64–636

106TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 106–645

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN

SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES

APPROPRIATION BILL, 2001

JUNE 1, 2000.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of

the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. PORTER, from the Committee on Appropriations,

submitted the following

REPORT

together with

DISSENTING VIEWS

[To accompany H.R. 4577]

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (except the

Food and Drug Administration and the Indian Health Service), and

Education, Armed Forces Retirement Home, Corporation for National and Community Service, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Federal Mine

Safety and Health Review Commission, Institute of Museum and

Library Services, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, National

Council on Disability, National Education Goals Panel, National

Labor Relations Board, National Mediation Board, Occupational

Safety and Health Review Commission, Railroad Retirement

Board, Social Security Administration, and the United States Institute of Peace for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and

for other purposes.

2

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

Page number

Bill Report

Title I—Department of Labor ................................................................... 2 11

Employment and Training Administration ....................................... 2 11

Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration ................................. 7 19

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ............................................. 7 20

Employment Standards Administration ........................................... 8 20

Occupational Safety and Health Administration ............................. 12 22

Mine Safety and Health Administration ........................................... 15 23

Bureau of Labor Statistics ................................................................. 16 23

Departmental Management ............................................................... 16 24

Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training ......... 18 24

Office of the Inspector General .......................................................... 18 25

General Provisions .............................................................................. 18 26

Title II—Department of Health and Human Services ............................ 20 26

Health Resources and Services Administration ............................... 20 26

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .................................... 23 42

National Institutes of Health ............................................................. 25 55

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ...... 31 98

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research ................................... 32 102

Health Care Financing Administration ............................................ 32 104

Administration for Children and Families ........................................ 35 110

Administration on Aging .................................................................... 40 119

Office of the Secretary ........................................................................ 41 122

General Provisions .............................................................................. 44 ...........

Title III—Department of Education ......................................................... 49 127

Education Reform ............................................................................... 49 128

Education for the Disadvantaged ...................................................... 50 132

Impact Aid ........................................................................................... 51 136

School Improvement Programs .......................................................... 52 138

Reading Excellence ............................................................................. 52 146

Indian Education ................................................................................. 53 146

School Renovation ............................................................................... ........ 147

Bilingual and Immigrant Education ................................................. 53 147

Special Education ................................................................................ 53 150

Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research .............................. 54 152

Special Institutions for Persons with Disabilities ............................ 54 156

Vocational and Adult Education ........................................................ 55 157

Student Financial Assistance ............................................................. 56 160

Federal Family Education Loans ....................................................... 57 162

Higher Education ................................................................................ 57 162

Howard University .............................................................................. 58 169

College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans .............................. 58 169

Historically Black College and University Capital Financing ........ 58 169

Education Research, Statistics, and Improvement .......................... 59 170

Departmental Management ............................................................... 60 176

Office for Civil Rights ......................................................................... 61 177

Office of the Inspector General .......................................................... 61 177

General Provisions .............................................................................. 61 178

Title IV—Related Agencies ........................................................................ 64 178

Armed Forces Retirement Home ....................................................... 64 178

Corporation for National and Community Service ........................... 65 178

Corporation for Public Broadcasting ................................................. 65 180

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service ..................................... 66 180

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission ..................... 67 180

Institute of Museum and Library Services ....................................... 67 180

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission ......................................... 67 181

National Commission on Libraries and Information Science .......... 68 181

3

Page number

Bill Report

National Council on Disability ........................................................... 68 181

National Education Goals Panel ........................................................ ........ 181

National Labor Relations Board ........................................................ 68 181

National Mediation Board .................................................................. 69 182

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission ..................... 69 182

Railroad Retirement Board ................................................................ 69 182

Social Security Administration .......................................................... 71 183

United States Institute of Peace ........................................................ 76 185

Title V—General Provisions ...................................................................... 76 185

House of Representatives Report Requirements ..................................... ........ 186

SUMMARY OF ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS

The following table compares on a summary basis the appropriations including trust funds for fiscal year 2000, the budget estimate

for fiscal year 2001 and the Committee recommendation for fiscal

year 2001 in the accompanying bill.

2001 LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS BILL

[In millions of dollars]

Fiscal year— 2000 committee compared to—

2000 comparable2001 budget2001 committee 2000 comparable

2001 budget

Department of Labor ................................................................. $10,627 11,866 10,164 ¥$463 ¥$1,702

Department of Health and Human Services ............................. 203,961 215,482 215,983 +12,022 +501

Department of Education .......................................................... 25,496 30,046 27,142 +1,646 ¥2,904

Related Agencies ....................................................................... 27,860 29,420 29,203 +1,343 ¥217

Grand total, current year ............................................. 267,944 286,814 282,492 +14,548 ¥4,322

Advances ...................................................................... 61,754 69,368 69,333 +7,579 ¥35

Current year total using 302(b) scorekeeping ......................... 315,719 348,449 339,521 +23,802 ¥8,928

Mandatory .................................................................... 230,853 242,321 242,315 +11,462 ¥6

Discretionary ................................................................ 84,866 106,128 $97,206 +12,340 ¥8,922

2001 LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND

EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS BILL

DISCRETIONARY

[In millions of dollars]

Fiscal year— 2001 committee compared to—

2000 comparable2001 budget2001 committee 2000 comparable

2001 budget

Department of Labor ................................................................. 1 $11,227 $12,404 $10,701 ¥$526 ¥$1,703

Department of Health and Human Services ............................. 1 41,728 45,040 43,867 +2,139 ¥1,173

Department of Education .......................................................... 1 35,605 40,095 37,190 +1,585 ¥2,905

Related Agencies ....................................................................... 8,045 8,680 8,463 +418 ¥217

Remove FY 2000 Advance Appropriations ................................ ¥10,126 ................ ................ +10,126 0

Scorekeeping Adjustments ........................................................ ¥1,613 ¥91 ¥3,015 ¥1,402 ¥2,924

Total Discretionary ....................................................... 84,866 106,128 97,206 +12,340 ¥8,922

1 Adjusted for advance appropriations.

4

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL

Funding levels in the fiscal year 2001 appropriation bill for the

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education

and Related Agencies reflect the Committee’s attempt to establish

priorities within the very stringent limitations. Mandatory spending continues its inexorable increase, this year by $15.9 billion or

6.8%. If the discretionary component of the Committee bill were to

grow at the same rate, total funding would be over $103 billion.

As in past years, the Committee has increased funding for programs that work for people and represent a core Federal responsibility. It has rejected the President’s hastily formulated and thinly

justified new program initiatives, favoring instead to fund existing

programs that will more efficiently and effectively address identified needs.

Bill total.—Total funding, including offsets, for fiscal year 2001

in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and

Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 is

$339,461,954,000. For Discretionary accounts for 2001 the bill provides $97,206,435,000, including offsets.

Mandatory programs.—The bill provides $248,991,967,000 for entitlement programs in fiscal year 2001. Seventy-one percent of the

funding in the bill is for these mandatory costs. Funding requirements for entitlement programs are determined by the basic authorizing statutes. Mandatory programs include general fund support for the Medicare and Medicaid programs, Supplemental Security Income, and Black Lung payments. The following chart indicates the funding levels for the major mandatory programs in fiscal

years 1999 and 2000 and the growth in these programs.

MANDATORY

[Dollars in thousands]

Program Fiscal year 2000

Fiscal year 2001 Change Percent

Department of Labor:

Black Lung Disability Trust Fund ............................................. $1,013,633 $1,028,000 $14,367 1

Department of Health and Human Services:

Health Care Financing Administration:

Medicaid current law benefits ......................................... 109,321,600 116,507,700 7,186,100 7

Medicare Payments to Health Care Trust Fund .............. 69,289,100 70,381,600 1,092,500 2

Department of Education:

Rehabilitation Services ............................................................. 2,338,977 2,399,790 60,813 3

Related Agencies:

Social Security Administration:

Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners ..................... 524,638 489,748 ¥34,890 ¥7

Supplemental Security Income ........................................ 31,420,085 32,681,000 1,260,915 4

Department of Labor.—The bill appropriates $12,626,598,000 for

the Labor Department, a decrease of $464,086,000 below the comparable fiscal year 2000 amount (Adjusted for advance appropriations in fiscal year 2000) and $1,702,678,000 below the amount requested by the President. This funding level includes

$5,010,995,000 to carry out the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act. The Committee recommends an increase in funding for

the Job Corps of $42,224,000 over the fiscal year 2000 level. Based

on the strong economy and low unemployment, the bill provides reduced funding for Adult and Youth training and Dislocated Worker

5

Assistance. Total funding for these programs is $3,239,990,000,

$300,000,000 below the fiscal year 2000 level and $502,985,000

below the President’s request. No funding is provided for school-towork activities in the Departments of Labor and Education, completing the phase-out of this program.

Youth Opportunity Grants.—The Committee provides $175,000,000 for this program.

Employment Standards Administration.—The Committee recommends $338,770,000 for ESA, a program freeze. This level

$24,706,000 below the President’s request.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration.—The Committee recommends funding for OSHA at $381,620,000,

$44,363,000 below the request and the same as last year’s level.

Within OSHA, state programs are increased by $1,771,000 while

funding for Federal enforcement is reduced by a like amount to

fund coverage of New Jersey public employees.

Department of Health and Human Services.—The bill appro- priates $257,696,591,000 which is $1,168,354,000 below the President’s request and $17,306,476,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level.

Funding for discretionary programs of $43,866,934,000 is

$1,153,354,000 below the President’s request and $2,743,801,000

above last year’s level.

Health Resources and Services Administration.—Funding for HRSA programs is $4,835,258,000, an increase of $181,906,000

above last year and $32,895,000 above the President’s request.

Within HRSA, the community health centers funding is at

$1,100,000,000, an increase of $81,300,000 above the fiscal year

2000 level. Health professions training is funded at $410,987,000,

$69,080,000 above last year’s level and $113,028,000 above the request. Ryan White AIDS Care Act programs are funded at

$1,725,000,000, $130,450,000 above last year and $5,450,000 above

the President’s request.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—The bill provides $3,290,369,000 directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an additional $306,040,000 for CDC activities funded

in the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. These

activities include bioterrorism, Global HIV/AIDS, and activities related to the outbreak of the West Nile Virus. As a result, overall

funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is

$3,586,409,000, $394,738,000 above the comparable fiscal year

2000 level and $198,422,000 above the President’s request.

Increases are provided for high priority activities including the

prevention centers and research, childhood immunization programs, communicable and sexually transmitted diseases, chronic

and environmental disease prevention and breast and cervical cancer screening. The Committee has also provided funding for an initiative to employ national media to promote healthy behavior

among the nation’s young people.

National Institutes of Health.—The Committee would provide a

$2,700,000,000 increase for biomedical research activities at the

National Institutes of Health. However, because of the limited

funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed by the President, at

$18,812,735,000, $1,059,883,000 above last year. The Committee

has maintained its policy of resisting disease specific earmarks in

6

the bill and report, believing that decisions as to appropriate levels

of funding and appropriate avenues of research are best left to the

scientific managers at NIH. NIH has indicated that its allocation

will allow increases above the overall NIH level for research related to Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among others.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.—

The bill provides $2,727,626,000 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an amount $75,758,000 above

fiscal year 2000 and $95,390,000 below the request level. The Committee has provided $1,631,000,000 for the Substance Abuse Block

Grant which is essentially $31,000,000 above last year’s level and

the same as the President’s request.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.—The bill provides $223,649,000 for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,

an amount $24,850,000 above last year and $26,294,000 below the

President’s request. Within these funds, the Committee has provided $20,000,000 to support research in medical error reduction.

Medicare and Medicaid.—The bill provides $124,235,254,000 for Medicaid and $70,381,600,000 in Federal funds for the Government’s share of payments to Medicare.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance.—The Committee recommendation provides $1,100,000,000 for the Low Income Home

Energy Assistance Program in fiscal year 2002. An additional

$300,000,000 is provided in emergency funding for heating and

cooling emergencies. As is the Committee’s normal practice, and

authorized in statute, funds are advance funded for fiscal year

2002 and declared an emergency.

Child Care and Development Block Grant.—The fiscal year 2000

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education

and Related Agencies Act provided $1,182,672,000, for fiscal year

2001 funding of the Child Care and Development Block Grant. The

Committee has provided an additional $400,000,000 in fiscal year

2001 funding, bringing total fiscal year 2001 funding to

$1,582,672,000, $417,328,000 below the request level. As this program is normally advance funded, the Committee provides

$2,000,000,000 for fiscal 2002, the same as the President’s request.

Social Services Block Grant.—The Committee recommends

$1,700,000,000, $75,000,000 below last year and the same as the

President’s request. $1,700,000,000 is the statutory maximum for

title XX set in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century

(PL 105–85). The reduced funding level in this act was used to offset additional state funding for highways and transit.

Head Start.—The bill includes $5,667,000,000 for Head Start,

$400,000,000 above last year’s level and $600,000,000 below the

President’s request.

Community Services Block Grant.—The bill provides

$527,700,000 for the community services block grant, the same as

fiscal year 2000 and $17,700,000 above the President’s request.

Funding of Abortions.—The bill includes the revised ‘‘Hyde’’ language which has been carried in the bill for several years.

Human Embryo Research.—The bill includes the same language

included for the past several years to prohibit the use of funds for

research involving human embryos. This language also has the effect of prohibiting human cloning.

7

Needle Exchange.—The bill includes a prohibition on the use of

Federal funds for needle exchange programs, which is the same as

last year.

Title X Family Participation in decisions of minors to seek family

planning.—The bill includes language requiring recipients of title

X funding, family planning funding, to certify that it encourages

family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and that it provides counseling to minors on how to

resist attempts to coerce minors into engaging in sexual activities.

This language has been included in the bill for several years.

Title X Compliance With State Laws.—The bill includes a provision, continued from last year, requiring Title X clinics to comply

with State laws relating to notification or reporting of child abuse,

child molestation, sexual abuse, rape or incest.

Department of Education.—The bill funds programmatic and support activities in the Department of Education at $39,590,049,000,

a decrease of $2,904,597,000 below the President’s request and

$1,646,480,000 above last year’s level (adjusted for advance appropriations in fiscal year 2000).

Education Reform.—The bill eliminates funding for Goals 2000,

which was repealed last year. The Committee provides no additional funding for School-to-Work in both the Departments of Labor

and Education. For Technology for Education, the bill provides

$905,000,000, $2,000,000 above the President’s request and

$139,195,000 above last year’s level.

Education for the Disadvantaged.—The bill provides

$7,941,397,000, for grants to local education agencies under title I

of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This level is the

same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and $416,103,000 below the

request level. The bill also provides $190,000,000, the same level

the President’s request and $20,000,000 above last year, for Comprehensive School Reform.

Impact Aid.—The bill provides $985,000,000 for school districts

that are impacted by Federal activities, such as military bases or

Indian lands. This is an increase of $78,548,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 level, and $215,000,000 above the President’s request.

School Improvement Programs.—The bill funds title VI (the education block grant) at $365,750,000, the same as the fiscal year

2000 amount. The President proposed to terminate the program.

The bill provides $1,750,000,000 for the Teacher Empowerment

Act, subject to enactment. This level is $1,750,000,000 above both

the President’s request and the fiscal year 2000 amount. The bill

provides no funding for the existing Class Size Reduction program,

funded at $1,300,000,000 in fiscal year 2000 and for which the

President requested $1,750,000,000. It also rejected the President’s

proposal to require a 35 percent cash match by local educational

agencies for all class size reduction funding in excess of the

amounts received in fiscal year 2000.

Safe and Drug Free Schools.—The safe and drug free schools program is funded at $599,250,000, essentially the same level as last

year and $50,750,000 below the President’s request.

Reading Excellence Act.—The Committee bill provides

$260,000,000 for the Reading Excellence Act, $26,000,000 below the

President’s Request and the same as last year’s level.

8

School Renovation.—The Committee provided no funds for the

Presidents’ new School Renovation initiative. The President requested $1,300,000,000 and no funds were provided in fiscal year

2000.

Bilingual and Immigrant Education.—Bilingual and Immigrant Education programs are funded at $406,000,000, the same as the

fiscal year 2000 amount and $54,000,000 below the President’s request.

Special Education.—The Committee recommends an overall program funding level for special education programs of

$6,550,161,000, $513,965,000 above last year’s level and

$181,320,000 above the President’s request. The bill provides a

$500,000,000 increase for grants to states under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act while the request level

would provide only a $210,000,000 increase.

Vocational and Adult Education.—Vocational education state

grants are funded at $1,100,000,000 and adult education state

grants are funded at $470,000,000. Tech Prep is funded at last

year’s level. Overall, the Committee provides $1,718,600,000,

$36,850,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and $32,650,000 below

the President’s request.

Student Financial Assistance and Higher Education.—The Committee places a high priority on direct assistance to students. For

Student Financial Aid, the Committee provides $10,198,000,000,

$823,283,000 above last year and $60,000,000 below the President.

For Higher Education, the Committee provides $1,688,081,000.

This level is $158,502,000 above last year and $107,892,000 below

the request. The bill includes funding to allow the maximum Pell

grant to rise to $3,500—the highest in history, $200 above last year

and the same as the President’s request. Federal work-study

grants, SEOG’s, TRIO and institutional development for minority

schools are increased. TRIO is funded at $760,000,000, an increase

of $115,000,000 above fiscal year 2000 and $35,000,000 above the

President’s request.

Education Research and Statistics.—The Committee proposes

$494,367,000 for education research and statistics. For on-going activities, this level is $96,714,000 below last year and $23,200,000

below the request level.

Social Security Administrative Costs.—Funding for the cost of administering the social security programs is $6,978,036,000,

$406,000,000 above last year and $155,964,000 below the President’s request. Full funding is provided for continuing disability reviews.

National Labor Relations Board.—Funding for the National

Labor Relations Board is $205,717,000, the same as last year’s

level and $10,721,000 below the President’s request.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting.—CPB is an advance funded

account with funds already appropriated through fiscal year 2002.

Funding proposed by the Committee is $365,000,000 for 2003, an

increase of $15,000,000 above fiscal year 2002 and the same as the

request.

State Reimbursement for Supplemental SSI Benefits.—The bill

advances the monthly deadline for States to reimburse the Federal

government for state Supplemental Security Income payments.

States will have to provide funds to SSA the day before payments

9

to beneficiaries are issued rather than after the payments are

made. SSI and State supplementary payment beneficiaries will not

be affected by this proposal.

Restoring Benefit Payments to the Appropriate Year.—The Committee has included language to restore Supplemental Security Income payments to the appropriate year, so that all payments are

made consistent with the normal rules for making SSI payments.

State TANF Supplemental Grant for Population Increase

Amounts.—The bill includes a provision, as proposed by the President, to constrain Supplemental Grants for Population Increase to

the FY 1998 amounts. This change will not affect any beneficiary

payments.

TRANSFER AUTHORITY

The Committee, again this year, has included a general transfer

authority for several of the Departments and agencies funded

under this bill. In doing so, it is providing the Executive Branch

with the ability to respond to emergencies or unanticipated needs.

The Committee has not provided this authority to the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention or to the Department of Education.

The Committee first provided this authority in fiscal year 1996

and in the report accompanying the House bill and from time-totime in following fiscal years included language indicating the importance of the achievement of a clean financial opinion. Report

104–659 indicated:

. . . [T]he Committee questions the extent to which

agencies can properly exercise . . . [the transfer] authority

. . . if they have not made substantial progress towards

achieving the CFO Act’s financial management reforms.

Accordingly, in subsequent years, the Committee will consider . . . progress . . . in obtaining a clean opinion on

. . . financial statements . . . in deciding whether to continue, expand or limit transfer and reprogramming authority.

The Committee notes that the Department of Education did not

receive an unqualified opinion on its financial statements for either

fiscal year 1998 or 1999, although in fiscal year 1999, they made

progress toward rectifying the problems raised in the 1998 audit.

With respect to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

the Committee received testimony that the agency has provided

Congress with inaccurate spending data, the result of both a culture of disrespect for the role of Congress and a breakdown of

budgetary and financial management systems. The Committee understands that the Director and the Secretary have taken aggressive steps to begin to address this situation.

The Committee believes that the flexibilities it provides to the

departments and agencies under its jurisdiction can only be carried

out when proper management controls and systems are in place.

Its actions reflect the breakdown in financial management in the

two agencies that have been exempted from the overall transfer authority.

10

The Committee reiterates that it is not the purpose of the transfer authority to provide funding for new policy proposals that can,

and should, be included in subsequent budget proposals. The Congress sets funding levels for programs, projects and activities

through the annual appropriations act and the accompanying tables included in the conference report. Absent the need to respond

to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances discussed above, this

authority cannot be used simply to increase funding for programs,

projects or activities because of disagreements over the funding

level or the difficulty or inconvenience with operating levels set by

the Congress.

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT

As with last year, the Committee believes that the Departments

and agencies under its jurisdiction have made progress toward the

establishment of goals and other benchmarks as required by the

Government Performance and Results Act. However, they remain

a long way from meeting its overall intent. As noted in specific instances throughout this Report, the Committee continues to feel

that quantifiable and measurable individual performance indicators

need to be developed for each program. Individual indicators need

to be specific and measurable wherever possible, need to be consistent with other measures used in similar programs and need to

be supported by systems that can provide annual information on

the progress being made toward achieving the stated goals. There

are still far too many programs with indicators using the terms ‘‘increase,’’ or ‘‘decrease,’’ or ‘‘improve’’ rather than specific numerical

goals.

In addition, these indicators must increasingly focus on the improvements in employment and income, worker safety, health status, biomedical discoveries, the quality of life of various populations, educational achievement, and the many other goals that

are the primary purpose of the programs funded by this bill. Again,

the indicators are far too often related to the issuance of program

guidance or focus on the number of individuals served. The Committee is disappointed that the baselines so necessary for measuring progress are not being established rapidly enough. These

baselines need to indicate multi-year trends so that the Committee

and the American people can judge program effectiveness against

long-term trend data.

The Committee continues to be disappointed that the administration is still unable to provide specific improvement goals with its

budget request with respect to new program initiatives. The Committee notes that it is particularly hard to justify new programs

when the budget request includes no empirical statement of the

problems they are designed to redress, no baseline data and no

statement of yearly improvements to be achieved if the new program is funded at the requested level.

Finally, the Committee continues to urge the Departments and

agencies under its jurisdiction to manage themselves based on performance and outcomes. They should use outcome and performance

measures as the primary management tool for resource allocation

and the evaluation of programs and individuals. The Committee expects that each Department and office funded in the bill will be

prepared to testify during the fiscal year 2002 cycle on how perVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.000 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
11

formance and outcome measures are being used to manage their

programs, including:

How outcome and performance goals are being established

for individual offices within departments and how they are

held accountable for the achievement of these goals;

How such data is used to establish individual performance

goals; and

How actual performance is measured against these goals and

the kinds of incentives, both positive and negative, that are in

place to assure the achievement of overall goals.

OPERATING PLANS

The Committee directs the Departments and agencies identified

in the report accompanying the fiscal year 1998 bill to continue to

provide it with operating plans on the dates identified in that report. These plans should follow the instructions outlined in House

Report 106–370.

The Committee believes that the Departments and agencies must

make better progress in upgrading their financial management systems to determine better the actual flow of appropriated dollars to

individual programs and identifying obligation schedules. However,

the Committee is troubled by the fact that for many programs, simple formulas are used for outlay and obligation patterns rather

than a true analysis of the likely obligation and spending patterns

for the program.

EXTENDED AVAILABILITY OF SALARY AND EXPENSE ACCOUNTS

The Committee has, once again, provided that most salary and

expense accounts funded in this bill remain available for obligation

through December 31, 2002. The Department of Education did not

request this flexibility and the Committee has not applied this provision to the Department of Education. The Committee has also excluded the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In all other

respects, the Departments and agencies to which this provision applies are directed to follow the instructions in House Report 106–

370. The Committee reiterates that unless otherwise available, no

funds covered by this provision can be obligated in the ‘‘fifth quarter’’ without following the notification procedures outlined in House

Report 106–370.

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

The Committee recommends $5,015,495,000 for this account

which provides funding authorized primarily by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This is $420,929,000 below the fiscal year

2000 level and $1,090,567,000 below the budget request. Of the

total provided, the committee recommends that $2,463,000,000 be

made available as of October 1, 2001.

The Training and Employment Services account is comprised of

programs that enhance the employment and earnings of those in

need of such services, operated through a decentralized system of

12

skill training and related services. The account is mostly forwardfunded on a July to June cycle, with funds provided for fiscal year

2001 supporting the effort from July 1, 2001 through June 30,

2002.

Fiscal year 2000 was the first year under the new Workforce Investment Act, beginning July 1, 2000. The new legislation is expected to significantly enhance employment and training services,

consolidating, coordinating, and improving programs utilizing a

local level one-stop delivery system.

The Committee notes that the Department is making progress in

developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the goals

of the various job training programs pursuant to the Government

Performance and Results Act. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in the

budget justification and believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for each and every one of these programs. There is a particular need to develop more timely performance data. The annual performance plan should include the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as a result of the proposed funding levels.

The annual report on performance should link departmental actions to the achievement or non-achievement of the goals established in the performance plan. The emphasis must be on the programs’ mission, that is to train and place people in real jobs, with

a particular emphasis on those people who have the most difficulty

in obtaining work.

Employer-based national training contractors play a unique role

in helping the Department comply with the Workforce Investment

Act’s requirements for closer ties with industry, while fulfilling the

skills training and job placement needs of this country’s most economically disadvantaged youth. Recognizing the unique role and

outstanding record of employer-based organizations in training Job

Corps students as well as disadvantaged youth and placing them

with above average success, the Committee believes the Department should expand its effective working relationships with these

organizations. The Committee notes in particular the successes

achieved by the Community Restitution and Apprenticeship-Focused Training (CRAFT) program operated by the Home Builders

Institute and encourages the Department to replicate efforts such

as this.

The Committee encourages the Department to continue to provide technical assistance to the Role Models America Academy

Demonstration Program. The impact of family members on the recovery success of substance abusers can be significant. The Committee urges the Department to develop partnerships with substance abuse centers and include in their curriculum literacy, job

readiness, and job placement services that makes the family an effective collaborator in the recovery process.

Adult employment and training activities

For adult employment and training activities, the Committee recommends $857,000,000. Of this amount, $712,000,000 will become

available on October 1, 2001. The total recommended is

$93,000,000 less than the 2000 comparable level and the budget request. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it

13

is operating this year, the Committee was compelled to reduce

funding for this activity. Furthermore, the Committee believes that

the economy is sufficiently strong to justify a reduction in this program at this time. This program is authorized by the Workforce Investment Act. The funds are allocated by formula to States and further distributed to local workforce investment boards. Services for

adults will be provided through the One-Stop system and most customers receiving training will use their individual training accounts to determine which programs and providers fit their needs.

The Act authorizes core services, which will be available to all

adults with no eligibility requirements, and intensive services, for

unemployed individuals who are not able to find jobs through core

services alone.

Dislocated worker employment and training activities

For dislocated worker employment and training activities, the Committee recommends $1,382,025,000, of which, $1,060,000,000

will be made available on October 1, 2001. This total is

$207,000,000 less than the 2000 comparable level and $388,485,000

less than the budget request. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the Committee was

compelled to reduce funding for this activity. Furthermore, the

Committee believes that the economy is sufficiently strong to justify a reduction in this program at this time. This activity, authorized by WIA, is a State-operated program which provides core services, intensive services, training, and supportive services to help

permanently separated workers return to productive, unsubsidized

employment. In addition, States use these funds for rapid response

assistance to help workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closures. Eighty percent of funding is distributed by formula to the

States. The remaining twenty percent is available to the Secretary

for activities specified in WIA, primarily to respond to mass layoffs,

plant and/or military base closings, and natural disasters across

the country, which cannot be otherwise anticipated, as well as technical assistance and training and demonstration projects.

Youth activities

For youth activities, the bill includes $1,000,965,000. This level

is the same as fiscal year 2000 funding and $21,500,000 less than

the budget request. The Workforce Investment Act consolidates the

Summer Youth Employment and Training Program under JTPA

Title IIB and Youth Training Grants under JTPA Title IIC into a

single youth training activity. The funds are allocated by formula

to States and further distributed to local workforce investment

boards. The local boards decide how much to spend on summer jobs

and how much to spend on other youth activities. In addition to

consolidating programs, WIA also requires youth activities to be

connected to the One-Stop system as one way to link youth to all

available community resources. The purpose of youth activities is

to provide eligible youth with assistance in achieving academic and

employment success through improving educational and skill competencies and providing connections to employers. Other activities

include providing mentoring opportunities, opportunities for training, supportive services, summer employment opportunities that

are directly linked to academic and occupational learning, incenVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.000 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
14

tives for recognition and achievement, and activities related to

leadership development, citizenship and community service.

Youth opportunity grants

The bill includes $175,000,000 for Youth Opportunity Grants. This is $75,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2000 appropriation

and $200,000,000 below the budget request. Youth Opportunity

Grants are authorized in the Workforce Investment Act. These

grants are aimed at increasing the long-term employment of youth

who live in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, and other

high-poverty areas. Given the tight budget constraints under which

it is operating this year, the Committee was forced to make difficult choices. Under the circumstances, the Committee believes

that it is more important to fund the core job training programs

under which all States receive funds than to fund this discretionary

grant program at its authorized level which would provide funds to

only about 35 areas.

Job Corps

For Job Corps, the Committee recommends $1,400,000,000. This is $42,224,000 more than the 2000 comparable level and $6,956,000

higher than the President’s request. Of the amount provided,

$691,000,000 will become available on October 1, 2001. In addition,

$15,000,000 is made available on October 1, 2000 for use during

the 2000 program year. These funds are to be used to integrate Job

Corps centers in their local communities through Business and

Community Liaisons as mandated by the Workforce Investment

Act. The Job Corps, authorized by WIA, is a nationwide network

of residential facilities chartered by Federal law to provide a comprehensive and intensive array of training, job placement and support services to at-risk young adults. The mission of Job Corps is

to attract eligible young adults, teach them the skills they need to

become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful

jobs or further education. Participation in the program is open to

economically disadvantaged young people in the 16–24 age range

who are unemployed and out of school. Most Job Corps students

come from disruptive or debilitating environments, and it is important that they be relocated to residential facilities where they can

benefit from the highly structured and carefully integrated services

provided by the Job Corps program. A limited number of opportunities are also available for non-residential participation. The Committee supports the effort of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998

to more fully integrate Job Corps centers in their local communities.

As a national training program, Job Corps is particularly well

suited to help meet the needs of large, multi-state employers for

skilled entry level workers. The Committee applauds Job Corps for

establishing partnerships with nine national employers, and encourages Job Corps to continue to work with both larger employers

and small businesses to ensure that student training meets current

labor market needs. Job Corps should intensify its efforts to upgrade its vocational offerings and curricula to reflect industry

standards and skill shortages.

The Committee recognizes the continued need to bring salaries

for key Job Corps program staff, particularly academic and vocaVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.000 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
15

tional instructors, into line with those of instructors at comparable

institutions, including the public schools. Job Corps will be unable

to move into high technology vocations, such as computer network

certification, unless it can offer competitive salaries. The Committee has provided additional resources to make salaries for

teaching staff comparable to those of public schools.

Last year, the Committee provided $5 million to build or rehabilitate Head Start centers on Job Corps campuses. The Committee

requests the Department to provide a detailed report on the

progress of these Head Start centers, and on the progress of the

four new Job Corps Centers in Carville, Louisiana; Exeter, Rhode

Island; Hartford, Connecticut; and Wilmington, Delaware. Although the Committee has not provided funding for new Job Corps

centers this year, the Secretary is encouraged to include such funds

in its budget request for fiscal year 2002. In considering the expansion of Job Corps, the Secretary is urged to consider new sites

based on a competitive process which gives priority to sites within

States that: are currently serving a small percentage of youths eligible to enroll in Job Corps; currently have two or fewer Job Corps

centers; have not been recently selected for a new center; and exhibit strong state, local and employer support for Job Corps.

Native Americans

For Native Americans, the bill includes $55,000,000, the amount

requested by the President. This is $3,436,000 less than the 2000

comparable level. This program, authorized by WIA, is designed to

improve the economic well-being of Native Americans (Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians) through the provision of

training, work experience, and other employment-related services

and opportunities that are intended to aid the participants to secure permanent, unsubsidized jobs. The Department of Labor allocates formula grants to Indian tribes and other Native American

groups whose eligibility for such grants is established in accordance

with Department’s regulations.

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers

For Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, the Committee recommends $78,000,000, which is $3,805,000 higher than the 2000

comparable level and $3,555,000 higher than the budget request.

This program, authorized by WIA, is designed to serve members of

economically disadvantaged families whose principal livelihood is

derived from migratory and other forms of seasonal farmwork.

Through training and other employability development services,

the program prepares eligible seasonal farmworkers and their family members for stable, year-round employment, both inside and

outside the agricultural industry. The program also provides health

care, day care and other supportive services for farmworkers who

choose to stay in agriculture. At least 94 percent of each year’s appropriation is allocated to States according to a population-based

formula. The remainder of each year’s appropriation is set aside for

technical assistance to grantees and for other special projects to

benefit seasonal farmworkers such as the Migrant Farmworker

Housing Program. The Department is expected to continue the

farmworker housing program at the current year level.

16

National programs

For national programs, the Committee recommends $67,505,000.

This is $33,522,000 less than the 2000 comparable level and

$398,093,000 less than the budget request. This activity includes

WIA-authorized programs in support of the workforce system including technical assistance and incentive grants, evaluations, pilots, demonstrations and research. In addition, the activity includes

the National Skills Standards Board.

Technical Assistance/Incentive Grants: The Committee recommends $5,000,000, the amount provided in 2000, for the provision of technical assistance, staff development, and replication of

programs of demonstrated effectiveness; as well as incentive grants

to each State that exceeds State adjusted levels of performance for

WIA State programs.

Pilots, Demonstrations and Research: The Committee recommends $35,000,000 for grants or contracts to conduct research,

pilots or demonstrations that improve techniques or demonstrate

the effectiveness of programs. This is $30,095,000 below 2000 and

the same as the budget request.

Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offenders: The Committee

recommends $13,907,000 for this proposed grant program under

WIA Pilot, Demonstration, and Research authority. The budget request was for $75,000,000. The Committee is aware that acquiring

education and employment skills significantly reduces recidivism.

The Committee urges the Department to support community corrections organizations that provide education, mentoring, job-readiness training and job placement services to reintegrate ex-offenders

into mainstream society.

Evaluation: The Committee recommends $9,098,000 to provide

for the continuing evaluation of programs conducted under WIA, as

well as of federally-funded employment-related activities under

other provisions of law. This is the same as 2000 and $3,000,000

below the budget request.

National Skills Standards Board: The Committee recommends

$3,500,000 for the Board to continue the development of voluntary

partnerships. This is $3,500,000 less than 2000 and the same as

the budget request.

Women in Apprenticeship for Non-Traditional Occupations: The

Committee recommends $1,000,000 to continue training women for

jobs not traditionally entered into by women. This level is essentially the same as 2000, and the budget request included no funds

for this purpose in this account.

COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS

The bill includes $440,200,000 for community service employment for older Americans. This is the same as the fiscal year 2000

level and the President’s budget request. The Committee notes that

this program again this year lacks an authorization for appropriations. The program, under title V of the Older Americans Act, provides part-time employment in community service activities for unemployed, low-income persons aged 55 and over. Participants receive the minimum wage. It is forward-funded from July to June,

and the fiscal year 2001 appropriation will support the effort from

17

July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002. An estimated 48,000 job slots

will be supported by the bill.

FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

The bill includes $406,550,000, the same as the budget request

and a reduction of $8,600,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level. The fiscal year 2001 allowance provides funding for

certain worker adjustment entitlement programs.

For trade adjustment assistance benefits, as authorized by the

Trade Act of 1974, as amended, the bill includes $248,000,000. This

is a reduction of $7,000,000 below the fiscal year 2000 level. The

bill provides $94,400,000 for training, job search and job relocation

allowances to workers adversely affected by imports. The funding

for this activity is also authorized under the Trade Act of 1974, as

amended. This is about the same as the fiscal year 2000 level.

For NAFTA transitional adjustment assistance benefits, also authorized by the Trade Act of 1974, as amended as a result of the

signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),

the bill includes $27,000,000. This is a reduction of $2,000,000

below the fiscal year 2000 level. The bill provides $37,150,000 for

training, job search and job relocation allowances to workers adversely affected by imports due to NAFTA. This is the same as the

fiscal year 2000 level.

STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

OPERATIONS

The bill includes $3,097,790,000 for this account, a reduction of

$115,990,000 below the fiscal year 2000 level and $291,408,000

below the budget request. Included in the total availability is

$3,054,338,000 authorized to be drawn from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund and

$43,452,000 to be provided from the general fund of the Treasury.

The funds in this account are used to provide administrative grants

and assistance to State agencies which administer Federal and

State unemployment compensation laws and operate the public employment service.

The Committee notes that the Department is making progress in

developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the goals

of the various job training programs pursuant to the Government

Performance and Results Act. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in the

budget justification and believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for these programs. There is a particular need to develop more timely performance data. The annual

performance plan should include the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as

a result of the proposed funding levels. The annual report on performance should link departmental actions to the achievement or

non-achievement of the goals established in the performance plan.

For Unemployment Insurance Services, the bill provides

$2,266,375,000. This total includes $2,256,375,000 for State Operations and $10,000,000 for national activities. The recommendation

is $92,908,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal

year 2000 level. The Committee implemented the proposal to comVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.000 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
18

bine funding for contingency into the state administration line

item.

For the Employment Service, the bill provides $811,415,000

which includes $23,452,000 in general funds together with an authorization to spend $787,963,000 from the Employment Security

Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. These

amounts are $5,990,000 less than the fiscal year 2000 level and

$44,500,000 less than the budget request. Included in the bill for

the Employment Service is $761,735,000 for State grants, available

for the program year of July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002. This

is $50,000,000 less than the budget request and equal to the fiscal

year 2000 level. Because of budget constraints, the Committee was

unable to provide any funding for proposed reemployment service

grants for UI recipients.

The Committee has provided $49,680,000 for ES national activities, a decrease of $5,990,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level and

$5,500,000 more than the budget request. The Committee does not

believe that the Department’s new foreign labor certification

streamlining system will be in place by October 1, 2000; therefore,

it has restored $5.5 million to assure that States have adequate resources to complete the backlog reduction plan at the same time

the new system is being implemented. The bill includes

$20,000,000 specifically for administration by the States of the

Work Opportunities Tax Credit and the Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit.

The bill provides $20,000,000 for Work Incentive Grants which

is the same level provided in 2000 and the amount in the budget

request. Fiscal year 2000 is the first year of funding for this new

program. These grants are competitively awarded to local organizations to enhance the employability, employment, and career advancement of people with disabilities. Services are provided in concert with the one-stop center serving the local community.

The Committee has provided no funding for one-stop centers as

2000 was the final year of the State implementation grants with

all States having received implementation grants. The Committee

feels it has provided the resources necessary for the original onestop development plan. In House Report 104–209, the Committee

expressed its doubt that a grant program could effectively consolidate the myriad of employment and training programs and that

legislation should be enacted to reach this goal. The recently enacted Workforce Investment Act provides such legislation. Under

the Workforce Investment Act, one-stop service delivery is presumed, and the Committee expects States and localities to take responsibility for further system development where necessary.

ADVANCES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND OTHER FUNDS

The bill includes $435,000,000, the same as the budget request

and an increase of $79,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level.

The appropriation is available to provide advances to several accounts for purposes authorized under various Federal and State

unemployment compensation laws and the Black Lung Disability

Trust Fund, whenever balances in such accounts prove insufficient.

The bill anticipates that fiscal year 2001 advances will be made to

the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.

19

The separate appropriations provided by the Committee for all

other accounts eligible to borrow from this account in fiscal year

2000 are expected to be sufficient. Should the need arise, due to

unanticipated changes in the economic situation, or for other legitimate reasons, advances will be made to the needy accounts to the

extent funds are available. Funds advanced to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund are repayable with interest to the general fund

of the Treasury.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

The bill includes total funding for this account of $146,000,000.

This is the same as the 2000 level and $13,311,000 below the request. This includes $100,944,000 in general funds and authority

to expend $45,056,000 from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. General funds in

this account provide the Federal staff to administer employment

and training programs under the Workforce Investment Act, the

Older Americans Act, the welfare-to-work program, the Trade Act

of 1974, and the National Apprenticeship Act. Trust funds provide

for the Federal administration of employment security functions

under title III of the Social Security Act and the Immigration and

Nationality Act.

PENSION AND WELFARE BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The bill provides $98,934,000 for this account, a reduction of

$8,898,000 from the budget request and the same as the fiscal year

2000 level. The Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration

(PWBA) is responsible for the enforcement of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in both

civil and criminal areas. This involves ERISA fiduciary and reporting/disclosure requirements. PWBA is also responsible for enforcement of sections 8477 and 8478 of the Federal Employees’ Retirement Security Act of 1986 (FERSA). The agency was also given

new responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and

Accountability Act of 1996.

The Committee notes that the Department is making progress in

developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the goals

of the various job training programs pursuant to the Government

Performance and Results Act. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in the

budget justification and believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for this program. There is a particular

need to develop more timely performance data with particular emphasis on baselines. The annual performance plan should include

the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur

with respect to all measures as a result of the proposed funding

levels. The annual report on performance should link departmental

actions to the achievement or non-achievement of the goals established in the performance plan.

20

PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is a wholly-owned

government corporation established by the Employee Retirement

Income Security Act of 1974. The law places it within the Department of Labor and makes the Secretary of Labor the chairman of

its board of directors. The Corporation receives its income from insurance premiums collected from covered pension plans, collections

of employer liabilities imposed by the Act, and investment earnings. It is also authorized to borrow up to $100 million from the

Treasury. The primary purpose of the Corporation is to guarantee

the payment of pension plan benefits to participants if covered

plans fail or go out of existence.

The Corporation’s budget for fiscal year 2000 includes benefit

payments of $987,609,000, multi-employer financial assistance of

$6,266,000, an administrative expenses limitation of $11,148,000,

and administrative expenses that are exempt from limitation of

$164,834,000. Only the administrative expenses limitation is subject to the appropriations process. The amount in the administrative expense limitation is a reduction of $723,000 below the request

and the same as fiscal year 2000.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The bill includes $338,770,000 for this agency. This is a reduction of $24,706,000 below the budget request and a freeze at the

fiscal year 2000. The bill includes $337,030,000 in general funds for

this account and also contains authority to expend $1,740,000 from

the Special Fund established by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. In addition, an amount of $30,393,000 is

available by transfer from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.

This is the same as the request and $1,717,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 level.

The Employment Standards Administration is involved in the administration of numerous laws, including the Fair Labor Standards

Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Protection Act, the Davis-Bacon Act,

the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (black

lung). The agency also administers Executive Order 11246 related

to affirmative action by Federal contractors and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.

With respect to the Government Performance and Results Act,

the Committee notes that the agency’s annual performance plan indicates that progress is being made in compiling baseline data for

some of its performance goals. The agency is encouraged to continue to pursue refinements and improvements. The performance

plan needs to show the specific, measurable improvements that are

expected to occur with respect to all measures as a result of proposed funding levels.

The Committee recommendation includes $2,000,000 to continue

the development and implementation of the electronic filing of reports required to be filed under the Labor-Management Reporting

21

and Disclosure Act, and a computer database of the information for

each submission that is indexed and easily searchable by the public

via the Internet. The Committee urges the Department to complete

their efforts to make a searchable LM2 filing database accessible

to the public by the submission of their budget request for fiscal

year 2002.

SPECIAL BENEFITS

The bill includes $56,000,000, the same as the budget request and a decrease of $23,000,000 below the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. This appropriation primarily provides benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). The payments are required by law.

The total amount to be available in fiscal year 2000 for FECA

payments, including anticipated reimbursements from Federal

agencies of $1,955,000,000, is expected to be $2,086,000,000, an increase of $50,000,000 over the fiscal year 2000 comparable level.

The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation language to provide authority to deposit into the Special Benefits account those funds that the Postal Service, the Tennessee Valley

Authority, and other entities are required to pay to cover their ‘‘fair

share’’ of the costs of administering the claims filed by their employees under FECA. The Committee also recommends approval of

appropriation language to provide that up to $30,510,000 of the

funds transferred from the ‘‘fair share’’ agencies to pay the costs of

administration will be available to the Secretary of Labor to finance capital improvements relating to upgrading and enhancing

the Federal Employees’ Compensation program computer system

hardware and software and to finance staff costs related to the

FECA periodic roll management project. The remaining balance of

the administrative costs paid by the ‘‘fair share’’ agencies will revert to Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND

The bill includes authority to obligate a total of $1,028,000,000

from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund in fiscal year 2001,

with $975,343,000 for benefits and interest authorized to be made

from the Trust Fund. For administrative purposes, the total

amount available for fiscal year 2001 will provide $52,301,000 and

$356,000 for administrative expenses for the Departments of Labor

and Treasury, respectively. In fiscal year 2000, comparable obligations for administrative expenses for the Departments of Labor and

Treasury respectively are $49,771,000 and $356,000.

The Trust Fund pays all black lung compensation/medical and

survivor benefit expenses when no responsible mine operator can

be assigned liability for such benefits, or when coal mine employment ceased prior to 1970, as well as all administrative costs which

are incurred in administering the benefits program and operating

the Trust Fund.

It is estimated that 59,500 people will be receiving black lung

benefits financed from the Trust Fund in fiscal year 2001. This

compares with an estimated 63,200 receiving benefits in fiscal year

2000.

The basic financing for the Trust Fund comes from a coal excise

tax for underground and surface-mined coal. Additional funds come

22

from reimbursement payments from mine operators for benefit payments made by the Trust Fund before the mine operator is found

liable, and advances from the general fund, estimated at

$435,000,000 in fiscal year 2001. The advances to the Fund assure

availability of necessary funds when liabilities may exceed other income. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 continues

the current tax structure until 2014.

In Conference Report 106–479 for the fiscal year 2000 appropriation, the Committee directed the Department of Labor to provide

a recommended solution for the problem of the increasing indebtedness of the Trust Fund to the Congress. In addition, the House

Committee on Education and the Workforce has requested that the

General Accounting Office conduct a review of the impact on the

Trust Fund of proposed regulations affecting eligibility for benefits

under the black lung disability program. The Department is encouraged to hold in abeyance any provisions of the proposed black

lung regulations that would significantly impact the solvency of the

Trust Fund until the completion of the GAO report.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The bill includes $381,620,000 for OSHA. This is the same level

as 2000 and a reduction of $44,363,000 below the budget request.

This agency is responsible for enforcing the Occupational Safety

and Health Act of 1970 in the Nation’s workplaces. The Committee has provided $1,771,000 in OSHA State programs to fund the state plan for New Jersey to provide safety and

health coverage for its public sector employees. Because of limited

resources, overall funding for OSHA remains at the 2000 level. The

Committee reduced the 2000 funding level for federal enforcement

to provide for the New Jersey public sector employee coverage in

order to keep the funding split between OSHA enforcement and

compliance activities the same as in 2000.

The Committee notes that the Department is making progress in

developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the goals

of the various job training programs pursuant to the Government

Performance and Results Act. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in the

budget justification and believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for this program. There is a particular

need to develop more timely performance data. The annual performance plan should include the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as

a result of the proposed funding levels. The annual report on performance should link departmental actions to the achievement or

non-achievement of the goals established in the performance plan.

The Committee supports OSHA’s efforts to expand the Voluntary

Protection Program and other voluntary cooperative programs. The

Committee is pleased with OSHA’s efforts in placing high priority

on the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and other voluntary cooperative programs. The agency’s work in expanding participation

in the programs, and promoting prompt review and processing of

applications is noteworthy. In FY 2001 the Committee expects

OSHA to continue to place priority on the VPP, making an effort

23

to ensure 25% growth in participation by sites covered under Federal OSHA jurisdiction. Cooperative voluntary programs, especially

the VPP, are important to employers’ ability to assure worker safety.

The Committee has included language carried in the bill since

1976 in one instance and 1979 in the other that restricts the use

of funds for certain purposes. First, the bill includes language that

effectively exempts farms employing 10 or fewer people from the

provisions of the Act except those farms having a temporary labor

camp. Second, the bill includes language exempting businesses employing 10 or fewer in industry classifications having a lost workday injury rate less than the national average from general schedule safety inspections. The Committee is aware that a small percentage of the population may have an allergic reaction to natural

rubber latex. Latex allergy is more likely to develop in infants who

have had numerous surgical procedures and those people who are

atopic, yet little is known about its epidemiology. The Committee

believes that this issue needs to be further researched, and urges

OSHA to take no further action to regulate latex products without

a sound, scientific basis.

MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The bill includes $233,000,000 for this agency. This is $9,247,000

below the budget request and an increase of $4,943,000 over fiscal

year 2000. This agency enforces the Federal Mine Safety and

Health Act in underground and surface coal and metal and nonmetal mines.

The Committee notes that the Department is making progress in

developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the goals

of the various job training programs pursuant to the Government

Performance and Results Act. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in the

budget justification and believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for mine safety. There is a particular

need to develop more timely performance data. The annual performance plan should include the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as

a result of the proposed funding levels. The annual report on performance should link departmental actions to the achievement or

non-achievement of the goals established in the performance plan.

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The total funding recommended by the Committee for the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $440,000,000. This is a reduction of

$13,632,000 below the budget request and is an increase of

$6,123,000 over the 2000 level. The bill includes $372,743,000 in

general funds for this account and authority to spend $67,257,000

from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the

principal fact-finding agency in the Federal Government in the

24

broad field of labor economics. Its principal surveys include the

Consumer Price Index and the monthly unemployment series.

DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The bill includes $244,889,000 for Departmental Management activities. This is $192,665,000 below the budget request and is a

freeze at the 2000 level. The bill includes $244,579,000 in general

funds for this account along with authority to transfer $310,000

from the Employment Security Administration account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. In addition, an amount of $21,590,000 is

available by transfer from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.

This is the same as the budget request and an increase of $807,000

over the fiscal year 2000 level.

The Departmental Management appropriation finances staff responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation of Departmental policy and management activities. In addition, this appropriation includes a variety of operating programs and activities

that are not involved in Departmental Management functions, but

for which other salaries and expenses appropriations are not suitable.

The Committee commends the Department for again achieving a

clean audit under the terms of the Government Management Reform Act of 1994. An audited financial statement is like a ‘‘scorecard’’ that reflects a department’s progress in achieving the significant financial management reforms required by the CFO Act, and

in providing effective stewardship and management of government

funds.

The bill includes $70,000,000 in the Bureau of International

Labor, which is the same as 2000 and a decrease of $97,006 from

the amount requested by the President. The bill also does not fund

the automation request from the Department. Given the extremely

tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the

Committee was forced to make difficult choices. Funding is simply

not available for the requested increases for these activities.

The Committee urges the Women’s Bureau to continue to support

effective organizations such as Women Work! that provide technical

assistance and training on programming for women in transition.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

The bill includes $201,277 for veteran employment and training

activities, the same level as the 2000 comparable level and a decrease of $8,936,000 from the budget request. Two activities, homeless veterans reintegration and veterans workforce investment programs, have been moved to this account from the Training and Employment Services account in ETA. The Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training manages these activities and the

funding move reflects this reality. The bill provides $16,936,000

from general revenues for these two activities. The bill also includes $184,341,000 to be expended from the Employment Security

Administration account of the Unemployment Trust Fund for the

traditional State and Federal administration of veterans employment and training activities.

25

For State grants, the bill provides $80,215,000 for the Disabled

Veterans Outreach program. This amount is sufficient to finance

about 1,338 State staff. The bill also provides $77,253,000 for the

Local Veterans Employment Representative program. This amount

is sufficient to finance about 1,222 State staff. For Federal administration, the bill provides $26,873,000, a freeze at the 2000 level.

For veterans workforce investment programs, the Committee rec- ommends $7,300,000. This is the same as the 2000 comparable

level and the same as the budget request. This budget activity, authorized by WIA, supports efforts to provide lifelong learning and

skills development to veterans who have service-connected disabilities, who have significant barriers to employment, who served on

active duty in the armed forces during a war or in a campaign or

expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or who

are recently separated. The Committee recommends $9,636,000 for the homeless veterans reintegration program assisting homeless veterans to find

jobs. This is the same as 2000 and $5,364,000 less than the request.

In regards to program performance, Department of Labor data

show that about 3 of 4 veterans who register for jobs with State

Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) do not get jobs within 90

days and the number of veterans that SESAs directly place is unknown. Further, there is no reward for success and no penalty for

failure for SESAs in meeting veteran employment and training

needs. Current administration of veterans’ employment and training programs focus on processes not on outcomes and pre-dates

both the Workforce Investment Act’s one-stop service centers and

America’s Job Bank, among other electronically-based labor exchange services.

The Committee directs the Secretary of Labor to develop and implement aggressive, measurable performance standards and outcome measures with respect to veterans employment and training

services (consistent with the GPRA) and to modernize its delivery

system in light of the Workforce Investment Act and electronicbased public employment and training services.

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

The bill includes $51,925,000 for the Office of Inspector General.

This is a reduction of $4,222,000 below the budget request and the

same as the fiscal year 2000 level. This includes $48,095,000 in

general funds for this account along with authority to transfer

$3,830,000 from the Employment Security Administration account

of the Unemployment Trust Fund. In addition, an amount of

$318,000 is available by transfer from the Black Lung Disability

Trust Fund.

The Office of the Inspector General was created by law to protect

the integrity of Departmental programs as well as the welfare of

beneficiaries served by those programs. Through a program of audits, investigations, inspections, and program evaluations, the OIG

attempts to reduce the incidence of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness

throughout the Department.

The Committee complements the work of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor for their work in obtaining

26

information on actual collections, offsets, and funds put to better

use as required in House Report 105–635. This information is of

great use to the Committee and the Committee understands the

difficulty encountered by the OIG in obtaining it. The Committee

expects that the Office of Inspector General will continue to report

the information to it.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The bill includes a provision that none of the funds made available may be used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration directly or through section 23(g) of the Occupational Safety

and Health Act for the development, promulgation, issuance, implementation, or enforcement of any proposed or final standard or

guideline regarding ergonomic protection.

TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN

SERVICES

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES

The bill includes $4,684,232,000 for health resources and services

programs. This is $120,867,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level for these activities and $2,895,000 above the Administration request.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supports programs which provide health services to disadvantaged,

medically underserved, and special populations; improve infant

mortality rates; direct the education, supply, and distribution of a

wide range of health professionals; and provide technical assistance

regarding the utilization of health resources and facilities.

Community health centers

The Committee provides $1,100,000,000 for community health

centers, which is $81,300,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $31,300,000 above the Administration request.

The Committee repeats bill language from previous years limiting the amount of funds available for the payment of claims

under the Federal Tort Claims Act to $5,000,000. Without such

language, the Department of Justice could tap the consolidated

health centers line item for $30,000,000 for claims payment, which

is far in excess of historical levels.

Community Health Centers provide preventive and primary

health care services to nearly 11 million individuals, many of whom

are uninsured or Medicaid beneficiaries, in 3,500 medically underserved communities. The number of uninsured Americans continues to grow at a rate of 100,000 per month and is expected to

exceed 57 million by 2008. These Centers are a direct and cost-effective response to this growing national concern. In addition,

health centers serve as an important program in reducing health

disparities in minority populations. Of the nearly 11 million individuals served by Community Health Centers, over two-thirds are

individuals of a racial or ethnic minority group. HRSA should distribute these resources as expeditiously as possible to ensure that

27

financially-pressed health centers remain viable in underserved

communities.

When distributing additional funding, the Committee encourages

HRSA to give priority to stabilizing the existing health center safety net and expansion of existing health centers to serve the neediest communities without access to primary and preventive care. In

providing services to new communities, HRSA should first determine if the expansion of an existing health center through the development of a new site is feasible in order to build upon the expertise of centers that currently provide service to underserved populations. New health center organizations should be established only

when community needs cannot be met through the expansion of existing centers. The Committee is aware of efforts to expand services

to reach underserved populations in States, such as Illinois, and

urges HRSA to support these efforts. The Committee also encourages HRSA to provide specialized HIV/AIDS training for health

care professionals working at community health centers.

National Health Service Corps: Field placements

The Committee provides $39,823,000 for field placement activi- ties, which is $1,641,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $1,707,000 above the Administration request. These

funds are used to support the activities of National Health Service

Corps (NHSC) obligors and volunteers in the field, including travel

and transportation costs of assignees, training and education, recruitment of volunteers, and retention activities. Salary costs of

most new assignees are paid by the employing entity.

The Committee is concerned by the decreasing percentage of

NHSC placements at community, migrant, homeless, and public

housing health centers. The program is intended to supplement efforts of other Federal programs that are targeted to underserved

communities and vulnerable populations, such as health centers,

and the Committee is supportive of efforts to place practitioners in

close coordination with the program.

National Health Service Corps: Recruitment

The Committee provides $81,524,000 for recruitment activities,

which is $2,899,000 above both the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and the Administration request. The program awards scholarships to health professions students and assists graduates in repaying their student loans. In return for every year of support, these

students are obligated to provide a year of service in health professional shortage areas usually located in inner cities or rural areas,

with a two-year minimum obligation. The Committee reiterates its

intent that funds provided be used to support multi-year, rather

than single-year commitments.

Health professions

The Committee provides $410,987,000 for all health professions

training programs, which is $69,080,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $113,028,000 above the Administration request. The Bureau of Health Professions provides both policy leadership and support for health professions workforce enhancement

and educational infrastructure development. The Committee continues to support health professions training and urges continued

28

funding for all of the programs within the new configuration of

health professions training. The Committee also urges, as a general

policy, that funding for specific programs within the new configuration should not be disproportionately reduced.

Centers of excellence

The Committee provides $28,197,000 for centers of excellence,

which is $2,556,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $2,444,000 below the Administration request. The program is

designed to strengthen the national capacity to educate underrepresented minority (URM) students in the health professions by offering special support to those institutions which train a significant

number of URM individuals, including African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. Funds are used for the recruitment

and retention of students and faculty, information resources and

curricula, faculty and student research, and the development of

plans to achieve institutional improvements.

The Committee is pleased that HRSA has re-focused the minority

centers of excellence program on providing support to historically

minority health professions institutions. The Committee encourages the program to consider applications that are responsive to allied health professions which are experiencing shortages and high

vacancy rates such as laboratory personnel.

Health careers opportunity program

The Committee provides $30,570,000 for the health careers opportunity program, which is $2,771,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $2,229,000 below the Administration request.

This program provides grants and contracts to eligible health professions schools for identifying, recruiting, and selecting individuals

from the various racial and ethnic populations who are from disadvantaged backgrounds for education and training in a health

profession and facilitating their entry into, retention and completion of their education at a health professions school.

The Committee is pleased that HRSA has given priority consideration for health careers opportunities program (H–COP) grants to

minority health professions institutions and recommends that

grant review committees have proportionate representation from

these institutions. The Committee encourages the program to consider applications that are responsive to allied health professions

which are experiencing shortages and high vacancy rates such as

laboratory personnel.

Loan repayments and fellowships regarding faculty positions

The Committee provides $1,210,000 for loan repayments and fellowships regarding faculty positions, which is $110,000 above both

the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request. The program provides for the repayment of educational

loans of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who are

health professions students or graduates, and who have agreed to

serve for not less than two years as a faculty member of an eligible

health professions school. The school matches the Federal contribution toward loan repayment. The program also supports fellowships

for URM faculty members.

29

Scholarships for disadvantaged students

The Committee provides $41,896,000 for scholarships for dis- advantaged students, which is $3,797,000 above both the fiscal

year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request. The

program provides grants to eligible health professions and nursing

schools to provide scholarships to eligible individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of

racial and ethnic minority groups. By statute, not less than 16 percent of the funds must go to schools of nursing. The Committee

continues to intend that all health professions disciplines made eligible by statute be able to participate in the program.

Training in primary care medicine and dentistry

The Committee provides $86,068,000 for training in primary care medicine and dentistry, which is $7,801,000 above the fiscal year

2000 comparable level. The Administration did not request funding

for this program. The program is comprised of four elements: (1)

family medicine programs; (2) general internal medicine and general pediatrics (GIM/GP) training; (3) physician assistants (PA)

training; and (4) general or pediatric dentistry training. Family

medicine grants and contracts promote the predoctoral training of

medical students, support family medicine residency programs and

their trainees, train physicians who plan to teach in family medicine programs, and assist in establishing or improving family medicine academic administrative units. GIM/GP grants and contracts

are to plan and operate residency programs and to provide financial assistance for residents, meet the costs of training programs

for physicians who plan to teach in GIM/GP, as well as to support

the faculty trainees, and develop programs to support predoctoral

activities. PA training grants and contracts are to plan, develop,

and operate or maintain programs for the training of PAs and for

the training of individuals who will teach in programs to provide

such training. General or pediatric dentistry training grants and

contracts are to meet the costs of planning, developing, or operating programs and to provide financial assistance to residents in

such programs.

The Committee urges HRSA to expand training of health care

providers in practice and providers in-training to improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic fatigue

and immune deficiency syndrome patients. The Committee also

urges HRSA to support evaluations of its training program to assess its effectiveness.

Area health education centers

The Committee provides $31,436,000 for area health education

centers (AHEC), which is $2,849,000 above both the fiscal year

2000 comparable level and the Administration request. The program links university health science centers with community

health service delivery systems to provide community-based training sites for students, faculty, and practitioners. The program supports two types of projects: (1) basic/core AHEC cooperative agreement projects to plan and implement new and developing programs; and (2) model programs to extend AHEC cooperative agreement projects, with not less than 50 percent of the project costs

supported by non-Federal contributions in cash.

30

Health education and training centers

The Committee provides $4,140,000 for health education and

training centers, which is $375,000 above both the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and the Administration request. The program

funds schools of medicine and osteopathy to conduct training and

education programs for health professions students to improve the

access, diversity, and quality of health personnel along the border

between the United States and Mexico, in the State of Florida, and

in other urban and rural areas with populations with serious

unmet health care needs. The program also provides educational

support to health professionals, including nursing, practicing in the

area.

Allied health and other disciplines

The Committee provides $7,076,000 for allied health and other

disciplines, which is $279,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $3,238,000 above the Administration request.

The program is comprised of three elements: (1) allied health special projects; (2) podiatric primary care residency training; and (3)

chiropractic demonstration projects. Allied health special projects

assist entities in meeting the costs associated with expanding or establishing programs that will increase the number of individuals

trained in allied health professions. Activities included are those

that: (1) expand enrollments; (2) provide rapid transition and career advancement training programs; (3) establish communitybased training programs; (4) expand or establish interdisciplinary

training programs, demonstration centers, and clinical training

sites in medically underserved or rural communities; (5) provide

traineeships to students; and (6) plan, develop, and operate or

maintain graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice. Podiatric primary care residency training grants and contracts

are for planning and implementing projects in residency programs

and providing traineeships to residents who plan to specialize in

primary care. Chiropractic demonstration grants and contracts are

to carry out demonstration projects in which chiropractors and physicians collaborate to identify and provide effective treatment of

spinal and lower-back conditions.

The Committee continues to encourage HRSA to give priority

consideration to those projects for schools training allied health

professionals experiencing shortages, such as medical technologists

and cytotechnologists.

There is growing evidence that the number and mix of allied

health professionals may be insufficient to meet the current and future demands of the Nation’s health care system, particularly in

medically underserved and rural communities. There is also concern that the lack of outcomes assessment data and the lack of

training for allied health professionals to perform outcomes research has contributed to the deficiency of data to document the

benefits of these programs. The Committee encourages HRSA to

continue to work in partnership with other Federal agencies, State

governments, and private institutions to accomplish the plans recommended by the Implementation Task Force of the National Commission on Allied Health.

31

Geriatric programs

The Committee provides $11,701,000 for geriatric programs, which is $1,061,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level.

