IB 

Union Calendar No. 110 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2642 

[Report No. 110–186] 

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. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 11, 2007 

Mr. EDWARDS, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported the following 

bill; which was committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 

State of the Union and ordered to be printed 

A BILL 

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, 

3 That the following sums are appropriated, out of any 

4 money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for 

5 military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

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1 and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 

2 30, 2008, and for other purposes, namely: 

3 TITLE I 

4 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

5 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

6 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip7 ment of temporary or permanent public works, military 

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

9 currently authorized by law, including personnel in the 

10 Army Corps of Engineers and other personal services nec11 essary for the purposes of this appropriation, and for con12 struction and operation of facilities in support of the func13 tions of the Commander in Chief, $4,070,959,000, to re14 main available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That 

15 of this amount, not to exceed $481,468,000 shall be avail16 able for study, planning, design, architect and engineer 

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

18 unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional 

19 obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies 

20 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con21 gress of the determination and the reasons therefor. 

22 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

23 (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

24 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip25 ment of temporary or permanent public works, naval inmstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 stallations, facilities, and real property for the Navy and 

2 Marine Corps as currently authorized by law, including 

3 personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command 

4 and other personal services necessary for the purposes of 

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

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

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

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

9 authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense deter10 mines that additional obligations are necessary for such 

11 purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations 

12 of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the 

13 reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the funds ap14 propriated for ‘‘Military Construction, Navy and Marine 

15 Corps’’ under Public Law 108–132, $5,862,000 are here16 by rescinded. 

17 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

18 (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

19 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip20 ment of temporary or permanent public works, military 

21 installations, facilities, and real property for the Air Force 

22 as currently authorized by law, $927,428,000, to remain 

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

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

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1 ices, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense 

2 determines that additional obligations are necessary for 

3 such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropria4 tions of both Houses of Congress of the determination and 

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

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

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

8 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

9 (INCLUDING TRANSFER AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

10 For acquisition, construction, installation, and equip11 ment of temporary or permanent public works, installa12 tions, facilities, and real property for activities and agen13 cies of the Department of Defense (other than the military 

14 departments), as currently authorized by law, 

15 $1,806,928,000, to remain available until September 30, 

16 2012: Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation 

17 as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may 

18 be transferred to such appropriations of the Department 

19 of Defense available for military construction or family 

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

21 and to be available for the same purposes, and for the 

22 same time period, as the appropriation or fund to which 

23 transferred: Provided further, That of the amount appro24 priated, not to exceed $154,728,000 shall be available for 

25 study, planning, design, and architect and engineer servmstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 ices, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense 

2 determines that additional obligations are necessary for 

3 such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropria4 tions of both Houses of Congress of the determination and 

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

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

7 under Public Law 110–5, $7,592,000 are hereby re8 scinded. 

9 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

10 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita11 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad12 ministration of the Army National Guard, and contribu13 tions therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, 

14 United States Code, and Military Construction Authoriza15 tion Acts, $439,291,000, to remain available until Sep16 tember 30, 2012. 

17 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

18 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita19 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad20 ministration of the Air National Guard, and contributions 

21 therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United 

22 States Code, and Military Construction Authorization 

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

24 30, 2012. 

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1 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE

2 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita3 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad4 ministration of the Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 

5 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Con6 struction Authorization Acts, $154,684,000, to remain 

7 available until September 30, 2012. 

8 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY RESERVE

9 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita10 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad11 ministration of the reserve components of the Navy and 

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

13 United States Code, and Military Construction Authoriza14 tion Acts, $69,150,000, to remain available until Sep15 tember 30, 2012. 

16 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE

17 (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

18 For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilita19 tion, and conversion of facilities for the training and ad20 ministration of the Air Force Reserve as authorized by 

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

22 Construction Authorization Acts, $39,628,000, to remain 

23 available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of the 

24 funds appropriated for ‘‘Military Construction, Air Force 

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

2 hereby rescinded. 

3 NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

4 SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

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

6 Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Pro7 gram for the acquisition and construction of military fa8 cilities and installations (including international military 

9 headquarters) and for related expenses for the collective 

10 defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized 

11 by section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Mili12 tary Construction Authorization Acts, $201,400,000, to 

13 remain available until expended. 

14 FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

15 For expenses of family housing for the Army for con16 struction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, ex17 pansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, 

18 $419,400,000, to remain available until September 30, 

19 2012. 

20 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 

21 ARMY

22 For expenses of family housing for the Army for op23 eration and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, 

24 minor construction, principal and interest charges, and in25 surance premiums, as authorized by law, $742,920,000. 

