military construction projects funded in the bill, which would negatively impact the long history of cooperation the Committee has 

had with the Department of Defense regarding such projects. 

Therefore, the Committee has included bill language incorporating 

the housing construction projects specified in the table entitled 

‘‘Military Construction’’ that appear on pages 93 through 110 into 

the text of the bill by reference. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescission) ...................... $419,841,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 678,580,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 646,580,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 226,739,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ (32,000,000) 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $646,580,000 for Family Housing Construction, Army, an increase of $226,739,000 

above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and a decrease of 

$32,000,000 below the budget request. The appropriation includes 

$226,000,000 to construct new family housing units, $420,001,000 

to improve or privatize existing units, and $579,000 for planning 

and design. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $731,920,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 716,110,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 716,110,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... (15,810,000) 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $716,110,000 for 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army, a decrease of 

$15,810,000 below the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the same 

as the budget request. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $293,129,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 382,778,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 382,778,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 89,649,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $382,778,000 for 

Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps, an increase 

of $89,649,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the 

same as the budget request. The appropriation includes 

$62,598,000 to construct new family housing units, $318,011,000 to 

improve or privatize existing units, and $2,169,000 for planning 

and design. 


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28 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY AND

MARINE CORPS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $371,404,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 376,062,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 376,062,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 4,658,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $376,062,000 for 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine 

Corps, an increase of $4,658,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted 

level and the same as the budget request. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level (including rescission) ...................... $312,747,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 395,879,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 395,879,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 83,132,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $395,879,000 for 

Family Housing Construction, Air Force, an increase of $83,132,000 

above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the same as the budget request. The appropriation includes $71,828,000 to construct 

new family housing units, $316,343,000 to improve or privatize existing units, and $7,708,000 for planning and design. 

Air Force Family Housing Privatization.—The Committee is concerned with the status of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative projects at Moody AFB, Patrick AFB, Hanscom AFB, and Little Rock AFB. The Committee recommends that the Air Force establish a single point of contact for each project to assist and provide information to all concerned parties until the sale of these 

projects is concluded and the initial development phase is completed at each site. The Committee urges the Air Force to resolve 

the status of these projects expeditiously, and to address, to the 

maximum extent possible, the concerns of those parties (such as 

subcontractors) not directly involved in negotiations on the sale of 

these projects. The Committee directs the Air Force to report to the 

Committee on the status of these four projects no later than August 1, 2008. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $688,335,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 599,465,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 594,465,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... (93,870,000) 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ (5,000,000) 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $594,465,000 for 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force, a decrease 

of $93,870,000 below the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and a decrease of $5,000,000 below the budget request. 


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FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $48,848,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 49,231,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 49,231,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 383,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $49,231,000 for 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, an increase of $383,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the 

same as the budget request. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $500,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 850,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 850,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 350,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Family Housing Improvement Fund (FHIF) is authorized by 

section 2883, title 10, United States Code, and provides the Department of Defense with authority to finance joint ventures with the 

private sector to revitalize and to manage the Department’s housing inventory. The statute authorizes the Department to use limited partnerships, make direct and guaranteed loans, and convey 

Department-owned property to stimulate the private sector to increase the availability of affordable, quality housing for military 

personnel. 

The FHIF is used to build or renovate family housing by mixing 

or matching various legal authorities, and by utilizing private capital and expertise to the maximum extent possible. The fund is administered as a single account without fiscal year limitations and 

contains appropriated and transferred funds from family housing 

construction accounts. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $850,000 for the 

Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund, an increase of $350,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the 

same as the budget request. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE FUND

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... - - - 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... $4,500,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 4,500,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 4,500,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Homeowners Assistance Fund account finances the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) which provides assistance to individual military and Federal civilian homeowners who sustain 

losses on the sales of their primary residences due to declining real 

estate markets attributable to the closure or realignment of military installations. This non-expiring revolving fund receives funding from several sources, including appropriations, borrowing authority, reimbursable authority, prior fiscal year unobligated balances, appropriation transfers, revenue from sale of acquired properties, and recovery of prior year obligations. 


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30 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,500,000 for 

the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Fund, an increase of $4,500,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and 

the same as the budget request. 

CHEMICAL DEMILITARIZATION CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $104,176,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 134,278,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 134,278,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 30,102,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide account provides funds for the design and construction of full-scale 

chemical disposal facilities and associated projects to upgrade installation support facilities and infrastructures required to support 

the Chemical Demilitarization program. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $134,278,000 for 

Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide, an increase 

of $30,102,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the 

same as the budget request. 

Projects.—Congress has made significant reforms in the way it 

reviews funding for the Federal government; reforms which the 

Committee takes very seriously as it executes its constitutional authority. Earmarking or directed spending of Federal dollars does 

not begin with Congress. It begins with the Executive Branch. The 

Administration, in selecting projects, goes through a process that 

is the functional equivalent of earmarking. When the Committee 

reviews the budget request, it goes through a process of rigorous 

review and may alter or modify this list to reflect additional priorities. The Committee is concerned that Executive Order 13457 effectively gives the Administration line-item veto authority over construction projects funded in the bill, which would negatively impact 

the long history of cooperation the Committee has had with the Department of Defense regarding such projects. Therefore, the Committee has included bill language incorporating the construction 

projects specified in the table below into the text of the bill by reference. 

CHEMICAL DEMILITARIZATION CONSTRUCTION

[In thousands of dollars] 

Location FY 2009 administration request 

Colorado: Pueblo Chem-Agent Disposal Pilot Plant ............................................ 65,060 

Kentucky: Blue Grass Chem-Agent Disposal Pilot Plant .................................... 57,218 

Kentucky: Blue Grass Army Depot Defense Access Road ................................... 12,000 

BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACCOUNT 1990 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $295,689,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 393,377,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 473,377,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 177,688,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 80,000,000 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
31 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $473,377,000 for 

the Base Realignment and Closure Account 1990, an increase of 

$177,688,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $80,000,000 above the budget request. Of the amount provided above the budget request, the Committee directs that 

$60,000,000 shall be made available to the Navy, and $20,000,000 

shall be made available to the Army. The Committee is aware that 

there is a backlog of remaining requirements, particularly for 

cleanup of unexploded ordnance, for closed installations dating 

back to the 1988 BRAC round. The Committee is concerned by the 

slow pace of progress in remediating these properties and directs 

the Department of Defense to make funding for previous BRAC 

rounds a higher priority. 

BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACCOUNT 2005 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $7,235,591,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 9,065,386,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 9,065,386,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 1,829,795,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,065,386,000 

for the Base Realignment and Closure Account 2005, an increase 

of $1,829,795,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the 

same as the budget request. This funding supports the most recent 

base realignment and closure round which affects over 800 locations across the nation through 24 major closures, 24 major realignments, and 765 other actions. 

Traffic Impacts at BRAC-Affected Installations.—The Committee 

is concerned about the potential for increased traffic congestion at 

the new military medical facility to be constructed in Bethesda, 

Maryland through the Base Realignment and Closure process. The 

Committee supports the responsible commander’s decision to request certification for two projects under the Defense Access Roads 

(DAR) program, and urges the Department to expeditiously review 

this request. The Committee also directs the Department of Defense to proactively identify all other necessary transportation improvements at BRAC-affected installations that may be eligible for 

DAR certification. When environmental impact statements identify 

specific projects that are needed, the Committee directs the Department to ensure that a needs report is generated and reviewed as 

expeditiously as possible. The Committee further directs the Department to aggressively plan and budget for DAR-certified projects 

arising from BRAC actions. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The bill includes 27 provisions that were included in the fiscal 

year 2008 enacted appropriations bill. The bill does not include one 

new provision proposed by the Administration that would provide 

for new starts under a continuing resolution. The administrative 

provisions included in the bill are as follows: 

Section 101 prohibits the use of funds for payments under a costplus-a-fixed-fee contract for construction where cost estimates exceed $25,000. An exception for Alaska is provided. 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
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Section 102 permits the use of construction funds for the hire of 

passenger motor vehicles. 

Section 103 permits funds to be expended on the construction of 

defense access roads under certain circumstances. 

Section 104 prohibits construction of new bases in the United 

States without a specific appropriation. 

Section 105 limits the use of funds for the purchase of land or 

land easements that exceed 100 percent of value except under certain conditions. 

Section 106 prohibits the use of funds to acquire land, prepare 

sites, or install utilities for family housing except housing for which 

funds have been appropriated. 

Section 107 limits the use of minor construction funds to be 

transferred or relocated from one installation to another. 

Section 108 prohibits the procurement of steel unless American 

producers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been allowed to 

compete. 

Section 109 prohibits the use of funds to pay real property taxes 

in foreign nations. 

Section 110 prohibits the use of funds to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification. 

Section 111 establishes a preference for American architectural 

and engineering services where the services are in Japan, NATO 

member countries, and countries bordering the Arabian Gulf. The 

Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 112 establishes a preference for American contractors for 

military construction in the United States territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, except bids by Marshallese contractors for 

military construction on Kwajalein Atoll. 

Section 113 requires the Secretary of Defense to give prior notice 

to Congress of military exercises where construction costs, either 

temporary or permanent, exceed $100,000. The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 114 limits obligations to no more than 20 percent during 

the last two months of the fiscal year. The Administration proposed 

to delete this provision. 

Section 115 allows funds appropriated in prior years to be used 

for new projects authorized during the current session of Congress. 

Section 116 allows the use of expired or lapsed funds to pay the 

cost of supervision for any project being completed with lapsed 

funds. 

Section 117 provides that funds for military construction projects 

are available until the end of the fourth fiscal year following the 

fiscal year in which funds are appropriated, subject to certain conditions. 

Section 118 requires the Secretary of Defense to report annually 

on actions taken during the current fiscal year to encourage other 

member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and United States allies 

bordering the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of defense 

costs. The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 119 allows for the transfer of proceeds from ‘‘Base Realignment and Closure Account, Part I’’ to the continuing Base Realignment and Closure accounts. 


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Section 120 allows for the transfer of funds from Family Housing, Construction accounts to the Department of Defense Family 

Housing Improvement Fund and funds from Military Construction 

accounts to the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied 

Housing Improvement Fund. The Administration proposed to modify this provision. 

Section 121 requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congressional Committees sixty days prior to issuing a solicitation for a 

contract with the private sector for military family housing. The 

Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 122 provides transfer authority to the Homeowners Assistance Program. 

Section 123 requires that funds in this title be the sole source of 

all operation and maintenance for flag and general officer quarter 

houses, and limits the repair on these quarters to $35,000 per year 

without notification. The Administration proposed to modify this 

provision. 

Section 124 makes funds in the Ford Island Improvement Fund 

available until expended. 

Section 125 prohibits the use of funds for military construction, 

family housing, or land acquisition projects at installations closed 

or realigned under BRAC, except under certain conditions. The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 126 allows the transfer of expired funds to the ‘‘Foreign 

Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense’’ account. This provision was included in the fiscal year 2007 House passed appropriations bill and is proposed by the Administration in fiscal year 2008. 

Section 127 prohibits the use of funds for any action related to 

the expansion of Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado. The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ....................................................... 1 $87,595,142,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................... 1 90,761,057,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ........................................ 1 93,685,057,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ............................................... 6,089,915,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ............................................ 2,924,000,000 1 All funding cited above excludes amounts in the Medical Care Collections Fund. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the largest Federal 

agencies in terms of employment with an average employment of 

approximately 253,000. The nation has more than 23,500,000 veterans, and 35,900,000 family members of living veterans and survivors of deceased veterans. Thus, close to 59,400,000 people, comprising about 19.6 percent of the total population of the United 

States, are potential recipients of veterans benefits provided by the 

Federal government. 

The Committee recommends a total of $93,685,057,000 in new 

budget authority for programs in fiscal year 2009, an increase of 

$6,089,915,000 or seven percent above the fiscal year 2008 enacted 

level and an increase of $2,924,000,000 above the budget request. 

The funds recommended provide compensation payments to 

3,356,343 veterans and survivors of deceased veterans with serviceconnected disabilities; pension payments to 517,736 non-serviceVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:14 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 043694 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR775.XXX HR775

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connected disabled veterans, widows and children in need of financial assistance; education training, tuition assistance, and vocational assistance to 567,854 veterans, servicemembers, and reservists, and 82,728 eligible dependents of deceased veterans or seriously disabled veterans; housing credit assistance in the form of 

180,000 guaranteed loans to veterans and servicemembers; administration or supervision of life insurance programs with 7,087,725 

policies for veterans and active duty servicemembers providing coverage of $1,084,862,000,000; inpatient care and treatment of beneficiaries in 153 hospitals, 50 domiciliary residential rehabilitation 

treatment programs (formerly called ‘‘domiciliaries’’), 135 nursing 

homes, and 1,089 outpatient clinics, which includes independent, 

satellite, community-based, and rural outreach clinics involving 

70,457,000 visits; and administration of the National Cemetery Administration for burial of eligible veterans, servicemembers and 

their survivors. 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $41,236,322,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 43,111,681,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 43,111,681,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 1,875,359,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ ............................

This appropriation provides funds for service-connected compensation payments to an estimated 3,356,343 beneficiaries and 

pension payments to another 517,736 beneficiaries with non-service-connected disabilities. The average cost per compensation case 

in 2009 is estimated at $11,817, and pension payments are projected at a unit cost of $7,737. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $43,111,681,000 

for compensation, pension, and burial benefits, an increase of 

$1,875,359,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the 

same as the budget request. 

The appropriation includes authority to transfer funding not to 

exceed $26,798,000, of which $9,853,000 is for the General Operating Expenses account and $13,792,000 is for the Medical Support 

and Compliance and Information Technology Systems accounts. 

These funds are for the administrative expenses of implementing 

cost saving provisions required by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public Law 101–508, the Veterans’ Benefits Act 

of 1992, Public Law 102–568, and the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1994, Public Law 103–446. These cost saving provisions include verifying pension income against Internal Revenue 

Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) data; establishing a match with the SSA to obtain verification of Social Security numbers; and the VA pension cap for Medicaid-eligible single 

veterans and surviving spouses alone in Medicaid-covered nursing 

homes. The bill also includes language permitting this appropriation to reimburse such sums as may be earned to the medical care 

collections fund to help defray the operating expenses of individual 

medical facilities for nursing home care provided to pensioners. 


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The Committee concurs with the Administration proposal to provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), based on the change in the 

Consumer Price Index, to all compensation beneficiaries, including 

dependency and indemnity compensation for spouses and children. 

This adjustment is currently estimated at 2.5 percent and is the 

same as the COLA that will be provided, under current law, to veterans’ pension and Social Security recipients. The increase, effective December 1, 2008, has an estimated cost of $687,235,000 during fiscal year 2009 and is reflected in the Compensation and Pensions appropriation level. 

Burial Benefits.—The Committee is concerned about the eroding 

value of the plot allowance and burial benefits provided to our nation’s veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Because the 

benefits are not indexed to inflation, their value continues to diminish each year. As a result, families and state veterans’ cemeteries have been left to cover the increasing costs. The Committee 

urges the Department to assess the viability of increasing the plot 

allowance and burial benefits to cover the same percentage of veterans’ burial costs that they covered in 1973, when they were initiated. 

READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $3,300,289,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 3,086,944,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 3,086,944,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... (213,345,000) 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

This appropriation finances the education and training of veterans and servicemembers whose initial entry on active duty took 

place on or after July 1, 1985. These benefits are included in the 

All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program. Eligibility to 

receive this assistance began in 1987. Basic benefits are funded 

through appropriations made to the Readjustment Benefits appropriation and transfers from the Department of Defense. Supplemental benefits are also provided to certain veterans through education assistance to certain members of the Selected Reserve and 

are funded through transfers from the Department of Defense. In 

addition, certain disabled veterans are provided with vocational rehabilitation, specially adapted housing grants, and automobile 

grants with approved adaptive equipment. 

This account also finances educational assistance allowances for 

eligible dependents of those veterans who died from service-connected causes or have a total and permanent service-connected disability as well as dependents of servicemembers who were captured 

or missing-in-action. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,086,944,000 

for Readjustment Benefits, a decrease of $213,345,000 below the 

fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the same as the budget request. 


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VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $41,250,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 42,300,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 42,300,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 1,050,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Veterans Insurance and Indemnities appropriation is made 

up of the former appropriations for military and naval insurance, 

applicable to World War I veterans; national service life insurance 

(NSLI), applicable to certain World War II veterans; servicemen’s 

indemnities, applicable to Korean conflict veterans; and the veterans mortgage life insurance, applicable to individuals who have 

received a grant for specially adapted housing. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $42,300,000 for 

Veterans Insurance and Indemnities, an increase of $1,050,000 

above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and the same as the budget request. The amount provided will enable the Department to 

transfer funding to the service-disabled veterans insurance fund 

and transfer additional amounts for payments for the 2,250 policies 

under the veterans mortgage life insurance program. These policies 

are identified under the Veterans Insurance and Indemnity appropriation since they provide insurance to service-disabled veterans 

unable to qualify under basic NSLI. 

VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Program account 

Limitation on direct 

loans for specially 

adapted housing 

loans 

Administrative expenses 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................ $17,389,000 $500,000 $154,562,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ............................................. 2,000,000 500,000 157,210,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill .................................... 2,000,000 500,000 157,210,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ....................................... (15,389,000) .............................. 2,648,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request .................................... .............................. .............................. ..............................

The purpose of the home loan guaranty program is to facilitate 

the extension of mortgage credit on favorable terms by private 

lenders to eligible veterans. This appropriation provides for all 

costs, with the exception of the Native American veterans housing 

loan program, of the Department’s direct and guaranteed loans programs. The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 requires budgetary 

resources to be available prior to incurring a direct loan obligation 

or a loan guaranty commitment. In addition, the bill requires all 

administrative expenses of a direct or guaranteed loan program to 

be funded through a program account. Loan guaranties are made 

to servicemembers, veterans, reservists, and single surviving 

spouses for the purchase of homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes and for refinancing loans. The Department guarantees 

part of the total loan, permitting the purchaser to obtain a mortgage with a competitive interest rate, even without a down payment if the lender agrees. The Department requires that a down 

payment be made for a manufactured home. With a Department 

guaranty, the lender is protected against loss, up to the amount of 

the guaranty, if the borrower fails to repay the loan. 


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The Committee recommends such sums as may be necessary (currently estimated to total $2,000,000) for funding subsidy payments, $500,000 for the limitation on direct loans for specially 

adapted housing loans, and $157,210,000 for administrative expenses. 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Program account Limitation on direct 

loans 

Administrative expenses 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................ $71,000 $3,287,000 $311,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ............................................. 61,000 3,180,000 320,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill .................................... 61,000 3,180,000 320,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ....................................... (10,000) (107,000) 9,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request .................................... .............................. .............................. ..............................

This appropriation covers the funding subsidy cost of direct loans 

for vocational rehabilitation of eligible veterans and, in addition, it 

includes administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct 

loan program. Loans of up to $1,041 (based on indexed chapter 31 

subsistence allowance rate) are available to service-connected disabled veterans enrolled in vocational rehabilitation programs when 

the veteran is temporarily in need of additional assistance. Repayment is made in monthly installments, without interest, through 

deductions from future payments of compensation, pension, subsistence allowance, educational assistance allowance, or retirement 

pay. Most loans are repaid in full in less than one year. The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 requires budgetary resources to be 

available prior to incurring a direct loan obligation. 

The Committee recommends $61,000 for funding subsidy program costs and $320,000 for administrative expenses. The administrative expenses may be transferred to and merged with the General Operating Expenses account. 

In addition, the Committee includes language limiting direct loans to $3,180,000. It is estimated that the Department will make 

4,021 loans in fiscal year 2009, with an average amount of $791. 

NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Administrative expenses: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $628,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget recommendation ........................................ 646,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 646,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 18,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

The Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, as authorized by title 38 United States Code, chapter 37, subchapter V, provides the Secretary with authority to make direct housing loans to 

Native American veterans for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, or improving dwellings on trust lands. The Committee 

recommends the budget request of $646,000 for administrative expenses of the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, 

which may be transferred to and merged with the General Operating Expenses account. 


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GUARANTEED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOANS FOR HOMELESS

VETERANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Public Law 105–368, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 

1998, established this program. All funds authorized for this program were appropriated in fiscal year 2000. Therefore, no appropriation request has been included for fiscal year 2009. Bill language is included allowing the use of up to a total of $750,000 in 

Medical Support and Compliance and General Operating Expenses 

funds to administer this program. 

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

The Department operates the largest Federal medical care delivery system in the country, with 153 hospitals, 50 domiciliary residential rehabilitation treatment programs (formerly called ‘domiciliaries’), 135 nursing homes, and 1,089 outpatient clinics which include independent, satellite, community-based, and rural outreach 

clinics. 

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is comprised of four 

accounts: Medical Services, Medical Support and Compliance, Medical Facilities, and Medical and Prosthetic Research. For these accounts, the Administration has requested total resources of 

$39,178,503,000 in direct appropriations and $2,544,000,000 in 

Medical Care Collections Fund appropriations, to fund the various 

operating programs of the VHA. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $40,783,270,000 for these accounts. This is an increase of $3,582,050,000 above the 

fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $1,604,767,000 

above the budget request. The Committee recommendation uses 

the rate of health care spending growth reported by the Center for 

Medicare and Medicaid Services which is higher than the inflation 

rate used by the Department to build the request. The recommendation also provides additional funding to address specific 

healthcare issues. 

Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund.—Recent reports continue to 

highlight the importance of cooperation between the Department of 

Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs in order to ensure a 

seamless transition for our veterans, to identify the best treatment 

plans, and to ensure care is available to veterans in all areas of the 

nation. The Committee is pleased by the progress the Departments 

have made this year towards greater cooperation to include: providing liaisons to key organizations such as the National Intrepid 

Center of Excellence for Traumatic Brain Injury, and the Office of 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; providing Federal Recovery Coordinators at several Military Treatment Facilities; continuing work 

on the establishment of International Classification of Diseases— 

9th Revision (ICD–9) codes for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI); and 

continuing efforts on shared electronic medical information. Despite 

these efforts, much still needs to be done. The bill includes language to allow the Department to transfer a minimum of 

$15,000,000 to the DoD/VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund. 

The Committee directs that these funds are to be used for joint programs between the Department of Defense and the Department of 

Veterans Affairs that seek to improve the continuity of care for veterans and expects the Departments to continue their efforts in the 


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development of programs to track trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress 

Disorder (PTSD), and TBI patients and their treatment/progress 

over time and through both medical systems; the development of 

comprehensive and universal clinical practice guidelines based on 

evidence-based medicine and clinical efficacy for blast injuries, 

traumatic brain injuries and PTSD; access to services through joint 

clinics; and projects that promote a seamless transition to include 

programs that improve the electronic exchange of information. The 

Committee also expects the Departments to increase their efforts 

in the area of suicide prevention. 

Traumatic Brain Injury.—The Committee notes that Traumatic 

Brain Injury (TBI) was included as a Select Program in the budget 

submission. The Department of Veterans Affairs is directed to continue to include TBI as a Select Program in all future budget submissions. All reports indicate that Traumatic Brain Injury is 

among the signature injuries of the Global War on Terror. The 

Committee recognizes that the Department is working diligently to 

address the challenges associated with this injury through early detection and treatment and urges the Department to continue its 

work and take every opportunity to partner with the Department 

of Defense. The Committee encourages the Department to consider 

neurocognitive screening as a detection option. Additionally, the 

Committee directs the Department to report to the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by February 27, 2009 on 

the steps that are being taken to ensure that this patient population continues to be followed after initial treatment and that the 

VHA is fully prepared to address their future medical needs. The 

Committee urges the Department to continue its efforts to refine 

current International Classification of Diseases—9th Revision 

(ICD–9) codes to better reflect the TBI patient population within 

the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The Department 

of Veterans Affairs is directed to include an update of progress on 

the revision of the ICD–9 codes for TBI within the quarterly status 

reports provided to Congress during fiscal year 2009. 

Innovations.—The Committee believes that investing in innovation is a key factor in ensuring a responsive, efficient, quality 

healthcare system and commends the Department for providing 

funds from the National Reserve Fund to finance innovation. The 

Committee feels that more can be done, however, to test and adopt 

innovations from the private sector and encourages the Department to increase funding for this program so that additional public/ 

private pilot projects may be implemented in fiscal year 2009. The 

Committee directs the Department to report to the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress annually on the funding 

provided for innovation from the National Reserve Fund for the 

previous fiscal year by April 1st of each year. 

Priority 8 Enrollment.—The Committee believes that the Department should do everything possible to increase access to medical 

care for all our veterans, but not in a manner that will negatively 

impact the medical care of currently enrolled patients. The Secretary is directed to increase Priority 8 enrollment by 10 percent, 

(an enrollment level increase the Committee believes appropriate 

for VHA capacity and current patient projections) in fiscal year 

2009 and provide this enrollment to Priority 8 veterans with the 

lowest income level. The Committee estimates that it will require 


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an additional $568,000,000 in order to implement this direction 

and has provided increases within the medical accounts accordingly. The Secretary is further directed to report to the Committees 

on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 90 days of enactment of this Act on the Department’s progress. 

Federal Recovery Coordinators.—The Report on the President’s 

Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors, 

July 2007, emphasized the importance of the Federal Recovery Coordinator’s role in the ‘‘system of care that enables injured service 

members to maximize their recovery and their opportunity to return to the mainstream of American life’’. The budget submission 

indicates that the Office of Care Management and Social Work 

Service was created and that eight Federal Recovery Coordinators 

were hired in order to implement this recommendation. The Committee is concerned that current staffing levels for this program 

may be insufficient to address the needs of both current wounded 

and the additional wounded that will enter this system. The Committee directs the Secretary to report by January 30, 2009, to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the 

progress of this program and the actions that will be taken to ensure that there are sufficient Federal Recovery Coordinators. Additionally, the report will provide a review of the resources that both 

the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense 

have provided to the Recovery Plan efforts. 

Diabetes.—More than 70 percent of veterans who seek medical 

care through the VHA are overweight and 20 percent of the patient 

population has diabetes; which is a rate that is almost three times 

higher than the general population. The Committee is encouraged 

by the efforts that the Department has taken to address the challenges of obesity and diabetes to include: the Managing Overweight/Obesity for Veterans Everywhere (MOVE) Program; and the 

expansion of the formulary to include innovative drug therapies. 

The Committee urges the Department to continue to increase its 

emphasis on this issue through even greater partnership with local 

communities and other federal agencies on programs for obesity 

and diabetes prevention; additional research; and adherence to nationally recognized clinical guidelines for treatment and care. 

Access to Care in the Chattanooga, Tennessee Market.—The Committee notes that the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced 

Services (CARES) report recognized that access to inpatient and 

surgical services in the Chattanooga, Tennessee market needed improvement. The CARES solution was to recommend that the Department use existing authorities and policies to contract for inpatient and surgical care to improve access in this market. The Committee believes that access has not improved and directs the Secretary to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress by January 30, 2009 on what actions the Department plans to take to improve access in this area. 


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MEDICAL SERVICES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level 1 ........................................................ $28,105,220,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request 2 ..................................................... 29,819,503,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 30,854,270,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 2,749,050,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 1,034,767,000 1 Reflects funding transfer approved by the Committee on April 17, 2008. 

2The budget request included funding for ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’ as part of this account. 

This appropriation provides for medical services of eligible veterans and beneficiaries in Department medical centers, outpatient 

clinic facilities, contract hospitals, State homes, and outpatient programs on a fee basis. Hospital and outpatient care is also provided 

by the private sector for certain dependents and survivors of veterans under the civilian health and medical programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,854,270,000 for Medical Services, an increase of $2,749,050,000 or 9.8 percent 

above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level when adjusted for transfers and an increase of $1,034,767,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee estimates that $400,000,000 will be needed to increase enrollment of Priority 8 veterans by 10 percent and has increased funding accordingly. Funding has also been increased an 

additional $100,000,000 to increase the beneficiary travel reimbursement mileage rate to 41.5 cents per mile from the current 

rate of 28.5 cents per mile; an additional $10,000,000 for new Vet 

Centers; an additional $200,000,000 to increase the availability of 

fee-based services; an additional $116,000,000 for new generation 

prosthetics; an additional $32,000,000 to allow for additional personnel for the HUD–Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program 

to address an anticipated increase in the number of section 8 

vouchers approved and directs the Department to increase the 

number of case workers as necessary to accommodate the increase 

in vouchers; and an additional $8,000,000 to increase the homeless 

grant and per diem program to the authorized level of 

$130,000,000. 

The Committee has included bill language to make available 

through September 30, 2010, up to $1,350,000,000 of the Medical 

Services appropriation. 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.—While the Committee is encouraged by recent progress the Department has made 

to include: the policy to allow comorbid inpatient treatment of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse disorder; the establishment of a suicide hotline in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services; the increase in mental health 

initiative funding; and the increase of 23 additional Vet Centers, 

the Committee believes that much more can be done by the Department to provide for our veterans who are struggling with mental 

illness and/or substance abuse. The Committee was disappointed 

that the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not highlight substance abuse as a Select Program and is concerned that this oversight may reflect a reduced interest in this program. The Committee expects that not less than $584,000,000 will be spent on the 

Substance Abuse Treatment Program in fiscal year 2009. The ComVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:14 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 043694 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR775.XXX HR775

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mittee has also included bill language to ensure that not less than 

$3,800,000,000 will be spent on specialty mental health care. The 

Committee expects the Department to utilize all available mental 

health resources to ensure access to mental health services for all 

veterans and to increase availability to fee-based services in areas 

where the Department is unable to offer care. The Department is 

further urged to continue work with the Department of Defense 

and Department of Health and Human Services to develop comprehensive and universal clinical practice guidelines based on evidence-based medicine for PTSD, and to increase work in the areas 

of suicide prevention and military sexual trauma. The Department 

is encouraged to consider all treatment options to include the feasibility of utilizing virtual reality exposure therapy in conjunction 

with neuroprotective antioxidant micronutrients, group psychotherapy; and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. 