The Administration did not request funding for this program. The

program provides grants and contracts to eligible entities to: (1) establish geriatric education centers to provide training for health

care professionals who provide treatment and for training and retraining of faculty who teach geriatrics; (2) provide support for geriatric training projects to train physicians, dentists, and behavioral

and mental health professionals who plan to teach geriatrics; and

(3) establish a program to provide Geriatric Academic Career

Awards to eligible individuals to promote the career development

of such individuals as academic geriatricians.

Quentin N. Burdick program for rural interdisciplinary training

The Committee provides $5,644,000 for the Quentin N. Burdick

program for rural interdisciplinary training program, which is

$512,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $924,000

above the Administration request. The program provides grants

and contracts to entities for the purpose of funding interdisciplinary training projects that are designed to train, recruit, and retain teams of interdisciplinary professionals to work in underserved

areas.

Health professions workforce information and analysis

The Committee provides $785,000 for health professions work- force information and analysis, which is $71,000 above both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request.

The program provides grants and contracts to eligible entities to

provide for the collection and analysis of targeted information, research on high priority workforce questions, the development of a

non-Federal analytic and research infrastructure, and the conduct

of program evaluation and assessment.

Public health, preventive medicine and dental public health programs

The Committee provides $8,930,000 for public health, preventive medicine and dental public health programs, which is $809,000

above both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request. The program is comprised of three elements: (1)

public health training centers; (2) public health traineeships; and

(3) preventive medicine and dental public health residencies.

Grants or contracts for the operation of public health training centers are awarded to an accredited school of public health, or another public or nonprofit private institution accredited for the provision of graduate or specialized training in pubic health, that

plans, develops, operates, and evaluates projects that are in furtherance of the goals for the year 2000 in the areas of preventive

medicine, health promotion and disease prevention, or improving

access to and quality of health services in medically underserved

communities. Public health traineeship grants provide graduate or

specialized public health training to individuals in the fields of epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, toxicology, nutrition,

and maternal and child health. Preventive medicine and dental

public health residency grants and contracts assist schools in develVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.000 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
32

oping new residency training programs or improving existing programs and in providing financial assistance to residency trainees.

Health administration programs

The Committee provides $1,223,000 for health administration programs, which is $111,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level. The Administration did not request funding for this program.

These programs provide grants to eligible entities with an accredited program in health administration, hospital administration, or

health policy analysis and planning to provide traineeships to students and assist accredited health administration programs in the

development or improvement of programs to prepare students for

employment with public or nonprofit private agencies. Priority in

awarding of traineeships is given to students who demonstrate a

commitment to employment with public or non-profit entities in the

fields with respect to which the traineeships are awarded.

Children’s hospitals graduate medical education program

The Committee provides $80,000,000 for the children’s hospitals graduate medical education program, which is $40,000,000 above

the fiscal year 2000 comparable bill and the same as the Administration request. The program provides a more adequate level of

support for health professions training in children’s teaching hospitals that have a separate Medicare provider number (‘‘free-standing’’ children’s hospitals). Children’s hospitals are statutorily defined under Medicare as those whose inpatients are predominantly

under the age of 18. The funding in this program are intended to

make the level of Federal Graduate Medical Education support

more consistent with other teaching hospitals, including children’s

hospitals which share provider numbers with other teaching hospitals. Payments are determined by formula, based on a national

per-resident amount. Payments support training of resident physicians as defined by Medicare in both ambulatory and inpatient settings.

Advanced education nursing

The Committee provides $55,640,000 for advanced education

nursing, which is $5,043,000 above both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program provides grants and contracts to eligible entities to meet the

costs of: (1) projects that support the enhancement of advanced

nursing education and practice; and (2) traineeships for individuals

in advanced nursing education programs. The program prepares

nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives,

nurse anesthetists, nurse educators, nurse administrators, public

health nurses or other nurse specialists for advanced practice roles.

The type of advanced education programs include master’s and doctoral degree programs, combined registered nurse/master’s program, post-nursing master’s certificate programs, or in the case of

certificate nurse midwifery programs, those in existence on November 12, 1998.

Nursing workforce diversity

The Committee provides $4,410,000 for nursing workforce diversity, which is $400,000 above both the fiscal year 2000 comparable

33

level and the Administration request. The program provides grants

and contracts to schools of nursing and other eligible entities to

meet the costs of special projects to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, by providing student scholarships or stipends, pre-entry preparation, and retention

activities. The program also contributes to the basic preparation of

disadvantaged and minority nurses for leadership positions within

the nursing and health care community.

Basic nurse education and practice

The Committee provides $12,061,000 for basic nurse education and practice, which is $1,093,000 above both the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and the Administration request. The program provides grants and contracts to schools of nursing and other eligible

entities for projects to strengthen capacity for basic nurse education and practice by strengthening programs that provide basic

nurse education through establishing or expanding nursing practice

arrangements in non-institutional settings; providing care for underserved populations and other high-risk groups, such as the elderly, individuals with HIV/AIDS, substance abusers, the homeless,

and victims of domestic violence; providing managed care, quality

improvement, and other skills needed to practice in existing and

emerging health care systems; develop cultural competencies

among nurses; expand the enrollment in baccalaureate programs;

promote career mobility and cross training or specialty training

among diverse population groups; and providing education in

informatics, including distance learning methodologies or other priority areas.

Hansen’s disease services

The Committee provides $17,016,000 for the Hansen’s Disease program, which is $3,026,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. This

program offers Hansen’s disease treatment to about 40 long term

residents who continue to reside at Carville, to patients at a Center

in Baton Rouge, as well as to patients at other contract supported

locations in Baton Rouge and in grant supported outpatient regional clinics. Other former long term residents have been offered

and elected to receive a living allowance from the program and now

live independently. These programs provide treatment to about

3,000 of the 6,000 Hansen’s disease sufferers in the continental

United States. Over the next few years, a long term facility will be

developed in the Baton Rouge area and offered to the current long

term residents remaining at the Carville location as an alternative

to remaining at the historic facility. The program also conducts research focusing on the global elimination of Hansen’s disease.

Maternal and child health block grant

The Committee provides $709,130,000 for the Maternal and

Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, which is the same as both the

fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request.

The MCH block grant provides funds to States to meet a broad

range of enhanced and wraparound health services, including personal health services; general, population-wide health services,

34

such as screening; family support services; and integrated systems

of care. About 17 million women, infants, children, adolescents and

children with special health care needs will be served in fiscal year

2000. The authorizing statute provides that, up to a funding level

of $600,000,000, 85 percent of the funds are distributed to the

States, with 15 percent of the funds set-aside by the Secretary for

special projects of regional and national significance (SPRANS).

When the appropriation exceeds $600,000,000, 12.75 percent of the

amount over $600,000,000 is directed to the Community Integrated

Service Systems set-aside program. The remaining 87.25 percent is

distributed by the same 85/15 percent allocation as in the basic

block grant formula. In addition, the Committee provides $5,000,000 more for

SPRANS activities than would otherwise be the case under the

statutory formula to continue the traumatic brain injury health

services demonstration projects initiated in fiscal year 1997 under

this authority.

The Committee continues to recognize the critical role of hemophilia treatment centers in the prevention and treatment of the

complications of hemophilia and other bleeding and clotting disorders. HRSA is urged to maintain support for these centers to sustain their outreach efforts and expand blood safety surveillance and

patient notification activities in collaboration with the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

The Committee commends HRSA for its support of the Sudden

Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) program support center and encourages the Bureau to continue its efforts in this area of service.

The Committee encourages HRSA to continue programs that provide comprehensive care services to chronic patients, such as those

with thalassemia or sickle cell disease.

The Committee supports abstinence education for adolescents,

ages 12 through 18, and supports expansion of efforts to present an

abstinence-only message to America’s youth. The preliminary results from these program in states such as Oklahoma are promising. It is important, however, to ensure that America’s youth do

not receive mixed message, or medically inaccurate information.

The legislation directs that abstinence messages given to a group

of youth by a grantee must not be diluted by any instructor or materials from the same grantee. Nothing in the legislation is intended to prevent these adolescents from seeking health information or services. Nothing small preclude entities who are teaching

these abstinence-only classes and who have a public health mandate from discussing other forms of sexual conduct or providing

services, as long as this is conducted in a different setting than

where and when the abstinence-only course is being conducted. In

allocating grant funds, priority should be given to those organizations which have a strong record of support of abstinence education

as defined in sections (a) through (h) of title 5, section 510(b)(2) of

the Social Security Act.

The Committee is also committed to studying the effectiveness of

abstinence education, of sexuality education, and of lack of education in these areas. In order to properly track the long term effects of these programs, it is necessary to conduct longitudinal

studies that follow groups of adolescents receiving a particular curVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.000 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
35

ricula for a number of years. Therefore the Committee provides up

to 3.5 percent of the funding under this legislation to study, track

and evaluate groups of youth who receive such education, including

a representative sample of adolescent clients who use Federally

funded family planning services. If possible, these cohorts should

be large enough to provide statistically significant results in all

major population segments of American society, including African

Americans, Asians, Caucasians, Hispanics, and Native Americans.

They should also be able to track socio-economic variables as well.

Criteria for success should include prevention and reduction of out

of wedlock pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including both viral and bacterial; rates of abortion; age at first sexual

activity and intercourse; frequency of sexual activity and intercourse, and numbers who postpone sexual activity or intercourse

through adolescence. Progress reports should be submitted to Congress annually.

Healthy start

The Committee provides $90,000,000 for Healthy Start, which is

the same as both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request. Healthy Start began as a five-year demonstration program in 1991 to reduce infant mortality in 22 urban

and rural communities. It has never been authorized as a separate

program and continues to operate under section 301 of the Public

Health Service Act demonstration authority.

The Committee understands the authorizing Committee is in the

process of authorizing this program as a permanent program. The

Committee continues to believe that these demonstrations are duplicative of other Federal programs, such as the Maternal and

Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Medicaid,

which also have the goal of reducing infant mortality as one of its

missions. The Committee will monitor the actions of the authorizing Committee and take further action, if necessary, to incorporate the activities of these demonstrations into the MCH block

grant when the bill goes to conference.

Universal newborn hearing screening

The Committee provides $8,000,000 for the universal newborn

hearing screening program, which is $4,625,000 above both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request.

The program provides competitive grants to States for the purpose

of implementing a national program of universal newborn hearing

screening by means of physiologic testing prior to hospital discharge, audiologic evaluation by three months of age, and entry

into a program of early intervention by six months of age.

Organ transplantation

The Committee provides $10,000,000 for organ transplantation

activities, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $5,000,000 below the Administration request. The program supports a scientific registry of organ transplant recipients;

the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network,

which matches organ donors with potential recipients; and grants

36

and contracts with public and private non-profit organizations to

promote and improve organ donations.

The Committee urges HRSA to work with States to encourage

them to enact laws that assume a person will donate their organs

unless that person specifies in writing that they do not wish to do

so.

The Committee encourages the agency to establish links with

State and Federal transportation officials and hospital-based emergency rooms in order to improve coordination of donation following

automobile accidents.

Health teaching facilities interest subsidies

The Committee does not provide funding for health teaching facilities interest subsidies, the same as the Administration request.

The program provides interest support on loan guarantees for construction of a health professions teaching facility under a now discontinued Public Health Service Act authority. The remaining Federal commitment on these loans will expire in the year 2004. The

interest subsidy payment for the remaining loan guarantee will be

paid from existing carryover funds from prior years’ appropriations;

therefore, no appropriation is required to cover these payments.

Bone marrow program

The Committee provides $22,000,000 for the bone marrow pro- gram, which is $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $4,041,000 above the Administration request. In addition

to funding from HRSA in fiscal year 2000, the National Marrow

Donor Program is expected to receive $19,000,000 from the U.S.

Navy. Funds are used for donor medical costs, donor centers, tissue

typing, research, minority recruitment, and program administration. The registry is run by contract.

The Committee provides additional funds to permit the marrow

registry program to further diversify Human Leukocyte Antigen

types available to patients, significantly improving post transplant

prognosis by shortening the critical time between a patient’s search

of the registry and transplantation.

Rural outreach grants

The Committee provides $30,867,000 for rural outreach grants,

which is $5,013,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $8,025,000 below the Administration request. The program

supports projects that provide health services to rural populations

not currently receiving them and that enhance access to existing

services.

Rural health research

The Committee provides $11,713,000 for rural health research,

which is $21,488,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and the same as the Administration request. The activity supports

several rural health research centers and the Office for Rural

Health Policy’s advisory committee.

Telehealth has the potential for improving the delivery of quality

health care to rural underserved areas and providing distance education to health care professionals. The Committee supports

HRSA’s rural telehealth initiatives and encourages the agency to

37

work in partnership with medical librarians and other health information specialists in the development and implementation of its

telehealth projects.

Emergency medical services for children

The Committee provides $19,000,000 for emergency medical serv- ices for children, which is $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $4,000,000 above the Administration request.

The program supports demonstration grants for the delivery of

emergency medical services to acutely ill and seriously injured children.

Poison control centers

The Committee provides $6,600,000 for poison control centers, which is $3,600,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $5,100,000 above the Administration request. The amount provided is to support activities authorized in the Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act.

Black lung clinics

The Committee provides $5,943,000 for black lung clinics, which

is the same as both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the

Administration request. The program supports 14 grantees that

treat a declining population of coal miners with respiratory and

pulmonary impairments. The clinics presently receive more than

one-third of their funding from other sources, such as Medicaid and

Medicare. Of the 14 grantees, three actually receive community

health center funding as well as black lung grants.

Nurse loan repayment for shortage area service

The Committee provides $2,279,000 for nurse loan repayment for

shortage area service, which is the same as both the fiscal year

2000 comparable level and the Administration request. This program offers student loan repayment to nurses in exchange for an

agreement to serve not less than two years in an Indian Health

Service health center, Native Hawaiian health center, public hospital, community or migrant health center, or rural health clinic.

Payment to Hawaii for treatment of Hansen’s disease

The Committee provides $2,045,000 for the treatment of persons

with Hansen’s Disease in the State of Hawaii, which is the same

as both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the Administration request. The program, which provides a partial matching payment to the State of Hawaii, dates to the period of Father Damien’s

facility for sufferers of Hansen’s disease (leprosy). That facility now

has only 47 residents who live there by choice, and the grounds

have been converted to a historical site. Most patients diagnosed

with Hansen’s disease in Hawaii are now treated in the same manner as new patients on the mainland; their care is handled on an

out-patient basis, with the program paying for about 5,200 outpatient visits per year.

Ryan White AIDS programs

The Committee provides $1,725,000,000 for Ryan White AIDS

programs, which is $130,450,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
38

parable level and $5,450,000 above the Administration request.

The Committee recognizes that each Part of the Ryan White CARE

Act provides services, which enable individuals to adhere to HIV

drug treatments and access needed medical care.

There is concern about the increasing number of inmates in Federal correctional facilities with HIV/AIDS, particularly women of

color, and the lack of access to health care. The Committee encourages HRSA to collaborate with the Federal Bureau of Prisons,

CDC, and other entities of jurisdiction to ensure that the prevention, treatment, and management of HIV/AIDS in correctional facilities are a high priority and that the care rendered meets the

medical standards for AIDS cases.

Emergency assistance

The Committee provides $586,500,000 for the Part A, emergency

assistance program, which is $40,000,000 above the fiscal year

2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request.

These funds provide grants to metropolitan areas with very high

numbers of AIDS cases for outpatient and ambulatory health and

social support services. Half of the amount appropriated is allocated by formula and half is allocated to eligible areas demonstrating additional need through a competitive grant process.

Comprehensive care programs

The Committee provides $864,000,000 for Part B, comprehensive

care programs, which is $40,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The

funds provided support formula grants to States for the operation

of HIV service delivery consortia in the localities most heavily affected, for the provision of home and community-based care, for

continuation of health insurance coverage for infected persons, and

for purchase of therapeutic drugs.

The Committee continues to be encouraged by the success of new

drugs and combination therapies for HIV and AIDS, whose purchase is principally financed under Part B, and has included bill

language identifying $554,000,000 specifically for the purchase of

AIDS drugs. The fiscal year 2000 bill designated $528,000,000 for

this purpose.

Early intervention program

The Committee provides $173,900,000 for Part C, the early intervention program, which is $35,500,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $2,500,000 above the Administration request.

Funds are used for discretionary grants to migrant and community

health centers, health care for the homeless grantees, family planning grantees, hemophilia centers and other private non-profit entities that provide comprehensive primary care services to populations with or at risk for HIV disease. The grantees provide testing, risk reduction counseling, transmission prevention, and clinical

care; case management, outreach, and eligibility assistance are optional services. Approximately 115,000 HIV positive persons or persons at high risk for HIV infection are expected to be served in fiscal year 2001.

39

Pediatric demonstrations

The Committee provides $60,000,000 for Part D, pediatric AIDS

demonstrations, which is $9,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The

program supports demonstration grants to foster collaboration between clinical research institutions and primary community-based

medical and social service providers for the target population of

HIV-infected children, pregnant women and their families. The

projects are intended to increase access to comprehensive care, as

well as to voluntary participation in NIH and other clinical trials.

AIDS dental services

The Committee provides $9,000,000 for AIDS dental services,

which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $500,000 above the Administration request. The program provides grants to dental schools and postdoctoral dental education

programs to assist with the cost of providing unreimbursed oral

health care to patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease. Dental students and residents participating in this program

receive extensive training in the understanding and management

of the oral health care needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Committee recognizes the importance of oral health care providers in the diagnosis of HIV and in treatment of the painful and

debilitating oral manifestations of this disease. The Committee encourages collaborative efforts between all dental education programs and community-based providers in order to address the

unmet oral health care needs of individuals living with HIV/AIDS

specifically in States and communities without dental education

programs.

Education and training centers

The Committee provides $31,600,000 for AIDS education and

training centers, which is $4,950,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $2,450,000 above the Administration request.

The centers train health care personnel who care for AIDS patients

and develop model education programs.

Family planning

The Committee provides $238,932,000 for the family planning

program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and the $35,000,000 below the Administration request. The

program provides grants to public and private non-profit agencies

to support projects which provide a range of family planning and

reproductive services, as well as screening for ancillary health

problems such as hypertension and diabetes. The program also

supports training for providers, an information and education program, and a research program which focuses on family planning

service delivery improvements.

The bill repeats language from the 2000 appropriations bill making clear that these funds shall not be expended for abortions, that

all pregnancy counseling shall be nondirective, and that these

funds shall not be used to promote public opposition to or support

of any legislative proposal or candidate for public office.

40

Health care facilities

The Committee has not included funding for health care facilities. A total of $112,408,000 was provided for this purpose in fiscal

year 1999; no funding was included in the Administration request.

This expired authority provides funds to public and private nonprofit entities for construction or modernization of outpatient medical facilities. This activity has not been funded by the Committee

on a regular annual basis.

Buildings and facilities

The Committee provides $250,000 for buildings and facilities,

which is the same as both the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and the Administration request. These funds are used to finance

the repair and upkeep of buildings at the Gillis W. Long Hansen’s

Disease Center at Carville, Louisiana.

Rural hospital flexibility grants

The Committee provides $25,000,000 for rural hospital flexibility

grants, which is the same as both the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and the Administration request. The program provides grants

to States to help them improve access to health care services in

rural communities by: (1) developing and implementing a State

rural health plan; (2) assisting small, at risk rural hospitals that

wish to convert to Critical Access Hospitals and receive cost-based

payments from Medicare; and (3) supporting these hospitals and

the communities they serve in developing networks of care that

meet the requirements of the law and integrate Critical Access

Hospitals with emergency services and other sources of health care

in the communities.

National practitioner data bank

The Committee does not provide funding for the national practitioner data bank for fiscal year 2001, which is the same as both

the fiscal year 2000 action on appropriations and the Administration request. The Committee recommendation and the Administration request assume that the data bank will be self-supporting,

with collections of $17,200,000 in user fees. The national data bank

receives, stores and disseminates information on paid medical malpractice judgments and settlements, sanctions taken by Boards of

Medical Examiners, losses of membership in professional societies,

and certain professional review actions taken by health care entities. Insurance companies, State licensure boards and authorities,

and other health care entities and professional societies are required to report information to the data bank within 30 days of

each action. The coverage of the data bank includes dentists and

physicians, and, with respect to malpractice settlements and judgments, other categories of licensed health professionals. Hospitals

are required to search the data bank when a health care provider

applies for employment and once every two years thereafter. State

licensing boards, other health care entities, licensing authorities,

and professional societies also have access to the data bank. Traditional bill language is included to ensure that user fees are collected to cover the full costs of the data bank operations.

41

Healthcare integrity and protection data bank

The Committee does not provide funding for the healthcare integrity and protection data bank (HIPDB) for fiscal year 2001. The

Committee recommendation and the Administration request assume that the data bank will be self-supporting, with collections of

$4,317,000 in user fees. HIPDB receives, stores, and disseminates

information on final adverse actions taken against health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners. This information is collected

from and made available to Government agencies and health plans.

In addition, disclosure of the information is made available, upon

request, to health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners who

wish to self-query.

Health care access for the uninsured

The Committee has not provided funding for a $125,000,000 initiative requested in the budget to address the question of health

care access for the uninsured. This proposal has never been authorized by law. The fiscal year 2000 appropriations bill included

$25,000,000 for a demonstration program, but the Committee believes that it should be acted upon by the authorizing committees

of jurisdiction prior to any additional appropriation being made for

it.

Program management

The Committee provides $128,123,000 for the cost of Federal

staff and related activities to coordinate, direct and manage the

programs of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

This amount is $3,357,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $3,770,000 above the Administration request.

HRSA uses a multi-faceted approach to eliminate disparities in

oral health status and assures access to oral health services for

low-income children. Dental disease is a chronic problem among

many low-income and vulnerable populations and children in these

populations have five times more untreated dental caries than children in higher-income families. In an effort to better coordinate

HRSA’s oral health activities, such as community water fluoridation, sealant programs, education and training programs to improve pediatric oral health, and grants to states to improve access

to oral health care for Medicaid and CHIP eligible children, the

Committee requests HRSA to prepare a report, by February 1,

2001, with a detailed plan on how to consolidate these programs

and their funding. The report should also include what additional

funding would be needed to sufficiently address improving access

to oral health care for vulnerable populations.

MEDICAL FACILITIES GUARANTEE AND LOAN FUND

FEDERAL INTEREST SUBSIDIES FOR MEDICAL FACILITIES

The Committee does not provide funding for the Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund, the same as the Administration request. Appropriations are used to pay interest subsidies on loans

made or guaranteed prior to fiscal year 1977 for hospital construction. There are sufficient carryover funds from prior years’ appropriations to pay defaults and interest subsidy payments; therefore,

no appropriation is required to cover these payments. In addition,

42

the bill includes language, as in prior years, which prohibits commitments for new loans or loan guarantees in fiscal year 2001.

HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOANS PROGRAM

The Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) program insured loans provided by non-Federal lenders to students in health

professions schools. Under the accounting rules established in the

Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, one account is maintained to pay

the obligations arising from loans guaranteed prior to fiscal year

1992. A second account pays obligations and collects income from

premiums on loans guaranteed in fiscal year 1992 and beyond.

Each annual cohort of loans is independently tracked in this account. The authority for this program expired in fiscal year 1999.

Fiscal year 1998 was the last year in which loans were obligated

to previous borrowers under the HEAL authority.

The Committee provides $10,000,000 to liquidate obligations

from loans guaranteed prior to 1992, which is $5,000,000 below the

fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request.

The Committee provides $3,679,000 for HEAL program management, which is $8,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and the same as the Administration request.

NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The Committee makes available the release of $114,355,000 from

the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund in fiscal year 2001,

which is $52,054,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and the same

as the Administration request.

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program provides a

system of compensation for individuals with vaccine-associated injuries or deaths. Funds for claims from vaccines administered on

or after October 1, 1988 are generated by a per-dose excise tax on

the sale of selected prescribed vaccines. Revenues raised by this tax

are maintained in a Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund.

Trust funds made available in the bill will support the liability

costs of vaccines administered after September 30, 1988. They will

also support the $2,992,000 in costs incurred by the agency in the

operation of the program, which is $7,000 below the fiscal year

2000 level and the same as the Administration request.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

DISEASE CONTROL, RESEARCH AND TRAINING

The Committee provides $3,290,369,000 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is $326,418,000 above

the comparable fiscal year 2000 level and $156,782,000 above the

Administration request. The CDC assists State and local health authorities and other health-related organizations to control and reduce disease and other health problems.

The Committee considers the table accompanying this report to

be determinative of the CDC budget. Funds should be apportioned

and allocated consistent with the table, and any changes in funding

are subject to the normal notification procedures.

43

Preventive health services block grant

The Committee provides $179,250,000 for the preventive health services block grant, which is $79,000 below the comparable fiscal

year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request. Of

this amount, $135,145,000 is for the block grant and $44,105,000

is for rape prevention and education activities previously funded

through the Crime Trust Fund. This program provides grants to

States for a wide range of public and preventive health activities.

This program is not authorized for fiscal year 2001.

The Committee encourages CDC to enhance services provided

through the violence against women initiative to provide more assistance to women in underserved locations; expand evaluation research programs; monitor violence against women by improving the

quality of data at national and state levels; partner with local organizations within communities; and develop prevention and early

intervention programs.

Prevention centers

The Committee provides $25,000,000 for prevention centers, which is $7,248,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 level

and $10,255,000 above the Administration request. This program

awards grants to academic institutions for centers that conduct applied research to promote disease prevention and better health.

Childhood immunization

The Committee provides $504,875,000 for childhood immuniza- tion, which is $15,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000

level and $232,000 above the Administration request. This program

is not authorized for fiscal year 2001. In addition, the Vaccines for

Children (VFC) program funded through the Medicaid program is

expected to provide $469,054,000 in vaccine purchases and distribution support in fiscal year 2001, a decrease of $75,989,000

below the comparable fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the

Administration request. Immunization project grants are awarded

to States and local agencies for planning, developing, and conducting childhood immunization programs including enhancement

of the vaccine delivery infrastructure. The CDC directly maintains

a stockpile of vaccines, supports consolidated purchase of vaccines

for state and local health agencies, and conducts surveillance, investigations, and research into the safety and efficacy of new and

presently used vaccines. The Committee notes that there are other

Federal programs that provide immunizations to children, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Maternal

and Child Health Block Grant, and community health centers.

The bill retains a provision from the fiscal year 2000 Appropriations Act authorizing the CDC to transfer funds available from the

sale of surplus vaccine from the vaccine stockpile to other activities

within the jurisdiction of CDC.

The Committee intends that the increase provided above the fiscal year 2000 comparable appropriation shall be for operations/infrastructure grants. State operations/infrastructure funding has remained level for the past three years while the program has increased. The Committee is concerned that the infrastructure of

State and local health departments is not keeping pace with the

demands of the program as evidenced by the $15,000,000 that is

44

being redirected in fiscal year 2000 from domestic vaccine purchase

to the global polio vaccine purchase. While the Committee is highly

supportive of the polio eradication activities, these funds are available because the infrastructure is not in place to increase outreach

efforts to adolescents for Hepatitis C, chicken pox, and MMR catchup vaccines.

Since 1994, immunization grantees have received approximately

$33,000,000 in incentive funds distributed by a formula. When the

incentive program began, it represented only 14 percent of all operational grant funding available. It now represents nearly 25 percent due to decreases in other operational funding. The advantage

of awarding funds as incentives has declined as total funding has

decreased. In testimony provided to the Committee, CDC stated it

would prefer to award the incentives funding as part of the entire

infrastructure funding to support grantees’ cumulative core budgets, rather than based on a formula as done presently. This approach will allow each grantee to receive an equal percentage of

the available program incentive funding to support all core functions of an immunization program. The Committee understands

that, as with most formula changes, this could not be implemented

all at once because of the funding shifts that would occur between

States. Therefore, the Committee requests CDC to develop a plan

to implement this change over a reasonable period of time and report back to the Committee by June 30, 2000.

The Committee understands that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made a general recommendation that

pneumococcal conjugate vaccine be given to all children under two

years of age and to children 24 to 29 months of age who are at

higher risk of infection, including those with certain illnesses or

who are African-American, Alaska Native, or Native American. The

Committee has in past years expressed its concern about the inaccuracy of vaccine purchase cost estimates provided to Congress as

well as its concern that the budget request failed to accurately reflect the need for immunization program funding. The Committee

expects CDC to develop an accurate estimate of the cost of implementing the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine recommendation that

includes a realistic forecast of vaccine compliance rates. The Committee will consider additional funding for the purchase of this vaccine when the Administration submits a supplemental budget request.

There are concerns that some States are continuing to utilize discretionary immunization funds to cover vaccine purchase costs that

are more appropriately paid for under the Vaccine for Children program and that immunization assistance to the States, including operations and infrastructure funding, is not being allocated on a

basis that adequately considers relative need for funds. CDC is

urged to review the policies governing its grants program to address these concerns. The Director should be prepared to testify regarding progress made in addressing these concerns at the fiscal

year 2002 appropriations hearing.

The Committee has provided $25,000,000 for global polio eradication activities within the Public Health and Social Services

Emergency Fund. The amount is $5,000,000 above the comparable

fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request.

45

The Committee has provided $18,040,000 for the second year of

a multifaceted research program on the anthrax vaccine within the

Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. This amount

is the same as the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$18,040,000 above the Administration request. The Committee

commends CDC for its rapid response and collaborative approach

to addressing the scientific investigations in this important field.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

The Committee provides $734,403,000 for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities, which is $39,652,000 above the

comparable fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request. The CDC HIV programs support HIV research, surveillance, epidemiologic and laboratory studies, and prevention activities. The CDC provides funds to state and local health departments to develop and implement integrated community prevention

plans.

The Committee commends CDC for efforts to review and evaluate its HIV/AIDS prevention programs, including the external review of CDC’s HIV prevention budget and the National HIV Prevention Planning groups. The Committee also looks forward to the

recommendations of the Institute of Medicine panel addressing

these concerns. The Committee is supportive of the evidence-based

State and local HIV prevention community planning process as

well as the goal of the National Prevention Plan to reduce the

number of new infections in half by 2005. CDC is encouraged to

work aggressively toward this goal. CDC is also encouraged to develop a monitoring system to estimate the number of new infections occurring each year in the U.S. Scientific advances in sampling techniques and new technology to assess incident infections

hold promise in developing sentinel sites or communities to accomplish this goal.

The Committee also commends CDC for responding to concerns

regarding disparities in funding for HIV prevention programs for

communities of color, but remains concerned about disparities in

funding for risk groups. CDC is urged to provide guidance to State

and local health departments to address this concern.

Tuberculosis

The Committee provides $127,672,000 for the tuberculosis (TB)

program, which is $56,000 below the comparable fiscal year 2000

level and the same as the Administration request. In addition to

funding provided in this line item, CDC AIDS activities support

HIV-related tuberculosis control efforts. The tuberculosis program

provides grants to States and large cities for a broad range of tuberculosis control activities. In addition, the CDC supports state

and local laboratories and conducts research, epidemiological investigations, and education and training seminars.

Communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), do not recognize international borders. Increased commerce and travel across

U.S. borders, both legally and illegally, impact American public

health. The Committee urges CDC to enhance efforts on preventing

TB in high migration areas, such the Tijuana-San Diego-Los Angeles corridor where the number of TB cases is increasing.

46

The Committee commends CDC for its continued success in regaining control of TB in the U.S., as demonstrated by the seventh

year of declining TB trends reported for 1999. However, there are

concerns that, domestically, some health departments are having

problems in maintaining the necessary infrastructures to assure

continued success and, internationally, until global control efforts

are more effective and new treatments and effective vaccines are

developed, the World’s TB problem will continue to impact the U.S.

The Committee urges CDC to continue to work with domestic partners to maintain strong prevention and control programs, to work

with international partners to assure the success of control programs, and to encourage and support, when possible, the development of new treatments and the development of an effective TB

vaccine. The Committee also commends CDC’s proposal to include

emerging infectious diseases in its National Electronic Disease Surveillance Network Initiative.

Sexually transmitted diseases

The Committee provides $150,668,000 for the sexually trans- mitted diseases (STDs) program, which is $14,934,000 above the

comparable fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request. This program awards grants to state and local health

departments and other nonprofit entities to support a wide variety

of public health activities to prevent and treat STDs. The CDC directly conducts special investigations, surveillance and epidemiologic research.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common STD, is often

asymptomatic, however, in some cases, it has been casually linked

to cervical cancer. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance efforts to educate primary care and specialty physicians and the public about HPV, its prevalence, and prevention; and to provide outreach to women to ensure they know to receive annual Pap smear

and pelvic examinations for detection.

Chronic and environmental disease prevention

The Committee provides $395,554,000 for chronic and environmental disease prevention, which is $20,829,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 level and $11,000,000 above the Administration request. The chronic and environmental disease program

supports a wide variety of chronic and environmental disease research and prevention activities.

The Committee has provided an increase above last year’s level

for the following priority activities: arthritis, asthma, autism epidemiology, birth defects, cancer registries, cardiovascular disease,

colorectal cancer, DES education, diabetes, environmental health

lab, folic acid, obesity and nutrition and physical activity, oral

health, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and universal newborn

hearing screening activities. This increase in funding does not

imply the Committee’s endorsement of full funding of activities in

the budget request, rather the Committee requests CDC to develop

a balanced allocation of funding for all activities identified.

It is estimated that up to one million people in the United States

suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known

as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Committee recognizes

the need for enhanced epidemiological research in this area, espeVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
47

cially in light of recent advancements in treatment for these diseases and the increased risk that IBD patients have for developing

colorectal cancer. The Committee encourages CDC to work to further the understanding of the prevalence of these diseases through

appropriate epidemiological and surveillance activities.

The Committee is pleased that CDC is restoring funding to the

chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) research program. The Committee

will continue to monitor the CFS research program to ensure that

the funds are used in priority areas in CFS research and education.

CDC is encouraged to enhance its efforts in CFS to include such

areas as prevalence data collection, surveillance activities, identifying risk factors, patient registry, and public education programs.

The Committee is encouraged by CDC’s work with State and national health organizations to develop an integrated and comprehensive national cardiovascular disease program. The Committee understands that, in fiscal year 2000, 18 States will have received Federal funding to design and/or deliver cardiovascular disease prevention and control programs to meet local needs. These

programs will target reduction of heart disease and stroke risk factors through efforts to promote physical activity and good nutrition

and to prevent or control high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol,

and obesity. The Committee encourages CDC to expand these activities to additional states.

Americans make approximately 500 million dental visits per

year. Much of the health and economic burden associated with oral

diseases and conditions could be prevented. The Committee urges

CDC to further enhance its oral health activities. These activities

should focus on implementing strategies to help eliminate dental

decay and reduce tooth loss, expanding surveillance activities to

help States target their prevention efforts as schools, in the community, and in clinical settings, and reduce disparities and the

health burden from oral cancers, gum disease, and oral health conditions that are closely linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes

and heart disease.

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in the

United States and also a leading cause of childhood disability. CDC

funds eight Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention,

which identify cases for inclusion in the National Birth Defect Prevention Study. The CDC and the Centers also work with State

health officials to expand and improve State birth defect surveillance systems. The Committee encourages CDC to expand this program to allow for the study of possible genetic and environmental

causes of birth defects and to allow for the expansion of activities

related to birth defects surveillance, research, and prevention programs.

Neural tube defects (NTD), such as spina bifida, are among the

most serious, common, and preventable birth defects that occur in

the United States. Up to 70 percent of NTDs can be prevented by

consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, beginning before

pregnancy. The Committee commends CDC for initiating a folic

acid campaign and encourages CDC to expand its efforts to enhance State and local activities to educate women about this effective prevention strategy. The Committee requests that the Director

be prepared to testify on the status of this initiative at the fiscal

year 2002 appropriations hearing.

48

The Committee recognizes the effective efforts of CDC and the

Arthritis Foundation in initial implementation of the National Arthritis Plan. This plan provides assistance to States, supports prevention research and surveillance activities, and mitigates the effects of the disease through targeted interventions using voluntary

health organizations experienced in addressing the needs of the arthritis population. The Committee urges CDC to continue to implement this Plan.

The Committee notes the importance of rehabilitative information in improving outcomes among persons with limb loss and encourages CDC to continue to provide this information. CDC is also

encouraged to enhance its efforts to improve epidemiological research and quality of life assessments among persons with skeletal

malignancies.

The Committee encourages CDC, in collaboration with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to examine

the underlying causes of the regional disparity of stroke in the

‘‘stroke belt’’ using all available technologies, as appropriate.

Diabetes remains a leading cause of early death and disability.

There currently are 16 million Americans with diabetes and the incidence of diabetes is projected to increase. Obesity and lack of

physical activity continue to place adults at greater risk of diabetes. Much of the burden of this disease can be prevented with early

detection, improved delivery of proven preventive care, diabetes

self-management education, and through enhanced linkages with

groups specializing in the prevention of complications. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance efforts to provide funding for

State comprehensive diabetes control programs as well as enhance

national efforts of surveillance and education.

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer

for both men and women in the U.S. and the second leading cause

of cancer related deaths. Despite the availability of proven screening tests, only 37 percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed while

the disease is still in a localized stage. The Committee commends

the leadership of CDC’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable in

promoting the availability and advisability of screening to both

health care providers and the general public. The Committee encourages CDC to expand its partnerships with State health departments, professional and patient organizations, and private industry

to provide materials that educate doctors and patients, including

through Medicare, to combat this disease.

The Committee remains concerned about the high incidence of

prostate cancer and its disproportionate impact on African-American males. The Committee continues to encourage CDC to expand

its prostate cancer awareness and outreach program targeted to

high-risk populations through collaborations with public and nonprofit organizations with expertise in cancer education.

CDC testified to the alarming increase in obesity in the U.S. population. Obesity is increasing most rapidly among young children,

raising concern about their long-term health and quality of life.

The Committee agrees this is an important public health issue because of its correlation with a wide range of debilitating and chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. The Committee urges CDC to continue its efforts to promote healthy eating and physical activity and thereby

49

prevent obesity. The Committee also urges CDC to continue work

on obesity as a national public health priority.

Epilepsy affects over 2.5 million persons in the United States,

one-third of whom are children. The Committee urges CDC to enhance its efforts related to epilepsy with a focus on expanding disease surveillance, increasing public awareness activities, public and

provider education, prevention research, and the stigma associated

with the disorder. The Committee also urges CDC to enhance its

voluntary health agency partnerships, including increased attention to external public health activities focused on children and

older Americans living with epilepsy.

The Committee notes the work of CDC, the National Institute of

Child Health and Human Development, and the Health Resources

and Services Administration in developing a model guideline for a

death scene protocol for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The Committee encourages CDC to implement projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of the protocol in a variety of locales

throughout the Nation.

The Committee understands the need to study environmental

toxins and their relationship to disease in order to increase the understanding of the cause of many chronic diseases and to facilitate

the development of effective disease prevention and management

strategies. CDC is encouraged to explore the feasibility of developing a coordinated system among all States to identify and track

disease caused by exposure to environmental toxins. The Director

should be prepared to discuss the development and implementation

of such a system at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

The Committee is pleased with the work that CDC has done to

address the increasing prevalence of asthma. However, the increase

in asthma among children, particularly among inner-city minorities, remains a concern. The Committee urges CDC to expand its

outreach aimed at increasing public awareness of asthma control

and prevention strategies, particularly among at risk minority populations in underserved communities. The Committee also encourages CDC to work with other Public Health Service agencies and

the Office of the Surgeon General to develop a PHS-wide plan to

control asthma.

Cancer registries monitor trends in cancer by the site of the cancer, age and ethnicity of the patient, geographic region, and treatment outcome. The Committee urges CDC to enhance its support

for statewide cancer registries and provide national support for

quality assurance and reporting standards to ensure that critical

information on cancer trends and outcomes is available. The Committee also urges CDC to work with States and national organizations to aggregate State data into a national data set to analyze

the cancer burden in the U.S. on a regional and national level.

Many chronic and environmental diseases have a higher prevalence in ethnic minority populations and the medically underserved. The Committee urges CDC to improve its efforts to reach

these populations through all programs funded under the chronic

and environmental disease prevention program.

The Committee encourages CDC to enhance its efforts into investigating the potential of environmental, bacterial, and viral factors

that are associated with the development of lymphoma. CDC is also

50

encouraged to continue its collaborative research efforts with the

National Cancer Institute and other NIH Institutes.

The Committee requests CDC to develop an action plan to implement collaborative public health strategies with community accountable plans serving Medicaid, S–CHIP, and other program

beneficiaries, including identification and development of best practices in disease prevention and management and patient/provider

education among ethnically diverse, pediatric, and environmentally

disadvantaged populations.

Breast and cervical cancer screening

The Committee provides $171,420,000 for the breast and cervical cancer screening program, which is $4,925,000 above both the comparable fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration

request. The breast and cervical cancer screening program supports

screening, education, and follow-up services for low-income women,

training for health care providers, quality assurance activities, national technical assistance and support, surveillance and program

evaluation.

The Committee provides continued funding for the

WISEWOMAN screening demonstration program at last year’s

level. This program uses the framework of CDC’s National Breast

and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to screen women for

heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors

such as high blood pressure, lack of physical activity, and obesity.

There are concerns related to the shortages and high vacancy

rates of qualified health personnel who work in laboratories to prepare and interpret tissue and cell samples. The Committee urges

CDC to collaborate with the Health Resources and Services Administration, through its allied health program, to explore the feasibility of developing a partnership to support programs at schools

that would address these concerns.

The Committee is concerned that only 50 percent of women with

ovarian cancer live beyond five years from diagnosis and the prognosis among minorities with the disease is even more bleak. CDC

is to be commended for its efforts to initiate epidemiological research efforts, in partnership with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, to enhance understanding of the disease. While an effective

screening tool has not yet been developed to detect ovarian cancer,

early detection is the key to improving outcomes in women diagnosed with this form of gynecological cancer. The Committee urges

CDC to enhance efforts to improve physician education and recognition of the disease as well as enhance efforts to expand public

education and communications efforts to raise awareness of ovarian

cancer and its warning signs.

Infectious diseases

The Committee provides $181,622,000 for the infectious diseases

program, which is $6,012,000 above the comparable fiscal year

2000 level and the same as the Administration request. The program supports national surveillance of infectious diseases, the development of new or improved prevention and control methods and

techniques, the acceleration of the general application of accepted

prevention technologies, and strengthening of the capability to respond to outbreaks of new and re-emerging infectious diseases. The

51

Committee encourages CDC to continue activities related to global

malaria.

The Committee continues to be concerned that as many as

500,000 cases of primary immunodeficiencies remain undiagnosed

and misdiagnosed. The Committee is aware of a national education

and awareness campaign created through the collaborative efforts

of several agencies and the Jeffrey Modell Foundation and strongly

urges CDC to expand its efforts to advance this collaboration. The

Committee requests that the Director be prepared to provide a status report of these efforts at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations

hearing.

There are concerns that the Lyme disease surveillance case definition, which was developed for national reporting of Lyme disease,

is being used inappropriately for clinical diagnosis and as a standard of care. There are also concerns that the surveillance case definition is not accurately capturing the true number of cases being

diagnosed. The Committee urges CDC to pursue efforts to address

these concerns. In doing so, CDC should include a broad range of

scientific viewpoints from the many groups who have expertise in

CFS, including community-based clinicians, voluntary agencies,

and patient advocates. The Committee understands that the General Accounting Office is studying the Lyme disease program at

CDC. It is expected that any problems identified in this study will

be addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Committee is pleased that CDC is working to establish a primary immune deficiency diseases national surveillance program.

Primary immune deficient patients require regular infusions of immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) to bolster their immune systems

and maintain their health. Given the serious public health problems caused by the longstanding shortage of IGIV in the United

Stated, the Committee encourages the Center to continue its partnership with the primary immune deficiency community and

NCHS with respect to surveillance and epidemiological activities

designed to further the understanding of the prevalence of these

diseases and the difficulties that patients have encountered in receiving treatment.

The Committee encourages CDC to work with the National Hemophilia Foundation to enhance efforts to meet the disease management, prevention, and outreach needs of persons with hemophilia and other bleeding and clotting disorders, and in particular,

to enhance efforts to address the needs of women with bleeding disorders. The Committee requests that the Director be prepared to

provide a progress report on these activities at the fiscal year 2002

appropriations hearing.

Like tuberculosis, infectious diseases do not recognize international borders and, with increased commerce and travel across

U.S. borders, pose a major public health problem. In addition, the

growing prevalence of infectious bacterial conditions that are resistant to antibiotics raises a number of difficult public health issues.

CDC is urged to place a particular focus on preventing infectious

disease in high migration areas, such as the Tijuana-San Diego-Los

Angeles corridor.

The Committee encourages CDC to supplement its existing blood

safety monitoring system with data collected on thalassemia patients, who are among the most frequently transfused of all paVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
52

tients. The Committee understands that CDC and the Cooley’s

Anemia Foundation have begun to plan for the establishment of a

system for monitoring the safety of the blood supply and requests

that the Director be prepared to provide a status report on this initiative at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Lead poisoning prevention

The Committee provides $38,226,000 for the childhood lead poi- soning prevention program, which is $17,000 below the comparable

fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request.

The program provides grants to States and communities for screening, surveillance, epidemiology, education, laboratory activities and

development of better lead screening devices.

It is estimated that more than 400,000 children eligible for Federal health care programs have undetected harmful levels of lead

in their blood. The Committee is aware of the benefits of a portable, easy to use lead screening device developed with the support

and participation of CDC. The Committee continues to believe that

this device holds great promise for increasing childhood screening

rates in underserved communities in the U.S. and throughout the

world and encourages CDC to support its further development for

application in community public health settings.

Injury control

The Committee provides $90,138,000 for the injury control program, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2000 level

and $4,957,000 below the Administration request. This amount includes $5,863,000 for domestic violence community demonstrations

previously funded through the Crime Trust Fund. The injury control program supports intramural research, injury control research

centers, extramural research grants, and technical assistance to

state and local health departments.

The bill retains a limitation included in previous Appropriation

Acts to prohibit the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control from engaging in any activities to advocate or promote gun

control. The Committee does not believe that CDC should advocate

or promote policies to advance gun control initiatives, or discourage

responsible private gun ownership. The Committee expects research on gun violence to be objective and grants to be awarded

through an impartial peer review process.

The Committee urges CDC to continue the establishment of a

uniform trauma surveillance data system within available resources.

The Committee commends CDC’s brain injury prevention efforts

and encourages the agency to collaborate, if feasible, with the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of

Neurological Disorders and Stroke to examine hyperbaric oxygen

therapy for treatment of chronic brain injury.

There are significant disparities in the numbers of racial and

ethnic minorities affected by violence. The Committee is pleased

with the efforts of CDC in the field of violence prevention. The

Committee encourages CDC to extend the development and implementation of Best Practices for the Prevention of Youth Violence to

include culturally sensitive social-cognitive, mentoring, parenting,

and nurse home visit programs and to identify new Best Practices.

53

CDC should also develop and evaluate effective violence prevention

programs that are designed to improve acceptability of violence

prevention interventions in the communities they are intended to

reach including African American, Hispanic American, American

Indians and Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders. Culturally responsive interventions and programs should be developed through

evaluation research and demonstrations to address the disparities

in morbidity among racial and ethnic minorities that is attributable

to violence.

The Committee encourages CDC to enhance services provided

through the violence against women initiative to provide more assistance to women in underserved locations; expand evaluation research programs; monitor violence against women by improving the

quality of data at national and state levels; partner with local organizations within communities; and develop prevention and early

intervention programs.

There are estimated to be 20 to 30 million unsafe cribs, either

still in use or in storage in the U.S., which could be the cause of

one of the more than 9,000 crib injuries that are treated annually

in hospital emergency rooms. The Committee encourages CDC to

enhance efforts to inform the public about the dangers associated

with unsafe cribs.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The Committee provides $214,179,000 for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is $473,000

below the comparable fiscal year 2000 level and $5,377,000 below

the Administration request. NIOSH conducts applied research, develops criteria for occupational safety and health standards, and

provides technical services to government, labor and industry, including training for the prevention of work-related diseases and injuries. This appropriation supports surveillance, health hazard

evaluations, intramural and extramural research, instrument and

methods development, dissemination, and training grants.

The Committee recognizes that occupational illness and injuries

continue to exact an economic burden comparable to cancer and applauds the Institute’s use of the National Occupational Research

Agenda (NORA) to invest research funds where they will have the

most impact—both for reducing this financial burden and for protecting the health and safety of U.S. workers. The Committee commends NIOSH on its continuing progress on implementing NORA,

which has generated new research activities and remains responsive to the health and safety needs of workers in the rapidly changing workplace. The Committee urges NIOSH to continue its efforts

to co-sponsor NORA extramural research with NIH and other Federal agencies.

Epidemic services

The Committee provides $210,822,000 for epidemic services,

which is $124,964,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 level

and $125,000,000 above the Administration request. This amount

includes $125,000,000 for a national campaign to change children’s

health behaviors. The objectives of the program include the prevention and control of epidemics, the maintenance of surveillance systems, the training of public health epidemiologists, and the operVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
54

ation of the quarantine program. The program supports the Epidemic Intelligence Service program, the publication of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, and a variety of infant and minority health programs. The Committee provides $125,000,000 for a National Campaign

to Change Children’s Health Behaviors. The Committee believes

that, if we are to have a positive impact on the future health of the

American population, we must change the behaviors of our children

and young adults by reaching them with important health messages. CDC, working in collaboration with the Health Resources

and Services Administration, the National Center for Child Health

and Human Development, and the Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration, is directed to coordinate an effort

to plan, implement, and evaluate a campaign designed to clearly

communicate messages that will help kids develop habits that foster good health over a lifetime including diet, physical activity, and

avoidance of illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. The campaign

should be based on principles that have been shown to enhance

success, including: designing and testing messages with different

groups, based in gender and ethnicity; involve young people in all

aspects of campaign planning and implementation; use the same

communication tactics that are employed by the best kids marketers; and enlist the involvement and support of parents and other

role models.

Each year over six million pregnancies occur in the United

States. About one in five women who deliver will have a serious

problem before they begin labor and about one in four women will

have serious complications during labor. The Committee supports

the continued efforts of CDC to prevent deaths and complications

during pregnancy through its Safe Motherhood/Healthy Pregnancies program.

The Committee commends CDC for its efforts to partner with the

Landmine Survivors Network to develop a post-traumatic intervention delivery model in mine-affected countries abroad.

Office of the Director

The Committee provides $37,245,000 for the activities of the Office of the Director, which is $375,000 below the comparable fiscal

year 2000 level and $1,681,000 above the Administration request.

The Committee intends this amount to be a ceiling. The Director

may transfer these funds to non-administrative, programmatic activities at his discretion. This line item includes amounts previously identified in the report for program management activities.

The Committee encourages CDC to evaluate the barriers to access and implementation of effective screening and prevention programs and the linkages between detection, treatment, and community health organizations for all cancer control programs funded

through the agency. The Committee also encourages CDC to expand the National Health Nutritional and Examination Survey to

all ethnic minority and medically underserved populations.

National Center for Health Statistics

The Committee provides a total of $105,000,000 for the National

Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2000 level and $4,985,000 below the AdminisVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
55

tration request. Of this amount, $71,690,000 is derived from the

one percent evaluation set-aside. The Center is responsible for collecting, interpreting, and disseminating data on the health status

of the U.S. population and the use of health services. NCHS surveys include the National Vital Statistics System, the National

Health Interview Survey, the National Survey of Family Growth,

the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the

National Health Care Survey.

The Committee is pleased that NCHS is working to establish a

primary immune deficiency national surveillance program in collaboration with the National Center for Infectious Diseases.

The Committee encourages CDC to work with States to standardize a method of reporting the underlying causes of death in an

effort to better determine the numbers of people dying of specific

diseases.

Buildings and facilities

The Committee provides $145,000,000 for buildings and facilities, which is $87,869,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 level

and $17,926,000 above the Administration request. This line item

supports ongoing maintenance projects, as well as safety repairs

and equipment purchases.

Prevention research

The Committee provides $16,000,000 for the prevention research program, which is $1,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year

2000 level and $1,007,000 above the Administration request. This

program supports extramural research programs.

Health disparities demonstration

The Committee provides $34,985,000 for the health disparities demonstration program, which is $4,985,000 above the comparable

fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request.

This program supports community-based demonstrations of prevention and service delivery interventions with the goal of eliminating

health disparities among racial and ethnic populations and to improve the health status at the community level.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

The Committee provides $18,812,735,000, for the 24 appropriations, which together fund the programs of the National Institutes

of Health (NIH). These include appropriations for the 18 research

Institutes, the National Center for Research Resources, the John E.

Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine,

the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine,

the Office of the Director, and Buildings and Facilities. The total

in the bill is $1,000,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level, when adjusted for one-time transfers, and the same as the

Administration request. This funding level provides a 5.6 percent

increase in total for the research components of NIH. Programs

funded in this account are not authorized for fiscal year 2001.

The funding levels provided in the bill for each of the Institutes

and Centers reflect what the Committee would have provided if it

were able to provide a 15 percent increase for NIH, the third year

installment of the doubling effort. In real terms, the Committee’s

56

allocation only allowed for a 5.6 percent increase, the same as the

President’s request. The Committee has included language in the

bill to limit the amount NIH can obligate in fiscal year 2001 to the

budget request level.

Committee Priorities.—The Committee views NIH as one of its

very highest priorities and has made difficult resource allocation

decisions throughout the bill to provide what it believes is the necessary funding level for NIH. NIH is the world’s leading biomedical

research institution; its investments in research save lives and reduce health care costs while creating jobs and economic growth in

a global economy. This research has produced major advances in

the treatment of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and mental illness

that have helped thousands of American families. NIH research

has spawned the biotechnology revolution, whose products are projected to grow into a $50 billion industry by the turn of the century. The U.S.’s ability to translate scientific discoveries into new

product development has resulted in its lead over Europe and

Japan in pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents. While the

Committee is firm in its commitment to budget restraints, it believes that funding of biomedical research is an important investment in the future health and economic well-being of our nation.

Balance in the Research Portfolio.—The Committee believes that

NIH should distribute funding on the basis of scientific opportunity. As a result, the Committee has allocated the Institute appropriations consistent with the distribution recommended by NIH

and reflecting the Director’s judgment of scientific opportunity. If

NIH believes that adjustments to this allocation are necessary as

the fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill moves through the legislative cycle, the Committee would be pleased to consider them in

later action on the bill.

To enhance NIH’s flexibility to allocate funding based on scientific opportunity, the Committee has attempted to minimize the

amount of direction provided in the report accompanying the bill.

For example, there are no directives to fund particular research

mechanisms, such as centers or requests for applications, or specific amounts of funding for particular diseases.

In stating that scientific opportunity should be the basis for allocating research funding, the Committee understands that other factors also are relevant to NIH’s decisions, including such considerations as the infectious nature of a disease, the number of cases

and deaths associated with a particular disease, the Federal and

other costs of treating a disease, the years of productive life lost

due to a particular disease, and the estimated proximity to research breakthroughs. The Committee does not presume to judge

which criteria should take precedence or carry the greatest weight

in individual funding decisions, but urges NIH to consider the full

array of relevant criteria as it constructs its research portfolio.

AIDS Funding.—Consistent with the philosophy outlined above,

the Committee has again chosen not to earmark a specific dollar

amount for AIDS research. The Committee understands that it

would be NIH’s intent to allocate AIDS funding consistent with the

Director’s recommendations. The Committee understands that this

allocation may change before the beginning of the fiscal year.

The Committee intends that the funds allocated for AIDS should

be spent in a manner fully consistent with the AIDS research plan

57

developed by the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) and expects the

Director of NIH to use the full authority of his office to ensure that

this occurs. The Committee has provided the Director of OAR,

jointly with the Director of NIH, transfer authority to reallocate up

to three percent of funds designated for AIDS research among Institutes, subject to normal reprogramming procedures. The Committee encourages NIH to use this authority whenever it believes

that an adjustment in the allocation of AIDS funding between Institutes is appropriate to achieve scientific objectives or to facilitate

promising research efforts.

The Committee continues to support OAR, its leadership, and its

coordinated budget planning process and expects the individual institutes, centers and divisions to fully cooperate with OAR’s work.

The Committee has provided funding for the OAR within the Office

of the Director and intends that the OAR will maintain its current

structure and responsibilities, including the allocation of an emergency discretionary fund.

Government Performance and Results Act.—The Committee recognizes that the development of programmatic indicators for NIH

under the Government Performance and Results Act is one of the

most difficult conceptual and methodological problems in the Act’s

implementation. NIH should continue to work with the National

Academy of Sciences and the other science agencies to develop a

better conceptual and theoretical framework for such measures.

The Committee believes that NIH should begin to implement the

Act where it can. Measures of administrative efficiency and effectiveness can and should be adopted and tracked. Similarly, indicators of the ability of systems to support the research enterprise

exist, and should be included. Presentation of these measures, including goals for improvements, baselines and reporting systems

are an initial step. Information presented with the President’s

budget should include improvements in these indicators resulting

from proposed funding levels. In addition, the Committee will expect the Director to include a report in the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing next spring on the progress toward indicators relating directly to research and the translation of basic research

findings to medical and other applications.

NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

The Committee provides $3,793,587,000 for the National Cancer

Institute (NCI), which is $481,900,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $288,515,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in

the Administration request.

Mission.—The NCI conducts and supports basic and applied cancer research in early detection, diagnosis, prevention, treatment

and rehabilitation. NCI provides training support for research scientists, clinicians and educators, and maintains a national network

of cancer centers, clinical cooperative groups, and community clinical oncology programs, along with cancer prevention and control

initiatives and outreach programs to rapidly translate basic research findings into clinical practice.

Bone Disease.—The Committee encourages NCI to study the role

of angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, in the metastasis

58

of breast and prostate cancer to the bone through all available

mechanism, as appropriate, including the development of experimental genetic animal models that replicate the process of human

cancer metastasis to the bone and exploring why bone is a preferential site for metastases.

Breast Cancer.—The development of advanced imaging technologies including medical infrared imaging derived from the U.S.

military and NASA, and other optical and non-invasive modalities

which, when converged with emerging treatments such as

angiogenic therapy, can be incorporated into comprehensive systems for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. NCI

is encouraged to explore this approach to disease management.

Childhood Skeletal Malignancies.—While mortality rates among

children with skeletal cancers have improved dramatically over the

past decade, little remains known about factors that contribute toward the development of such tumors. The Committee encourages

NCI to enhance the level of scientific knowledge of Osteosarcoma,

Ewings sarcoma, and related malignancies affecting connective tissue that often result in limb loss through all available mechanisms,

as appropriate, including a consensus conference to develop a research agenda.

DES Education.—The Committee understands that a plan for expanded DES education activities has been developed by the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Office of Women’s

Health, and groups representing individuals affected by DES. The

Committee urges NCI to review this plan within a reasonable timeframe and collaborate with CDC on its implementation. The Committee also urges NCI to ensure that public information pamphlets

developed by NCI are readily made available to consumers.

Endometrial and Cervical Cancer.—The Committee encourages

NCI to conduct a programmatic review of the research portfolios in

endometrial and cervical cancer and enhance research in areas of

discovery that are not currently being funded through all available

mechanisms, as appropriate, including requests for applications for

SPOREs.

Esophageal and Stomach Cancer.—Approximately 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year with esophageal or stomach cancer

and approximately 25,000 will die from these diseases. Both cancers disproportionately affect minority populations, particularly African Americans and Hispanics. The Committee encourages NCI, in

collaboration with NIDDK, to enhance efforts in this area.

Lung Cancer Screening.—Lung cancer remains one of the most

common cancers and usually responds poorly to treatment because

most cases are not found until the tumors are large enough to

cause symptoms. Current screening and early detection methods

are limited, but new technologies, such as helical CT scanning, are

being disseminated and may assist in the ability to save or prolong

the lives of lung cancer patients. The Committee encourages NCI

to examine these technologies and their usefulness in early diagnosis and patient treatment.

Lymphoma.—The Committee understands that NCI is committed

to conducting a progress review group on lymphoma. This will give

NCI and other Federal agencies the opportunity to evaluate current research and determine future needs. The Committee requests

59

that the Director of the Institute be prepared to provide a progress

report at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Marine Mammals Research.—Sharks, skates, and rays seem to

have an unusually low incidence of cancer and the potential for bioactive molecules to inhibit disease process in humans. The Committee encourages NCI to study the immune systems and bioactive

cell and tissue molecules of these marine animals to understand

their resistance to cancer and the potential development of more effective therapies to inhibit cancer in humans.

Molecular Markers.—The development of molecular markers that

are predictive of the presence or likelihood of regional metastasis

in patients with head and neck cancer would provide useful prognostic information as well as identify patients at risk who could

benefit from early elective treatment to the regional lymph nodes.

NCI is urged to expand research in this area.

Multiple Myeloma.—Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells of the bone marrow. MM is the second fastest growing hematological cancer in the U.S. The Committee is

pleased that MM was included in an NCI progress review group

and looks forward to hearing about the Institute’s plans for the

groups findings at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing. The

Committee continues to urge NCI to support epidemiological and

other data gathering activities relevant to MM and to coordinate efforts with CDC, NIEHS, the Office of Rare Diseases, and the Office

of Research on Minority Health. The Committee encourages the Institute to disseminate and educate the public and health professionals about the symptoms of and treatment for MM.

National Occupational Research Agenda.—The Committee encourages NCI to work with the National Institute for Occupational

Safety and Health to enhance research in relevant National Occupational Research Agenda priority areas such as Cancer Research

Methods, Special Populations at Risk, Mixed Exposures, Risk Assessment Methods, and Exposure Assessment Methods.

Neurofibromatosis.—The Committee encourages NCI to strengthen its NF research portfolio in such areas as further development

of animal models, natural history studies, and therapeutic experimentation and clinical trials. The Committee also urges NCI to

continue to coordinate its efforts with other Institutes engaged in

NF research.

Ovarian Cancer.—The Committee commends NCI for moving forward to fully fund two ovarian cancer SPOREs and partially fund

two other ovarian cancer SPOREs in fiscal year 2000. The Committee encourages NCI to fully fund all SPOREs this fiscal year

and requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to give

a progress report at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases.—The Committee notes

that NCI held a symposium in March 2000 to investigate the relationship between primary immune deficiency diseases and cancer.

It is hoped that this will lead to the development of a research

agenda in this field. In addition, the Committee is aware of the

commitment of NCI to the national education and awareness campaign sponsored by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. This commitment will play a significant role in assuring the earliest possible

diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency and of any cancers that

may stem from it.

60

Prostate Cancer.—Cancer of the prostate is the most commonly

diagnosed nonskin cancer in America and tends to disproportionately affect men who are members of minority groups. If detected

early, it can be treated successfully with no negative impact on the

cancer survivor’s quality of life. However, existing forms of detection are insufficient, and available treatments frequently result in

erectile dysfunction, urinary problems, or other disorders and disruptions that negatively impact the patients quality of life. The

Committee urges NCI to place an increased priority on research,

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including clinical

trials, that result in earlier, more reliable detection methods and

more effective and less disfiguring treatment regimes.

Rural Poor in Health Disparities Research.—While studies have

shown that certain diseases effect minority groups, economic status

may also have an impact on health outcomes. For example, the

rural poor have a high incidence of cancer. The Committee urges

NCI to include the rural poor population in its efforts to eliminate

health disparities.

Urological Cancers.—The Committee is pleased with the new initiatives in prostate cancer now underway; however, research in

other urologic cancers such as kidney and bladder cancer needs to

be enhanced. The Committee urges NCI to develop a plan to expand its research programs for other urologic cancers and take advantage of new knowledge that has been acquired about cancer diagnosis and treatment.

NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE

The Committee provides $2,321,320,000 for the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is $294,890,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 comparable level and $184,563,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount

proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides leadership for a national research program in diseases of the

heart, blood vessels, lungs, and blood, in transfusion medicine, and

in sleep disorders through support of basic, clinical, and population-based and health education research. The Women’s Health

Initiative (WHI) was transferred from the Office of the Director to

NHLBI. WHI is a large cross-Institute initiative to study prevention of conditions responsible for deaths, disability and frailty in

older women—breast and colorectal cancer, heart disease, and

osteoporosis. There are three components of the study: a randomized clinical trial; an observational study; and a community prevention study. The clinical trial is being conducted at 40 centers with

46,000 women participating. It is scheduled for completion in 2004.