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1 FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE

2 CORPS

3 For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Ma4 rine Corps for construction, including acquisition, replace5 ment, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as 

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

7 September 30, 2012. 

8 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 

9 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

10 For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Ma11 rine Corps for operation and maintenance, including debt 

12 payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and inter13 est charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by 

14 law, $371,404,000. 

15 FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

16 For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 

17 construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, 

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

19 $362,747,000, to remain available until September 30, 

20 2012. 

21 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR

22 FORCE

23 For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 

24 operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leas25 ing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, 

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1 and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, 

2 $688,335,000. 

3 FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 

4 DEFENSE-WIDE

5 For expenses of family housing for the activities and 

6 agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the 

7 military departments) for operation and maintenance, 

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

9 $48,848,000. 

10 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FAMILY HOUSING

11 IMPROVEMENT FUND

12 For the Department of Defense Family Housing Im13 provement Fund, $500,000, to remain available until ex14 pended, for family housing initiatives undertaken pursu15 ant to section 2883 of title 10, United States Code, pro16 viding alternative means of acquiring and improving mili17 tary family housing and supporting facilities. 

18 CHEMICAL DEMILITARIZATION CONSTRUCTION, 

19 DEFENSE-WIDE

20 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

21 For expenses of construction, not otherwise provided 

22 for, necessary for the destruction of the United States 

23 stockpile of lethal chemical agents and munitions in ac24 cordance with the provisions of section 1412 of the De25 partment of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 (50 U.S.C. 

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1 1521), and for the destruction of other chemical warfare 

2 materials that are not in the chemical weapon stockpile, 

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

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

5 amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by 

6 the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such ap7 propriations of the Department of Defense available for 

8 military construction as the Secretary may designate, to 

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

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

11 which transferred. 

12 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

13 1990 

14 For deposit into the Department of Defense Base 

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

16 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 

17 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $270,689,000, to remain available 

18 until expended. 

19 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

20 2005 

21 For deposit into the Department of Defense Base 

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

23 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 

24 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $8,174,315,000, to remain avail25 able until expended. 

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1 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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

3 title shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a4 fixed-fee contract for construction, where cost estimates 

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

6 except Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of 

7 the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons there8 for. 

9 SEC. 102. Funds made available in this title for con10 struction shall be available for hire of passenger motor ve11 hicles. 

12 SEC. 103. Funds made available in this title for con13 struction may be used for advances to the Federal High14 way Administration, Department of Transportation, for 

15 the construction of access roads as authorized by section 

16 210 of title 23, United States Code, when projects author17 ized therein are certified as important to the national de18 fense by the Secretary of Defense. 

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

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

21 the United States for which specific appropriations have 

22 not been made. 

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

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

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

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1 the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engi2 neering Command, except: (1) where there is a determina3 tion of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated 

4 by the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney 

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

6 $25,000; or (4) as otherwise determined by the Secretary 

7 of Defense to be in the public interest. 

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

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

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

11 except housing for which funds have been made available 

12 in annual Acts making appropriations for military con13 struction. 

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

15 title for minor construction may be used to transfer or 

16 relocate any activity from one base or installation to an17 other, without prior notification to the Committees on Ap18 propriations of both Houses of Congress. 

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

20 title may be used for the procurement of steel for any con21 struction project or activity for which American steel pro22 ducers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied 

23 the opportunity to compete for such steel procurement. 

24 SEC. 109. None of the funds available to the Depart25 ment of Defense for military construction or family housmstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 ing during the current fiscal year may be used to pay real 

2 property taxes in any foreign nation. 

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

4 title may be used to initiate a new installation overseas 

5 without prior notification to the Committees on Appro6 priations of both Houses of Congress. 

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

8 title may be obligated for architect and engineer contracts 

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

10 projects to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlan11 tic Treaty Organization member country, or in countries 

12 bordering the Arabian Sea, unless such contracts are 

13 awarded to United States firms or United States firms 

14 in joint venture with host nation firms. 

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

16 title for military construction in the United States terri17 tories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein 

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

19 used to award any contract estimated by the Government 

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

21 That this section shall not be applicable to contract 

22 awards for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid 

23 of a United States contractor exceeds the lowest respon24 sive and responsible bid of a foreign contractor by greater 

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

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1 not apply to contract awards for military construction on 

2 Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and re3 sponsible bid is submitted by a Marshallese contractor. 

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

5 appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, in6 cluding the Committees on Appropriations, of the plans 

7 and scope of any proposed military exercise involving 

8 United States personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, 

9 if amounts expended for construction, either temporary or 

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

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

12 made available in this title which are limited for obligation 

13 during the current fiscal year shall be obligated during 

14 the last two months of the fiscal year. 

15 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

16 SEC. 115. Funds appropriated to the Department of 

17 Defense for construction in prior years shall be available 

18 for construction authorized for each such military depart19 ment by the authorizations enacted into law during the 

20 current session of Congress. 

