110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2642 

AN ACT 

Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the 

fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other 

purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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1 That the following sums are appropriated, out of any 

2 money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for 

3 military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

4 and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 

5 30, 2008, and for other purposes, namely: 

6 TITLE I 

7 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

8 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

9 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip10 ment of temporary or permanent public works, military 

11 installations, facilities, and real property for the Army as 

12 currently authorized by law, including personnel in the 

13 Army Corps of Engineers and other personal services nec14 essary for the purposes of this appropriation, and for con15 struction and operation of facilities in support of the func16 tions of the Commander in Chief, $4,070,959,000, to re17 main available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That 

18 of this amount, not to exceed $481,468,000 shall be avail19 able for study, planning, design, architect and engineer 

20 services, and host nation support, as authorized by law, 

21 unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional 

22 obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies 

23 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con24 gress of the determination and the reasons therefor. 
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1 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

2 (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

3 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip4 ment of temporary or permanent public works, naval in5 stallations, facilities, and real property for the Navy and 

6 Marine Corps as currently authorized by law, including 

7 personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command 

8 and other personal services necessary for the purposes of 

9 this appropriation, $2,125,138,000, to remain available 

10 until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of this amount, 

11 not to exceed $110,167,000 shall be available for study, 

12 planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as 

13 authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense deter14 mines that additional obligations are necessary for such 

15 purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations 

16 of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the 

17 reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds ap18 propriated for ‘‘Military Construction, Navy and Marine 

19 Corps’’ under Public Law 108–132, $5,862,000 are here20 by rescinded. 

21 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

22 (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

23 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip24 ment of temporary or permanent public works, military 

25 installations, facilities, and real property for the Air Force 
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1 as currently authorized by law, $927,428,000, to remain 

2 available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of this 

3 amount, not to exceed $51,587,000 shall be available for 

4 study, planning, design, and architect and engineer serv5 ices, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense 

6 determines that additional obligations are necessary for 

7 such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropria8 tions of both Houses of Congress of the determination and 

9 the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds 

10 appropriated for ‘‘Military Construction, Air Force’’ under 

11 Public Law 108–324, $5,319,000 are hereby rescinded. 

12 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

13 (INCLUDING TRANSFER AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

14 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip15 ment of temporary or permanent public works, installa16 tions, facilities, and real property for activities and agen17 cies of the Department of Defense (other than the military 

18 departments), as currently authorized by law, 

19 $1,806,928,000, to remain available until September 30, 

20 2012: Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation 

21 as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may 

22 be transferred to such appropriations of the Department 

23 of Defense available for military construction or family 

24 housing as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with 

25 and to be available for the same purposes, and for the 
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1 same time period, as the appropriation or fund to which 

2 transferred: Provided further, That of the amount appro3 priated, not to exceed $154,728,000 shall be available for 

4 study, planning, design, and architect and engineer serv5 ices, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense 

6 determines that additional obligations are necessary for 

7 such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropria8 tions of both Houses of Congress of the determination and 

9 the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds 

10 appropriated for ‘‘Military Construction, Defense-Wide’’ 

11 under Public Law 110–5, $7,592,000 are hereby re12 scinded. 

13 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

14 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita15 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad16 ministration of the Army National Guard, and contribu17 tions therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, 

18 United States Code, and Military Construction Authoriza19 tion Acts, $439,291,000, to remain available until Sep20 tember 30, 2012. 

21 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

22 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita23 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad24 ministration of the Air National Guard, and contributions 

25 therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United 
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1 States Code, and Military Construction Authorization 

2 Acts, $95,517,000, to remain available until September 

3 30, 2012. 

4 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE

5 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita6 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad7 ministration of the Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 

8 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Con9 struction Authorization Acts, $154,684,000, to remain 

10 available until September 30, 2012. 

11 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY RESERVE

12 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita13 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad14 ministration of the reserve components of the Navy and 

15 Marine Corps as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, 

16 United States Code, and Military Construction Authoriza17 tion Acts, $69,150,000, to remain available until Sep18 tember 30, 2012. 

19 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE

20 (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

21 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita22 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad23 ministration of the Air Force Reserve as authorized by 

24 chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military 

25 Construction Authorization Acts, $39,628,000, to remain 
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1 available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of the 

2 funds appropriated for ‘‘Military Construction, Air Force 

3 Reserve’’ under Public Law 109–114, $3,069,000 are 

4 hereby rescinded. 

5 NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

6 SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

7 For the United States share of the cost of the North 

8 Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Pro9 gram for the acquisition and construction of military fa10 cilities and installations (including international military 

11 headquarters) and for related expenses for the collective 

12 defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized 

13 by section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Mili14 tary Construction Authorization Acts, $201,400,000, to 

15 remain available until expended. 

16 FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

17 For expenses of family housing for the Army for con18 struction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, ex19 pansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, 

20 $419,400,000, to remain available until September 30, 

21 2012. 

22 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 

23 ARMY

24 For expenses of family housing for the Army for op25 eration and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, 
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1 minor construction, principal and interest charges, and in2 surance premiums, as authorized by law, $742,920,000. 

3 FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE

4 CORPS

5 For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Ma6 rine Corps for construction, including acquisition, replace7 ment, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as 

8 authorized by law, $298,329,000, to remain available until 

9 September 30, 2012. 

10 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 

11 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

12 For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Ma13 rine Corps for operation and maintenance, including debt 

14 payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and inter15 est charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by 

16 law, $371,404,000. 

17 FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

18 For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 

19 construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, 

20 expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, 

21 $362,747,000, to remain available until September 30, 

22 2012. 
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1 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR

2 FORCE

3 For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 

4 operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leas5 ing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, 

6 and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, 

7 $688,335,000. 