Adherence to Medical and Behavioral Therapies.—Failure to follow medical recommendations causes tens of thousands of deaths

a year, increased hospitalizations, and delayed recovery. It is estimated that 50 percent of patients do not comply with prescribed

treatments. Many life-extending drugs for heart attack survivors

and heart failure patients are underused and not all patients or

doctors take advantage of information proven to reduce to treat

those at risk of heart disease or stroke. NHLBI is encouraged to

enhance research on innovative theories about behavioral, cultural,

61

social, psychological, and environmental methods to increase adherence to lifestyle and medical regimens.

Aneurysm.—The Committee notes from the NHLBI Director’s

testimony that the Institute is increasing its research efforts in the

area of aneurysms. An aneurysm in the brain can result in a debilitating stroke and an aneurysm in the abdomen can result in rapid

bleeding and death. Aneurysms are rarely detected until a catastrophic health event occurs in the victim. NHLBI is encouraged to

continue its focus on this condition, particularly on early detection

and, in coordination with other NIH Institutes, more effective

treatments.

Asthma.—Little is known about the optimal treatment for asthma in infants and young children. Many questions remain unanswered, such as what is the most effective dose and type of medication for different types of asthma, what is the correct balance between medical benefits and possible side effects, when is the best

time to start different types of therapies, and whether early therapy can prevent asthma from becoming more severe or even eliminate it as a child gets older. The Committee urges NHLBI to use

the research amassed through the Pediatric Asthma Clinical Research Network to provide clearer choices for childhood asthma

therapy, to encourage the development and dissemination of new

therapies, and to identify optimum asthma management strategies

for children.

The Committee commends the National Asthma Education and

Prevention Program (NAEPP) for its leadership in helping to educate physicians, asthma patients, their families, and the general

public regarding asthma and its management. The Committee

urges NAEPP to enhance the role of its Advisory Committee in

helping to coordinate asthma education throughout the United

States. The Committee also encourages NHLBI and NAEPP to

work with other agencies, such as CDC, HRSA, and the Office of

the Surgeon General to develop a PHS-wide plan to control asthma.

Cardiovascular Diseases.—Cardiovascular diseases remain America’s number one killer and a major cause of disability. Nearly 60

million Americans of all ages suffer from cardiovascular diseases.

The Committee supports an intensive research program on cardiovascular diseases at NHLBI and urges the Institute to place a high

priority on such research by supporting existing heart and strokerelated research and investing in promising heart and stroke-related research initiatives.

Cardiovascular Diseases in Women.—Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of disability and is the number one cause of

death in women. The clinical course of cardiovascular disease is different in men than in women and current diagnostic capabilities

are less accurate in women than in men and are largely unrecognized by women and their physicians. The Committee encourages

NHLBI to expand its research on cardiovascular diseases in

women, through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the development of safe, efficient, and cost effective diagnostic

approaches for women. The Committee is also concerned that information is not reaching women and their providers and encourages

NHLBI to focus on educational information that may be appropriately disseminated.

62

Cooley’s Anemia.—The Committee is pleased with the progress

that NHLBI has made with regard to the creation of the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network and notes that Network has now

been created among some of the leading researchers in Cooley’s

anemia. The Committee urges the Institute to take the necessary

steps to encourage investigator-initiated research proposals that

address key unresolved scientific issues.

Hemophilia.—The Committee encourages NHLBI to enhance its

efforts, working with the national hemophilia foundation, to address the needs of persons with hemophilia and other bleeding and

clotting disorders, particularly in the areas of research to improve

blood and blood product safety and treatment for hepatitis C and

other complications of bleeding and clotting disorders, including

women’s bleeding disorders. The Committee also notes the potential of gene therapy to improve the treatment of hemophilia and

urges NHLBI to enhance support for this critical area. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to

testify at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing on the

progress of activities in hemophilia gene therapy.

Hypertension and Kidney Disease.—Hypertension is the number

two cause of kidney disease. The Committee urges NHLBI to collaborate with NIDDK on research related to hypertension and its

relationship to kidney disease through all available mechanisms, as

appropriate, including sponsoring a workshop to define areas of research for potential joint projects. The Committee requests that the

Director of the Institute be prepared to testify on the progress in

this area at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Immune System Research Programs for Heart Disease.—Basic

knowledge about the body’s disease fighting system and its involvement in the causes and development of heart disease and stroke

are increasing rapidly. Innovative approaches to accelerate the use

of this knowledge into clinical applications are needed. NHLBI is

encouraged to enhance research in such areas as inflammatory response to blood vessel injury that occurs in atherosclerosis, the

cause of heart attacks and strokes, healing of damaged heart tissue

after a heart attack, and chronic rejection following heart transplantation through all available mechanisms, as appropriate.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis.—The Committee commends NHLBI

for supporting intramural and extramural research on

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which is a progressive and

often fatal lung disease that predominately affects women of child

bearing age. The Committee notes that significant efforts are being

made to develop a cell line and an animal model for LAM, and

hopes that the development of these tools will remain an important

goal of the Institute. The recent progress on LAM research is encouraging. The NHLBI clinical protocol discovery that asthma

medicines benefit a significant proportion of patients with LAM is

the first clinical advance in LAM in decades. The identification of

genetic mutations in the lungs of patients with LAM opens new

areas in LAM research. The Committee encourages NHLBI to enhance research in this area through all available mechanisms, as

appropriate, including sponsoring a state of the science LAM workshop.

Maintaining Weight Loss.—An estimated 106 million Americans

age 20 and older are overweight or obese, a condition that inVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
63

creases risk of diseases such as heart attack, stroke, high blood

pressure, and diabetes. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification,

Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults,

supported by NHLBI in collaboration with NIDDK, reviews evidence that it is possible for overweight and obese people to lose a

significant amount of weight over six months, but only a few maintain the weight loss. The Committee encourages NHLBI to study

weight loss maintenance and examine behaviors that influence obesity, weight loss, and weight loss maintenance.

National Occupational Research Agenda.—The Committee encourages NHLBI to work with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and health (NIOSH) to enhance research in relevant

National Occupational Research Agenda priority areas such as

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Special Populations at Risk, and Organization of Work.

Neurofibromatosis.—Advances continue to be made in research

on neurofibromatosis (NF). Recent studies have documented the involvement of NF1 in valve formation which may open up a new

area for future research in congenital heart disease. Understanding

how NF1 deficiency leads to heart disease may help to unravel the

molecular pathways affected in genetic and environmental caused

of heart disease. The Committee encourages NHLBI to enhance its

NF research activities, coordinate its efforts with other Institutes

engaged in NF research, and be prepared to report on its research

at its fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.—Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive, and fatal disease affecting predominantly women of all races and ages. This disease involves

deadly deterioration of the heart and lungs and is a secondary condition in many other serious and fatal conditions such as

scleroderma and lupus. The Committee commends NHLBI’s efforts

to promote research of PPH and urges the Institute to enhance its

support for basic research, gene therapy, and clinical trials of

promising pharmaceuticals through all available mechanisms, as

appropriate. NHLBI is also urged to take appropriate measures to

ensure the submission of high quality proposals in this area.

Sleep Disorders.—The Committee urges the Institute to enhance

basic research in the neurobiology of sleep and sleep mechanisms

as well as research to assess the effectiveness of therapies for treatment of sleep disorders. The Committee recognizes the work of the

Institute’s National Center on Sleep Disorders Research and its ongoing collaboration with other NIH Institutes in research and education regarding the impact of sleep disorders on health and public

safety.

Stroke.—The Committee recognizes the advances made recently

in the treatment of stroke with medicines such as TpA, a treatment

developed and tested through research supported by NHLBI. While

stroke victims once were expected to never improve, early detection

and rapid treatment of stroke today can often result in little to no

loss of brain function. Increased awareness of the symptoms of

stroke as a brain attack requires a rapid and appropriate medical

response. The Committee encourages NHLBI to develop a research,

public health and public education strategy to combat this disease.

64

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The Committee provides $2,062,126,000 for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is

$285,378,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$155,913,000 above the Administration request; however, due to

limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill

are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration

request.

Mission.—The NIAID supports and conducts basic and clinical

research and research training programs in infectious diseases

caused by, or associated with, disorders of the immune system.

NIAID supported research includes research on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), asthma and allergies, tuberculosis,

sexually transmitted diseases, tropical diseases, and emerging microbes. The goals of NIAID research are to better understand disease pathogenesis, to improve disease diagnosis, to develop new

and improved drugs to treat diseases, and to develop new and improved vaccines to prevent disease, many of which significantly affect public health.

Asthma.—The Committee is pleased with NIAID’s leadership regarding asthma research and management and recognizes the role

the Institute has played in the Inner City Asthma Study and the

importance of this effort concerning morbidity and mortality among

underserved populations, particularly African American children.

The Committee urges the Institute to continue to improve its focus

and effort on asthma management, especially as it relates to children.

Crohn’s Disease.—The Committee is aware of NIAID’s recently

published research recommendations for Crohn’s disease entitled,

‘‘Crohn’s Disease—Is there a Microbial Etiology?’’ and encourages

the Institute to continue its efforts to determine if there is an infectious cause of the disease.

Diabetes.—The Committee commends the Institute for its work

in establishing the Collaborative Network for Clinical Research on

Immune Tolerance. Research in this area could lead to cures for diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. NIAID is encouraged to

continue efforts in this area. The Committee also urges NIAID, in

collaboration with NIDDK and NICHD, to enhance research to develop a vaccine to prevent juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to

provide a status of this initiative at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Eliminating Infectious Disease.—Acute bacterial sinusitis is one

of the most common infections in the U.S. and its treatment is one

of the major contributors to the development of antibiotic-resistant

organisms. Novel strategies for eliminating infectious disease are

needed, such as system vaccination with specific bacterial out

membranes, bacterial interference, and mucosal vaccination with

bacteria or bacterial products.

Hemophilia.—The Committee is pleased that NIAID, working

with the national hemophilia foundation, has developed recommendations for strategies to improve treatment of HIV and associated complications, including hepatitis C, in persons with hemophilia. The Committee encourages NIAID to continue to work with

65

the hemophilia community to carryout the recommendations and

requests a report by January 31, 2001 on the steps being taken to

implement the recommended actions.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease.—The Committee continues to note

with interest a scientific research agenda for Crohn’s disease and

ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease,

entitled ‘‘Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)’’. This

report identifies linkages between the immune system and IBD.

The Committee is pleased that NIAID has recently partnered with

the IBD community on a research proposal and encourages the Institute to enhance its support of research focused on the immunology of IBD as well as the interaction of genetics and environmental factors in the development of the disease.

Latex Allergy.—The Committee is aware that a small percentage

of the population may have an allergic reaction to natural rubber

latex. Latex allergy is more likely to develop in infants who have

had numerous surgical procedures and those people who are atopic,

yet little is known about its epidemiology. The Committee urges

the NIAID to enhance research in this area.

Lyme Disease.—Lyme disease is the nation’s leading tick-borne

illness. It affects many systems of the body and can require expensive, long-term treatment in some patients unless they are diagnosed and treated early. The Committee encourages NIAID to conduct broader outreach to the medical, scientific, and voluntary organizations involved in Lyme disease research, treatment, prevention, and education in order to better understand the broad range

of views about this illness and the plight of the patients affected

by the disease.

Malaria.—The Committee commends NIAID for making malaria

research and vaccine development a high priority and for pursuing

collaborative research efforts with private sector partners. The

Committee encourages NIAID to continue an aggressive malaria

research agenda, including the pursuit of therapeutics for improved

treatments.

Pediatric Kidney Disease.—An estimated 150,000 young people

currently suffer from kidney diseases for which no cure or effective

treatment exists. Approximately 10,000 of them suffer from chronic

kidney failure, are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant. NIAID

is encouraged to continue research on kidney damage caused by

vesicoureteral reflux and obstruction, and on ways of improving

kidney transplant outcomes in children and adolescents.

Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases.—More than 70 primary

immune deficiency diseases have been identified to date, with 500

cases diagnosed and estimates of another 500,000 undiagnosed.

These diseases, which impair the body’s immune system, strike

most severely at children, many whom do not survive beyond their

teens or early twenties. The Committee is pleased with NIAID’s

primary immune deficiencies clinical research registry. The Committee encourages NIAID to enhance its efforts to address the

500,000 undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cases through a national

education and awareness campaign. The Director should be prepared to provide a status report of this issue at the fiscal year 2002

appropriations hearing. The Committee also encourages NIAID to

work to foster collaborations between domestic and international

organizations with expertise in this area.

66

Tropical Medicine Research.—The Committee encourages NIAID

to continue support of international research collaborations in

areas endemic for tropical infectious disease. This research enhances the understanding of and preparedness for emerging and

re-emerging tropical health threats.

Tropical Parasitic Diseases.—There is concern about the global

health burden of tropical diseases, including helminth infections

and dengue fever. The Committee urges NIAID to pursue improved

prevention and treatment protocols as well as research to develop

environmentally sound insecticides to control vector-borne diseases.

Women’s Interagency HIV Study.—The Committee commends the

ongoing commitment to continue the Women’s Interagency HIV

Study for an additional five years and believes it is important to

maintain geographical representation and continue the study’s

broad scope in addressing a variety of women’s health issues.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

The Committee provides $1,548,313,000 for the National Insti- tute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which is $194,370,000

above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $120,125,000

above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding

within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained

to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIGMS supports research and research training

in the basic biomedical sciences. Institute grantees, working in

such fields as cell biology, biophysics, genetics, developmental biology, pharmacology, physiology, and biological chemistry, study normal biological processes to better understand what goes wrong

when disease occurs. In this way, NIGMS supports the new knowledge, theories, and technologies that can then be applied to the disease-targeted studies supported by other NIH components. NIGMSsupported basic research advances also find applications in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The Institute’s training

programs help provide the scientists needed by industry and academia.

Minority Scientist Training Programs.—The Committee continues to be pleased with the quality of NIGMS’s training programs, particularly those that have a special focus on increasing

the number of minority scientists such as Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Minority Biomedical Research Support

(MBRS). The Committee urges NIGMS to continue to support these

training programs.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY

DISEASES

The Committee provides $1,315,530,000 for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),

which is $174,115,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $106,357,000 above the Administration request; however, due

to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the

bill are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration

request.

Mission.—The NIDDK supports research in three major disease

categories: diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic

67

diseases. The NIDDK supports a coordinated program of fundamental and clinical research and demonstration projects relating to

the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases within

these categories. The Institute also supports efforts to transfer the

knowledge gained from its research program to health professionals, patients, and the general public.

Bone Diseases.—The Committee urges NIDDK to enhance research on osteoporosis and other disorders of calcium metabolism,

including renal osteodystrophy, which occurs in patients with

chronic kidney disease. NIDDK is also encouraged to enhance its

efforts in the areas of nutritional and hormonal influences on calcium and skeletal status and functional genomics in bone. The

Committee encourages the Institute to work with NCI to focus on

cancer that spreads to the bone.

Cooley’s Anemia.—The Committee has long supported research in

the area of Cooley’s anemia. Due to the numerous red blood cell

transfusions that patients receive, iron accumulates in the major

organs, particularly the heart and liver. The effective removal of

this iron by chelating drugs requires an accurate assessment of

iron levels in the patient. Accuracy is impeded by the lack of a high

quality, non-invasive test to measure iron levels. The Committee

understands that a new technology has been developed which holds

promise in addressing this problem and urges NIDDK to test its efficacy with Cooley’s anemia patients through all available mechanisms, as appropriate. The Committee remains interested in the research progress being made with regard to the development of safe

and effective iron chelator drugs that are less troublesome than

those currently used, as well as the development of drugs for the

regulation of hemoglobin synthesis.

Diabetes.—Diabetes remains a leading cause of early death and

disability and affects approximately 16 million Americans. The

Committee urges NIDDK to significantly enhance its support of diabetes research following the recommendations made in the Diabetes Research Working Group report. NIDDK is further urged to

focus increased resources for research related to juvenile, or Type

1, diabetes. A 1999 Institute of Medicine report concluded that development of a vaccine to treat or prevent Type 1 diabetes would

bring exceptionally high health and economic benefits to society

and the Diabetes Research Working Group recommended that a

major effort be launched in this area. The Committee encourages

NIDDK, in collaboration with NIAID and NICHD, to enhance research to develop a vaccine to prevent juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes.

The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to provide a status of this initiative at the fiscal year 2002

appropriations hearing. The Committee also urges NIDDK, working with NHGRI and NICHD, to enhance its effort to identify the

genes associated with Type 1 diabetes and requests that the Director of the Institute also be prepared to provide a status of this initiative at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Programs that raise awareness of diabetes and its risk factors

are important to improving the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For example, many people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes don’t

show overt signs of the disease prior to diagnosis. Also, African

Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are at an increased

risk for the disease. The Committee urges the Institute to continue

68

to expand promising basic research and clinical trials to improve

early detection and treatment of diabetes, and to find a cure for the

disease.

Diabetic Neuropathy.—The Committee recognizes the role of

technology in preventing costly secondary conditions among persons with diabetic neuropathy and is supportive of the efforts of the

Institute in this area, including the efforts through the SBIR program.

Digestive Diseases.—Diseases of the digestive system continue to

affect more than one-half of all Americans at some time in their

lives. Serious disorders such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory

bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and viral hepatitis take a

significant toll in terms of human suffering, mortality, and economic burden. The Committee continues to encourage NIDDK to

strike an appropriate balance between conducting basic studies on

digestive diseases and bringing those research findings to the bedside in the form of improved patient care.

Endoscopic Research.—The Committee is pleased that NIDDK is

funding the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative. This national

network of specialists in gastrointestinal diseases utilizes a national endoscopic database to study important issues related to gastrointestinal endoscopy which will form the basis for a variety of

new clinical studies in gastroenterology. NIDDK is encouraged to

continue to support endoscopic research.

Hepatitis C.—The Committee is pleased that NIDDK has made

an award for a large scale hepatitis C clinical trial that will involve

over 1,000 patients and nine states around the country. This trial,

known as the HALT-C trial, is expected to yield important scientific discoveries regarding the relatively low response rate to current hepatitis C treatments. The large number of individuals involved in this trial offers significant opportunities for ancillary

studies including the influence of genetic factors, the rate and

cause of viral mutations, and improved scientific knowledge to better understand the wide range of reactions of hepatitis C patients

to treatment protocols. The Committee urges NIDDK enhance efforts to research these ancillary research opportunities.

Hypertension and Kidney Disease.—The Committee urges

NIDDK to collaborate with NHLBI on research related to hypertension and its relationship to kidney disease through all available

mechanisms, as appropriate, including sponsoring a workshop to

define areas of research for potential joint projects. The Committee

requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to testify on

the progress in this area at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations

hearing.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease.—The Committee is encouraged by

recent discoveries related to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,

collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These extremely complex disorders represent the major cause of morbidity

and mortality from intestinal illness. The Committee continues to

encourage NIDDK to give priority consideration to investigation

into the cellular, molecular, and genetic structure of IBD, identification of the genes that determine susceptibility or resistance to

IBD in various patient subgroups, and coordination and integration

of basic investigations designed to clarify mechanisms of action and

disease pathogenesis into clinical trials, as described in the recent

69

research agenda developed by the scientific community entitled

‘‘Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel Disease’’. The Committee recognizes the success of the digestive disease centers program in addressing a wide range of disorders and encourages NIDDK to expand this program with an increased emphasis on IBD.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome.—The Committee remains concerned

about the increasing frequency of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),

a chronic complex of disorders that malign the digestive system.

These common dysfunctions strike people from all walks of life and

result in tremendous human suffering and disability. The Committee encourages NIDDK to provide adequate funding for IBS

functional bowel disorders research through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including education/scientific symposiums.

Interstitial Cystitis.—The Committee urges NIDDK to enhance

research on interstitial cystitis (IC) and further explore the many

promising preliminary research findings on this chronic, debilitating disease. The Committee is pleased that NIDDK has initiated

a study of the epidemiology of IC and requests that the Director

be prepared to provide a status of this initiative at the fiscal year

2002 appropriations hearing. The Committee encourages the Institute to expand minority enrollment in clinical centers through all

available mechanisms, as appropriate.

Kidney Disease Education.—If kidney disease is identified early,

there are ways to slow its progress. Many of the more than 12 million Americans living with chronic renal insufficiency are unaware

that they suffer from the disease until they have already reached

end stage renal disease and need renal dialysis or a transplant.

The Committee urges NIDDK to enhance its education efforts to

bring advances in medical care to the public. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to testify on

this issue at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Kidney Genome Anatomy Program.—Recent studies suggest that

patients with end stage kidney disease are more likely to have

close family relatives with kidney disease. Also, certain ethnic populations have an increased risk of having kidney disease. The Committee encourages NIDDK to explore the feasibility of creating a

kidney genome anatomy program to determine which genes are expressed/suppressed in kidney disease.

Liver Transplantation.—The Committee is aware of the significant and continuing shortages of livers available for transplantation, and therefore urges NIDDK to enhance research efforts that

would facilitate the success of liver transplantation and the number of livers available for transplantation. The use of living liver

donors may be one of the most important surgical and scientific

breakthroughs that can assist people in the need of liver transplants. The Committee urges NIDDK to enhance efforts in this

area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including

sponsoring a state-of-the-art conference to address the many questions surrounding this medical procedure. In addition, the Committee is aware that almost 100 percent of individuals, who have

liver transplants with hepatitis C as the primary indication, become re-infected with the hepatitis C virus. While the severity of

the re-infection typically can be controlled, approximately 10 percent of the cases develop severe chronic hepatitis C within 2 years.

NIDDK is urged to enhance efforts to minimize the re-infection

70

rate including the evaluation of therapeutic agents that offer the

potential for controlling hepatitis C re-infection.

Pediatric Digestion and Motility Disorders.—The incidence of digestion and motility disorders in children often go unrecognized

and misdiagnosed and lead, in some cases, to extreme debilitation

and death. The Committee encourages NIDDK to enhance research

efforts to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure for these disorders in

children.

Pediatric Kidney Disease.—The Committee notes that kidney disease remains a persistent problem among infants, children and

adolescents. An estimated 1.2 million children under the age of

seven will develop urinary tract infections that may permanently

damage kidney tissue. Over 100,000 children will be treated for diabetes, many of whom will ultimately suffer renal failure and require dialysis. Another 76,000 young people will have to be treated

for hypertension, a precursor for renal failure and cardiovascular

disease that disproportionately affects minorities. Given the extent

of these problems and their long-term implications when children

reach adulthood, the Committee encourages NIDDK to enhance its

research efforts on the prevention and treatment of chronic renal

failure and end-stage renal disease in children from all causes, including diabetes, hypertension, genetic kidney disease and disorders of renal development through all available mechanisms, as

appropriate, including convening a scientific meeting to review the

pediatric liver disease research agenda. NIDDK also is urged to

focus on new approaches to enhance or accelerate recovery from

acute renal failure, which commonly occurs in hospitalized pediatric patients and accounts for substantial sickness and death. The

Committee urges NIDDK to enhance research to find ways to prevent, treat, and cure pediatric liver diseases through all available

mechanisms, as appropriate, including convening a scientific meeting to review the pediatric liver disease research agenda.

Polycystic Kidney Disease.—The Committee is pleased that

NIDDK has established four interdisciplinary research centers targeting Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and held a major state-ofthe science conference. Recent breakthroughs in basic science are

extremely promising, including the recent discovery of a drug that

virtually stops one form of PKD in laboratory animals, and present

further evidence that progress toward a treatment and ultimate

cure is now more likely. The Committee urges NIDDK to pursue

all of the new avenues of fundamental understanding that have

come to light and to implement to the fullest extent possible the

PKD Strategic Planning Workshop Report developed by NIDDK in

fiscal year 1999.

Prostatitis.—The Committee is pleased that NIDDK has recognized the disease of prostatitis as one of the three major diseases

of the prostate gland and encourages the Institute to continue its

efforts to explore the relationship between these diseases of the

prostate. NIDDK is also encouraged to explore the familial possibilities of prostatitis and coordinate efforts with similar research

being done by other Institutes on prostate cancer. The Committee

urges the Institute to expand involvement in studies of various minority groups through all mechanisms available, as appropriate, including the solicitation of applications from investigators with diverse backgrounds. The Committee also encourages NIDDK to exVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
71

pand outreach efforts to include educational materials directed at

primary care physicians, the urology community, and patients and

the general public.

Urological Diseases.—Urological diseases have a significant impact on men and women in this country and represent a major public health issue that will increase as the population ages. The Committee continues to encourage NIDDK to enhance its research on

the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of urological diseases. The

Committee also urges NIDDK to evaluate its urology research program to determine if it is meeting the public health needs in this

area.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) affects more than 12 million

men over the age of 50. The Committee urges NIDDK to increase

its research into prostate growth factors and related issues toward

the goal of improved diagnostic and treatment tools for BPH as

well as prostate cancer and prostatitis.

The Institute held a conference two years ago to identify research

issues and needs related to women’s urological health. The Committee is concerned with the need for further progress and urges

the Institute to implement the conference recommendations. The

Institute should be prepared to testify on the progress of this initiative at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

The Committee remains concerned by the absence of research

support for several critical areas of urology including male infertility and impotence, pediatric urology, especially congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract, and kidney stone disease. NIDDK

is urged to define the research needs and priorities in these areas

as part of its overall evaluation of the urology research program.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

The Committee provides $1,185,767,000 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which is

$156,024,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$100,939,000 above the Administration request; however, due to

limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill

are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NINDS supports and conducts basic and clinical

neurological research and research training to increase understanding of the brain and improve the prevention and treatment of

neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The NINDS mission encompasses over 600 disorders, including stroke; head and spinal

cord injury; epilepsy; multiple sclerosis; and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease.—NINDS continues to play an integral part

in advancing science’s understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Within the past year alone, researchers have made several critical discoveries about how Alzheimer’s destroys the brain, discoveries that

may eventually open the way to finding a cure or halt the progression on this disease. NINDS recently issued two program announcements aimed at increasing the number of clinical trials for

Alzheimer’s disease. The Committee encourages the Institute to

continue to assign this a high priority and to continue its close

working relationship with NIA, NIMH, and NINR.

72

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.—Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

(ALS) is one of a family of neurodegenerative diseases that affect

millions of Americans. The Committee commends NINDS for its efforts in support of ongoing ALS research and its role in catalyzing

new research directions, for its emphasis on basic research into

neurodegeneration, and for its leadership in bringing together basic

neuroscientists with clinical specialists in neurology, neurosurgery,

and related fields. NINDS is encouraged to build on these initiatives to find new and effective treatments for motor neuron disease

and further efforts to stimulate investigator-initiated proposals.

The Committee also encourages NINDS to enhance its research for

treatment and cure of ALS.

Batten’s Disease.—The Committee is pleased with the progress

that has been made with regards to both the infantile and juvenile

forms of Batten’s disease and encourages NINDS to continue to

focus on Batten’s disease research through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the study of gene therapy treatment for the late infantile form of the disease.

Dystonia.—The Committee continues to be pleased with the extramural research portfolio of NINDS with respect to dystonia and

encourages NINDS to continue to expand the study of the DYT1

gene. The Committee also encourages NINDS to enhance its collaboration with the dystonia research community in supporting epidemiological studies on dystonia and enhancing public and professional awareness of this disorder.

Epilepsy.—The Committee is pleased that the Institute sponsored

a conference in March 2000 on ‘‘Curing Epilepsy: Focus on the Future’’. NINDS is encouraged to enhance research to address research issues related to the impact of seizures on young children,

women, the elderly and those with intractable or uncontrolled epilepsy. NINDS is also encouraged to develop research plans and

goals for the anti-epileptic drug development program and to expand its research efforts in the prevention, treatment, and eventual

cure of epilepsy. The Director should be prepared to testify on its

efforts to advance these areas of research at the fiscal year 2002

appropriations hearing.

Familial Dysautonomia.—Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is a genetic disease that affects individuals of Eastern European Jewish

ancestry, and primarily causes dysfunction of the autonomic and

sensory nervous systems. Children with FD often are unable to regulate their blood pressure or body temperature, swallow or digest

food normally, or respond to physical stress. The Committee encourages NINDS to study this disease in order to improve the quality of FD sufferers and enable more children to reach adulthood.

Fragile X.—Fragile X is a single-gene neurological disorder affecting 1 in 2000 males and 1 in 4000 females. The cause of the

disease is the failure of a single gene to produce a protein. The

Committee urges NINDS to enhance its research activities on Fragile X and to include Fragile X patients in its studies of related disorders. The Committee also urges NINDS to coordinate these efforts with other Institutes working on related activities, including

NIMH and NICHD.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.—The Committee understands that

hyperbaric oxygen therapy on coma patients showed the greatest

reduction in mortality of any treatment for coma. NINDS is encourVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
73

aged to collaborate with NIMH and the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention to research the use of this therapy for both stroke

and brain injury patients.

Neurofibromatosis.—Recent advances in Neurofibromatosis (NF)

research have linked NF to cancer, brain tumors, learning disabilities, and heart disease. The Committee encourages NINDS to

strengthen its NF basic and clinical research portfolio through all

available mechanisms, as appropriate, including clinical trials. The

Committee urges the Institute to continue to coordinate its efforts

with other Institutes engaged in NF research and be prepared to

report on the status of the NF research portfolio at its fiscal year

2002 appropriations hearing.

Parkinson’s Disease.—The Committee is encouraged by continuing discoveries in the cause, pathophysiology, and treatment of

Parkinson’s disease, and continues to encourage NINDS to enhance

efforts to speed the development of effective therapies for this devastating disorder. The Committee also recognizes the benefits of research breakthroughs in this area on other disorders within the Institute’s scope. The Committee is further aware that the NIH has

completed a Parkinson’s-focused research agenda including professional judgement funding projections for the next five years. The

Committee urges NINDS to enhance its funding levels for Parkinson’s-focused research to implement the agenda’s recommendations.

The Committee also urges NINDS to collaborate with the Agency

for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and private sector foundations to expand research to provide the groundwork of information and intervention

strategies for surveillance and control of suffering and disability associated with the disease.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.—Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

(RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is

a chronic debilitating condition characterized by severe burning

pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating,

tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch. It is estimated

that between two and five percent of individuals with peripheral

nerve injury and up to 20 percent of those with paralysis on one

side of the body will suffer from RSD. The Committee encourages

NINDS, together with other relevant Institutes, to enhance research in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a State of the Science meeting.

Stroke.—Stroke remains the third leading cause of death, a leading cause of permanent disability, and a major contributor of latelife dementia. The Committee believes that an intensive research

program on stroke should be a high priority for NINDS and NIH.

The Committee urges the Institute to expand its stroke education

program and to initiate and continue innovative approaches to improve stroke diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the development of acute stroke treatment centers. In addition, as

NINDS continues its strategic planning, the Committee encourages

NINDS to work closely with the research community, clinicians,

voluntary health organizations, and patient advocacy groups to discuss new avenues of basic and clinical stroke research opportunities. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be

prepared to discuss plans for stroke research during the fiscal year

74

2002 appropriations hearing. In addition, the Committee encourages NINDS, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention, to examine the underlying causes of the regional

disparity of stroke in the ‘‘stoke belt’’ using all available technologies, as appropriate.

Sturge-Weber Syndrome.—Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a congenital, non-familial disorder of unknown incidence and cause. The

Committee commends the efforts of NIH to bring together the Office on Rare Diseases, NINDS, and other Institutes to examine this

syndrome in a 1999 conference. The Committee encourages NINDS

to pursue research on this syndrome through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a request for applications. The

Committee requests that the Director be prepared to testify on the

progress to improve the understanding of this syndrome at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

The Committee provides $1,114,638,000 for the National Insti- tute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is $139,965,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $83,285,000 the Administration

request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation,

funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIMH is responsible for research activities that

seek to improve diagnosis, treatments, and overall quality of care

for persons with mental illnesses. Disorders of high priority to

NIMH include schizophrenia, depression and manic depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders and other

mental and behavioral disorders that occur across the lifespan;

these include childhood mental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; eating disorders; Alzheimer’s disease; and other illnesses. NIMH supports and conducts fundamental research in neuroscience, genetics, and behavioral science.

In addition to laboratory and controlled clinical studies, the NIMH

supports research on the mental health needs of special populations and health services research.

Alzheimer’s Disease.—NIMH continues to play an important role

in efforts to learn more about memory formation. While still in

early development stages, NIMH-supported scientists altered a particular gene in mice that resulted in the mice learning faster, remembering more, and applying what they learned. This development in the biological study of intelligence may lead to important

advances in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related

memory loss. The Committee encourages NIMH to continue its research in this priority area and to continue its collaboration with

NIA, NINDS, and NINR.

Eating Disorders.—The Healthy People 2010 Initiative includes

objectives related to eating disorders. The Committee encourages

NIMH to coordinate efforts with NICHD and SAMHSA to enhance

research to reduce the relapse rate, expand educational programs,

and study the long-term impact of this disease.

Fragile X.—Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of

mental retardation and the most common single-gene

neuropsychiatric disease. Because Fragile X is caused by the failure of a single gene to produce a protein, it is a research model for

75

other neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, congnitive defects, and autism. The Committee urges NIMH

to coordinate efforts with NINDS and NICHD to continue to research the functions of the Fragile X protein, include Fragile X in

neuropsychiatric disorders studies, promote scientific study on the

effectiveness of current treatments, and investigate promising new

psychopharmacologic interventions.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.—The Committee understands that

hyperbaric oxygen therapy on coma patients showed the greatest

reduction in mortality of any treatment for coma. NIMH is encouraged to collaborate with NINDS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to research the use of this therapy for both

stroke and brain injury patients.

Nursing Interventions for Psychiatric Populations.—There is a

lack of outcomes research focused on nursing interventions for psychiatric populations. The Committee encourages NIMH to collaborate with NINR and expand research in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate.

Training of Minority Researchers.—The Committee is aware of

the need to train racial/ethnic minority scientists for investigator

initiated research projects. The Committee urges NIMH and other

NIH Institutes to develop appropriate mechanisms to support longterm mentoring and technical assistance to post-doctoral racial/ethnic minority investigators in all scientific fields, but particularly in

areas where there is a serious disproportion in the impact of the

disease on minority communities, such as HIV prevention.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

The Committee provides $984,300,000 for the National Institute

of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which is

$125,042,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$79,595,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are

constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NICHD conducts and supports laboratory and

clinical research on the reproductive, developmental, and behavioral processes that determine and maintain the health and wellbeing of children, adults, families and populations. In addition, research in medical rehabilitation is supported. The Committee commends NICHD for its innovative program of Specialized Centers for

Research in Reproductive Medicine in Minority Institutions and

looks forward to learning about the progress of this initiative.

Chromosome 18.—The Committee commends the Institute for its

efforts over the past year to encourage new scientific work into molecular, genetic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of chromosomal

abnormalities. The Committee continues to urge NICHD to seek

ways to expand and intensify such research, especially studies involving the syndromes of chromosome 18.

Cooley’s Anemia.—The Committee is pleased to learn of NICHD’s

expressed interest in expanding its research and outreach agenda

with regard to Cooley’s anemia and looks forward to learning more

about the progress that has been made at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Demographic Research.—The Committee commends NICHD for

its support for research on the causes of demographic trends and

76

their impact on our society. The availability of objective information about such topics as declining marriage rates, fatherhood, teen

childbearing, health disparities, welfare to work transitions, and

the causes and impact of migration within and across our borders

remains a priority. The Institute is encouraged to enhance efforts

in the training and development of new demographic scientists and

assure continued support for research infrastructure. The Committee also commends NICHD for its many collaborations with

other Federal agencies, including the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Department of Education, which have created innovative demographic

datasets on topics of importance to policymakers.

Diabetes.—The Committee urges NICHD to enhance its research

efforts in the area of diabetes, including areas of research highlighted in the Diabetes Research Working Group Report. The Committee also urges NICHD, in collaboration with NIAID and

NIDDK, to enhance its efforts to develop a vaccine to prevent juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes and in collaboration with NIDDK and

NHGRI to enhance its effort to identify the genes associated with

juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes. The Committee requests that the Director be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations

hearing on the steps being taking to increase its support in this

area.

E. coli:0157.—The Committee is pleased that NICHD research is

yielding and testing a vaccine for the deadly foodborne bacterium

E. coli:0157. The Committee understands that the Institute is now

seeking to determine whether the vaccine is best administered to

livestock or to children and others who are most vulnerable to catastrophic food poisoning caused by the bacterium. The Committee

urges NICHD to continue this research.

Family Literacy Research.—For years the Committee has been at

the forefront of support for the significant accomplishments of the

Institute’s extensive program of research on the development of

reading skills, identifying and addressing reading difficulties, and

strengthening reading instruction, especially for children. The success of this work with children has focused attention on the importance of the ability of parents to assist and support the efforts to

teach their children to read effectively. Building on NICHD’s research expertise with children, the Committee urges the Institute

to work with the National Institute for Literacy to strengthen and

expand research-based adult literacy instructional activities and to

assist in the dissemination of this information to adult literacy programs across the country.

Fragile X.—Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of

mental retardation. Most children with Fragile X require a lifetime

of special care at immense expense and comprise a homogenous

study population for advancing understanding of these disorders.

The Committee encourages NICHD to enhance its research efforts

on Fragile X through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a consensus conference. The Committee urges NICHD to

collaborate its efforts with NINDS and NIMH.

Literacy Screening Tool.—The Committee commends NICHD for

its priority on reading development as a means to better predict

reading difficulties, reading disabilities, and learning disabilities in

children. The Committee encourages NICHD to continue its colVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
77

laborative work with the National Center for Learning Disabilities

to develop a research-based, literacy-screening tool to identify preschool children at risk for reading difficulty.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine.—The Committee encourages NICHD to

enhance its research efforts into such areas as pre-maturity, preterm labor, pre-eclampsia, amniotic fluid embolism, in utero screening for birth defects, post-partum hemorrhage, and other complications related to pregnancy through all available mechanisms, as

appropriate, including sponsoring a planning workshop to define

research questions and promote collaboration with centers not currently participating cooperative agreements with the Institute. The

Director should be prepared to testify on the progress in this area

at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Mathematical Skills Improvement.—The Committee is pleased to

learn that NICHD is developing a research initiative on the development of skills needed to learn math, the means to address difficulties learning math, as well as the effective instruction for

math. The Committee encourages NICHD to enhance its research

efforts in this area.

Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities.—Nearly 500,000

children are born each year in the United States with mental retardation and/or other developmental disabilities. In the past, the

Committee has highlighted the importance of research in specific

conditions such as Rett syndrome, autism, spina bifida, learning

disabilities, and other related diseases. As a result of center-based

research focusing specifically on mental retardation and developmental disabilities the knowledge base has been advanced in such

areas as imaging technology, the role of experience and genes in

brain development, genetic mapping, low birthweight and prematurity, and family functioning. The Committee encourages

NICHD to enhance the efforts of these centers to continue the advancement of both basic and clinical research into the causes, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, and treatment of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research.—The Center is responsible for basic and clinical research dealing with the

causes of physical disability and medical rehabilitation interventions to reduce disability and improve the quality of life for persons

with disabilities. Congenital limb deficiency, vascular disease,

childhood skeletal malignancy and trauma contribute to the over

1.5 million in the U.S. with limb loss. Technological advancements

today offer considerable opportunity for persons with limb loss to

effectively resume active, productive lives, but standards of care for

persons with limb loss have not been developed, nor have clinical

outcomes research been conducted to determine appropriate access

to advanced technologies and the importance of related physical rehabilitation and therapy to improve performance among persons

who utilize prosthetic devices. The Committee urges NICHD to enhance research efforts in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a consensus conference. The Committee also urges NICHD to support the development and distribution of patient oriented information and guidance materials in collaboration with CDC.

The Committee encourages the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research to continue its work in clinical trials to test

78

the efficacy of medical rehabilitation techniques for stroke rehabilitation and a clinical trial network for brain injury research; regeneration of nerve and skin cells damaged from trauma, including

‘‘tissue engineering’’ for amputees and neuron growth related to

stroke or spinal cord injury; and medical rehabilitation interventions for the treatment of pediatric trauma. The Committee also

encourages the Center to research and develop assistance technologies that enhance the function and independence of persons

with mobility and other functional limitations.

Neurofibromatosis.—Learning disabilities occur with high frequency in children with Neurofibromatosis (NF). NF1 provides an

opportunity to uncover a molecular basis for cognitive impairment

and to identify a marker for brain dysfunction. Research in understanding the cognitive deficits of NF1 patients possesses broad application to learning disabilities in the general population. NICHD

is encouraged to enhance its NF research portfolio, coordinate its

efforts with other Institutes engaged in NF research, and be prepared to report on the status of its NF research at its fiscal year

2002 appropriations hearing.

Pediatric Kidney Disease.—Despite scientific advances, kidney

disease continues to be a major cause of illness and death among

young people. NICHD is encouraged to enhance research on the understanding and treatment of congenital diseases and kidney malformations which lead to chronic renal failure and end-stage renal

disease in children and adolescents, as well as the prevention and

treatment of the adverse effects of chronic renal failure on

neurologic and physical development in children.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Incontinence.—The Committee commends NICHD on the progress made in establishing a research effort/portfolio in pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence. The Committee understands that a workshop has been held in clinical terminology and that two request for applications will be issued this

spring to address translational and clinical research, specifically

surgical interventions. The Committee urges NICHD to continue

this research and collaborate with NIDDK, NIA, and the Office of

Research on Women’s Health.

Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases.—The Committee continues

to be pleased with the comprehensive commitment that NICHD

has demonstrated in addressing primary immunodeficiency diseases. The combination of peer-reviewed research funded in collaboration with non-profit organizations and active participation

with the Jeffrey Modell Foundation’s national education and

awareness campaign show a serious commitment that should be

replicated by other Institutes. The Committee encourages NICHD

to remain committed to this collaboration.

Reading Development.—The final report of the National Reading

Panel has made a significant contribution by making widely accessible rigorous research-based evidence on reading development,

reading difficulties, and reading instruction. The Committee encourages NICHD to lead the effort to get this report disseminated

to teachers, school administrators, parents, and educational policymakers throughout the Nation.

The Committee commends NICHD for the leadership contributions it has provided to the Interagency Educational Research Initiative undertaken with the Office of Educational Research, StatisVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
79

tics, and Improvement (OERI) at the Department of Education, and

the National Science Foundation. The Institute is encouraged to

continue its participation and leadership in this promising joint

effort.

The Committee is pleased to learn of the progress being made in

the Spanish-to-English Reading Initiative launched by NICHD and

OERI and looks forward to receiving a status report on the research funded by this effort at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations

hearing.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.—The Committee is pleased with

NICHD’s continued efforts to extend the reach of its extremely successful ‘‘Back to Sleep’’ campaign to underserved populations and

daycare providers. The Committee also commends NICHD’s attempts to further progress in SIDS research by initiating a third

SIDS five-year research plan. This third five-year plan will continue the efforts of the past two five-year plans which have been

responsible for many of the research breakthroughs in the effort to

reduce SIDS cases in the United States.

Women’s Reproductive Health Research Career Development Centers.—The Committee commends NICHD for providing grants to establish a number of Women’s Reproductive Health Research Career

Development Centers within ob-gyn departments at various universities and hospitals. At these Centers, newly trained ob-gyn clinicians are provided training and support to assist them in pursuing

research careers to address problems in women’s obstetric and

gynecologic health. NICHD is encouraged to expand the Centers

program.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

The Committee provides $788,201,000 for the National Institute

on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is $100,825,000 above the fiscal year

2000 comparable level and $62,734,000 above the Administration

request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation,

funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—NIDA-supported science addresses questions about

drug abuse and addiction, which range from its causes and consequences to its prevention and treatment. NIDA research explores

how drugs of abuse affect the brain and behavior and develops effective prevention and treatment strategies; the Institute works to

ensure the transfer of scientific data to policy makers, practitioners, and the public.

Centers for Drug Abuse Research and Treatment.—The Committee commends NIDA for its strategy of developing and establishing centers for drug abuse research and treatment around the

country. Consideration should be given to locating one or more centers in areas where drug trafficking, the production of illegal drugs

such as methamphetamine, and drug abuse is more prevalent.

Clinical Trials.—The Committee commends NIDA for launching

the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. By

providing a national research infrastructure to test and disseminate new and improved behavioral and pharmacological treatments

in real-life treatment settings, the Institute is improving the quality of drug treatment across the country.

80

Neuroimaging and Drug Abuse.—The sophisticated research

questions now being probed by NIDA-supported researchers require

advanced state-of-the-art technologies. The Committee commends

NIDA for applying the rapidly developing neuroimaging technologies to research in drug abuse treatment and prevention to

gain a better understanding of the human brain’s underlying circuitry and mechanisms. NIDA is encouraged to expand these research efforts.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

The Committee provides $790,299,000 for the National Institute on Aging (NIA), which is $102,438,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $64,350,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in

the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIA conducts biomedical, behavioral, and social

research related to the aging process to prevent disease and other

problems of the aged, and to maintain the health and independence

of older Americans.

Alzheimer’s Disease.—An estimated four million Americans now

suffer with Alzheimer’s disease and by the time the ‘‘baby boomer’’

generation reaches the age of greatest risk, as many as 14 million

persons will be afflicted. The disease has a significant impact on

the Nation’s health care system, which will only be exacerbated as

the population ages. NIA has launched large-scale clinical trials in

search of compounds that will prevent Alzheimer’s disease from

taking hold. The Committee urges NIA to devote additional resources to this effort. The Committee also encourages NIA to enhance research into the relationship between Alzheimer’s and vascular disease, particularly in minority populations and to work in

close collaboration with NINDS, NIMH, and NINR. The Committee

encourages NIA to enhance efforts to train and educate health care

professionals to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of

Alzheimer’s disease.

Bone Diseases.—The Committee encourages NIA to coordinate research with NIAMS on osteoporosis and Paget’s disease. The Committee also encourages NIA to study the effects of aging on people

with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Cardiovascular Aging Research.—Heart attack, congestive heart

failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases remain the number one killer of older men and women and a main cause of disability. The Committee encourages the Institute to support ongoing

studies and expand into innovative intramural and extramural cardiovascular disease research programs.

Demographic Research.—The research program on the demography and economics of aging provide important insights into

changing risk factors for chronic disease, including socio-economic

health inequalities, and disease processes at the population level.

The Committee understands that ten Demography of Aging Centers were competitively renewed last year and encourages the Institute to provide an adequate level of support for the Centers as well

as for the Health and Retirement Study.

Parkinson’s Disease.—Parkinson’s disease continues to exact a

costly toll on the nation, both in human and financial terms. With

81

the average age of diagnosis at 57 years, the demographic surge

known as the baby boomers will vastly increase this problem. The

Committee is encouraged, however, by the continued discoveries in

the cause, pathophysiology, and treatment of the disease and by

the growing opportunities for collaboration with Alzheimer’s disease. Given the age-related impact and the potential for development of more effective treatments, the Committee urges the Institute to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to increase

funding to implement the Parkinson’s-focused research agenda recommendations.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES

The Committee provides $832,027,000 for the National Center

for Research Resources (NCRR), which is $156,973,000 above the

fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $117,835,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the

allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the

amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NCRR develops and supports critical research

technologies and shared resources that underpin biomedical research. The NCRR programs develop a variety of research resources; provide resources for complex biotechnologies, clinical research and specialized primate research; develop research capacity

in minority institutions; and enhance the science education of precollege students and the general public. The Committee places a

special emphasis on programs such as the Research Centers in Minority Institutions and urges their continued support at levels commensurate with the importance of their mission.

Animal Research Facilities.—The Committee encourages NCRR

to work with minority health professions schools to upgrade their

animal research facilities in an effort to assist them in complying

with Federal laws and regulations and receive accreditation by the

appropriate scientific accreditation organization.

Extramural Facilities.—The Committee has included bill language identifying $75,000,000 in extramural biomedical facility

renovation and construction, which is the same as the fiscal year

2000 level and $2,500,000 above the Administration request. These

funds are to be awarded competitively, consistent with the requirements of section 481A of the Public Health Service Act, which allocates 25 percent of the total funding to institutions of emerging excellence. The Committee commends NCRR for taking a more

proactive role in fulfilling this requirement.

General Clinical Research Centers.—The Committee is concerned

about the number of physician-scientists leaving biomedical research careers. The General Clinical Research Centers program

provides regional access to clinical research patients to foster opportunities for clinical investigators to translate basic science discoveries into care for patients. The Committee strongly urges

NCRR to enhance its support of General Clinical Research Centers,

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, in such areas as

the training of clinical investigators, implementing the newly established guidelines for Informatics, providing support for Centers

to conduct pilot studies, and enhancing patient access to clinical research. The Committee also strongly urges NCRR to continue

82

progress toward funding the Centers at Advisory Council approved

levels.

Institutional Development Awards.—The Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) program provides capacity building assistance

for biomedical research efforts in States which have not previously

participated fully in the research programs of the NIH. It is the

Committee’s intention to provide $100,000,000 for this program, if

the conference agreement includes a 15 percent increase in total

funding for NIH. These funds would be used to enhance efforts in

this area so that States can more fully exploit the opportunities to

develop a competitive biomedical research base. Included in this

amount are funds to continue the Centers of Biomedical Research

Excellence program as well as funds for NIH to work with each of

the IDeA states to bring together the institutions within that State

to establish networks which, over a number of years of support can

identify areas of strength and enhance capability of submitting research grant applications in those areas as well as to foster collaborations to enhance training of the next generation of researchers

and to develop areas of potential research through staff development, access to research resources, and strengthened research

management within institutions.

Primate Centers.—The Committee is pleased with the addition of

an eighth Regional Primate Research Centers during fiscal year

1999. The Center will complement existing Centers by providing

expertise in primate genetics and chronic disease research and by

strengthening the current programs capabilities in infectious disease research. The Committee strongly urges NCRR to enhance its

funding support for this Center.

Regional Resource Centers.—The Committee understands that

NCRR plans to fund regional resource centers for the purpose of

supplying human islet cells for researchers. The Committee commends NCRR for this initiative.

NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

The Committee provides $514,673,000 for the National Eye Institute (NEI), which is $64,572,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $40,721 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in the

Administration request.

Mission.—The NEI conducts and supports basic and clinical research, research training, and other programs with respect to

blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, mechanisms of visual function, preservation of sight, and the special health problems and

needs of individuals who are visually-impaired or blind. In addition, the NEI is responsible for the dissemination of information,

specifically public and professional education programs aimed at

the prevention of blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy.—The Committee supports the diabetic retinopathy research that NEI is sponsoring, including the study of

molecular pathways involved in the progression of the disease, and

the use of this information to develop novel therapies. The Committee encourages NEI to continue its efforts in these areas to decrease the burden of this disease.

83

Health Disparities.—The Committee encourages NEI to continue

its clinical research and health education activities aimed at reducing the disproportionate burden of certain eye diseases on minority

populations. The Committee is pleased that NEI is making strides

in characterizing eye diseases within the Hispanic population. NEI

is also conducting a clinical trial to help determine whether topical

medications that reduce intraocular pressure, prevent or delay the

onset of glaucoma.

Low Vision.—The Committee commends the low vision initiative

developed by the National Eye Health Education Program.

Through this public awareness program that includes a traveling

exhibit and information on visual rehabilitation services and devices, the NEI is providing important information to consumers

and health professionals about successful interventions for the

more than 14 million Americans with uncorrectable visual impairments.

New Pharmaceuticals.—The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2002

appropriations hearing on the amount of funding spent on research

for new pharmaceuticals.

Ocular Albinism.—Ocular Albinism (OA) is an x-linked genetic

disorder affecting only male individuals, while females may be

healthy carriers of the disease. Affected patients show nystagmus,

strabismus, photophobia, severe reduction of visual acuity, and loss

of three-dimensional vision due to abnormal development of the

retina and optic pathways. The Committee encourages NEI to enhance research into the function of the OA1 protein and potential

treatments and cure for this genetic disease.

Retinal Degenerative Diseases.—The Committee is encouraged by

the progress that has been made in understanding retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. The Committee supports the Institute’s pursuit of basic research areas including studies of mechanisms of cell survival and

regeneration, growth factors, and immunologic issues related to

transplantation. NEI is encouraged to work with voluntary organizations that are also supporting research in this area to maximize

research outcomes and hasten the pace of discovery.

Vision Research.—The Institute’s strategic planning process has

resulted in some very promising recommendations for genomics research, including the creation of a visual web-site encompassing

the full array of databases and resources needed by the vision community. The Committee encourages NEI to continue to use its planning process and focused workshops to stimulate research strategies and to implement them with adequate resources to the research community.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

The Committee provides $506,730,000 for the National Institute

of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS), which is $64,042,000

above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $38,081,000 above

the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within

the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the

amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIEHS mission is to reduce the burden of environmentally related illness and dysfunction by understanding how

84

environmental exposures affect health, how individuals differ in

their susceptibility to these effects, and how these susceptibilities

change over time. This mission is achieved through multidisciplinary biomedical research programs, prevention and intervention

efforts, and communication strategies that encompass training,

education, technology transfer, and community outreach.

Breast Cancer.—Three of four women who are diagnosed with

breast cancer have no family history of the disease and it is not

known how factors such as air and water quality, pesticides, diet,

or electromagnetic fields affect a woman’s chance of getting the disease. The Committee urges NIEHS to enhance its research efforts

into the environment’s role in the development of breast cancer.

Children’s Health.—The Committee is pleased that NIEHS, in

collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is

supporting eight children’s health centers focused on environmental aspects of asthma and other respiratory diseases. The Committee encourages NIEHS and EPA to support additional centers

with a focus on disease endpoints in children.

Environmental Stewardship.—The Committee encourages

NIEHS to continue its work to advocate environmental stewardship

in biomedical research laboratories and clinical research facilities

nationwide. These efforts are important to prevent environmental

pollution and to improve energy efficiency.

Health Disparities Outcomes.—Many of the populations disproportionately exposed to the impact of environmental factors are

minority and disadvantaged groups. This exposure manifests itself

into a variety of health problems such as asthma. The environmental justice programs of the NIEHS serve as models in addressing this issue. The Committee urges the Institute to continue this

program and encourages the Institute to work closely with minority

communities and organizations to enhance the participation of special populations in biomedical research.

Lymphoma.—The Committee encourages NIEHS to collaborate

its research efforts with NCI, through participation in the progress

review group, to better understand environmental factors that may

contribute to the cause of the disease.

Marine Systems.—Marine systems and processes impact public

health in a variety of ways, including natural disasters, waterborne

diseases, and toxic algal blooms. The Committee encourages

NIEHS to collaborate with other relevant agencies such as the National Science Foundation to pursue research that would lead to a

better understanding of the role of oceans in human health.

National Occupational Research Agenda.—The Committee encourages NIEHS to work with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to enhance research in relevant National

Occupational Research Agenda Priority areas such as Indoor Environment, Fertility and Pregnancy Abnormalities, Hearing Loss,

Mixed Exposures, Emerging Technologies, Cancer Research Methods, exposure Assessment Methods, Risk Assessment Methods, and

Special Populations at Risk.

Parkinson’s Disease.—The Committee supports the Institute’s increased emphasis on understanding the cause and pathophysiology

of Parkinson’s disease with the goal of prevention, effective treatment, and a cure for this devastating disorder. A scientific foundation exists for research into the possible link between Parkinson’s

85

and environmental factors to better understand the cause and

pathophysiology of the disease. The Committee encourages NIEHS

to enhance research in this area to implement the Parkinson’s-focused research agenda recommendations.

Red Tide.—The Committee encourages NIEHS to support research on the human effects of accumulation, metabolism, and

depuration of algal toxins and cynaobacteria toxins in lakes, rivers,

and estuaries.

Training of Pediatricians.—The Committee heard testimony

about the need to train pediatricians about the impact of environmental toxins on children’s health. The Committee believes this is

an important recommendation and urges NIH to study the feasibility of implementing such a program. NIEHS should be prepared

to provide a status report on this issue at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN

DISEASES

The Committee provides $400,025,000 for the National Institute

of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS),

which is $50,545,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $31,313,000 above the Administration request; however, due to

limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill

are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIAMS conducts and supports basic and clinical

research and research training, and the dissemination of health information on the more than 100 forms of arthritis; osteoporosis and

other bone diseases; muscle biology and muscle diseases;

orthopaedic disorders, such as back pain and sports injuries; and

numerous skin diseases.

Childhood Skeletal Malignancies.—There is a need to conduct

clinical outcome assessments of children with skeletal cancers.

While mortality rates have improved among children with these tumors, little is known of the long-term effects and risks associated

with various treatment options. The Committee encourages NIAMS

to enhance research into the effects of treatment protocols on the

health of persons treated as adolescents for skeletal cancers.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.—Duchenne muscular dystrophy

remains the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy.

The Committee is encouraged by the recent scientific workshop to

explore promising research efforts in this field. The Committee encourages NIAMS to build on this promising research and collaborate with other Institutes to develop an enhanced focus on muscle

disease research and finding a cure for this tragic disease through

all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including establishing a

muscle study section whose members would have both knowledge

of muscle tissue structure and function, and technical expertise on

pathophysiology, biochemistry, and genetics.

Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue.—The Committee acknowledges NIAMS for its support of research on heritable disorders of connective tissue, for its sponsorship of two conferences

held on this body of disorders in 1990 and 1995, and for the upcoming Scientific Conference. These disorders are rare; they involve a

variety of organs in the body, are genetic in origin, and affect the

86

connective tissue. Because of their multi-organ character, the Committee believes a coordinated research approach will more quickly

lead to development of effective therapies and perhaps ultimately

a cure for these disorders. NIAMS is encouraged to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to enhance efforts in this area,

including establishing scientific research centers.

Lupus.—Lupus is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects

women of child-bearing age, can lead to severe organ injury, and

the treatment is often as devastating as the disease. African-American women are three times more likely to have lupus than Caucasian women. The Committee is encouraged by recent NIAMS research success in identifying genes and mechanisms which lead to

the onset of lupus and urges enhanced research to continue this

work. Gaining understanding of the factors associated with the

high prevalence of lupus in women and minorities and developing

new and innovative treatments while protecting the poor and the

uninsured from financial devastation are important priorities for

the Committee. The Committee encourages NIAMS, in collaboration with other Institutes to enhance research efforts at developing

safer and more effective treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

National Occupational Research Agenda.—The Committee encourages NIAMS to work with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to enhance research in relevant National

Occupational Research Agenda priority areas such as Allergic and

Irritant Dermatitis, Low Back Disorders, Traumatic Injuries, Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities, and Special Populations at Risk.

Osteoporosis.—The Committee encourages NIAMS to enhance research in the area of osteoporosis with a particular emphasis on

studying osteoporosis in the non-white population. The Institute is

encouraged to focus on interventions to improve quality of life and

the relationship between hypertension and osteoporosis.

Paget’s Disease.—The Committee is aware of the importance of

research on the viral and genetic factors that may cause Paget’s

disease and encourages NIAMS to enhance efforts in this area.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

The Committee provides $349,216,000 for the National Institute

on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which is $55,982,000

above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $40,555,000 above

the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within

the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the

amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIAAA supports research to generate new knowledge to answer crucial questions about why people drink; why some

individuals are vulnerable to alcohol dependence or alcohol-related

diseases and others are not; the relationship of genetic and environmental factors involved in alcoholism; the mechanisms whereby

alcohol produces its disabling effects, including organ damage; how

to prevent alcohol misuse and associated damage and how alcoholism treatment can be improved. NIAAA addresses these questions through a program of biomedical, behavioral, and epidemiologic research on alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and related problems.

This program includes various areas of special emphasis such as

87

medications development, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, and

moderate drinking.

Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease.—A high percentage of deaths

from cirrhosis are due to alcohol. The Committee encourages

NIAAA to continue its work on the role of tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-alpha) and with gene knockouts which holds promise

for development of interventions to mitigate or disrupt the liverdamaging effects of TNF-alpha.

Biological Basis for Recovery.—Alcohol researchers have the initial data to begin to explore the biology of why some patients are

able to recover from alcoholism, while others fail. The Committee

encourages NIAAA to enhance research in this area and to apply

its findings to develop interventions that promote recovery through

all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including clinical trials.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.—Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a

leading preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects

in the United States. Educating women about the danger that maternal alcohol consumption poses to unborn children is important

in the effort to prevent FAS. The Committee is pleased with the

efforts of NIAAA to begin implementing a plan to establish a FAS

clearinghouse.

Minority and Ethnic Groups.—NIAAA is commended for its efforts to increase participation of minority-serving institutions in alcohol research. The Committee encourages the Institute to continue

research on the prevention and treatment of alcohol-use disorders

among minority groups and, particularly, to continue research on

the genetic differences in alcohol dependence among ethnic groups.

Neuroscience.—Research on the biological mechanisms that underlie neuroadaptation may result in the development of improved

interventions, such as medications, for the treatment of alcoholism.

The Committee commends NIAAA for laying the groundwork to

overcome barriers to research on neuroadaptive responses to alcohol by establishing the integrative neuroscience initiative on alcoholism and will follow its progress.

NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Committee provides $386,410,000 for the National Human

Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which is $50,548,000 above

the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $28,670,000 above the

Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the

allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the

amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NHGRI coordinates extramural research and research training for the NIH component of the Human Genome

Project, an effort to determine the location and sequence of the estimated 100,000 genes which constitute the human genome. The

Division of Extramural Research supports research in genetic and

physical mapping, DNA sequencing and technology development,

database management and analysis, and studies of the ethical,

legal, and social implications of human genome research. The Division of Intramural Research focuses on applying the tools and technologies of the Human Genome Project to understanding the genetic basis of disease and developing DNA-based diagnostics and

gene therapies.

88

Diabetes.—The Committee urges NHGRI, in collaboration with

NIDDK and NICHD, to enhance research to identify the genes associated with juvenile, or Type I, diabetes. The Director of the Institute should be prepared to testify on this issue at the fiscal year

2002 appropriations hearing.

Renal Genomics.—The Committee encourages NHGRI, in collaboration with NIDDK, to explore the feasibility of creating a kidney

genome anatomy program.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

The Committee provides $309,007,000 for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), which is $39,822,000

above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $24,832,000 above

the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within

the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the

amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIDCR conducts and supports research and research training to improve craniofacial, oral and dental health. The

Institute’s programs reflect the genetic, behavioral and environmental factors that result in complex human disease and are clustered into the following areas: inherited disorders; infection and immunity; oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers; chronic and disabling conditions such as bone and joint diseases and chronic pain;

behavioral science, epidemiology and health promotion; and tissue

engineering and biomimetics research to improve diagnostics and

tissue repair and regeneration.

Bone Diseases.—Osteoporosis and related bone diseases affect

millions of Americans. The Committee encourages the Institute to

enhance its research efforts to compare bone loss in the oral cavity

with bone loss elsewhere in the body. With over 750 million dental

x-rays performed in the U.S. each year, there exists a source of information that may be useful to such research. The Committee also

encourages NIDCR to enhance research on dentinogenesis

imperfecta and orthodontic manipulation in people with

osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osseointegration.—The Committee urges NIDCR to support research that would improve the structure of and materials used in

the production of implants, particularly surfaces and bio-compatible

materials.

Reducing Oral Health Disparities.—Scientific literature shows

the importance of craniofacial, oral, and dental health in an individual’s overall health as well as the disproportionate burden on

complex oral diseases on certain groups of children and adults. The

Committee commends NIDCR for its collaboration with NICHD,

NINR, ORWH, ORMH, OBSSR, HRSA, and CDC in developing

centers for research to reduce oral health disparities and encourages the Institute to implement this initiative to the fullest scientific extent possible.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION

DISORDERS

The Committee provides $301,787,000 for the National Institute

on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), which

is $38,126,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$23,778,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
89

ited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are

constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NIDCD funds and conducts research in human

communication. Included in its program areas are research and research training in the normal and disordered mechanisms of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The Institute

addresses special biomedical and behavioral problems associated

with people who have communication impairments or disorders. In

addition, the NIDCD is actively involved in health promotion and

disease prevention, dissemination of research results, and supports

efforts to create devices that substitute for lost and impaired sensory and communication functions.