21 SEC. 116. For military construction or family housing 

22 projects that are being completed with funds otherwise ex23 pired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds may 

24 be used to pay the cost of associated supervision, inspec25 tion, overhead, engineering and design on those projects 

26 and on subsequent claims, if any. 

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1 SEC. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

2 law, any funds made available to a military department 

3 or defense agency for the construction of military projects 

4 may be obligated for a military construction project or 

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

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

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

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

9 obligated from funds available for military construction 

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

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

12 such project is increased pursuant to law. 

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

14 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

15 with an annual report by February 15, containing details 

16 of the specific actions proposed to be taken by the Depart17 ment of Defense during the current fiscal year to encour18 age other member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty 

19 Organization, Japan, Korea, and United States allies bor20 dering the Arabian Sea to assume a greater share of the 

21 common defense burden of such nations and the United 

22 States. 

23 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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

25 available to the Department of Defense, proceeds depos26 ited to the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 

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1 established by section 207(a)(1) of the Defense Authoriza2 tion Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act 

3 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note) pursuant to section 207(a)(2)(C) 

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

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

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

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

8 and the same time period as that account. 

9 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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

11 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con12 gress, such additional amounts as may be determined by 

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

14 Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement 

15 Fund from amounts appropriated for construction in 

16 ‘‘Family Housing’’ accounts, to be merged with and to be 

17 available for the same purposes and for the same period 

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

19 (2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied 

20 Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated 

21 for construction of military unaccompanied housing in 

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

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

24 period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the 

25 Fund: Provided, That appropriations made available to 

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

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

2 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the De3 partment of Defense pursuant to the provisions of sub4 chapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, 

5 pertaining to alternative means of acquiring and improv6 ing military family housing, military unaccompanied hous7 ing, and supporting facilities. 

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

9 title may be obligated for Partnership for Peace Programs 

10 in the New Independent States of the former Soviet 

11 Union. 

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

13 any solicitation for a contract with the private sector for 

14 military family housing the Secretary of the military de15 partment concerned shall submit to the Committees on 

16 Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the notice de17 scribed in subsection (b). 

18 (b)(1) A notice referred to in subsection (a) is a no19 tice of any guarantee (including the making of mortgage 

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

21 to the private party under the contract involved in the 

22 event of— 

23 (A) the closure or realignment of the installa24 tion for which housing is provided under the con25 tract; 

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

2 such installation; or 

3 (C) the extended deployment overseas of units 

4 stationed at such installation. 

5 (2) Each notice under this subsection shall specify 

6 the nature of the guarantee involved and assess the extent 

7 and likelihood, if any, of the liability of the Federal Gov8 ernment with respect to the guarantee. 

9 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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

11 available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be 

12 transferred from the accounts established by sections 

13 2906(a)(1) and 2906A(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure 

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

15 the fund established by section 1013(d) of the Demonstra16 tion Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 

17 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for expenses associated with the 

18 Homeowners Assistance Program. Any amounts trans19 ferred shall be merged with and be available for the same 

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

21 which transferred. 

22 SEC. 124. Notwithstanding this or any other provi23 sion of law, funds made available in this title for operation 

24 and maintenance of family housing shall be the exclusive 

25 source of funds for repair and maintenance of all family 

26 housing units, including general or flag officer quarters: 

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

2 spent annually for the maintenance and repair of any gen3 eral or flag officer quarters without 30 days prior notifica4 tion to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

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

6 be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to 

7 costs associated with environmental remediation that 

8 could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of the 

9 budget submission: Provided further, That the Under Sec10 retary of Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually to 

11 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con12 gress all operation and maintenance expenditures for each 

13 individual general or flag officer quarters for the prior fis14 cal year. 

15 SEC. 125. None of the funds made available in this 

16 title under the heading ‘‘North Atlantic Treaty Organiza17 tion Security Investment Program’’, and no funds appro18 priated for any fiscal year before fiscal year 2008 for that 

19 program that remain available for obligation, may be obli20 gated or expended for the conduct of studies of missile 

21 defense. 

22 SEC. 126. Whenever the Secretary of Defense or any 

23 other official of the Department of Defense is requested 

24 by the subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans 

25 Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appromstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 priations of the House of Representatives or the sub2 committee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and 

3 Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of 

4 the Senate to respond to a question or inquiry submitted 

5 by the chairman or another member of that subcommittee 

6 pursuant to a subcommittee hearing or other activity, the 

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

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

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

10 SEC. 127. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Im11 provement Account established by subsection (h) of sec12 tion 2814 of title 10, United States Code, are appro13 priated and shall be available until expended for the pur14 poses specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until 

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

16 SEC. 128. None of the funds made available in this 

17 title, or in any Act making appropriations for military con18 struction which remain available for obligation, may be ob19 ligated or expended to carry out a military construction, 