8 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 

9 DEFENSE-WIDE

10 For expenses of family housing for the activities and 

11 agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the 

12 military departments) for operation and maintenance, 

13 leasing, and minor construction, as authorized by law, 

14 $48,848,000. 

15 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FAMILY HOUSING

16 IMPROVEMENT FUND

17 For the Department of Defense Family Housing Im18 provement Fund, $500,000, to remain available until ex19 pended, for family housing initiatives undertaken pursu20 ant to section 2883 of title 10, United States Code, pro21 viding alternative means of acquiring and improving mili22 tary family housing and supporting facilities. 
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1 CHEMICAL DEMILITARIZATION CONSTRUCTION, 

2 DEFENSE-WIDE

3 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

4 For expenses of construction, not otherwise provided 

5 for, necessary for the destruction of the United States 

6 stockpile of lethal chemical agents and munitions in ac7 cordance with the provisions of section 1412 of the De8 partment of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 (50 U.S.C. 

9 1521), and for the destruction of other chemical warfare 

10 materials that are not in the chemical weapon stockpile, 

11 as currently authorized by law, $86,176,000, to remain 

12 available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That such 

13 amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by 

14 the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such ap15 propriations of the Department of Defense available for 

16 military construction as the Secretary may designate, to 

17 be merged with and to be available for the same purposes, 

18 and for the same time period, as the appropriation to 

19 which transferred. 

20 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

21 1990 

22 For deposit into the Department of Defense Base 

23 Closure Account 1990, established by section 2906(a)(1) 

24 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 
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1 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $270,689,000, to remain available 

2 until expended. 

3 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

4 2005 

5 For deposit into the Department of Defense Base 

6 Closure Account 2005, established by section 2906A(a)(1) 

7 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 

8 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $8,174,315,000, to remain avail9 able until expended. 

10 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

11 SEC. 101. None of the funds made available in this 

12 title shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a13 fixed-fee contract for construction, where cost estimates 

14 exceed $25,000, to be performed within the United States, 

15 except Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of 

16 the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons there17 for. 

18 SEC. 102. Funds made available in this title for con19 struction shall be available for hire of passenger motor ve20 hicles. 

21 SEC. 103. Funds made available in this title for con22 struction may be used for advances to the Federal High23 way Administration, Department of Transportation, for 

24 the construction of access roads as authorized by section 

25 210 of title 23, United States Code, when projects author-
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1 ized therein are certified as important to the national de2 fense by the Secretary of Defense. 

3 SEC. 104. None of the funds made available in this 

4 title may be used to begin construction of new bases in 

5 the United States for which specific appropriations have 

6 not been made. 

7 SEC. 105. None of the funds made available in this 

8 title shall be used for purchase of land or land easements 

9 in excess of 100 percent of the value as determined by 

10 the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engi11 neering Command, except: (1) where there is a determina12 tion of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated 

13 by the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney 

14 General; (3) where the estimated value is less than 

15 $25,000; or (4) as otherwise determined by the Secretary 

16 of Defense to be in the public interest. 

17 SEC. 106. None of the funds made available in this 

18 title shall be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site 

19 preparation; or (3) install utilities for any family housing, 

20 except housing for which funds have been made available 

21 in annual Acts making appropriations for military con22 struction. 

23 SEC. 107. None of the funds made available in this 

24 title for minor construction may be used to transfer or 

25 relocate any activity from one base or installation to an-
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1 other, without prior notification to the Committees on Ap2 propriations of both Houses of Congress. 

3 SEC. 108. None of the funds made available in this 

4 title may be used for the procurement of steel for any con5 struction project or activity for which American steel pro6 ducers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied 

7 the opportunity to compete for such steel procurement. 

8 SEC. 109. None of the funds available to the Depart9 ment of Defense for military construction or family hous10 ing during the current fiscal year may be used to pay real 

11 property taxes in any foreign nation. 

12 SEC. 110. None of the funds made available in this 

13 title may be used to initiate a new installation overseas 

14 without prior notification to the Committees on Appro15 priations of both Houses of Congress. 

16 SEC. 111. None of the funds made available in this 

17 title may be obligated for architect and engineer contracts 

18 estimated by the Government to exceed $500,000 for 

19 projects to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlan20 tic Treaty Organization member country, or in countries 

21 bordering the Arabian Sea, unless such contracts are 

22 awarded to United States firms or United States firms 

23 in joint venture with host nation firms. 

24 SEC. 112. None of the funds made available in this 

25 title for military construction in the United States terri-
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1 tories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein 

2 Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Sea, may be 

3 used to award any contract estimated by the Government 

4 to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided, 

5 That this section shall not be applicable to contract 

6 awards for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid 

7 of a United States contractor exceeds the lowest respon8 sive and responsible bid of a foreign contractor by greater 

9 than 20 percent: Provided further, That this section shall 

10 not apply to contract awards for military construction on 

11 Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and re12 sponsible bid is submitted by a Marshallese contractor. 

13 SEC. 113. The Secretary of Defense is to inform the 

14 appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, in15 cluding the Committees on Appropriations, of the plans 

16 and scope of any proposed military exercise involving 

17 United States personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, 

18 if amounts expended for construction, either temporary or 

19 permanent, are anticipated to exceed $100,000. 

20 SEC. 114. Not more than 20 percent of the funds 

21 made available in this title which are limited for obligation 

22 during the current fiscal year shall be obligated during 

23 the last two months of the fiscal year. 

24 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

25 SEC. 115. Funds appropriated to the Department of 

26 Defense for construction in prior years shall be available 
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1 for construction authorized for each such military depart2 ment by the authorizations enacted into law during the 

3 current session of Congress. 