Dysphonia.—The Committee continues to be pleased with

NIDCD’s intramural research with respect to dysphonia and encourages NIDCD to enhance its extramural research efforts.

Hearing Screening Research.—The Committee urges NIDCD to

enhance research on the efficacy of new screening techniques

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including clinical

studies on screening methodologies and studies on the efficacy of

intervention and follow-up and related research.

Neurofibromatosis.—NF2 accounts for approximately five percent

of genetic forms of deafness and, unlike other genetic forms of deafness, NF2 associated deafness is potential preventable or curable

if tumor growth is halted before damage has been done to the adjacent nerve. Conditional mutant mice can be used to test the effectiveness of gene therapy for NF2, which could be beneficial for all

patients suffering from meningiomas and other tumors. The Committee encourages NIDCD to enhance its NF research and to coordinate its efforts with other Institutes conducting NF research.

Research Collaborations.—The Committee recognizes the benefits

that are gained when research is conducted in a collaborative effort, not only between Institutes and other Federal agencies, but

also in private sector partnerships. The Committee is aware of the

collaborative efforts NIDCD has with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and encourages the Institute to continue such collaborations.

Translating Research to Practice.—NIDCD is encouraged to enhance efforts to translate basic science into better human health

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including patient-oriented clinical research trials.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE

The Committee provides $256,281,000 for the National Library of

Medicine (NLM), which is $41,082,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $26,146,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in

the Administration request.

Mission.—The National Library of Medicine collects, organizes,

disseminates, and preserves biomedical literature in all forms, regardless of country of origin, language, or historical period. The Library’s collection is widely available; it may be consulted at the

NLM facility on the NIH campus; items may be requested on interlibrary loan; and the extensive NLM bibliographic databases may

be searched online by health professionals around the world. NLM

90

has a program of outreach to acquaint health professions with

available NLM services. The Library also is mandated to conduct

research into biomedical communications and biotechnology; to

award grants in support of health science libraries and medical

informatics research and training; and to create specialized information services in such areas as health services research, environmental health, AIDS, hazardous substances, and toxicology.

Outreach.—The Committee continues to note the success of the

MEDLINE database and the new MEDLINEplus initiative and encourages NLM to continue its outreach activities aimed at educating health care professionals and the general public about the

Library’s products and services, in coordination with medical librarians and other health information specialists.

PubMed Central.—PubMed Central is an electronic online repository for life science articles and holds promise for increasing access

to health care literature by health professions, students, educators,

researchers, and the general public. The Committee encourages

NLM to work with the medical library community regarding issues

related to copyright, fair use, peer-review, and classification of information.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH

The Committee provides $102,312,000 for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which is $12,773,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 comparable level and $9,788,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation,

funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The NINR supports and conducts scientific research

and research training to reduce the burden of illness and disability;

improve health-related quality of life; and establish better approaches to promote health and prevent disease.

National Occupational Research Agenda.—The Committee encourages NINR to work with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to enhance research in relevant National

Occupational Research Agenda priority areas such as Health Services Research, Special Populations at Risk, Low Back Disorders,

Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities, and Fertility

and Pregnancy Abnormalities.

Nursing Interventions for Psychiatric Populations.—There is a

lack of outcomes research focused on nursing interventions for psychiatric populations. The Committee encourages NINR to collaborate with NIMH and expand research in this area through all

available mechanisms, as appropriate, including sponsoring a

workshop to identify areas of research and interventions that directly correlate to enhance patient care.

Pressure Ulcers.—Seventy-three percent of expenditures for pressure ulcer treatment are for nursing care. Technology developed

through the SBIR program offer potential for treating and preventing pressure ulcers in long-term care facility patients. The

Committee encourages NINR to advance research in this area

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate.

Web-Based Technology.—The use of computer technology has the

potential to improve the coordination and delivery of care among

persons with disabilities and severe chronic conditions such as spiVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
91

nal cord injury, diabetes, and arthritis and reduce transaction costs

associated with traditional care delivery mechanisms. The Committee encourages NINR to conduct research in this area to demonstrate the effectiveness of an e-health tool for nurse case managers.

JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER

The Committee provides $50,299,000 for the Fogarty International Center (FIC), which is $6,971,000 above the fiscal year

2000 comparable level and $2,288,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in

the Administration request.

Mission.—The FIC was established to improve the health of the

people of the United States and other nations through international cooperation in the biomedical sciences. In support of this

mission, the FIC pursues the following four goals: mobilize international research efforts against global health threats; advance

science through international cooperation; develop human resources to meet global research challenges; and provide leadership

in international science policy and research strategies.

International Cooperative Biodiversity Group.—The International

Cooperative Biodiversity Group program has become a leading

model for ethical bioprospecting, promoting high quality science in

multi-purpose partnerships between U.S. and developing country

universities, pharmaceutical companies, and non-governmental organizations. The Committee encourages FIC to continue this program.

Tuberculosis.—The Committee recognizes the growing importance of international research surveillance programs with respect

to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB). The Committee is

pleased by the Center’s research collaboration with international

organizations and governments on multi-drug resistant TB and encourages the Center to continue these studies.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE

MEDICINE

The Committee provides $78,880,000 for the National Center for

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), which is

$9,869,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$6,488,000 above the Administration request; however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are

constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request.

Mission.—The Center was established to stimulate, develop, and

support rigorous and relevant research of high quality and open,

objective inquiry into the safety and effectiveness of complementary

and alternative medicine practices in order to provide the American

public with reliable information about these practices.

Integrative Medicine Fellowships.—The Committee urges the

Center to give priority consideration to funding post-graduate fellowships that train physicians in integrative medicine, that support

research on strategies for implementing the teaching of integrative

medicine in education curricula, and that support efforts to design

medical school curricula on integrative medicine.

92

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

The Committee provides $342,307,000 for the Office of the Director (OD), which is $60,307,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $33,329,000 above the Administration request;

however, due to limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill are constrained to the amount proposed in the

Administration request. The bill includes language proposed by the

Administration and included in the 1998 through 2000 appropriations bill authorizing the collection of third party payments for the

cost of clinical services.

Mission.—The Office of the Director provides leadership to the

NIH research enterprise and coordinates and directs initiatives

which cross-cut the NIH. The OD is responsible for the development and management of intramural and extramural research and

research training policy, the review of program quality and effectiveness, the coordination of selected NIH-wide program activities,

and the administration of centralized support activities essential to

operations of the NIH.

Minority Health Initiative.—The Minority Health Initiative

(MHI) is a coordinated set of programs designed to address the

health needs of minorities across the lifespan and to expand the

participation of minorities in all phases of biomedical and biobehavioral research. The MHI comprises a portfolio of multi-year research projects as collaborative efforts with NIH Institutes, centers

and divisions (ICDs) as well as new components developed to confront emerging and unaddressed health research areas. It is understood that the MHI has an interest in supporting the improvement

of animal research facilities at minority health professions schools

through the NCRR

Office of Research on Minority Health.—The Office of Research

on Minority Health (ORMH) serves as the coordinating office for

minority health research and research training activities at NIH.

Through partnerships with the ICDs, and other federal agencies

and outside organizations, the ORMH strives to improve the health

status of all minorities and increase the numbers of minority scientists. The ORMH provides supplemental support to ICD projects,

develops programs to increase minority participation in clinical

trials, and initiates and develops programs to increase the competitiveness of grant applications submitted by minority researchers.

Office of Research on Women’s Health.—The Office of Research

on Women’s Health (ORWH) works in collaboration with the ICDs

of the NIH to promote and foster efforts to address gaps in knowledge related to women’s health through the enhancement and expansion of funded research and/or the initiation of new investigative studies. The ORWH is responsible for ensuring the inclusion

of women in clinical research funded by the ICDs, including the development of a computerized tracking system and the implementation of new guidelines on such inclusion. This Office is also involved in promoting programs to increase the number of women in

biomedical science, and in the development of women’s health as a

focus of medical/scientific research.

ORWH plays a critical role in assuring that women’s health and

gender-based research are addressed in a systematic manner

throughout the NIH. The Committee urges NIH to continue to

93

bring appropriate focus to these issues through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the BIRCWH program.

Office of AIDS Research.—The Office of AIDS Research (OAR) is

responsible for coordination of the scientific, budgetary, legislative,

and policy elements of the NIH AIDS research program. The OAR

develops a comprehensive plan for NIH AIDS-related research activities which is updated annually. The plan is the basis for the

President’s budget distribution of AIDS-related funds to the Institutes, centers and divisions within NIH. The Committee expects

the Director of NIH to use this plan and the budget developed by

OAR to guide his decisions on the allocation of AIDS funding

among the Institutes. The Director of NIH also should use the full

authority of his office to ensure that the ICDs spend their AIDS research dollars in a manner consistent with the plan. In addition,

the OAR allocates an emergency AIDS discretionary fund to support research that was not anticipated when budget allocations

were made.

The Committee has included the same general provisions in bill

language that was contained in the 2000 appropriations bill. This

language permits the Director of OAR, jointly with the Director of

NIH, to transfer between ICDs up to three percent of the funding

determined by NIH to be related to AIDS research. This authority

could be exercised throughout the fiscal year subject to normal reprogramming procedures, and is intended to give NIH flexibility to

adjust the AIDS allocations among Institutes if research opportunities and needs should change. The Committee also repeats language from last year’s bill making the research funds identified by

NIH as being AIDS related available to the OAR account for transfer to the Institutes. This provision permits the flow of funds

through the OAR in the spirit of the authorization legislation without requiring the Congress to earmark a specific dollar amount for

AIDS research.

Office of Dietary Supplements.—The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) was established in recognition that dietary supplements can have an important impact on the prevention and management of disease and on the maintenance of health. ODS is

charged with promoting, conducting, and coordinating scientific research within NIH relating to dietary supplements.

The Office is encouraged, in consultation with NCCAM, AHRQ,

and FDA to review the current scientific evidence on the safety and

efficacy of dietary supplements now on the market, which could

then form a basis for further research, education of practitioners

and consumers, and whether further regulatory requirements are

necessary.

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.—The Office of

Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) provides leadership and direction for the development of a trans-NIH plan to increase the scope of and support for behavioral and social science research and in defining an overall strategy for the integration of

these disciplines across NIH institutes and centers; develops initiatives to stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences

arena and integrate a biobehavioral perspective across the research

areas of NIH; and promotes studies to evaluate the contributions

of behavioral, social and lifestyle determinants in the development,

94

course, treatment, and prevention of illness and related public

health problems.

Office of Rare Disease Research.—The Office of Rare Disease Research (ORDR) was established in recognition of the need to provide a focal point of attention and coordination at NIH for research

on rare diseases. ORDR works with Federal and non-Federal national and international organizations concerned with rare disease

research and orphan products development; develops a centralized

database on rare diseases research; and stimulates rare diseases

research by supporting scientific workshops and symposia to identify research opportunities.

Autism.—The Committee is pleased with the expansion that has

occurred in autism research and with the activities of the NIH Autism Coordinating Committee. The Committee is also aware of concerns that have been raised about reports of a possible association

between the measles component of the MMR vaccine and a subset

of autism termed autistic enterocolitis. The Committee urges the

NIH Coordinating Committee to give serious attention to these reports and pursue appropriate research that will permit scientific

analysis and evaluation of the concerns that have been raised

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including an attempt to replicate the molecular evidence of persistent measles

virus infection in children with autistic entercolitis. This research

should be pursued in a way that does not cause undue harm to the

Nation’s efforts to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Autoimmune Diseases.—The Committee commends the Director

for establishing a coordinating committee for autoimmune disease

research. Autoimmunity is at the root of 80 interrelated diseases

affecting at least five percent of the population. Autoimmune diseases also disproportionately affect women.

Bioinformatics.—The biomedical community is increasingly taking advantage of the power of computing, both to manage and analyze data and to model biological processes. The Committee commends NIH for pursuing its Biomedical Information Science and

Technology Initiative. This initiative is developing innovative programs that will allow biomedical researchers to make optimal use

of information technology and develop cross-disciplinary skills in

biology, computation, and mathematics. This initiative should take

into account the contributions that other agencies’ programs have

made, particularly that of the Partnerships for Advanced Computational Infrastructure program.

Cancer in Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved.—

The Committee continues to be concerned about the disproportionately high incidence and/or mortality rates of many cancers in ethnic minorities, rural poor, and other medically underserved populations. The Committee encourages the NIH to develop a strategic

plan to address the recommendations in the January 1999 Institute

of Medicine study on this issue. The Committee also encourages the

NIH to enhance funding for population, behavioral, socio-cultural,

communications, and community-based research; recruiting and

training efforts to attract more candidates from ethnic minority

and medically underserved populations in all areas of cancer research; cancer data collection and management and interagency coVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
95

ordination of data collection, and support for the NCI’s SEER program.

Chimpanzees.—The Committee understands that NIH has recently taken title to 288 chimpanzees from the Coulston Foundation and is in the process of soliciting a contract for the operation

and maintenance of a chimpanzee long-term holding facility located

at the Holloman Air Force Base for the care of these animals. The

Committee strongly encourages NIH to make sure that the grantee

for this contract will provide adequate, long-term care for these

animals and is financially stable. Further, the Committee hopes

that NIH is close to finalizing a plan for the long-term care of all

chimpanzees used in NIH research.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.—The Committee is pleased that the

Office of the Director has assumed management of Cronic Fatigue

Syndrome (CFS) activities. The Committee is concerned by reported

difficulties NIH has had in attracting extramural scientists with

established track records to the CFS research field and urges NIH

to continue its outreach efforts to public and private scientists in

the CFS field. NIH is encouraged to focus on promising areas such

as efforts to define etiology and pathophysiology of the illness, identify diagnostic biomarkers, and pediatric CFS.

Cigarette Smoking and Nicotine Research on Non-Human Animals.—The Committee heard testimony that some cigarette smoking and nicotine research being conducted on non-human animals

at NIH is duplicative and unnecessary. The Committee understands the NIH must continue to support research on smoking and

nicotine in order to develop more effective methods for preventing

or modifying the illnesses from smoking both for smokers and nonsmokers and to develop better ways of helping people eliminate or

reduce their dependency on smoking. In doing such research, the

Committee urges NIH to carefully review the use of non-human

animals and only use them when necessary.

Diabetes.—Diabetes remains a leading cause of early death and

disability. Because diabetes impacts so many different parts of the

body, the Committee urges the Director to work with NIDDK to

lead a trans-NIH approach to diabetes research, including an effort

to develop a vaccine to prevent juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes. The

Committee also urges the Director to work with NIDDK, NICHD,

and NHGRI to enhance efforts to identify the genes associated with

juvenile, or Type I, diabetes as recommended by the Diabetes Research Working Group report. The Committee requests that the Director be prepared to provide a status of these efforts at the fiscal

year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Endometriosis.—The Committee encourages NIH to enhance research efforts into the cause and treatment of endometriosis, a noncancerous gynecological condition which affects between two and

four percent of the female population and causes severe pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, and adhesions.

Facioscapularhumeral Muscular Dystrophy.—The Committee

commends NIH for initiating a joint research agenda for

facioscapularhumeral (FSH) muscular dystrophy between NINDS

and NIAMS. The Committee encourages NIH to enhance research

efforts in this area to address the recommendations of the FSH research community.

96

Infectious Etiology of Chronic Diseases.—A number of chronic

human diseases are suspected to be caused by infectious agents in

conjunction with various hereditary, environmental, or nutritional

factors. While the Committee is pleased that a number of Institutes

are conducting or supporting studies in this area to determine the

scientific validity of such links, the Committee urges the Director

to establish trans-NIH coordinating activities on infectious etiology

of chronic diseases to promote further opportunities for successful

research outcomes.

Lyme Disease.—The Committee encourages NIH to improve the

collaborative efforts of all Institutes involved in Lyme disease research and outreach activities and to identify appropriate NIH advisory committees for Lyme disease representation and appoint

qualified persons thereon. The Committee also encourages NIH to

include a broad range of scientific viewpoints in the research planning process, including those from community-based clinicians, voluntary agencies, and patient advocates.

Microbicide Research.—The Committee urges the Director to enhance microbicide research and development and in coordination

with OAR, NIAID, NICHD, NIMH, NIDA, and ORWH expand

basic research on the initial mechanisms of STD/HIV infection,

identify appropriate models for evaluating safety and efficacy of microbial products, enhance clinical trials, and expand behavioral research on use, acceptability, and compliance with microbicides

through all available mechanisms, as appropriate. The Committee

requests that the Director be prepared to testify on the progress in

this area at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Native American Biomedical Research.—The Committee encourages NIH to increase research efforts in the areas of Native American biomedical research.

Parkinson’s Disease.—The Committee is aware that NIH has recently developed a Parkinson’s-focused research agenda and urges

the Director to enhance research efforts in this area through all

available mechanisms, as appropriate. As the science base develops, the Committee encourages NIH to periodically revise and update the agenda, including the funding projections, in close consultation with the research community, clinicians, and patient advocates. The Committee is pleased with the joint initiative of

NIEHS and NINDS on investigating environmental determinants

of Parkinson’s disease and supports efforts by the Director to encourage further collaboration among Institutes.

Pediatric Research.—The Committee urges NIH to continue to

strengthen and expand its portfolio of pediatric research across all

Institutes and establish priorities based on the severity and impact

of pediatric diseases and on the potential for scientific breakthroughs. The Committee urges the Director to continue to ensure

that the Institutes involved in pediatric research coordinate their

efforts, with NICHD taking the lead, in order to avoid duplication

and maximize funding allocations. The Committee encourages NIH

to enhance research into the therapeutic treatments for pediatric

illnesses to understand the impacts of traditional therapies on children and identify new treatments. NIH is also encouraged to enhance research into the impact of therapeutic agents on children as

compared to adults.

97

Peer Review Process.—The Committee has heard concerns that

the initial peer review groups tend to be dominated by researchers

from institutions and geographic areas that receive relatively large

shares of NIH funding rather than representing the full breadth of

the research community. In order to address this concern, the Committee requests that the NIH staff who are involved in the peer review of grant applications should seek broadly, through various

sources that, for example, search the scientific and medical research literature, to identify individuals who might serve on initial

peer review groups. These individuals could be given opportunities

to serve as, and be mentored on, the duties of peer reviewers for

several review cycles and then be appointed for full terms as warranted.

Regulatory Burden.—The Committee commends NIH and the Department for its progress in reducing the regulatory burdens imposed on Federally-supported scientists and the institutions where

they perform their research. The Committee is pleased to see that

an external advisory committee, reporting directly to the NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research, has been formed to address

additional areas where regulatory reform may be needed. The Committee is also pleased that NIH has begun to implement recommendations made in the 1999 report, NIH Initiative to Reduce

Regulatory Burden.

The Committee is aware that the research community and Federal agencies have commented favorably on proposals to dedicate

an uncapped portion of indirect costs as reimbursement for the

costs of complying with Federal regulatory mandates. The Committee encourages the Deputy Director for Extramural Research to

conduct a workshop for representatives of the extramural research

community, Federal research-supporting agencies, and Federal regulatory agencies to examine the feasibility of requiring Federal

agencies to determine what impact proposed regulations would

have on scientists and institutions prior to implementation. The

Committee requests that the Director of NIH be prepared to provide a status report on this issue at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

Religiousness and Health.—Given the religiousness of the U.S.

population, as well as the increasing amount of research demonstrating the importance of religious commitment in addressing

chronic and serious illnesses, the NIH is encouraged to enhance research in this area. This research may prove helpful in reducing

health care costs, increase longevity, improve the quality of life for

chronically and seriously ill patients, and reduce risky lifestyles.

Also, with some evidence of the enhancement of longevity for those

who regularly attend church, synagogue, and mosque, it is useful

to understand this prevalent population factor in preventing and

coping with illnesses and improving the quality of life and clinical

outcomes. The Committee understands that these areas are part of

the NIH mind-body research agenda.

Urological Research.—The Committee remains concerned with

the degree of coordination of urologic research across the various

Institutes. While the Committee is pleased with the creation of a

special emphasis panel to review urology grant applications, the

Director of NIH is encouraged to consider further steps to strengthVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
98

en this research program to better address unmet public health

needs.

Women’s Health and Gender-Based Biology.—NIH has increasingly emphasized the importance of including women in clinical

trials and analyzing research results for gender-based differences.

The Committee urges NIH to continue its efforts to include women

in all aspects of research, including phase III clinical trials. The Director should be prepared to provide a progress report of its efforts

in this area at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

The Committee provides $178,700,000 for buildings and facilities, which is $53,324,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $29,800,000 above the Administration request; however, due to

limited funding within the allocation, funding increases in the bill

are constrained to the amount proposed in the Administration request. In addition, the Committee provides language to allow NIH

to contract for the full scope of phase I of the National Neuroscience Research Center.

Mission.—The Buildings and Facilities appropriation provides for

the design, construction, improvement, and major repair of clinical,

laboratory, and office buildings and supporting facilities essential

to the mission of the National Institutes of Health. The funds in

this appropriation support the 77 buildings on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland; the Animal Center in Poolesville,

Maryland; the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and other

smaller facilities throughout the United States.

Essential Safety and Health Improvement.—This account supports continued essential safety and health improvements to maintain the clinical center; the continuation of the campus infrastructure modernization program as well as programs for power plant

safety, asbestos abatement, fire protection and life safety, the

elimination of barriers to persons with disabilities, safety and reliability upgrades at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory, and indoor air

quality improvement.

Repairs and Improvements.—Support is also provided for the continuing program of repairs and improvements required to maintain

existing buildings and facilities.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The Committee provides a program level of $2,727,626,000 for

the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

(SAMHSA), which is $75,758,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $95,390,000 below the Administration request.

Many programs funded in this account are not authorized for fiscal

year 2000.

SAMHSA is responsible for supporting mental health, alcoholism, and other drug abuse prevention and treatment services

nationwide through discretionary knowledge development and applied research grants and formula block grants to the States. The

agency consists of three principal centers: the Center for Mental

Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and

99

the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. The Office of the Administrator is responsible for overall agency management.

Center for Mental Health Services

The Committee provides a total of $691,298,000 for the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), which is $59,874,000 above

the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $40,126,000 below the

Administration request.

Knowledge development and application

The Committee provides $132,749,000 for the mental health

knowledge development and application (KDA) program, which is

$4,126,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$34,126,000 below the Administration request. The program includes multi-state studies and other knowledge development activities that identify the most effective service delivery practices,

knowledge synthesis activities that translate program findings into

useful products for the field, and knowledge application projects

that support adoption of exemplary service approaches throughout

the country. The Committee has provided last year’s funding level

less the amount earmarked for projects.

The Committee recognizes the role that the Minority Fellowship

program plays in training mental health professionals to provide

services to individuals who would otherwise go untreated and urges

SAMHSA to enhance its efforts in this program through its three

Centers.

It is estimated that eight to ten percent of men and women admitted to jail have a mental illness, many of which have committed

minor, non-violent offenses directly related to lack of service. Local

programs to divert people with serious mental illness into community-based services, including mental health, substance abuse, and

case management, have proven effective in reducing contacts with

criminal justice. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to assist

local jurisdictions, in collaboration with States, to apply current

knowledge about effective interventions to meet the needs of adults

with serious mental illness who come in contact with the criminal

justice system. CMHS is encouraged to work collaboratively with

the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the Department of Justice.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents. There

is concern over data indicating that nearly one-in-three Latina adolescents has seriously considered suicide, the highest rate of any

racial or ethnic group of girls and that fewer treatment and prevention services reach this population than any of their counterparts.

The Committee urges CMHS to strengthen community-based organizations and other entities that provide innovative and culturally

sensitive treatment and prevention services to address the issue of

teen suicide through interventions and support services to those individuals who are at risk.

Mental health performance partnerships

The Committee provides $416,000,000 for mental health performance partnership grants, which is $60,000,000 above the fiscal year

2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request.

The performance partnerships provide funds to States to support

mental health prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services.

100

Funds are allocated according to statutory formula among the

States that have submitted approved annual plans. The Committee

notes that the mental health performance partnerships grant funding represents less than 2% of total State mental health funding

and less than 5% of State community-based mental health services.

Children’s mental health

The Committee provides $86,763,000 for the grant program for

comprehensive community mental health services for children with

serious emotional disturbance, which is $4,000,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. Funding for this program supports grants and technical assistance for community-based services for children and adolescents

up to age 22 with serious emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. The program assists States and local jurisdictions in developing integrated systems of community care. Each individual

served receives an individual service plan developed with the participation of the family and the child. Grantees are required to provide increasing levels of matching funds over the five-year grant

period.

Grants to states for the homeless (PATH)

The Committee provides $30,883,000 for the grants to States for

the homeless (PATH) program, which is the same as the fiscal year

2000 comparable level and $5,000,000 below the Administration request. PATH grants to States provide assistance to individuals suffering from severe mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders

and who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Grants may be used for outreach, screening and diagnostic treatment services, rehabilitation services, community mental health

services, alcohol or drug treatment services, training, case management services, supportive and supervisory services in residential

settings, and a limited set of housing services.

Protection and advocacy

The Committee provides $24,903,000 for the protection and advocacy program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $1,000,000 below the Administration request.

This funding is distributed to States according to a formula based

on population and income to assist State-designated independent

advocates to provide legal assistance to mentally ill individuals

during their residence in State-operated facilities and for 90 days

following their discharge.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

The Committee provides a total of $1,844,716,000 for the Center

for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), which is $30,150,000

above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $44,704,000 below

the Administration request.

Knowledge development and application

The Committee provides $213,716,000 for the substance abuse

treatment knowledge development and application (KDA) program,

which is $850,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$44,704,000 below the Administration request. The program supVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
101

ports activities of developing and field testing new treatment models in order to facilitate the provision of quality treatment services

and service delivery. These activities are undertaken in actual

service settings rather than laboratories and results are disseminated to State agencies and community treatment providers. The

goal is to promote continuous, positive treatment service delivery

change for those people who use and abuse alcohol and drugs. The

Committee does not provide funding for projects that were earmarked in the fiscal year 2000 appropriations bill.

The Committee is concerned that Federal resources may not be

reaching hard-to-serve populations, like the homeless, and therefore has provided $10,000,000 to initiate grants to local non-profit

and public entities for the purpose of developing and expanding

substance abuse services for homeless persons.

Substance abuse performance partnerships

The Committee provides $1,631,000,000 for the substance abuse

performance partnership grants, which is $31,000,000 above the

fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The substance abuse performance partnerships provide funds to States to support alcohol and drug abuse prevention,

treatment, and rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated among

the States according to a statutory formula. State applications including comprehensive state plans must be approved annually by

SAMHSA as a condition of receiving funds.

The Committee has modified bill language that was included in

the fiscal year 2000 appropriations bill to distribute the block grant

funding to the States so that no State’s funding is reduced below

the fiscal year 2000 level.

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

The Committee provides a total of $132,742,000 for the Center

for Substance Abuse Prevention, which is $7,082,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $2,487,000 below the Administration request. The Committee does not provide funding for highrisk youth grants.

Knowledge development and application

The Committee provides $132,742,000 for the substance abuse

prevention knowledge development and application (KDA) program, which is $7,082,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $2,487,000 below the Administration request. The program identifies effective approaches in preventing substance abuse

and implements its primary mission in bridging the gap between

research and practice. The Committee has provided last year’s

funding level less the amount earmarked for projects.

Program management

The Committee provides $58,870,000 for program management

activities, which is $184,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $1,073,000 below the Administration request. The appropriation provides funding to coordinate, direct, and manage the

agency’s programs. Funds are used for salaries, benefits, space,

supplies, equipment, travel and overhead. The Committee has proVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
102

vided last year’s funding level less the amount earmarked for

projects.

AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY

The Committee provides a total of $223,649,000 for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which is $24,850,000

above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $26,294,000 below

the Administration request. Included in this amount is

$123,669,000 in general funds and $99,980,000 in one percent evaluation funding. The Administration proposed to increase the Public

Health Service evaluation set-aside from one percent to 1.6 percent

and fund the agency’s request from evaluation funding. The Committee did not approve this request.

The mission of the Agency is to generate and disseminate information that improves the delivery of health care. Its research goals

are to determine what works best in clinical practice; improve the

cost-effective use of health care resources; help consumers make

more informed choices; and measure and improve the quality of

care. The Committee is supportive of high quality, peer-reviewed

research and supports appropriate funding for investigator-initiated research within the funding levels provided.

For Research on Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes, the Com- mittee provides $180,299,000, which is $19,984,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 comparable level and $26,294,000 below the Administration request. The Research on Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes

program identifies the most effective and efficient approaches to organize, deliver, finance, and reimburse health care services; determines how the structure of the delivery system, financial incentives, market forces, and better information affects the use, quality,

and cost of health services; and facilitates the translation of research findings for providers, patients/consumers, plans, purchasers, and policymakers. It also funds research that determines

what works best in medical care by increasing the cost effectiveness and appropriateness of clinical practice; supports the development of tools to measure and evaluate health outcomes, quality of

care, and consumer satisfaction with health care system performance; and facilitates the translation of information into practical

uses through the development and dissemination of research databases.

The increase provided is to support the budget request for enhancing patient safety. The recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, To Err Is Human, estimated that between 44,000 and 98,000

people die each year due to medical errors. The report concluded

that many errors can be avoided or their potentially harmful effects

on patients minimized, if we can learn enough from the errors that

occur to understand how to redesign the processes and systems of

care to be safer. The Committee provides an increase of

$19,984,000 to support the budget request for enhancing patient

safety. The increase will be used to initiate research that will further the understanding of when, how, and under what circumstances errors occur; identify the causes of errors; develop the

tools, data, and researchers needed to foster a national strategy to

improve patient safety; and work with public and private partners

to apply evidence-based approaches to the improvement of patient

safety. The Committee encourages the agency to take a comprehenVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
103

sive approach to improving patient safety and to include research

into the causes and types of medical errors that occur in emergency

care settings as well as hospital settings.

For Medical Expenditures Panel Surveys, the Committee provides $40,850,000, which is $4,850,000 above the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The

entire amount provided is derived through the one percent evaluation set-aside. The Medical Expenditures Panel Surveys provide

data for timely national estimates of health care use and expenditures, private and public health insurance coverage, and the availability, costs, and scope of private health insurance benefits. This

activity also provides data for analysis of changes in behavior as

a result of market forces or policy changes on health care use, expenditures, and insurance coverage; develops cost/savings estimates of proposed changes in policy; and identifies the impact of

changes in policy for subgroups of the population.

For program support, the Committee provides $2,500,000, which

is $16,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the Administration request. This activity supports the overall direction

and management of the agency.

The Committee is pleased that AHRQ is conducting an evidencebased research report on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The

Committee encourages AHRQ to appoint qualified clinicians, researchers, and advocates to its CFS advisory committee and to include information from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, peer-reviewed medical literature, clinical practice, and patient educational materials when compiling evidence for its report.

As evidenced in the IOM report, fatigue and sleep deprivation

played a prominent role in the occurrence of medical errors. The

Committee urges AHRQ to support research on fatigue, circadian

rhythms, and sleep disorders and their impact on human performance as part of its research effort on the causes of medical errors

and the effectiveness of programs to address them.

The past three decades have seen the introduction of highly effective drugs to prevent or treat a wide array of diseases and disorders. However, there is growing concern about the extent to

which drugs and devices are used inappropriately. Recent research

has shown that adverse drug reactions are the fourth leading cause

of death in the United States among hospitalized patients. The

Committee is pleased that the agency has initiated the Centers for

Education and Research in Therapeutics (CERT) and urges AHRQ

to provide the necessary funds to the CERT program. The agency

is encouraged to emphasize patient-oriented clinical pharmacology

and assure that translational research is fostered.

The agency is encouraged to examine the literature and research

that has been conducted on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

as it relates to brain injury and stroke.

The Committee encourages the agency to examine the use of telemedicine to allow critical care specialists to monitor intensive care

patients and the benefits it may provide to the health care system.

The HIV Data Coordinating Center supports the participation of

HIV health care providers to create a public-use database with information from providers’ records for a large and diverse sample of

HIV-infected patients. This database is the only study collecting exVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.001 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
104

tensive resource utilization data that reflect the current state of

HIV care delivery. The agency is urged to continue its funding.

Creating a statewide repository of nurse staffing and outcomes

data would provide a standardized comparison of nursing quality

of a hospital against an aggregated benchmark and identify best

practices and innovative methods to deliver nursing care. The

agency is encouraged to examine this area, if feasible.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of age-related vision

loss in the United States. More than 10 million Americans suffer

from macular degeneration and millions more experience vision impairment due to other age-related chronic conditions, including diabetes retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. The Committee encourages AHRQ to conduct research into models of care, its cost effectiveness, and the impact it has on the quality of life for those with

low vision impairment.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health issue resulting in 500,000 hospitalizations and 60,000 deaths per year.

There are approximately 1000 trauma centers in the U.S., which

acutely treat TBI and accordingly to recent surveys more than twothirds of these hospitals follow a variable quality of care. A more

uniform, evidence-based standard of care for TBI will assure that

optimal care is provided to all patients and improve patient outcomes resulting in lowered long-term care costs. The Committee encourages AHRQ to conduct research to develop a uniform, scientific

evidenced-based standard of care for TBI patients in all trauma

centers to provide for a consistent base of care in which research

on therapeutic advances can be conducted.

HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION

GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID

The bill provides $93,586,251,000 for the Federal share of cur- rent law State Medicaid costs, which is $6,203,073,000 above the

fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. This amount does not include $30,589,003,000, which

was advance funded in the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. In addition, the bill provides an advance appropriation of $36,207,551,000

for program costs in the first quarter of fiscal year 2002. The bill

also includes indefinite budget authority for unanticipated costs in

fiscal year 2000.

Federal Medicaid grants reimburse States for 50 to 83 percent

(depending on per capita income) of their expenditures in providing

health care for individuals whose income and resources fall below

specified levels. Subject to certain minimum requirements, States

have broad authority within the law to set eligibility, coverage, and

payment levels. It is estimated that 33.8 million low-income individuals will receive health care services in 2000 under the Medicaid program. State costs of administering the program are

matched at rates that generally range from 50 to 90 percent, depending upon the type of cost. Total funding for Medicaid includes

$469,054,000 for the entitlement Vaccines for Children program.

These funds, which are transferred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for administration, support the costs of immunization for children who are on Medicaid, uninsured or underinsured and receiving immunizations at Federally qualified health

105

centers or rural health clinics. Indefinite authority is provided by

statute for the Vaccines for Children program in the event that the

current estimate is inadequate.

The Committee is pleased with HCFA’s legislative proposal to

provide demonstration grants to States, through the Medicaid program, to test innovative asthma disease management techniques

for children enrolled in Medicaid.

Payments to health care trust funds

The bill includes $70,381,600,000 for the Payments to the Health

Care Trust Funds account, which is $1,092,500,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request.

This entitlement account includes the general fund subsidy to

the Medicare Part B trust fund as well as other reimbursements

to the Part A trust fund for benefits and related administrative

costs which have not been financed by payroll taxes or premium

contributions. The amount provided includes $151,600,000 for program management administrative expenditures, which is the fiscal

year 2001 estimate of the general fund share of HCFA program

management expenses. This general fund share will be transferred

to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to reimburse for the

funds drawn down in fiscal year 2001 from the trust fund to finance program management.

The bill limits the amount HCFA can collect and spend for the

Medicare+Choice program to the authorized level of $19,300,000,

which is $75,700,000 below the fiscal year 2000 level and the same

as the Administration request. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997

authorized the collection of user fees from managed care organizations to fund the Medicare+Choice information campaign. In fiscal

year 2000, these collections were authorized at $100,000,000 and

the appropriations bill allowed $95,000,000 to be collected. The Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 limited Medicare+Choice

user fee collections to an amount based on the ratio of the average

number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans to the

average number of Medicare beneficiaries eligible to receive Part A

benefits and enrolled in Medicare Part B, which is estimated to be

$19,300,000. The Committee does not have the discretionary funds

available to provide additional funding for this initiative.

Program management

The bill makes available $1,866,302,000 in trust funds for Federal administration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which

is $127,032,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$220,000,000 below the Administration request.

Research, demonstration, and evaluation

The bill provides $55,000,000 for research, demonstration and

evaluation, which is $6,786,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. These

funds support a variety of studies and demonstrations in such

areas as monitoring and evaluating health system performance; improving health care financing and delivery mechanisms; modernization of the Medicare program; the needs of vulnerable populations

106

in the areas of health care access, delivery systems, and financing;

and information to improve consumer choice and health status.

New technology has been developed that would allow physician

to prescribe medications and transmit prescriptions electronically.

The Committee encourages HCFA to conduct a demonstration

project to compare system-related medication error rates, system

efficiencies, and cost-effectiveness between the traditional prescription process involving handwritten prescriptions and an automated

prescription process that employs electronic prescribing and prescription transmission technologies.

Web-based technology has the potential to improve the coordination and delivery of care among persons with disabilities and severe chronic conditions such as spinal cord injury, diabetes, and arthritis while also reducing transaction costs associated with traditional care delivery mechanisms. The Committee encourages HCFA

to demonstrate the effectiveness of an e-health tool for managed

care nurse case managers in an integrated application with online

claims adjudication capabilities which applies a prescription benefits manager to medical equipment, supplies, and related products

as currently utilized for pharmaceuticals.

The Committee is concerned that although one in six people over

the age of 65 has a vision impairment, the Medicare program has

not been responsive to the needs of visually impaired older adults,

and coverage of low vision services is inconsistent and inadequate.

The Committee urges HCFA to study the impact of vision loss on

beneficiary health status and health care costs, including but not

limited to increased lengths of hospital stay and a higher incidence

of medication errors in the treatment of visually impaired patients.

It is estimated that more than 400,000 children eligible for Federal health care programs have undetected harmful levels of lead

in their blood. The Committee understands that HCFA has revised

its Medicaid screening and reimbursement policy for childhood lead

poisoning testing. The Committee urges HCFA to monitor the impact of these policy changes and to take every appropriate step to

ensure that screening rates among children enrolled in Medicaid

are substantially increased. The Committee also encourages HCFA

to consider the development of new screening technologies that

have the potential to significantly increase screening rates when

evaluating its reimbursement policy.

There is concern that brain injured patients, especially those who

are brain injured after the age of 22, are denied access to rehabilitative services because of age rather than by an assessment of the

disability and projected progress and outcome. The Committee encourages HCFA to conduct research in an effort to resolve this inequity and provide a proper level of services to all brain injured patients.

Malnutrition is a frequent complication of dialysis patients, leading to increased likelihood of hospitalization and higher mortality

risk. An NIH consensus conference recommended that nutrition

therapy be made a part of treatment for chronic renal disease. The

Committee urges HCFA, in collaboration with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, to explore the

feasibility of investigating the efficacy of nutritional therapy for dialysis patients. The Administrator should be prepared to provide a

status of this issue at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

107

The Committee encourages HCFA to conduct a demonstration to

evaluate the use of Medicaid reimbursement to analyze and control

lead hazards in the homes of lead-poisoned children enrolled in

Medicaid.

Medicare contractors

The bill includes $1,165,287,000 to support Medicare claims processing contracts, which is $78,713,000 below the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $136,000,000 below the Administration request. In addition, the bill includes language limiting the amount

from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account to carry

out the Medicare Integrity Program to $630,000,000, which is the

same as the fiscal year 2000 level.

Medicare contractors are responsible for paying Medicare providers promptly and accurately. In addition to processing claims,

contractors also identify and recover Medicare overpayments, as

well as review claims for questionable utilization patterns and

medical necessity. Contractors also provide information and technical support both to providers and beneficiaries regarding the administration of the Medicare program. In 2001, contractors are expected to process 918 million claims.

The Committee encourages HCFA to implement effective and innovative educational programs for physicians and providers

through the Medicare Integrity Program (MIP). The Committee

also encourages HCFA to separate inadvertent billing errors from

actual fraud. Details concerning the types of billing uncovered related to medical specialty, geographic region, and particular coding

issues are invaluable in designing an effective educational program.

The Committee encourages HCFA to urge carriers to work with

the State medical societies and national medical specialty societies

to educate physicians about billing problems and to help them understand how to address them in the future. The Committee also

urges HCFA to implement education efforts for individual physicians when the carrier identifies that a physician has a billing

problem.

The Committee is aware that HCFA has assembled an internal

committee, the Physicians Regulatory Initiative Team (PRIT), to

review the multitude of rules, regulations, and instructions with

which physicians must comply in order to treat Medicare patients.

The Committee requests that the Administrator be prepared to testify on the status of PRIT and its recommendations at the fiscal

year 2002 appropriations hearing.

The Committee understands that HCFA will be restoring the

toll-free telephone lines that allow physicians to call their local carrier for answers to billing and coding questions regarding Medicare

claims submissions. These toll-free lines are an important error

prevention tool. The Committee request that the Administrator be

prepared to testify on the status of this initiative at the fiscal year

2002 appropriations hearing.

State survey and certification

The bill includes $171,147,000 for State inspection of facilities

serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, which is $33,527,000

108

below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and $63,000,000 below

the Administration request.

Survey and certification activities ensure that institutions and

agencies providing care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries

meet Federal health, safety and program standards. On-site surveys are conducted by State survey agencies, with a pool of Federal

surveyors performing random monitoring surveys. Over 30,000 facilities are expected to be reviewed in 2001.

Federal administration

The bill includes $474,868,000 to support Federal administrative

activities related to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which is

$8,006,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$21,000,000 below the Administration request.

The Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance programs ensure the health care security of over 70 million beneficiaries. The Federal Administration costs budget provides funds

for the staff and operations of HCFA to administer these programs.

The Committee applauds HCFA’s use of auditing of Medicare

providers as a means of reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in the

Medicare program. However, the Committee is concerned that

some provider audits are not resolved for as long as six months,

which places an undue financial and time burden on these providers. The Committee requests that the Administrator be prepared to testify as the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing on

the average time span of provider audits, how it can expedite the

auditing process, and what steps the Administration has taken to

improve this process.

There are concerns with recent changes in Medicare policy on

critical care physician work values. The Committee is aware that

HCFA and the medical community have made progress in resolving

the concerns and urges HCFA to continue working with the medical community to bring issues surrounding critical care to a successful resolution.

The Committee continues to be concerned about Medicare policy

with regard to coverage of drugs or biologicals administered incident to a physician’s service where the drug is one that is not usually self-administered by the patient. The Committee is aware that,

in accordance with the Committee’s direction, HCFA recently released a program memorandum to intermediaries and carriers. The

Committee intends to monitor the reestablishment of previous policy and expects this change will result in coverage of life saving

drugs for Medicare beneficiaries. The Committee understands that

HCFA is in the process of implementing the directive to hold at

least two regional town hall meetings to give interested individuals, patients, and organizations the opportunity to engage with

HCFA officials in a constructive dialogue on this issue.

In 1994, Congress enacted a statutory definition of the term audiologist for the Medicare program, which relies primarily on state

licensure and registration as the mechanism for identifying audiologists who are qualified to participate in that program. The Committee urges HCFA to promulgate regulations for the Medicaid program using the same definition of audiologist that exists in the

Medicare program.

109

The Committee is concerned about the lack of options available

to beneficiaries due to the few number of Medicare HMO plans in

certain areas. The Committee urges HCFA to study the disparity

of reimbursement rates in Sarasota, Charlotte, and Manatee counties in Florida for Medicare HMO and identify options to increase

Medicare options for beneficiaries in the area.

The Committee understands that HCFA is working to find an alternative to the current population-based performance measures

used to recertify organ procurement organizations. HCFA has contracted with the Harvard School of Public Health to further validate a model developed by Harvard and the Partnership for Organ

Donation and plans to propose new performance standards after reviewing the Harvard model and AOPO’s study. The Committee also

understands that the Secretary has the authority under section

1138(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–

8(b)(1)(A)(i)) to extend the period for recertification of an organ procurement organization from 2 to 4 years. The Committee strongly

urges the Secretary to extend the recertification period until such

time as new performance measures are developed and implemented.

The Committee is aware that HCFA and the State of Arkansas

are in consultation on a Medicaid waiver granted in 1997 for the

ARKids First program. The Committee directs HCFA to work with

the State to resolve all issues related to this waiver and provide

the Committee with a status report by June 15, 2000. The Committee will monitor these negotiations and take further action, if

necessary, as the bill moves through the appropriations process.

The Committee is aware that in addition to Arkansas, other

states such as Wisconsin are currently negotiating waiver requests

with HCFA to extend health care coverage to uninsured children

and families. The Committee urges HCFA to resolve all such requests as expeditiously as possible, without preference to individual states, so that all states can move forward to implement

their programs on an equitable basis.

A provision was included in the Health Insurance Portability and

Accountability Act to redesign the specialty code system to alphanumeric; however, implementation of this new system could be

years away. In the interim, to ensure that pregnant women receive

risk-appropriate care, the Committee urges HCFA to work to create

an interim two-digit specialty code recognizing maternal-fetal medicine.

The Committee commends HCFA for issuing its June 1999 guidance letter to the States on the Program for Assertive Community

Treatment (PACT) for individuals with severe mental illnesses.

PACT is a successful evidence-based approach for serving the most

disabled, treatment resistant adults with severe mental illnesses.

The Committee encourages HCFA to expand assistance to States in

initiating PACT programs and report back to the Committee on

ways that Medicaid could be improved to help foster development

of such programs at the State level.

110

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND

FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

The Committee recommends $2,473,800,000 for the Child Support Enforcement program, the same as the request. The bill also

provides $1,000,000,000 in advance funding for the first quarter of

fiscal year 2002 to ensure timely payments for the child support

enforcement program, the same as the request. The bill continues

to provide estimated funding of $23,000,000 for Payments to Territories, the same as the comparable amount for fiscal year 2000 and

the budget estimate. The bill provides $1,000,000 for the repatriation program, the same as the request and the comparable

amount provided for fiscal year 2000.

The Committee does not agree with the President’s recommendation to change the match rate for paternity testing or to repeal the

provision in statute that holds the States harmless from receiving

less than the fiscal year 1995 State share of collections.

LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE

The Committee recommends an advance appropriation of

$1,100,000,000 for the fiscal year 2002 for the low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP), the same as the budget request

and the same as the appropriation for fiscal year 2001 that was enacted in last year’s appropriations act. The bill also provides

$300,000,000 as requested for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2001 subject

to Presidential submission to Congress of a budget request designating the amount of the request as an emergency for the purposes

of the Budget Act.

The LIHEAP program provides assistance to low-income households to help pay the costs of home energy. Funds are provided

through grants to States, Indian Tribes and territories, and are

used for summer cooling and winter heating/crisis assistance programs.

REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE

The bill provides $433,109,000 for refugee assistance programs,

an increase of $540,000 above the President’s request and an increase of $7,218,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 amount.

In addition, the bill provides the Office of Refugee Resettlement

(ORR) the authority to carry over unexpended funds from fiscal

year 2001 to reimburse the costs of services provided through September 30, 2003. It is estimated that approximately $20,000,000

will be available in fiscal year 2001 from carryover funds, and the

Committee intends that these funds be used under social services

to increase educational support to schools with a significant proportion of refugee children and for the development of alternative cash

assistance programs that involve case management approaches to

improve resettlement outcomes. Such support should include intensive English language training and cultural assimilation programs.

Transitional and medical services

The bill provides $225,176,000 for transitional and medical services, the same as the request and $4,483,000 above the fiscal year

111

2000 level. The bill continues the policy of providing eight months

of assistance to new arrivals. The transitional and medical services

program provides funding for the State-administered cash and

medical assistance program that assists refugees who are not categorically eligible for AFDC or Medicaid, the unaccompanied minors program that reimburses States for the cost of foster care, and

the voluntary agency grant program in which participating national refugee resettlement agencies provide resettlement assistance with a combination of Federal and matched funds.

Social services

The bill provides $143,621,000 for social services, the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $305,000 above the budget

request. Funds are distributed by formula as well as through the

discretionary grant making process for special projects. The Committee agrees that $19,000,000 is available for assistance to serve

communities affected by the Cuban and Haitian entrants and refugees whose arrivals in recent years have increased. The Committee

has set aside $26,000,000 for increased support to communities

with large concentrations of refugees whose cultural differences

make assimilation especially difficult justifying a more intense

level and longer duration of Federal assistance. Finally, the Committee has set aside $14,000,000 to address the needs of refugees

and communities impacted by recent changes in Federal assistance

programs relating to welfare reform. The Committee urges ORR to

assist refugees at risk of losing, or who have lost, benefits including

SSI, TANF and Medicaid, in obtaining citizenship.

Preventive health

The bill includes $4,835,000 for preventive health services, the

same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and the request. These

funds are awarded to the States to ensure adequate health assessment activities for refugees.

Targeted assistance

The bill provides $49,477,000 for the targeted assistance program, about the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and the request. These grants provide assistance to areas with high concentrations of refugees.

Victims of torture

The bill includes $10,000,000 to provide a comprehensive program of support for domestic centers and programs for victims of

torture. This is $235,000 above the budget request and $2,735,000

above last year’s level. Funds under this program are appropriated

to assist victims of foreign governmental torture and are distributed to non-governmental organizations specifically established to

assist victims of torture. This assistance should be limited to rehabilitation and social services for victims of torture and to support

training of resettlement and health care workers on how to assist

torture victims.

CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

The bill includes an advance appropriation of $2,000,000,000 for

the Child Care and Development Block Grant program for fiscal

112

year 2002, the same as the budget request. The bill also includes

an additional $400,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 funding which would

supplement the $1,182,672,000 that was advanced in last year’s appropriations bill for this program. This supplemental fiscal year

2001 funding is $417,328,000 below the budget request for fiscal

year 2001 supplemental funding.

The Child Care and Development Block Grant program was

originally enacted in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of

1990 to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child

care by providing funds to States, Territories and Indian Tribes for

child care services for low-income families. In the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, the block grant was reauthorized through 2002. In addition, that Act contains additional mandatory appropriations for

child care in the amounts of $2,367,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and

increasing amounts for each year through 2002.

The Committee is concerned that the Department has not identified specific, measurable performance standards consistent with the

requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for

the Child Care Block Grant. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable outcomes for this program. Such data should include meaningful baseline data and specific, measurable improvements that are expected

to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.

SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

The bill provides $1,700,000,000 for the social services block grant (SSBG), $75,000,000 below the fiscal year 2000 appropriation

and the same as the President’s request, as amended. This represents the full funding level that is authorized for this program

for fiscal year 2001 pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 105–85, the

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.

SSBGs are designed to encourage States to furnish a variety of

social services to needy individuals to prevent and reduce dependency, help individuals achieve and maintain self-sufficiency, prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional care, secure admission or

referral for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate, and prevent neglect, abuse and exploitation of children

and adults.

Funds are distributed to the territories in the same ratio such

funds were allocated in fiscal year 1981. The remainder of the appropriation is distributed to the States and the District of Columbia according to population.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS

The bill includes $7,231,253,000, an increase of $402,262,000

over the fiscal year 2000 amount and $574,464,000 under the budget request. This account finances a number of programs aimed at

enhancing the well-being of the Nation’s children and families, particularly those who are disadvantaged or troubled.

Head Start

The bill includes $5,667,000,000 for the Head Start program for

fiscal year 2001, an increase of $400,000,000 over the fiscal year

2000 amount and $600,000,000 below the budget request. Of this

total, the Committee continues the policy begun last year of adVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
113

vancing $1,400,000,000 of this account into fiscal year 2002. This

is the same as the budget request.

Head Start provides comprehensive development services for

children and their families. Intended for preschoolers from low-income families, the program seeks to foster the development of children and enable them to deal more effectively with both their

present environment and later responsibilities in school and community life. Head Start programs emphasize cognitive and language development, emotional development, physical and mental

health, and parent involvement to enable each child to develop and

function at his or her highest potential. At least ten percent of enrollment opportunities in each State are made available to handicapped children.

Grants to carry out Head Start programs are awarded to public

and private non-profit agencies. Grantees must contribute 20 percent of the total cost of the program; this is usually an in-kind contribution. The Head Start Act does not include a formula for the

allotment of funds to local grantees; however, it does require that

87 percent of the appropriation be distributed among States based

on a statutory formula. In addition, grants, cooperative agreements

and contracts are awarded in the areas of research, demonstration,

technical assistance and evaluation from the remaining 13 percent.

The Committee is concerned about the effect of sleep apnea and

snoring and the effect of sleep deprivation on children. The Committee encourages the Head Start Bureau to examine research focusing on the relationship between sleep apnea in children and

learning difficulties.

Runaway and homeless youth

The bill includes $64,155,000 for runaway and homeless youth

activities, the same as the amount available for fiscal year 2000

and $10,000,000 less than the budget request.

The bill follows the structure of P.L. 106–71, the Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act of 1999, which consolidates the authorization for the current Runaway and Homeless

Youth, Transitional Living for Homeless Youth, and the Drug Education and Prevention for Runaway and Homeless Youth programs

into a single funding stream, while retaining the formula based allocation for basic center grants and the national competitive process for transitional living grants. The Runaway and Homeless

Youth Program will continue to provide grants to local public and

private organizations to establish and operate local runaway and

homeless youth centers to address the crisis needs of runaway and

homeless youth and their families. Grants will continue to be used

to develop or strengthen community-based centers, which are outside the law enforcement, juvenile justice, child welfare, and mental health systems. Additionally, home-based, street-based, and

drug education and prevention activities are all allowable uses of

funds under the basic center grants. The Runaway and Homeless

Youth Act continues to require that 90% of the program funds be

used to establish and operate basic centers and transitional living

programs which meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth. Basic center grants would continue to be allotted among

the States based on each State’s youth population under 18 years

of age. Applications for basic center grants are selected for funding

114

through a competitive review process based on each State’s allocation of funds under the formula.

The Transitional Living Program would no longer have a separate funding stream, but would continue to receive no less than

20% and no more than 30% of the appropriation. The Transitional

Living grants will continue to be awarded by the Secretary on a national competitive basis.

While the Administration has proposed consolidation of these two

programs in the past, the fiscal year 2001 budget request continues

to request funding for runaway and homeless youth under two separate line-items: the basic program, for which $43,652,000 was requested; and the transitional living program for homeless youth,

for which $20,503,000 was requested. The Committee’s recommends funding at a level which reflects the combination of these

two programs.

The Committee includes no funding for the new initiative proposed in the budget request called strengthening parent/child relationships for which $10,000,000 was requested.

Child abuse

For child abuse prevention and treatment, the Committee rec- ommends $39,054,000, the same as both the fiscal year 2000 level

and the budget request. The total amount recommended includes

$21,026,000 for State grants, which is the same as both last year

and the budget request, and $18,028,000 for discretionary projects,

which is the same as both last year and the budget request. The

child abuse programs attempt to improve and increase activities at

all levels of government which identify, prevent, and treat child

abuse and neglect through State grants, technical assistance, research, demonstration, and service improvement.

Abandoned infants assistance

The Committee recommends $12,207,000 for the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and the budget request. The purpose of this program is to provide financial support to public and non-profit private entities to

develop, implement, and operate demonstration projects that will

prevent the abandonment of infants and young children; identify

and address their needs, especially those infected with HIV; assist

such children to reside with their natural families or in foster care,

as appropriate; provide respite care for families and caregivers; and

recruit and train caregivers. Grantees must establish a care plan

and case review system for each child.

Child welfare services

The bill includes $291,986,000 for child welfare services, the

same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and the budget request. This

program authorized by title IV-B of the Social Security Act provides grants to States to assist public welfare agencies establish,

extend, and strengthen child welfare services in order to enable

children to remain in their homes under the care of their parents,

or, where that is not possible, to provide alternative permanent

homes for them.

The bill also includes $7,000,000 for child welfare training, the

same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and the budget request. The

115

Committee recognizes the need for trained, skilled and qualified

child welfare protection personnel. This program provides teaching

and traineeship grants to schools of social work to train social

workers in the specialty of child welfare.

Adoption opportunities

The Committee recommends $27,419,000 for adoption opportunities, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2000

amount. The Adoption Opportunities Program provides funding

specifically targeted to improving the adoption of children with special needs and minority children and for providing for innovative

services that support families involved in adoption. The Committee

believes that the activities funded by this program should provide

the direction, leadership, and innovation which are needed to

achieve the goals and reforms of the Adoption and Safe Families

Act.

Toward that end, the Committee intends that funds available for

Adoption Opportunities be broadly directed toward supporting innovative strategies which can improve practices and establish

model procedures for organizations and agencies serving children

and families in every State, including: model services that demonstrate reasonable efforts to place children for adoption; public

education on the adoption of children with special needs; the development of models for the removal of geographic barriers to adoption; recruiting adoptive parents; post-adoption services to families;

and the increased use of electronic exchange systems to facilitate

adoptive placements.

Adoption incentives

The bill includes $43,000,000 for the adoption incentives pro- gram, $1,209,000 above the budget request and the 2000 level. This

program was authorized in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of

1997. These funds are used to pay bonuses to States that increase

their number of adoptions; the goal is to double the number of children adopted or permanently placed out of public child welfare systems by 2002. This funding level should make adoption a higher

priority at the State level.

Social services and income maintenance research

The bill includes $27,491,000 for social services and income

maintenance research, the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount

and $20,991,000 above the budget request. These funds support research, demonstration, evaluation and dissemination activities.

Areas covered include such things as welfare reform, child care,

and child welfare.

Recognizing that TANF assigns significant responsibilities to

states for meeting complex information systems and reporting requirements, the Committee two years ago urged ACF to help states

address those issues. ACF turned to the state information technology consortium to determine best practices for addressing new

TANF requirements. As a result, a knowledge base will soon be

available that will enable each state to review an array of best

practices and determine which best suit their information system

needs. The Committee is especially pleased that this knowledge

base is built upon the practical experiences of states. Focus should

116

now turn to helping states implement the lessons learned by others. The Committee encourages continuation of this effort at the

current level of support.

Community-based resource centers

The bill includes $32,835,000 for community-based resource centers; the fiscal year 2000 amount and the budget request were the

same. The purpose of the program is to assist each State in developing and operating a network of community-based, prevention-focused family resource and support programs that coordinate resources among a broad range of human service organizations.

Developmental disabilities

For programs authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance Act, the Committee recommends $122,328,000, an increase

of $53,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2000 and the

same as the budget request. The total includes $65,803,000 for allotments to the States to fund State Councils, the same as the

budget request and $53,000 above fiscal year 2000. These Councils

engage in such activities as planning, policy analysis, demonstrations, training, outreach, interagency coordination, and public education. They do not provide direct services to the developmentallydisabled population.

In addition, $28,110,000 will be available to the States to be used

for operating an advocacy program to protect the rights of the developmentally disabled. This is the same as both the fiscal year

2000 level and the budget request.

The bill includes $10,244,000 for special discretionary projects for

training, technical assistance and demonstration. This is the same

as the fiscal year 2000 funding level and the budget request.

The Committee approves a total of $18,171,000 for grants to university affiliated facilities and satellite centers to support the cost

of administering and operating demonstration facilities and interdisciplinary training programs. This is the same as the fiscal year

2000 level and the budget request. These are discretionary grants

to public and private non-profit agencies affiliated with a university. These grants provide basic operational and administrative

core support for these agencies. In addition, these funds support

interdisciplinary training, community services, technical assistance

to State agencies and information dissemination.

Native American programs

The bill includes $35,420,000, the same as the fiscal year 2000

level and $9,000,000 below the budget request. The Administration

for Native Americans assists Indian Tribes and Native American

organizations in planning and implementing their own long-term

strategies for social and economic development. In promoting social

and economic self-sufficiency, this organization provides financial

assistance through direct grants for individual projects, training

and technical assistance, and research and demonstration programs.

117

Community Services

The bill includes $595,376,000 for Community Services activities, which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and

$54,876,000 over the budget request.

State block grant

For the State Block Grant, the bill includes $527,700,000, which

is an increase of $17,700,000 over the President’s request and the

same as the fiscal year 2000 level. This program provides grants

to States for services to meet employment, housing, nutrition, energy, emergency services, and health needs of low-income people.

By law, 90% of these funds are passed directly through to local

community action agencies which have previously received block

grant funds. The Committee is convinced that this program provides the kind of flexibility at the local level necessary to assist

people who are in temporary need of government assistance to get

back on their feet.

Community economic development/rural facilities

The bill includes $30,040,000 for community economic development grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 level and

$24,540,000 above the budget request. These activities provide assistance to private, locally-initiated community development corporations which sponsor enterprises providing employment, training and business development opportunities for low-income residents in poor communities. In certain instances, projects which

have been awarded funding may not be able to go forward because

of changed circumstances. The Secretary may approve the use of

the funds for another project sponsored by the same community development corporation if the project meets the requirements of the

law and the goals and objectives of the original project for which

the grant was made. The bill also includes $5,321,000 for rural

community facilities, the same as the fiscal year 2000 level. The

President proposed no funding for this. These grants are provided

to multi-state, private nonprofit organizations to provide training

and technical assistance to small, rural communities in meeting

their community facilities needs.

Individual development account

The bill includes $10,000,000 for individual development ac- counts, the same as the fiscal year 2000 level and $15,000,000

below the budget request. Individual development accounts are

dedicated savings accounts that can be used by families with limited means for purchasing a first home, paying for postsecondary

education or capitalizing a business. The intent of the program is

to encourage participants to develop and reinforce strong habits for

saving money. 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to apply for the

funds and applicants must match federal funds with non-federal

funds.

National youth sports program

The bill includes $16,000,000 for the National Youth Sports Program, which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. The

President proposed no funding for this program. These funds are

made available to a private, non-profit organization to provide recVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
118

reational activities for low-income youth, primarily in the summer

months. College and university athletic facilities are employed in

the program.

Community food and nutrition

The bill provides $6,315,000 for the Community Food and Nutrition program, the same as the fiscal year 2000 level. The President

did not propose funding for this program. This program provides

grants to public and private agencies to coordinate existing food assistance programs, to identify sponsors of child nutrition programs

and attempt to initiate new programs and to do advocacy work at

the State and local levels.

Family violence prevention programs

The bill includes $118,074,000 for programs formerly funded

from the Violent Crime Trust Fund. That is the same as the

amount for fiscal year 2000 and $16,000,000 below the request. Included is $14,999,000 for a program which is designed to reduce

the sexual abuse of runaway youth. The fiscal year 2000 amount

and the budget request were the same. The Committee recommends $101,118,000 for family violence prevention and services

and battered women’s shelters, which is the same as the fiscal year

2000 level and $15,800,000 below the budget request. This program

is designed to assist States in efforts to prevent family violence and

to provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of

family violence and their dependents, and to provide for technical

assistance and training relating to family violence programs to

State and local public agencies (including law enforcement agencies), nonprofit private organizations, and persons seeking such assistance. The bill also includes $1,957,000 to continue funding the

National Domestic Violence Hotline. This is the same as the fiscal

year 2000 level and $200,000 below the budget request. The Committee applauds the work of the Domestic Violence hotline and encourages their efforts to expand services to victims of sexual assault.

Program direction

The Committee has approved $147,908,000 for program direction

expenses of the Administration for Children and Families, the

same as the fiscal year 2000 level and $16,540,000 below the budget request.

FAMILY PRESERVATION AND SUPPORT

The Committee recommends $305,000,000 for the family preser- vation and support account, an increase of $10,000,000 over the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and the same as the budget request.

This capped entitlement program provides grants to States to develop and expand child welfare services including family preservation, family reunification, and community-based family support

services for families at-risk or in crisis.

PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE

The bill provides $4,863,100,000 for payments to States for foster

care and adoption assistance, that in combination with

$1,538,000,000 in advance fiscal year 2001 appropriations provided

119

in the fiscal year 2000 Appropriations Act, makes available

$6,401,100,000 for foster care and adoption activities, $5,000,000

below the budget request and $703,800,000 above last year’s level.