20 land acquisition, or family housing project at or for a mili21 tary installation approved for closure, or at a military in22 stallation for the purposes of supporting a function that 

23 has been approved for realignment to another installation, 

24 in 2005 under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment 

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

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1 510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note), unless such a project at a mili2 tary installation approved for realignment will support a 

3 continuing mission or function at that installation or a 

4 new mission or function that is planned for that installa5 tion, or unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that the 

6 cost to the United States of carrying out such project 

7 would be less than the cost to the United States of cancel8 ling such project, or if the project is at an active compo9 nent base that shall be established as an enclave or in the 

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

11 Government agency has indicated it will assume ownership 

12 of the completed project. The Secretary of Defense may 

13 not transfer funds made available as a result of this limi14 tation from any military construction project, land acquisi15 tion, or family housing project to another account or use 

16 such funds for another purpose or project without the 

17 prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of 

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

19 military construction projects, land acquisition, or family 

20 housing projects for which the project is vital to the na21 tional security or the protection of health, safety, or envi22 ronmental quality: Provided, That the Secretary of De23 fense shall notify the congressional defense committees 

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

25 construction project. 

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1 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

2 SEC. 129. During the 5-year period after appropria3 tions available in this Act to the Department of Defense 

4 for military construction and family housing operation and 

5 maintenance and construction have expired for obligation, 

6 upon a determination that such appropriations will not be 

7 necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making 

8 authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obliga9 tions incurred during the period of availability of such ap10 propriations, unobligated balances of such appropriations 

11 may be transferred into the appropriation ‘‘Foreign Cur12 rency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense’’, to be merged 

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

14 the same purposes as the appropriation to which trans15 ferred. 

16 SEC. 130. None of the funds in this title shall be used 

17 for any activity related to the construction of an Outlying 

18 Landing Field in Washington County, North Carolina. 

19 TITLE II 

20 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

21 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

22 COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

23 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

24 For the payment of compensation benefits to or on 

25 behalf of veterans and a pilot program for disability ex26 aminations as authorized by section 107 and chapters 11, 

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1 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code; 

2 pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized 

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

4 States Code; and burial benefits, the Reinstated Entitle5 ment Program for Survivors, emergency and other offi6 cers’ retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and certifi7 cates, payment of premiums due on commercial life insur8 ance policies guaranteed under the provisions of title IV 

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

10 541 et seq.) and for other benefits as authorized by sec11 tions 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, and chapters 23, 51, 

12 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code, 

13 $41,236,322,000, to remain available until expended: Pro14 vided, That not to exceed $25,033,000 of the amount ap15 propriated under this heading shall be reimbursed to 

16 ‘‘General operating expenses’’ and ‘‘Medical administra17 tion’’ for necessary expenses in implementing the provi18 sions of chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United States 

19 Code, the funding source for which is specifically provided 

20 as the ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’ appropriation: Pro21 vided further, That such sums as may be earned on an 

22 actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to 

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

24 of individual medical facilities for nursing home care pro25 vided to pensioners as authorized. 

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1 READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

2 For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation 

3 benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by chap4 ters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of 

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

6 available until expended: Provided, That expenses for re7 habilitation program services and assistance which the 

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

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

10 under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) of that sub11 section, shall be charged to this account. 

12 VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

13 For military and naval insurance, national service life 

14 insurance, servicemen’s indemnities, service-disabled vet15 erans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as 

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

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

18 VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND PROGRAM

19 ACCOUNT

20 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

21 For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such 

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

23 authorized by subchapters I through III of chapter 37 of 

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

25 including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as de26 fined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

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1 1974: Provided further, That during fiscal year 2008, 

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

3 gross obligations for direct loans are authorized for spe4 cially adapted housing loans. 

5 In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out 

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

7 which may be transferred to and merged with the appro8 priation for ‘‘General operating expenses’’. 

9 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

10 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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

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

13 That such costs, including the cost of modifying such 

14 loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congres15 sional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That funds 

16 made available under this heading are available to sub17 sidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct 

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

19 In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to 

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

21 be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 

22 ‘‘General operating expenses’’. 

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1 NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM

2 ACCOUNT

3 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

4 For administrative expenses to carry out the direct 

5 loan program authorized by subchapter V of chapter 37 

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

7 transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 

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

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

10 2008. 

11 GUARANTEED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOANS FOR

12 HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

13 For the administrative expenses to carry out the 

14 guaranteed transitional housing loan program authorized 

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

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

17 by this Act for ‘‘General operating expenses’’ and ‘‘Med18 ical administration’’ may be expended. 