The Committee remains concerned that additional action is needed to ensure that the Department is prepared to care for this patient population and directs the Secretary to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by January 30, 

2009 on actions taken to address the recommendations made by 

the Fourth National Summit on Women Veterans Issues, the actions taken to address the recommendations made by the ‘‘Blue 

Ribbon Work Group on Suicide Prevention in the Veteran Population’’, the actions taken to address the recommendations made by 

the expert panel in public health suicide programs, and the actions 

taken by the Department to ensure that the VHA is prepared both 

now and in the future to provide care for this population. Additionally, the Committee has included language directing the Office of 

Inspector General to conduct a review of the Department’s progress 

in the implementation of the recommendations of the Mental 

Health Strategic Plan. 

Access to Medical Care in Remote Areas.—The Committee continues to be concerned by reports of poor access to care for veterans 

living in rural areas, areas where VHA services are not available, 

and areas where travel to VHA facilities is lengthy or difficult. 

While the Committee agrees that VHA facilities are the preferred 

option for health care services and that the electronic health record 

reduces waste while improving treatment, the Committee notes 

that receiving care should be the first priority. The Committee has 

therefore provided an additional $200,000,000 for fee-based services. The Committee directs the Under Secretary for Health to distribute this funding outside of the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation process to regions where additional fee-based services are 

most needed. 

HIV/AIDS.—The Committee notes that the budget request has 

included $73,680,000 to update HIV testing policies, pending authorization. The Committee agrees with the funding and commends 

the Department for taking this action. 

Prosthetics.—The Committee recommends an additional increase 

of $116,000,000 above the budget request for new generation prosthetics. The Secretary is directed to review policies with regard to 

prosthetics and report to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress by January 30, 2009 on the steps taken to ensure that the Department is providing veterans with appropriate 

prosthetic support given recent advances in technology. 


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Outpatient Services for the Blind.—The Committee was pleased 

to see an increase in funding for Blind Rehabilitation Services and 

expects the Department to continue current outpatient services for 

the blind at no less than fiscal year 2008 levels. 

High Risk Populations.—The Committee believes that every effort should be made to increase research, develop early detection 

and prevention programs, and partner with the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services to develop 

comprehensive and universal clinical practice guidelines based on 

evidence-based medicine for diseases that are prevalent among the 

veteran population and/or the veteran population is at greater risk 

of contracting than other Americans. The Committee encourages 

the Department to consider increasing efforts for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; lung 

cancer screening technologies such as computed tomography scans 

and computer aided detection in conjunction with chest x-rays; photon-mediated pain treatment; ultrasonic bone stimulation on healing; and bladder cancer screening. 

Increase in Mileage Reimbursement Rate for Veterans.—The Committee has included an additional $50,000,000 for a total increase 

of $100,000,000, to increase the mileage reimburseent rate for veterans by an additional 6.5 cents, to 41.5 cents per mile. This further increase is necessary due to the fact that average retail gasoline prices have increased an average of $1.75 per gallon since January 2007 to a national average of over $4 per gallon. 

MEDICAL CARE COLLECTIONS FUND

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections 

Fund (MCCF) was established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 

(Public Law 105–33). The Department deposits first-party and 

pharmacy co-payments, third-party insurance payments and enhanced-use collections, long-term care co-payments, Compensated 

Work Therapy Program collections, Compensation and Pension Living Expenses Program collections, and Parking Program fees into 

the MCCF. The Congressional Budget Office estimate of fees that 

will be collected in fiscal year 2009 is $2,544,000,000. 

MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level 1 ........................................................ $4,062,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request 2 ..................................................... 4,256,000,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 4,400,000,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 338,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 144,000,000 1 Reflects funding transfer approved by the Committee on April 17, 2008. 

2The budget request included this funding in the ‘‘Medical Services’’ account. 

The Medical Support and Compliance appropriation funds the expenses of management and administration of the Department’s 

health care system to include financial management, public health 

and environmental hazard, quality and performance management, 

medical inspection, human research oversight, training programs 

and continuing education, security, volunteer operations, and 

human resources. 

The Committee recommends $4,400,000,000 for Medical Support and Compliance, an increase of $338,000,000 above the fiscal year 

2008 enacted level and an increase of $144,000,000 above the budgVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:14 Jul 25, 2008 Jkt 043694 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR775.XXX HR775

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et request. The Committee estimates that an additional 

$100,000,000 will be needed to increase enrollment of Priority 8 

veterans by 10 percent and has increased funding accordingly. 

The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 2010, up to $250,000,000 of the Medical 

Support and Compliance appropriation. 

Third-Party Collections.—The Committee is concerned about a 

recent GAO report that reiterates findings that third party billing 

and collection processes at the Department continue to be ineffective and limit the revenue received from third party insurance companies. Significant dollars continue to go uncollected, dollars that 

could be used to further improve the quality and quantity of veterans health care. The Committee believes the Department could 

do more to increase third party collections and directs the Department to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress by August 1, 2008 on the specific actions 

taken to improve third party collections, the results of the Revenue 

Improvement Demonstration pilot project directed in House Report 

109–305, and the feasibility of establishing consolidated patient account centers. 

Increasing Collaborations at Veterans Health Administration Facilities.—The Committee is encouraged by the progress the Department has made in increasing its collaborations with minority 

health schools. The Committee has heard testimony, however, 

about the need for increased efforts and therefore, directs the Department to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress by January 30, 2009 on the actions 

taken to improve collaboration with minority health professions 

schools. 

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level 1 ........................................................ $4,260,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 4,661,000,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 5,029,000,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 769,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 368,000,000 1 Reflects funding transfer approved by the Committee on April 17, 2008. 

The Medical Facilities appropriation provides funds for the operation and maintenance of the Department’s health care system’s 

capital infrastructure. Included under this heading are provisions 

for costs associated with utilities, engineering, capital planning, 

leases, laundry, groundskeeping, garbage, housekeeping, facility repair, and property disposition and acquisition. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,029,000,000 

for Medical Facilities, an increase of $769,000,000 above the fiscal 

year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $368,000,000 above the 

budget request. The Committee estimates than an increase of 

$68,000,000 is needed to accommodate an increased enrollment of 

Priority 8 veterans by 10 percent and has increased funding accordingly. This recommendation also includes an increase of 

$300,000,000 for non-recurring maintenance to be distributed in a 

manner not subject to the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation. 

The Committee directs that first priority for this funding be given 

to maintenance that addresses life/safety and suicide prevention 

deficiencies on mental health wards. 


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The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 2010, up to $350,000,000 of the Medical Facilities appropriation. 

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.—The Department is directed to provide the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress with a status report outlining the actions which have 

been taken to activate community-based outpatient clinics at the 

following locations: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Charlottesville, Virginia; Lynchburg, Virginia; and Northwest Washington. 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).—The Committee encourages 

the Department to consider the advantages of upright MRI scanning over traditional recumbent MRI scanning in the diagnosis of 

certain lumbar and cervical pathologies. 

MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $480,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 442,000,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 500,000,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 20,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 58,000,000 

This account includes medical, rehabilitative, and health services 

research. Medical research is an important aspect of the Department’s programs, providing complete medical and hospital services 

for veterans. The prosthetic research program is also essential in 

the development and testing of prosthetic, orthopedic, and sensory 

aids for the purpose of improving the care and rehabilitation of eligible disabled veterans, including amputees, paraplegics, and the 

blind. The health services research program provides unique opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the health 

care delivery system. In addition, budgetary resources from a number of areas including appropriations from the medical care accounts, reimbursements from the Department of Defense, and 

grants from the National Institutes of Health, private proprietary 

sources, and voluntary organizations provide support for the Department’s researchers. 

The Committee recommends $500,000,000 for Medical and Prosthetic Research, an increase of $20,000,000 above the fiscal year 

2008 enacted level and an increase of $58,000,000 above the budget 

request. The Committee was disappointed to learn that the budget 

request had not only cut this account, but had also applied that cut 

to research in areas that are most relevant to Operation Enduring 

Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans; research areas 

such as acute trauma, mental illness, and substance abuse all suffered substantial cuts. The recommended increase restores these 

research areas to their fiscal year 2008 levels. The Committee directs that the additional increase of $20,000,000 be applied to research topics most prevalent within our veteran population. 

Research Partnerships.—The Committee believes the Department 

is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in applying medical research to medical practice. The Department is encouraged to increase its partnering with the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services in the development of 

clinical practices using evidence-based medicine and clinical efficacy. 


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NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $195,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 180,959,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 240,000,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 45,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 59,041,000 

The National Cemetery Administration was established in accordance with Public Law 93–43, the National Cemeteries Act of 

1973. It has a fourfold mission: to provide for the interment, in any 

national cemetery with available grave space, the remains of eligible deceased servicemembers and discharged veterans, together 

with their spouses and certain dependents, and to permanently 

maintain their graves; to provide headstones for, and to mark 

graves of eligible persons in national, State, and private cemeteries; to administer the grant program for aid to States in establishing, expanding, or improving State veterans’ cemeteries; and to 

administer the Presidential Memorial Certificate Program. This appropriation will provide for the operation and maintenance of 164 

cemeterial installations in 39 States, the District of Columbia, and 

Puerto Rico. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $240,000,000 for the National Cemetery Administration, an increase of $45,000,000 

above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of 

$59,041,000 above the budget request. The Committee recommendation includes at least $25,000,000 to be used to correct deficiencies identified in the 2002 Millennium Act report to the Congress. 

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $1,605,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 1,699,867,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 1,801,867,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 196,867,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 102,000,000 

The General Operating Expenses appropriation provides for the 

administration of non-medical veterans benefits through the Veterans Benefits Administration and departmental management and 

support. The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 changed the accounting of Federal credit programs and required that all administrative costs associated with such programs be included within the 

respective credit accounts. Beginning in fiscal year 1992, costs incurred by housing and vocational rehabilitation programs for administration of these credit programs are reimbursed by those accounts. The bill includes budget requests totaling $123,070,000 in 

other accounts for these credit programs. In addition, $9,853,000 is 

transferred from the Compensation and Pensions account for administrative costs of implementing cost saving provisions required 

by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Veterans’ Benefits Act of 1992. Section 208 of the administrative provisions provides requested language which permits excess revenues 

in three insurance funds to be used for administrative expenses. 

The Department estimates that $30,592,000 will be utilized for 


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such purposes in fiscal year 2009. Prior to fiscal year 1996, such 

costs were included in the General Operating Expenses appropriation. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,801,867,000 for General Operating Expenses, an increase of $196,867,000 above 

the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $102,000,000 

above the budget request. The amount provided includes 

$1,473,753,000 for Veterans Benefits Administration. The recommended increase of $102,000,000 includes $100,000,000 for approximately 1,400 new claims processors in addition to the budget 

request plan for 703 new personnel. Additionally, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for Veterans Benefit Administration to 

enter into operating leases to address increased space requirements 

for the new personnel. 

Energy Conservation.—The Committee directs the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the steps taken by the Department to achieve energy conservation measures. The report is to 

be submitted to the Committees no later than September 30, 2009. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... 1$2,260,465,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 2,442,066,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 2,492,066,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 231,601,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 50,000,000 1 Reflects funding transfer approved by the Committee on April 17, 2008. 

The Information Technology Systems account was established in 

P.L. 109–114. The account previously encompassed the entire nonpay information technology portfolio for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including all automation efforts in all administrations. Starting in fiscal year 2007, and reflected for the first time 

in the budget request for fiscal year 2008, this account also included pay and associated costs for information technology staff. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,492,066,000 

for Information Technology Systems, an increase of $231,601,000 

above the fiscal year 2008 current estimate, and $50,000,000 above 

the budget request. 

The Committee has included bill language requiring the Department to submit an expenditure plan for the total amount provided, 

not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. In addition, an 

administrative provision is included in the bill which allows for the 

reprogramming of funds in this account between projects upon 

prior notification to, and approval by, the Committee. 

The Department proposed, and the Committee approved, a funding transfer during fiscal year 2008 which included establishing an 

emergency fund for use in meeting critical unplanned needs at the 

medical center level. The fund is to be used to address emergent 

needs, including urgent replacement of broken IT equipment or 

equipment needs for unanticipated staffing changes. The Committee recommendation includes $50,000,000 to continue this effort 

in fiscal year 2009 and expects the Department to budget for this 

program in the future. 

Cyber Security.—The Committee remains concerned with the 

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ability Office and Inspector General recommendations to improve 

the Department’s cyber security capability. The Committee urges 

the Department to test commercial off-the-shelf software that 

would help the Department implement the audit recommendations. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $80,500,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 76,500,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 87,818,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 7,318,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 11,318,000 

The Office of Inspector General was established by the Inspector 

General Act of 1978 and is responsible for the audit, investigation, 

and inspection of all Department of Veterans Affairs programs and 

operations. The overall operational objective is to focus available 

resources on areas which would help improve services to veterans 

and their beneficiaries, assist managers of Department programs to 

operate economically in accomplishing program goals, and to prevent and deter recurring and potential fraud, waste, and inefficiencies. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $87,818,000 for the Office of Inspector General, an increase of $7,318,000 above the 

fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $11,318,000 above 

the budget request. The funding recommended will enable the Office of Inspector General to maintain the level of operation 

achieved in fiscal year 2008. In addition, the Committee recommendation includes $4,500,000 to hire additional personnel to 

undertake a systematic review of community-based outpatient clinics and Vet Centers. 

The Committee directs the Office of Inspector General to conduct 

a review of the Department’s progress in the implementation of the 

recommendations of the Mental Health Strategic Plan and an audit 

of the mental health initiatives fund. The Committee is also concerned that Veterans Health Administration policy on the identification and treatment of PTSD has not been applied uniformly 

across the Administration and further directs the Office of Inspector General to include a review of the compliance to these policies 

in their report. This report will be provided to the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by April 6, 2009. 

The Committee further directs the Office of Inspector General to 

conduct a review of the research conducted by the Department and 

its relevance to the veteran population. The Office of Inspector 

General is directed to provide this report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by February 27, 2009. 

CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $1,069,100,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 581,582,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 923,382,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... -145,718,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 341,800,000 

The Construction, Major Projects appropriation provides for constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the facilities 

under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 


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Affairs, including planning, architectural and engineering services, 

assessments, and site acquisition where the estimated cost of a 

project is $10,000,000 or more. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $923,382,000 for Construction, Major Projects, a decrease of $145,718,000 from the 

fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $341,800,000 

above the budget request. 

Projects.—Congress has made significant reforms in the way it 

reviews funding for the Federal government; reforms which the 

Committee takes very seriously as it executes its constitutional authority. Earmarking or directed spending of Federal dollars does 

not begin with Congress. It begins with the Executive Branch. The 

Administration, in selecting projects, goes through a process that 

is the functional equivalent of earmarking. When the Committee 

reviews the budget request, it goes through a process of rigorous 

review and may alter or modify this list to reflect additional priorities. The Committee is concerned that Executive Order 13457 effectively gives the Administration line-item veto authority over construction, major projects funded in the bill, which would negatively 

impact the long history of cooperation the Committee has had with 

the Department regarding such projects. Therefore, the Committee 

has included bill language incorporating the construction, major 

projects specified in the table that follows into the text of the bill 

by reference. 