4 SEC. 116. For military construction or family housing 

5 projects that are being completed with funds otherwise ex6 pired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds may 

7 be used to pay the cost of associated supervision, inspec8 tion, overhead, engineering and design on those projects 

9 and on subsequent claims, if any. 

10 SEC. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

11 law, any funds made available to a military department 

12 or defense agency for the construction of military projects 

13 may be obligated for a military construction project or 

14 contract, or for any portion of such a project or contract, 

15 at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after 

16 the fiscal year for which funds for such project were made 

17 available, if the funds obligated for such project: (1) are 

18 obligated from funds available for military construction 

19 projects; and (2) do not exceed the amount appropriated 

20 for such project, plus any amount by which the cost of 

21 such project is increased pursuant to law. 

22 SEC. 118. The Secretary of Defense is to provide the 

23 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

24 with an annual report by February 15, containing details 

25 of the specific actions proposed to be taken by the Depart-
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1 ment of Defense during the current fiscal year to encour2 age other member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty 

3 Organization, Japan, Korea, and United States allies bor4 dering the Arabian Sea to assume a greater share of the 

5 common defense burden of such nations and the United 

6 States. 

7 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

8 SEC. 119. In addition to any other transfer authority 

9 available to the Department of Defense, proceeds depos10 ited to the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 

11 established by section 207(a)(1) of the Defense Authoriza12 tion Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act 

13 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note) pursuant to section 207(a)(2)(C) 

14 of such Act, may be transferred to the account established 

15 by section 2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and 

16 Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), to be 

17 merged with, and to be available for the same purposes 

18 and the same time period as that account. 

19 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

20 SEC. 120. Subject to 30 days prior notification to the 

21 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con22 gress, such additional amounts as may be determined by 

23 the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to: (1) the 

24 Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement 

25 Fund from amounts appropriated for construction in 

26 ‘‘Family Housing’’ accounts, to be merged with and to be 
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1 available for the same purposes and for the same period 

2 of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; or 

3 (2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied 

4 Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated 

5 for construction of military unaccompanied housing in 

6 ‘‘Military Construction’’ accounts, to be merged with and 

7 to be available for the same purposes and for the same 

8 period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the 

9 Fund: Provided, That appropriations made available to 

10 the Funds shall be available to cover the costs, as defined 

11 in section 502(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 

12 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the De13 partment of Defense pursuant to the provisions of sub14 chapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, 

15 pertaining to alternative means of acquiring and improv16 ing military family housing, military unaccompanied hous17 ing, and supporting facilities. 

18 SEC. 121. None of the funds made available in this 

19 title may be obligated for Partnership for Peace Programs 

20 in the New Independent States of the former Soviet 

21 Union. 

22 SEC. 122. (a) Not later than 60 days before issuing 

23 any solicitation for a contract with the private sector for 

24 military family housing the Secretary of the military de25 partment concerned shall submit to the Committees on 
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1 Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the notice de2 scribed in subsection (b). 

3 (b)(1) A notice referred to in subsection (a) is a no4 tice of any guarantee (including the making of mortgage 

5 or rental payments) proposed to be made by the Secretary 

6 to the private party under the contract involved in the 

7 event of— 

8 (A) the closure or realignment of the installa9 tion for which housing is provided under the con10 tract; 

11 (B) a reduction in force of units stationed at 

12 such installation; or 

13 (C) the extended deployment overseas of units 

14 stationed at such installation. 

15 (2) Each notice under this subsection shall specify 

16 the nature of the guarantee involved and assess the extent 

17 and likelihood, if any, of the liability of the Federal Gov18 ernment with respect to the guarantee. 

19 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

20 SEC. 123. In addition to any other transfer authority 

21 available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be 

22 transferred from the accounts established by sections 

23 2906(a)(1) and 2906A(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure 

24 and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), to 

25 the fund established by section 1013(d) of the Demonstra26 tion Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 
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1 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for expenses associated with the 

2 Homeowners Assistance Program. Any amounts trans3 ferred shall be merged with and be available for the same 

4 purposes and for the same time period as the fund to 

5 which transferred. 

6 SEC. 124. Notwithstanding this or any other provi7 sion of law, funds made available in this title for operation 

8 and maintenance of family housing shall be the exclusive 

9 source of funds for repair and maintenance of all family 

10 housing units, including general or flag officer quarters: 

11 Provided, That not more than $35,000 per unit may be 

12 spent annually for the maintenance and repair of any gen13 eral or flag officer quarters without 30 days prior notifica14 tion to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

15 of Congress, except that an after-the-fact notification shall 

16 be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to 

17 costs associated with environmental remediation that 

18 could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of the 

19 budget submission: Provided further, That the Under Sec20 retary of Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually to 

21 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con22 gress all operation and maintenance expenditures for each 

23 individual general or flag officer quarters for the prior fis24 cal year. 
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1 SEC. 125. Whenever the Secretary of Defense or any 

2 other official of the Department of Defense is requested 

3 by the subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans 

4 Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appro5 priations of the House of Representatives or the sub6 committee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and 

7 Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of 

8 the Senate to respond to a question or inquiry submitted 

9 by the chairman or another member of that subcommittee 

10 pursuant to a subcommittee hearing or other activity, the 

11 Secretary (or other official) shall respond to the request, 

12 in writing, within 21 days of the date on which the request 

13 is transmitted to the Secretary (or other official). 

14 SEC. 126. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Im15 provement Account established by subsection (h) of sec16 tion 2814 of title 10, United States Code, are appro17 priated and shall be available until expended for the pur18 poses specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until 

19 transferred pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section. 