19 VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

20 MEDICAL SERVICES

21 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

22 For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized 

23 by law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to 

24 beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and 

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

26 States Code, including care and treatment in facilities not 

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1 under the jurisdiction of the Department, and including 

2 medical supplies and equipment, food services, and sala3 ries and expenses of health-care employees hired under 

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

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

6 $28,906,400,000, plus reimbursements, of which not less 

7 than $2,900,000,000 shall be expended for specialty men8 tal health care; not less than $130,000,000 shall be ex9 pended for the homeless grants and per diem program; 

10 not less than $428,873,754 shall be expended for the sub11 stance abuse program; and not less than $100,275,000 

12 shall be expended for blind rehabilitation services: Pro13 vided, That of the funds made available under this head14 ing, not to exceed $1,100,000,000 shall be available until 

15 September 30, 2009: Provided further, That, notwith16 standing any other provision of law, the Secretary of Vet17 erans Affairs shall establish a priority for the provision 

18 of medical treatment for veterans who have service-con19 nected disabilities, lower income, or have special needs: 

20 Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provi21 sion of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall give 

22 priority funding for the provision of basic medical benefits 

23 to veterans in enrollment priority groups 1 through 6: Pro24 vided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision 

25 of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may authorize 

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1 the dispensing of prescription drugs from Veterans Health 

2 Administration facilities to enrolled veterans with privately 

3 written prescriptions based on requirements established by 

4 the Secretary: Provided further, That the implementation 

5 of the program described in the previous proviso shall 

6 incur no additional cost to the Department of Veterans 

7 Affairs: Provided further, That for the DOD–VA Health 

8 Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 

9 8111(d) of title 38, United States Code, a minimum of 

10 $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, for any 

11 purpose authorized by section 8111 of title 38, United 

12 States Code. 

13 MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION

14 For necessary expenses in the administration of the 

15 medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, 

16 supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; ad17 ministrative expenses in support of capital policy activi18 ties; and administrative and legal expenses of the Depart19 ment for collecting and recovering amounts owed the De20 partment as authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, 

21 United States Code, and the Federal Medical Care Recov22 ery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.); $3,635,600,000, plus 

23 reimbursements, of which $250,000,000 shall be available 

24 until September 30, 2009. 

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1 MEDICAL FACILITIES

2 For necessary expenses for the maintenance and op3 eration of hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facili4 ties, and other necessary facilities of the Veterans Health 

5 Administration; for administrative expenses in support of 

6 planning, design, project management, real property ac7 quisition and disposition, construction, and renovation of 

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

9 Department; for oversight, engineering, and architectural 

10 activities not charged to project costs; for repairing, alter11 ing, improving, or providing facilities in the several hos12 pitals and homes under the jurisdiction of the Depart13 ment, not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by 

14 the hire of temporary employees and purchase of mate15 rials; for leases of facilities; and for laundry services, 

16 $4,100,000,000, plus reimbursements, of which 

17 $250,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2009: 

18 Provided, That $300,000,000 for non-recurring mainte19 nance provided under this heading shall be allocated in 

20 a manner not subject to the Veterans Equitable Resource 

21 Allocation. 

22 MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

23 For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of 

24 medical and prosthetic research and development as au25 thorized by chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, 

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1 $480,000,000, plus reimbursements, to remain available 

2 until September 30, 2009. 

3 DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

4 GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES

5 For necessary operating expenses of the Department 

6 of Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including 

7 administrative expenses in support of Department-Wide 

8 capital planning, management and policy activities, uni9 forms, or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for 

10 official reception and representation expenses; hire of pas11 senger motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General 

12 Services Administration for security guard services and 

13 the Department of Defense for the cost of overseas em14 ployee mail, $1,598,500,000: Provided, That expenses for 

15 services and assistance authorized under paragraphs (1), 

16 (2), (5), and (11) of section 3104(a) of title 38, United 

17 States Code, that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs deter18 mines are necessary to enable entitled veterans: (1) to the 

19 maximum extent feasible, to become employable and to ob20 tain and maintain suitable employment; or (2) to achieve 

21 maximum independence in daily living, shall be charged 

22 to this account: Provided further, That the Veterans Bene23 fits Administration shall be funded at not less than 

24 $1,324,957,000: Provided further, That of the funds made 

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

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

2 Provided further, That from the funds made available 

3 under this heading, the Veterans Benefits Administration 

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

5 up to two passenger motor vehicles for use in operations 

6 of that Administration in Manila, Philippines. 