The reduction from the request is accounted for by the fact that

$5,000,000 of the request is based upon proposed legislation which

has not been enacted. The bill also includes an advance appropriation of $1,735,900,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2002 to ensure timely completion of first quarter grant awards.

Of the total appropriation, including the advance appropriation from the prior year, the bill provides $5,063,500,000 for the foster

care program to provide maintenance payments to States on behalf

of children who must live outside their homes, the same as the request and $526,300,000 above the fiscal year 2000 amount.

Within the total appropriation, including the advance appropria- tion from the prior year, the bill provides $1,197,600,000 for adoption assistance, the same as the budget request and an increase of

$177,500,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. This program provides training for parents and State administrative staff

as well as payments on behalf of categorically eligible children considered difficult to adopt. This annually appropriated entitlement is

designed to provide alternatives to long, inappropriate stays in foster care by developing permanent placements with families.

Within the total appropriation for this account, the bill provides $140,000,000 for the independent living program, the same as the

fiscal year 2000 level and the budget request. The program is designed to assist foster children age 16 or older to make successful

transitions to independence. Funds assist children to earn high

school diplomas, receive vocational training, and obtain training in

daily living skills. Funds are awarded to States on the basis of the

number of children on behalf of whom Federal foster care payments

are received.

ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS

For programs administered by the Administration on Aging, the

Committee recommends a total of $925,805,000, which is a decrease of $7,043,000 below the fiscal year 2000 level and

$157,814,000 below the budget request. This account finances all

programs under the Older Americans Act in this bill, with the exception of the Community Services Employment Program under

title V, which is administered by the Department of Labor. The

Committee notes that the older Americans programs again this

year lack an authorization for appropriations.

The Committee has not recommended funding for a new national

family caregiver support program proposed in the budget request.

This proposal has never been specifically authorized by law. The

Committee believes that it should be acted upon by the authorizing

committees of jurisdiction prior to any appropriations being made

for it.

The Committee remains disappointed that the Department has

not identified better and more ambitious performance standards for

the Older Americans Act programs consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop

120

more meaningful outcome measures for these programs, rather

than simply measuring outputs.

Supportive services and centers

The Committee has included $325,082,000 for supportive services and centers. The amount provided is $15,000,000 over the fiscal

year 2000 level and $125,000,000 below the budget request. This

includes funding for in-home services for frail elderly persons who

are at risk of losing their self-sufficiency due to physical or mental

impairments.

Funds for supportive services and centers are awarded to each

State with an approved State plan. The formula under title III of

the Older Americans Act mandates that no State be allotted less

than the total amount allotted to it in fiscal year 1987. The statute

also requires that additional funds be distributed on the basis of

each State’s proportionate share of the total age 60 and over population, with no State receiving less than one-half of one percent of

the funds awarded. The funds contained in the bill will support coordinated, comprehensive service delivery systems at the local

level.

The States have the ability under the basic law to transfer up

to 20% of funds appropriated between the senior centers program

and the nutrition programs; this allows the State to concentrate its

resources in the program it deems most critical. Many States do

transfer funds into this program from the congregate meals program.

The Committee is aware that family members provide nearly 80

percent of all health care to frail elders. The Committee encourages

the Administration on Aging to support and evaluate innovative

community-based programs that build on the strengths of families

to provide cost-effective and high quality care.

Ombudsman/elder abuse

The bill includes $13,181,000 for the State long-term care ombudsman activities, the elder abuse prevention program, State

elder rights and outreach and counseling authorized by title VII of

the Older Americans Act. The amount provided is the same as the

fiscal year 2000 level and the budget request. This program provides the assistance needed by vulnerable older Americans to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation, to exercise control

over their environment, and to locate the resources they need for

care and daily living.

Preventive health

The bill includes $16,123,000 for preventive health services authorized under part F of title III of the Act. This is the same as

the budget request and the fiscal year 2000 funding level. These

funds are awarded to States by formula to allow States and communities the flexibility to meet the health promotion and disease

prevention needs of older people.

Nutrition programs

For congregate nutrition services, the Committee includes

$374,412,000, the same as the fiscal year 2000 level and the budget

request. For home-delivered nutrition services, the Committee proVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
121

vides $147,000,000, the same as the fiscal year 2000 level and the

budget request. These programs are intended to address some of

the difficulties confronting older individuals, namely nutrition deficiencies due to inadequate income, lack of adequate facilities to

prepare food, and social isolation. The States have the ability under

the basic law to transfer up to 20% of funds appropriated between

the senior centers program and the nutrition programs; this allows

the State to concentrate its resources in the program it deems most

critical.

The nutrition programs also collect substantial sums each year

in voluntary contributions from participants; private sector funds

are also contributed. Volunteers also make a significant contribution to these programs.

Grants to Indian tribes

The bill provides $18,457,000 for grants to Indian tribes. This is

the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and $5,000,000 below the

budget request. Funds under this program are awarded to tribal

organizations to be used to promote opportunities for older Indians,

to secure and maintain independence and self-sufficiency, and to

provide transportation, nutrition, health screening and other services to help meet the needs of this population.

Research, training and special projects

The bill provides $9,119,000 for research, training and special

projects under title IV of the Older Americans Act, $22,043,000

below the fiscal year 2000 funding level and $27,043,000 below the

President’s request. Funds under this program are used to support

education and training activities for personnel working in the field

of aging and to finance research, development, and demonstration

projects.

The Committee urges continued funding for research into Alzheimer’s disease care options, best practices and other Alzheimer’s

research priorities as described in last year’s House report (106–

370).

Alzheimer’s demonstration grants

The Committee provides $5,970,000 for Alzheimer’s demonstration grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 level and the

budget request. The program provides grants to States to help

them plan and establish programs to provide health care services

to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Funds are used for respite

care and supportive services, clearinghouses, training, and administrative costs for State offices. By law, States are required to

match the Federal funding at 45 percent of the cost of the program

by the third year of the grant.

Program administration

The bill includes $16,461,000 for program administration expenses of the Administration on Aging. This is $771,000 below the

budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount. This

activity provides administrative and management support for all

Older Americans Act programs administered by the Department.

122

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The bill includes $212,631,000 for general departmental manage- ment, which is $1,207,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $3,039,000 above the adjusted Administration request.

Included in this amount is authority to spend $5,851,000 from the

Medicare trust funds. The Committee provides funding for the

health informatics initiative under the Public Health and Social

Services Emergency Fund. The Administration requested

$20,000,000 for this initiative within the Office of the Secretary.

This appropriation supports those activities that are associated

with the Secretary’s roles as policy officer and general manager of

the Department. The Office of the Secretary also implements Administration and Congressional directives, and provides assistance,

direction and coordination to the headquarters, regions and field

organizations of the Department. This account also supports several small health activities that are centrally administered.

The Committee encourages the Secretary to allocate necessary

funds to maintain the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Coordinating

Committee (CFSCC). The Committee urges the CFSCC to create a

yearly action plan focusing attention on expanding research on

CFS, augmenting health care provider education, and executing the

CFSCC’s charter to provide coordination and ensure accountability

of the agencies’ CFS programs.

The Committee encourages the Department and the agencies

represented on the CFSCC to take a leadership role in informing

health care professionals and the general public about CFS, focusing on the prevalent and serious nature of CFS. The Committee

also encourages the Secretary and the Surgeon General to undertake a prominent educational campaign to inform the public that

CFS is a serious and disabling illness. The Committee urges the

Secretary to ensure that all of the PHS agencies’ CFS research programs are effective and ambitious.

The Committee is pleased that a representative of the primary

immune deficiency community has been appointed to the Department’s Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability. The

Committee encourages the Advisory Committee to continue to address the longstanding shortage of intravenous immune globulin, a

pooled plasma derivative that primary immune deficient patients

need to maintain their health.

There is concern over the ability of long term care facility’s to retain nursing staff. Often, the staff is the patients’ only family and

patients form relationships with staff that are integral to

caregiving. The Committee requests the Secretary to conduct a

study on staff retention in long term care facilities, including the

cost of programs set up by long term care facilities to deal with this

problem and its impact on quality of patient care. The Secretary

should provide a report to the Committee by June 30, 2001. The

report should also include what steps can be taken to improve staff

retention, such as special training to enhance the skill level of certified nurse assistants in targeted areas such as Alzheimers care

and nutrition and hydration.

The Committee is supportive of the various research efforts into

the growing use of and the effects of pharmacoepidology drugs on

123

the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children. The

Committee urges the Secretary to undertake increased inter-departmental efforts to publicize the findings of these research efforts

with an emphasis on education efforts of parents and pediatricians

on the safe use and potential dangers of these drugs.

There is concern about the increase in lawsuits against nursing

homes nationwide, the high costs of insurance, and the increases

in bankruptcies and operating costs associated with these lawsuits.

The Committee encourages the Secretary to study the effects of

nursing home lawsuits on the costs to Medicare and Medicaid, its

effects on the access to care by beneficiaries, and its effects on the

facility and its ability to hire qualified and dedicated worker professionals. The Secretary should be prepared to provide a status report on this issue at the fiscal year 2002 appropriations hearing.

The Office of the Surgeon General is to be commended for its efforts toward improving the health status of all citizens. However,

the Committee continues to be concerned about the devastating

and disproportionate impact that cardiovascular disease has on African Americans. African Americans have a 50% greater risk of

heart disease and a 50% greater risk of fatal stroke than Whites.

The Office of the Surgeon General plays an important role in addressing this critical issue and is encouraged to work with health

professionals which have expertise in this area in order to formulate new strategies aimed at improving access to cardiovascular

care, as well as intervention strategies to reduce cardiovascular

morbidity and mortality among African Americans. The Secretary

is requested to provide a progress report as part of the fiscal year

2002 budget submission.

The Committee encourages the Secretary to consider moving the

Lyme Disease Coordinating Council to the Office of the Secretary

and restructure the Council to include all tick-borne disorders in an

effort to assure coordination and communication regarding all tickborne diseases across all Departmental agencies and with other

governmental agencies, the biomedical research community, community-based clinicians, voluntary organizations, and patient advocates.

The Committee understands that the Department is succeeding

in educating immigrant communities about the serious health risks

associated with female genital mutilation and has distributed a

manual for health care professionals to assist them in dealing with

the complications of this procedure. The Committee urges the Secretary to continue these activities.

The Committee is concerned about the more than 30 million people living with HIV and AIDS in Africa and in other parts of the

developing world, most of whom currently receive little, if any,

health care or support. In some countries, HIV infection rates already approach 20 percent of the entire population. In the next decade, without international assistance and massive prevention efforts, millions of more new cases of HIV infection and AIDS-related

deaths appear unavoidable, resulting in a 20 to 30 year drop in

overall life expectancy in some countries, and a projected explosion

of the AIDS orphan population from 4 million currently to 40 million by 2010. The Committee believes that it is important to develop health care and support services in addition to prevention

and education activities, and that agencies with expertise and exVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00123 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
124

perience in training providers, as well as mobilizing communities

for the delivery of palliative care, basic treatment, and support

services be included in these essential activities. The Committee

urges the Secretary to ensure that CDC, in cooperation with

USAID, pursues an aggressive response to the epidemic, and draws

upon the full range of expertise within HHS, including NIH and

HRSA, to ensure that all support and in-country assistance coming

from the U.S. government is as fully responsive as possible to each

nation’s needs for HIV/AIDS surveillance, research, prevention and

treatment services.

Adolescent family life

The bill provides $24,327,000 for the adolescent family life pro- gram, which is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable

level and $16,700,000 above the Administration request. The Committee has included increased funds in an effort to fund new care

programs for pregnant and parenting teens. No new programs for

pregnant and parenting teens have been funded since 1995, despite

consistently high numbers of applications for such programs. The

additional funding is to be used to give renewed and focused support to the primary purpose of the program, to provide care programs for pregnant and parenting teens.

Physical fitness and sports

The bill provides $1,091,000 for the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000

comparable appropriation and $61,000 below the Administration

request. The Council has sought to improve the level of physical fitness nationwide through professional consultation, technical assistance, and public information which is provided to school systems,

government agencies, employee organizations, private business and

industry, and professional organizations.

Minority health

The bill includes $38,638,000 for the Office of Minority Health,

which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable amount

and the same as the Administration request. According to the

budget request, the Office of Minority Health works with Public

Health Service agencies and other agencies of the Department in

a ‘‘catalytic, coordinative, advocacy and policy development role’’ to

establish goals and coordinate other activities in the Department

regarding disease prevention, health promotion, service delivery

and research relating to disadvantaged and minority individuals;

concludes interagency agreements to stimulate and undertake innovative projects; supports research, demonstration, and evaluation

projects; and coordinates efforts to promote minority health programs and policies in the voluntary and corporate sectors.

The Committee is pleased that the Office of Minority Health has

taken a leadership role in conducting and coordinating a study on

managed care and historically minority health professions schools,

and encourages continued support.

The Committee urges the Secretary to provide adequate funds for

minority health professions and research training fellowships

across all Departmental agencies. These programs are critical to increasing the numbers of minority health professionals and reVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
125

searchers who are essential to ensuring patients’ access to culturally competent health care services as well as their inclusion in

clinical trials.

The Committee encourages the Secretary to support grants to eligible non-governmental agencies for the development of outreach

programs to inform individuals in medically underserved areas how

to access managed care organizations in their communities and assist physicians and other health care professionals who serve in

medically underserved areas to enroll as providers in managed care

organizations in their communities.

Office on Women’s Health

The bill includes $16,495,000 for the Office on Women’s Health,

which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and the same as the Administration request. The Committee notes

that each of the Public Health Service agencies under its jurisdiction supports an office or program which focuses on women’s

health. The Office on Women’s Health advises the Secretary and

provides Department-wide coordination of programs focusing specifically on women’s health.

The Committee is aware of the unique role played by the various

offices throughout the Department, including NIH, CDC, FDA,

HRSA, SAMHSA, AHRQ, and HCFA dedicated to women’s health

and women’s health research. The Committee believes that these

offices are essential to the mission of the Department and that they

need to be adequately supported to accomplish their goals. The

Committee requests the Secretary to provide a report by January

15, 2001 outlining in detail the major programs of each of these offices and the Department’s plan for the future.

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

The bill includes $31,394,000 for the Office of the Inspector General, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 comparable level

and $2,455,000 below the Administration request. A large permanent appropriation for this office is contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Total funds provided between this bill and the permanent appropriation would be

$151,394,000 in FY 2001. The bill includes language limiting the

permanent appropriation to the fiscal year 2000 funding level.

The Office of the Inspector General was created by law to protect

the integrity of Departmental programs as well as the health and

welfare of beneficiaries served by those programs. Through a comprehensive program of audits, investigations, inspections and program evaluations, the OIG attempts to reduce the incidence of

fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, and to promote economy,

efficiency and effectiveness throughout the Department.

The Committee instructs the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the Committee

with semi-annual reports on the actual deficit reduction impact of

the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

The Committee has made this request in the past and has received

some reports from the IG. However, the reports have been sporadic.

The Committee complements the work of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services for

their work in obtaining information on actual collections, offsets,

126

and funds put to better use as required in House Report 105–635.

This information is of great use to the Committee and the Committee understands the difficulty encountered by the OIG in obtaining it. The Committee expects that the Office of Inspector General will continue to report the information to it.

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

The bill includes $22,088,000, the same as the fiscal year 2000

comparable level and $1,968,000 below the Administration request.

This includes authority to transfer $3,314,000 from the Medicare

trust funds.

The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing civil rights

statutes that prohibit discrimination in health and human services

programs. OCR implements the civil rights laws through a compliance program designed to generate voluntary compliance among all

HHS recipients.

POLICY RESEARCH

The bill includes $16,738,000, which is the same as the amount

available in fiscal year 2000 and the same as the budget request.

The Policy Research account, authorized by section 1110 of the Social Security Act, is the Department’s principal source of policy-relevant data and research on the income sources of low-income populations; the impact, effectiveness, and distribution of benefits under

existing and proposed programs; and other issues that cut across

agency lines.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND

The Committee provides an emergency allocation of $500,640,000

for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, which

is $81,563,000 below the fiscal year 2000 comparable level and

$10,140,000 above the Administration request, when adjusted for

comparable transfers. The Administration did not request this

funding as an emergency. The amount provided includes

$182,000,000 for bioterrorism and related activities at the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of which $30,000,000 is

for the Health Alert Network and $2,000,000 is to discover, develop, and transition anti-infective agents to combat emerging diseases. Also within this total, the Committee has provided funding

for the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System/Preventing

Emerging Infectious Diseases and Health Informatics Initiative requested under CDC and the Office of the Secretary respectively.

The Committee does not identify specific amounts for these or

other activities within the remaining $150,000,000, rather it allows

the Secretary to prioritize activities and fund them accordingly.

In addition, the amount provided includes $54,600,000 for bioterrorism activities of the Office of Emergency Preparedness;

$100,000,000 for the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act within

the Health Resources and Services Administration, of which up to

$8,000,000 for program administration; $61,000,000 for global HIV/

AIDS activities at CDC; $50,000,000 for minority HIV/AIDS activities within the Office of the Secretary; $25,000,000 for polio eradication activities at CDC; $18,040,000 for continuation of anthrax

127

vaccine research at CDC; and $10,000,000 for activities related to

West Nile-like virus at CDC.

Within the funding provided to the National Electronic Disease

Surveillance System, the Committee encourages the Secretary to

include a focus on antimocrobial resistance, including the development of effective public health strategies to combat the many factors contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

Within the funding provided for minority HIV/AIDS activities,

the Committee encourages the Secretary to implement a media

campaign on prevention of AIDS in the black community.

Within the funding provided to CDC for bioterrorism and related

activities, the Committee urges CDC to carry out research, testing,

and related activities aimed at protecting workers such as firefighters and emergency medical personnel who respond to public

health needs in the event of a terrorist incident.

TITLE III DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The bill includes a total of $39,590,049,000 for programs in the

Department of Education, an increase of $1,646,480,000 above last

year. Overall, the bill provides an increase in Elementary and Secondary Education programs of $576,182,000 above last year. However, there are many education programs funded elsewhere in the

bill. The following chart indicates the major funding sources for

education in the bill.

EDUCATION FUNDING

[In millions of dollars]

FY 2000 FY 2001 (Committee Action)

FY 2001, above

(+) or below

(¥) FY 2000

Discretionary:

Department of Education ................................................................... $35,605 $37,190 $1,585

Head Start .......................................................................................... 5,267 5,667 400

NIH Training Grants ........................................................................... 895 935 40

Health Professions Training ............................................................... 342 411 69

Total Discretionary ......................................................................... 42,109 44,203 2,094

Mandatory:

Department of Education ................................................................... 2,339 2,400 61

Medicare direct/indirect costs of medical education ........................ 7,680 8,170 490

Total Mandatory ............................................................................. 10,019 10,570 551

‘‘Off budget’’ spending:

Direct loan obligations ...................................................................... 14,855 15,613 758

Federal Family Education Loans ........................................................ 25,540 26,902 1,362

Total ‘‘Off budget’’ ........................................................................ 40,395 42,515 2,120

Total Education Spending ........................................................................... 92,523 97,288 4,765

Funds for this agency are appropriated under current law. The

Education and the Workforce Committee is currently undertaking

a reauthorization of programs within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The President submitted his budget reflecting his proposals for the reauthorization. The Committee has chosen to fund activities as defined under current law and will address

changes in programs as a result of reauthorization in conference.

128

The Committee is deeply concerned that some secondary schools

receiving Department of Education funds are denying military recruiters the same access to students that is provided to postsecondary institutions and prospective employers of these students.

The Committee strongly urges the Department of Education to

communicate with secondary schools about this matter and to encourage them to provide military recruiters the same minimum access to students provided to post-secondary institutions and potential employers.

EDUCATION REFORM

The bill includes $1,505,000,000 for Education Reform programs. This amount is $601,000,000 less than the budget request and

$260,182,000 less than the 2000 amount. This appropriation account includes Goals 2000 under the Goals 2000: Educate America

Act, School-to-Work under the School-To-Work Opportunities Act,

technology programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and 21st Century Schools under the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act.

Goals 2000: Educate America Act: State and local education systematic improvement grants and parental assistance

The bill does not include funding for programs authorized by titles III and IV of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. This

amount is $83,000,000 below the budget request and $491,000,000

below the fiscal year 2000 appropriation level for this activity. The

Goals 2000 programs will be repealed on September 30, 2000 pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 106–113, the fiscal year 2000 appropriations Act.

Recognition and reward

The bill does not include funding for a new initiative proposed in the budget called recognition and reward for which $50,000,000

was requested. This program would give financial rewards to states

that demonstrate significant statewide gains in student achievement. However, this program is not currently authorized in law.

The Committee has chosen to fund activities as defined under current law and will address changes in programs that occur as a result of reauthorization in conference.

School-to-work opportunities

The bill does not include funding for State grants and local partnerships under the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. This is the

same as the budget request and $55,000,000 below the fiscal year

2000 level. The recommended funding level reflects the final phaseout of the program as States assume full responsibility for institutionalizing their school-to-work systems, as outlined in the Schoolto-Work Opportunities Act.

Education technology

The bill includes $905,000,000 for Education Technology. This

amount is $2,000,000 above the Administration’s fiscal year 2001

request and $139,195,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

Included in this account are the technology literacy challenge fund,

technology innovation challenge grants, regional technology in eduVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
129

cation consortia, teacher training in technology, community-based

technology centers, and technology leadership activities. Three

demonstration programs (star schools, ready to learn TV, and telecommunications demonstration projects for mathematics) are also

included in this account.

The Committee remains concerned by the rapid increase in funding in this program in addition to other funding provided in title

I, title VI, Special Education, and other programs of the Department of Education as well as funding made available to elementary

and secondary schools from the Telecommunications Act of 1996

(P.L. 104–9104). The Committee expects that the Department will

continue to abide by, and supply the data required by, the conference report on P.L. 104–208. In addition, the Committee expects

the Department to continue providing such data for all programs

funded in this account under the heading ‘‘Education Technology’’

and for funding made available through the ‘‘E-Rate’’ program as

part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104–104) in their

annual operating plan.

Education technology: technology literacy challenge fund

The Committee recommends $517,000,000 for the technology literacy challenge fund, $67,000,000 above the budget request and

$92,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. The fund assists

States in integrating technology into curriculum. The goal of this

program is to assure that students become technologically literate

and possess the academic, communications and critical thinking

skills essential for success in the information age.

Each State receives a share of funding based on its share of

funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Funds are distributed to local education agencies on the

basis of competitive sub-grants. States receive funding on the basis

of a State plan describing its long-term strategies for financing

technology education in the State, involving the private sector and

assisting school districts with the greatest needs.

The Committee believes that, while the Department has made

good progress toward developing measurable student achievement

standards consistent with the requirements of the Government

Performance and Results Act for the technology literacy challenge

fund, more work remains. For example, the Department should develop data on the percentage of students who are currently computer-proficient and how that figure will increase as a result of proposed funding increases.

Education technology: technology innovation challenge grants

The Committee recommends $197,500,000 for technology innovation challenge grants, $51,245,000 above fiscal year 2000 level. The

President did not request separate line-item funding for this program.

The technology innovation challenge grants program is designed

to support partnerships among educators, business, and industry,

and other community organizations to develop innovative applications of technology and plans for fully integrating technology into

schools. The program provided 99 new and continuing competitive

grants in fiscal year 2000 to consortia that include at least one

130

local educational agency with a high percentage or number of children living in poverty.

In past years, the Committee has funded initiatives to improve

student mathematics and reading skills through the use of in-class

technology. The Committee continues to support interactive, computer learning programs that are being used to deliver textbook

materials and integrate technology into elementary and secondary

pre-algebra and algebra classrooms.

The Committee believes that, while the Department has made

good progress toward developing measurable student achievement

standards consistent with the requirements of the Government

Performance and Results Act for the technology innovation challenge grants, more work remains. For example, the Department

should develop data on the percentage of students who are currently computer-proficient and how that figure will increase as a

result of proposed funding increases.

Education technology: regional technology in education consortia

The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for regional technology

in education consortia, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2000 level. The regional technology in education consortia

supports 6 regional programs of information and resource dissemination, professional development, and technical assistance. The

Committee is disappointed with the lack of baseline data and outcome-based performance indicators for this program.

Next generation technology initiative

The bill does not provide funding for the new line item proposed

by the budget called next generation technology initiative for which

$170,000,000 was requested. This is part of the Administration’s

proposed new structure for education technology programs under

the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization. The

Committee has chosen to fund activities as defined under current

law and will address changes in programs that occur as a result

of reauthorization in conference.

Education technology: national activities

The Committee recommends $119,500,000 for education technology national activities: Teacher training in technology, community based technology, and technology leadership activities.

Teacher training in technology

The Committee recommends $85,000,000 for teacher training in

technology, which is $65,000,000 below the budget request and

$10,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 funding level. This program

helps prepare teachers to use technology to improve instructional

practices and to enhance student learning in the classroom.

Community-based technology centers

The Committee recommends $32,500,000 for community-based

technology centers, which is the same as fiscal year 2000 and

$67,500,000 below the budget request. This program provides access to technology and other services for disadvantaged students

and adults unable to purchase computers for use at home.

131

Technology leadership activities

The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for technology leadership

activities, which is the same as both fiscal year 2000 and the budget request. Funds under this program will be used to strengthen

evaluation of the effectiveness of technology programs and to bring

together public and private entities to help schools and communities effectively use all available resources in technology.

Educational technology: star schools

The Committee recommends $45,000,000 for the star schools pro- gram, $5,550,000 below the fiscal year 2000 amount. The President

did not request funding for this program through a separate line

item. Star schools programs use distance learning technologies to

enhance student learning, especially in rural areas.

Educational technology: ready to learn television

The bill includes $16,000,000 for ready to learn television, the

same as both the budget request and the 2000 amount. Program

objectives include the development and distribution of educational

and instructional video programming for preschool and elementary

school children and their parents.

The Committee expects that the original program objectives of

developing, producing and distributing new, high-quality televised

educational programming for preschool and elementary school children and their caregivers will remain a top priority in determining

specific uses for this funding in fiscal year 2001.

The Committee is aware of the educational potential of digital

television and the nation’s local public television stations’ commitment to establishing partnerships to produce high quality education digital content. The Committee encourages the Department

to support such activities within available funds.

Telecommunications demonstration projects for mathematics

The Committee recommends no funding for this demonstration program. This amount is $8,500,000 below the fiscal year 2000

amount and the same as the budget request. The Committee continues to be concerned about the significant delays in funding

draw-downs in this account and subsequently directs the Public

Broadcasting Service, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, to submit a report to the Committee no later than July 1, 2000 on the amounts

of funding spent and planned to be spent on each specific object

classification and activity for the past five fiscal years.

21st century community learning centers

The bill provides $600,000,000 for 21st century community learn- ing centers, $400,000,000 below the budget request and

$146,623,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. The Committee’s proposal represents the largest funding level in the program’s history

and is estimated to provide over 1 million children with safe environments for them to gain academic enrichment in fiscal year 2001.

Funding for after school centers has increased dramatically since

fiscal year 1996, at which time these programs were funded at less

than $1 million. The Committee is aware that the Administration

has proposed several changes to this program including conversion

132

to a formula grant and matching requirements for grantees. Until

the program structure is ultimately agreed upon through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization process, the

Committee believes that a 30 percent increase in the current program demonstrates continued commitment to after school centers.

The Committee is also aware that H.R. 4141, the Education Opportunities to Protect and Invest in Our Nation’s Students (Education OPTIONS) Act, combines the Safe and Drug-Free Schools

program and 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act and

allows schools to use funds for comprehensive drug and violence

prevention programs, counseling and mentoring, before and after

school programs and other safety measures, as long as these activities are based on research that shows the activity will prevent or

reduce drug abuse and violence. The Committee intends that, if

this legislation is enacted, funding for the Safe and Drug Free

Schools Program and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program will be consolidated.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program supports grants to rural and inner-city public elementary or secondary

schools, or consortia of such schools, to enable them to plan, implement, or expand projects that benefit the educational, health, social

service, cultural, and recreational needs of a rural or inner-city

community. Assistance must be equitably distributed among the

States, among urban and rural areas of the United States, and

among urban and rural areas of a State. Grants must be made for

at least $35,000, and priority must be given to applications offering

a broad selection of services that address the needs of the community. Each grantee must provide at least four services listed in the

authorizing legislation. These include: literacy education programs;

children’s day care services; summer and weekend school programs

in conjunction with recreation programs; expanded library service

hours to serve community needs; telecommunications and technology education programs for individuals of all ages; parenting

skills education programs; employment counseling, training, and

placement; services for individuals who leave school before graduating from secondary school, regardless of the age of such individual; and services for individuals with disabilities.

Funding under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers

may be used for after-school activities. These funds are to support,

not supplant, existing programs which are being offered by nonprofit organizations in communities of need.

The Committee is pleased with the progress the Department has

made in developing measurable indicators for the 21st Century

Learning Centers program and believes the progress made thus far

in achieving these targets is promising.

EDUCATION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED

The bill includes $8,816,986,000 for the education for the disadvantaged programs. This amount is $332,514,000 less that the

budget request and $116,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. This appropriation account includes compensatory education programs authorized under title I of the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act of 1965.

133

Grants to local educational agencies

Of the amounts provided for Title I programs, $6,783,000,000 is

available for basic grants to local education agencies and State administration. This is the same as the amount for the 2000–2001

school year and $1,255,397,000 above the request. Funding for concentration grants, which targets funds to local education agencies

in counties with high levels of disadvantaged children, is

$1,158,397,000, the same as last year and the request level. The

Committee has not provided funds under Targeted Grants. The administration requested $1,671,500,000 for Targeted Grants.

Of the total of $7,941,397,000 made available for school year

2001–2002 for grants to LEAs, $1,733,134,000 is appropriated for

fiscal year 2001 for obligation after July 1, 2001 and

$6,204,763,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2002 for obligation

on, or after, October 1, 2001. A remaining $3,500,000 for title I

evaluations is made available for obligation on October 1, 2000.

This program is currently undergoing reauthorization. Several

changes have been proposed by both the Administration and the

authorizing committees with respect to accountability provisions

and school choice within that context. Until the program’s structure is ultimately agreed upon through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization process, the Committee is

recommending level funding for the program.

Financial assistance flows to school districts by formula, based in

part on the number of school-aged children from low-income families. Within districts, local school officials target funds on school attendance areas with the greatest number or percentage of children

from poor families. Local school districts develop and implement

their own programs to meet the needs of disadvantaged students.

About 14,000 local school districts participate in the program,

which served an estimated 6.2 to 6.5 million pupils in 1995.

Funds under this account will also be used to pay the Federal

share of State administrative costs for title I programs. The maximum State administration grant is equal to 1 percent of title I

local educational agency plus State agency grants to the State, or

$400,000, whichever is greater. These funds are included in the

grants to local educational agencies account, rather than being a

separate line item.

The Committee believes that the Department has made good

progress in developing measurable standards for improvement in

student academic achievement consistent with the requirements of

the Government Performance and Results Act for education for the

disadvantaged.

The Committee does not include a ‘‘100 percent hold harmless’’

legislative rider for the Title I program for fiscal year 2001. The

Committee notes that the budget request also rejects this provision.

The Committee believes that such legislative riders unfairly penalize underprivileged and immigrant children in growing states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North

Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia. These states represent over half of the U.S. population of

underprivileged schoolchildren. The Committee strongly concurs

with the following statement of the Department of Education subVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00133 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
134

mitted for the record as part of the fiscal year 1999 budget hearings:

The hold harmless prevented retargeting from taking effect with the use of new poverty data. We strongly believe

that special [hold-harmless] appropriations language

should not be included, since the authorizing statue for

Title I already provides a hold-harmless for Title I Basic

Grants in an amount equal to between 85 and 95 percent

of each district’s prior year Title I allocation, depending on

the district poverty level. Inserting a 100 percent holdharmless prevents funds from flowing to districts that are

gaining poor children, as documented by the updated data.

But the whole purpose of using updated data is to reflect,

in the allocations, these population shifts. A basic principle

in targeting should be to drive funds to where the poor

children are, not to where they were a decade ago.

Demonstrations of comprehensive school reform

The bill includes $190,000,000 for demonstrations of comprehensive school reform; this is the same as the budget request and

$20,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. The Committee expects that the Department will continue to follow the directives in

the conference report accompanying the fiscal year 1998 bill (House

Report 105–390) and in the conference report accompanying the fiscal year 1999 bill (House Report 105–825). The Committee provides

these funds to continue the wide-scale application of effective approaches to comprehensive school reform in title I schools.

This program provides schools with funds to develop and implement school reforms based on reliable research that will enable

children to meet State academic standards. The Committee is

pleased with the progress being made on developing specific, measurable goals for this program.

Capital expenses for private school students

The Committee recommends no funding for capital expenses

grants for private schools. This amount is the same as the Administration’s request and $12,000,000 below the fiscal year 2000

amount.

Capital expenses grants were authorized to pay some of the additional costs of providing title I services to children who attend nonpublic schools. A 1985 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Aguilar v.

Felton, determined that public school teachers or other employees

could not be sent to sectarian nonpublic schools for the purpose of

providing title I services. The capital expenses grants were used for

rental of classroom space in neutral sites (i.e., locations other than

private or public schools), rental of mobile vans used for title I instruction, or transportation of nonpublic pupils to public schools or

neutral sites.

The United States Supreme Court recently reconsidered, and reversed, its decision in the Aguilar case and both the budget request

and the Committee’s recommendation implement a policy of discontinuing this program. The Committee notes that school districts

may continue to reserve funds from their annual Title I allocations

to cover extra expenses involved in providing services to privateschool students.

135

Even Start

The Committee provides $250,000,000 for Even Start, $100,000,000 above both last year and the request. Even Start provides demonstration grants for model programs of joint education

of disadvantaged children, aged 1–7 years, who live in title I target

school attendance areas, plus their parents who are eligible to be

served under the Adult Education Act. These parents are not in

school, are above the State’s compulsory school attendance age

limit, and have not earned a high school diploma (or equivalent).

At appropriations levels above $50,000,000, Even Start funds are

allocated to the States, generally in proportion to title I basic

grants.

The Committee believes that the Department has made good

progress in developing specific, outcome-based performance indicators for the Even Start program. The Committee notes that funding

under the Reading Excellence Act and the Adult Education Act

state grants program can also be used to support and expand family literacy activities.

State agency programs: migrant

The bill includes $354,689,000 for the migrant education pro- gram, $25,311,000 below the budget request and the same as the

fiscal year 2000 appropriation. This program supports formula

grants to State agencies for the support of special educational and

related services to children of migratory agricultural workers and

fishermen. The purpose of this program is to provide supplementary academic education, remedial or compensatory instruction,

English for limited English proficient students, testing, guidance

and counseling.

State agency programs: neglected and delinquent

For the State agency program for neglected and delinquent chil- dren, the bill includes $42,000,000; this level is the same as the

budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

This formula grant program provides services to participants in institutions for juvenile delinquents, adult correctional institutions,

or institutions for the neglected.

The Committee believes that the Department must continue to

work on developing specific, numerical standards for improvement

in student academic achievement consistent with the requirements

of the Government Performance and Results Act for the State

agency program for neglected and delinquent youth. The Committee believes that the indicators developed thus far do not contain the specific, numerical baseline data or expected improvement

resulting from the funding request needed to adequately meet the

requirements of GPRA.

Evaluation

The Committee provides $8,900,000 for evaluation, the same as

the 2000 appropriation. The President did not propose separate

line item funding for this program. Title I evaluation supports

large scale national evaluations that examine how title I is contributing to improved student performance at the State, local education

agency, and school levels. It also supports short-term studies that

document promising models and other activities to help States and

136

local education agencies implement requirements in the title I statute.

The Committee believes that the Department should allocate resources for evaluations such that sufficient funding is provided to

assure the full implementation of the Government Performance

and Results Act.

Migrant education, high school equivalency program

The bill includes $20,000,000 for the high school equivalency program. This amount is the same as the budget request and

$5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. The high school equivalency program recruits migrant students aged 16 and over and provides academic and support services to help those students obtain

a high school equivalency certificate and subsequently to gain employment or admission to a postsecondary institution or training

program.

College assistance migrant programs

The bill includes $10,000,000 for the college assistance migrant

programs. This amount is the same as the budget request and

$3,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. The college assistance

migrant program (CAMP) provides tutoring and counseling services

to first-year, undergraduate migrant students and assists those

students in obtaining student financial aid for their remaining undergraduate years.

IMPACT AID

The bill provides $985,000,000 for Federal impact aid programs in fiscal year 2001, an increase of $78,548,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $215,000,000 above the

budget request. This account supports payments to school districts

affected by Federal activities and is authorized under title VIII of

the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Impact Aid represents a federal responsibility to local schools educating children

whose families are connected with the military or who live on Indian land.

While military deployments and poverty on Indian reservations

continue, the Committee is perplexed as to why the Administration

continues to recommend cuts in the Impact Aid program. Impact

Aid represents a federal responsibility to local schools educating

children whose families are connected with the military or who live

on Indian land. Therefore, the Committee bill does not adopt the

Budget proposal to amend the authorizing statute to reduce the

number of school districts receiving payments and to reduce the

number of children on behalf of whom payments are made. The

Committee regards impact aid as an obligation of the Federal Government and has included funds sufficient to adequately reimburse

school districts impacted by Federal activities. The Committee

notes that the President proposes to substantially increase funding

for general Federal assistance to school districts at the same time

it proposes to dramatically reduce impact aid payments to some of

the neediest school districts.

The Committee commends the Department for making Impact

Aid payments for FY 2000 in a timely manner, following several

consecutive years of increasingly burdensome delays. The Impact

137

Aid payment delays cost the nation’s poorest, most isolated schools

the most, and imposed upon them substantial interest payments

and other unanticipated costs.

Basic support payments

The bill includes $780,000,000 for basic support payments to local educational agencies, an increase of $42,800,000 above the

comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $60,000,000 above

the budget request. Basic support payments compensate school districts for lost tax revenue and are made on behalf of Federally-connected children such as children of members of the uniformed services who live on Federal property.

Payments for children with disabilities

The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for payments on behalf

of Federally-connected children with disabilities, an increase of

$10,000,000 above the budget request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation. These payments compensate school districts for the increased costs of serving Federallyconnected children with disabilities.

Payments for heavily impacted districts

The bill includes $82,000,000 for payments to heavily impacted districts, an increase of $9,800,000 above the comparable fiscal

year 2000 level. The President proposed to terminate this program.

These payments assist especially heavily impacted school districts

to raise their per-pupil spending to levels comparable to other

school districts in their States.

In the past two years, the Committee has included a legislative

provision that changes the method by which payments made under

this section are allocated to provide supplemental payments for federally connected students only. The Committee understands that

this provision has resulted in greater budget stability for school

districts that are heavily impacted by the presence of federally connected children. The Committee further understands that this provision will be made part of the permanent Impact Aid law through

the reauthorization process this year and therefore it is no longer

necessary to carry this special provision in the Committee bill.

Facilities maintenance

The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for facilities maintenance, $3,000,000 above both the fiscal year 2000 amount and the

budget request. These capital payments are authorized for maintenance of certain facilities owned by the Department of Education.

Construction

The Committee recommends $25,000,000 for the construction

program, an increase of $14,948,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $20,000,000 above the budget request. This program provides formula grants to eligible locally owned school districts for building and renovating school facilities.

The Committee notes that while the President has proposed a

new, unauthorized school construction program aimed at Indian

school districts, the budget at the same time cuts funding under

this more flexible construction program by over 50 percent.

138

The Committee also notes that the Administration’s school construction proposal omits any benefit to federally impacted schools

who have reached their maximum bonding capacity, which includes

many schools serving Native Americans and the military in isolated parts of the country. Should additional funds come available,

the Committee will give consideration to allocating sums to improve and replace such dilapidated schools.

Payments for Federal property

The bill provides $40,000,000 for payments related to Federal property, an increase of $8,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. The President proposed to terminate this program. The

Committee does not concur in the budget proposal to terminate assistance to all 223 school districts currently receiving assistance

under this program. Funds are awarded to school districts to compensate for lost tax revenue as the result of Federal acquisition of

real property since 1938.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS

The bill includes $3,165,334,000 for school improvement pro- grams. This amount is $158,450,000 more than the fiscal year 2000

appropriation and $703,700,000 below the budget request. This appropriation account includes programs authorized under titles II,

IV, V, VI, X, and XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education

Act; title VII of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act;

and title IV-A of the Civil Rights Act.

Professional development and program innovation: Eisenhower professional development State grants

The Committee provides no separate line-item funding for the Eisenhower professional development state grants, the same as the

budget request. This program was funded at $335,000,000 in fiscal

year 2000. This program provides funds to state educational agencies, local educational agencies, state agencies for higher education,

institutions of higher education and qualified non-profit organizations to support sustained and intensive high-quality professional

development for educators in the core academic subjects.

Consistent with the Teacher Empowerment Act, the Committee

has consolidated funding for this program under a new line item,

subject to the Teacher Empowerment Act’s enactment into law. The

President has proposed a number of new national programs related

to teachers, as well as consolidations and restructuring of existing

teacher training programs, including the Eisenhower professional

development program. The Committee is aware that these ideas

are currently being considered through the reauthorization of the

Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Teacher training program funding will follow the structure that is ultimately agreed

upon through this reauthorization process.

Teaching to high standards

The bill does not include $690,000,000 for a new program called

teaching to high standards as proposed in the budget request.

The President has proposed a number of new national programs

related to teachers, as well as consolidations and restructuring of

existing teacher training programs. The Committee is aware that

139

these ideas are currently being considered through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Teacher

training program funding will follow the structure that is ultimately agreed upon through this reauthorization process.

National programs

The bill does not include funding for several new national programs relating to teaching that the budget request proposes. These

initiatives, along with their proposed funding levels, are as follows:

School leadership initiative, $40,000,000; Improvement of teaching

and school leadership, $25,000,000; Hometown teachers,

$75,000,000; Higher standards/higher pay, $50,000,000; Teacher

quality incentives, $50,000,000; Troops to teachers, $25,000,000;

and Early childhood educator professional development,

$30,000,000.

The Committee is aware that these ideas are currently being considered through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Teacher training program funding will follow the structure that is ultimately agreed upon through this reauthorization process.

Professional development and program innovation: Innovative Education Program Strategies State Grants. (the title VI education

block grant)

The Committee recommends $365,700,000 for State grants under

Innovative Education Program Strategies, the same as the fiscal

year 2000 level. The President proposed to terminate this progarm.

The Committee supports this program, which provides funding,

without bureaucratic strings, to State and local educational agencies that can be used for:

(1) obtaining technology and training in technology related to

the implementation of school based reform;

(2) acquiring and using educational materials;

(3) educational reform projects such as ‘‘effective schools’’ and

magnet schools;

(4) improving educational services for disadvantaged students;

(5) combating illiteracy among children and adults;

(6) addressing the educational needs of gifted and talented

children;

(7) implementing school reform activities consistent with

Goals 2000; and

(8) implementing school improvement and parental involvement activities under ESEA Title I.

In several states, districts are allowed to enter into ‘‘contracts’’

that designate them as ‘‘charter districts’’, similar to the concept of

charter schools. These agreements promise to streamline bureaucracy and reduce regulations, thus enabling districts to put student

performance first, not compliance with bureaucratic requirements.

Therefore school districts should be able to use Title VI dollars to

implement these performance based relationships with their state

education agencies.

140

Class-size reduction

The Committee recommends no funding for the Class Size Reduction program, $1,300,000,000 below fiscal year 2000 and

$1,750,000,000 below the budget request. Consistent with the

Teacher Empowerment Act, the Committee has consolidated funding for this program under a new line item, subject to the Teacher

Empowerment Act’s enactment into law.

Teacher empowerment act

The Committee recommends $1,750,000,000 for the Teacher Empowerment Act, subject to authorization. This funding level is

$1,750,000,000 above both fiscal year 2000 and the budget request.

The Teacher Empowerment Act consolidates and streamlines multiple teacher training programs and provides States and local

schools additional flexibility in how to use these funds in exchange

for increased accountability to parents and taxpayers.

The Teacher Empowerment Act strikes a balance between hiring

more teachers to reduce class size, and recruiting, retaining and retraining quality teachers. It also empowers teachers to choose the

training that best meets their classroom needs and encourages

states and localities to implement innovative strategies such as

tenure reform, merit-based performance plans, alternative routes to

certification and differential and bonus pay for teachers. Ninetyfive percent of funds would go directly to the local level.

Safe and drug-free schools and communities

The Committee recommends $599,250,000 for the Safe and Drug

Free Schools and Communities Act. This funding level is

$50,750,000 below the budget request and $750,000 below the fiscal

year 2000 level.

The Committee is aware that H.R. 4141, the Education Opportunities to Protect and Invest in Our Nation’s Students (Education

OPTIONS) Act, combines the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program

and 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act and allows

schools to use funds for comprehensive drug and violence prevention programs, counseling and mentoring, before and after school

programs and other safety measures, as long as these activities are

based on research that shows the activity will prevent or reduce

drug abuse and violence. The Committee intends that, if this legislation is enacted, funding for the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program

will be consolidated.

The Committee is interested in learning more about the increased use of pharmacoepidologic drugs by elementary and high

school aged children and the possible relationship between use of

these drugs, school violence and the overall learning environment

of all children. The Committee encourages the Department to be

prepared to discuss any relevant research on this issue at the fiscal

year 2002 budget hearings and, when educating teachers, parents

and doctors about the public health and educational impact of the

use of these drugs, to coordinate efforts with the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Administration on Children and Families and other public health researchers.

141

Safe and drug-free schools and communities: State grants

The Committee bill includes $439,250,000 for the State grants

program of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

This level is the same as the budget request and the same as the

fiscal year 2000 level. The program supports State formula grants

for comprehensive, integrated approaches to drug and violence prevention. Local educational agencies must use their funds to implement a drug and violence prevention program for students and employees.

The Committee continues to be concerned about the general lack

of evidence of the effectiveness of the Safe and Drug Free Schools

Program. The Committee believes that the Department should

focus on disseminating drug and violence prevention programs that

have been rigorously evaluated and found to be promising or exemplary to more school districts.

Safe and drug-free schools and communities: national programs

For the national programs under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools

and Communities Act, the bill provides $110,000,000 which is

$750,000 below the fiscal year 2000 amount and $40,750,000 below

the budget request. Under this program, the Secretary of Education administers a variety of activities to prevent the illegal use

of drugs and violence among, and promote safety and discipline for,

students at all educational levels, preschool through postsecondary.

Safe and drug free schools and communities: coordinator initiative

The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for the safe and drug

free schools and communities coordinator initiative, the same as

the fiscal year 2000 funding level and the budget request.

This initiative funds discretionary grants for LEAs to recruit,

hire, and train drug prevention and school safety program coordinators in middle schools with significant drug and school safety

problems.

The Committee remains disappointed that the only performance

indicator the Department has identified for this program is the

number of coordinators who have received training. The Department has provided no indicators on the expected impact of the program on reduced student drug use and school violence. Given the

demonstrated interest of the Committee in numerical goals focusing of the achievement of programmatic goals, such limited effort

by the Department is particularly disturbing.

Safe and drug free schools and communities: Project SERV

The Committee recommends no funding for the proposed new initiative, Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence).

The Administration requested $10,000,000 for this program. The

Administration proposed this initiative to provide resources to

school districts that experience a major crisis.

This program is not authorized. The Safe and Drug Free Schools

and Communities Act is currently undergoing reauthorization this

year and it is in this context that the Administration’s proposal

should be considered.

142

Inexpensive book distribution (reading is fundamental)

The bill provides $21,000,000 for the inexpensive book distribu- tion program. This is $1,000,000 above both the fiscal year 2000

appropriation and the budget request. This program makes an

award to Reading is Fundamental, Inc., to buy inexpensive books,

offer them through local community programs to children from lowincome families, and motivate children to read. Federal funds provide for up to 75 percent of the costs of the books. This program

annually provides an estimated 7.6 million books to 2.4 million

children nationwide.

The Committee is disappointed that the Department failed to

provide specific, measurable goals for the inexpensive book distribution program in the fiscal year 2001 budget request with regard to how participation in this program increases student reading achievement.

Arts in education

The bill provides $16,500,000 for the arts in education program. This is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and

$6,500,000 below the budget request. This program supports arts

programs in elementary and secondary education and supports

demonstration programs for the involvement of disabled persons in

the arts.

Specifically, the Committee bill does not include funding for a new $10,000,000 grant competition to be administered in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Committee

continues to believe this program should primarily support the

Very Special Arts organization, which develops programs that integrate the arts into the education of children with disabilities, and

the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which supports a variety of arts education activities with states and schools.

The Committee intends that $9,031,000 of the amount recommended be for the Very Special Arts and that $7,469,000 be for

the Kennedy Center programs.

Magnet schools assistance

The bill includes $110,000,000 for the magnet schools assistance

program, the same as the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2000 level. The magnet schools assistance program awards

competitive grants to local educational agencies for use in establishing or operating magnet schools that are part of a desegregation plan approved by a court or by the Department of Education’s

Office for Civil Rights. A magnet school is defined by the statute

as ‘‘a school or education center that offers a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different racial backgrounds.’’ A funding priority is given to local educational

agencies that have not participated during the most recent funding

cycle.

Education for homeless children and youth

For the education of homeless children and youth program, authorized by section 722 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, the Committee recommends $32,000,000. This level is

$300,000 above the budget request and $3,200,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 appropriation. Grants are allocated to States in proporVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00142 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
143

tion to the total that each State receives under the title I program.

For local grants, at least 50 percent must be used for direct services to homeless children and youth, including tutoring or remedial

or other educational services.

Homeless children—estimated to number more than one million

each year—face many barriers in their efforts to attend school. The

Education for Homeless Children and Youth program provides resources to assist these children in having the opportunity to enroll,

attend and succeed in school. Currently, the program is serving

substantially fewer children than the national demand. In fact, less

than 40 percent of homeless children identified by states are able

to receive program services. The Committee has included additional funding beyond the Administration request to ensure that

local school districts have the resources to help these children.

Women’s educational equity

The bill includes $3,000,000 for Women’s Educational Equity, the

same as the fiscal year 2000 and the request level. This program

supports projects, technical assistance and dissemination activities

to promote educational equity for girls and women including those

who suffer multiple discrimination based on gender and race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or age. It also provides funds to

help educational agencies and institutions meet the requirements

of title IX of the Education amendments of 1972.

The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not

identified specific, measurable student achievement standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and

Results Act for Women’s Educational Equity. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to focus its primary,

if not exclusive, efforts on the development of baseline data and indicators of specific, measurable student academic achievement for

this program and the ability to integrate successful techniques developed in this program into other federally funded and other education programs.

Training and advisory services

The bill includes $7,334,000 for training and advisory services

authorized by title IV–A of the Civil Rights Act. This amount is the

same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2000 amount. Title

IV–A authorizes technical assistance and training services for local

educational agencies to address problems associated with desegregation on the basis of race, sex, or national origin. Competitive

awards are made to civil rights units within State educational

agencies and to regional desegregation assistance centers. The Department awards 3-year grants to regional equity assistance centers (EACs) (formerly known as desegregation assistance centers or

DACs) located in each of the 10 Department of Education regions.

The EACs provide services to school districts upon request. Typical

activities include disseminating information on successful education practices and legal requirements related to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, and national origin in educational

programs; training designed to develop educators’ skills in specific

areas, such as the identification of race and sex bias in instructional materials; increasing the skills of educational personnel in

dealing with race-based confrontations such as hate crimes; and

144

providing technical assistance in the identification and selection of

appropriate educational programs to meet the needs of limited

English proficient students.

The Committee remains concerned that, after three years of

Committee interest and seven years since the passage of GPRA,

the Department has not identified specific, measurable indicators

for the training and advisory services program. In fact, the Department presented only one indicator for this program in the 1999

Performance Report released in March 2000. This indicator had no

actual performance data, no performance targets, and no baselines

set. Therefore, the Committee is puzzled by the fact that the report

claims that ‘‘progress toward target is likely.’’ The Committee does

not understand how progress toward any target can be judged in

the absence of any data set whatsoever. Accordingly, the Committee expects that the Department will substantially revise this

indicator in the fiscal year 2002 budget submission and include

such data as is available at that time.

Ellender fellowships/Close-Up

The bill provides $1,500,000 for Ellender fellowships, the same as

the fiscal year 2000 level and $1,500,000 above the budget request.

The Ellender fellowship program makes an award to the Close-Up

Foundation of Washington D.C. This organization provides fellowships to students from low income families and their teachers to

enable them to participate with other students and teachers for a

week of seminars on government and meetings with representatives of the three branches of the Federal government.

Education for Native Hawaiians

The Committee recommends $23,000,000 for education for Native

Hawaiians, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year

2000 amount. A number of programs limited to Native Hawaiians

are supported with these funds, including a model curriculum

project, family-based education centers, postsecondary education

fellowships, gifted and talented education projects, and special education projects for disabled pupils.

Alaska native education equity

The Committee recommends $13,000,000 for the Alaska native

education equity program, the same as both the budget request and

the fiscal year 2000 amount. These funds are used to develop supplemental educational programs to benefit Alaska natives.

Charter schools

The Committee recommends $175,000,000 for support of charter

schools, the same as the budget request and $30,000,000 above the

fiscal year 2000 amount. Charter schools are developed and administered by individuals or groups of individuals, which may include

teachers, administrators, and parents. These groups enter into

charters for operation of their schools, which must be granted exemptions from State and local rules that limit flexibility in school

operation and management. Under this program, grants are made

to State educational agencies in States that have charter school

laws; the State educational agencies will in turn make sub-grants

145

to authorized public chartering agencies in partnerships with developers of charter schools.

Opportunities to improve our nation’s schools (OPTIONS)

The Committee bill does not include funding for a new program

proposed in the budget request called opportunities to improve our

nation’s schools (OPTIONS). The budget requested $20,000,000 for

this new program which would provide grants to states and school

districts to implement new approaches to public school choice, including interdistrict programs and public schools at work sites and

on college campuses. This program is currently unauthorized; however, the Committee is aware that this proposal is being considered

by the authorizing committees in the context of the Elementary

and Secondary Education Act reauthorization. The Committee will

consider funding for this program upon its authorization.

Technical assistance for improving ESEA programs: comprehensive

regional assistance centers/Strengthening technical assistance

capacity grants

The Committee recommends $28,000,000 for comprehensive regional assistance centers, the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount.

The President proposed a new program in place of this called

strengthening technical assistance capacity grants. The President

proposed $38,000,000 for the new program.

The existing program supports the consolidation of 7 former technical assistance programs that funded 48 technical assistance centers into a program of 15 comprehensive regional technical assistance centers for improving ESEA programs. The proposed new program would replace the current network of centers with a demandbased system under which states and districts would receive direct

formula grants to purchase technical assistance that best fits their

needs.

While the Committee is intrigued with this demand-based system approach, the bill continues to fund the existing centers pending any changes that may be included in the reauthorization of the

Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

The Committee instructs the Department to continue the policy

of informing it of any directives or funding earmarks that would require the Centers to carry out work not directly in response to local

or State requests for assistance.

Advanced placement test fee program

The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for advanced placement

fees. This recommendation is the same as the budget request and

$5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 amount. The advanced placement test fee program awards grants to States to enable them to

cover part or all of the cost of advanced placement test fees of lowincome students who are enrolled in advanced placement classes

and plan to take the advanced placement test. This program also

supports competitive grants to states for programs that encourage

greater participation by low-income students in advanced placement courses.

146

READING EXCELLENCE ACT

The Committee recommends $260,000,000, the same as the fiscal

year 2000 funding level and $26,000,000 below the budget request.

The Reading Excellence Act supports competitive, 3-year grants

to state educational agencies that have established a state reading

and literacy partnership. States that receive funding will make 2-

year subgrants, called ‘‘local reading improvement grants,’’ on a

competitive basis to LEAs that have at least one school in Title I

school improvement status, have the highest or second highest percentage of poverty or number of poor children in the state. School

districts use the funds to provide professional development for

teachers, operate tutoring programs and provide family literacy

services. States must also award at least one ‘‘tutorial assistance

grant’’ to LEAs most in need of help. The Act also requires

$10,000,000 of the appropriation to be reserved for the Even Start

program.

The Committee understands that this Act is currently being reauthorized in the context of reauthorization of the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act. Pending any changes to the program

that may result from the reauthorization, the Committee has chosen to fund the Reading Excellence Act at the level fully authorized

for the program in fiscal year 2000.

The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop

specific, measurable baseline data and performance indicators for

this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department

to report on how this program has improved student reading abilities and improved the instructional practices of teachers and other

instructional staff.

INDIAN EDUCATION

The bill includes $107,765,000 for Indian education. This amount

is $30,765,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and

$7,735,000 below the budget request. This account supports programs authorized by part A of Title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and section 215 of the Department of Education Organization Act.

Grants to local education agencies

The bill provides $92,765,000 for grants to local education agencies, the same as the budget request and $30,765,000 above the fiscal year 2000 amount. This program provides assistance through

formula grants to school districts and schools supported or operated

by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The purpose of this program is to

reform elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students, including preschool children. Grantees must develop

a comprehensive plan and assure that the programs they carry out

will help Indian students reach the same challenging standards

that apply to all students. This program supplements the regular

school program to help Indian children sharpen their academic

skills, bolster their self-confidence, and participate in enrichment

activities that would otherwise be unavailable.

147

Special programs for Indian children

The Committee recommends $13,265,000 for special programs for

Indian children, the same as fiscal year 2000 and $6,735,000 below

the budget request. These programs make competitive awards to

improve the quality of education for Indian students. Beginning

last year, this program also funds a new Indian Teacher Corps,

which hopes to train over 1,000 Indian teachers over a five-year period to take positions in schools that serve concentrations of Indian

children. The Committee expects that the funds provided will continue this program in fiscal year 2001.

National activities

The bill provides $1,735,000 for national activities, the same as

fiscal year 2000 and $1,000,000 below the budget request. Funds

under this authority support research, evaluation and data collection to provide information on the status of education for the Indian population and on the effectiveness of Indian education programs.

SCHOOL RENOVATION

The bill does not include $1,300,000,000 proposed by the Administration for a new school construction initiative. These programs

are not currently authorized in law.

The Committee is aware that the existing Qualified Zone Academy Bonds program may currently be used for renovating school

buildings, purchasing educational equipment, developing curriculum, or training teachers. The Committee also notes that the

106th Congress passed the Taxpayer Refund and Relief Act of

1999, which included the National Public School Construction Initiative. This initiative would have made permanent changes to

bond rules so that state and local governments issuing public

school construction bonds could take increased advantage of arbitrage rebate rules to help finance school construction and renovation. However, the President vetoed this bill. In the absence of any

authorization, the Committee bill does not include funding for the

proposed new program.

BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT EDUCATION

The bill includes $406,000,000 for bilingual and immigrant education programs. This amount is $54,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. This account supports programs authorized by parts A, B, and C of title

VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Bilingual education: Instructional services

The bill provides $162,500,000 for instructional services,

$17,500,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal

year 2000 amount. Instructional Services programs assist local

educational agencies (LEAs) in implementing programs for limited

English proficient (LEP) students.

There are four types of grants, primarily to LEAs, for instructional services to limited English proficient students:

148

Three-year Program Development and Implementation

Grants for school districts to develop and implement new programs for LEP students;

Two-year Program Enhancement Grants to enhance or expand existing programs for LEP students;

Five-year Comprehensive School Grants for school-wide programs for LEP students that reform, restructure, and upgrade

all relevant programs and operations within an individual

school; and

Five-year Systemwide Improvement Grants for district-wide

projects for LEP students to improve, reform, and upgrade relevant programs and operations within an entire LEA.

Funding for projects that primarily instruct in English and emphasize the rapid transition to regular classes (‘‘special alternative

instruction projects’’), is limited to 25 percent of the appropriation.

The Committee notes that the bilingual education programs are

currently undergoing reauthorization and is recommending level

funding for such programs pending the outcome of the reauthorization process.

The Committee is pleased that the Department has included performance indicators for this program that will examine the speed

of transition to regular classes by limited English proficient students and the levels of academic achievement of these students

while still in bilingual classes and after the transition to regular

classes.

Bilingual education: Support services

The bill provides $14,000,000 for support services. This amount is $2,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal

year 2000 amount. This program provides discretionary grants and

contracts in four specific areas: research and evaluation; dissemination of effective instructional models; data collection and technical

assistance; and a national clearinghouse to support the collection,

analysis, and dissemination of information about programs for limited-English proficient students.

The Committee urges the Department to continue to develop specific, measurable indicators of the degree to which local education

agencies and teachers are accessing training and technical assistance services, the degree to which these new techniques are integrated into school or classroom practices and the degree to which

the techniques are successful in improving the rapid transition to

regular classes by limited English proficient students and how

these techniques have improved the success of students that have

made the transition to regular classes. The primary indicator currently tracked for this program appears to be the number of inquiries to the national clearinghouse. The Committee believes this is

insufficient and urges the Department to work on developing indicators that will address the issues described above.

Bilingual education: Professional development

The bill provides $71,500,000 for professional development services. This amount is $28,500,000 below the budget request and the

same as the fiscal year 2000 level.

The purpose of Professional Development grants is to increase

the pool of trained teachers and strengthen the skills of teachers

149

providing instruction to limited English proficient students. Funds

are available to support the training and retraining of bilingual

education teachers and teacher’s aides, graduate fellowships related to fields of bilingual education, and grants to institutions of

higher education to improve bilingual teacher training programs.

The Committee notes that funding for the professional development component of bilingual education has increased from a level

of $1.1 million in fiscal year 1996 to $71.5 million in fiscal year

2000. This dramatic increase, coupled with the increases provided

in the Class Size Reduction, Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants,

Reading Excellence Act and other programs focused on hiring,

training and retaining highly-qualified teachers should be helping

to relieve the reported vacancies for bilingual and English-as-a-Second Language teachers.

Immigrant education

The bill includes $150,000,000 for immigrant education, the same

as both the budget request and the fiscal year 2000 level.

The Immigrant Education program provides Federal assistance

to local educational agencies (LEAs) that have large numbers of recently arrived immigrant students. LEAs then use those funds to

enhance instruction for immigrant children and youth or for the

costs of basic instructional services directly attributable to the

presence of immigrant children. Eligible LEAs are those that enroll

at least 500 recent immigrant students or where those students

represent at least 3 percent of the total enrollment. Immigrant students may be counted only if they have been enrolled in U.S.

schools for less than three complete academic years.

The Department makes grants to State educational agencies,

which then make subgrants to eligible LEAs within the State. A

1991 GAO study found that most LEAs use their Immigrant Education funds to provide special instruction to limited English proficient students.

The Department has included measures required under the Government Performance and Results Act relating to the amount of

immigrant education funds used for direct services. However, in

this program, as in most others, the Committee feels that indicators of academic achievement must be developed.

Foreign language assistance

The bill provides $8,000,000 for the foreign language assistance

program, the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and $6,000,000

below the budget request. This program provides competitive

grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational

agencies (LEAs) to increase the quantity and improve the quality

of instruction in foreign languages deemed critical to the economic

and security interests of the United States. Under this program, 3-

year grants are awarded to SEAs to promote systemic improvement

of foreign language instruction and to LEAs to support model programs of instruction that exhibit the capability for continuing beyond the 3-year grant period. LEA grants may include a professional development component. At least three-quarters of the appropriation must be used for the expansion of foreign language

education in the elementary grades.

150

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The bill includes $6,550,161,000 for programs for children with

disabilities authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This funding level is $181,320,000 above the Administration’s fiscal year 2000 budget request and $513,965,000

above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

State Grants: State grants for special education

The bill provides $5,489,685,000 for grants to States, which is

$210,000,000 above the budget request and $500,000,000 above the

fiscal year 2000 level. Out of the total of $5,489,685,000 made

available for school year 2001–2002, $1,747,685,000 is appropriated

for fiscal year 2001 for obligation after July 1, 2001 and

$3,742,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2002 for obligation

on, or after, October 1, 2001.