The specific amounts recommended by the Committee are as follows: 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Location Description 2009 request 

Committee 

recommenda- tion 

Veterans Health Administration (VHA): 

Denver, CO .............................................. New Medical Facility ........................................ 20,000 20,000 

Orlando, FL .............................................. New Medical Facility ........................................ 120,000 220,000 

San Juan, PR ........................................... Seismic Corrections ......................................... 64,400 64,400 

Lee County, FL ......................................... Outpatient Clinic ............................................. 111,412 111,412 

St. Louis, MO ........................................... Med Fac. Improvements .................................. 5,000 5,000 

Bay Pines, FL .......................................... Inpatient/Outpatient Improve. ......................... 17,430 17,430 

Tampa, FL ............................................... Polytrauma Expansion ..................................... 21,120 0 

Palo Alto, CA ........................................... Polytrauma Rehab Center ................................ 38,290 0 

Seattle, WA .............................................. Seismic Corrections ......................................... 0 43,000 

Seattle, WA .............................................. Mental Health Building ................................... 0 18,000 

Dallas, TX ................................................ Spinal Cord Injury Center ................................ 0 9,000 

Louisville, KY ........................................... Site Acquisition and Prep ................................ 0 45,000 

Roseburg, OR .......................................... Mental Health Building ................................... 0 7,210 

Los Angeles, CA ...................................... Seismic Corrections ......................................... 0 155,000 

Various .................................................... Cost Adjustments ............................................ 0 24,000

Advance Planning Fund .......................... .......................................................................... 40,000 40,000 

Asbestos/Contaminates ........................... .......................................................................... 3,000 3,000 

BRAC Land Acquisition ........................... .......................................................................... 5,000 5,000 

Claims Analyses ...................................... .......................................................................... 2,000 2,000 

Facility Security Projects ......................... .......................................................................... 11,930 11,930 

Hazardous Waste Abatement .................. .......................................................................... 2,000 2,000 

Judgment Fund ........................................ .......................................................................... 10,000 10,000 

Sustainabiltiy and Energy ....................... .......................................................................... 5,000 5,000 

Sale of VA Assets .................................... .......................................................................... -5,000 -5,000 

Total VHA ............................................ .......................................................................... 471,582 813,382 

National Cemetery Administration (NCA): 

Puerto Rico National Cemetery ............... Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements.33,900 33,900 


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[In thousands of dollars] 

Location Description 2009 request 

Committee 

recommendation 

Massachusetts Natl Cemetery ................ Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements.20,500 20,500 

Calverton National Cemetery .................. Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements.29,000 29,000 

Advance Planning Fund .......................... .......................................................................... 6,000 6,000 

NCA Land Acquisition Fund .................... .......................................................................... 5,000 5,000 

Sustainability and Energy ....................... .......................................................................... 10,600 10,600 

Total NCA ............................................ .......................................................................... 105,000 105,000 

General Administration Staff Offices Advance 

Planning Fund.

.......................................................................... 5,000 5,000 

Major construction total ..................... .......................................................................... 581,582 923,382 

The budget requests for planning and design associated with two 

polytrauma projects at Tampa, Florida and Palo Alto, California 

have been deleted since those projects are proposed for funding in 

the pending fiscal year 2008 supplemental appropriations bill. The 

recommendation includes an additional $100,000,000 for the project 

at Orlando, Florida based upon briefings from the Department 

which indicate that additional portions of the project can be executed in fiscal year 2009. The Committee recommendation also includes funding for six additional projects based on their rank by 

the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, the Committee 

recommendation includes funding to address cost increases for 

projects at Atlanta, Georgia and Long Beach, California. 

The Committee directs the Department to provide a report to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by 

March 31, 2009 on the feasibility of using funds from the NCA land 

acquisition fund to purchase lands adjacent to the Chattanooga National Cemetery to meet the expansion needs of the facility. 

CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $630,535,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 329,418,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 991,492,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 360,957,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 662,074,000 

The Construction, Minor Projects appropriation provides for constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the facilities 

under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department, including 

planning, assessment of needs, architectural and engineering services, and site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is 

less than $10,000,000. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $991,492,000 for 

Construction, Minor Projects, an increase of $360,957,000 above 

the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $662,074,000 

above the budget request. 

The Committee has included bill language requiring the Department to submit an expenditure plan for the total amount provided, 

not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. The Committee recommendation includes $75,000,000 for the National Cemetery Administration, $41,300,000 for the Veterans Benefits Administration, $18,000,000 for General Administration— 


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Staff offices, and $907,192,000 for Veterans Health Administration. 

The Committee anticipates that the funding provided for the Veterans Health Administration will enable the completion of all 145 

projects identified in the budget request as being executable in fiscal year 2009. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $165,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 85,000,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 165,000,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... — 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 80,000,000 

This program provides grants to assist States to construct State 

home facilities, for furnishing domiciliary or nursing home care to 

veterans, and to expand, remodel or alter existing buildings for furnishing domiciliary, nursing home or hospital care to veterans in 

State homes. A grant may not exceed 65 percent of the total cost 

of the project. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $165,000,000 for 

Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities, the 

same as the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of 

$80,000,000 above the budget request. The amount recommended 

will provide sufficient funding to address all current high priority 

life/safety requirements as well as provide for new construction. 

The Department is directed to submit an updated priority list for 

all pending grant applications within 30 days of enactment of this 

Act. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $39,500,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 32,000,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 45,000,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 5,500,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 13,000,000 

This program provides grants to assist States with the establishment, expansion, and improvement of State veterans’ cemeteries 

which are operated and permanently maintained by the States. 

Grants under this program fund up to 100 percent of construction 

costs and the initial equipment expenses when the cemetery is established. The States remain responsible for providing the land and 

for paying all costs related to the operation and maintenance of the 

State cemeteries, including the costs for subsequent equipment 

purchases. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $45,000,000 for 

Grants for Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries, an increase 

of $5,500,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $13,000,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee notes that there is currently a priority list of eligible projects totaling almost $200,000,000. The Committee recommendation will enable the Department to fund projects where 

urgent expansion is required to keep existing cemeteries from closing, as well as offer the potential for establishing new cemeteries. 

The Committee is encouraged by the first in the nation publicprivate partnership to establish a veteran cemetery at the former 


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Fort Ord and encourages all the participants to demonstrate the 

cost effectiveness of this innovative proposal. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The bill includes 25 provisions that were included in the fiscal 

year 2008 enacted appropriations bill. The administrative provisions included in the bill are as follows: 

Section 201 allows for the transfer of funds among three mandatory appropriations. The Administration proposed to modify this 

provision. 

Section 202 allows the Department to transfer funding between 

the three medical care appropriations in fiscal year 2009 to implement the three account structure which was directed by Congress 

in fiscal year 2004. The Administration proposed to modify this 

provision. 

Section 203 allows for salaries and expenses funds to be used for 

hire of passenger vehicles, lease of facilities or land, and purchase 

of uniforms. 

Section 204 provides that only funding in the ‘‘Construction, 

major projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, minor projects’’ accounts can be 

used for the purchase of any site for any new hospital or home or 

to construct any new hospital or home. 

Section 205 requires the Department to be reimbursed for medical services it provides to any person not defined as a beneficiary 

to ensure the Department is receiving payment for all medical 

services provided. 

Section 206 allows for the use of funds appropriated in fiscal year 

2009 for ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment benefits’’, 

and ‘‘Veterans insurance and indemnities’’ for payment of accrued 

obligations recorded in the last quarter of fiscal year 2008. 

Section 207 allows for the use of fiscal year 2009 funds to pay 

prior year obligations resulting from implementation of sections 

3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States Code. 

Section 208 allows the Department to use surplus earnings from 

the National service life insurance, U.S. Government life insurance, 

and veterans special life insurance program to administer these 

programs. 

Section 209 allows the Department to cover the administrative 

expenses of structuring enhanced-use leasing proposals and provides authority to obligate these reimbursements in the year funds 

are received. 

Section 210 limits the amount of reimbursement the Office of 

Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication can charge other offices and accounts 

of the Department for services provided. 

Section 211 requires the Secretary to submit a report to the 

Committees on Appropriations to approve new leases of real property more than $300,000. The Administration proposed to modify 

this provision. 

Section 212 requires the Department to collect current, accurate 

third-party reimbursement information for the purposes of thirdparty insurance collections. If persons receiving care or medical 

services do not disclose this information, the Department is allowed 

to bill them reasonable charges for services provided. 


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Section 213 allows the Department to use enhanced-use leasing 

funds for construction and alterations for medical facilities to facilitate the CARES efforts as the Department restructures the delivery of healthcare to veterans. The Administration proposed to modify this provision. 

Section 214 allows the Department to use the ‘‘Medical services’’ 

appropriation for expenses related to the broader mission of medical care to veterans. 

Section 215 allows the Department to transfer Medical Care Collections to the ‘‘Medical services’’ appropriation to be used for veterans medical care. 

Section 216 allows veterans who reside in Alaska to obtain medical services from medical facilities supported by the Indian Health 

Services or tribal organizations, and provides for reimbursement 

for those services from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Section 217 allows the Department to transfer the proceeds received from the transfer of real property deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund (CAF) to the major 

and minor construction appropriations. 

Section 218 prohibits the expenditure of any funds available to 

the Department for implementation of a national standardized contract for diabetes monitoring systems. The Administration proposed 

to delete this provision. 

Section 219 provides that no funds may be used to prohibit Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) from conducting outreach or marketing programs. The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 220 requires the Secretary to submit quarterly reports on 

the financial status and service level status of the Veterans Health 

Administration. 

Section 221 requires the Department to notify and receive approval from the Committee of any proposed transfer of funding to 

or from the ‘‘Information technology systems’’ account. The Administration proposed to modify this provision. 

Section 222 requires the Department to notify and receive approval from the Committee of any proposed transfer of funding in 

excess of $1,000,000 between information technology system 

projects. The Administration proposed to modify this provision, including a threshold of $5,000,000 for such transfers. 

Section 223 provides for the transfer of prior year account balances established for the payment of benefits under the Reinstated 

Entitlement Program for Survivors to the ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’ account. 

Section 224 amends title 38, section 1710 to allow certain medical care collections funds to be collected in the current fiscal year. 

The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 225 amends title 38, section 1729 to allow certain medical care collections funds to be collected in the current fiscal year. 

The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 


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TITLE III 

RELATED AGENCIES 

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $44,600,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 47,470,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 55,470,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 10,870,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 8,000,000 

The American Battle Monuments Commission is responsible for 

the administration, operation and maintenance of cemetery and 

war memorials to commemorate the achievements and sacrifices of 

the American Armed Forces where they have served since April 6, 

1917. In performing these functions, the Commission maintains 24 

permanent American military cemetery memorials and 31 monuments, memorials, markers, and offices in 15 foreign countries, the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the British 

dependency of Gibraltar. In addition, six memorials are located in 

the United States: the East Coast Memorial in New York; the West 

Coast Memorial, The Presidio in San Francisco; the Honolulu Memorial in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii; and the American Expeditionary Forces Memorial, 

the World War II, and Korean War Veterans Memorials in Washington, D.C. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $55,470,000 for 

the American Battle Monuments Commission’s salaries and expenses account. This is an increase of $10,870,000 above the fiscal 

year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $8,000,000 above the 

budget request. 

Language is included allowing up to $7,500 to be used for official 

reception and representation expenses. 

The Committee recognizes that the limited funds available to the 

Commission to cover foreign currency fluctuation in fiscal year 

2008 may have forced the Commission to defer maintenance and 

facilities projects. Therefore, the fiscal year 2009 recommendation 

includes funding to accomplish projects which may have been deferred in fiscal year 2008. 

Pointe du Hoc Site.—The fiscal year 2006 appropriations Act included funding for the Commission to have a study conducted to 

determine what action is warranted to preserve the stability of the 

World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument in France. The 

Committee notes that the study has been completed and a remediation plan has been developed. The Committee recommendation includes sufficient funding to begin remediation efforts should the 

Government of France approve work at the location. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS ACCOUNT

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $11,000,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request est. ................................................ 17,100,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill est. ..................................... 17,100,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 6,100,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ ——— 


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The Commission’s Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account is authorized pursuant to 36 U.S.C. 2109 to pay the costs of salaries and 

expenses that exceed the amount appropriated for salaries and expenses because of fluctuations in currency exchange rates of foreign 

countries occurring after a budget request for the Commission is 

submitted to the Congress. The account may not be used for any 

other purpose. 

The Committee has included bill language with makes ‘‘such 

sums as may be necessary’’ available to the Commission to cover 

unanticipated foreign currency fluctuations. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $22,717,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 23,975,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 73,975,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 51,258,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ 50,000,000 

The Veterans’ Judicial Review Act established the U.S. Court of 

Appeals for Veterans Claims. The Court reviews appeals from 

claimants seeking review of a benefit denial. The Court has the authority to overturn findings of fact, regulations, and interpretations 

of law. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $73,975,000 for 

the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, an increase of 

$51,258,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level and an increase of $50,000,000 above the budget request. Of the amount provided, $1,700,000 is to be used for the pro bono representation program. 

The Committee notes that the number of veterans claims continue to grow and the number of appeals to and decisions by the 

Court make it one of the busiest Federal courts of appeals. The projected workload of the Court will require its space needs to grow 

by 70 percent in the next three years. Such space needs cannot be 

accommodated in its current facility without displacing other federal tenants. In recognition of this situation, the Congress had directed the Court to work with the General Services Administration 

on an evaluation of the Court’s space needs and options for satisfying those needs. On April 30, 2008, the follow-on feasibility study 

for a dedicated Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center for the 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims was submitted to the 

Committee. Based upon the options highlighted in that study, the 

Committee recommendation includes $50,000,000 for the construction of a new Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center. The Committee anticipates that the Court will transfer these funds to the 

General Services Administration for execution of the project. 


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL

CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $31,230,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 31,230,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 31,230,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... ——— 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ ——— 

The Secretary of the Army is responsible for the administration, 

operation and maintenance of Arlington National Cemetery and 

the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. In addition to 

its principal function as a national cemetery, Arlington is the site 

of approximately 3,100 non-funeral ceremonies each year and has 

approximately 4,000,000 visitors annually. 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $31,230,000 for 

Cemeterial Expenses, Army, salaries and expenses, the same as 

the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 enacted level. 

ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

TRUST FUNDS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $55,724,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... 63,010,000 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ 63,010,000 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... 7,286,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ ——— 

The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) consists of two retirement communities, one in Washington, D.C. and the other in 

Gulfport, Mississippi. The Washington, D.C. facility was established in 1851 as a soldiers’ home for elderly and disabled veterans. 

The original home for Navy officers, sailors, and Marines was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811, and was relocated 

to Gulfport, Mississippi almost a century and a half later. 

The Committee recommendation provides authority to expend 

$63,010,000 from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund 

to operate and maintain the armed Forces Retirement Home— 

Washington, District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mississippi. Of the amount provided, 

$8,025,000 is for construction and renovations. The amount recommended is $7,286,000 above the fiscal year 2008 enacted level 

and equal to the budget request. 