7 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

8 For necessary expenses for information technology 

9 systems and telecommunications support, including devel10 opmental information systems and operational information 

11 systems and pay and associated cost for operations and 

12 maintenance associated staff; for the capital asset acquisi13 tion of information technology systems, including manage14 ment and related contractual costs of said acquisitions, in15 cluding contractual costs associated with operations au16 thorized by chapter 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 

17 $1,859,217,000, to remain available until September 30, 

18 2009: Provided, That none of these funds may be obli19 gated until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to 

20 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con21 gress, and such Committees approve, a plan for expendi22 ture that: (1) meets the capital planning and investment 

23 control review requirements established by the Office of 

24 Management and Budget; (2) complies with the Depart25 ment of Veterans Affairs enterprise architecture; (3) con26 forms with an established enterprise life cycle methodmstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 ology; and (4) complies with the acquisition rules, require2 ments, guidelines, and systems acquisition management 

3 practices of the Federal Government: Provided further, 

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

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

6 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

7 a reprogramming base letter which provides, by project, 

8 the costs included in this appropriation. 

9 NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

10 For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Ad11 ministration for operations and maintenance, not other12 wise provided for, including uniforms or allowances there13 for; cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase 

14 of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial oper15 ations; and hire of passenger motor vehicles, 

16 $170,000,000, of which not to exceed $7,800,000 shall be 

17 available until September 30, 2009. 

18 OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

19 For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector 

20 General in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector 

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

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

23 30, 2009. 

24 CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

25 For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 

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

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1 jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 

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

3 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, 

4 and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, including plan5 ning, architectural and engineering services, construction 

6 management services, maintenance or guarantee period 

7 services costs associated with equipment guarantees pro8 vided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 

9 utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and 

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

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

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

13 project were made available in a previous major project 

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

15 expended, of which $2,000,000 shall be to make reim16 bursements as provided in section 13 of the Contract Dis17 putes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 612) for claims paid for 

18 contract disputes: Provided, That except for advance plan19 ning activities, including needs assessments which may or 

20 may not lead to capital investments, and other capital 

21 asset management related activities, including portfolio 

22 development and management activities, and investment 

23 strategy studies funded through the advance planning 

24 fund and the planning and design activities funded 

25 through the design fund, including needs assessments 

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

2 of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be used 

3 for any project which has not been approved by the Con4 gress in the budgetary process: Provided further, That 

5 funds provided in this appropriation for fiscal year 2008, 

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

7 awarding of a construction documents contract by Sep8 tember 30, 2008; and (2) by the awarding of a construc9 tion contract by September 30, 2009: Provided further, 

10 That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promptly sub11 mit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

12 of Congress a written report on any approved major con13 struction project for which obligations are not incurred 

14 within the time limitations established above: Provided 

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

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

17 or infrastructure, including land, of the 18 facilities on 

18 the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services 

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

20 Secretary of Veterans Affairs, without prior approval of 

21 the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con22 gress. 

23 CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

24 For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 

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

26 jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 

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1 Affairs, including planning and assessments of needs 

2 which may lead to capital investments, architectural and 

3 engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period 

4 services costs associated with equipment guarantees pro5 vided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 

6 utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and 

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

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

9 8110, 8122, and 8162 of title 38, United States Code, 

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

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

12 38, United States Code, $615,000,000, to remain avail13 able until expended, along with unobligated balances of 

14 previous ‘‘Construction, minor projects’’ appropriations 

15 which are hereby made available for any project where the 

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

17 in such section: Provided, That funds in this account shall 

18 be available for: (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facili19 ties under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Depart20 ment which are necessary because of loss or damage 

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

22 temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize 

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

24 30 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet25 erans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appromstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming 

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

3 in this appropriation. 

4 GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE

5 FACILITIES

6 For grants to assist States to acquire or construct 

7 State nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to re8 model, modify, or alter existing hospital, nursing home, 

9 and domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing 

10 care to veterans as authorized by sections 8131 through 

11 8137 of title 38, United States Code, $165,000,000, to 

12 remain available until expended. 

13 GRANTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATE VETERANS

14 CEMETERIES

15 For grants to assist States in establishing, expand16 ing, or improving State veterans cemeteries as authorized 

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

18 $37,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

19 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

20 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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

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

23 and ‘‘Veterans insurance and indemnities’’ may be trans24 ferred as necessary to any other of the mentioned appro25 priations: Provided, That before a transfer may take place, 

26 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the 

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1 Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

2 the authority to make the transfer and such Committees 

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

4 days has elapsed. 

5 SEC. 202. Appropriations available in this title for 

6 salaries and expenses shall be available for services au7 thorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 

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

9 or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as author10 ized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United 

11 States Code. 

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

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

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

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

16 new hospital or home. 

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

18 available for hospitalization or examination of any persons 

19 (except beneficiaries entitled to such hospitalization or ex20 amination under the laws providing such benefits to vet21 erans, and persons receiving such treatment under sec22 tions 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States Code, 

23 or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 

24 Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reim25 bursement of the cost of such hospitalization or examinamstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 tion is made to the ‘‘Medical services’’ account at such 

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

3 SEC. 205. Appropriations available in this title for 

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

5 and ‘‘Veterans insurance and indemnities’’ shall be avail6 able for payment of prior year accrued obligations re7 quired to be recorded by law against the corresponding 

8 prior year accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 

9 2007. 