This program provides formula grants to assist the States in

meeting the excess costs of providing special education and related

services to children with disabilities. In order to be eligible for

funds, States must make free appropriate public education available to all children with disabilities. Funds are currently distributed based on the number of children with disabilities to whom the

States provide a free appropriate education.

The Committee believes that the Department has made good

progress in developing specific, measurable standards of academic

achievement and postsecondary attendance or employment consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and

Results Act for special education State grants.

State grants: Preschool grants

The bill provides $390,000,000 for preschool grants, the same as

the fiscal year 2000 level and the budget request. This program

provides grants to States on the basis of their proportionate share

of the total number of children in the 3 through 5 age range. These

funds are provided in order to assist States to make a free appropriate education available to all children with disabilities in the 3

through 5 age range.

State Grants: Grants for infants and families

The bill provides $375,000,000 for grants for infants and families, the same as fiscal year 2000 and $8,567,000 below the budget

request. This formula grant assists States in developing and implementing statewide systems of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interagency programs to make available early intervention services to all children with disabilities, aged birth through

2, and their families.

The Committee recognizes that there has been confusion around

the term ‘‘natural environment’’ under this program. As in all programs under IDEA, the individual needs of the child must be the

first consideration when determining what services to provide and

where to provide those services. While the Committee recognizes

that providing services in the ‘‘natural environment’’ may not be

appropriate for all children, the Committee believes that parents

must be involved in that decision. Under the infants and families

program, parents fully participate in the development of the IndiVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00150 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
151

vidualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that determines the early

intervention services their child receives and where such services

are provided. Such plan is developed by a multidisciplinary team

and requires the written consent of the parents prior to providing

any early intervention services. The IFSP must include a statement of the natural environment where the services will be provided including a justification of the extent, if any, to which the

services will not be provided in a natural environment. The Committee encourages the Secretary to ensure that this process takes

place so that parents are fully participating in the development of

the IFSP.

IDEA National Program: State improvement

The bill includes $45,200,000 for State improvement, which is

the same as the budget request and $10,000,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 appropriation. This program supports competitive grants

to State educational agencies to assist them, in partnership with

parents, teachers, institutions of higher education, interest groups,

and others, to improve results for children with disabilities by reforming and improving their educational, early intervention, and

transitional service systems. Among these systems are those for

professional development, technical assistance, and dissemination

of knowledge about best practices. Awards are based on State improvement plans developed by the States.

The Department has made progress in developing performance

indicators for this program. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to work on indicators which assess the degree to

which local education agencies and teachers are accessing training

and technical assistance services, the degree to which these new

techniques are integrated into school or classroom practices and

the degree to which the techniques are successful in improving the

academic achievement and successful transition to postsecondary

education and employment.

IDEA National Program: Research and innovation

The bill includes $64,433,000 for research and innovation,

$10,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal

year 2000 appropriation. This program supports competitive

awards to produce and advance the use of knowledge to improve

services and results for children with disabilities. The program focuses on producing new knowledge, integrating research and practice and improving the use of knowledge.

IDEA National Program: Technical assistance and dissemination

The bill includes $45,481,000 for technical assistance and dissemination. This funding level is $8,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. This program provides technical assistance and information through competitive awards that support institutes, regional resource centers,

clearinghouses, and efforts to build State and local capacity to

make systemic changes and improve results for children with disabilities.

152

IDEA National Program: Personnel preparation

The bill includes $81,952,000 for personnel preparation, which is

the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. This program supports competitive awards to help address

State-identified needs for qualified personnel to work with children

with disabilities, and to ensure that those personnel have the skills

and knowledge they need to serve those children. Awards focus on

addressing the need for personnel to serve low incidence populations and high incidence populations, leadership personnel, and

projects of national significance.

IDEA National Program: Parent information centers

The bill includes $22,000,000 for parent information centers

which is $3,465,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and $4,000,000

below the budget request. This program makes awards to parent

organizations to support parent training and information centers,

including community parent resource centers. These centers provide training and information to meet the needs of parents of children with disabilities living in the areas served by the centers, particularly underserved parents and parents of children who may be

inappropriately identified. Technical assistance is also provided

under this program for developing, assisting and coordinating centers receiving assistance under this program.

IDEA National Program: Technology and media services

The bill includes $36,410,000 for technology and media services,

which is $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and

$1,887,000 above the budget request. This program makes competitive awards to support the development, demonstration, and use of

technology and educational media activities of educational value to

children with disabilities.

The bill includes $9,500,000 for Recording for the Blind and

Dyslexic, an increase of $2,000,000 over the amount appropriated

for 2000. These funds support continued production and circulation

of recorded textbooks, increased outreach activities to print-disabled students and their teachers, and an accelerated use of digital

technology. The Committee believes that the increase recommended

will enable RFB&D to significantly expand its outreach activities

and to accelerate its efforts to digitize its vast storehouse of materials.

The Committee continues to recognize the importance of very

small businesses in increasing the quality and cost-effectiveness of

the television captioning program. As this program transitions into

a mandatory program under the Telecommunications Act, the Committee urges the Department to give full and fair consideration to

the applications of very small businesses.

REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH

The bill includes $2,776,803,000 for rehabilitation services and

disability research. This amount is $21,848,000 below the budget

request and $69,814,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

The programs in this account are authorized by the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973, the Helen Keller National Center Act, and the TechVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00152 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
153

nology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of

1988.

Vocational rehabilitation grants to States

For vocational rehabilitation State grants, the bill includes $2,399,790,000, $60,813,000 above fiscal year 2000 and the same as

the budget request. This program supports basic vocational rehabilitation services through formula grants to the States. These

grants support a wide range of services designed to help persons

with physical and mental disabilities prepare for and engage in

gainful employment to the extent of their capabilities. Emphasis is

placed on providing vocational rehabilitation services to persons

with the most severe disabilities.

Client assistance

The bill includes $10,928,000 for the client assistance program, $219,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year

2000 amount. A client assistance program is required in each State

as a condition of receipt of a basic State grant. State formula

grants are used to help persons with disabilities overcome problems

with the service delivery system and improve their understanding

of services available to them under the Rehabilitation Act.

Training

For training personnel to provide rehabilitation services to per- sons with disabilities, the bill includes $39,629,000, the same as

the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount.

The program supports long-term and short-term training, in-service

personnel training, and training of interpreters for deaf persons.

Projects in a broad array of disciplines are funded to ensure that

skilled personnel are available to serve the vocational needs of persons with disabilities.

Demonstration and training programs

The bill includes $16,492,000 for demonstration and training programs, $5,180,000 below both the fiscal year 2000 level and the

budget request. These programs authorize discretionary awards on

a competitive basis to public and private organizations to support

demonstrations, direct services, and related activities for persons

with severe disabilities.

Migratory workers

For programs serving migratory workers, the bill provides

$2,350,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and

$500,000 below the budget request. This program provides discretionary grants to make comprehensive vocational rehabilitation

services available to migrant or seasonal farmworkers with vocational disabilities. Projects emphasize outreach activities, specialized bilingual rehabilitation counseling, and coordination of vocational rehabilitation services with services from other sources.

Recreational programs

For recreational programs, the bill provides $2,596,000, $925,000

below the fiscal year 2000 amount and the same as the budget request. This program provides individuals with recreation and reVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00153 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
154

lated activities to aid in their employment, mobility, independence,

socialization, and community integration. Discretionary grants are

made on a competitive basis to States, public agencies, and nonprofit private organizations, including institutions of higher education.

Protection and advocacy of individual rights

For protection and advocacy for persons with severe disabilities, the bill provides $14,000,000, $1,868,000 above the budget request

and $2,106,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. Grants are awarded to entities that have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies needed to protect and advocate the rights of persons with severe disabilities.

Projects with industry

For projects with industry, the bill provides $22,071,000, the

same as both the fiscal year 2000 amount and the budget request.

This program is the primary Federal vehicle for promoting greater

participation of business and industry in the rehabilitation process.

The program provides training and experience in realistic work settings to persons with disabilities to prepare them for employment

in the competitive labor market. Awards are made to a variety of

agencies and organizations, including business and industrial corporations, rehabilitation facilities, labor organizations, trade associations, and foundations.

Supported employment State grants

For supported employment State grants, the bill includes $38,152,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and

the budget request. These formula grants assist States in developing collaborative programs with public agencies and nonprofit

agencies for training and post-employment services leading to supported employment. In supported employment programs, persons

with severe disabilities are given special supervision and assistance

to enable them to perform a job.

Independent living: State grants

For State grants for independent living, the bill includes

$22,296,000. This amount is the same as both the fiscal year 2000

amount and the budget request. This program supports formula

grants to the States to provide services designed to meet the current and future needs of persons whose disabilities are so severe

that they do not presently have the potential for employment, but

who may benefit from services to enable them to live and function

independently.

Independent living: Centers

For centers for independent living, the bill provides $58,000,000,

which is the same as the budget request and $10,000,000 above the

fiscal year 2000 level. Discretionary grants support a network of

consumer-controlled, nonresidential, community-based private nonprofit centers that provide a wide range of services to help persons

with severe disabilities live more independently in family and community settings. Centers provide information and referral services,

independent living skills training, peer counseling, and individual

155

and systems advocacy. Discretionary grants are made to State vocational rehabilitation agencies or other public agencies or private

nonprofit organizations.

Independent living: Services for older blind persons

For independent living services for older blind individuals, the bill provides $18,000,000. This amount is $3,000,000 above both

the fiscal year 2000 amount and the budget request. Discretionary

grants support services for persons 55 years old or over whose severe visual impairment makes gainful employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible.

Program improvement

For program improvement activities, the bill provides $1,900,000,

which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 level and the budget request. The program: (1) provides technical assistance and consultative services to public and non-profit private agencies and organizations; (2) provides short-term training and technical instruction;

(3) conducts special demonstrations; (4) collects, prepares, publishes and disseminates educational or informational materials,

and; (5) carries out monitoring and conducts evaluations.

Evaluation

The bill includes $1,587,000 for program evaluation, the same as

the fiscal year 2000 amount and the budget request. These funds

are used to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of individual programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. Contracts are

awarded on an annual basis for studies to be conducted by persons

not immediately involved in the administration of the programs authorized by the Act.

Helen Keller National Center

For the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and

Adults, the bill includes $8,550,000, which is the same as the fiscal

year 2000 amount and $167,000 below the budget request. These

funds are used for the operation of the national center for intensive

services for deaf-blind individuals and their families at Sands

Point, New York and a network of 10 regional offices for referral

and counseling. In addition to support for the national and regional

staff, the Helen Keller Center provides seed money to State and

private nonprofit affiliate agencies to assist them in initiating programs for deaf-blind persons.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

The bill includes $86,462,000 for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the same as the fiscal year

2000 amount and $13,538,000 below the budget request. The Institute supports research, demonstration and training activities that

are designed to maximize the employment and integration into society of individuals with disabilities of all ages.

Assistive technology

For assistive technology activities, the bill provides $34,000,000,

$7,112,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal

year 2000 amount. Technology assistance activities are authorized

156

under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988, which was reauthorized in 1994. This program provides discretionary grants to the States to assist them in

developing statewide programs to facilitate the provision of devices

for, and services to, persons with disabilities.

SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND

The bill provides $11,000,000 for the American Printing House for the Blind, an increase of $900,000 above the comparable fiscal

year 2000 appropriation and $735,000 above the budget request.

This appropriation subsidizes the production of educational materials for legally blind persons enrolled in pre-college programs. The

Printing House, which is chartered by the State of Kentucky, manufactures and maintains an inventory of special materials that is

distributed free of charge to schools and States based on the number of blind students in each State. The Printing House also conducts research and field activities to inform educators about the

availability of materials and how to use them.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

The bill provides $54,000,000 for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), an increase of $5,849,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 amount and $2,214,000 above the request.

The bill allows the NTID to transfer a portion of its appropriation

to the endowment at its discretion. The Committee directs the

NTID to report to it within 15 days of executing such a transfer. The bill includes $6,000,000 to remain available until expended

for construction on dormitory renovations. The Committee notes

that NTID has voiced concerns in its budget hearings for the past

two years that the construction funds requested by the Department

of Education are insufficient for dormitory renovations. The Department of Education has requested that NTID raise 15 percent

of the renovation costs through private contributions. NTID has

had difficulty in doing so and the Committee has therefore provided a slight increase above the budget request for the construction account in fiscal year 2001 in order to ameliorate this situation

to some extent. The Committee will continue to monitor this situation and encourages NTID to continue to pursue private contributions to pay for a portion of the renovation costs to the extent practicable.

The Committee is pleased with the progress NTID has made in

achieving most of its performance measures.

The NTID was established by Congress in 1965 to provide a residential facility for postsecondary technical training and education

for deaf persons with the purpose of promoting the employment of

deaf individuals. The Institute also conducts applied research and

provides training in various aspects of deafness. The Secretary of

Education administers these activities through a contract with the

Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.

GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

The bill provides $89,400,000 for Gallaudet University, an increase of $3,420,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 approVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00156 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
157

priation and $1,750,000 above the budget request. The bill includes

a provision that allows Gallaudet to transfer a portion of its appropriation to the endowment at its discretion. The Committee directs

Gallaudet to report to it within 15 days of executing such a transfer. The Committee expects $2,500,000 of this total to be used for

deferred maintenance activities as described in the President’s fiscal year 2001 budget justification.

Gallaudet is a private, non-profit educational institution Federally-chartered in 1864 providing elementary, secondary, college preparatory, undergraduate, and continuing education for deaf persons. In addition, the University offers graduate programs in fields

related to deafness for deaf and hearing students, conducts various

deafness research, and provides public service programs for deaf

persons.

The Committee is pleased with the progress Gallaudet has made

in achieving most of its performance measures.

VOCATIONAL AND ADULT EDUCATION

The bill includes $1,718,600,000 for vocational and adult education programs. This amount is $36,850,000 above the fiscal year

2000 appropriation and $32,650,000 below the budget request. This

appropriation account includes vocational education programs authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology

Education Act. The account also includes adult education programs

originally authorized by the Adult Education Act and reauthorized

under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

Vocational education basic grants

This bill includes $1,100,000,000 for basic grants to States under

the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education

Act, which is $44,350,000 above the fiscal year 2000 amount and

$244,350,000 above the budget request. Out of the total of

$1,100,000,000 made available for school year 2001–2002,

$309,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation

after July 1, 2001 and $791,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year

2002 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2001.

State grants support a variety of vocational education programs

developed in accordance with the State plan. The Act concentrates

federal resources on institutions with high concentrations of low-income students. The populations assisted by Basic Grants range

from secondary students in pre-vocational courses to adults who

need retraining to adapt to changing technological and labor markets.

Tech-prep

The bill includes $106,000,000 for tech-prep, which is the same

as fiscal year 2000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2001. The

Committee bill does not include the recommendation made in the

budget request to advance fund $200,000,000 in this account for

fiscal year 2002.

This appropriation includes activities under title III, part E of

the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education

Act. The tech-prep education program provides planning and demonstration grants to consortia of local educational agencies and

postsecondary institutions to develop and operate model technical

158

education programs. These programs begin in high school and provide students with the mathematical, science, communications and

technological skills needed to enter a 2-year associate degree or 2-

year certificate program in a given occupational field, and to make

a successful transition into further postsecondary education or

begin their careers. The purpose of tech-prep is to develop structural links between secondary and postsecondary institutions that

integrate academic and vocational education and better prepares

students to make the transition from school to careers.

Tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions

The bill includes $4,600,000 for grants for tribally controlled

postsecondary vocational institutions, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2000 amount. This program provides

grants for the operation and improvement of training programs to

ensure continuation and expansion of vocational training opportunities for Indian youth.

National programs

For national programs, the Committee provides $17,500,000,

which is the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount and the budget

request. This authority supports the conduct and dissemination of

research in vocational education, and includes support for the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, six regional

curriculum coordination centers, and other discretionary research.

The Committee notes that one of the key provisions of the Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act is the development of stronger linkages between education and employers. One

aspect of this is the development of curricula for career clusters.

The Committee encourages the Department to continue development of this curricula, and, to help address the shortage of labor

in the construction industry, recommends that the design of the

construction curriculum receive high priority.

National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee

The bill does not include funding for the National Occupational

Information Coordinating Committee (NOICC). The President’s

budget did not request funding for it. Last year NOICC was funded

at $9,000,000. NOICC provides career information and guidance

services to students and adults through a network of state agencies.

State programs for adult education

For state grants, the Committee recommends $470,000,000,

which is $20,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 amount, and

$10,000,000 above the budget request. State formula grants support programs to enable all adults to acquire basic literacy skills,

to enable those who so desire to complete a secondary education,

and to make available to adults the means to become more employable, productive, and responsible citizens.

Grants are provided on a formula basis to States under the new

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The formula provides an

initial allotment of $25,000 for each state and $100,000 to each outlying area, with additional allotments distributed on the basis of

159

population aged 16 or over who are without a high school diploma

or equivalent who are not enrolled in secondary school.

States may use 12.5% of their allotments for state leadership activities and may use an additional 5% or $65,000 for state administration. States and localities must give priority to adult education

and literacy activities that are built on a strong foundation of research on effective practices and that effectively employ technology.

Funds are provided on a forward-funded basis.

The Committee notes that over 40 percent of new adult education

entrants are seeking English as-a-second language (ESL) services

and that ESL accounts for 51 percent of all adults receiving adult

education services and 76 percent of the hours of instruction received. The Committee expects that the funds provided in this program will be used by states with large concentrations of students

who seek English language proficiency training to meet the needs

of those individuals. The Committee bill retains language similar

to that contained in last year’s bill that guarantees a portion of the

funds will be used to provide civics education services to new immigrants.

National Programs—National Leadership Activities

The Committee provides $14,000,000 for national leadership activities. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2000 level and

$75,000,000 below the budget request.

Through applied research, development, dissemination, evaluation, and program improvement activities, this program assists

State efforts to improve the quality of adult education. The funds

support such projects as evaluations on the status and effectiveness

of adult education programs, national and international adult literacy surveys, and technical assistance on using technology to improve instruction and administration that show promise of contributing to the improvement and expansion of adult education.

The Committee has not included funding for a separate, competitive grant program proposed by the Administration for civics education. The Committee believes that the proposed initiative would

result in unnecessary duplication, paperwork, and cost for states

and localities that already operate successful ESL programs. The

Committee has included language similar to that contained in last

year’s bill that guarantees a portion of the funds will be used to

provide civics education services to new immigrants.

The Committee notes that $7,000,000 in fiscal year 1999 funds

were used by the Department to support a discretionary competition to identify best practices in teaching English-as-a-Second Language programs. The Committee is hopeful that this program will

identify successful models for teaching ESL programs to new immigrants and that the Department will quickly disseminate its findings to all States and to the Committee.

National Institute for Literacy

For the National Institute for Literacy, the bill provides

$6,500,000, which is $500,000 above the fiscal year 2000 amount

and the same as the budget request. The Institute supports research and development projects, tracks progress made toward national literacy goals, supports research fellowships, disseminates

160

information through a national clearinghouse, and coordinates literacy information data from national and State sources.

State grants for incarcerated youth offenders

The Committee recommends no funding for state grants for in- carcerated youth offenders, $12,000,000 below the budget request

and $19,000,000 below the fiscal year 2000 amount. Given the limited Federal discretionary budget, the Committee has chosen to

focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill.

STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The bill provides $10,198,000,000 for student financial assistance programs, an increase of $823,283,000 over the comparable fiscal

year 2000 appropriation and a decrease of $60,000,000 below the

President’s budget request.

It has come to the Committee’s attention that the Higher Education Assistance Fund (HEAF) Board recently met and started

shut-down procedures after dealing with the last claim and determining that there would be no further claims to settle related to

the closure of HEAF. The Committee understands that approximately $10,000,000 remains in the HEAF account, which is under

the control of the Department of Education. These funds may not

be obligated by the Department of Education prior to consultation

with the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the appropriations

and authorizing committees of the House and the Senate.

The Committee strongly encourages the office of Student Financial Assistance, through the Office’s web site, to include links or

contact information for all banks and financial institutions within

the United States who are eligible Federal Family Education Loan

(FFEL) program lenders and who wish to be identified on the Office’s website.

Pell grants

The bill increases the maximum Pell Grant to $3,500, the same

as the President’s request and $200 above the comparable fiscal

year 2000 amount, providing the highest maximum grant ever

awarded. This raise in the maximum grant will increase the number of students who qualify for Pell Grants to 3,885,000. The bill provides $8,356,000,000 in new budget authority for the

Pell Grant program, the same as the President’s request and

$716,283,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 amount. The

Committee considers this program to be among the highest priorities under its jurisdiction. Pell Grants provide portable education

vouchers to postsecondary students who may use them at any of

over 6,000 eligible schools.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

The bill provides $691,000,000 for federal supplemental educational opportunity grants, the same as the request and

$70,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

The SEOG program provides grants through postsecondary institutions to qualified students who demonstrate exceptional financial

need. Institutions have broad flexibility within the eligibility criteria for awarding these grants with the exception that priority

must be given to Pell Grant recipients.

161

Work-study

The bill provides $1,011,000,000 for the work-study program, an increase of $77,000,000 over the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation and the same as the budget request. Funding for this program is provided through institutions to students who work parttime to meet the cost of education. Institutions receive funding according to a statutory formula and may allocate it for job location

and job development centers.

The administration requires that ‘‘...at least one tutoring or family literacy project [must be included] as part of ...community service activities [under Work Study.]’’ The Committee believes that,

given the priority placed on this activity by the Administration,

they should include performance data on the baseline literacy level

of children and adults participating in family literacy or tutoring

and numerical measures of expected improvements. These measures should parallel, to the degree possible, the measures used in

programs such as even start, head start, and other literacy programs.

Perkins loans capital contributions

The Committee bill provides $100,000,000 in funding for new

capital contributions to federal perkins revolving loan funds, the

same as the budget request and the comparable fiscal year 2000

appropriation.

Perkins loans cancellations

The bill provides $40,000,000 for federal perkins loans cancella- tions, $20,000,000 below the budget request and $10,000,000 above

the comparable fiscal year 2000 amount. The Federal Government

reimburses institutional perkins revolving loan funds for loan cancellations permitted under Federal law. Loans may be canceled

when the borrower pursues a career in one of 12 statutorily-designated professions including corrections, medical technical work,

and peace corps or VISTA service.

Leveraging educational assistance partnership

The bill does not provide funding for the leveraging educational

assistance partnership (LEAP) program. The fiscal year 2000 Appropriations Act provided $40,000,000 for this program and the

President requested $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2001. The Higher

Education Amendments of 1998 reauthorized the state student incentive grant (SSIG) program as the new leveraging educational

assistance partnership (LEAP) program. LEAP provides dollar-fordollar matching funds to States as an incentive for providing needbased grant and work study assistance to eligible postsecondary

students. Federally supported grants and job earnings are limited

to $5,000 per award year for full-time students. By law, each

State’s allocation is based on its relative share of the total national

population of students eligible to participate in the programs, except that no state is to receive less than it received in 1979, when

the appropriation was $76,750,000. If LEAP amounts are below

this level, each State is allocated an amount proportional to the

amount of funds it received in 1979. If a state does not use all of

its allocation, the excess funds are distributed to other States in

the same proportion as the original distribution. States must, at a

162

minimum, match LEAP grants dollar for dollar with state funds

provided through direct state appropriations for this purpose.

GPRA Measures

The Committee is encouraged by the Office of Student Financial

Aid’s focus on the development of performance measures. The Office should use these measures as the primary management tool for

resource allocation and the evaluation of programs and individuals.

The Committee is very concerned that the Office has not consulted

with it, and other Committees of Congress, on the definition of performance measures, baseline development and the development

and implementation of regular progress reports to Congress. The

Office of Student Financial Aid is directed to establish a regular

consultative process with the Committee on Appropriations, the

Committee on Education and the Workforce and the analogous

Committees in the Senate. The Committee also instructs the Office

regularly to brief the Congress on how these tools are being used

to manage the Student Financial Assistance programs, how such

data is used to establish program and individual performance

goals, how actual performance is measured against these goals and

the kinds of incentives, both positive and negative, that are in

place to assure the achievement of overall goals.

The Committee concurs with the Secretary’s proposal to provide

a single set of performance measures. However, it also believes

that, in addition to various measures of timeliness, accuracy and

student satisfaction, the Secretary should include measures relating to the successful completion of degrees or certificates by students assisted through the various student financial aid programs.

Federal family education loan program

The bill provides $48,000,000 for administration of the federal

family education loan (FFEL) program, the same as fiscal year

2000 and the budget request. This discretionary administrative

funding is provided in the FFEL appropriation account rather than

under the Department’s Salaries and Expenses account pursuant to

a requirement of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. These

funds support Federal administrative activities including processing payments and claims, reducing loan default costs, and program monitoring. FFEL loans are financed with private capital and

reinsured by the Federal Government against borrower default,

death, disability and bankruptcy. Federal costs include payments

for such insurance claims as well as support for borrower interest

benefits. FFEL loans have supported over $150,000,000,000 in

loans to student and parent borrowers since their inception. This

account includes discretionary Federal administrative costs only.

Additional amounts for new FFEL subsidies and mandatory administrative expenses for fiscal year 2001 are provided under permanent legislative authority.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The bill provides $1,688,081,000 for higher education programs,

an increase of $158,502,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $107,892,000 below the budget request.

163

Strengthening institutions

The bill provides $73,000,000 for the regular strengthening institutions program, $10,000,000 above the budget request and

$12,750,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level. This program provides

general operating subsidies to institutions with low average educational and general expenditures per student and significant percentages of low-income students. Awards may be used for faculty

and academic program development, management, joint use of libraries and laboratories, acquisition of equipment, and student

services.

Hispanic serving institutions

The bill provides $68,500,000 for the Hispanic serving institutions (HSI) program, $6,000,000 above the budget request and

$26,250,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level.

The HSI program provides operating subsidies to schools that

serve at least 25 percent Hispanic students of whom at least half

are low-income, first-generation students and at least a quarter of

whom are either low-income or first-generation students.

The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop

specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators

related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.

Dual degree programs

The Committee bill does not include funding for the dual degree

program proposed by the Administration to be funded at

$40,000,000. This program is not authorized. The proposal would

provide grants to minority serving institutions to establish dual-degree program articulation agreements, provide some scholarship

funds for participating students and compensate the minority serving institutions for revenue losses associated with the participating

students’ accelerated matriculation.

Strengthening historically black colleges and universities

The bill provides $185,000,000 for strengthening historically

black colleges and universities (HBCUs), $36,250,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $16,000,000 above the budget request.

This program provides operating subsidies to accredited, legally

authorized HBCUs established prior to 1964 whose principal mission is the education of Black Americans. Funds may be used to

support both programs and management and are distributed

through a formula grant based on the enrollment of Pell Grant recipients, number of graduates, and the number of graduates entering graduate or professional schools in which Blacks are underrepresented. The minimum grant is $500,000.

The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop

specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators

related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.

164

Strengthening historically black graduate institutions

The bill provides $45,000,000 for the strengthening historically black graduate institutions program, $14,000,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 appropriation and $5,000,000 above the budget request.

The program provides 5-year grants to the following 16 post-secondary institutions that are specified in section 326(e)(1) of the

Higher Education Act: Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry

Medical School, Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School,

Clark-Atlanta University, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Xavier University School of Pharmacy, Southern

University School of Law, Texas Southern University Schools of

Law and Pharmacy, Florida A&M University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University School of Law,

Morgan State University qualified graduate program, Hampton

University qualified graduate program, Alabama A&M qualified

graduate program, University of Maryland Eastern Shore qualified

graduate program, and Jackson State qualified graduate program.

No grants may be made to the last 11 institutions until the first

5 institutions have received at least $12 million. Grants are limited

to $500,000 unless the institution agrees to match the entire grant

with the exception of a minimum $3,000,000 set-aside for the Morehouse School of Medicine. Awards may be used for building endowments as well as the same purposes for which the strengthening

HBCU grants may be used.

The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop

specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators

related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.

Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions

The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for strengthening Alaska

Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, the same as both

the fiscal year 2000 level and the budget request.

The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop

specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators

related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.

Strengthening tribally controlled colleges and universities

The Committee recommends $12,000,000 for the strengthening

tribally controlled colleges and universities program, $3,000,000

above the budget request and $6,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000

level.

The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop

specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators

related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.

Fund for the improvement of postsecondary education

The Committee recommends $31,200,000 for the fund for the improvement of postsecondary education (FIPSE), the same as the

165

budget request and $43,049,000 below the fiscal year 2000 amount.

FIPSE awards grants and contracts to a variety of postsecondary

institutions and other organizations to improve the quality and delivery of postsecondary education.

Minority science improvement

The bill provides $8,500,000 for the minority science improvement program (MSIP), $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and the same as the budget request.

The MSIP program awards grants to improve mathematics,

science, and engineering programs at institutions serving primarily

minority students and to increase the number of minority students

who pursue advanced degrees and careers in those fields. The Committee encourages the Department to develop specific numerical

goals and baseline data for this program.

International education and foreign languages studies

Domestic programs

The bill provides $67,000,000 for the domestic activities of the

international education and foreign languages studies programs,

$5,000,000 above both the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and the

budget request. The program assists graduate and undergraduate

foreign language and area studies programs and students at institutions of postsecondary education. Programs include national resource centers, foreign language and area studies fellowships, undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs,

international research and studies projects, business and international education projects, international business education centers, language resource centers, and American overseas research

centers. In general, the Secretary has discretion to allocate funding

among these various activities.

The Department has developed some performance indicators for

this program; however, the Committee believes more work needs to

be done in developing specific, numeric goals and baseline data for

these programs.

Overseas programs

The bill provides $10,000,000 for the overseas programs in international education and foreign language studies authorized under

the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, popularly known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The appropriation is the

same as the budget request and $3,320,000 above the fiscal year

2000 appropriation. Funding for these programs supports group

projects abroad, faculty research abroad, special bilateral projects,

and doctoral research abroad.

The Department has developed some performance indicators for

this program, however, the Committee believes more work needs to

be done in developing specific, numeric goals and baseline data for

these programs.

Institute for International Public Policy

The bill provides $1,022,000 for the Institute for International

Public Policy, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal

year 2000 appropriation. This program provides a grant to the

166

United Negro College Fund to operate the Institute through subgrantees chosen among minority serving institutions.

The Department has developed some performance indicators for

this program, however, the Committee believes more work needs to

be done in developing specific, numeric goals and baseline data for

these programs.

Interest subsidy grants

The bill provides $10,000,000 for interest subsidy grants authorized under section 702 of the Higher Education Act, the same

amount requested in the budget and $2,000,000 below the fiscal

year 2000 appropriation. This program provides loan subsidies to

higher education institutions for facilities acquisition, construction

and renovation loans taken prior to 1974. All loans will terminate

by the fiscal year 2013. The authority to initiate new loan subsidy

commitments was repealed in the 1992 amendments to the Higher

Education Act. Interest subsidies provide institutions the difference

between the interest they pay on commercially-obtained loans and

3 percent of the loan balance. The bill provides funding sufficient

to meet the Federal Government’s commitments on the 241 loans

expected to be in repayment status in fiscal year 2001.

TRIO

The bill provides $760,000,000 for the six TRIO programs, an increase of $35,000,000 above the budget request and $115,000,000

above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

The TRIO programs provide a variety of outreach and support

services to encourage low-income, potential first-generation college

students to enter and complete college. Discretionary grants of up

to four or five years are awarded competitively to institutions of

higher education and other agencies. At least two-thirds of the eligible participants in TRIO must be low-income, first-generation college students.

The Committee urges the Department to use a funding allocation

strategy in making awards under TRIO that balances the need to

fund a larger number of grantees with the need for projects to improve the quality of student services and expand to serve all eligible students.

GEAR UP

The Committee recommends $200,000,000 for the GEAR UP program, the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and

$125,000,000 below the budget request.

GEAR UP provides grants to states and partnerships of low-income middle and high schools, institutions of higher education and

community organizations to target entire grades of students and

give them the skills and encouragement to successfully pursue

postsecondary education.

Byrd scholarships

The Committee recommends $39,859,000 for the Byrd scholarships program, $1,142,000 below the budget request and the same

as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. The Byrd scholarship program provides formula grants to States to award four-year, $1,500

167

scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence in

high school.

Javits fellowships

The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for the Javits fellowship program, the same as the budget request and $10,000,000

below the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

Under the Javits program, institutions receive Federal support to

make fellowship awards of up to $14,400 to students pursuing doctoral study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

The Committee is aware that, due to a contractor error, 39 students were incorrectly notified in writing that they were recipients

of a Javits Fellowship for the 2000–2001 school year. Because of a

provision in the authorizing law guaranteeing funding to a student

once he or she is notified in writing of receipt of such an award,

the Department believes it is obligated to grant the 39 alternate

students awards. However, the Department has also informed the

Committee that, although this error was made by a Department

contractor, the Department has not terminated the contract nor required the contractor to pay for this mistake. Although this situation appears to have resolved itself without additional cost, the

Committee remains deeply concerned that this could have resulted

in federal taxpayers assuming the responsibility for a contractor

error while the contractor continued to receive payments. Accordingly, the Committee urges the Department to carefully review this

contractor’s performance and take appropriate steps, up to and including termination of the contract, to ensure that future such errors will not occur.

Graduate assistance in areas of national need program

The Committee recommends $31,000,000 for the graduate assistance in areas of national need (GAANN) program, the same as both

the budget request and the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

The GAANN program awards grants to institutions of higher

education to provide fellowships of up to five years and $14,400 to

economically disadvantaged students who have demonstrated academic excellence and who are pursuing graduate education in designated areas of national need.

Learning anytime anywhere

The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for learning anytime

anywhere partnerships, which is $13,269,000 below the fiscal year

2000 appropriation and $20,000,000 below the budget request.

This program supports grants of up to 5 years for regional or national partnerships aimed at widening the availability of new forms

of distance education, as well as improving instructional and program quality.

Teacher quality enhancement grants

The Committee recommends $98,000,000 for teacher quality enhancement grants, which is the same as the budget request and

the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. Teacher quality enhancement

grants have three components: state grants, partnership grants

and recruitment grants. By statute, state and partnership grants

168

each receive 45 percent of the appropriation, and recruitment

grants receive 10 percent.

Under the state grant component, states apply to receive up to

three years of funding to improve the quality of their teaching force

through promoting reform activities such as teacher licensing and

certification, accountability for high quality teacher preparation

and professional development and recruiting teachers for high-need

schools. States must match 50 percent of the federal award.

Under the partnership component, partnerships apply to receive

a five-year grant to strengthen the capacity of K–12 educators in

designing and implementing effective teacher education programs,

and by increasing collaboration among these practitioners and departments of arts and sciences and schools of education at institutions of higher education. Partnerships must match 25 percent of

the federal grant in the first year, 35 percent in the second year,

and 50 percent for the remaining years.

The recruitment component supports the efforts to reduce shortages of qualified teachers in high-need school districts. States or

partnerships may apply to receive these grants.

Child care access means parents in school

The Committee recommends $15,000,000 for child care access

means parents in school program, which is the same as the budget

request and $10,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

Under this program, institutions may receive discretionary

grants of up to four years to support or establish a campus-based

childcare program primarily serving the needs of low-income students enrolled at the institution. Priority is given to childcare programs that leverage significant local or institutional resources and

utilize a sliding fee scale. Grants can only be used to supplement

childcare services or start new programs.

Demonstration projects to ensure quality higher education for students with disabilities

The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for demonstration

projects to ensure quality higher education for students with disabilities, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year

2000 level.

This program provides discretionary grants for three years to

support model demonstration projects that provide technical assistance and professional development activities for faculty and administrators in institutions of higher education in order to provide students with disabilities a high-quality postsecondary education.

Underground railroad program

The Committee recommends no funding for the underground railroad program, which is $1,750,000 below both the budget request

and the fiscal year 2000 appropriation. The underground railroad

program is a grant to a non-profit institution to research, display,

interpret and collect artifacts relating to the history of the underground railroad. Because of the limited resources available to it

this year, the Committee has chosen to fund programs that provide

direct services to low-income students.

169

Community Scholarship Mobilization

The Committee bill does not include funding for the community

scholarship mobilization program. This program was funded at

$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2000. The President’s budget did not request funding for it.

GPRA data/HEA program evaluation

The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for program evaluation

and development of data required under the Government Performance and Results Act for Higher Education programs administered

by the Department. This is the same as the budget request and the

fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

The Committee understands that for many higher education programs, baseline and performance indicator data is sparse, nonexistent or difficult to collect. Funding under this activity will support the Department in developing high-quality data as required

under the Government Performance and Results Act.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

The bill provides $226,474,000 for Howard University, $2,474,000

above the budget request and $7,030,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation. Howard University is a ‘‘Research I’’

university located in the District of Columbia. Direct appropriations for Howard University are authorized by 20 U.S.C. 123, originally enacted in 1867.

The budget request earmarks a minimum of $3,530,000 for the

endowment. The Committee bill increases this amount to

$3,600,000, which represents an increase of $70,000 above the current level.

Howard University provides undergraduate liberal arts, graduate

and professional instruction to 10,400 students from all 50 States.

Masters degrees are offered in over 85 fields and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 24 fields.

The Committee is pleased with the progress Howard University

has made in achieving most of its performance measures.

COLLEGE HOUSING AND ACADEMIC FACILITIES LOANS PROGRAM

The bill provides $737,000 for the Federal administration of the

college housing and academic facilities loan (CHAFL) program, the

Higher Educational Facilities Loans program and the College

Housing Loans program, the same as the budget request and the

same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAPITAL AND

FINANCING PROGRAM

Federal administration

The bill provides $207,000 for the administration of the historically black college and university capital financing program authorized under part B of title VII of the Higher Education Act, the

same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $1,000 below the

budget request. The program is intended to make capital available

for repair and renovation of facilities at historically black colleges

and universities. In exceptional circumstances, capital provided

170

under the program can be used for construction or acquisition of facilities.

Bond subsidies

Under the HBCU capital program, a private, for-profit ‘‘designated bonding authority’’ issues construction bonds to raise capital for loans to historically black colleges and universities for construction projects. The Department provides insurance for these

bonds, guaranteeing full payment of principal and interest to bond

holders. Federally insured bonds and unpaid interest are limited by

statute to $357,000,000. The letter of credit limitation establishes

the total amount of bonds which can be issued by the designated

bonding authority. The credit limitation must be explicitly stated

in an appropriation Act according to the authorizing legislation.

EDUCATION RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND IMPROVEMENT

The bill includes $494,367,000 for education research, statistics,

and improvement programs. This amount is $23,200,000 less than

the budget request, and $96,714,000 below the fiscal year 2000

level. This account supports education research authorized under

the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994; title VI of P.L. 103–27; the National Center

for Education Statistics and the National Assessment of Educational Progress authorized by the National Education Statistics

Act of 1994, title VI of P.L. 103–382; and titles II, X, and XIII of

the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Research

This bill includes $103,567,000 for educational research, the

same as the fiscal year 2000 amount. The President’s budget did

not request separate line item funding for this program. The Office

of Educational Research and Improvement conducts research and

development activities, which are authorized under the Educational

Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of

1994, title IX of P.L. 103–227. The 1994 Act established a National

Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board within the Office

of Educational Research and Improvement, and authorizes five new

national research institutes for the following subject areas: (1) student achievement, curriculum, and assessment; (2) education of atrisk students; (3) educational governance, finance, policymaking,

and management; (4) early childhood development and education;

and (5) postsecondary education, libraries, and lifelong learning.

The Assistant Secretary is authorized to support activities to increase the participation of minority researchers and institutions as

well as research and development centers, in order to support the

objectives of the national research institutes.

The Committee is very concerned about the Department’s endorsement of mathematics programs that do not emphasize rigorous mathematics education. This nation must have the best

mathematics education possible to teach the next generation of scientists, and to help prepare students for the modern, high tech

workplace. The Committee urges the Department to reevaluate

these programs and the process by which they were identified as

‘‘promising’’ or ‘‘exemplary’’ to ensure that such programs focus on

sound scientific research.

171

Regional educational laboratories

The Committee has included $65,000,000 for the regional educational laboratories. This amount is the same as the fiscal year

2000 level. The President’s budget did not request separate line

item funding for this program.

The Committee reiterates its intent, expressed in the Conference

Report on the fiscal year 1996 bill (Report No. 104–537) that all

work of the Regional Education Laboratories be based on the priorities established by their regional governing boards.

The Committee notes that the request for proposals for regional

educational laboratories issued by the Department, which would be

in effect in fiscal year 2001, would shift part of the programmatic

control of the individual laboratories’ governing boards to the Department, and could pull the laboratories programs of work away

from the needs of educators and policymakers in the ten individual

laboratory regions. Consistent with House Report 104–537, it is the

intent of the Committee that funds provided to the regional educational laboratories shall not be conditioned on meeting performance standards that compromise the priorities of the regional governing boards of each of the individual laboratories. Further, the

Committee intends that regional educational laboratory funds shall

be obligated and distributed on the same basis as the fiscal year

2000 allocations not later than January 31, 2001.

Statistics

This bill includes $68,000,000 for the activities of the National

Center for Education Statistics, exclusive of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount. The President’s budget did not request separate line item funding for this program.

Statistics activities are authorized under the National Education

Statistics Act of 1994, title VI of P.L. 103–382. The Center collects,

analyzes, and reports statistics on all levels of education in the

United States. Activities are carried out directly and through

grants and contracts. Major publications include ‘‘The Condition of

Education’’ and ‘‘Digest of Education Statistics.’’ Other products include projections of enrollments, teacher supply and demand, and

educational expenditures. Technical assistance to state and local

education agencies and postsecondary institutions is provided.

International comparisons are authorized.

Research, Development and Dissemination

The Committee bill does not include funding for a proposed research, development and dissemination initiative proposed by the

Administration for funding at $198,567,000. This represents the

President’s proposal to consolidate existing research institutes, educational laboratories and national dissemination activities into a

single line-item.

It is the Committee’s understanding that these ideas are currently being considered by the authorizing committees. Education

research funding will follow the structure that is ultimately agreed

upon through this reauthorization process. Until this process is

complete, the Committee recommends level funding through existing education research line items.

172

Assessment

This bill includes $40,000,000 for the National Assessment of

Educational Progress, the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount,

and $2,500,000 below the budget request. The Assessment is authorized under section 411 of the National Education Statistics Act

of 1994, and is the only nationally representative survey of educational ability and achievement of American students. The primary goal of the Assessment is to determine and report the status

and trends of the knowledge and skills of students, subject by subject. Subject areas assessed in the past have included reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, as well as citizenship,

literature, art, and music. The Assessment is operated by contractors through competitive awards made by the National Center for

Education Statistics; a National Assessment Governing Board formulates the policy guidelines for the program. Within the amounts

provided, $4,000,000 is for the National Assessment Governing

Board.

Fund for the improvement of education

The bill includes $145,000,000 for the fund for the improvement of education, which is $7,850,000 above the budget request and

$98,864,000 below the fiscal year 2000 amount. The fund for the

improvement of education has a broad portfolio of activities related

to the national education goals and systemic education reform.

Under the fund, the Secretary of Education supports activities that

identify and disseminate innovative educational approaches.

The Committee has not provided funding for the following activities identified in the budget request: National Constitution Center,

Elementary School Counseling Demonstration, and College Test

Preparation.

The Committee remains concerned that major initiatives have

been established within the fund for the improvement of education

with no Congressional involvement in the past. It is particularly

concerned that these major initiatives were not disclosed in the

Congressional justifications submitted by the Department as part

of the budget submission. In addition, the Committee is concerned

that funding levels displayed in the Justifications and other submissions to the Committee during the consideration of the budget

request have been unilaterally changed by the Department without

notification of the Committee.

The Committee therefore continues the policy of last year which

directs the Department to treat these changes as reprogrammings,

and to employ the usual reprogramming rules, for any significant

change in funding for programs or activities within FIE from the

levels provided to the Committee during the appropriations process. The Committee also directs the Department to consider any

new activities, not mandated by Congress, to be reprogrammings

and to follow the usual reprogramming rules prior to any public notification or obligation of funds for these new activities. The Committee further directs the Department to provide a complete and

final listing of activities within FIE in the annual operating plan

required by this bill.

The Committee has included funding for Comprehensive School

Reform in this account. The Committee expects that the Department will continue to follow the directives in the Conference Report

173

accompanying the fiscal year 1999 bill (House Report 105–390) and

in the conference report accompanying the fiscal year 1999 bill

(House Report 105–825).

The Committee commends the Office of Educational Research

and Improvement at the Department of Education for the significant contributions it has provided to the Interagency Educational

Research Initiative undertaken with the National Institute of Child

Health and Human Development and the National Science Foundation. OERI is urged to continue its active participation in this

promising joint effort.

The final report of the National Reading Panel has made a significant contribution by making widely accessible rigorous research-based evidence on reading development, reading difficulties,

and reading instruction. The Committee is pleased with the coordinated efforts of the Department of Education and the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development on this project.

The Committee is pleased to learn of the progress being made in

the Spanish-to-English Reading Initiative launched by NICHD and

the OERI of the Department of Education, and looks forward to receiving a report at next year’s hearing on the research funded by

this important effort.

The Committee is aware that over 14 million young people in

this country have been identified as ‘‘at risk’’ and in need of a positive mentoring relationship. Yet only 4 million adults give of their

time to participate in mentoring programs. E-mentoring offers a

unique, new avenue to connect young people with positive adult

role models. The Committee encourages the Department to support

and build on existing expertise in delivering safe, responsible and

productive e-mentoring opportunities for young people.

The Committee also recognizes the role of one-to-one mentoring

programs in providing children with adult support and guidance so

that they may grow to become competent and caring men and

women. The Committee supports the establishment and expansion

of one-to-one mentoring programs into local schools in order to

reach more children in need of caring adult guidance.

The Committee continues to be aware of a growing body of research strongly associating the formal study of music with the development of spatial reasoning skills in young children. Spatialtemporal ability is required in mathematics, physics, engineering,

architecture and any subject or task requiring an understanding of

how objects fit together in time and space. A recent study found

that children given piano training and time playing with specially

designed computer software scored nearly 30 percent higher on proportional math and fractions tests than other children, and were

performing math skills at the sixth-grade level. These findings underscore the academic benefits of in-school music instruction for

children of various socioeconomic backgrounds. To the extent possible, the Committee encourages the Department of Education to

pursue further study in this area, with the goal of informing citizens, students, music educators and local school districts, so that

they may consider the future of their own music education programs with the benefit of peer-reviewed research.

The Committee is also aware of several recent research studies

which clearly substantiate that active participation in the arts has

a significant effect on a student’s success in reading and math and

174

is a valuable tool for the enhancement of intellectual development

overall. The Committee supports efforts to bring well-established

arts education programs to national audiences of students and

teachers through distance learning.

The Committee is impressed with vision screening programs operating for children in inner-city schools in several states. These

programs provide refractions by eye doctors and supply prescription glasses to students in economically distressed school systems.

The simple and low cost act of providing glasses can improve the

educational performance of children who have been severely hindered because of their inability to see properly. The Committee encourages the Department of Education’s continued support of this

initiative.

International education exchange

The Committee includes $7,000,000 for the international education exchange program which is the same as the fiscal year 2000

amount and $1,000,000 less than the budget request. International

education exchange is authorized under title VI of the Goals 2000:

Educate America Act. The International Education Exchange program provides support for education exchange activities in civics

and government education and economic education between the

United States and eligible countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and any country

that was formerly a republic of the Soviet Union. Grantees provide

for the exchange of ideas and experiences among educators and

leaders through seminars on the basic principles of U.S. constitutional democracy and economics, and through visits to school systems, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations

which are conducting exemplary programs in civics and economic

education.

The program is designed and implemented in collaboration with

the United States Information Agency, which is charged with ensuring that the assistance provided is not duplicative of other efforts. The authorizing statute requires that 50 percent of the funds

be reserved for activities in civics and government education activities, and 50 percent for economic education.

Civic education

This bill includes $10,000,000 for the civic education program,

$150,000 above both the budget request and the fiscal year 2000

level. The Civic Education program funds the Center for Civic Education to educate students about the history and principles of the

Constitution of the United States and foster civic competence and

responsibility. This purpose is accomplished primarily through the

Center’s program ‘‘We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution.’’ In addition to a course of instruction made available to public

and private elementary and secondary schools, the program provides, at local request, simulated congressional hearings, and sponsors a national competition of such hearings for secondary school

students. We the People is made available in all 435 Congressional

districts. Funds may also be used for training teachers about the

Constitution and the political system of the United States, and to

provide instruction for middle school students on the roles of State

175

and local governments in the Federal system established by the

Constitution.

Eisenhower professional development national activities

This bill includes $23,300,000 for the Eisenhower professional development national activities, which is the same as the fiscal year

2000 amount. The President did not propose separate line item

funding for this program. This program supports activities of national significance contributing to the development and implementation of high-quality professional development in the core subject

areas. Examples of authorized activities include: providing seed

money to agencies and organizations to develop their capacity to

provide professional development; supporting professional development with strong academic and pedagogical content for teams of

teachers and other educators from individual schools; encouraging

the development of professional networks to allow for interaction

among teachers of the core academic subjects; encouraging development of models for recruiting and retaining new, highly qualified

teachers; promoting the transferability of certification; and disseminating information about emerging academic standards and related

professional development.

Support for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), which has implemented a voluntary system of challenging professional certification for teachers, is specifically authorized. The President proposes to continue funding the Board under

a proposed new program in the School Improvement account. Funding is also authorized for the National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Evaluation of activities carried out

under both the Federal and State Eisenhower programs is also authorized.

Eisenhower regional mathematics and science education consortia

This bill includes $15,000,000 for the Eisenhower regional mathematics and science education consortia, the same as the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 2000 amount. Regional mathematics and science education consortia (at least one in each of the

ten regions served by the regional educational laboratories) disseminate exemplary mathematics and science instructional materials and provide technical assistance in the use of improved teaching methods and assessment tools. Awards are for up to 5 years.

Matching is required, with the Federal share set at 80 percent and

at least 10 percent of the 20 percent non-Federal share required to

come from sources other than State or local government. Eligible

recipients—State and local educational agencies, elementary or secondary schools, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, regional educational laboratories, or combinations of these

entities—must demonstrate their expertise in mathematics and

science education. Each recipient must establish a regional board,

representative of participating organizations, to oversee administration of the project and establish program priorities.

Javits gifted and talented education

This bill includes $7,500,000 for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and

Talented Students Education Act, the same as the budget request

and $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 amount. The purpose of

176

this program is to build nationwide capability to meet the special

educational needs of gifted and talented students. The program

functions through support for research, demonstration projects,

teacher training, and other activities. Competitive grants are

awarded to State and local educational agencies, institutions of

higher education, and other public and private agencies and organizations. Not more than 30 percent of available funds may be used

for research, evaluation, and the collection and analysis of information related to program purposes. These funds include support for

a National Center for Research and Development in the Education

of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth.

Priority must be given to projects identifying and serving gifted

and talented students who may not be identified and served

through traditional assessment methods, and to those developing

or improving the capacity of schools in an entire State or region of

the Nation to identify and serve gifted and talented students. At

least half of the applications approved for funding each year must

address the priority of serving students not identified through traditional means.

America’s tests

The bill does not include $5,000,000 requested by the Administration for the implementation of voluntary national tests. The

Committee notes that the fiscal year 1999 conference report included a permanent amendment to the General Education Provisions Act which specifically prohibited any pilot testing, field testing, administration or distribution of individualized national tests

that are not specifically and explicitly provided for in authorizing

legislation enacted into law. The Committee notes that, at the

present time, there is no specific and explicit authority in Federal

law for individualized national tests. The Committee has therefore

provided no funding for national testing activities in fiscal year

2001.

National writing project

The bill provides $10,000,000 for the National Writing Project, the same as the budget request and $1,000,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 level. Funds are provided to the National Writing Project

(NWP), a nonprofit educational organization that supports teacher

training programs in the effective teaching of writing, and supports

classroom-level research on teaching writing that documents effectiveness in terms of student performance. To provide these services, the National Writing Project contracts with numerous institutions of higher education and nonprofit education providers to operate small ($40,000 or less) teacher training programs. Federal

funds support 50 percent of the costs of these programs, and recipients must contribute an equal amount. A National Advisory Board

provides advice and support and reviews the Project’s programs

and activities.

DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The bill includes $488,134,000 for departmental management

(salaries and expenses) at the Department of Education. This

amount is the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and

$37,550,000 less than the budget request. These activities are auVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00176 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.002 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
177

thorized by the Department of Education Organization Act, P.L.

96–88, and include costs associated with the management and operations of the Department as well as separate costs associated

with the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of the Inspector General.

The Committee continues to be pleased with the emphasis the

Department’s senior management team has placed on complying

with the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee

expects the Department to continue to develop and refine GPRA

measures for all programs, focusing particularly on student

achievement outcomes.

Program administration

The bill includes $382,934,000 for program administration. This

amount is the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and

$30,250,000 below the budget request. These funds support the

staff and other costs of administering programs and activities at

the Department. Items include personnel compensation and health,

retirement and other benefits as well as travel, rent, telephones,

utilities, postage fees, data processing, printing, equipment, supplies, technology training, consultants and other contractual services.

The Department is instructed to continue to provide information

on revenues resulting from the actions of the inspector general as

required in the fiscal year 2000 House report (105–635).

Office for Civil Rights

The bill includes $71,200,000 for the salaries and expenses of the

Office for Civil Rights. This amount is the same as the fiscal year

2000 appropriation and $4,800,000 below the budget request. This

Office is responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination

on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, and age

in all programs and institutions that receive funds from the Department. These laws extend to 50 State educational agencies,

16,000 local educational agencies, 3,500 institutions of higher education, as well as to proprietary schools, State rehabilitation agencies, libraries, and other institutions receiving Federal funds.

Office of the Inspector General

The bill includes $34,000,000 for the Office of the Inspector General. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation

and $2,500,000 below the budget request. This Office has authority

to inquire into all program and administrative activities of the Departments as well as into related activities of grant and contract

recipients. It conducts audits and investigations to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations, to check alleged fraud

and abuse, efficiency of operations, and effectiveness of results.

The Committee complements the work of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Education for their work in obtaining information on actual collections, offsets, and funds put to

better use as required in House Report 105–635. This information

is of great use to the Committee and the Committee understands

the difficulty encountered by the OIG in obtaining it. The Committee expects that the Office of Inspector General will continue to

report the information to it.

178

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The bill includes a limitation on the use of educational technology funds by local school districts unless the district has in

place, on computers that are accessible to minors and during use

by such minors, technology which filters or blocks material that is

obscene, child pornography and material harmful to minors.

The bill includes a limitation on the use of funds for any activities related to any federally sponsored national test in reading,

mathematics, or any other subject that is not specifically and explicitly provided for in authorizing legislation enacted into law, except for certain international comparative assessments.

TITLE IV—RELATED AGENCIES

ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

The bill provides authority to expend $69,832,000 from the

Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for operations and

capital activities at the United States Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home

and the United States Naval Home, an increase of $1,537,000

above the comparable fiscal year 2000 authority and the same as

the budget request.

Operations

The bill provides authority to expend $60,000,000 from the

Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for operations of the

United States Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home and the United States

Naval Home, an increase of $4,401,000 above the comparable fiscal

year 2000 authority and the same as the budget request.

Capital outlay

The bill provides authority to expend $9,832,000 from the Armed

Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for capital activities at the

Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home and the United States Naval Home,

a decrease of $2,864,000 below the comparable fiscal year 2000 authority and the same as the budget request. The Committee supports the capital proposal submitted by the AFRH, the largest component of which is construction of a health care facility and repair

of hurricane damage at the United States Naval Home.

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS

The bill provides $294,527,000 for the Domestic Volunteer Service Programs that are administered by the Corporation for National

and Community Service. The recommended amount is $6,000 above

the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $18,089,000

below the budget request. Appropriations for these programs are

not authorized in law for fiscal year 2001. Funding for the

Americorps program that is also administered by the Corporation

for National and Community Service is provided in the VA/HUD

and Independent Agencies appropriations bill.

The Committee directs the Corporation not to reduce funding for

traditional VISTA and senior volunteer programs below the

amounts allocated for fiscal year 2000. In addition, the Committee

179

directs the Corporation not to reduce the number of traditional

VISTAs or senior volunteers below fiscal year 2000 levels.

VISTA

The bill provides $80,574,000 for the Volunteers in Service to

America (VISTA) program, the same as fiscal year 2000 and

$5,426,000 below the budget request. The VISTA program supports

individuals who recruit volunteers and organize community volunteer activities but who do not provide direct volunteer services.

National Senior Volunteer Corps

The bill provides a total of $181,724,000 for the National Senior Volunteer Corps, $1,094,000 below fiscal year 2000 and

$10,792,000 below the budget request. The bill provides $95,988,000 for the Foster Grandparents pro- gram, the same as fiscal year 2000 and $1,794,000 below the budget request. This program provides volunteer service opportunities

for low-income people aged 60 and over. The bill provides $39,219,000 for the Senior Companion program,

the same as the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation and

$2,450,000 below the budget request. The program provides project

grants to private, non-profit organizations and State and local public agencies to offer volunteer service opportunities to low-income

individuals aged 60 and over. These volunteers assist older adults

with physical, mental or emotional impairments that put them at

risk for institutionalization.

The bill provides $46,117,000 for the Retired Senior Volunteer

Program (RSVP), the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation

and $4,448,000 below the budget request. This program provides

part-time volunteer service opportunities for low-income individuals aged 55 and over to recruit volunteers and organize volunteer

activities relating to a variety of social needs. The bill includes $400,000 for senior demonstration programs, $1,094,000 below the fiscal year 2000 level and $2,100,000 below

the budget request. The Committee intends this funding to be used

to carry out evaluations and to provide recruitment, training and

technical assistance to local projects particularly in the area of outcome-based programming as described in the fiscal year 2001 budget justification. The Committee is aware that the Corporation is developing a new proposal for working with large organizations to

mobilize senior volunteers in these organizations. It is the Committee’s understanding that, pursuant to concerns regarding the payment of non-taxable stipends or incentives to people who do not

meet the income guidelines established by Congress for senior service programs, this new proposal will not involve the use of federal

dollars for these purposes.

The Committee notes that the Domestic Volunteer Service Act

has been unauthorized since 1996. The Committee believes that

the proper venue for developing and expanding new ideas such as

the proposal to work with large organizations and various other

proposals to provide incentives to encourage a greater time commitment per volunteer is through the reauthorization process. The

Committee therefore has not provided funding for any such activities, but will consider funding them at such time as senior service

activities are reauthorized.

180

Program administration

The bill provides $32,229,000 for program administration,

$1,100,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $1,871,000

below the budget request.

CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING

The bill provides $365,000,000 in advance funding for fiscal year

2003 for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB),

$15,000,000 above the comparable appropriation for fiscal year

2002 and the same as the budget request. Appropriations for the

CPB are not authorized in law for fiscal year 2003.

The bill does not include $20,000,000 requested by the Administration for fiscal year 2001 for CPB digital conversion activities.

Digital activities are currently unauthorized. The Committee notes

that $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2000 funding is currently available

for digital activities if such activities are authorized by September

30, 2000.

FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE

The bill provides $37,500,000 for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), an increase of $807,000 above fiscal year

2000 and a decrease of $1,501,000 below the budget request.

The FMCS attempts to prevent and minimize labor-management

disputes having a significant impact on interstate commerce or national defense, except in the railroad and airline industries. The

agency convenes boards of inquiry appointed by the President in

emergency disputes and conducts dispute mediation, preventive

mediation, and arbitration. In addition, the Service offers alternative dispute resolution services and training to other Federal

agencies to reduce litigation costs and speed Federal administrative

proceedings.

The bill also includes provisions first enacted in the fiscal year

1996 Appropriations Act granting the agency the authority to accept gifts and to charge fees for certain services.

FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

The bill provides $6,200,000 for the Federal Mine Safety and

Health Review Commission, $64,000 above the fiscal year 2000

level and $120,000 below the budget request. The Commission is

responsible for reviewing the enforcement activities of the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. The

Commission’s administrative law judges hear and decide cases initiated by the Secretary of Labor, mine operators, or miners. The

five-member Commission hears appeals from administrative law

judge decisions, rules on petitions for discretionary review, and

may direct, of its own initiative, review of cases that present unusual questions of law.

INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES

The Committee recommends $170,000,000 for the Institute of

Museum and Library Services, $3,749,000 above the comparable

fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $3,000,000 below the budget request. The Institute makes state formula grants for library services

181

and discretionary national grants for joint library and museum

projects.

The Committee supports programs to expand telephone access

for the blind to include the distribution of national and local newspapers through local dial-in distribution sites maintained by a national network.

MEDICARE PAYMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION

The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, $985,000 above the comparable fiscal

year 2000 appropriation and the same as the budget request. The

Commission advises Congress on matters of physician and hospital

reimbursement under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

The bill provides $1,400,000 for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, $105,000 above the comparable

fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $95,000 below the budget request. The Commission advises the President and Congress on national policy in the library and information fields, developing overall plans for meeting national library and information needs, and

coordinating activities at the Federal, State and local levels. Pursuant to the 1996 reauthorization of Federal library programs, the

Commission advises the Institute on Museum and Library Services

regarding implementation of the new library legislation.

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

The bill provides $2,450,000 for the National Council on Disability (NCD), $59,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and a decrease of $165,000 below the budget request. The Council monitors

implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and makes

recommendations to the President, the Congress, the Rehabilitation

Services Administration, and the National Institute on Disability

and Rehabilitation Research on public policy issues of concern to

individuals with disabilities.

The Committee continues to encourage NCD to augment its appropriation with other sources of Federal and non-Federal revenues

including grants and contracts.

NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL

The Committee does not recommend funding for the National

Education Goals Panel. The Panel was funded at $2,241,000 in fiscal year 2000 and the budget requested $2,350,000 for it in fiscal

year 2001. The NEGP was established in 1990 following the National Education Summit held in September 1989. The Committee

notes that the Goals Panel has been repealed in H.R. 4141, the

Education Opportunities to Protect and Invest in Our Nation’s Students (Education OPTIONS) Act.

NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

The bill provides $205,717,000 for the National Labor Relations

Board, the same as fiscal year 2000 and $10,721,000 below the

budget request. The NLRB receives, investigates, and prosecutes

182

unfair labor practice charges filed by businesses, labor unions, and

individuals. It also schedules and conducts representation elections.

The five-member Board considers cases in which administrative

law judge decisions are appealed.

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

The bill provides $9,800,000 for the National Mediation Board (NMB), $238,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and $600,000

below the budget request. The NMB mediates labor disputes between employees and railroad and airline carriers subject to the

Railway Labor Act. The Board also resolves representation disputes

involving labor organizations seeking to represent railroad or airline employees.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

The bill provides $8,600,000 for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), $130,000 above the fiscal

year 2000 level and $120,000 below the budget request. The Commission adjudicates contested citations issued by the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against employers for

violations of safety and health standards. The Commission’s administrative law judges settle and decide cases at the initial level of

review. The agency’s three appointed Commissioners also review

cases, issue rulings on complicated issues, and may direct review

of any decision by an administrative law judge.

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

DUAL BENEFITS ACCOUNT

The bill provides $160,000,000 for dual benefits, the same as the

request and a reduction of $13,399,000 below the comparable fiscal

year 2000 appropriation. These funds are used to pay dual benefits

to those retirees receiving both railroad retirement and social security benefits. The bill includes a provision permitting a portion of

these funds to be derived from income tax receipts on dual benefits

as authorized by law. The Railroad Retirement Board estimates

that approximately $10,000,000 may be derived in this manner.

FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

The bill provides $150,000 for the interest earned on unnegotiated checks, the same as the budget request and the comparable

amount provided for fiscal year 2000.