20 SEC. 127. None of the funds made available in this 

21 title, or in any Act making appropriations for military con22 struction which remain available for obligation, may be ob23 ligated or expended to carry out a military construction, 

24 land acquisition, or family housing project at or for a mili25 tary installation approved for closure, or at a military in-
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1 stallation for the purposes of supporting a function that 

2 has been approved for realignment to another installation, 

3 in 2005 under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment 

4 Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101– 

5 510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note), unless such a project at a mili6 tary installation approved for realignment will support a 

7 continuing mission or function at that installation or a 

8 new mission or function that is planned for that installa9 tion, or unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that the 

10 cost to the United States of carrying out such project 

11 would be less than the cost to the United States of cancel12 ling such project, or if the project is at an active compo13 nent base that shall be established as an enclave or in the 

14 case of projects having multi-agency use, that another 

15 Government agency has indicated it will assume ownership 

16 of the completed project. The Secretary of Defense may 

17 not transfer funds made available as a result of this limi18 tation from any military construction project, land acquisi19 tion, or family housing project to another account or use 

20 such funds for another purpose or project without the 

21 prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of 

22 both Houses of Congress. This section shall not apply to 

23 military construction projects, land acquisition, or family 

24 housing projects for which the project is vital to the na25 tional security or the protection of health, safety, or envi-
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1 ronmental quality: Provided, That the Secretary of De2 fense shall notify the congressional defense committees 

3 within seven days of a decision to carry out such a military 

4 construction project. 

5 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

6 SEC. 128. During the 5-year period after appropria7 tions available in this Act to the Department of Defense 

8 for military construction and family housing operation and 

9 maintenance and construction have expired for obligation, 

10 upon a determination that such appropriations will not be 

11 necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making 

12 authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obliga13 tions incurred during the period of availability of such ap14 propriations, unobligated balances of such appropriations 

15 may be transferred into the appropriation ‘‘Foreign Cur16 rency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense’’, to be merged 

17 with and to be available for the same time period and for 

18 the same purposes as the appropriation to which trans19 ferred. 

20 SEC. 129. None of the funds in this title shall be used 

21 for any activity related to the construction of an Outlying 

22 Landing Field in Washington County, North Carolina. 
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1 TITLE II 

2 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

3 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

4 COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

5 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

6 For the payment of compensation benefits to or on 

7 behalf of veterans and a pilot program for disability ex8 aminations as authorized by section 107 and chapters 11, 

9 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code; 

10 pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized 

11 by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United 

12 States Code; and burial benefits, the Reinstated Entitle13 ment Program for Survivors, emergency and other offi14 cers’ retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and certifi15 cates, payment of premiums due on commercial life insur16 ance policies guaranteed under the provisions of title IV 

17 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 

18 541 et seq.) and for other benefits as authorized by sec19 tions 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, and chapters 23, 51, 

20 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code, 

21 $41,236,322,000, to remain available until expended: Pro22 vided, That not to exceed $25,033,000 of the amount ap23 propriated under this heading shall be reimbursed to 

24 ‘‘General operating expenses’’ and ‘‘Medical administra25 tion’’ for necessary expenses in implementing the provi26 sions of chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United States 
24 

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1 Code, the funding source for which is specifically provided 

2 as the ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’ appropriation: Pro3 vided further, That such sums as may be earned on an 

4 actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to 

5 ‘‘Medical care collections fund’’ to augment the funding 

6 of individual medical facilities for nursing home care pro7 vided to pensioners as authorized. 

8 READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

9 For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation 

10 benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by chap11 ters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of 

12 title 38, United States Code, $3,300,289,000, to remain 

13 available until expended: Provided, That expenses for re14 habilitation program services and assistance which the 

15 Secretary is authorized to provide under subsection (a) of 

16 section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, other than 

17 under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) of that sub18 section, shall be charged to this account. 

19 VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

20 For military and naval insurance, national service life 

21 insurance, servicemen’s indemnities, service-disabled vet22 erans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as 

23 authorized by title 38, United States Code, chapters 19 

24 and 21, $41,250,000, to remain available until expended. 
25 

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1 VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND PROGRAM

2 ACCOUNT

3 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

4 For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such 

5 sums as may be necessary to carry out the program, as 

6 authorized by subchapters I through III of chapter 37 of 

7 title 38, United States Code: Provided, That such costs, 

8 including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as de9 fined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

10 1974: Provided further, That during fiscal year 2008, 

11 within the resources available, not to exceed $500,000 in 

12 gross obligations for direct loans are authorized for spe13 cially adapted housing loans. 

14 In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out 

15 the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $154,562,000, 

16 which may be transferred to and merged with the appro17 priation for ‘‘General operating expenses’’. 

18 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

19 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

20 For the cost of direct loans, $71,000, as authorized 

21 by chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code: Provided, 

22 That such costs, including the cost of modifying such 

23 loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congres24 sional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That funds 

25 made available under this heading are available to sub-
26 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 sidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct 

2 loans not to exceed $3,287,000. 

3 In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to 

4 carry out the direct loan program, $311,000, which may 

5 be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 

6 ‘‘General operating expenses’’. 

7 NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM

8 ACCOUNT

9 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

10 For administrative expenses to carry out the direct 

11 loan program authorized by subchapter V of chapter 37 

12 of title 38, United States Code, $628,000, which may be 

13 transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 

14 ‘‘General operating expenses’’: Provided, That no new 

15 loans in excess of $30,000,000 may be made in fiscal year 

16 2008. 