10 SEC. 206. Appropriations available in this title shall 

11 be available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 

12 prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 

13 3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States 

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

15 accounts they shall be payable only from ‘‘Compensation 

16 and pensions’’. 

17 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

18 SEC. 207. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

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

20 Affairs shall, from the National Service Life Insurance 

21 Fund (38 U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans’ Special Life Insur22 ance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Gov23 ernment Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reim24 burse the ‘‘General operating expenses’’ account for the 

25 cost of administration of the insurance programs financed 

26 through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement 

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1 shall be made only from the surplus earnings accumulated 

2 in such an insurance program during fiscal year 2008 that 

3 are available for dividends in that program after claims 

4 have been paid and actuarially determined reserves have 

5 been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of admin6 istration of such an insurance program exceeds the 

7 amount of surplus earnings accumulated in that program, 

8 reimbursement shall be made only to the extent of such 

9 surplus earnings: Provided further, That the Secretary 

10 shall determine the cost of administration for fiscal year 

11 2008 which is properly allocable to the provision of each 

12 such insurance program and to the provision of any total 

13 disability income insurance included in that insurance pro14 gram. 

15 SEC. 208. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use 

16 lease proceeds to reimburse an account for expenses in17 curred by that account during a prior fiscal year for pro18 viding enhanced-use lease services, may be obligated dur19 ing the fiscal year in which the proceeds are received. 

20 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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

22 salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be 

23 available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Manage24 ment of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Of25 fice of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudica26 tion under section 319 of title 38, United States Code, 

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1 for all services provided at rates which will recover actual 

2 costs but not exceed $32,067,000 for the Office of Resolu3 tion Management and $3,148,000 for the Office of Em4 ployment and Discrimination Complaint Adjudication: 

5 Provided, That payments may be made in advance for 

6 services to be furnished based on estimated costs: Provided 

7 further, That amounts received shall be credited to ‘‘Gen8 eral operating expenses’’ for use by the office that pro9 vided the service. 

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

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

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

13 the Secretary submits a report which the Committees on 

14 Appropriations of both Houses of Congress approve within 

15 30 days following the date on which the report is received. 

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

17 Affairs shall be available for hospital care, nursing home 

18 care, or medical services provided to any person under 

19 chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, for a non-serv20 ice-connected disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of 

21 such title, unless that person has disclosed to the Sec22 retary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary 

23 may require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement 

24 information for purposes of section 1729 of such title: Pro25 vided, That the Secretary may recover, in the same manmstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 ner as any other debt due the United States, the reason2 able charges for such care or services from any person who 

3 does not make such disclosure as required: Provided fur4 ther, That any amounts so recovered for care or services 

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

6 Secretary during the fiscal year in which amounts are re7 ceived. 

8 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

9 SEC. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

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

11 proceeds or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing 

12 activities (including disposal) may be deposited into the 

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

14 projects’’ accounts and be used for construction (including 

15 site acquisition and disposition), alterations, and improve16 ments of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for 

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

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

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

20 projects’’. 

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

22 services’’ are available— 

23 (1) for furnishing recreational facilities, sup24 plies, and equipment; and 

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

2 other expenses incidental to funerals and burials for 

3 beneficiaries receiving care in the Department. 

4 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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

6 Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A 

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

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

9 the purposes of that account. 

10 SEC. 215. Notwithstanding any other provision of 

11 law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall allow veterans 

12 who are eligible under existing Department of Veterans 

13 Affairs medical care requirements and who reside in Alas14 ka to obtain medical care services from medical facilities 

15 supported by the Indian Health Service or tribal organiza16 tions. The Secretary shall: (1) limit the application of this 

17 provision to rural Alaskan veterans in areas where an ex18 isting Department of Veterans Affairs facility or Veterans 

19 Affairs-contracted service is unavailable; (2) require par20 ticipating veterans and facilities to comply with all appro21 priate rules and regulations, as established by the Sec22 retary; (3) require this provision to be consistent with 

23 Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services activi24 ties; and (4) result in no additional cost to the Department 

25 of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service. 

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1 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

2 SEC. 216. Such sums as may be deposited to the De3 partment of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursu4 ant to section 8118 of title 38, United States Code, may 

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

6 ‘‘Construction, minor projects’’ accounts, to remain avail7 able until expended for the purposes of these accounts. 

8 SEC. 217. None of the funds available to the Depart9 ment of Veterans Affairs, in this or any other Act, may 

10 be used to replace the current system by which the Vet11 erans Integrated Service Networks select and contract for 

12 diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. 

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

14 Act may be used to implement any policy prohibiting the 

15 Directors of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks 

16 from conducting outreach or marketing to enroll new vet17 erans within their respective Networks. 