FEDERAL FUNDS

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ........................................................... $800,000 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ....................................................... - - - 

Committee recommendation in the bill ............................................ - - - 

Comparison with: 

Fiscal year 2008 enacted level ................................................... (800,000) 

Fiscal year 2009 budget request ................................................ - - - 

There is no budget request for this account in fiscal year 2009. 


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TITLE IV 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

The bill includes seven provisions that were included in the fiscal 

year 2008 enacted appropriations bill as follows: 

Section 401 prohibits the obligation of funds beyond the current 

fiscal year unless expressly so provided. 

Section 402 requires pay raises to be absorbed within the levels 

appropriated in the bill. 

Section 403 prohibits the use of funds for programs, projects or 

activities not in compliance with Federal law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded 

mandates. 

Section 404 prohibits the use of funds to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress. 

Section 405 encourages all departments and agencies funded in 

this Act to expand the use of E-Commerce technologies and procedures. 

Section 406 limits funds from being transferred from this appropriations measure to any instrumentality of the United States Government without authority from an appropriation Act. The Administration proposed to delete this provision. 

Section 407 specifies the congressional committees that are to receive all reports and notifications. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS

The following items are included in accordance with various requirements of the rules of the House of Representatives. 

CHANGES IN 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 that directly or indirectly change the application of existing law. 

Language is included in various parts of the bill to continue ongoing activities that require annual authorization or additional legislation, which to date have not been enacted. 

The bill includes a number of provisions which place limitations 

on the use of funds in the bill or change existing limitations and 

which might, under some circumstances, be construed as changing 

the application of existing law. 

Language is included in various parts of the bill to allow the Secretary of Defense to exceed certain limitations upon notification to 

the Committee. 

Language is included in various parts of the bill to allow funding 

to be used for official reception and representation expenses. 

Language is included that enables various appropriations to remain available for more than one year for some programs for which 

the basic authority legislation does not presently authorize such extended availability. 

Language is included in various parts of the bill which permits 

the transfer of funds to other accounts in the bill. 

Language is included under Title I limiting payments for costplus-a-fixed-fee contract under certain circumstances. 


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Language is included in various parts of the bill to allow funds 

to be used for the hire of passenger motor vehicles. 

Language is included under Title I allowing advances to the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation under 

certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for implementing construction of new bases in the United States without 

specific appropriations. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for purchase 

of land or land easements under certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for land acquisition, site preparation, and utility installation unless funds have 

been made available in annual appropriations Acts. 

Language is included under Title I to prohibit the use of minor 

construction funds to transfer an activity between installations 

without prior notification. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for the procurement of steel for any activity if American steel producers have 

been denied the opportunity to compete for such steel procurements. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for initiating 

new installations overseas without notifying the Committees on appropriations. 

Language is included under Title I limiting the use of funds for 

architect and engineer contracts under certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for awarding 

contracts to foreign contractors under certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I requiring the Department of 

Defense to notify the appropriate committees of Congress of any 

proposed military exercises under certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funding obligations 

in the last two months of the fiscal year to 20 percent. 

Language is included under Title I allowing prior year construction funding to be available for current year projects. 

Language is included under Title I allowing payment for the cost 

associated with supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and 

design on family housing or military construction projects that are 

being completed with expired or lapsed funds. 

Language is included under Title I allowing funds to be expended 

on military construction projects for four fiscal years after enactment under certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I to allow for the transfer of 

BRAC proceeds to the BRAC account. 

Language is included under Title I to allow construction funds to 

be transferred to Housing Improvement Funds. 

Language is included under Title I requiring the various military 

departments to submit prior notice to the Committee of solicitation 

for contracts with the private sector for military family housing 

under certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I to allow for the transfer of 

BRAC funds to the Homeowners Assistance Program. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for the operation and maintenance of family housing to those provided in this 

appropriation with exceptions under certain circumstances. 


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Language is included under Title I allowing funds for the Ford 

Island Improvement Account to be available until expended for certain purposes. 

Language is included under Title I limiting funds for realignment of installations under certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I to allow for the transfer of expired funding to the Foreign Currency Fluctuation Account under 

certain circumstances. 

Language is included under Title I prohibiting the use of funds 

to expand Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. 

Language is included under Title II to require that the Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs establish a priority for treatment of veterans 

who are service-connected disabled, lower income, or have special 

needs. 

Language is included under Title II to require that the Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs give priority funding of basic medical benefits 

to priority groups 1 through 6. 

Language is included under Title II to allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to dispense prescription drugs from VHA facilities to 

enrolled veterans with privately written prescriptions. 

Language is included under Title II to allocate a portion of nonrecurring maintenance funds outside the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation. 

Language is included under Title II providing for the reimbursement to the Department of Defense for the costs of overseas employee mail. 

Language is included under Title II to require approval of a plan 

for the expenditure of information technology funds. 

Language is included under Title II establishing time limitations 

and reporting requirements concerning the obligation of major construction funds, limiting the use of funds, and allowing the use of 

funds for program costs. 

Language is included under Title II to prohibit the use of funds 

to reduce the mission, services or infrastructure of 18 facilities on 

the CARES list without prior approval of the Committee. 

Language is included under Title II to allow minor construction 

funds to be used to repair non-medical facilities damaged by natural disaster or catastrophe. 

Language is included under Title II permitting transfers between 

mandatory and discretionary accounts, limiting and providing for 

the use of certain funds, funding administrative expenses associated with life insurance programs from excess program revenues, 

allowing reimbursement from enhanced-use leases and for certain 

services, requiring notification of new lease agreements, requiring 

disclosure of insurance and income information, allowing a recovery 

audit collection program, prohibiting the use of funds for instituting a new standard for glucose monitoring systems, extending 

the authority to operate the homeless program, allowing veterans 

in the state of Alaska to use Indian Health Service facilities under 

certain conditions, and allowing medical services funds for recreational and funeral expenses. 

Language is included under the Court of Appeals for Veterans 

Claims, Salaries and Expenses, permitting the use of funds for a 

pro bono program. 


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Language is included under Cemeterial Expenses, Army, Salaries 

and Expenses, permitting the use of funds for parking maintenance 

and repairs. 

Language is included under Title IV requiring sums necessary 

for pay raises to be absorbed within levels appropriated. 

Language is included under Title IV limiting the use of funds for 

federal entities when they are not in compliance with federal law 

relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property 

rights, or unfunded mandates. 

Language is included under Title IV limiting funding for publicity or propaganda designed to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress. 

Language is included under Title IV prohibiting the transfer of 

any funds except pursuant to authority provided in appropriations 

Acts. 

Language is included under the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

Information Technology Systems, limiting the obligation of funds 

until certain reporting requirements are met. 

Language is included under the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Services, designating $3,800,000,000 for specialty mental 

health care. 

APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

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: 

[dollars in thousands] 

Agency/program Last year of authorization Authorization 

level 

Appropriations in 

last year of authorization 

Appropriations in 

this bill 

Military Construction, Army ............................................ 2008 5,208,133 3,936,583 4,801,536 

Military Construction, Navy ............................................ 2008 2,407,799 2,198,394 3,280,809 

Military Construction, Air Force ..................................... 2008 1,418,447 1,159,747 976,524 

Military Construction, Defense-Wide .............................. 2008 1,637,196 1,609,596 1,614,450 

Military Construction, Army National Guard .................. 2008 536,656 536,656 628,668 

Military Construction, Air National Guard ..................... 2008 287,537 287,537 142,809 

Military Construction, Army Reserve .............................. 2008 148,133 148,133 282,607 

Military Construction, Navy Reserve .............................. 2008 64,430 64,430 57,045 

Military Construction, Air Force Reserve ....................... 2008 28,359 28,359 30,018 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment 

Program 

2008 201,400 201,400 218,867 

Family Housing Construction, Army ............................... 2008 424,400 424,400 646,580 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army ...... 2008 731,920 731,920 716,110 

Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps 2008 304,895 293,129 382,778 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and 

Marine Corps ............................................................. 2008 371,404 371,404 376,062 

Family Housing Construction, Air Force ........................ 2008 327,747 327,747 395,879 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force 2008 688,335 688,335 594,465 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, DefenseWide ........................................................................... 2008 48,848 48,848 49,231 

Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement 

Fund ........................................................................... 2008 500 500 850 

Homeowners Assistance Program .................................. 2002 10,119 10,119 4,500 

Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide 2008 104,176 104,176 134,278 

Base Realignment and Closure, 1990 ........................... 2008 295,689 295,689 473,377 

Base Realignment and Closure, 2005 ........................... 2008 8,456,311 7,235,591 9,065,386 

Department of Veteran Affairs, Construction, Major 

Projects ...................................................................... 2007 221,776 399,000 923,382 


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61 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following statements are submitted describing the transfer of funds provided in the accompanying bill. 

Language is included to allow Military Construction, DefenseWide funds to be transferred to other military construction and 

family housing appropriations to be merged with and available for 

the same purpose and same time period. 

Language is included to allow Chemical Demilitarization Construction funds to be transferred to other military construction appropriations to be merged with and available for the same purpose 

and same time period. 

Language is included to allow Department of Defense prior year 

construction funds to be available for current year authorizations. 

Language is included to allow BRAC proceeds to be transferred 

to the BRAC account to be merged with and available for the same 

purpose and same time period. 

Language is included to allow for the transfer of funds from 

Family Housing, Construction accounts to the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund and funds from Military 

Construction accounts to the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund. 

Language is included to provide transfer authority to the Homeowners Assistance Program. 

Language is included to allow the transfer of expired funds to the 

‘‘Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense’’ account. 

Language is included to transfer not to exceed $26,798,000 from 

Compensation and Pensions to General Operating Expenses and 

Medical Services. These funds are for the administrative costs of 

implementing cost-savings proposals required by the Omnibus 

Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Veterans’ Benefits Act 

of 1992. Language is also included permitting necessary sums to be 

transferred to the medical facilities revolving fund to augment 

funding of medical centers for nursing home care provided to pensioners as authorized by the Veterans’ Benefits Act of 1992. 

Language is included to transfer the following amounts to the 

Department of Veterans Affairs General Operating Expenses appropriation pursuant to the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990: the 

Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund Program Account 

($157,210,000), the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account ($320,000) and the Native American Veteran Housing Loan 

Program Account ($646,000). In addition, the bill provides up to 

$750,000 in General Operating Expenses and Medical Services for 

administration of the Guaranteed Transitional Housing Loans for 

the Homeless Veterans Program Account. 

Language is included under the Department of Veterans affairs 

that would transfer no less than $15,000,000 for the DoD/VA 

Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund as authorized by section 

8111(d) of title 38, United States Code. 

Language is included to provide authority for the Department of 

Veterans Affairs for any funds appropriated in 2009 for Compensation and Pensions, Readjustment Benefits, and Veterans Insurance 

and Indemnities to be transferred among those three accounts. 


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Language is included to permit the funds from three life insurance funds to be transferred to General Operating Expenses for the 

costs of administering such programs. Language is included to permit up to $37,436,000 to be transferred to General Operating Expenses from any funds appropriated 

in fiscal year 2009 to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication for services provided. 

Language is included to transfer certain funds derived from enhanced-use leasing activities to the Construction, Major Projects 

and Construction, Minor Projects accounts. 

Language is included to transfer funds from the Medical Care 

Collections Fund to Medical Services. 

Language is included to allow the transfer of funds from the Capital Asset Fund to the Construction, Major Projects and Construction, Minor Projects accounts. 

Language is included under the Department of Veterans Affairs 

that would transfer balances in prior year accounts established for 

payment of benefits under the Reinstated Entitlement Program for 

Survivors to the Compensation and Pensions account. 

RESCISSIONS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following table lists the rescissions in the 

accompanying bill: 

Department/activity 

Amounts rec- ommended for rescis- sion 

Department of Defense, Military Construction, Army .................................................................................... 51,320,000 

Department of Defense, Military Construction, Air Force .............................................................................. 17,681,000 

Department of Defense, Military Construction, Defense-Wide ....................................................................... 3,589,000 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to report this legislation from clause 7 of section 9 of article 

I of the U.S. Constitution which states: 

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of Appropriations made by law * * * 

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 provided in the bill with the appropriate allocation under section 302(b) of the Budget Act. 

[In millions of dollars] 

302(b) allocation This bill 

Budget authority Outlays Budget authority Outlays 

Discretionary ........................... 72,729 66,890 72,729 66,892 


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[In millions of dollars] 

302(b) allocation This bill 

Budget authority Outlays Budget authority Outlays 

Mandatory ............................... 43,444 43,277 43,444 43,2777 

FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION OF OUTLAYS

Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional Budget Act 

of 1974, the following table contains five-year projections prepared 

by the Congressional Budget Office of outlays associated with the 

budget authority provided in the accompanying bill: 

Millions 

Budget Authority ................................................................................... 116,173 

Outlays: 

2009 ................................................................................................. 88,001 

2010 ................................................................................................. 15,089 

2011 ................................................................................................. 8,548 

2012 ................................................................................................. 3,113 

2013 ................................................................................................. 2,224 

ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional Budget Act 

of 1974, the amount of financial assistance to State and local governments is as follows: 

Millions 

Budget Authority ................................................................................... 878 

Fiscal Year 2009 outlays resulting therefrom ..................................... 588 

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. 

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, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

CHAPTER 17 OF TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE 

CHAPTER 17—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, 

DOMICILIARY, AND MEDICAL CARE 

* * * * * * * 


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SUBCHAPTER II—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, OR 

DOMICILIARY CARE AND MEDICAL TREATMENT 

§ 1710. Eligibility for hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(f)(1) * * * 

(2) A veteran who is furnished hospital care or nursing home 

care under this section and who is required under paragraph (1) of 

this subsection to agree to pay an amount to the United States in 

order to be furnished such care shall be liable to the United States 

for an amount equal to— 

(A) * * * 

(B) before September 30, ø2008,¿ 2009, an amount equal to 

$10 for every day the veteran receives hospital care and $5 for 

every day the veteran receives nursing home care. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER III—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING 

TO HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME CARE AND MEDICAL 

TREATMENT OF VETERANS 

* * * * * * * 

§ 1729. Recovery by the United States of the cost of certain 

care and services 

(a)(1) * * * 

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection applies to a non-service-connected disability— 

(A) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(E) for which care and services are furnished before October 

1, ø2008,¿ 2009, under this chapter to a veteran who— 

(i) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS

The following table is submitted in compliance with clause 9 of 

rule XXI, and lists the congressional earmarks (as defined in paragraph (d) of clause 9) contained in the bill or in this report. Neither 

the bill nor the report contain any limited tax benefits or limited 

tariff benefits as defined in paragraphs (e) or (f) of clause 9 of rule 

XXI. 