17 GUARANTEED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOANS FOR

18 HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

19 For the administrative expenses to carry out the 

20 guaranteed transitional housing loan program authorized 

21 by subchapter VI of chapter 37 of title 38, United States 

22 Code, not to exceed $750,000 of the amounts appropriated 

23 by this Act for ‘‘General operating expenses’’ and ‘‘Med24 ical administration’’ may be expended. 
27 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

2 MEDICAL SERVICES

3 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

4 For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized 

5 by law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to 

6 beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and 

7 veterans described in section 1705(a) of title 38, United 

8 States Code, including care and treatment in facilities not 

9 under the jurisdiction of the Department, and including 

10 medical supplies and equipment, food services, and sala11 ries and expenses of health-care employees hired under 

12 title 38, United States Code, and aid to State homes as 

13 authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States Code; 

14 $28,906,400,000 (increased by $125,000,000), plus reim15 bursements, of which not less than $2,900,000,000 shall 

16 be expended for specialty mental health care; not less than 

17 $130,000,000 shall be expended for the homeless grants 

18 and per diem program; not less than $428,873,754 shall 

19 be expended for the substance abuse program; and not less 

20 than $100,275,000 shall be expended for blind rehabilita21 tion services: Provided, That of the funds made available 

22 under this heading, not to exceed $1,100,000,000 shall be 

23 available until September 30, 2009: Provided further, 

24 That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Sec25 retary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a priority for the 

26 provision of medical treatment for veterans who have serv-
28 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 ice-connected disabilities, lower income, or have special 

2 needs: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other 

3 provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

4 give priority funding for the provision of basic medical 

5 benefits to veterans in enrollment priority groups 1 

6 through 6: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any 

7 other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

8 may authorize the dispensing of prescription drugs from 

9 Veterans Health Administration facilities to enrolled vet10 erans with privately written prescriptions based on re11 quirements established by the Secretary: Provided further, 

12 That the implementation of the program described in the 

13 previous proviso shall incur no additional cost to the De14 partment of Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That for 

15 the DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as au16 thorized by section 8111(d) of title 38, United States 

17 Code, a minimum of $15,000,000, to remain available 

18 until expended, for any purpose authorized by section 

19 8111 of title 38, United States Code. 

20 MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION

21 For necessary expenses in the administration of the 

22 medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, 

23 supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; ad24 ministrative expenses in support of capital policy activi25 ties; and administrative and legal expenses of the Depart26 ment for collecting and recovering amounts owed the De-
29 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 partment as authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, 

2 United States Code, and the Federal Medical Care Recov3 ery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.); $3,635,600,000 (in4 creased by $5,000,000) (reduced by $5,000,000) (reduced 

5 by $125,000,000), plus reimbursements, of which 

6 $250,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2009. 

7 MEDICAL FACILITIES

8 For necessary expenses for the maintenance and op9 eration of hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facili10 ties, and other necessary facilities of the Veterans Health 

11 Administration; for administrative expenses in support of 

12 planning, design, project management, real property ac13 quisition and disposition, construction, and renovation of 

14 any facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 

15 Department; for oversight, engineering, and architectural 

16 activities not charged to project costs; for repairing, alter17 ing, improving, or providing facilities in the several hos18 pitals and homes under the jurisdiction of the Depart19 ment, not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by 

20 the hire of temporary employees and purchase of mate21 rials; for leases of facilities; and for laundry services, 

22 $4,100,000,000, plus reimbursements, of which 

23 $250,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2009: 

24 Provided, That $300,000,000 for non-recurring mainte25 nance provided under this heading shall be allocated in 
30 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 a manner not subject to the Veterans Equitable Resource 

2 Allocation. 

3 MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

4 For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of 

5 medical and prosthetic research and development as au6 thorized by chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, 

7 $480,000,000, plus reimbursements, to remain available 

8 until September 30, 2009. 

9 DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

10 GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES

11 For necessary operating expenses of the Department 

12 of Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including 

13 administrative expenses in support of Department-Wide 

14 capital planning, management and policy activities, uni15 forms, or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for 

16 official reception and representation expenses; hire of pas17 senger motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General 

18 Services Administration for security guard services and 

19 the Department of Defense for the cost of overseas em20 ployee mail, $1,598,500,000: Provided, That expenses for 

21 services and assistance authorized under paragraphs (1), 

22 (2), (5), and (11) of section 3104(a) of title 38, United 

23 States Code, that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs deter24 mines are necessary to enable entitled veterans: (1) to the 

25 maximum extent feasible, to become employable and to ob26 tain and maintain suitable employment; or (2) to achieve 
31 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 maximum independence in daily living, shall be charged 

2 to this account: Provided further, That the Veterans Bene3 fits Administration shall be funded at not less than 

4 $1,324,957,000: Provided further, That of the funds made 

5 available under this heading, not to exceed $75,000,000 

6 shall be available for obligation until September 30, 2009: 

7 Provided further, That from the funds made available 

8 under this heading, the Veterans Benefits Administration 

9 may purchase (on a one-for-one replacement basis only) 

10 up to two passenger motor vehicles for use in operations 

11 of that Administration in Manila, Philippines: Provided 

12 further, That of the funds made available under this head13 ing, $2,000,000 is for the Advisory Committee on Women 

14 Veterans under section 542 of title 38, United States 

15 Code. 

16 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

17 For necessary expenses for information technology 

18 systems and telecommunications support, including devel19 opmental information systems and operational information 

20 systems and pay and associated cost for operations and 

21 maintenance associated staff; for the capital asset acquisi22 tion of information technology systems, including manage23 ment and related contractual costs of said acquisitions, in24 cluding contractual costs associated with operations au25 thorized by chapter 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 

26 $1,859,217,000, to remain available until September 30, 
32 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 2009: Provided, That none of these funds may be obli2 gated until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to 

3 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con4 gress, and such Committees approve, a plan for expendi5 ture that: (1) meets the capital planning and investment 

6 control review requirements established by the Office of 

7 Management and Budget; (2) complies with the Depart8 ment of Veterans Affairs enterprise architecture; (3) con9 forms with an established enterprise life cycle method10 ology; and (4) complies with the acquisition rules, require11 ments, guidelines, and systems acquisition management 

12 practices of the Federal Government: Provided further, 

13 That within 30 days of the date of the enactment of this 

14 Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 

15 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

16 a reprogramming base letter which provides, by project, 

17 the costs included in this appropriation. 