18 SEC. 219. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

19 submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

20 Houses of Congress a quarterly report on the financial 

21 status of the Veterans Health Administration. 

22 SEC. 220. Amounts made available for the ‘‘Informa23 tion technology systems’’ account may be reprogrammed 

24 between projects: Provided, That no project may be in25 creased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost bemstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS

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1 fore the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appro2 priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming re3 quest and the Committees issue an approval, or absent 

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

5 (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

6 SEC. 221. Any balances in prior year accounts estab7 lished for the payment of benefits under the Reinstated 

8 Entitlement Program for Survivors shall be transferred to 

9 and merged with amounts available under the ‘‘Compensa10 tion and pensions’’ account, and receipts that would other11 wise be credited to the accounts established for the pay12 ment of benefits under the Reinstated Entitlement Pro13 gram for Survivors program shall be credited to amounts 

14 available under the ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’ acount. 

15 SEC. 222. Amounts made available for the ‘‘Con16 struction, minor projects’’ account may be reprogrammed 

17 between projects: Provided, That no project may be in18 creased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost be19 fore the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appro20 priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming re21 quest and the Committees issue an approval, or absent 

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

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1 TITLE III 

2 RELATED AGENCIES 

3 AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

4 SALARIES AND EXPENSES

5 For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 

6 of the American Battle Monuments Commission, including 

7 the acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign coun8 tries; purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of 

9 national cemeteries and monuments outside of the United 

10 States and its territories and possessions; rent of office 

11 and garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one-for12 one replacement basis only) and hire of passenger motor 

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

14 representation expenses; and insurance of official motor 

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

16 countries, $43,470,000, to remain available until ex17 pended. 

18 FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS ACCOUNT

19 For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 

20 of the American Battle Monuments Commission, 

21 $11,000,000, to remain available until expended, for pur22 poses authorized by section 2109 of title 36, United States 

23 Code. 

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1 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS

2 CLAIMS

3 SALARIES AND EXPENSES

4 For necessary expenses for the operation of the 

5 United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as 

6 authorized by sections 7251 through 7298 of title 38, 

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

8 shall be available for the purpose of providing financial 

9 assistance as described, and in accordance with the proc10 ess and reporting procedures set forth, under this heading 

11 in Public Law 102–229. 

12 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL

13 CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY

14 SALARIES AND EXPENSES

15 For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for 

16 maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington 

17 National Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home Na18 tional Cemetery, including the purchase of two passenger 

19 motor vehicles for replacement only, and not to exceed 

20 $1,000 for official reception and representation expenses, 

21 $30,592,000, to remain available until expended. In addi22 tion, such sums as may be necessary for parking mainte23 nance, repairs and replacement, to be derived from the 

24 Lease of Department of Defense Real Property for De25 fense Agencies account. 

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1 ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

2 TRUST FUND

3 For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retire4 ment Home to operate and maintain the Armed Forces 

5 Retirement Home—Washington, District of Columbia and 

6 the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mis7 sissippi, to be paid from funds available in the Armed 

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

9 ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

10 FEDERAL FUND PAYMENT

11 For payment to the ‘‘Armed Forces Retirement 

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

13 TITLE IV 

14 GENERAL PROVISIONS 

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

16 this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the 

17 current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein. 

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

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

20 be absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act. 

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

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

23 when it is made known to the Federal entity or official 

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

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

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•HR 2642 RH 

1 law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private 

2 property rights, or unfunded mandates. 

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

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

5 other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative 

6 relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, and 

7 for the preparation, distribution or use of any kit, pam8 phlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or film presen9 tation designed to support or defeat legislation pending 

10 before Congress, except in presentation to Congress itself. 

11 SEC. 405. All departments and agencies funded under 

12 this Act are encouraged, within the limits of the existing 

13 statutory authorities and funding, to expand their use of 

14 ‘‘E-Commerce’’ technologies and procedures in the con15 duct of their business practices and public service activi16 ties. 

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

18 Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or in19 strumentality of the United States Government except 

20 pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority pro21 vided in, this or any other appropriations Act. 

22 SEC. 407. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and no23 tifications required by this Act shall be submitted to the 

24 Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, 

25 and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations 

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•HR 2642 RH 

1 of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on 

2 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related 

3 Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Sen4 ate. 

5 SEC. 408. The Director of the Congressional Budget 

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

7 the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Rep8 resentatives and the Senate a report projecting annual ap9 propriations necessary for the Department of Veterans Af10 fairs to continue providing necessary health care to vet11 erans for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 

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

13 and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2008’’. 

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Union Calendar No. 110 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2642 

[Report No. 110

–186] 

A BILL 

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 

JUNE 11, 2007 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 

State of the Union and ordered to be printed 

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