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION

The bill provides a consolidated limitation of $95,000,000 on the

expenditure of railroad retirement and railroad unemployment

trust funds for administrative expenses of the Railroad Retirement

Board, $2,500,000 above the budget request and $4,345,000 above

the fiscal year 2000 limitation. The bill includes a provision from

the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act prohibiting the transfer of

resources formerly identified in a Memorandum of Understanding

from the RRB to the Inspector General.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness insurance

183

benefit programs for railroad workers and their families. This account limits the amount of funds in the railroad retirement and

railroad unemployment insurance trust funds that may be used by

the RRB for administrative expenses.

The Committee is pleased with the management of the Board

and reiterates its interest in quickly and comprehensively implementing the Government Performance and Results Act.

LIMITATION ON THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The bill provides authority to expend $5,380,000 from the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance trust funds

for the Office of Inspector General, $320,000 below the budget request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 2000 limitation.

This account provides funding for the Inspector General to conduct

and supervise audits and investigations of programs and operations

of the Board.

The Committee complements the work of the Office of the Inspector General of the Railroad Retirement Board for their work in obtaining information on actual collections, offsets, and funds put to

better use as required in House Report 105–635. This information

is of great use to the Committee and the Committee understands

the difficulty encountered by the OIG in obtaining it. The Committee expects that the Office of Inspector General will continue to

report the information to it.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

PAYMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS

The bill provides $20,400,000 for mandatory payments necessary

to compensate the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and

Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds for special payments to certain uninsured persons (for which no payroll tax is received), costs

incurred for administration of pension reform activities and interest lost on the value of benefit checks issued but not negotiated.

This appropriation restores the trust funds to the position they

would have been in had they not borne these costs properly

charged to the general funds.

SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS

The bill provides $365,748,000 for special benefits for disabled

coal miners, the same as the budget request. This amount does not

include $114,000,000 in advance funding provided in this bill for

the first quarter of fiscal year 2002. It also does not include

$124,000,000 in advance funding for fiscal year 2001 which was

provided in the fiscal year 2000 Appropriations Act. The appropriation provides cash benefits to miners who are disabled because of

black lung disease and to widows and children of such miners. The

Social Security Administration was responsible for taking, processing, and paying claims for miners’ benefits filed from December

30, 1969 through June 30, 1973. Since that time, SSA has continued to take claims but forwards most to the Department of Labor

for adjudication and payment. The SSA will continue to be responsible for paying benefits and maintaining the beneficiary roll for

the lifetime of all persons who filed during its jurisdiction. During

fiscal year 2000, SSA expects to provide benefits to 87,000 miners,

184

widows, and dependents who will receive a basic benefit rate of

$505.50.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM

The bill provides $22,791,000,000 for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, not including $9,890,000,000 in fiscal year

2001 funding provided in the fiscal year 2000 Appropriations Act

and not including $10,470,000,000 in advance funding provided in

the bill for the first quarter of fiscal year 2002. The appropriation

is the same as the budget request. These funds are used to pay

Federal cash benefits to approximately 6,441,000 aged, blind, and

disabled persons with little or no income. The maximum monthly

Federal benefit in fiscal year 2001 is expected to be $525 for an individual and $788 for an eligible couple. In addition to Federal benefits, SSA administers a program of supplementary State benefits

for those States that choose to participate. The funds are also used

to reimburse the trust funds for the administrative costs of the program. The SSI appropriation includes $71,000,000 for beneficiary

services, the same as the budget request. This funding reimburses

State vocational rehabilitation services agencies for successful rehabilitation of SSI recipients.

Within the appropriation for SSI, the Committee provides $30,000,000 for research and demonstration activities conducted

under section 1110 of the Social Security Act, the same as the request. The bill provides an additional $245,000,000 to process continuing disability reviews (CDRs) related to the SSI caseload as authorized by P.L. 104–121, $35,000,000 above the budget request

and $45,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation.

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

The bill provides a limitation on administrative expenses for the Social Security Administration (SSA) of $6,367,036,000 to be funded from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, $260,000,000

above the comparable fiscal year 2000 limitation and a decrease of

$225,964,000 below the budget request. The bill provides that not

less than $1,800,000 within the limitation on administration shall

be available for the Social Security Advisory Board, the same as

the budget request and the comparable fiscal year 2000 amount.

User fees

In addition to other amounts provided in the bill, the Committee recommends an additional limitation of $91,000,000 for administrative activities funded from user fees. This is the same as the request and an increase of $11,000,000 over the comparable fiscal

year 2000 amount.

Continuing disability reviews

The bill provides $650,000,000 for continuing disability reviews

(CDRs). This activity is funded both by the regular Limitation on

Administrative Expenses account and by provisions of the Personal

Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996

(P.L. 103–193). The total funding level represents an increase of

$65,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation

185

and is the same as the budget request. The Committee’s funding

level provides funding under the provisions of P.L. 104–193 of

$520,000,000, the statutory maximum. This level is $135,000,000

above the fiscal year 2000 amount and $70,000,000 above the

President’s request. The Committee has provided this funding with

the expectation that processing of additional CDRs will reduce

trust fund liabilities far in excess of the cost of such processing.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The bill provides $14,944,000 for the Office of the Inspector General, the same as the comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation

and $2,056,000 below the budget request. The bill also provides authority to expend $50,808,000 from the Social Security trust funds

for activities conducted by the Inspector General, the same as the

comparable fiscal year 2000 appropriation and a decrease of

$5,192,000 below the budget request.

The Committee complements the work of the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration for their work in

obtaining information on actual collections, offsets, and funds put

to better use as required in House Report 105–635. This information is of great use to the Committee and the Committee understands the difficulty encountered by the OIG in obtaining it. The

Committee expects that the Office of Inspector General will continue to report the information to it.

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE

The bill provides $15,000,000 for the United States Institute of

Peace, $2,049,000 above the fiscal year 2000 level and $550,000

above the budget request. The Institute was created in 1984 to provide education and training, basic and applied research, and information services to promote conflict resolution.

TITLE V—GENERAL PROVISIONS

The bill includes language to restore Supplemental Security Income payments to the appropriate year, so that all payments are

made consistent with the normal rules for making SSI payments

which come due on a weekend or non-banking day.

The bill includes a provision, as proposed by the President, to

issue Supplemental Grants for Population Increase at the FY 1998

amounts. This grant was created over a concern that states that

had high rates of population growth or had very low benefits under

the predecessor Aid to Families with Dependent Children program

might need additional funds beyond their base TANF Block Grant.

However, each of the states eligible for these grants has experienced double digit decline in welfare rolls. This change will not affect any beneficiary payments.

The bill includes language advancing the date, each month, that

states must reimburse the federal government for state supplements to Supplemental Security Income payments to beneficiaries.

Under current law, enacted in the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, states have until five days after

payments are issued to beneficiaries to reimburse the federal government for mandatory or optional state supplemental payments

included in the payments. In 2009, states must begin reimbursing

186

the federal government one day prior to the issuing of checks. The

Committee has included language advancing that date to 2001. SSI

and State supplementary payment beneficiaries will not be affected

by this proposal.

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives states that:

Each report of a committee on a public bill or public

joint resolution shall contain the following: (1) A statement

citing the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution.

The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to report

this legislation on Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution of the United States of America which states:

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of Appropriations made by law * * *.

Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to this

specific power granted by the Constitution.

COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an explanation of compliance with section

308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law

93–344), as amended, which requires that the report accompanying

a bill providing new budget authority contain a statement detailing

how the authority compares with the report submitted under section 302 of the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the fiscal year. This information follows:

[In millions of dollars]

Sec. 302(b) This bill *

Budget authority Outlays Budget authority Outlays

Discretionary ................................................................... 95,888 90,433 97,185 92,665

Mandatory ....................................................................... 237,067 237,514 237,067 237,514

Total .................................................................. 332,955 327,947 334,252 330,179

* Excludes scoring of the House-passed FY2000 supplemental appropriations bill, which would increase budget authority by $21 million and

decrease outlays by $1,532 million.

Note.—Pursuant to §314 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, increases to the Committee’s §302(a) allocation are mandated for funding in the reported bill for continuing disability reviews under the heading ‘‘Limitation on Administrative Expenses’’ for the Social Security Administration, for adoption incentive payments under the heading ‘‘Children and Families Services Programs’’ in the Administration for Children and Families, and for amounts provided and designated as emergency requirements under the headings ‘‘Low Income Home

Energy Assistance’’, and ‘‘Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund’’, After the bill is reported to the House, the Chairman of the

Committee on the Budget will provide an increased §302(a) allocation consistent with the funding provided in the bill, and the Committee

will increase the suballocation accordingly.

In accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public

Law 93–344), as amended, the following information was provided

to the Committee by the Congressional Budget Office:

FIVE-YEAR PROJECTIONS

In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional

Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–344), as amended, the following

table contains five-year projections associated with the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill:

187

[In millions of dollars]

Budget authority in the bill ............................................................... 277,696

Outlays:

2001 .............................................................................................. 222,071

2002 .............................................................................................. 38,018

2003 .............................................................................................. 9,919

2004 .............................................................................................. 1,899

2005 .............................................................................................. 943

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional

Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–344), as amended, the financial

assistance to State and local governments is as follows:

[In millions of dollars]

Budget authority ................................................................................ 135,513

Fiscal year 2000 outlays resulting therefrom .................................. 115,394

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2), rule XIII of the Rules of the House of

Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the

transfers of funds provided in the accompanying bill.

The table shows, by Department and agency, the appropriations

affected by such transfers.

APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL

Account to which transfer is to be made Amount Account from which transfer is to be made Amount

Department of Labor: Department of Labor:

Special Benefits .................................. (1) Postal Service .............................................. (1)

Employment Standards Administration—Salaries and Expenses.$30,393,000 Black Lung Disability Trust Fund ................ $30,393,000

Departmental Management:

Salaries and Expenses ........................ 21,590,000 Black Lung Disability Trust Fund ................ 21,590,000

Office of Inspector General ................. 318,000 Black Lung Disability Trust Fund ................ 318,000

Related Agencies: Related Agencies:

Social Security Administration: Office

of Inspector General.

50,808,000 Social Security Administration: Limita- ..

tion on Administrative Expenses ............

50,808,000

RESCISSIONS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2), rule XIII of the Rules of the House of

Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill.

RESCISSIONS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL

Department of Health and Human Services: Children and Families

Services Programs .............................................................................. $21,000,000

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3 (RAMSEYER RULE)

In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House

of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted

is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman):

* * * * * * *

188

SECTION 403 OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

SEC. 403. GRANTS TO STATES.

(a) GRANTS.—

(1) * * *

* * * * * * *

(3) SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT FOR POPULATION INCREASES IN

CERTAIN STATES.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Each qualifying State shall, subject to

subparagraph (F), be entitled to receive from the

Secretary—

(i) for fiscal year 1998 a grant in an amount equal

to 2.5 percent of the total amount required to be paid

to the State under former section 403 (as in effect during fiscal year 1994) for fiscal year 1994; øand¿

(ii) for each of fiscal years ø1999, 2000, and 2001¿

1999 and 2000, a grant in an amount equal to the sum

of—

(I) the amount (if any) required to be paid to the

State under this paragraph for the immediately

preceding fiscal year; and

(II) 2.5 percent of the sum of—

(aa) the total amount required to be paid to

the State under former section 403 (as in effect during fiscal year 1994) for fiscal year

1994; and

(bb) the amount (if any) required to be paid

to the State under this paragraph for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which

the grant is to be madeø.¿; and

(iii) for fiscal year 2001, a grant in an amount equal

to the amount of the grant to the State under clause (i)

for fiscal year 1998.

* * * * * * *

(5) WELFARE-TO-WORK GRANTS.—

(A) * * *

* * * * * * *

(H) FUNDING FOR EVALUATION OF ABSTINENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.— (i) * * *

* * * * * * *

(iii) DEADLINE FOR OUTLAYS.—Outlays from funds

used pursuant to clause (i) for evaluation of programs

under section 510 shall not be made after fiscal year

ø2001¿ 2005.

(iv) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than January 1,

2002, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress an interim report on the evaluations referred to in clause (i).

* * * * * * *

189

SECTION 410 OF THE TICKET TO WORK AND WORK

INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999

SEC. 410. SCHEDULE FOR PAYMENTS UNDER SSI STATE SUPPLEMENTATION AGREEMENTS.

(a) * * *

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by a subsection (a)

shall apply to payments and fees arising under an agreement between a State and the Commissioner of Social Security under section 1616 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382e) or under section 212 of Public Law 93–66 (42 U.S.C. 1382 note) with respect

to monthly benefits paid to individuals under title XVI of the Social

Security Act for months after September ø2009¿ 2001 (October

ø2009¿ 2001 in the case of a State with a fiscal year that coincides

with the Federal fiscal year), without regard to whether the agreement has been modified to reflect such amendments or the Commissioner has promulgated regulations implementing such amendments.

SECTION 251 OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AND

EMERGENCY DEFICIT CONTROL ACT OF 1985

SEC. 251. ENFORCING DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS.

(a) * * *

(b) ADJUSTMENTS TO DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS.— (1) * * *

(2) SEQUESTRATION REPORTS.—When OMB submits a sequestration report under section 254(e), (f), or (g) for a fiscal year,

OMB shall calculate, and the sequestration report and subsequent budgets submitted by the President under section

1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, shall include adjustments to discretionary spending limits (and those limits as adjusted) for the fiscal year and each succeeding year through

2002, as follows:

(A) * * *

* * * * * * *

(C) CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS.—(i) * * *

(ii) As used in this subparagraph—

(I) the term ‘‘continuing disability reviews’’ means

reviews or redeterminations as defined under section

201(g)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act and reviews and

redeterminations authorized under section 211 of the

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996;

(II) the term ‘‘additional new budget authority’’

means the amount provided for a fiscal year, in excess

of ø$200,000,000¿ $130,000,000, in an appropriations

Act and specified to pay for the costs of continuing disability reviews under the heading ‘‘Limitation on Administrative Expenses’’ for the Social Security Administration; and

(III) the term ‘‘additional outlays’’ means outlays, in

excess of ø$200,000,000¿ $130,000,000 in a fiscal year,

flowing from the amounts specified for continuing disability reviews under the heading ‘‘Limitation on AdVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00189 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.003 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
190

ministrative Expenses’’ for the Social Security Administration, including outlays in that fiscal year flowing

from amounts specified in Acts enacted for prior fiscal

years (but not before 1996).

* * * * * * *

CHANGES IN APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

Pursuant to clause 3, rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted describing the

effect of provisions in the accompanying bill which may directly or

indirectly change the application of existing law.

In some instances the bill includes appropriations for certain ongoing programs which are not yet authorized for fiscal year 2000.

The bill provides that appropriations shall remain available for

more than one year for some programs for which the basic authorizing legislation does not presently authorize such extended availability.

In various places in the bill, the Committee has earmarked funds

within appropriation accounts in order to fund specific sections of

a law. Whether these actions constitute a change in the application

of existing law is subject to individual interpretation, but the Committee felt that this fact should be mentioned.

In several instances, the bill provides advance appropriations for

fiscal year 2001 for programs for which such advances are not authorized by law.

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Language prohibiting the use of funds from any other appropriation to provide meal services at or for Job Corps centers.

STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

OPERATIONS

Language allowing the use of funds for amortization payments to

States which had independent retirement plans in their State employment service agencies prior to 1980.

Language allowing the Labor Department to withhold from State

allotments funds available for penalty mail under the WagnerPeyser Act.

Language providing that funds in this Act for one-stop career

centers and unemployment insurance national activities may be

used for contracts, grants or agreements with non-State entities.

Language providing that funds in this Act may be used by the

States for integrated Employment Service and Unemployment Insurance automation efforts.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to accept and spend

all sums of money ordered to be paid to the Secretary, in accordVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00190 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
191

ance with the terms of a Consent Judgment in U.S. District Court

for the Northern Mariana Islands.

Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to collect user fees

for processing certain applications and issuing certain certificates

and registrations under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.

SPECIAL BENEFITS

Language providing funds may be used under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act in which the Secretary of Labor may reimburse an employer, who is not the employer at the time of injury, for portions of the salary of a reemployed, disabled beneficiary.

Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to transfer certain administrative funds from the Postal Service fund and certain other

government corporations and agencies related to the administration of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.

Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to require any person

filing a claim for benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

to provide such identifying information as the Secretary may require, including a Social Security number.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Language establishing a maximum amount available for grants

to States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which

grants shall be no less than 50 percent of the costs of State programs required to be incurred under plans approved by the Secretary under section 18 of the Act.

Language authorizing the Occupational Safety and Health Ad- ministration to retain and spend up to $750,000 of training institute course tuition fees for training and education grants.

Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to collect and retain

fees for services provided to Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories.

MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration

to collect up to $750,000 at the National Mine Health and Safety

Academy for room, board, tuition, and the sale of training materials, otherwise authorized by law to be collected, to be available

for mine safety and health education and training activities, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302.

Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration

to purchase and bestow certificates and trophies in connection with

mine rescue and first-aid work; to accept land, buildings, equipment, and other contributions from public and private sources; to

prosecute projects in cooperation with other agencies, Federal,

State, or private; and to promote health and safety education and

training in the mining community through cooperative programs

with States, industry, and safety associations.

192

Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to use any funds available to the Department to provide for the costs of mine rescue and

survival operations in the event of major disasters.

DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Language providing that no funds made available by this Act

may be used by the Solicitor of Labor to participate in a review in

any United States court of appeals of any decision made by the

Benefits Review Board under section 21 of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act where such participation is precluded by the decision of the Supreme Court in Director, Office of

Workers’ Compensation Programs v. Newport News Shipbuilding,

115 S. Ct.1278 (1995), notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Language providing that any decision under the Longshore Act

pending before the Benefits Review Board for more than one year

shall be considered affirmed by the Board and shall be considered

the final order of the Board.

TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN

SERVICES

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Language providing that the Division of Federal Occupational

Health may utilize personal services contracting in certain instances.

Language providing that $25,000,000 from general revenues, notwithstanding §1820(j) of the Social Security Act, shall be available

for carrying out the Medicare rural hospital flexibility grants program under section 1820 of such Act.

Language providing that in addition to fees authorized by §427(b)

of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, fees shall be

collected for the full disclosure of information under the Act sufficient to recover the full costs of operating the National Practitioner

Data Bank, and shall remain available until expended to carry out

that Act.

Language providing that all pregnancy counseling under the

family planning program shall be nondirective.

Language identifying a specific amount for maternal and child

health SPRANS activities, notwithstanding current law.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Language permitting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to insure official motor vehicles in foreign countries.

Language providing that collections from user fees may be credited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appropriation.

Language making amounts under §241 of the Public Health

Service Act available to carry out the National Center for Health

Statistics surveys.

193

Language allowing the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to redirect certain funds appropriated under

Public Law 101–502.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE

Language providing that the National Library of Medicine may

enter into certain personal services contracts.

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Language providing that the National Institutes of Health is authorized to collect third party payments for the cost of the clinical

services that are incurred in NIH research facilities and that such

payments shall be credited to the NIH Management Fund and

shall remain available for one fiscal year after they are deposited.

Language providing the Director of NIH authority to transfer

funds between appropriation accounts in this or any other Act.

Language permitting funds to be transferred from the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health to the National Institutes

of Health, notwithstanding current law.

AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH

Language is included to permit the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to retain and expend amounts received from Freedom of Information Act fees, reimbursable and interagency agreements and the sale of data tapes.

HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION

GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID

A provision that in the administration of title XIX of the Social

Security Act, payments to a state for any quarter may be made

with respect to a State plan or plan amendment in effect during

any such quarter, if submitted in, or prior to, such quarter and approved in that or any such subsequent quarter.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

A provision that all funds collected in accordance with section

353 of the Public Health Service Act, together with such sums as

may be collected from authorized user fees, administrative fees collected relative to Medicare overpayment recovery activities, and the

sale of data, shall be available for expenditure by the Health Care

Financing Administration.

Language allowing fees charged in accordance with 31 U.S.C.

9701 to be credited to the Health Care Financing Administration

administrative account.

Language limiting the amount of funds available from the Health

Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.

194

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND

FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Language providing that the sum of the amounts available to a

State with respect to expenditures under title IV-A of the Social Security Act in fiscal year 1997 under this appropriation and under

such title IV-A as amended by the Personal Responsibility and

Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 shall not exceed the

limitations under §116(b) of such Act.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS

Language providing that unexpended Community Services Block

Grant funds may be carried over to the next fiscal year by local

grantees.

Language reducing the funds appropriated from mandatory accounts for research activities under the Social Security Act.

ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS

Language providing that State administrative costs under title

III of the Older Americans Act shall not be reduced more than 5

percent below the amount that was available to each State in fiscal

year 1995.

Language providing that in considering grant applications for nutrition services for elder Indian recipients, the Assistant Secretary

for Aging shall provide maximum flexibility to applicants who seek

to take into account subsistence, local customs, and other characteristics that are appropriate to the unique cultural, regional, and

geographic needs of the American Indian, Alaska and Hawaiian

Native communities to be served.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Language limiting the amount of funds available from the Health

Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.

TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

EDUCATION REFORM

Language setting aside up to one-half of one percent of certain

technology funds for the outlying areas to be distributed by the

Secretary; and language stating that if a State does not apply for

a grant under §3132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education

Act, the Secretary shall use the State’s share for grants directly to

local educational agencies in that State that apply directly for the

funds.

195

EDUCATION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED

The bill includes language providing that funds may be used by

the Department of Education to obtain certain data from the Census Bureau.

Language providing that certain amounts shall be reserved for

section 1308 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Language providing that funds shall be available to demonstrate

effective approaches to comprehensive school reform to be allocated

and expended in accordance with the instructions relating to this

activity in the statement of the managers on the conference reports

accompanying Public Law 105–78 and Public Law 105–277 and

that in carrying out this initiative, the Secretary and the States

shall support only approaches that show the most promise of enabling children served by title I to meet challenging State content

standards and challenging State student performance standards

based on reliable research and effective practices, and include an

emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS

Language providing that certain funding will be available for the

Teacher Empowerment Act, if such legislation is enacted.

BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT EDUCATION

Language is included waiving §7103(b) of the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act of 1965.

The bill includes language providing that immigrant education

funds may be allocated by States for competitive grants to local

school districts.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

The bill includes language providing that the National Technical

Institute for the Deaf and Gallaudet University may use funds for

their endowment programs at their discretion.

STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The bill includes language providing that the maximum Pell

grant a student may receive in the 2001–2002 academic year shall

be $3,500.

The bill includes language providing that notwithstanding section 401(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, if the Secretary

determines, prior to publication of the payment schedule for award

year 2001–2002, that the funds included within this appropriation

for Pell Grant awards for award year 2001–2002, and any funds

available from the FY 2000 appropriation for Pell Grant awards,

are insufficient to satisfy fully all such awards for which students

are eligible, as calculated under section 401(b) of the Act, the

amount paid for each such award shall be reduced by either a fixed

or variable percentage, or by a fixed dollar amount, as determined

in accordance with a schedule of reductions established by the Secretary for this purpose.

196

HIGHER EDUCATION

The bill includes language providing that funds are available to

fund fellowships for academic year 2002–2003 under part A, subpart 1 of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965, under the

terms and conditions of part A, subpart 1.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

The bill includes language providing that Howard University shall use not less than $3,600,000 for the endowment program pursuant to the Howard University Endowment Act.

EDUCATION RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND IMPROVEMENT

The bill includes language providing that a certain amount shall

be available to demonstrate effective approaches to comprehensive

school reform to be allocated and expended in accordance with the

instructions relating to this activity in the statement of managers

on the conference reports accompanying Public Law 105–78 and

Public Law 105–277 and that in carrying out this initiative, the

Secretary and the States shall support only approaches that show

the most promise of enabling children to meet challenging State

content standards and challenging State student performance

standards based on reliable research and effective practices, and

include an emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement.

Language providing that $30,000,000 of the funds provided for

the national education research institutes shall be allocated notwithstanding §912(m)(1)(B–F) and subparagraphs (B) and (C) of

§931(c)(2) of Public Law 103–227.

TITLE IV—RELATED AGENCIES

ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

Language providing that notwithstanding any other provision of

law, a single contract or related contracts for development and construction, to include construction of a long-term care facility at the

United States Naval Home, may be employed which collectively include the full scope of the project and providing that the solicitation and contract shall contain the clause ‘‘availability of funds’’

found at 48 CFR 52.232–18 and 252.232–7007, Limitation of Government Obligations.

FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The bill includes language specifying that notwithstanding 31

U.S.C. 3302, fees charged by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, up to full-cost recovery, for special training activities

and for arbitration services shall be credited to and merged with

its administrative account, and shall remain available until expended; that fees for arbitration services shall be available only for

education, training, and professional development of the agency

workforce; and that the Director of the Service is authorized to accept on behalf of the United States gifts of services and real, personal, or other property in the aid of any projects or functions within the Director’s jurisdiction.

197

NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The bill includes a provision requiring that appropriations to the

NLRB shall not be available to organize or assist in organizing agricultural laborers or used in connection with investigations, hearings, directives, or orders concerning bargaining units composed of

agricultural laborers as referred to in §2(3) of the Act of July 5,

1935 (29 U.S.C. 152), and as amended by the Labor-Management

Relations Act, 1947, as amended, and as defined in §3(f) of the Act

of June 25, 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203), and including in said definition

employees engaged in the maintenance and operation of ditches,

canals, reservoirs, and waterways, when maintained or operated on

a mutual non-profit basis and at least 95 per centum of the water

stored or supplied thereby is used for farming purposes.

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

DUAL BENEFITS PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

The bill includes language providing that the total amount provided for railroad retirement dual benefits shall be credited to the

Dual Benefits Payments Account in 12 approximately equal

amounts on the first day of each month in the fiscal year.

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION

The bill includes language providing that the Railroad Retirement Board shall determine the allocation of its administrative

budget between the railroad retirement accounts and the railroad

unemployment insurance administration fund.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Language providing that unobligated balances at the end of fiscal

year 2001 shall remain available until expended for the agency’s

information technology and telecommunications hardware and software infrastructure, including related equipment and non-payroll

administrative expenses associated solely with the infrastructure;

language authorizing the use of up to $10,000 for official reception

and representation expenses; and language providing that reimbursement to the trust funds under this heading for expenditures

for official time for employees of the Social Security Administration

pursuant to § 7131 of title 5, United States Code, and for facilities

or support services for labor organizations pursuant to policies, regulations, or procedures referred to in § 7135(b) of such title shall be

made by the Secretary of the Treasury, with interest, from

amounts in the general fund not otherwise appropriated, as soon

as possible after such expenditures are made.

Language providing that funds may be derived from administration fees collected pursuant to § 1616(d) of the Social Security Act

or § 212(b)(3) of Public Law 93–66 and that, to the extent that the

amounts collected pursuant to such sections in fiscal year 2001 exceed $91,000,000, the amounts shall be available in fiscal year

2002 only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts.

198

Language providing that unobligated funds at the end of fiscal

year 2000 previously appropriated to continue Federal-State partnerships to evaluate a means to promote Medicare buy-in programs

shall remain available.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Language permitting the transfer of a certain amount of funds

into this account from the SSA administrative account provided

that the Appropriations Committees are promptly notified.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sections 102, 201, 202, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211,

212, 301, 302, 303, 501, 504, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 513 and

514 of the bill are general provisions, most of which have been carried in previous appropriations acts, which place limitations on the

use of funds in the bill or authorize or require certain activities,

and which might, under some circumstances, be construed as

changing the application of existing law.

DEFINITION OF PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY

During fiscal year 2000 for purposes of the Balanced Budget and

Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–177), as

amended, the following information provides the definition of the

term ‘‘program, project, and activity’’ for departments and agencies

under the jurisdiction of the Labor, Health and Human Services,

and Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The term ‘‘program, project, and activity’’ shall include the most specific level of

budget items identified in the Departments of Labor, Health and

Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000, the accompanying House and Senate Committee

reports, the conference report and accompanying joint explanatory

statement of the managers of the committee of conference.

APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

Pursuant to clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of

Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations in the

accompanying bill which are not authorized by law:

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Training and Employment Services

Skills Standards

School-to-work

Community Service Employment for Older Americans

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration

Health Resources and Services

National Health Service Corps:

Field placements

Recruitment

Other HRSA Programs:

Organ Transplantation

199

Health Teaching Facilities Interest Subsidies

Nursing loan repayment for shortage area service

Ryan White AIDS Programs

Emergency Assistance

Comprehensive Care Programs

AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)

Early Intervention Program

Pediatric Demonstrations

AIDS Dental Services

Education and Training Centers

Family Planning

Centers for Disease Control

Preventive Health Services Block Grant

Program

Salaries and Expenses

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Program

Salaries and Expenses

Injury Control

Program

Salaries and Expenses

Crime: Trust funds

Rape Prevention and Education

National Institutes of Health

National Cancer Institute

‘‘National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’’

National Institute of Dental Research

Nat. Inst. Of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases

National Inst. of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

National Institute of General Medical Sciences

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

National Eye Institute

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

National Institute on Aging

National Institute on Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases

National Institute on Deafness & Other Comm. Disorders

National Institute of Nursing Research

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism

National Institute on Drug Abuse

National Institute of Mental Health

National Human Genome Research Institute

National Center for Research Resources

National Library of Medicine

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Mental Health

Knowledge Development and Application

Mental Health Performance Partnership

Children’s Mental Health

Grants to States for the homeless (PATH)

Protection and Advocacy

Substance Abuse Treatment:

Knowledge Development and Application

Substance abuse performance partnership

200

Administration for Children and Families

Developmental Disabilities Program

Domestic Violence Hotline

Battered Women’s Shelters

Administration on Aging: Aging Services Programs

Office of the Secretary

General Departmental Management

Adolescent family life (Title XX)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Education Reform

Educational Technology

21st Century Community Learning Centers

School Improvement Programs

Teacher Empowerment Act

Innovative Education (Education Block Grant)

Safe and Drug Free Schools:

Inexpensive Book Distribution (RIF)

Arts in Education

Magnet Schools Assistance

Education for Homeless Children & Youth

Women’s Educational Equity

Ellender Fellowships/Close Up

Education for Native Hawaiians

Alaska Native Education Equity

Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers

Education for the Disadvantaged

Grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs)

Capital Expenses for Private School Children

Even Start

State Agency Programs

Evaluation

Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration

Impact Aid

Reading Excellence Act

Indian Education

Bilingual and Immigrant Education

Education Research, Statistics, and Improvement

Research and Statistics

Fund for the Improvement of Education

International Education Exchange

Civic Education

Eisenhower Professional Dvp. Federal Activities

Eisenhower Regional Math & Science Ed. Consortia

Javits Gifted and Talented Education

National Writing Project

RELATED AGENCIES

Corporation for National and Community Service:

Domestic Volunteer Service Programs, Operating Expenses

Cooperation for Public Broadcasting:

FY 2003 Regular Appropriation

201

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

Rules of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall

vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with

the names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed

below:

ROLLCALL NO. 1

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mr. Obey.

Description of motion: To strike language appropriating funds for

the Teacher Empowerment Act, to provide funding for various professional development grants to be determined by the Secretary of

Education, and to provide funds to reduce class size.

Results: Rejected 22 yeas to 31 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Aderholt

Mr. Cramer Mr. Bonilla

Ms. DeLauro Mr. Callahan

Mr. Dicks Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Dixon Mr. Dickey

Mr. Edwards Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Farr Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Forbes Ms. Granger

Mr. Hinchey Mr. Hobson

Mr. Hoyer Mr. Istook

Mr. Jackson Mr. Kingston

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Knollenberg

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Latham

Mr. Obey Mr. Lewis

Mr. Olver Mr. Miller

Mr. Pastor Mr. Nethercutt

Mr. Price Mrs. Northup

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Packard

Mr. Sabo Mr. Peterson

Mr. Serrano Mr. Porter

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Regula

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Wolf

Mr. Young

202

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 2

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mrs. Lowey.

Description of motion: To provide for grants and loans to carry

out school renovation subject to such terms and conditions as the

Secretary of Education shall establish.

Results: Rejected 21 yeas to 29 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Bonilla

Mr. Cramer Mr. Cunningham

Ms. DeLauro Mr. DeLay

Mr. Dixon Mr. Dickey

Mr. Edwards Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Farr Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Forbes Mr. Goode

Mr. Hoyer Ms. Granger

Mr. Jackson Mr. Hobson

Ms. Kaptur Mr. Istook

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Kingston

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Knollenberg

Mrs. Meek Mr. Latham

Mr. Obey Mr. Lewis

Mr. Olver Mr. Miller

Mr. Pastor Mr. Nethercutt

Ms. Pelosi Mrs. Northup

Mr. Price Mr. Packard

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Peterson

Mr. Serrano Mr. Porter

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Regula

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Wolf

Mr. Young

203

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 3

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mr. Hoyer.

Description of motion: To add funds for Title I grants to Local

Educational Agencies, Head Start, 21st Century Community Learning Centers and the Child Care and Development Block Grant.

Results: Rejected 23 yeas to 30 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Aderholt Mr. Bonilla

Mr. Boyd Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Cramer Mr. Dickey

Ms. DeLauro Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Edwards Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Farr Mr. Goode

Mr. Forbes Ms. Granger

Mr. Hoyer Mr. Hobson

Mr. Jackson Mr. Istook

Ms. Kaptur Mr. Kingston

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Knollenberg

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Kolbe

Mrs. Meek Mr. Latham

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Lewis

Mr. Obey Mr. Miller

Mr. Olver Mr. Nethercutt

Mr. Pastor Mrs. Northup

Ms. Pelosi Mr. Packard

Mr. Price Mr. Peterson

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Porter

Mr. Sabo Mr. Regula

Mr. Serrano Mr. Rogers

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Wolf

Mr. Young

204

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those

voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 4

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mrs. Northup.

Description of motion: To add language prohibiting the use of

funds by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to

promulgate, issue, implement, administer, or enforce any proposed,

temporary, or final standard or final standard on ergonomic protection.

Results: Adopted 32 yeas to 22 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay Members Voting Present

Mr. Aderholt Mr. Cramer Mr. Lewis

Mr. Bonilla Ms. DeLauro Mr. Porter

Mr. Callahan Mr. Lextra Mr. Dixon

Mr. Cunningham Mr. Edwards

Mr. DeLay Mr. Farr

Mr. Dickey Mr. Forbes

Mrs. Emerson Mr. Hinchey

Mr. Frelinghuysen Mr. Hoyer

Mr. Goode Mr. Jackson

Mr. Granger Ms. Kaptur

Mr. Hobson Ms. Kilpatrick

Mr. Istook Mrs. Lowey

Mr. Kingston Mrs. Meek

Mr. Knollenberg Mr. Mollenhan

Mr. Kolbe Mr. Obey

Mr. Latham Mr. Olver

Mr. Miller Mr. Pastor

Mr. Nerthercutt Ms. Pelosi

Mrs. Northup Ms. Roybal-Allard

Mr. Packard Mr. Sabo

Mr. Peterson Mr. Serrano

Mr. Regula Mr. Visclosky

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Wolf

Mr. Young.

205

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those

voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 5

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Ms. Pelosi.

Description of motion: To strike a provision limiting the amount

of National Institutes of Health obligations to the President’s budget request.

Results: Rejected 23 yeas to 29 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Aderholt

Mr. Cramer Mr. Bonilla

Ms. DeLauro Mr. Callahan

Mr. Dixon Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Edwards Mr. Dickey

Mr. Farr Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Forbes Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Hinchey Mr. Goode

Mr. Hoyer Ms. Granger

Mr. Jackson Mr. Istook

Ms. Kaptur Mr. Kingston

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Knollenberg

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Latham

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Lewis

Mr. Obey Mr. Miller

Mr. Olver Mr. Nethercutt

Mr. Pastor Mr. Northup

Ms. Pelosi Mr. Packard

Mr. Price Mr. Peterson

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Porter

Mr. Sabo Mr. Regula

Mr. Serrano Mr. Rogers

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Skeen

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiart

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Young

206

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those

voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 6

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Ms. Pelosi.

Description of motion: To add funds for activities related to substance abuse treatment and prevention services and designate

these funds as emergency spending.

Results: Rejected 22 yeas to 30 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Aderholt

Mr. Cramer Mr. Cunningham

Ms. DeLauro Mr. DeLay

Mr. Dicks Mr. Dickey

Mr. Edwards Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Farr Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Forbes Mr. Goode

Mr. Hinchey Ms. Granger

Mr. Jackson Mr. Hobson

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Istook

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Kingston

Mrs. Meeks Mr. Knollenberg

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Moran Mr. Latham

Mr. Obey Mr. Lewis

Mr. Olver Mr. Miller

Mr. Pastor Mr. Nethercutt

Ms. Pelosi Mrs. Northup

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Packard

Mr. Sabo Mr. Peterson

Mr. Serrano Mr. Porter

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Regula

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Young

207

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 7

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mrs. Lowey.

Description of Motion: To provide a maximum Pell grant of

$3,800.

Results: Rejected 18 yeas to 30 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Aderholt Mr. Bonilla

Mr. Boyd Mr. Callahan

Mr. Cramer Mr. Dickey

Mr. Dicks Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Edwards Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Forbes Mr. Goode

Mr. Hinchey Ms. Granger

Mr. Jackson Mr. Hobson

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Istook

Mrs. Meek Mr. Kingston

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Knollenberg

Mr. Moran Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Obey Mr. Lewis

Mr. Olver Mr. Miller

Mr. Price Mr. Nethercutt

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mrs. Northup

Mr. Serrano Mr. Packard

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Peterson

Mr. Porter

Mr. Regula

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Wolf

Mr. Young

208

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 8

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mr. Jackson.

Description of Motion: To add funds for skills training programs

at the Department of Labor and to authorize the use of training

grants on new entrants in the workforce and incumbent workers.

Results: Rejected 19 yeas to 30 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Aderholt

Mr. Cramer Mr. Bonilla

Ms. DeLauro Mr. Callahan

Mr. Dixon Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Edwards Mr. Dickey

Mr. Farr Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Forbes Mr. Goode

Mr. Hinchey Ms. Granger

Mr. Jackson Mr. Hobson

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Istook

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Knollenberg

Mrs. Meek Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Moran Mr. Latham

Mr. Obey Mr. Lewis

Mr. Olver Mr. Miller

Mr. Pastor Mr. Nethercutt

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mrs. Northup

Mr. Sabo Mr. Packard

Mr. Serrano Mr. Peterson

Mr. Porter

Mr. Regula

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

Mr. Wolf

209

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 9

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Ms. DeLauro.

Description of Motion: To add funds for part B grants to states

under the special education account.

Results: Rejected 20 yeas to 28 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Aderholt

Mr. Cramer Mr. Bonilla

Ms. DeLauro Mr. Callahan

Mr. Dixon Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Edwards Mr. DeLay

Mr. Farr Mr. Dickey

Mr. Forbes Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Frelinghuysen Mr. Goode

Mr. Hinchey Ms. Granger

Mr. Jackson Mr. Hobson

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Kingston

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Knollenberg

Mrs. Meek Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Latham

Mr. Obey Mr. Miller

Mr. Olver Mr. Nethercutt

Mr. Pastor Mrs. Northup

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Packard

Mr. Sabo Mr. Peterson

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Porter

Mr. Regula

Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

210

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 10

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Ms. DeLauro.

Description of motion: To add funds to the Health Resources and

Services Administration, the Health Care Financing Administration, the Administration on Aging, and the Social Security Administration supplemental security income program and administrative

expenses. In addition, to strike a provision limiting the funding for

the Medicare Integrity Program to last year’s level.

Results: Rejected 24 yeas to 26 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Aderholt Mr. Bonilla

Mr. Boyd Mr. Callahan

Ms. DeLauro Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Dickey Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Dixon Mr. Goode

Mr. Edwards Ms. Granger

Mrs. Emerson Mr. Hobson

Mr. Farr Mr. Istook

Mr. Forbes Mr. Kingston

Mr. Hinchey Mr. Knollenberg

Mr. Hoyer Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Jackson Mr. Latham

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Miller

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Nethercutt

Mrs. Meek Mr. Packard

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Peterson

Mr. Moran Mr. Porter

Mr. Obey Mr. Regula

Mr. Olver Mr. Rogers

Mr. Price Mr. Skeen

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Sununu

Mr. Sabo Mr. Taylor

Mr. Serrano Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

211

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 11

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mr. Obey.

Description of motion: To add funds for the Department of Labor,

Departmental Management.

Results: Rejected 23 yeas to 30 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Aderholt

Mr. Cramer Mr. Bonilla

Ms. DeLauro Mr. Callahan

Mr. Dixon Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Edwards Mr. Dickey

Mr. Farr Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Forbes Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Hinchey Mr. Goode

Mr. Hoyer Ms. Granger

Mr. Jackson Mr. Hobson

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Istook

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Kingston

Mrs. Meek Mr. Knollenberg

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Moran Mr. Latham

Mr. Obey Mr. Miller

Mr. Olver Mr. Nethercutt

Mr. Pastor Mrs. Northup

Mr. Price Mr. Packard

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Peterson

Mr. Sabo Mr. Porter

Mr. Serrano Mr. Regula

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Rogers

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

212

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 12

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mr. Obey.

Description of motion: To add a Sense of the House provision

that tax cuts for taxpayers in the top one percent income levels

should not be enacted until Congress enacts a universal voluntary

prescription drug benefit for all Americans under Medicare.

Results: Rejected 22 yeas to 28 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Boyd Mr. Bonilla

Mr. Cramer Mr. Callahan

Ms. DeLauro Mr. Cunningham

Mr. Dixon Mr. Dickey

Mr. Edwards Mrs. Emerson

Mr. Farr Mr. Frelinghuysen

Mr. Forbes Mr. Goode

Mr. Hinchey Mr. Hobson

Mr. Hoyer Mr. Istook

Ms. Kilpatrick Mr. Kingston

Mrs. Lowey Mr. Knollenberg

Mrs. Meek Mr. Kolbe

Mr. Mollohan Mr. Latham

Mr. Moran Mr. Miller

Mr. Obey Mr. Nethercutt

Mr. Olver Mrs. Northup

Mr. Pastor Mr. Packard

Mr. Price Mr. Peterson

Ms. Roybal-Allard Mr. Porter

Mr. Sabo Mr. Regula

Mr. Serrano Mr. Rogers

Mr. Visclosky Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

213

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the

House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an

amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of

those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:

ROLLCALL NO. 13

Date: May 24, 2000.

Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,

and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, FY 2001.

Motion by: Mr. Rogers.

Description of motion: To report the bill, to authorize the chairman to seek a rule for consideration of the bill, and to authorize

the chairman to move that the House disagree to the amendments

of the Senate and agree to a conference requested by the Senate.

Results: Adopted 29 yeas to 22 nays.

Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay

Mr. Aderholt Mr. Boyd

Mr. Bonilla Mr.Cramer

Mr. Callahan Ms. DeLauro

Mr. Cunningham Mr. Dixon

Mr. Dickey Mr. Edwards

Mrs. Emerson Mr. Farr

Mr. Frelinghuysen Mr. Forbes

Mr. Goode Mr. Hinchey

Mr. Hobson Mr. Hoyer

Mr. Istook Ms. Kilpatrick

Mr. Kingston Mrs. Lowey

Mr. Knollenberg Mrs. Meek

Mr. Kolbe Mr. Mollohan

Mr. Latham Mr. Moran

Mr. Miller Mr. Obey

Mr. Nethercutt Mr. Olver

Mrs. Northup Mr. Pastor

Mr. Packard Mr. Price

Mr. Peterson Ms. Roybal-Allard

Mr. Porter Mr. Sabo

Mr. Regula Mr. Serrano

Mr. Rogers Mr. Visclosky

Mr. Skeen

Mr. Sununu

Mr. Taylor

Mr. Tiahrt

Mr. Walsh

Mr. Wamp

Mr. Wicker

214

215

216

217

218

219

220

221

222

223

224

225

226

227

228

229

230

231

232

233

234

235

236

237

238

239

240

241

242

243

244

245

246

247

248

249

250

251

252

253

254

255

256

257

258

259

260

261

262

263

264

265

266

267

268

269

270

271

272

273

274

275

276

277

(278)

DISSENTING VIEWS OF HON. DAVID OBEY, HON. STENY

HOYER, HON. NANCY PELOSI, HON. NITA LOWEY, HON.

ROSA DELAURO, AND HON. JESSE JACKSON, JR.

For the third year in a row, the Majority has produced a fictional

Labor, Health, and Human Services-Education Appropriations bill

that is going nowhere. We have gone up and down this hill so

many fruitless times. This bill contains major reductions in the

President’s Budget for education, healthcare, and training; and

overall it is $6 billion below his request. It declines to step up to

the plate on problem after problem in this country, all for purposes

of providing a large tax cut aimed primarily at high income individuals. That is why this bill is

• $2.9 billion below the President’s request for the Department

of Education

• $1.7 billion below the President’s request for the Department

of Labor, and

• $1.1 billion below the President’s request for the Department

of Health and Human Services

This bill is completely inadequate for the needs of the country,

and we know it is not going to survive. It fails to respond to the

needs of all Americans so that they will be prepared for the high

skill jobs of the 21st Century and equipped to function productively

in a global economy. Our nation is growing and our efforts to address the changing needs of Americans must grow as well. By 2010,

our population will increase by approximately 23 million people to

nearly 300 million people, an 8 percent increase over today.

We must address the needs of an increasing number of students

and prepare them for the future. More than 53 million children are

in school today—7.3 million or 16% more than 10 years ago. And,

in the next 10 years, that number will grow by nearly 1 million

children, with the greatest growth occurring in grades 9–12. College enrollment also rose by nearly 10 percent between 1989 and

1999, and is expected to grow by nearly 1.5 million students—another 10% increase—over the next 10 years. By 2009, more than

16 million students will be enrolled in some type of postsecondary

institution.

A few decades ago, employers were looking for typists,

keypunchers and elevator operators. Today, they are looking for

webmasters and telecommunications specialists. And, even if future

labor markets are not as tight as they are today, it is likely that

tomorrow’s workers will have to be even more highly skilled. Occupational groups that require the most education are projected to be

among the fastest growing in the future. Technology, combined

with increasing globalization, presents immense challenges for the

unskilled workers of today and also working Americans who will

face the need for supplementary skills training to remain competitive in their jobs.

279

In addition to addressing the needs of the young and our workforce, we must begin to prepare for an aging population as well.

The 76 million Americans who make up the Baby Boom generation

will begin reaching retirement age in just eight years. The population of those over age 85 who often present the most urgent

needs is expected to grow 33% in the next ten years alone. To adequately prepare, we should be making investments now to help

seniors secure their futures and maintain their independence.

This bill does not help prepare us to be the kind of country that we are going to be. That is why we are opposed to

this bill in its present form, and that is why the President

has said that he would veto it.

That is why Democrats decided to offer several amendments adding $10.9 billion to the bill for our country’s highest priority needs

that were fully paid for under the Democratic version of the Budget

Resolution. These amendments do not correct all of the bill’s flaws,

but would address the bill’s most serious deficiencies. The Democratic amendments include:

• Obey Amendment: to restore $1.025 billion to improve teacher

quality and strike the block grant language that prevents Congress

from assuring adequate and dedicated funding for class size reduction and teacher quality. Rejected 22:31

• Lowey Amendment: to restore $1.3 billion to leverage up to

$7.0 billion for urgent safety and health school facility repairs. Rejected 21:29

• Hoyer Amendment: to restore $1.833 billion to improve the

education, care and well-being of at-risk children through early

childhood education, child care and after school initiatives. Rejected

23:30

• Pelosi Amendment: to strike provisions that reduce NIH research funding in the bill by $1.7 billion. Rejected 23:29

• Pelosi Amendment: to add $600 million for substance abuse demand reduction and to increase substance abuse treatment capacity. Rejected 22:30

• Lowey Amendment: to add $938 million for a $300 increase in

maximum Pell grant to low-income college students (from $3,500 to

$3,800). Rejected 18:30

• Jackson Amendment: to restore $1.25 billion to sustain and expand skills and job training for disadvantaged youth and adults,

and dislocated workers. Rejected 19:30

• DeLauro Amendment: to add $1.510 billion to provide $7.0 billion in total for IDEA Part B state grants for children with disabilities, putting IDEA on a path toward full funding. Rejected 20:28

• DeLauro Amendment: to add $661 million to protect the health

and welfare of senior citizens, through better nursing home care,

increased meals on wheels, assistance for family caregivers, and

more accessible health care. Rejected 24:26

• Obey Amendment: to restore $97 million for Clinton initiatives

to attack the problem of weak international labor standards, including international child labor standards. Rejected 23:30

• Obey Amendment: to add a Sense of the House of Representatives provision that tax cuts for taxpayers in top 1% of income levels should not be enacted until Congress enacts a universal volVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00279 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
280

untary prescription drug benefit for all Americans under Medicare.

Rejected 22:28

None of the Democratic amendments were adopted in the Committee. The only major change the Majority approved in Committee

was to break a previous commitment and adopt the Northup

amendment to weaken worker protection through yet another appropriations rider that blocks issuance of the OSHA ergonomics

regulation.

The cuts in this bill are a direct result of the decisions made by

the Majority to provide massive tax cuts mostly to our wealthier

citizens. Two key tax cut bills, the minimum wage bill and the

Budget Resolution, are reflective of those decisions and have made

it impossible to meet our obligations in education, health care, and

workforce development in this bill. The Republicans attached to the minimum wage bill $122 billion

in tax cuts over 10 years. When combined with the impact on the

debt service, the bill would reduce surpluses by $154 billion over

10 years. In FY 2001 alone, the tax cuts passed in the minimum

wage bill would cut revenues by $2.4 billion. According to the Citizens for Tax Justice, 73% of these tax cuts would go to the top 1%

of all taxpayers—those making over $319,000 a year. The average

income for these citizens is about $915,000 a year. Yet, the bottom

60% of all taxpayers would get only 2.8% of the tax cuts under that

bill. So those in the top 1% get a tax cut of $6,128, and the bottom

60% get a $4 tax cut. The Republican Budget Resolution calls for $175 billion in tax cuts over 5 years, including a $150 billion reconciliation directive

and a $25 billion reserve fund for additional tax cuts. These cuts

exceed the projected budget surplus and require deep cuts in nondefense discretionary appropriations. The Democratic alternative to

the Budget Resolution would cut taxes $50 billion over 5 years.

In FY 2001, under the Republican Budget Resolution, revenues would be cut by $12.6 billion. The Democratic alternative cut taxes

$2.6 billion in FY 2001. That is a $10 billion difference in FY 2001

alone.

To make room for their massive tax package, the Republican

Budget Resolution calls for a dramatic cut to appropriations. In FY

2001, the Budget Resolution provides $289 billion for non-defense

discretionary, which is a cut of $7 billion or 6% below 2000 enacted,

and $19 billion below what is needed to keep up with inflation.

With a more modest tax cut, the Democratic alternative

would have provided $309 billion for non-defense discretionary programs in FY 2001, $20 billion more than the Republican Budget Resolution. That $20 billion would have

provided the room we need to live up to our responsibilities

in this appropriations bill. And we could have done so without touching Social Security or returning to deficit spending.

While the budgetary cost of the Republican tax plan is significant

and serious, the real cost is not what it will do to the fiscal balance

this country experiences in the short term, but what it does to

schools and the quality of the American workforce in the coming

decades. If this country is going to have the kind of economic

health and vitality in future decades that we are enjoying today,

281

it will be because we have found new ways to grow through new

technologies and new and better work skills.

The House should reject this bill. The country deserves,

and needs a better bill.

Attached to these Dissenting Views is additional supporting information, including:

• Tables listing key Administration education requests that are

cut in the bill.

• A copy of the President’s statement on the bill.

• A copy of Secretary Riley’s statement on the bill.

• A copy of Secretary Herman’s statement on the bill.

• A copy of Commissioner Apfel’s statement on the bill.

• A letter from the OMB Director stating the Administration’s

views on the bill.

Following the OMB letter is more specific information about

some of our urgent national problems, the deficiencies in this bill,

and Democratic efforts to provide alternative funding levels. State

tables showing cuts in selected programs on a state-by-state basis

conclude this section.

282

283

284

285

286

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

295

296

297

(298)

DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL PROBLEMS AND THE

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE

EDUCATION

Including Head Start, the President’s education budget request

contains a $5.5 billion increase in education spending—and the

largest proposed increase—in dollar and percentage terms—for the

Department of Education since it was established in 1980.

The bill reported by the Majority turns a cold shoulder to education and cuts $3.5 billion out of the Administration’s request.

This bill particularly undermines the President’s request for $2.9

billion to provide more and better teachers in the classroom, by cutting more than $1.0 billion for teacher quality. In the last two

years, Democrats and Republicans have had a disagreement about

whether smaller classes or quality teachers are more important in

raising student achievement. Democrats believe that both are important: we need high quality teachers in every classroom and

enough teachers to give every student the attention they need. We

need to take the best of the Majority’s ideas and our ideas, and provide enough money in this bill to make a real difference on both

fronts.

We face a crisis in this country with respect to who will be standing in front of our classrooms in America by the end of the current

decade. Twenty-five percent of our veteran teachers are 50 years or

older and will be retiring soon. We will have to replace these teachers in a tight labor market and when the private sector is paying

increasingly higher salaries for college graduates, particularly in

mathematics and the sciences. More than half of our young graduates are women who do not face the same barriers to employment

in other professions that they did a generation ago.

This is coming at a time when we are faced with increasing enrollments, a higher proportion of low-income and limited English

speaking students, the realization that cutting class size is even

more important to improved learning than previously understood

and the demands that a technologically driven economy place on

the next generation of workers.

This bill will disappoint most Americans. The American people

understand the federal role in education and believe that the federal government should help shoulder part of the financial burden

of educating our children. Education is their highest priority for additional federal funding and is more important to them than health

care, tax cuts or paying down the debt. A large majority (61%) believes that the federal government spends too little on education.

Our nation is prosperous, our economy is booming and our debt

is lower than nearly all other industrialized nations. What better

299

time to strengthen our national investment in our schools than

now?

Problem #1: The Need To Invest in High Quality Teaching

and More Teachers

Perhaps more than any other area, Americans want to ensure

that their children have good teachers in small classes where their

children can get the personal attention they need. We face unprecedented need and demand for high quality teaching at a time when

we also face a potential crisis in teacher quality and supply.

More than 53 million children are in school today—7.3 million or

16% more than 10 years ago. And, over the next 10 years, that

number will grow by another 1 million children, with the greatest

growth occurring in grades 9–12.

Schools will need to hire an estimated 2.2 to 2.5 million public

school teachers over the next 10 years to replace a projected

765,000 teachers who are expected to retire, address enrollment

growth, and accommodate smaller classes. More of these new hires

will be brand new teachers who lack experience and solid training.

And, we will have to work harder to attract and retain the 30% of

new teachers who leave the profession after five years.

In addition to meeting the demand for more teachers, our schools

need more highly skilled teachers. These teachers must bring new

knowledge and skills to the classroom, but too many teachers are

providing instruction in subjects in which they have little or no

preparation and academic background and are not well prepared

for the classroom. For example,

• One of every 10 teachers is teaching a subject for which they

were not trained to teach, and the problem of teaching out of field

is most acute at the secondary level where most of the enrollment

growth will occur over the next few years.

• More than one of every three new teachers is not fully licensed

to teach.

• Nearly two-thirds of teachers do not feel very well prepared to

implement state or district curriculum and performance standards.

• Four out of five teachers do not feel very well prepared to integrate educational technology into the curriculum.

• Four out of five teachers do not feel very well prepared to address the needs of students with disabilities.

Americans want a Marshall Plan now to help schools deal with

pressing teacher recruitment, retention and quality issues, and to

cut the size of classes. This bill provides no plan at all.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to restore $1.025 billion to improve teacher quality

and strike the block grant language that prevents Congress

from assuring adequate and dedicated funding for class size

reduction and teacher quality, but it was rejected by the

Majority by a vote of 22:31. (Obey amendment, Roll Number 1

located in this report immediately preceding the table). This

amendment would have restored:

• $690 million for high-quality professional development that is

content-focused, embedded in the life of the classroom, provided to

teams of teachers in the same grade or subject area, and of suffiVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00299 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
300

cient duration to be effective under the Teaching to High Standards State Grants program. • $25 million for an expanded Transition to Teaching program

to help schools hire 4,000 mid-career professionals who promise to

teach in high-poverty school districts. • $75 million for the Hometown Teachers program to help

about 100 high-poverty school districts to develop a ‘‘grow your

own’’ approach to teacher recruitment which has been effective in

addressing teacher shortages in hard-to-serve communities. • $50 million for the Higher Standards, Higher Pay program

to help high-poverty school districts (with an average of about 800

teachers per school district) attract and retain high-quality teachers and principals through better pay linked to (1) regular, rigorous

peer evaluations of every teacher that include student performance

as one measure; (2) professional development and intensive support

to help all teachers and principals succeed; and (3) streamlined, but

fair, systems to improve or remove teachers identified as low-performing through their peer evaluation. • $50 million for the Teacher Quality Incentives program to

reward about 200 high-poverty school districts for demonstrating

significant progress in improving teacher quality by increasing the

percentage of certified teachers and decreasing the percentage of

secondary teachers who are teaching out-of-field. • $40 million for the School Leadership Initiative to provide

leadership training to 10,000 superintendents, principals, and prospective principals and to address shortages of skilled district- and

school-level administrators. • $30 million for the Early Childhood Professional Development program to improve the knowledge and skills of early childhood educators and caregivers who work in communities with high

concentrations of young children living in poverty. • $65 million for Teacher Technology Training to help train

teachers to use computers and the Internet for classroom instruction, when 80% of teachers report that they are not well prepared

to use these technologies.

This bill repeals last year’s bipartisan plan to hire 100,000

additional teachers for smaller classes.

This bill block grants the $1.75 billion requested by the President for the third installment of a plan to make classes smaller by

hiring 100,000 teachers over 7 years. School districts have already

hired 29,000 teachers to reduce class size, and the budget requested funds for those teachers and to hire another 20,000 teachers. Instead, the bill provides these funds for the Teacher Empowerment Act, subject to enactment.

Providing high quality teachers goes hand in hand with smaller

classes, but we must provide the necessary funds to make a difference. The Majority’s bill would provide $1.0 billion less than the

$2.9 billion requested by the President for enhancing teacher quality and hiring more teachers.

Moreover, the block grant provisions in the bill would do little

more than provide another form of general revenue sharing to

states—many of which have produced little in the way of educational results. On the other hand, we know that reducing class

size is a research-tested and proven method of raising student

301

achievement. Small classes allow teachers to spend more time on

instruction and less on classroom management. Teachers are better

able to identify students with learning problems and to provide

help to those children. Reducing class size also reduces the need to

refer students to costly special education programs.

We all know what happens with block grants—eventually they

get cut. Already, the Teacher Empowerment Act (TEA) block grant

proposed in this bill is $250 million below the level authorized

in the TEA bill last year—a 12.5% cut. One also need look no further than the Title XX Social Services Block Grant to see what

eventually happens with block grants. In 1998, Title XX was cut

from $2.38 billion to $1.7 billion to pay for roads and highways in

TEA21, and is cut another 65% to $600 million in the FY2001

Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill reported by the Senate

Appropriations Committee.

The Majority argues that under its approach, schools will have

the option of using the $1.75 billion block grant funding to hire

new teachers or to support teacher training activities. But, that is

a Hobson’s choice. We shouldn’t have to force schools to choose between hiring new teachers or training those teachers already in the

school.

School districts have already hired 29,000 teachers who are on

the payroll, teaching classes. If schools do not fire these teachers,

then approximately $1.3 billion of the $1.75 billion provided in the

bill for the block grant would be need to pay those 29,000 teachers,

leaving only $450 million for teacher training and professional development—a cut of $650 million below the President’s request for

teacher training, recruitment and retention initiatives.

Alternatively, under the Majority’s approach, if schools use more

of the block grant for teacher training, as many as 2.9 million children could be denied the benefits of getting a better education in

smaller classes.

Problem #2: The Need To Invest in Modern Schools

Studies show that the physical condition of our schools makes a

difference in student learning. A classroom of 5th graders will tune

out even the best teacher when they have to wear coats in class

to ward off cold, or when water is pouring into the classroom due

to a leak in the roof.

We can’t control all the influences that affect a child’s learning.

We must take each child as he or she comes to us. But, we can control the condition of learning facilities to which we send our young

people.

Our schools are old, overcrowded, and outmoded. Not only are

they not ready for state-of-the-art instruction in the 21st century,

they cannot even meet 20th century standards for security, safety,

and sanitation.

• One-third of the nation’s 80,000 schools, serving about 14 million students nationwide, report needing extensive repair or replacement of one or more school buildings. About 7 million children

are in schools that fail to meet local health and safety codes.

• Three-fifths of schools, serving 25 million students nationwide,

need extensive repair, overhaul or replacement of at least one

302

major building feature, such as roofs, windows, plumbing and heating, electrical power, and life safety codes.

• Nearly 60% of all schools have at least one major building feature in disrepair, such as a leaky roof or crumbling walls.

• More than half of all schools have unsatisfactory environmental conditions, such as poor ventilation, heating or lighting

problems or poor physical security.

This bill fails to provide the $1.3 billion requested to leverage up to $7 billion to fix a backlog of leaky roofs, outmoded

plumbing, and other needed repairs to bring school buildings into compliance with local safety codes.

We know that local communities can’t foot the bill alone, and historically the federal government has stepped up to the plate, particularly to help the neediest communities provide a quality education for all students. The federal government stepped in to help

build over 5,200 new schools and to upgrade 1,000 school buildings

back in the 1930’s when the need for school buildings outstripped

the capacity of local communities to pay for them. We should provide similar help now.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to restore $1.3 billion for urgent safety and health repairs at 5,000 schools, but it was rejected by the Majority by

a vote of 21:29. (Lowey amendment, Roll Number 2 located in this

report immediately preceding the table.)

Problem #3: The Need To Invest in Early Childhood Education, Child Care and After School Programs for AtRisk Children

Amidst unprecedented prosperity in our country, 13.5 million

children are poor. One in five American children live in poverty,

representing almost 30% of school enrollment. More than half of

these children are in single parent homes and are more likely to

experience academic problems in their early school years; 74% of

poor children live in working families who cannot make enough to

escape poverty.

The achievement gap between disadvantaged children and other

children has been reduced over the past twenty years, but a sizable

gap remains. Too many disadvantaged children are still denied a

quality education, leading to a greater likelihood of dropping out

and a lifetime of diminished success. For these reasons, providing

consistent support for education success from the earliest ages has

critically important benefits.

A national review of 36 studies on the long-term impact of early

childhood education programs (including a number of Head Start

programs) found that low-income children who participated in such

programs were less likely to be held back in school or to be placed

in special education classes, more likely to succeed in school and

to graduate, and more likely to be rated as behaving well in class

and being better adjusted in school.

Historically, the federal government has played a significant role

in helping to provide a quality education for the most disadvantaged students in the poorest communities. But, this bill cuts out

key investments in early childhood education and child care, extra

303

reading and math education, and before and after school programs

for those families.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to add $1.833 billion to restore the President’s budget

request for key programs for at-risk children and youth, but

it was rejected by the Majority by a vote of 23:30. (Hoyer

amendment, Roll Number 3 located in this report immediately preceding the table.) This amendment would have restored: • $600 million for Head Start in order to fund the President’s

request for a $1 billion increase for Head Start. Head Start is a

comprehensive program that helps at-risk children, 3 through 5

years, prepare for school and stay healthy by providing education,

immunizations, health checkups and nutritious meals. Without the

increase provided by this amendment, 50,000 children would be denied a better start in life under the Head Start program, and an

additional 3,000 infants and toddlers would be denied access to

early, continuous and comprehensive services under Early Head

Start. • $416 million to the Title 1 program to fully fund the Presi- dent’s request of $8.4 billion for Title 1 grants to school districts.