18 NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

19 For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Ad20 ministration for operations and maintenance, not other21 wise provided for, including uniforms or allowances there22 for; cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase 

23 of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial oper24 ations; and hire of passenger motor vehicles, 

25 $170,000,000, of which not to exceed $7,800,000 shall be 

26 available until September 30, 2009. 
33 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

2 For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector 

3 General in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector 

4 General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $76,500,000, of 

5 which $3,630,000 shall remain available until September 

6 30, 2009. 

7 CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

8 For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 

9 any of the facilities, including parking projects, under the 

10 jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 

11 Affairs, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 

12 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, 

13 and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, including plan14 ning, architectural and engineering services, construction 

15 management services, maintenance or guarantee period 

16 services costs associated with equipment guarantees pro17 vided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 

18 utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and 

19 site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is 

20 more than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) 

21 of title 38, United States Code, or where funds for a 

22 project were made available in a previous major project 

23 appropriation, $1,410,800,000, to remain available until 

24 expended, of which $2,000,000 shall be to make reim25 bursements as provided in section 13 of the Contract Dis26 putes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 612) for claims paid for 
34 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 contract disputes: Provided, That except for advance plan2 ning activities, including needs assessments which may or 

3 may not lead to capital investments, and other capital 

4 asset management related activities, including portfolio 

5 development and management activities, and investment 

6 strategy studies funded through the advance planning 

7 fund and the planning and design activities funded 

8 through the design fund, including needs assessments 

9 which may or may not lead to capital investments, none 

10 of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be used 

11 for any project which has not been approved by the Con12 gress in the budgetary process: Provided further, That 

13 funds provided in this appropriation for fiscal year 2008, 

14 for each approved project shall be obligated: (1) by the 

15 awarding of a construction documents contract by Sep16 tember 30, 2008; and (2) by the awarding of a construc17 tion contract by September 30, 2009: Provided further, 

18 That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promptly sub19 mit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

20 of Congress a written report on any approved major con21 struction project for which obligations are not incurred 

22 within the time limitations established above: Provided 

23 further, That none of the funds appropriated in this or 

24 any other Act may be used to reduce the mission, services, 

25 or infrastructure, including land, of the 18 facilities on 
35 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services 

2 (CARES) list requiring further study, as specified by the 

3 Secretary of Veterans Affairs, without prior approval of 

4 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con5 gress. 

6 CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

7 For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 

8 any of the facilities, including parking projects, under the 

9 jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 

10 Affairs, including planning and assessments of needs 

11 which may lead to capital investments, architectural and 

12 engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period 

13 services costs associated with equipment guarantees pro14 vided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 

15 utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and 

16 site acquisition, or for any of the purposes set forth in 

17 sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 

18 8110, 8122, and 8162 of title 38, United States Code, 

19 where the estimated cost of a project is equal to or less 

20 than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 

21 38, United States Code, $615,000,000, to remain avail22 able until expended, along with unobligated balances of 

23 previous ‘‘Construction, minor projects’’ appropriations 

24 which are hereby made available for any project where the 

25 estimated cost is equal to or less than the amount set forth 

26 in such section: Provided, That funds in this account shall 
36 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 be available for: (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facili2 ties under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Depart3 ment which are necessary because of loss or damage 

4 caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; and (2) 

5 temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize 

6 further loss by such causes: Provided further, That within 

7 30 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet8 erans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appro9 priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming 

10 base letter which provides, by project, the costs included 

11 in this appropriation. 

12 GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE

13 FACILITIES

14 For grants to assist States to acquire or construct 

15 State nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to re16 model, modify, or alter existing hospital, nursing home, 

17 and domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing 

18 care to veterans as authorized by sections 8131 through 

19 8137 of title 38, United States Code, $165,000,000, to 

20 remain available until expended. 

21 GRANTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATE VETERANS

22 CEMETERIES

23 For grants to assist States in establishing, expand24 ing, or improving State veterans cemeteries as authorized 

25 by section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, 

26 $37,000,000, to remain available until expended. 
37 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

2 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

3 SEC. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2008 for 

4 ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment benefits’’, 

5 and ‘‘Veterans insurance and indemnities’’ may be trans6 ferred as necessary to any other of the mentioned appro7 priations: Provided, That before a transfer may take place, 

8 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the 

9 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

10 the authority to make the transfer and such Committees 

11 issue an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 

12 days has elapsed. 

13 SEC. 202. Appropriations available in this title for 

14 salaries and expenses shall be available for services au15 thorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 

16 hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or land 

17 or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as author18 ized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United 

19 States Code. 

20 SEC. 203. No appropriations in this title (except the 

21 appropriations for ‘‘Construction, major projects’’, and 

22 ‘‘Construction, minor projects’’) shall be available for the 

23 purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any 

24 new hospital or home. 
38 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 SEC. 204. No appropriations in this title shall be 

2 available for hospitalization or examination of any persons 

3 (except beneficiaries entitled to such hospitalization or ex4 amination under the laws providing such benefits to vet5 erans, and persons receiving such treatment under sec6 tions 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States Code, 

7 or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 

8 Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reim9 bursement of the cost of such hospitalization or examina10 tion is made to the ‘‘Medical services’’ account at such 

11 rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

12 SEC. 205. Appropriations available in this title for 

13 ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment benefits’’, 

14 and ‘‘Veterans insurance and indemnities’’ shall be avail15 able for payment of prior year accrued obligations re16 quired to be recorded by law against the corresponding 

17 prior year accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 

18 2007. 