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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Army Alabama Anniston Army Depot Powertrain Transmission Repair Facility $27,000 The President Army Alabama Anniston Army Depot Small Arms Repair Shop-Depot Level 18,000 The President Army NG Alabama Fort McClellan Multipurpose Machine Gun Range 3,000 The President Air Force Alabama Maxwell AFB Air & Space Basic Course Combat Arms Trng Fac 15,556 The President/ Mr. Everett Army Alabama Anniston Army Depot Lake Yard Railroad Interchange 1,400 Mr. Rogers, M. (AL) Army Alabama Fort Rucker Chapel Center 6,800 Mr. Everett Army Alaska Fort Richardson Child Development Center 15,000 The President Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Barracks Complex 63,000 The President Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Organizational Vehicle Parking 14,000 The President Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility 21,000 The President Army Alaska Fort Wainwright Training Aids Support Center 12,400 The President Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB C–17 Restore Road 2,000 The President Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F–22 Aerospace Ground Equip Shop 7,200 The President Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F–22 Corrosion Ctrl/Lo Mx/Composite Repair Fac 22,400 The President Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F–22 Flight Simulator 16,400 The President Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F–22A 7 Bay Aircraft Shelter 20,400 The President Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F–22A 8 Bay Aircraft Shelter 22,200 The President 


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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F–22A Field Training Detachment 6,600 The President Air Force Alaska Elmendorf AFB F–22A Squadron Ops/AMU 6 Bay Hangar 41,100 The President Defense-Wide Alaska Fort Richardson Dental Clinic Addition/Alteration 6,300 The President Army Arizona Fort Huachuca Unit Maintenance Facilities 11,200 The President Army Arizona Yuma Raw Sewage Lagoon and Oxidation Pond 3,800 The President Army NG Arizona Camp Navajo Readiness Center 13,000 The President Army NG Arizona Florence Readiness Center 13,800 The President Army NG Arizona Papago Military Res. Readiness Center 24,000 The President Navy Arizona Yuma Applied Instruction Facility (MAWTS) 19,490 The President Air Force Arizona Luke AFB Repair Runway Pavement 1,755 Mr. Pastor Army Arizona Fort Huachuca ATC Radar Operations Building 2,000 Ms. Giffords Army NG Arkansas Cabot Readiness Center 10,868 Mr. Berry Air NG Arkansas Little Rock AFB Replace Engine Shop 4,000 Mr. Snyder Army California Fort Irwin Barracks Complex 17,500 The President Army California Fort Irwin Military Operations Urban Terrain, Ph 3 22,100 The President Army California Presidio of Monterey General Instruction Building 15,000 The President Army California Sierra Army Depot Water Treatment Plant 12,400 The President 


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Army Reserve California Fort Hunter Liggett Modified Record Fire Range 3,950 The President/ Mr. Farr Navy California Barstow Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 7,830 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—41 Area 32,430 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—33 Area 30,300 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—43 Area 15,150 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—62 Area 25,920 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Area 13 33,320 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Area 14 32,350 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Chappo (22 Area) 48,640 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Del Mar (21 Area) 33,190 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Del Mar (21 Area) 33,440 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Horno (13 Area) 33,790 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Horno (53 Area) 40,660 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Las Pulgas Area 34,340 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Pico (24 Area) 32,870 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Pico (24 Area) 32,260 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—San Mateo Area 34,500 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Del Mar (21 Area) 34,120 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—San Mateo Area 32,550 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Margarita (33 Area) 31,170 The President 


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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Navy California Camp Pendleton BEQ—Armory, Training Facility, SOI (52 Area) 54,730 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Consolidated Comm/Elec Maintenance & Storage 10,050 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Corrosion Control Water Treatment Facility 52,520 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Indoor Fitness Center 12,230 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Infantry Training Center 11,500 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Operations Access Points, Red Beach 11,970 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Regimental Maintenance Complex (Phase 3) 33,620 The President Navy California Camp Pendleton Special Operations Training Battle Course 22,250 The President Navy California El Centro Combined Child Care and Youth Center 8,900 The President Navy California Miramar Combat Training Tank Complex 10,820 The President Navy California Miramar Emergency Response Station 6,530 The President Navy California Miramar In-Line Fueling Station Modification 22,930 The President Navy California Miramar Military Working Dog Operations Center 4,800 The President Navy California Miramar MV–22 Wash Rack 3,690 The President Navy California North Island Berthing Lima Conversion 38,992 The President Navy California North Island Child Development Center 14,270 The President Navy California San Clemente Island Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 34,020 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Navy California San Diego Recruit Reconditioning Facility 16,790 The President Navy California San Diego Recruit Support Barracks 34,430 The President Navy California Twentynine Palms Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 36,470 The President Navy California Twentynine Palms Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 36,280 The President Navy California Twentynine Palms BEQ and Parking Structure 51,800 The President Navy California Twentynine Palms Combined Arms MOUT (Phase 2) 21,000 The President Navy Reserve California Lemoore Marine Corps Reserve Center 15,420 The President Air Force California Edwards AFB F–35 Ramp & Security Upgrade 3,100 The President Defense-Wide California Coronado SOF Combat Crew Training Facility 9,800 The President Defense-Wide California Tracy Depot Replace General Purpose Warehouse 41,000 The President Defense-Wide California Tracy Depot Replace Truck Entrance/Control Facility 9,300 The President Navy California Monterey Education Facility 9,990 Mr. Farr Air Force California Edwards AFB Main Base Runway Ph 4 6,000 Mr. McKeon/ Mr. McCarthy, K. Navy California North Island Training Pool Replacement 6,890 Ms. Davis, S. Navy California Twentynine Palms Lifelong Learning Center Ph 1 9,760 Mr. Lewis, Jerry Army Colorado Fort Carson Barracks & Dining 154,000 The President Army Colorado Fort Carson Battalion Complex 45,000 The President Army Colorado Fort Carson Brigade/Battalion HQs 46,000 The President Army Colorado Fort Carson Company Operations Facilities 93,000 The President Army Colorado Fort Carson Infrastructure, BCT 69,000 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Army Colorado Fort Carson Physical Fitness Facility 28,000 The President Army Colorado Fort Carson Unit Maintenance Facilities 15,000 The President Army Colorado Fort Carson Vehicle Maintenance Shops 84,000 The President Chem Demil Colorado Pueblo Depot Chem-Agent Disposal Pilot Plant 65,060 The President Army NG Colorado Denver Readiness Center 9,000 The President Army NG Colorado Grand Junction Readiness Center 9,000 The President/ Mr. Salazar Air Force Colorado U.S. Air Force Academy Upgrade Academic Facility, Ph V 18,000 The President Defense-Wide Colorado Buckley AFB Satellite Pharmacy 3,000 The President Army NG Connecticut Camp Rell Regional Training Institute 28,000 The President/ Mr. Courtney Army NG Connecticut East Haven KD Range Add/Alt 13,800 The President Navy Connecticut New London Pier 31 Replacement 46,060 The President/ Mr. Courtney Air NG Connecticut Bradley IAP TFI Upgrade Engine Shop 7,200 Ms. DeLauro/ Mr. Courtney/ Mr. L

Murphy, C./ Mr. Shays 

Army NG Delaware New Castle Army Aviation Support Facility Add/Alt 28,000 The President Navy Reserve Delaware Wilmington NOSC Portion, Armed Forces Reserve Center 11,530 The President Air Force Delaware Dover AFB ADAL Physical Fitness Center 19,000 The President/ Mr. Castle Air NG Delaware New Castle County AP TFI—Info Ops Squadron (IOS) Facility 3,200 The President/ Mr. Castle Defense-Wide Delaware Dover AFB Alter Fuel Storage Tank 3,373 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Navy District of Columbia Naval Research Lab Autonomous System Research Lab 24,220 The President Army Florida Miami-Doral SOUTHCOM Headquarters, Incr 2 81,600 The President/ Mr. Diaz-Balart, L. Army NG Florida Camp Blanding Ammunition Supply Point 12,400 The President Navy Florida Jacksonville Child Development Center 12,890 The President/ Mr. Crenshaw Navy Florida Mayport Alpha Wharf Improvements 14,900 The President/ Mr. Crenshaw Navy Florida Tampa Joint Communications Squadron Facility 29,000 The President Air Force Florida Eglin AFB F–35 Student Dormitory (144 Room) 19,000 The President Air Force Florida MacDill AFB SOCCENT Headquarters & Commandant Facility 21,000 The President Defense-Wide Florida Eglin AFB SOF Battalion Operations Complex 40,000 The President Defense-Wide Florida Hurlburt Field SOF Special Tactics Group Facility 8,900 The President Defense-Wide Florida MacDill AFB SOF Add/Alter 501B (HQ SOCOM) 10,500 The President Defense-Wide Florida Jacksonville Replace Fuel Storage Tanks 34,000 The President Air Force Florida Tyndall AFB 325 ACS Ops Training Complex 11,600 Mr. Boyd Army NG Florida Camp Blanding Regional Training Institute Ph 4 20,907 Mr. Young, B./ Ms. Brown, C./ Mr. StAir Force Florida MacDill AFB Combat Training Facility 5,000 Ms. Castor Navy Florida Mayport Aircraft Refueling 3,380 Mr. Crenshaw Army Georgia Fort Benning Automated Anti-Armor Range 8,800 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M–25M Firing Range 1 2,400 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M–25M Firing Range 2 2,400 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M–25M Firing Range 3 2,350 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M–25M Firing Range 4 2,500 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Basic 10M–25M Firing Range 5 2,500 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Digital Multipurpose Training Range 17,500 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Fire and Movement Range 2,450 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Maintenance Shop 42,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Modified Record Fire Range 1 4,900 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Modified Record Fire Range 2 4,900 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Modified Record Fire Range 3 4,500 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Range Access Road 9,100 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Reception Station Phase 2 39,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Stationary Tank Range 6,900 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility 10,800 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Tracked Vehicle Drivers Course 16,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Trainee Complex 32,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Training Area Infrastructure—Osut Area 16,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Training Area Infrastructure—Northern Area 13,800 The President Army Georgia Fort Benning Unit Maintenance Facilities 27,000 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Army Georgia Fort Stewart Barracks & Dining 121,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Brigade Complex 30,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Brigade/Battalion HQs 36,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Child Development Center 20,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Company Operations Facilities 75,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Infrastructure 59,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Physical Fitness Facility 22,000 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Shoot House 2,300 The President Army Georgia Fort Stewart Vehicle Maintenance Shops 67,000 The President Army NG Georgia Dobbins ARB Readiness Center 45,000 The President/ Mr. Gingrey Navy Georgia Albany MCLB BEQ Replacement 15,320 The President Navy Reserve Georgia Marietta Marine Corps Reserve Center 7,560 The President Air Force Georgia Robins AFB Aircraft Hangar 24,100 The President Defense-Wide Georgia Fort Benning Consolidated Troop Medical Clinic 3,900 The President Defense-Wide Georgia Augusta Regional Security Operations Center Incr IV 100,220 The President Defense-Wide Georgia Hunter AAF Replace Fuel Storage Tank 3,500 The President Air NG Georgia Savannah CRTC Troop Training Quarters 7,500 Mr. Barrow Navy Georgia Kings Bay Add to Limited Area Reaction Force Facility 6,130 Mr. Kingston Air Force Georgia Robins AFB Avionics Facility 5,250 Mr. Marshall Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Barracks 42,000 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Battalion Complex 69,000 The President Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Battalion Complex 27,000 The President Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Brigade Complex 65,000 The President Army Hawaii Schofield Barracks Infrastructure Expansion 76,000 The President Army Hawaii Wahiawa Wideband SATCOM Operations Center 40,000 The President Army Reserve Hawaii Fort Shafter Army Reserve Center 19,199 The President Navy Hawaii Barking Sands Advanced Radar Detection Laboratory 28,900 The President Navy Hawaii Kaneohe Bay Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 28,200 The President Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Child Development Center 29,300 The President Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Fitness Center 45,000 The President Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Joint Forces Deployment Staging Area FISC 5,990 The President Navy Hawaii Pearl Harbor Sub Drive-In Magnetic Silencing Facility Incr 2 41,088 The President Defense-Wide Hawaii Pearl Harbor Replace Fuel Pipeline 27,700 The President Army Hawaii Pohakuloa TA Access Road, Ph 1 9,000 Mr. Abercrombie Army NG Idaho Orchard TA Live Fire Shoot House 1,850 The President Army Reserve Idaho Hayden Lake Army Reserve Center/OMS/Unheated Storage 9,580 The President Navy Illinois Great Lakes RTC Special Programs Barracks 62,940 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Defense-Wide Illinois Scott AFB USTRANSCOM Joint Intel Operations Center 13,977 The President/ Mr. Costello Air NG Illinois Greater Peoria RAP C–130 Squadron Operations Center 400 Mr. LaHood Army NG Indiana Camp Atterbury Multi Purpose Machine Gun Range 5,800 The President Army NG Indiana Lawrence Readiness Center 21,000 The President Army NG Indiana Muscatatuck Combined Arms Collective Training Facility Ph 1 6,000 Mr. Visclosky/ Mr. Hill Air NG Indiana Fort Wayne IAP Aircraft Ready Shelters/Fuel Fill Stands 5,600 Mr. Souder Army NG Iowa Camp Dodge MOUT Site Add/Alt 1,500 Mr. Boswell Army NG Iowa Davenport Readiness Center Add/Alt 1,550 Mr. Braley Air NG Iowa Fort Dodge Vehicle Maintenance & Comm. Training Complex 5,600 Mr. Latham/ Mr. King, S./ Mr. LoebsArmy NG Iowa Mount Pleasant Readiness Center Add/Alt 1,500 Mr. Loebsack Army Kansas Fort Riley Battalion Complex 38,000 The President Army Kansas Fort Riley Brigade Complex 79,000 The President Army Kansas Fort Riley Commissary 23,000 The President Army Kansas Fort Riley Rail Siding 15,000 The President Army Reserve Kansas Dodge City Army Reserve Center/Land 8,100 The President/ Mr. Moran, Jerry Defense-Wide Kansas Fort Riley Hospital Addition/Alteration 52,000 The President Army Kansas Fort Leavenworth Chapel Complex Ph 2 4,200 Ms. Boyda Army Kansas Fort Riley Fire Station 3,000 Ms. Boyda Air Force Kansas McConnell AFB MXG Consolidation & Forward Logistics Center Ph 