19 SEC. 206. Appropriations available in this title shall 

20 be available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 

21 prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 

22 3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States 

23 Code, except that if such obligations are from trust fund 

24 accounts they shall be payable only from ‘‘Compensation 

25 and pensions’’. 
39 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

2 SEC. 207. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

3 law, during fiscal year 2008, the Secretary of Veterans 

4 Affairs shall, from the National Service Life Insurance 

5 Fund (38 U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans’ Special Life Insur6 ance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Gov7 ernment Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reim8 burse the ‘‘General operating expenses’’ account for the 

9 cost of administration of the insurance programs financed 

10 through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement 

11 shall be made only from the surplus earnings accumulated 

12 in such an insurance program during fiscal year 2008 that 

13 are available for dividends in that program after claims 

14 have been paid and actuarially determined reserves have 

15 been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of admin16 istration of such an insurance program exceeds the 

17 amount of surplus earnings accumulated in that program, 

18 reimbursement shall be made only to the extent of such 

19 surplus earnings: Provided further, That the Secretary 

20 shall determine the cost of administration for fiscal year 

21 2008 which is properly allocable to the provision of each 

22 such insurance program and to the provision of any total 

23 disability income insurance included in that insurance pro24 gram. 
40 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 SEC. 208. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use 

2 lease proceeds to reimburse an account for expenses in3 curred by that account during a prior fiscal year for pro4 viding enhanced-use lease services, may be obligated dur5 ing the fiscal year in which the proceeds are received. 

6 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

7 SEC. 209. Funds available in this title or funds for 

8 salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be 

9 available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Manage10 ment of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Of11 fice of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudica12 tion under section 319 of title 38, United States Code, 

13 for all services provided at rates which will recover actual 

14 costs but not exceed $32,067,000 for the Office of Resolu15 tion Management and $3,148,000 for the Office of Em16 ployment and Discrimination Complaint Adjudication: 

17 Provided, That payments may be made in advance for 

18 services to be furnished based on estimated costs: Provided 

19 further, That amounts received shall be credited to ‘‘Gen20 eral operating expenses’’ for use by the office that pro21 vided the service. 

22 SEC. 210. No appropriations in this title shall be 

23 available to enter into any new lease of real property if 

24 the estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 unless 

25 the Secretary submits a report which the Committees on 
41 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 Appropriations of both Houses of Congress approve within 

2 30 days following the date on which the report is received. 

3 SEC. 211. No funds of the Department of Veterans 

4 Affairs shall be available for hospital care, nursing home 

5 care, or medical services provided to any person under 

6 chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, for a non-serv7 ice-connected disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of 

8 such title, unless that person has disclosed to the Sec9 retary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary 

10 may require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement 

11 information for purposes of section 1729 of such title: Pro12 vided, That the Secretary may recover, in the same man13 ner as any other debt due the United States, the reason14 able charges for such care or services from any person who 

15 does not make such disclosure as required: Provided fur16 ther, That any amounts so recovered for care or services 

17 provided in a prior fiscal year may be obligated by the 

18 Secretary during the fiscal year in which amounts are re19 ceived. 

20 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

21 SEC. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

22 law, at the discretion of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 

23 proceeds or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing 

24 activities (including disposal) may be deposited into the 

25 ‘‘Construction, major projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, minor 

26 projects’’ accounts and be used for construction (including 
42 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 site acquisition and disposition), alterations, and improve2 ments of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for 

3 the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums 

4 as realized are in addition to the amount provided for in 

5 ‘‘Construction, major projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, minor 

6 projects’’. 

7 SEC. 213. Amounts made available under ‘‘Medical 

8 services’’ are available— 

9 (1) for furnishing recreational facilities, sup10 plies, and equipment; and 

11 (2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and 

12 other expenses incidental to funerals and burials for 

13 beneficiaries receiving care in the Department. 

14 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

15 SEC. 214. Such sums as may be deposited to the 

16 Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A 

17 of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to 

18 ‘‘Medical services’’, to remain available until expended for 

19 the purposes of that account. 

20 SEC. 215. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

21 law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall allow veterans 

22 who are eligible under existing Department of Veterans 

23 Affairs medical care requirements and who reside in Alas24 ka to obtain medical care services from medical facilities 

25 supported by the Indian Health Service or tribal organiza26 tions. The Secretary shall: (1) limit the application of this 
43 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 provision to rural Alaskan veterans in areas where an ex2 isting Department of Veterans Affairs facility or Veterans 

3 Affairs-contracted service is unavailable; (2) require par4 ticipating veterans and facilities to comply with all appro5 priate rules and regulations, as established by the Sec6 retary; (3) require this provision to be consistent with 

7 Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services activi8 ties; and (4) result in no additional cost to the Department 

9 of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service. 

10 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

11 SEC. 216. Such sums as may be deposited to the De12 partment of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursu13 ant to section 8118 of title 38, United States Code, may 

14 be transferred to the ‘‘Construction, major projects’’ and 

15 ‘‘Construction, minor projects’’ accounts, to remain avail16 able until expended for the purposes of these accounts. 

17 SEC. 217. None of the funds available to the Depart18 ment of Veterans Affairs, in this or any other Act, may 

19 be used to replace the current system by which the Vet20 erans Integrated Service Networks select and contract for 

21 diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. 

22 SEC. 218. None of the funds made available in this 

23 Act may be used to implement any policy prohibiting the 

24 Directors of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks 

25 from conducting outreach or marketing to enroll new vet26 erans within their respective Networks. 
44 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 SEC. 219. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

2 submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

3 Houses of Congress a quarterly report on the financial 

4 status of the Veterans Health Administration. 