2 

6,800 Mr. Tiahrt 

Chem Demil Kentucky Blue Grass Depot Chem-Agent Disposal Pilot Plant 57,218 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Chem Demil Kentucky Blue Grass Depot Defense Access Road 12,000 The President Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Battalion Complex 37,000 The President Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Child Development Center 8,600 The President Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Training Support Center 15,513 The President Army Kentucky Fort Campbell Unit Maintenance Facilities 47,000 The President Defense-Wide Kentucky Fort Campbell Medical/Dental Clinic 24,000 The President Defense-Wide Kentucky Fort Campbell SOF Tactical Equipment Shop 15,000 The President Defense-Wide Kentucky Fort Campbell New Elementary School 21,400 The President Army NG Kentucky London Aviation Operations Facility Ph III 7,191 Mr. Rogers, H. Army Louisiana Fort Polk Unit Operations Facilities 29,000 The President Army NG Maine Bangor Regional Training Institute Ph 1 20,000 The President Navy Maine Portsmouth NSY Dry Dock 3 Waterfront Support Facility 1,450 Mr. Allen/ Ms. Shea-Porter Navy Maine Portsmouth NSY Consolidated Global Sub Component Ph 1 9,980 Ms. Shea-Porter Army NG Maryland Edgewood Army Aviation Support Facility Add/Alt 28,000 The President Army NG Maryland Salisbury Readiness Center Add/Alt 9,800 The President Army Reserve Maryland Baltimore Army Reserve Center 11,600 The President Navy Maryland Indian Head Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrades 13,930 The President/ Mr. Hoyer 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Navy Maryland Suitland National Maritime Intel Center Incr 12,439 The President Air Force Maryland Andrews AFB Admin Facility Addition 28,000 The President Air Force Maryland Andrews AFB NCR Relocation—Admin Facility 49,648 The President Defense-Wide Maryland Aberdeen PG USAMRICD Replacement, Incr I 23,750 The President Defense-Wide Maryland Fort Detrick USAMRIID Stage I, Incr III 109,000 The President Defense-Wide Maryland Fort Meade South Campus Utility Plant Ph I 14,000 The President Navy Maryland Carderock RDTE Support Facility Ph I 6,980 Mr. Van Hollen Army NG Maryland Dundalk Readiness Center 579 Mr. Ruppersberger Navy Maryland Indian Head Energetics Systems & Tech Lab Complex Ph I 12,050 Mr. Hoyer Air NG Maryland Martin State Airport Replace Fire Station 7,900 Mr. Bartlett/ Mr. Ruppersberger/ Mr. Army NG Massachusetts Methuen Readiness Center Add/Alt (ADRS) 21,000 The President Army Reserve Massachusetts Fort Devens Shoot House 1,900 The President Air NG Massachusetts Otis ANGB TFI Digital Ground Station FOC Beddown 1,700 Mr. Delahunt/ Mr. Olver Air Reserve Massachusetts Westover ARB Joint Service Lodging Facility 943 Mr. Olver/ Mr. Neal Army Reserve Michigan Saginaw Army Reserve Center/Land 11,500 The President Army NG Michigan Camp Grayling Live Fire Shoot House 2,000 Mr. Knollenberg/ Mr. Stupak Army NG Michigan Camp Grayling Urban Assault Course 2,000 Mr. Knollenberg/ Mr. Stupak Army NG Minnesota Arden Hills Readiness Center 15,000 The President Army NG Minnesota Arden Hills Infrastructure Improvements 1,005 Ms. McCollum Air NG Minnesota Duluth Replace Fuel Cell Hangar 4,500 Mr. Oberstar 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Air NG Minnesota Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Aircraft Deicing Apron 1,500 Mr. Ellison Navy Mississippi Gulfport 25 Naval Construction Regiment HQ Facility 6,900 The President Air Force Mississippi Columbus AFB Child Development Center 8,100 The President Navy Mississippi Gulfport Battalion Maintenance Facility 5,870 Mr. Taylor Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Training Support Center 18,500 The President Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Urban Assault Course 2,350 The President Army Reserve Missouri Weldon Springs Army Reserve Center 11,700 The President Defense-Wide Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Primary Care Clinic Addition/Alteration 22,000 The President Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Vehicle Maintenance Shop 9,500 Mr. Skelton Air Force Missouri Whiteman AFB Security Forces Animal Clinic 4,200 Mr. Skelton Army Missouri Fort Leonard Wood Chapel Complex 3,500 Mr. Skelton Army Reserve Nevada Las Vegas Army Reserve Center 33,900 The President Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS 432 Wing HQ Mission Support Facility 7,000 The President Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Dining Hall 9,000 The President Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Flight Simulator & Academics Facility 9,800 The President Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Main Gate/Sewer Transfer Facility/Infra. 6,500 The President Air Force Nevada Creech AFB UAS Operations Facility 16,200 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Air Force Nevada Nellis AFB F–16 Aggressor Hangar/Aircraft Maintenance Unit 30,800 The President Air Force Nevada Nellis AFB F–16 Aggressor Squadron Ops/Infrastructure 17,500 The President Air Force Nevada Nellis AFB F–35 Airfield Pavements 5,000 The President Army Reserve New Jersey Fort Dix Modified Record Fire Range 3,825 The President/ Mr. Saxton Navy New Jersey Lakehurst Advanced Arresting Gear Test Site 15,440 The President/ Mr. Saxton Air NG New Jersey Atlantic City IAP Operations and Training Facility 8,400 Mr. LoBiondo Air Force New Jersey McGuire AFB Security Forces Operations Facility Ph 1 7,200 Mr. Saxton Army New Jersey Picatinny Arsenal Ballistic Evaluation Facility Ph 1 9,900 Mr. Frelinghuysen Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F–22 Alter Hangar for LO/CRF 14,500 The President Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F–22A ADAL Aircraft Maintenance Unit 1,050 The President Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F–22A ADAL Flight Simulator Facility 3,150 The President Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F–22A ADAL Jet Engine Maintenance Shop 2,150 The President Air Force New Mexico Holloman AFB F–22A Aerospace Ground Equipment Facility 4,600 The President Defense-Wide New Mexico Cannon AFB SOF Maintenance Hangar 18,100 The President/ Mr. Udall, T. Defense-Wide New Mexico Kirtland AFB Replace Fuel Storage Tanks 14,400 The President Air Force New Mexico Cannon AFB CV–22 Flight Simulator Facility 8,300 Mr. Udall, T. Army New York Fort Drum Brigade Complex-Barracks 29,000 The President Army New York Fort Drum Brigade Complex-Barracks 24,000 The President Army New York Fort Drum Unit Maintenance Facilities 37,000 The President Army New York U.S. Military Academy Science Facility, Ph 1 67,000 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Army NG New York Fort Drum Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site Ph 3 11,000 The President Army NG New York Queensbury Field Maintenance Shop 5,900 The President Army Reserve New York Kingston Army Reserve Center/Land 13,494 The President Army Reserve New York Shoreham Add/Alt Army Reserve Center 15,031 The President Army Reserve New York Staten Island Army Reserve Center 18,550 The President Air NG New York Hancock Field TFI—Reaper IOC/FOC Beddown 5,000 The President/ Mr. Walsh Air NG New York Gabreski Airport Replace Pararescue Ops Facility Ph 2 7,500 Mr. Israel/ Mr. Ackerman/ Mr. Bish

King, P./ Ms. McCarthy, C. 

Army New York Fort Drum Replace Fire Station 6,900 Mr. McHugh Air Reserve New York Niagara Falls ARS Dining Facility/Community Center 9,000 Ms. Slaughter Air NG New York Hancock Field Upgrade ASOS Facilities 5,400 Mr. Walsh Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Access Roads Ph 1 13,200 The President/ Mr. Hayes/ Mr. McIntyArmy North Carolina Fort Bragg Access Roads Ph 1 (Additional Funds) 8,600 Mr. Hayes/ Mr. McIntyre Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Training Support Center 20,500 The President/ Mr. Hayes Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Utility Upgrade (Camp Mackall) 3,200 The President/ Mr. Hayes Army Reserve North Carolina Raleigh Army Reserve Center/Land 25,581 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Camp Johnson 23,760 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Camp Johnson 38,230 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—French Creek 33,960 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Hadnot Point 39,890 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Hadnot Point 39,320 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Courthouse Bay 35,890 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—Hadnot Point 42,950 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Child Development Center 13,960 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Consolidated Mess Hall—Hadnot Point (200 

Area) 

25,000 The President 

Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Infantry Platoon Battle Course—SR1 18,250 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Mess Hall—Hadnot Point (400 Area) 21,660 The President Navy North Carolina Camp Lejeune Mod K–Ranges (Phase 2) 20,220 The President Navy North Carolina Cherry Point 2nd MAW Command Operations Facility 30,480 The President Navy North Carolina Cherry Point Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 30,100 The President Navy North Carolina Cherry Point Engineering Product Support Facility 16,840 The President Navy North Carolina New River Aircraft Parking Apron Addition 6,830 The President Navy North Carolina New River Bachelor Enlisted Quarters 36,740 The President Navy North Carolina New River Bachelor Enlisted Quarters—MCAS 25,620 The President Navy North Carolina New River Enlisted Dining Facility 17,090 The President Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Expand Training Compound 14,200 The President/ Mr. Hayes Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Headquarters Facility 14,600 The President/ Mr. Hayes Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Security/Force Protection 4,150 The President/ Mr. Hayes 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg SOF Training Facility 5,300 The President/ Mr. Hayes Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg New Elementary School 28,170 The President/ Mr. Hayes Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg New Intermediate School (Irwin) 27,945 The President/ Mr. Hayes Defense-Wide North Carolina Fort Bragg New Middle School 22,356 The President/ Mr. Hayes Army NG North Carolina Camp Butner Training Complex 1,376 Mr. Miller, B. Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Mass Casualty Facility 1,300 Mr. Etheridge Army North Carolina Fort Bragg Chapel 11,600 Mr. McIntyre Army NG Ohio Camp Perry Barracks 2,000 Ms. Kaptur/ Mr. Latta Army NG Ohio Ravenna Barracks 2,000 Mr. Ryan, T./ Ms. Sutton Air NG Ohio Springfield ANGB Combat Communications Training Complex 12,800 Mr. Hobson Air Force Ohio Wright-Patterson AFB Security Forces Operations Facility 14,000 Mr. Turner Army Oklahoma Fort Sill Training Complex Upgrade 63,000 The President Air Force Oklahoma Tinker AFB Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 48,600 The President Air Force Res Oklahoma Tinker AFB AFR Scheduled Maintenance Hangar 9,900 The President Defense-Wide Oklahoma Tinker AFB Medical/Dental Clinic Replacement 65,000 The President Defense-Wide Oklahoma Altus AFB Replace Fuel Storage Dikes 2,850 The President Army Oklahoma McAlester AAP AP3 Connecting Rail 5,800 Mr. Boren 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Air Force Oklahoma Tinker AFB Realign Air Depot Street 5,400 Mr. Cole Army Pennsylvania Carlisle Barracks Museum Support Facility 13,400 The President Army Pennsylvania Tobyhanna Depot Electronics Maintenance Shop 15,000 The President/ Mr. Kanjorski Army Reserve Pennsylvania Letterkenny Depot Army Reserve Center 14,914 The President/ Mr. Shuster Navy Pennsylvania Philadelphia Full Scale Electric Test Drive Facility 22,020 The President Defense-Wide Pennsylvania Philadelphia Convert Warehouse to Admin Space 1,200 The President Defense-Wide Pennsylvania Raven Rock West Power Plant 15,572 The President Army NG Pennsylvania Honesdale Readiness Center Add/Alt 6,117 Mr. Carney Army NG Pennsylvania Honesdale Readiness Center Add/Alt 504 Mr. Carney Army NG Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Combined Support Maintenance Shop 3,250 Mr. Murtha/ Mr. Murphy, T. Army Pennsylvania Letterkenny Depot Upgrade Munition Igloos Phase 2 7,500 Mr. Shuster Navy Rhode Island Newport Fitness Facility 29,900 The President Navy Rhode Island Newport Unmanned ASW Support Facility 9,900 Mr. Kennedy Air NG Rhode Island Quonset State Airport Replace Control Tower 600 Mr. Langevin Army South Carolina Fort Jackson Training Complex Upgrade 30,000 The President Army NG South Carolina Anderson Readiness Center 12,000 The President Army NG South Carolina Beaufort Readiness Center 3,400 The President Army NG South Carolina Eastover Joint Forces Headquarters 28,000 The President Navy South Carolina Beaufort MCAS EOD/Ordnance Operations Facility 5,940 The President Navy South Carolina Parris Island Third Recruit Training Battalion (Phase 2) 36,400 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Navy South Carolina Parris Island Third Recruit Training Bn Complex (Phase 3) 28,350 The President Air Force South Carolina Charleston AFB C–17 Flight Simulator Addition 4,500 The President/ Mr. Brown, H. Army NG South Carolina Hemingway Field Maintenance Shop Ph 1 4,600 Mr. Clyburn Army NG South Carolina Sumter Readiness Center 382 Mr. Clyburn Air Force South Carolina Shaw AFB Physical Fitness Center 9,900 Mr. Spratt Army NG South Dakota Rapid City Armed Forces Reserve Center 29,000 The President Air NG South Dakota Joe Foss Field Aircraft Ready Shelters/AMU 4,500 Ms. Herseth Sandlin Army Reserve Tennessee Chattanooga Army Reserve Center 10,600 The President Army NG Tennessee Tullahoma Readiness Center 10,372 Mr. Wamp/ Mr. Davis, L. Army Texas Corpus Christi Dynamic Component Rebuild Facility 39,000 The President/ Mr. Ortiz Army Texas Fort Bliss Barracks & Dining 148,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Barracks & Dining 148,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Battalion Complex 34,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Brigade/Battalion HQs 44,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Brigade/Battalion HQs 44,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Chapel 9,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Company Operations Facilities, BCT 90,000 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Army Texas Fort Bliss Company Operations Facilities, BCT1 90,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Digital Multipurpose Range Complex 42,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Infrastructure, IBCT1 98,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Infrastructure, IBCT2 100,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Training Support Center 12,600 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Unit Maintenance Facilities 10,200 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Vehicle Maintenance Shops 81,000 The President Army Texas Fort Bliss Vehicle Maintenance Shops 81,000 The President Army Texas Fort Hood Unit Maintenance Facilities 32,000 The President/ Mr. Edwards/ Mr. CarArmy Texas Fort Sam Houston Trainee Barracks Complex 96,000 The President/ Mr. Smith, L. Army Texas Red River Depot Manuever Systems Sustainment Center, Phase 1 6,900 The President Army Reserve Texas Sinton Army Reserve Center 9,700 The President Air Force Texas Fort Hood TACP Joint Air Ground Center 10,800 The President/ Mr. Edwards/ Mr. CarAir Force Texas Lackland AFB BMT Recruit Dormitory 75,515 The President Defense-Wide Texas Fort Sam Houston Medical Instruction Facility 13,000 The President/ Mr. Smith, L. Army Reserve Texas Bryan Army Reserve Center 920 Mr. Edwards Army Texas Camp Bullis Live Fire Shoot House 4,200 Mr. Rodriguez Air NG Texas Ellington Field ASOS Facility 7,600 Mr. Lampson Army Texas Fort Hood Chapel with Education Center 17,500 Mr. Edwards/ Mr. Carter Air Force Texas Lackland AFB Security Forces Building Ph 1 900 Mr. Gonzalez 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Air Force Texas Laughlin AFB Student Officer Quarters Ph 2 1,440 Mr. Rodriguez Air Force Texas Randolph AFB Fire and Rescue Station 972 Mr. Cuellar Navy Texas Corpus Christi Parking Apron Recapitalization Ph 1 3,500 Mr. Ortiz Army Texas Fort Bliss Medical Parking Garage Ph 1 12,500 Mr. Reyes Air NG Texas Fort Worth NAS JRB Security Forces Training Facility 5,000 Ms. Granger Navy Texas Kingsville Fitness Center 11,580 Mr. Ortiz Army NG Utah Camp Williams Ammunition Supply Point 17,500 The President Air Force Utah Hill AFB F–22A Heavy Maint. Fac. & Composite Back Shop 36,000 The President Defense-Wide Utah Hill AFB Hydrant Fuel System 20,400 The President Air Force Utah Hill AFB Three-Bay Fire Station 5,400 Mr. Bishop, R. Air NG Vermont Burlington IAP Security Forces and Communications Facility 6,600 The President Army NG Vermont Ethan Allen Range Readiness Center 323 Mr. Welch Army Virginia Fort Belvoir Emergency Services Center 7,200 The President/ Mr. Moran, James Army Virginia Fort Eustis Unit Operations Facilities 14,400 The President Army Virginia Fort Lee Dining Facility 10,600 The President/ Mr. Forbes Army Virginia Fort Lee Trainee Barracks Complex 90,000 The President/ Mr. Forbes Army Virginia Fort Myer Barracks 14,000 The President/ Mr. Moran, James 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Army NG Virginia Arlington Arlington Hall Readiness Center PH2 15,500 The President/ Mr. Moran, James Army NG Virginia Fort Pickett Multi Purpose Machine Gun Range 2,950 The President/ Mr. Forbes Navy Virginia Norfolk Child Development Center 10,500 The President Navy Virginia Norfolk Norfolk Harbor Channel Dredging 42,830 The President Navy Virginia Quantico Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, Type II 27,750 The President Navy Virginia Quantico Aircraft Parking Apron (Greenside) 36,280 The President Navy Virginia Quantico Infrastructure—Russell Road (Phase 1) 7,450 The President Navy Virginia Quantico Instruction Facility Addition—TBS 6,350 The President Navy Virginia Quantico Instruction Facility TBS (Phase 1) 25,200 The President Navy Virginia Quantico Mess Hall—OCS 13,750 The President Navy Virginia Quantico Student Quarters—TBS (Phase 3) 27,530 The President Navy Reserve Virginia Norfolk EODMU 10 Operations Facility 8,170 The President Navy Reserve Virginia Williamsburg Ordnance Handling Cargo Ops Training Support 12,320 The President Defense-Wide Virginia Pentagon Pentagon Athletic Center Phase 2 6,967 The President/ Mr. Moran, James Defense-Wide Virginia Pentagon PFPA HAZMAT Facility 16,401 The President/ Mr. Moran, James Defense-Wide Virginia Dam Neck SOF Operational Facility Incr II 31,000 The President Defense-Wide Virginia Fort Story SOF Small Arms Range 11,600 The President Defense-Wide Virginia Craney Island Replace Fuel Storage Tanks 39,900 The President Army NG Virginia Fort Belvoir Readiness Center and NGB Conference Center 1,085 Mr. Moran, James Army Virginia Fort Myer Hatfield Gate Expansion 300 Mr. Moran, James 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Army Virginia Fort Eustis Vehicle Paint Facility 3,900 Mr. Scott, R./ Mr. Wittman Navy Virginia Norfolk NS Fire and Emergency Services Station 9,960 Ms. Drake Navy Virginia Norfolk NSY Industrial Access Improvements, Main Gate 15 9,990 Mr. Forbes/ Mr. Scott, R. Navy Virginia Quantico OCS Headquarters Facility 5,980 Mr. Wittman Army Washington Fort Lewis Battalion Complex 54,000 The President Army Washington Fort Lewis Battalion Complex 47,000 The President Army Washington Fort Lewis Brigade Complex 30,000 The President Army Washington Fort Lewis Brigade Complex, Incr 3 102,000 The President Army Washington Fort Lewis Child Development Center 27,000 The President Army NG Washington Fort Lewis Aviation Readiness Center 32,000 The President Army Reserve Washington Seattle Army Reserve Center 37,500 The President Navy Washington Bangor Limited Area Production & Storage Complex Incr 