5 SEC. 220. Amounts made available for the ‘‘Informa6 tion technology systems’’ account may be reprogrammed 

7 between projects: Provided, That no project may be in8 creased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost be9 fore the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appro10 priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming re11 quest and the Committees issue an approval, or absent 

12 a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed. 

13 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

14 SEC. 221. Any balances in prior year accounts estab15 lished for the payment of benefits under the Reinstated 

16 Entitlement Program for Survivors shall be transferred to 

17 and merged with amounts available under the ‘‘Compensa18 tion and pensions’’ account, and receipts that would other19 wise be credited to the accounts established for the pay20 ment of benefits under the Reinstated Entitlement Pro21 gram for Survivors program shall be credited to amounts 

22 available under the ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’ ac23 count. 

24 SEC. 222. Amounts made available for the ‘‘Con25 struction, minor projects’’ account may be reprogrammed 

26 between projects: Provided, That no project may be in-
45 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 creased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost be2 fore the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appro3 priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming re4 quest and the Committees issue an approval, or absent 

5 a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed. 

6 TITLE III 

7 RELATED AGENCIES 

8 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

9 SALARIES AND EXPENSES

10 For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 

11 of the American Battle Monuments Commission, including 

12 the acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign coun13 tries; purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of 

14 national cemeteries and monuments outside of the United 

15 States and its territories and possessions; rent of office 

16 and garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one-for17 one replacement basis only) and hire of passenger motor 

18 vehicles; not to exceed $7,500 for official reception and 

19 representation expenses; and insurance of official motor 

20 vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of such 

21 countries, $43,470,000, to remain available until ex22 pended. 

23 FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS ACCOUNT

24 For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 

25 of the American Battle Monuments Commission, 

26 $11,000,000, to remain available until expended, for pur-
46 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 poses authorized by section 2109 of title 36, United States 

2 Code. 

3 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS

4 CLAIMS

5 SALARIES AND EXPENSES

6 For necessary expenses for the operation of the 

7 United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as 

8 authorized by sections 7251 through 7298 of title 38, 

9 United States Code, $21,397,000, of which $1,300,000 

10 shall be available for the purpose of providing financial 

11 assistance as described, and in accordance with the proc12 ess and reporting procedures set forth, under this heading 

13 in Public Law 102–229. 

14 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL

15 CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY

16 SALARIES AND EXPENSES

17 For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for 

18 maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington 

19 National Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home Na20 tional Cemetery, including the purchase of two passenger 

21 motor vehicles for replacement only, and not to exceed 

22 $1,000 for official reception and representation expenses, 

23 $30,592,000, to remain available until expended. In addi24 tion, such sums as may be necessary for parking mainte25 nance, repairs and replacement, to be derived from the 
47 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 Lease of Department of Defense Real Property for De2 fense Agencies account. 

3 ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

4 TRUST FUND

5 For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retire6 ment Home to operate and maintain the Armed Forces 

7 Retirement Home—Washington, District of Columbia and 

8 the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mis9 sissippi, to be paid from funds available in the Armed 

10 Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, $55,724,000. 

11 ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

12 FEDERAL FUND PAYMENT

13 For payment to the ‘‘Armed Forces Retirement 

14 Home’’, $800,000, to remain available until expended. 

15 TITLE IV 

16 GENERAL PROVISIONS 

17 SEC. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in 

18 this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the 

19 current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein. 

20 SEC. 402. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 

21 year 2008 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall 

22 be absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act. 

23 SEC. 403. None of the funds made available in this 

24 Act may be used for any program, project, or activity, 

25 when it is made known to the Federal entity or official 
48 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 to which the funds are made available that the program, 

2 project, or activity is not in compliance with any Federal 

3 law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private 

4 property rights, or unfunded mandates. 

5 SEC. 404. No part of any funds appropriated in this 

6 Act shall be used by an agency of the executive branch, 

7 other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative 

8 relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, and 

9 for the preparation, distribution or use of any kit, pam10 phlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or film presen11 tation designed to support or defeat legislation pending 

12 before Congress, except in presentation to Congress itself. 

13 SEC. 405. All departments and agencies funded under 

14 this Act are directed, within the limits of the existing stat15 utory authorities and funding, to expand their use of ‘‘E16 Commerce’’ technologies and procedures in the conduct of 

17 their business practices and public service activities. 

18 SEC. 406. None of the funds made available in this 

19 Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or in20 strumentality of the United States Government except 

21 pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority pro22 vided in, this or any other appropriations Act. 

23 SEC. 407. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and no24 tifications required by this Act shall be submitted to the 

25 Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, 
49 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations 

2 of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on 

3 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related 

4 Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Sen5 ate. 

6 SEC. 408. The Director of the Congressional Budget 

7 Office shall, not later than February 1, 2008, submit to 

8 the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Rep9 resentatives and the Senate a report projecting annual ap10 propriations necessary for the Department of Veterans Af11 fairs to continue providing necessary health care to vet12 erans for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 

13 SEC. 409. None of the funds made available in this 

14 Act may be used to purchase light bulbs unless the light 

15 bulbs have the ‘‘ENERGY STAR’’ designation. 

16 SEC. 410. None of the funds appropriated or other17 wise made available in this Act may be used for any action 

18 that is related to or promotes the expansion of the bound19 aries or size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in south20 eastern Colorado. 
50 

•HR 2642 EH 

1 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Military Construction 

2 and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2008’’. 

Passed the House of Representatives June 15, 2007. 

Attest: 

Clerk. 
110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2642 

AN ACT 

Making appropriations for military construction, 

2008, and for other purposes. agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related