V 

50,700 The President 

Navy Washington Whidbey Island Hangar 5 Recapitalization (Incr) 34,000 The President Air Force Washington McChord AFB C–17 ADAL Flight Simulator 5,500 The President Defense-Wide Washington Fort Lewis SOF Ranger Battalion Complex 38,000 The President Navy Washington Kitsap NB Saltwater Cooling & Fire Protection Improvements 5,110 Mr. Dicks Air NG Washington McChord AFB 262 Info Warfare Aggressor Squadron Facility 8,600 Mr. Smith, A. 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
Navy Washington Whidbey Island Firefighting Facility 6,160 Mr. Larsen Army NG West Virginia Camp Dawson Shoot House 2,000 Mr. Mollohan Army NG West Virginia Camp Dawson Access Control Point 2,000 Mr. Mollohan Army NG West Virginia Camp Dawson Multi-Purpose Building Ph 2 5,000 Mr. Mollohan Army Reserve Wisconsin Fort McCoy Auto Qualification Training Range 4,000 The President Air Force Wyoming F.E. Warren AFB Renovate Historic Dormitory 8,600 The President Air NG Wyoming Cheyenne MAP TFI—C–130 Squadron Operations Facility 7,000 The President/ Ms. Cubin Army Afghanistan Bagram AB Bulk Fuel Storage & Supply, Phase 8 26,000 The President Army Afghanistan Bagram AB Bulk Fuel Storage & Supply, Phase 5 22,000 The President Army Afghanistan Bagram AB SOF HQ Complex 19,000 The President Air Force Afghanistan Bagram AB C–130 Maintenance Hangar 27,400 The President Air Force Afghanistan Bagram AB Cargo Handling Area Expansion 8,800 The President Air Force Afghanistan Bagram AB Refueler Ramp 21,000 The President Navy Diego Garcia Diego Garcia Wharf Upgrade and Warehouse 35,060 The President Navy Djibouti Camp Lemonier Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 12,830 The President Navy Djibouti Camp Lemonier Aircraft Parking Apron 15,250 The President Navy Djibouti Camp Lemonier Telcom Facility 3,330 The President Army Germany Katterbach Aircraft/Vehicle Maintenance Complex 19,000 The President Army Germany Wiesbaden Command and Battle Center, Increment I 59,500 The President Army FH Germany Wiesbaden Family Housing Replacement 32,000 The President 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REPORTS
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION—Continued 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Army FH Germany Wiesbaden AB Family Housing Replacement 10,000 The President Army FH Germany Wiesbaden AB Family Housing Replacement 32,000 The President Army FH Germany Wiesbaden AB Family Housing Replacement 27,000 The President Defense-Wide Germany Germersheim Logistics Distribution Center Europe 48,000 The President Navy Greece Souda Bay Fuel Storage Tanks and Pipeline Replacement 8,000 The President Air Force Guam Andersen AFB Combat Communications Maintenance Facility 5,200 The President/ Ms. Bordallo Navy Guam Guam NB Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, Main Base 62,360 The President/ Ms. Bordallo Navy Guam Guam NB Kilo Wharf Extension 50,912 The President/ Ms. Bordallo Navy Guam Guam NB Wastewater Collection System & Upgrade 26,070 The President/ Ms. Bordallo Defense-Wide Guam Guam NH Central Utility Plant 30,000 The President/ Ms. Bordallo Air Force Guam Andersen AFB ISR/STF Realign Arc Light Boulevard 5,400 Ms. Bordallo Navy Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Consolidated Fitness Complex 20,600 The President Navy FH Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Replace Bargo Housing 22,385 The President Navy FH Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Replace Granadillo Circle Housing 16,547 The President Navy FH Guantanamo Bay Guantanamo Bay Replace Granadillo Point Housing 23,666 The President Army Italy Vicenza Brigade Complex-Barracks/Community, Incr 2 7,500 The President Army Italy Vicenza Brigade Complex-Operations Support Fac, Incr 2 7,500 The President 


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Army Japan Camp Zama Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility 2,350 The President Army Japan Sagamihara Battle Command Training Center 17,500 The President Army Korea Camp Humphreys Vehicle Maintenance Shop 20,000 The President Army FH Korea Camp Humphreys Family Housing New Construction 125,000 The President Air Force Kyrgyzstan Manas AB Hot Cargo Pad 6,000 The President Defense-Wide Qatar Al Udeid SOF Training Range 9,200 The President Air Force United Kingdom RAF Lakenheath Large Vehicle Inspection Station 7,400 The President Air Force FH United Kingdom RAF Lakenheath Replace Family Housing (182 Units) 71,828 The President Air Force Worldwide Classified Special Evaluation Project 891 The President Air Force Worldwide Unspecified UAS Field Training Unit Ops Complex 15,500 The President Air Force Worldwide Unspecified UAS Field Training Unit Maintenance Complex 22,000 The President Air Force Worldwide Unspecified Common Battlefield Airman Training Complex 15,000 The President Defense-Wide Worldwide Unspecified BMDS-European Interceptor Site 52,600 The President Defense-Wide Worldwide Unspecified BMDS-European Midcourse Radar Site 48,560 The President Defense-Wide Worldwide Unspecified NATO Headquarters 22,000 The President Navy Worldwide Unspecified P–8A Integrated Training Center 48,220 The President Navy Worldwide Unspecified Data Center 28,000 The President Navy Worldwide Unspecified Joint Operations & Support Complex, Phase 1 17,800 The President 


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

Account State Location Project Title Amount (in thousands) Member 

Major Construction Colorado Denver New Medical Facility 20,000 The President/ Mr. Perlmutter Major Construction Florida Orlando New Medical Facility 220,000 The President/ Ms. Brown, C./ Mr. WMajor Construction Puerto Rico San Juan Seismic Corrections 64,400 The President Major Construction Florida Lee County Outpatient Clinic 111,412 The President Major Construction Missouri St. Louis Medical Fac. Improvements 5,000 The President Major Construction Florida Bay Pines Inpatient/Outpatient Improve. 17,430 The President Major Construction Kentucky Louisville Site Acquisition and Prep 45,000 Mr. Yarmuth Major Construction Puerto Rico Puerto Rico National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements 33,900 The PresidentMajor Construction Massachusetts Massachusetts National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements 20,500 The President Major Construction New York Calverton National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion and Cemetery Improvements 29,000 The President 


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(111) 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF REPRESENTATIVES JERRY LEWIS 

AND ZACH WAMP 

The fiscal year 2009 Military Construction, Veterans’ Administration and Related Agencies appropriations bill funds critical military construction, family housing and quality of life improvements 

and enhancements for our brave men and women in uniform and 

their families. 

In addition, this bill provides for every veteran who chooses to 

participate in VA programs, and it provides funding our heroes 

who have made the ultimate sacrifice and are honored in the battle 

monuments and cemeteries that are funded in this bill. 

The Subcommittee held 19 hearings on quality of life issues, critical military construction needs, veterans programs, and other 

issues that are important to this subcommittee. We have been full 

participants in those hearings, and are appreciative of the fact that 

all subcommittee members have been given plenty of time and opportunity to question witnesses, and we will continue to support 

the Chairman at these hearings. 

302(B) ALLOCATION

The 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee is $72.729 billion, an 

increase of $8.828 billion [13.8 percent] above the FY ’08 enacted 

level of $63.901 billion (not including emergency funds), and an increase of $3.382 billion [4.88 percent] above the President’s request 

of $69.347 billion. The increase comes from an overall discretionary 

budget increase that exceeded the President’s budget request for 

fiscal year 2009 by $22 billion, and is all part of the Democrats’ 

Budget Conference report that exceeded $1,000,000,000,000 in discretionary spending for the first time in our Nation’s history. 

Even with this massive spending increase, the 302(b) allocation 

cut $4 billion from the President’s budget request for the Department of Defense. The Chairman may believe that $4 billion was cut 

from Defense to pay for a veterans increase in this bill. In actuality, that increase was already assumed in the Budget Resolution. 

The $4 billion cut from the President’s Defense request is really 

being used to increase spending in the other domestic bills. 

At a time when more and more Americans are being squeezed by 

paying in excess of four dollar gas at the pump, we believe government has an obligation to do more with less just as our constituents are being forced to do. We believe we have an obligation to 

make the difficult choices, set priorities, and root out wasteful government spending. Unfortunately, the 302(b) allocations that were 

adopted by the majority do not make difficult choices, do not set 

priorities, and do nothing to root out wasteful government spending. 


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112 

FULL COMMITTEE

The full committee adopted an amendment by Mr. Lewis to assist veterans, who are facing record gasoline prices like all Americans, by increasing the mileage reimbursement rate to 41.5 cents. 

The committee also adopted an amendment by Mr. Kingston that 

directs the Air Force to establish a single point-of-contact at four 

bases that were affected by the American Eagle privatization 

projects. 

FLOOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS BILL

Traditionally, the Military Construction-VA bill has always been 

one of the first bills out of the House. We appreciate all of the hard 

work that Chairman Edwards and his staff have put into this bill, 

and we hope that the tradition for this bill to go early in the process to the House floor under an open rule continues. While we support this bill, the substantial funding increases included in it are 

going to require proper oversight of taxpayer dollars. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION & FAMILY HOUSING

The total funding level for military construction and family hous- ing is $24.8 billion, an increase of $400 million above the President’s budget request, and an increase of $4.2 billion over the fiscal 

year 2008 funding level. These funds are essential to meet the 

needs of the Grow the Force initiatives in the Army and Marine 

Corps that will add 92,000 active duty personnel. 

We are pleased that funding for the BRAC 2005 account is at the 

President’s budget request of $9.1 billion. We want to work with 

the majority to ensure that this account does not get cut as this 

bill moves forward. It is important for the DoD to have this funding 

to ensure that they have the necessary resources to fully implement BRAC 2005 by the September 15, 2011 deadline. 

VETERANS AFFAIRS

This bill continues efforts to make the Veterans Health Administration the most effective and efficient system that it can be. However, we must not forget that the Department of Veterans Affairs 

is a bureaucracy that is slow to adapt to the changes in health care 

delivery that are occurring. Consequently, this bill continues efforts 

to adapt from the in-patient bed towers to the community-based 

outpatient clinics that serve so many of our veterans closer to 

where they live. In addition, funding increases are provided to 

meet the increased needs of veterans’ health care in rural and 

other underserved areas of the country. 

It is important to point out that this bill provides medical care 

funding to meet the needs of those wounded troops returning from 

Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 

the unique challenges that they present especially for post traumatic brain disorder and traumatic brain injury. 

There is no greater way to honor the volunteers who serve our 

country than to make sure that they have the best medical care 

and facilities with which to treat them. This bill provides historic 

funding increases to do just that. But, we can’t forget that we also 

owe it to them to ensure that the VA manages these funds in a way 


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113 

that also honors our veterans. It would be a disservice to these heroes if stories of misuse or mismanagement arise. Therefore, we 

look forward to supporting Chairman Edwards to conduct the necessary oversight to ensure that these funds are spent wisely. 

We are pleased that the bill includes much-needed funds for the 

VA Office of Inspector General to maintain its investigation and 

audit functions at the fiscal year 2008 operational level, and to increase oversight on community-based outpatient clinics, veterans’ 

centers, mental health initiatives, especially PTSD, and a review 

on the relevancy of VA research to the veteran population. 

In conclusion, while American taxpayers and future generations 

of Americans will be paying the price for this bill and other bills 

under the bloated discretionary spending levels adopted by the 

Democrat majority, this is a good bill. This bill will benefit our 

troops and their families, our veterans, and those who have paid 

the ultimate price of freedom. 


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