Title 1 helps over 11 million disadvantaged school children to gain

skills in core academic subjects, including reading and math, and

helps them to achieve to high academic standards. However, the resources provided for Title 1 have not kept pace with the increase

in school children in poverty and current Title 1 funding supports

only about one-third of the basic authorization. Without the increase requested by the President, extra academic help for as many

as an additional 650,000 disadvantaged children and targeted assistance to up to 7,000 schools identified by states as needing improvement would be denied. • $400 million for the 21st Century Community Learning

Centers to fully fund the President’s request of $1 billion for before and after school centers. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program enables schools to stay open longer, providing

a safe place for homework centers, intensive mentoring in basic

skills, drug and violence prevention counseling, helping middle

school students to prepare to take college prep courses in high

school, enrichment in the core academic subjects as well as opportunities to participate in recreational activities, chorus, band and

the arts, technology education programs and services for children

and youth with disabilities. While the bill provides a modest increase for this program over last year, without the $400 million increase provided by the Hoyer amendment, approximately 1.6 children would be denied the opportunity to receive fun, rich learning

opportunities before and after school.

• $417 million for the Child Care and Development Block

Grant program to fully fund (in addition to the $400 million increase in the bill) the President’s request for a $817 million increase. This program is the major source of Federal child care assistance for low- and moderate-income families, and provides funding to states for subsidizing care of the parent’s choice and improving the quality of care. Nationally, only one out of ten children who

is eligible for child care assistance under federal law receives assistance, and no state is currently serving all eligible families.

304

While research has repeatedly shown that quality care plays a key

role in children’s development and school readiness, a study found

that only one in seven child care centers received a rating of good

quality care. Adding the $417 million requested in the President’s

request would result in 80,000 more children being served next

year.

Problem #4: Making College More Affordable for Needy Students

Pell Grants

One of the greatest economic challenges facing America in the

21st century will be to support the highly-skilled workforce necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven

workplace.

The importance of postsecondary education in meeting this challenge should not be understated. In terms of earning power, there

is a vast difference between those with college degrees and those

without. In 1997, the median annual income for adult men and

women with college degrees (full-time workers 25 years and older)

was 56 and 60% more, respectively, than that of men and women

with only high school diplomas.

Further, the unemployment rate for adults with high school diplomas is twice that of adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher.

There is no doubt that American workers who have difficulty

adapting to the demands of a changing workplace will continue to

experience a falling standard of living.

Since the 1944 G.I. Bill, the Federal government has embraced

the ideal that all qualified students should be able to attend college, regardless of their financial means. A college education benefits not only the individual, but society as a whole. A highly educated work force has become an essential component of economic

growth and competitiveness—it is estimated that increases in national educational attainment have accounted for almost 30% of the

growth in national income this century. There is no better way to

ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security than to increase

the earning capacity of American workers through education which

will allow them to increase their contributions to the trust funds.

When the federal government helps students attend college, it truly

invests in our nation’s future.

In the next 10 years, the number of undergraduate students enrolled in the nation’s colleges and universities will increase by 11%

to more than 14 million students. Many of these students will be

the first in their families to attend college. One out of five of these

students will be from families with incomes below the poverty

level. The continued investment in federal grant programs is essential if college is to remain an achievable part of the American

dream.

The Pell Grant program is the cornerstone of federal student financial aid, providing aid to nearly 3.8 million needy students in

FY 1999. Pell Grants are targeted to the neediest students. Approximately 90% of Pell Grants assistance goes to students from

families with annual incomes below $30,000 and 41% goes to students from families with incomes below $12,000. The grants are

305

the foundation of a low-income student’s aid package. Without

them, millions of students could not go to college. In fact, since the

inception of the Pell Grant program in 1973–74, over 75 million

grants have helped low-income students go to college, enrich their

lives, and become productive members of society.

Unfortunately, the increases in the maximum Pell Grant award

have not kept pace with the growing cost of postsecondary education. According to the College Board, between the 1988–89 and

1998–99 academic years, the average cost of attending a public university rose 75%. Costs at private schools during the same period

increased 81%. This significant increase in college costs has reduced the relative value of the Pell Grant. In 1976, the maximum

Pell Grant of $1,400 covered 72% of the $1,935 average annual cost

(i.e. tuition, fees, room and board) at a public, four-year school. In

1998, the maximum Pell Grant of $3,000 covered only 39% of the

$7,769 average annual cost at a public, four-year school.

The House bill fully funds the President’s request to increase the

maximum Pell grant for the 2001–02 school year from $3,300 to

$3,500. That is a good start. But, we need to do more.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to provide a $3,800 maximum Pell grant, but it was rejected by the Majority 18–30. (Lowey amendment, Roll Call

Number 7 located in this report immediately preceding the table).

Problem #5: Meeting our Commitments To Help Educate Children with Disabilities

Americans also want more help for special needs children. And,

in this area, both Democrats and Republicans can agree that more

federal support is warranted so that the 6.2 million students with

disabilities receive the education they deserve. However, even

measured by the Majority’s own yardstick, this bill fails to address

the need.

Although States have the responsibility to provide a free public

education, the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA) helps

them to pay for the additional costs associated with providing a

quality education for children with disabilities. IDEA funds support

the costs of providing smaller classes, related professional services,

equipment and staff related to serving disabled children.

The bill provides $6.6 billion for IDEA, an increase of $514 million over last year. This includes $5.5 billion for the Part B State

Grants, an increase of $500 million for Part B grants over last

year. In contrast, the Majority’s budget resolution called for at

least a $2 billion increase for Special Education over last year. Further, on May 3rd, the House passed by an overwhelming bipartisan

vote of 421:3 a bill (H.R. 4055) calling for a $2 billion increase in

2001 and full funding for IDEA by 2010. This bill fails to meet the

2001 funding target by $1.5 billion.

Democrats offered an amendment to add $1.5 billion to

put IDEA on a path toward full funding, but it was rejected

by the Majority by a vote of 20:28. (DeLauro amendment, Roll

Number 9 located in this report immediately preceding the table.)

306

Other Key Education Programs Cut in This Bill

Small Schools. The bill freezes funding for Small, Safe and Suc- cessful Schools at $45 million, a cut of $75 million from the President’s request of $120 million. The Small, Safe and Successful

Schools initiative is designed to help school districts reorganize

their large high schools into smaller, more personalized learning

communities. Over time, high schools have become larger places

and, as a result, students feel increasingly disconnected from

adults. In 1997, almost half of the Nation’s high school students attended schools that enrolled more than 1,500 students and 70% of

high school students attended schools that enrolled more than

1,000 students.

We know that an effective way to prevent school violence is to

help students feel more connected to their teachers, schools and

communities. Research demonstrates that, on a wide range of

measures, when students are part of a smaller, more intimate

learning community, they are more successful academically and socially. Yet, as many as 400 large high schools enrolling more than

400,000 students would not get assistance because of the cut in

this bill for the Small Schools initiative.

School Counselors. The bill eliminates the Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Program funded in 2000 at $20 million.

Over 100,000 elementary school students would be denied counseling services—services that are needed to help troubled students

overcome problems—and that will contribute to better mental

health and, in turn, help to make our schools safer and more successful. The bill ignores the calls from hundreds of communities for

additional intervention services to help troubled youth before they

harm themselves or others.

Safe Schools/Healthy Students. The bill cuts $51 million from

the President’s request of $650 million for the Safe and Drug Free

Schools program. Of the $51 million in additional funds requested

in the budget, $41 million in new funding would be used to expand

the successful Safe School/Healthy Students school violence prevention initiative to an additional 40 school districts. These grants

help schools implement comprehensive solutions to preventing

school violence before it occurs, in collaboration with law enforcement and mental health providers.

In 1999, the agencies received 447 applications under the Safe

Schools/Healthy Students competition, but only had enough funds

to award 54 grants. An additional $100 million would have been required to fund all of the high-scoring applications received for

projects to provide students, schools, and communities the benefit

of enhanced comprehensive educational, mental health, social service, law enforcement, and, as appropriate, juvenile justice services

to promote healthy childhood development, and address the problems of school violence and alcohol and other drug abuse. This bill

does not provide that additional assistance.

School Emergency Assistance. In addition, the bill provides

no funding for Project SERV, the School Emergency Response to

Violence. The President requested $10 million for this new initiative under which the Department of Education, in collaboration

with the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services

and the Federal Emergency Management Administration, would

307

provide education-related services to local educational agencies

where the learning environment has been disrupted due to a violent or traumatic crisis, such as a shooting or major accident. Such

services would include assessing the crisis situation, and developing and implementing a crisis intervention plan; providing mental health crisis counseling to students and their families, teachers,

and others in need of such services; and increasing—at least temporarily—school security.

Reading Excellence Act. The bill provides $260 million for

Reading and Literacy Grants, which is level funding compared to

2000, but a cut of $26 million, or 9%, below the President’s request

for $286 million. Level funding for the Reading and Literacy

Grants program would deny critical reading instructional services

to approximately 100,000 children in about 200 schools who would

be served by the increase of $26 million requested by the President.

The Reading and Literacy Grants program is the first comprehensive, nationwide effort to implement the features of highquality scientifically based reading research in school reading instruction. Far too many young people are struggling through school

without having mastered reading, the most essential and basic

skill. On the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress

(NAEP), 68% of all fourth graders in high poverty schools scored

below the ‘‘basic’’ reading level.

Goals 2000 Parental Centers. The bill eliminates all funding

for the Parental Information Resource Centers, for which the President requested to continue at the 2000 level of $33 million. These

centers, authorized under Title IV of the Goals 2000 Act, provide

parents with training, information, and support to better understand their children’s educational needs and how to help their children achieve to high academic standards. Each center services an

entire State or region, and they are required to use at least half

of their funding to serve areas with high concentrations of low-income families.

Bilingual Education. The bill provides $248 million for Bilingual Education, the same as the fiscal year 2000 appropriation, but

a cut of $48 million or 16% below the President’s request of $296

million. Approximately 3.4 million students—about 6% of total

school enrollments—have difficulty speaking English. This number

has grown by 57% between 1990 and 1997 and will continue to

grow as the number of Hispanic children entering school increases.

Based on historical patterns, an additional 2.5–2.9 million Hispanic

children may enter school over the next 20 years with limited ability to speak English.

These children arrive at schools often with little or no prior formal schooling. Twelve percent of limited English proficient (LEP)

students in middle school and 20% in high school have missed

more than 2 years of schooling since age 6. Over 1 in 5 may have

limited skills in their own native language.

The bill would deny grants to more than 100 school districts and

instructional services to 143,000 limited English proficient students

who desperately need to learn English. The affected school districts

would primarily be smaller districts with little prior experience

serving limited English proficient students. More than 130 school

districts and institutions of higher education would not receive proVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00307 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
308

fessional development grants, further aggravating the already critical shortage of trained bilingual and English as a second language

teachers.

GEAR UP. The bill freezes funding for GEAR UP at $200 mil- lion, a cut of $125 million or 38% below the President’s request. At

this funding level, more than 644,000 low-income middle and high

school students would be denied early college preparation and

awareness activities designed to ensure they are prepared for and

pursue postsecondary education. These students would be denied

the benefits of systemic academic reforms and the linking of early

intervention to college scholarships, which are benefits unique to

GEAR UP. In addition, these students would be denied comprehensive support services including mentoring, tutoring, academic and

career counseling, exposure to college campuses, and financial aid

information.

The bill would deny new grants to 6 States and 75 partnerships

of high poverty middle and high schools, colleges, and community

organizations. In the 1999 competition, although more than 670 applications were received from 41 States and 1 out of 5 colleges in

the Nation, the Department of Education was able to fund only 21

States and 1 out of 4 partnerships. The bill also would prevent existing partnerships from adding new cohorts of low-income 7th

grade students. Partnerships would be denied funds to reach out

to these students in the early grades and would be forced to provide services only to existing cohorts of students in later grades.

Community-based Technology Centers. The bill provides $32.5 million for Community-based Technology Centers, a decrease

of $67.5 million or 67.5% below the President’s request for $100

million. At this level, an additional 700 new centers in 280 communities would not be funded.

The Department of Commerce’s 1999 report Falling through the

Net: Defining the Digital Divide, found that, although the number

of Americans connected to the Nation’s information infrastructure

is soaring, a digital divide still exists, and, in many cases, is actually widening over time. Minorities, low-income persons, the less

educated, and children of single-parent households, particularly

when they reside in rural areas or central cities, are among the

groups that lack access to information resources. Establishing and

supporting community access centers, among other steps, would

help ensure that all Americans can access new technologies. This

bill fails to provide that additional help.

Tech Prep. The bill also freezes funding for Tech-Prep Education at $106 million, a cut of $200 million, or 65%, below the

President’s request. Tech-Prep is making a critical contribution to

the new vision for vocational education, by helping prepare students in high-tech career fields that promise high-skill, high-wage

jobs. Tech Prep is designed to incorporate the same academic content as college prep curriculum, and it provides internships that

link classroom work to experiences outside the classroom. TechPrep has contributed to reduced student dropout rates, higher test

scores, increased enrollments in post-secondary education, and high

employer satisfaction. Without additional funding, States cannot

expand the number of Tech-Prep consortia, and they will be denied

the additional resources they need to improve connections to 4-year

309

post-secondary institutions and courses of study, make effective use

of educational technology and distance learning, and integrate

work-based learning opportunities into local Tech-Prep programs.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP). The

bill eliminates funding for LEAP, a cut of $40 million below last

year and the President’s request. This would result in a cut of at

least $90 million in aid available to needy students, and one of the

primary means of securing additional State funding for need-based

grant programs. LEAP is designed to encourage individual states

to create and sustain need-based aid programs. LEAP leverages

State funding by providing a one-for-one match of Federal dollars

for State dollars. Due to LEAP maintenance of effort provisions,

even a minimum Federal investment requires States to maintain

funding support for their need-based programs. The elimination of

the Federal funding would allow States to reduce or eliminate

funding for these programs.

Dual Degree Programs for Minority-Serving Institutions. The bill rejects the President’s request of $40 million for a new initiative to help students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities to earn dual degrees in five years. Participants would earn one degree from their home institution, and the

other from a partner institution. Funds would help establish consortia, provide scholarships to students, and compensate the minority-serving institutions for tuition revenue losses.

Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships. The bill includes

only $10 million for Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships, a

cut of $20 million or 67% below the President’s request of $30 million. This program supports access to quality post-secondary education for underserved individuals through the use of technology.

The bill would eliminate funding for 45 new partnership awards as

well as reduce the average size of continuation projects that improve technology-based learning opportunities for the disabled, dislocated workers, those making the transition from welfare to work,

and others who do not have easy access to traditional campusbased post-secondary education.

Recognition and Reward Grants. The bill rejects the President’s request of $50 million for a new Recognition and Reward

program that would give grants to States that (1) demonstrate significant statewide gains in student achievement, and (2) reduce the

achievement gap between high- and low-performing students as

measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

OPTIONS. The bill rejects the President’s request of $20 million

for a new program, Opportunities to Improve our Nation’s Schools

(OPTIONS), which would support 40 grants to States and school

districts to implement and test new approaches to public school

choice, including inter-district programs and public schools at work

sites and on college campuses.

Research, Development and Dissemination. The bill includes $169 million for education research, development and dissemination, a cut of $30 million or 15% below the President’s request of $199 million. Investments in education research and development create a knowledge base for future improvements in educational practice. At a time when educators are looking toward the

310

most effective and proven methods to raise student achievement, it

is pennywise and pound foolish to reduce funding aimed at increasing our understanding of what works and designing more effective

practices for schools and classrooms.

This bill would cut support for critical research activities, including interagency initiatives with NICHD and NSF, designed to provide high quality, research based information to improve student

learning in reading, math, science and identify the critical factors

that lead to English-language literacy for students whose first language is Spanish.

Research on Disabilities and Rehabilitation for Individuals with Disabilities. The bill denies $14 million of the President’s request of $100 million for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). NIDRR plays an important role in generating new knowledge and applications to maximize the full inclusion and integration into society and employment

individuals of all ages with disabilities. The increase of $14 million

in the request would have been used to help schools evaluation and

procure education technology for children with disabilities, and to

accelerate the use of technology by disabled individuals in the

workplace and in their communities to facilitate independent living. NIDRR will not be able to undertake these worthwhile projects

with the constrained funding in the bill.

1999 Audit of the Department of Education’s Financial Statements

This bill takes punitive action against the Department of Education by taking away limited authority to transfer funds across accounts because of the results of the 1999 audit of the Department

of Education’s financial statements. The Department of Education,

like all federal agencies, must have an independent audit of its financial statements each year. Relatively few federal agencies have

been able to achieve an unqualified or ‘‘clean’’ audit each year—the

best possible audit outcome.

In 1997, the Department received such a clean audit. In 1998,

the Department received a disclaimer of opinion by Ernst and

Young on its audit largely because the Department was bringing

a new accounting system on line—the old accounting system had

to be replaced because the contractor stopped supporting the system.

The Majority’s action is punitive because the Department’s 1999

audit actually showed improvement over the previous year, according to testimony presented by the Department of Education Inspector General before the Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee.

The Department of Education achieved the 1999 audit deadline

by completing the financial statement process almost eight months

ahead of last year. While the Department did not get a clean opinion on the 1999 financial statements, it showed improvement by

moving to a qualified opinion on four of the five required statements. Further improvement is likely in 2000, because the Department has taken corrective actions in many areas.

• Out of 139 recommendations for improvement made in the annual audits of the Department’s financial statements, final actions

on 72, or 52%, have now been completed including 45 since DecemVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00310 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
311

ber, 1999. More corrective actions are planned to get at long-standing weaknesses in financial management and student financial aid

administration.

• Consultants from the Treasury Department and private accounting firms have been retained to provide staff training and

augment existing resources in addressing short-term issues.

• Regular reconciliation of the Department’s cash accounts with

Treasury has been greatly improved. A new automated system has

eliminated over 90% of the manual matching effort and allows ED

to reconcile faster and more effectively.

• Education has awarded a contract to implement a new Department-wide general ledger system that will make it easier to

produce accurate and timely financial statements by integrating

data from a variety of other systems. An interim process will automate the production of all statements for 2000.

One reason why the Department of Education has not made faster progress is that the Majority has insisted on cutting its program

administration budget requests that would have provided the Department with additional funds to improve its financial systems.

Last year, the FY2000 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill

produced by the Majority would have cut the Department’s program management funds by $24 million. The final reduction was

$3 million only after Democrats and the White House insisted that

funds be restored. Again, this year, the Majority has included a cut

of $30 million from the President’s request of $413 million for Departmental management. Such cuts will only slow the Department’s efforts to improve its accounting systems.

LABOR

Problem #6: The Need to Invest in a Skilled Workforce

The Majority states at the beginning of this Committee report

that job training programs are reduced in response to the strong

economy and low unemployment. Their approach could not be more

misguided.

It is true that the unemployment rate is at 3.9%—its lowest level

in 30 years—and that over 21 million new jobs have been created

since 1993. Yet many Americans are being left behind in this economy, and the fact that all are not well trained is obvious to every

employer in the country.

Now is precisely the time to invest in skills training that our

workers need to compete and succeed. Businesses are so desperate

for skilled workers that they are seeking an increase in the H1B

visa program to bring in more foreign workers for good paying jobs

that Americans could hold. The workers we need to keep our economy growing are right here—in our cities and in our rural areas.

They simply need us to invest in the skills they need to compete

and succeed in the 21st Century economy. The lack of skilled workers has even lead to wage inflation that recently prompted the Federal Reserve Board to raise interest rates by half a percentage

point in order to slow down economy.

In commenting on the skills shortage, Federal Reserve Board

Chairman Alan Greenspan, has said:

312

The rapidity of innovation and the unpredictability of the

directions it may take imply a need for considerable investment in human capital. Workers in many occupations are

being asked to strengthen their cognitive skills; basic credentials, by themselves, are not enough to ensure success in

the workplace. Workers must be equipped not simply with

technical know-how but also with the ability to create, analyze, and transform information and to interact effectively

with others. Moreover, that learning will increasingly be a

lifelong activity.

(And) . . . it is not enough to create a job market that

has enabled those with few skills to finally be able to grasp

the first rung of the ladder of achievement. More generally,

we must ensure that our whole population receives an education that will allow full and continuing participation in

this dynamic period of American economic history.

Economist Robert Kuttner added, ‘‘. . . what’s holding back even

faster economic growth is the low skill level of millions of potential

work.’’

Our strong economy also gives us the rare opportunity to bring

skills and jobs to individuals and communities that have been left

behind for too long. The demand for skilled workers means that

millions of Americans in the untapped pools of potential—young

people who have dropped out of school, ex-offenders, displaced

workers, individuals with disabilities, veterans and people who

were on welfare—have a chance to join to get and keep good, family-supporting jobs. But only if we use this opportunity to provide

them the skills and opportunities needed to gain a foothold in the

new economy. • In April 2000, there existed 13 million untapped and underutilized Americans: 5.2 million who are unemployed, 4.4 million who

are out of the labor force but want to work, and 3.0 million who

work part-time, but want full-time work. • The unemployment rate for teenagers was 12.7% in April 2000.

The unemployment rate for black teenage men was 22.0% and the

unemployment rate for black teenage women was 22.4%. • Last October, 37.0% of the High School Graduate Class of 1999

did not enroll in college. Their unemployment rate was 17.5%. • The unemployment rate for those who dropped out of high

school between October 1998 and October 1999 was 26.1%. • The labor force activity of persons with a severe disability

ranges from a low of 17.3% for those with less than a high school

degree to 52.4% for college graduates. Comparable labor force activity for persons with no disability ranges from 75.2% to 90.0%. • In March 2000, there were 22 metropolitan areas with unemployment rates in excess of 7%. One-half of these areas were in

California.

Even in today’s prosperity, American workers are not immune to

the effects of structural change ushered in by technological advancements or globalization. In 1999, 33% of workers surveyed

were frequently concerned about being laid off. This figure exceeds

comparable figures of 17% and 21% in 1979 and 1989 at similar

points in the business cycle and even exceeds the rate during the

1981–1982 recession. Their fears are not unfounded. Despite the

313

strong economy, 2 million American workers were laid off from

their jobs last year.

It is also sad that less than two years after the President signed

the bipartisan Workforce Investment Act, the House Appropriations Committee has chosen to make deep cuts in the very system

that businesses said they want in order to get the workers they so

desperately need. For example, under this new system, Congress

envisioned one-stop career centers as the cornerstone of the new

workforce system, yet the House Committee has eliminated funding for the centers and the quality information needed by job seekers, and has made deep cuts in the programs that provide the services at these centers. Again, it makes no sense to gut this critical

new system on the eve of its implementation.

It is also ironic that on the same day that the House passed the

China Permanent Normal Trade Relations bill, and debated the potential loss of American jobs, the House Appropriations Committee

was meeting to gut the President’s universal reemployment initiative which would help to ensure that any dislocated worker who

wants and needs retraining can get it, and rejected the President’s

expansion to raise international labor standards that will protect

American workers.

Cuts the President’s Universal Reemployment Initiative

The House bill not only ignores the $275 million requested increase for the second year of the five year plan to provide universal re-employment services to all Americans, but cuts $593

million (30%) below the President’s request, and a 19% cut below

the FY 2000 level. As part of the initiative, the House bill: • Eliminates all funding for the One-Stop Career Center/

America’s Labor Market Information System. The House bill

eliminates the existing $110 million investment in the One-Stop

Career Center system, undermining the foundation of the new

workforce investment system, intended to ensure access to the information and services of One-Stop Career Centers, for all Americans. The House bill also ignores the President’s FY 2001 $44 million enhancement designed to improve access to these services for

millions of Americans, through improvements in America ’s Job

Bank, mobile vans for one-stop access to rural areas, a toll-free 1–

800 number for the workforce investment system, and improvements in basic labor market information. The One-Stop system is

also the system that provides job assistance services to veterans

and individuals with disabilities, and these essential initiatives will

be impacted by the de-funding of this national One-Stop system.

• Cuts assistance to 215,800 dislocated workers. The House

bill cuts the dislocated worker program by $207 million below 2000,

and $389 million below the Request. The House bill means that

215,800 fewer dislocated workers will be served compared to the

President, and 68,500 fewer than FY 2000, reversing investments

that Congress has made over the past four years. For employers,

this means more difficulty in finding skilled workers for vacant positions. For dislocated workers, this cut means even fewer of the

3.3 million dislocated each year will be able to get the skills they

need to compete and succeed in the 21st century economy. The

House bill rejects the President’s goal of providing every dislocated

314

worker who needs and wants reemployment services and training

by 2004. • Eliminates assistance for 222,200 unemployment insurance claimants. In addition to cuts in the Dislocated Worker pro- gram, the bill zeros out the President’s $50 million Reemployment

Services component which means an estimated 222,200 unemployment insurance claimants will not be able to get the customized reemployment services they need to speed their reentry into employment.

In addition to the re-employment initiative, the House bill cuts

other investments aimed at succeeding in getting employers the

workers they need and getting employees the skills they need in

the 21st Century economy: • Cuts Adult job training for 37,200 adults. The House cuts

adult employment and training services by $93 million, or 10%,

below the request and 2000 levels. This reduction undermines

Congress’s commitment through the Workforce Investment Act to

provide universal access to employment-related information and

services. • Eliminates the President’s proposal to assist 80,000 noncustodial parents and low-income parents. The House bill

zeros out the President’s $255 million initiative building on the

Welfare-to-Work program, which promotes responsible fatherhood

and supports working families. These grants are aimed at helping

noncustodial fathers get a job and pay child support, and to help

low income parents upgrade their skills so they can move up career

ladders into family-supporting jobs. • Eliminates the President’s proposal to assist 20,000 Incumbent Workers. The bill zeros out the President’s $30 million

initiative to address major job losses in the manufacturing industry

where one half million jobs have been lost since March, 1998. • Cuts employment assistance to 3,100 homeless veterans.

There are an estimated one-quarter of a million homeless veterans,

yet the House mark provides only $9.6 million for job assistance to

homeless veterans, a reduction of $5 million below the President’s

request. This reduction means that 3,100 fewer homeless veterans

will obtain meaningful employment with the economic security and

independence that go along with a job.

• Eliminates the President’s proposal to establish a new

Office of Disability Policy aimed at providing leadership in helping people with disabilities enter, re-enter, and remain in the workforce. At a time when the economy is booming, America cannot afford to waste the talents of millions of individuals with disabilities.

Currently, people with moderate disabilities are nearly twice as

likely to be looking for work or on layoff as persons without disability, and those with severe disabilities were nearly three times

as likely.

• Cuts unemployment insurance administrative costs to

levels that could delay payments to workers trying to reconnect

with the workforce. The House bill cuts funding for state operations of the unemployment insurance system by $93 million or almost 4% below the request. Administration of State UI programs

require an infrastructure to support the many complex activities

necessary to process and pay the estimated 2 million UI weekly

315

claims. This program is a vital part of America’s commitment to

workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. • Rejects Improving National Economic Indicators. The

House bill cuts $14 million from the President’s request for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is responsible for the production of

some of the Nation ’s most sensitive and important economic data

series. With an increase of less than half of what is needed to cover

inflation, cuts in current statistical programs will have to be made.

In addition, BLS will not be able to implement the President’s proposed enhancements to expand price, output and productivity

measures for service industries, improve local and state employment and unemployment projections, and conduct a new time use

survey about how Americans spend their time in market and nonmarket activities. Economic statistics produced by BLS are closely

followed by business, labor, and government. In addition, millions

of in-school youth, young workers, and other entering the labor

market seeking statistical information from BLS about future employment growth and job opportunities.

Cuts investments in at-risk youth

Although the Nation’s unemployment rate has fallen from 7.3%

in 1993 to 3.9%, many teenagers have not been able to seize the

opportunities of our strong economy. Teens faced an unemployment

rate of 13.8% while African American teens faced a rate of 27.5%.

Large cities face high youth unemployment rates. For example,

using the most recent data available, Los Angeles has rates of over

15%, Baltimore exceeds 26%, and Philadelphia central city experiences youth unemployment rates of 31%. The Department of Labor

has developed effective programs to help disadvantaged youth find

jobs and get the critical first foothold in the world of work.

In addition to facing dramatically high levels of unemployment,

too many of our young people have found themselves in the courthouse instead of the workplace. One-half of black male high school

dropouts under age 25 and three-quarters of black male high school

dropouts ages 25 to 34 are under some form of criminal justice supervision.

Youth that do not share in our prosperity further foster pockets

of poverty. Widespread joblessness among young males is the principle underlying cause of a variety of our inner cities’ worst problems, including poverty, crime, youth gangs, welfare dependency, illegal drugs and the breakdown of the two-parent family. Every

time a youth fails to complete high school, the government and society bear huge costs. Each year the U.S. spends roughly $20 billion for income maintenance, health care, and nutrition to support

families begun by teenagers. In addition, one estimate suggests

that crime costs society about 2% of national income, or about $130

billion per year.

Many youth in employment programs have never worked before.

Many of these youth, including youth with disabilities, come from

families with no strong attachment to the labor force and from

neighborhoods where poverty, unemployment, and crime are widespread. Youth employment programs teach participants valuable

work skills and habits, and instill a positive work ethic. Because

these young people are at a critical time in their lives, such proVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00315 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
316

grams offer them a valuable experience to develop responsible behavior.

The Administration has made an array of strategic investments

in youth initiatives to insure that they are prepared for the jobs of

the 21st Century and can share in the benefits of our growing economy. However, the House bill cuts $322 million out of the

President’s request for youth programs, serving 72,000

fewer at-risk youth. Compared to the FY 2000 level, the House cuts a net $75 million, serving 34,000 fewer youth. As a result, efforts to insure that today’s youth have 21st Century skills for 21st

Century jobs and can compete successfully in the growing economy

will be thwarted. • Slashes the Youth Opportunities Initiative by over 50%.

Congress provided funds for the first 2 years of a 5-year commitment by the President to increase the long-term employment and

educational attainment of youth living in 36 of the Nation’s poorest

urban neighborhoods and rural areas. The House bill cuts $200

million out of the President’s $375 million request, eliminating the

proposed expansion to 20 new communities and reducing third year

grants to the existing 36 communities by $75 million—a 30% cut.

This will deny 40,000 of some of the most disadvantaged youth a

bridge to the skills and opportunities of our strong economy and alternatives to welfare and crime-including 15,000 youth in the existing projects. The demand for these funds is high—over 160 communities sought these limited resources and developed the broad partnerships and comprehensive plans as part of last year’s grant process. These deserving communities and their young people will not

get a second chance. • Cuts summer jobs and year-round training for 12,575

disadvantaged youth. For Youth Activities (the program that

combines Summer Jobs and Year-Round Youth), the House bill provides only $1,001 million, a decrease of $21 million, or 2% below

the President’s request level. This action reduces the estimated

number of low income youth for FY 2001 in this program by 12,575

below the request. In light of the difficulties communities are experiencing this summer due to the structural changes in the program

required by the Workforce Investment Act, the impacts on next

summer’s program will be even more severe. Congress should be

increasing rather than decreasing funding for this important program which provides the first work experience for many at-risk

youth, offering an important first step that can lead to a life of selfsufficiency and independence. Over half of these jobs go to 14–15

year olds who generally are not employed by the private sector.

• Eliminates funding for the President’s proposed reintegration services for 19,000 young offenders. The House

bill zeros out the President’s $75 million initiative to bring young

offenders into the workplace through job training, placement, and

support services, and by creating new partnerships between the

criminal justice system and the WIA workforce development system. With the approximately 500,000 people leaving prison each

year, the Nation needs to provide positive alternatives and opportunities for employment of these individuals, which will also

strengthen the future of our communities. With the strong economy, this is an excellent time to address their re-entry into the job

317

market. Raising their employment rates can decrease recidivism,

reduce long-term costs to society, and increase the pool of available

workers. • Rejects expansion of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students

Initiative. The House zeros out the President’s request to provide $40 million to enable DOL to join the existing DOJ, ED, HHS partnership in supporting community-wide programs to prevent youth

violence and drug abuse, and to expand the effort to address outof-school youth. Without these funds, no new communities can join

this very successful effort.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment that would have added $1.25 billion to restore the

President’s budget request for most of these job training

programs and provide a $254 million increase over 2000 for

the Summer Jobs program. The Democratic amendment

would have added resources to train and assist over 700,000

individuals, but it was rejected by the Majority 19–30. (Jackson amendment, Roll Number 8 located in this report immediately

preceding the table). The amendment would have restored: • $154 million for One-Stop Career Centers to provide efficient, comprehensive workforce development services for workers

and employers in centers, by phone and over the Internet. • $254 million to restore cuts in the Summer Jobs program resulting from implementation of the Workforce Investment Act. • $389 million for Dislocated Worker Assistance to sustain

the Administration’s goal of reaching every dislocated worker with

reemployment services and training. • $200 million for Youth Opportunity grants to increase longterm employment of youth in high need areas. • $50 million to provide Unemployment Insurance claimants

assessment, referral, placement and other services to speed their

return to the workplace and reduce the length of unemployment insurance claims. • $93 million for Adult Job Training to develop the skills of

American workers.

• $30 million for Incumbent Workers to partner with states to

upgrade the skills of unemployed and low-wage workers displaced

by an evolving economy.

• $5 million for Homeless Veterans to ensure this population

receives the supportive services they need to reenter the job market.

• $14 million for the Disability Initiative to help eliminate

barriers disabled workers face in maintaining employment.

• $61 million for the Reintegration of young offenders to

help these youth find productive employment in the mainstream

economy.

Problem #7: The Need To Protect Workers

The House bill cuts worker protection programs at the Department of Labor by $190 million (Ø14%) below the request. By freezing most worker protection agencies at the FY 2000

level, the House bill would reduce Department of Labor worker protection programs by $190 million from the President’s FY 2001 request, or 14%. Of this reduction-about half of it is in the DepartVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00317 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
318

ment’s worker protection agencies, and the other half is in the

international labor protection initiatives. A freeze at last year’s

level will result in a 4% reduction in the level of services provided

this year. This will result in a cut of approximately 212 worker protection staff below current levels and 433 staff below the President’s request. At a time when national efforts to reduce workplace

injuries and illnesses are working well, the impact of operating

under these curtailed levels would disrupt the programs designed

to improve the safety and health of workers and their benefits, as

well as efforts Congress has sought to encourage efforts to assist

employers comply with workplace laws and regulations. • OSHA is hit with a cut of 12% below the President’s request, 4% below last year’s level of effort. Despite gains in

workplace safety, there are still more than 6 million job-related injuries and illnesses each year, and over 6,000 fatalities. With only

2,200 inspectors nationwide, and more than 7 million worksites,

the average worksite is inspected every 109 years. Even among the

12,500 most dangerous non-construction worksites, OSHA only has

resources to inspect 3,000. Yet the bill eliminates OSHA’s request

for additional resources for enforcement and enhanced compliance

assistance for employers, including expansion of the state consultation grants which provide free consultation visits to small businesses. This will cut approximately 1,000 inspections of serious

workplace hazards, fatal worksite accidents, and targeted inspections of high-hazard workplaces. • Rider blocks ergonomics rule that would prevent

300,000 injuries per year. Despite a previous commitment to

never delay the ergonomics regulation after FY 1998, the Majority

on the Committee agreed to the Northup amendment 32–22 (rollcall number 4, located in this report immediately preceding the

table) Section 103 of the House bill prohibits OSHA from promulgating, issuing, implementing, administering or enforcing a temporary or final ergonomics regulation. This is a rulemaking begun

by the Bush Administration in 1992.

Each year, 1.8 million U.S. workers experience a work-related

musculoskeletal disorder, such as injuries from overexertion or repetitive motion. About 1⁄3 of these injuries, or over 600,000 incidents, are serious enough to require time off from work, and cost

businesses $15–$20 billion in workers comp. According to BLS, 34%

of all lost workday injuries are related to ergonomic injuries.

The Department of Labor estimates that the ergonomics rule

would prevent about 300,000 injuries per year, and save $9 billion

in workers comp and related costs. About one-third of general industry worksites would be covered by the rule, protecting 27 million workers. Fewer than 30% of general industry employers currently have effective ergonomics programs.

The Majority has attempted to block this rule in almost every

year since the Republicans took control of Congress in 1995. There

were limitation riders on the Labor HHS bill 1995, 1996, and 1998

to stop the regulation. The 1997 rider was stricken from the House

Committee bill by Floor amendment.

In FY 1998, in return for a rider that year, the Majority agreed

to House report language that stated, ‘‘The Committee will refrain

from any further restrictions with regard to the development, proVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00318 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
319

mulgation or issuance of an ergonomic standard following fiscal

year 1998.’’ (House Report 105–205, p. 24) This agreement is still

binding, but the Northup amendment in this bill breaks that agreement.

In 1999 there was no rider, but a National Academy of Sciences

study was funded with the clear understanding that it would not

be used to justify a delay. As part of that appropriations agreement, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee sent a letter to the Secretary of Labor on October

19, 1998 that stated by funding the National Academy of Sciences

study on ergonomics, ‘‘it is in no way our intent to block or delay

issuance by OSHA of a proposed rule on ergonomics’’. Despite that

agreement, last summer, the House passed the H.R. 987 which

would have had the effect of forcing OSHA to wait another two

years for completion of a second, unnecessary National Academy of

Sciences study.

Therefore, five years of Congressional interference in this regulation has cost business billions of dollars and allowed hundreds of

thousands of painful and disabling injuries that could have been

prevented.

Another National Academy of Sciences study is unlikely to dispute the findings of all the previous research. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health evaluated 600 studies in

1997, and 27 peer reviewers confirmed the NIOSH finding linking

physical stress on the job to ergonomic injuries. The National Academy of Science concluded in 1998 that: (1) ergonomic injuries are

directly related to work; (2) higher on the job physical stress leads

to more ergonomic injuries; (3) most people face their greatest exposure to physical stress at work; and (4) interventions that reduce

physical stress on the job reduce the risk of injury. Finally OSHA

has included 1,400 studies in the ergonomics rulemaking record.

The ergonomics rulemaking has been an 8–year effort. More than

1,000 witnesses have testified, 7,000 written comments have been

submitted, and the post-hearing comment period has just begun.

OSHA should be allowed to consider all the evidence and construct

a final rule based on the record. In the interest of protecting millions of workers from debilitating injuries, it is time for Congress

to let the rulemaking conclude.

• Cuts pension and health care plan protections. The

House bill rejects the President’s proposed $9 million increase for

the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, targeted to protect the rights and benefits of participants when an employee benefit plan is in jeopardy. These cuts will mean 25,000 requests for

assistance will go unanswered, and $64 million will not be restored

to employee benefit plan assets. The Department of Labor protects

the pension and health benefits of over 150 million individuals who

participate in ERISA covered plans, holding more than $4.3 trillion

in assets.

• Denies expansion of domestic child labor efforts. The

House bill denies the President’s requested increase of $11 million

for Wage and Hour, which included expanded efforts to address

sweatshops in the garment industry and domestic child labor

abuses.

320

• Denies information technology investment of $54 million,

needed to enhance the Department’s ability to implement its worker protection responsibilities and expand its Internet capacity to

better serve employers and the public. • Denies investment in occupational health and safety research. The National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health

at CDC has developed an outstanding agenda for critically needed

research investments in occupational safety and health based on

broad stakeholder input. However, support for the National Occupational Research Agenda has lagged well behind the scientific

community’s capacity to address priority areas, with success rates

for extramural grants far below those of NIH. Despite a professional judgement budget that an additional $40 million could be

well used immediately by researchers, the House bill freezes funding for NIOSH. • Cuts NLRB $11 million below the President’s request.

The bill freezes NLRB, and will curtail efforts to rebuild the agency

after five years of budget cuts. This amounts to a 4% cut in real

terms, requiring a reduction of 80 FTE’s below current levels, and

delaying in cases involving unfair labor practices and union representation. • Denies enhancement of several international labor activities to improve working conditions in developing countries

around the world. • International Child Labor Efforts Stalled. The House bill

stops the momentum created by the recent International Labor Organization convention to ban the worst forms of child labor, which

was agreed to by 175 countries, supported by Congress and signed

by the President in December. According to the ILO, there are

about 250 million children between the ages 5 and 14 who are

working in developing nations with approximately half of them

working full time but not going to school. The President wants to

expand the successful efforts of the ILO, Department of Labor and

USAID to develop education infrastructure, increase public awareness, and build data and monitoring systems to take kids out of

factories and put them in schools. To move closer to making global

abolition of the worst forms of child labor a reality, the President

called for a comprehensive initiative on international child labor,

but the bill denies the entire $70 million increase to implement it.

• Core Labor Standards Stalled. The House bill also rejects

the proposed expansion of $10 million to provide technical assistance to developing countries who are committed to improving workplace safety, strengthening collective bargaining, preventing discrimination against women in the workplace, and other basic worker rights. It is also directly in our interest to foster these efforts

that will help level the playing field so that American businesses

are not at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace because they are providing their workers decent wages and benefits.

• Eliminates New Global HIV/AIDS Initiative. The bill also

eliminates $10 million requested by the President to help Sub Saharan African countries deal with the devastation of HIV/AIDS.

More than 12 million have already died from AIDS in these countries, and another 22 million are living with the disease. AIDS infection rates are as high as 10–20% of the entire population in

321

some of these countries, and many people who don’t know they are

infected are spreading the disease. Since many, if not most, individuals don’t go to doctors, this approach would reach workers with

a public health education and prevention message through their

employers and unions where they have daily contact.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to add $97 million to restore the President’s Budget request for these international activities, but it was rejected

by the Majority 23–30. (Obey amendment, Roll Number 11 located in this report immediately preceding the table). As mentioned

previously, it is ironic the Majority on the Committee would deny

this funding that has a direct impact on protecting U.S. workers

from low-wage foreign competition, including child labor, on the

same day that the House passed the China Permanent Normal

Trade Relations bill.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Problem #8: The Need To Protect the Health and Welfare of

Seniors and Vulnerable Populations

Some of the bill’s most serious deficiencies relate to the health

and welfare of seniors and uninsured working families. The Committee Bill pursues a risky strategy of failing to invest in the infrastructure the Nation needs to prepare for the aging of our population. The 76 million Americans who make up the baby boom generation will begin reaching retirement age in just eight years. The

population of those over the age of 85 who often present the most

urgent needs is expected to grow 33% in the next ten years alone.

To adequately prepare for the aging of our population, we should

be making investments now to help seniors secure their futures

and maintain their independence.

The Committee Bill also cuts critical health programs that touch

every segment of our society. We rely on access to health care for

ourselves and our families, critical treatment services during times

of crisis, and advancements in prevention and treatment in the battle against disease. The bill reported by the Majority makes inadequate investments in health care access, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and biomedical research that threaten to

hamper our productivity and drive up health care costs in the long

term.

At a time when the number of uninsured continues to drive upward, we are faced with a bill that cuts health services for uninsured workers. At a time when over half of all high school seniors

are still using illicit drugs, we have a bill that cuts support for substance abuse prevention and treatment. Advances in biomedical research and the exploration of the human genome are showing

promise to unlock the mysteries of the most dreaded diseases. And

yet, the bill fails to maintain a path of investment needed to ensure

that promise is translated into medical breakthroughs and advances in treatments.

Eliminates the Nursing Home Initiative

The bill eliminates $36 million, or 95% of the funding, in the

Health Care Financing Administration’s budget for the Nursing

322

Home Initiative to improve the quality of care, primarily through

state survey and certification reviews.

Almost weekly, poor conditions are uncovered in nursing homes

across the country. Just last summer a GAO report found that one

in four of all nursing homes have ‘‘serious deficiencies that harm

residents or place them at risk of death or serious injury.’’ This report also found that out of a sample of 107 poor performing nursing

homes that have been cited for patterns of actual harm to one or

more residents that:

• 23% failed to prevent or treat pressure sores;

• 14% failed to prevent accidents;

• 8% failed to ensure adequate nutrition;

• 6% failed to provide acceptable quality of care; and

• 4% failed to prevent mistreatment, neglect or abuse.

The GAO report also found that two-thirds of the 107 homes surveyed had been cited for repeat violations and their findings ‘‘suggest that HCFA’s enhanced enforcement of homes found to repeat

these serious care problems has merit.’’ An example of a ‘‘serious

deficiency’’ or G-level deficiency where harm was done to a resident

cited in the report was:

The nursing home failed to provide supervision and assistance to prevent accidents for 14 residents. Six residents

hit other residents, two left the building without the staff’s

knowledge, and eight were found on the floor of their rooms

from falls of unknown origin. Four residents sustained

multiple falls, and one other resident sustained a broken

hip.

Furthermore, HCFA reported that ‘‘a recent survey of seriously

ill hospitalized adults’’ found that 37% ‘‘were unwilling to live permanently in a nursing home; (and) alarmingly, 30% indicated that

they would ‘rather die.’ ’’ Despite, these findings, this bill eliminates $37.8 million for improving conditions for our nation’s elderly

and disabled nursing home residents—institutions that will house

approximately 43% of American seniors over 65 at sometime before

they die, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and

Quality.

The Administration has recognized the importance of improving

nursing home conditions, and starting in 1995 began enforcing

tough regulations designed to meet this goal. In 1998, the President’s Nursing Home Initiative was launched to increase the quality of care for nursing home residents. With funding from this initiative, HCFA has been able to begin to turn the tide on negative

conditions and make some marked improvements.

While the President’s initiative is designed to help curb poor

nursing home conditions, loss of funding for this initiative will

hinder progress that is beginning to be made to improve the living

conditions and medical care received by residents. Critical funding

is being curtailed which could be used to help states improve their

nursing home inspections, punish homes that repeatedly violate the

rules, publish ratings on the quality of nursing homes on the internet, and increase the quality of care received by residents.

Since the nursing home initiative has been underway, HCFA has

been able to establish new protocols for nursing home surveys to

323

address problems with dehydration, nutrition, and pressure sores;

identify facilities that require more frequent inspections and monitoring based upon the outcomes of annual inspections; work with

the states on a variety of efforts including training on use of quality indicators during surveys, and require states to conduct surveys

during off-hours. HCFA, for instance, is stepping up its effort to

meet their goal of having 10% of nursing home surveys done offhours (weekends & evenings) in order to a gain a more complete

picture of nursing home conditions. HCFA has seen an increase in

off-hour surveys up from 4.1% in the 3rd quarter of 1999 to 8.6%

in the 4th quarter of 1999. Funding cuts however, will severely impede the progress they have made to ensure nursing homes are

safe, high quality care facilities for their residents.

Cuts the Medicare Integrity Program

The bill makes a number of cuts that harm the Administration’s

efforts to protect the integrity of the Medicare program. The bill

cuts $50 million from the current authorization and appropriation

for the Medicare Integrity Program under the Health Insurance

Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This program

provides essential payment safeguards to prevent and detect fraud,

waste, and abuse and has produced billions in savings. By reducing

these important activities, the cut could result in an $850 million

loss to the Medicare Trust Funds.

The bill also cuts the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG’s) by $10 million from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control

(HCFAC) account. This program has been instrumental in investigating and bringing to settlement a number of abusive health

care providers resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars to the

Trust Funds. The bill also reduces funding for Medicare Contractors and Federal Administration under HCFA Program Management that will result in the elimination of the Administration’s new

Medicare Contractor Oversight Initiative. Under this new initiative, the President’s budget funded new financial management analysts located at contractors to ensure financial integrity. The reduction to the Medicare Contractor and Federal Administration budgets will also halt work implementing provisions of HIPAA and the

Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

Cuts Social Security administrative expenses

As the baby boom generation begins to reach retirement age in

a few years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must be prepared for their arrival. It is critically important that SSA have resources to meet this monumental challenge and at the same time,

maintain superior service for today’s beneficiaries.

The House bill cuts the President’s Budget request for operating

the Social Security Administration by $156 million, and this level

is $378 million below what the Commissioner’s believes is needed

to appropriately operate the agency. According to the Commissioner, this level of funding will seriously undermine stable staffing

and performance for the agency. It will require SSA to leave positions vacant at a time when the agency desperately needs to hire

and train new employees in preparation for its own retirement

wave.

324

This staffing reduction will mean unavoidable declines in service

to current Social Security beneficiaries. For the 26 million individuals who visit SSA offices each year, waiting times will increase

significantly. About two million calls to SSA’s 800 number will not

get through. In addition, tens of thousands fewer claims for disability benefits will be processed. Finally, SSA will significantly reduce continued eligibility reviews that help ensure the integrity of

the Supplemental Security Income program. Fewer income reviews

could result in an increase in general fund outlays by as much as

$150 million, so the Treasury will lose as much in SSI payments

alone as this cut attempts to save, but the added price will be a

significant decline in services to the public.

Eliminates the President’s National Family Caregiver Support Program

The Committee fails to provide $125 million requested by the

President for a new program supporting the 7 million informal

caregivers who enable their friends and relatives with long term

care needs to remain at home. Over 5 million Americans, 3 to 4

million seniors, remain in their homes because of services provided

by caregivers. These services would cost between $45 billion and

$75 billion annually, if provided by home care aides.

The role of the caregiver is difficult. Half of them are over the

age of 65, the majority are women, and one third have full time

jobs. The new National Family Caregiver Support Program would

provide essential services to approximately 250,000 families caring

for older relatives. These services include information on available

resources; assistance with locating services; caregiver training,

counseling and support; and respite care to give the caregiver ‘‘time

off’’. These services improve the caregiver’s ability to provide care,

help preserve the family unit, prevent abuse and neglect, and minimize out-of-home placements. The House Committee on Education

and Workforce recently authorized the Caregivers Program at the

$125 million requested level. However, funding for the President’s

initiative does not require final passage of the authorization of the

Older Americans Act. States can provide services to family caregivers under existing provisions of Title III–D of the Older Americans Act.

Eliminates the Community Access Program to improve

health care access for uninsured workers

The Committee eliminates $125 million requested by the President to address the growing number of uninsured Americans. In

1998, 44.5 million Americans—24.6 million of these working people—did not have health insurance. Nearly one in five working age

adults lack health insurance and half of working Americans with

incomes less than $20,000 could not pay their medical bills last

year. This program is designed to increase the capacity and effectiveness of the Nation’s community health care institutions and

providers that serve patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Funds will enable public and private entities to assist safety-net

providers to develop and expand integrated systems of care and address service gaps within such integrated systems with a focus on

primary care, mental health services and substance abuse services.

325

The Committee recommendation eliminates grants for up to 20

communities in their first year of funding and denies grants to an

additional 40 to 60 communities. A recently released report of the

Institute of Medicine found the Nation’s health care safety net is

in a state of crisis and called the first year of the Community Access Program a good first step. The IOM concluded increased funding for this program is greatly needed.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to add $661 million to restore the President’s request

in key seniors programs and provide additional assistance

to the uninsured. The amendment was rejected by the Majority 24–26. (DeLauro amendment, Roll Number 10 located in

this report immediately preceding the table). The amendment

would have provided:

• $36 million to restore the Administration’s Nursing Home

Initiative to ensure 1.6 million elderly and disabled receive quality nursing care.

• $50 million for the Medicare Integrity Program to provide

essential oversight of Medicare contractors to detect fraud, waste,

and abuse. Every $1 invested in the program saves $17 in Medicare Trust Funds.

• $125 million for the Family Caregivers initiative to provide

essential services to caregivers, including information on available

resources; assistance with locating services; caregiver training,

counseling and support; and respite care.

• $50 million for the Meals on Wheels Program to serve additional 75,700 seniors and reduce the waiting lists for this basic

service among a growing population. The program provides vital

nutrition to low-income seniors to help them stay healthy and remain in their homes and communities.

• $156 million to restore the Social Security Administration’s

request for Administrative expenses to reduce waiting times, improve services, and accelerate disability and other claims. The

amendment would restore the Administration’s request to ensure

the bill does not threaten the economic security of our Nation’s seniors.

• $119 million increase for Community Health Centers to provide affordable care to the uninsured and underinsured. The

amendment would help Community Health Centers cope with the

rising numbers of uninsured and the erosion of funding from Medicaid and other sources.

• $125 million for Health Care Access for Uninsured Workers to strengthen the safety net by helping communities develop

integrated health systems to improve and expand health care services for the uninsured and underinsured.

Other Key Health Programs Cut in This Bill

Eliminates funding to recover Medicare expenses from tobacco companies

The costs of preventing and treating tobacco-related disease ex- ceeds $50 billion per year, and the Department of Health and

Human Services pays a substantial portion of those costs through

Medicare, Medicaid, and the Indian Health Service.

326

Last year, Members of the Majority party lead the efforts to insert a rider in the FY 1999 Supplemental Appropriations bill to

permanently block the Federal government from recovering its

share of the tobacco settlement funds from the states under Medicaid, arguing in part that the Federal government should pursue

its own litigation. Last September, the Justice Department filed

suit to recover from tobacco companies these costs borne by American taxpayers.

This litigation will be complex, and require the compilation of an

immense evidentiary record. The Federal government should be

prepared to pursue this litigation with the appropriate resources to

match those of the tobacco companies that are defending the case.

The amount of the potential award returned to the Medicare trust

funds exceeds the cost of litigation many times over. HHS has entered into an agreement to provide financial support for the Justice

Department’s efforts, and has requested $4 million for this purpose.

But the bill denies this critical funding to recover these taxpayer

expenditures, and handicaps the Federal Governments efforts that

could bring in billions of dollars to extend the solvency of the Medicare trust funds.

Cuts Mental Health Treatment

The Committee cuts $4.1 million below the FY 2000 level and

$34.1 million below the President’s request for SAMHSA’s Mental

Health Knowledge Development and Application (KDA). The Committee’s recommendation denies the President’s request to provide

awards to 45 communities to improve early identification and treatment of mental illness in community health centers and other nonmental health settings. The bill cuts $5 million, or 16%, from the

Administration’s request for mental health services for the homeless. Every night, approximately 200,000 Americans with a major

mental illness have nowhere to sleep. By denying the President’s

request, the Committee is denying the opportunity to reach out to

an additional 118,000 homeless individuals and provide them with

essential mental health services. The Committee also cuts $1 million from the President’s request for the Protection and Advocacy

Program, which would block an additional 1,500 investigations into

complaints of abuse and neglect of residents in mental health facilities.

This recommendation could also severely impact the $40 million

School Violence ‘‘Safe Schools/Healthy Students’’ initiative. Research indicates that between 1989 and 1995, students felt increasingly unsafe in, and traveling to, school. A 1996 Children’s Institute International Poll of American Adolescents found that 47% of

all teens felt that their schools were becoming more violent. These

perceptions mirror the reality of school violence. During the 1996–

97 academic year alone, 21% of all public high schools and 19% of

all public middle schools reported at least one serious violent

crime—such as murder, rape, other types of sexual battery, physical attack with a weapon—to law enforcement agencies. The President’s request would ensure that the 54 school districts funded

under the ‘‘Safe Schools/Healthy Students’’ initiative begun in FY

1999 receive their third year of funding.

327

Cuts Family Planning Services

The bill cuts $35 million below the President’s request and denies health services to an additional 500,000 clients who are neither Medicaid eligible nor have health insurance. Title X funds

support a wide range of preventive reproductive health services beyond contraceptive services, including pelvic and breast examinations, blood pressure checks, Pap smears, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

Cuts Minority AIDS Programs

The bill includes only an $8 million increase for the Minority

AIDS Initiative, and fails to respond to the Congressional Black

and Hispanic Caucuses’ request for an additional $280 million for

critical health programs through the Public Health Service that respond to this epidemic. Despite earlier efforts to address the special

needs of communities of color, particularly African American and

Latino communities, rates of HIV infection among African Americans and Latinos continue to climb dramatically.

The FY 2001 CBC and CHC request is targeted to be more inclusive to other communities of color impacted disproportionately by

HIV/AIDS, particularly Native Americans, Native Alaskans, Asian/

Pacific Islanders. Due to new epidemiological data, there is a greater need to target enhanced funding to at-risk populations within

communities of color who continue to be impacted disproportionately by HIV/AIDS—especially women, children, and youth.

Problem #9: The Need To Invest in Biomedical Research

Cuts NIH below current services

The federal government, primarily through NIH, funds approximately 36% of all U.S. medical research. Improvements in health

bring about increased longevity and reductions in the economic

costs of treating illness. Science is changing at a revolutionary

pace, demanding a far greater investment in emerging new technologies, research training programs, and developing new skills

among scientific investigators. NIH-funded research has contributed to dramatic decreases in heart disease and stroke mortality

rates, increases in cancer survival rates, new medications for mental illness, vaccines to protect against infectious diseases, and

many other advances in medicine.

According to a report by the Joint Economic Committee released

earlier this week, of the 21 most important drugs introduced between 1965 and 1992, 15 were developed using knowledge and

techniques from federally funded research. Of these, NIH research

led to the development of 7 drugs used to treat patients with cancer, AIDS, hypertension, depression, herpes, and anemia. Research

sponsored by the NIH is responsible for the identification of genetic

mutations relating to nearly 100 diseases, including Alzheimer’s

disease, cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, osteoporosis, many

forms of cancer, and immune deficiency disorders.

The House bill language in the NIH appropriation accounts provides a total increase of $2.7 billion over 2000, however section 213

of the bill caps the NIH appropriation at the $1.0 billion increase

requested by the President. This was done to demonstrate how a

328

15% increase would be allocated if resources allowed, even though

the bill only contains funding for an actual 5.6% increase. That actual appropriation level is $439 million below the amount needed

to maintain current services, and would force a reduction in the

number of new and competing grants from 8,950 in FY 2000, to

only 7,641 in 2001. This is a reduction of 1,309 or 15% fewer new

research grants on cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and

other diseases.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to delete section 213 and provide a real $2.7 billion increase for NIH, but it was rejected by the Majority 23–29.

(Pelosi amendment, Roll Number 5 located in this report immediately preceding the table).

Problem #10: The Need To Fight Substance Abuse in Our

Communities

Cuts Funding for Effective Substance Abuse Prevention and

Treatment

The bill cuts $7 million below the 2000 funding level for proven

prevention services through the Knowledge Development and Application and the Targeted Capacity Expansion programs, cutting

proven prevention services to over 44,000 youth. While rates of

drug use among teens have leveled off after a rapid increase since

1992, over half of all high schools seniors are still using illicit

drugs. And rates among young adults ages 18–25 have continued

to rise. The Committee’s recommendation denies State Incentive

Grants to up to 9 states to coordinate and leverage different prevention funding streams and build a statewide substance abuse

prevention program. States must pass 85% of these funds on to

community-based organizations, coalitions, local governments and

school districts to carry out science-based prevention projects. Effective prevention programs engage youth interactively, involve

parents and families, and build skills by starting at a young age

and reinforcing messages over an extended period. The bill also

eliminates the High Risk Youth program, which prevents substance

abuse in high risk youth through mentoring programs, after school

curricula and community service.

The bill cuts $45 million from the Administration’s request for

substance abuse treatment programs through the Knowledge Development and Application and the Targeted Capacity Expansion

programs. The President’s request would have provided an additional 24,000 treatment slots for addicted individuals through the

Targeted Capacity Program. This program responds to the changing landscape of our Nation’s drug epidemics by focusing treatment

services to areas of highest need. This bill also cuts existing treatment slots for up to 4,000 individuals. Currently nationwide, we

have the capacity to serve a mere 37%, or just 2 million, of the 5.3

million Americans who are in severe need of substance abuse treatment.

A RAND Corporation study on reducing cocaine consumption,

sponsored by the U.S. Army and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, found that achieving a one percent reduction would cost

$783 million for source-country control, or $366 million for interdicVerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:16 Jun 02, 2000 Jkt 064636 PO 00000 Frm 00328 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR645.004 pfrm04 PsN: HR645
329

tion, or $246 million for domestic enforcement, or $34 million for

treatment. In other words, funds spent on domestic drug treatment

were 23 times more effective than source-country control, 11 times

more effective than interdiction, and 7 times more effective than

law enforcement. Further, the California Drug and Alcohol Treatment Assessment (CALDATA) study found that every $1 spent on

substance abuse treatment results in $7 in taxpayer savings—these

savings result from reduced health care costs, less crime, an increase in worker productivity, and decreased death expenses.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: The Democrats offered an

amendment to provide $600 million for domestic substance

abuse treatment and prevention, but it was rejected by the

Majority 22–30. The amendment would have provided treatment

for an additional 158,000 addicted individuals and proven prevention services to 690,000 youth. For the third consecutive time this

year, the Majority on the Committee rejected attempts by Democrats to provide proven services to reduce drug abuse in our communities, our schools, and our places of work. During consideration

of the FY 2000 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, Ms.

Pelosi offered an amendment that would have invested $1.3 billion

for domestic drug demand reduction services. At a level of funding

equal to the Supplemental Appropriations bill’s investment for

drug interdiction in Colombia, the amendment recognized that our

national illegal drug control strategy must focus on demand reduction, as well as supply reduction. The Majority voted down that

amendment on a party line vote in Committee.

In an attempt to compromise, Ms. Pelosi then scaled back the amendment to provide $600 million to domestic demand reduction,

but the Rules Committee blocked consideration of that amendment

on the Floor. During the debate on those amendments, the Majority

offered to address the issue during the regular appropriations process. Now that we have come to the regular appropriations process,

the Majority again has refused to support an increase to domestic

drug abuse treatment and prevention. That refusal ignores the reality that domestic treatment and prevention are the most effective

means to reduce the burden of drug abuse on our society.

Problem #11: The Need for a Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

Currently, Medicare does not fund a prescription drug benefit

and seniors are faced with expensive out of pocket costs to cover

their much-needed prescriptions. As our population grows increasingly elderly and the baby boomer population approaches retirement, more Americans will require costly prescription drugs. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 31% or 37.2 million

Medicare beneficiaries were without prescription drug coverage in

1996.

Seniors living on fixed incomes are well aware that drug prices

are increasing faster than the annual increase in their Social Security check. In fact, one study found that over the past six years,

the prices for the most commonly prescribed drugs for seniors have

risen, on average, at twice the rate of inflation.

Just as the Majority’s tax cut package is a misplaced priority

that gives too much to the wealthiest individuals in this country

330

at the expense of much needed discretionary spending, so too does

it divert needed resources from a much needed prescription drug

benefit.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE: Democrats offered an amendment to include a Sense of the House that tax cuts for taxpayers in the top 1% income levels should not be enacted

until Congress enacts a universal voluntary prescription

drug benefit for all Americans under Medicare, but it was

rejected by the Majority 22–28. (Obey amendment, Roll Number

12 located in this report immediately preceding the table).

CONCLUSION

It is ironic that this bill was voted on in Committee the same day

Congress voted to provide permanent Most-Favored-Nation trading

status for China. Some of us voted for it and some didn’t, but if

Congress is going to proceed down that road, it needs to be taking

action to help the sector of society that will be hurt as the economy

becomes more and more globalized.

Capitalist economies cannot by definition produce equal income

for all people. Each society needs risk takers who can amass wealth

so that accumulated wealth can be invested to produce economic

growth for the entire society. That is bound to produce income inequality. But as Pope John Paul once observed, there are certain

‘‘norms of decency’’ that must be respected in order to produce economic justice and the social cohesion that is necessary for any economic system to function. The last two decades have produced just

the opposite—the widest gap between the wealthiest 1% of our people and the least wealthy 20% of any time since the birth of the

20th Century.

In our society the gap in income—in education, in housing, and

in medical care—has grown disgracefully worse. Those who in this

economy suffer most from that fact—largely manufacturing workers in industries with declining employment or workers with less

than average skills—cannot be expected to roll over and say, in the

words that Walter Cronkite used to sign off his CBS news broadcast, ‘‘That’s the way it is.’’

The issue is whether those in this society—the investing class,

the managing elite, the venture capitalists, the multinational corporations who have so much to gain by further globalization of the

economy will be willing to see a tiny fraction of that increased

wealth used to help those who will otherwise be caught in the prop

wash of their incredible prosperity.

We need a balance of decency between the needs of the corporate-based market economy and the needs of a family-based society.

If Congress is going to vote for a trade bill like this, then it has

an obligation to support the job training, worker safety, health, and

education programs needed to ensure those sectors are not left further behind. This appropriations bill fails to do that.

When this Congress votes for a minimum wage bill that provides

$90 billion in tax relief for the wealthiest 1% of citizens, but declines to meet needs for education, protection for seniors in nursing

homes, teacher quality, prescription drug benefits for Medicare and

331

other priorities, it sums up the misplaced sense of priorities in this

Congress.

332

333

334

335

336

337

338

339

340

341

342

343

344

345

346

347

348

349

350

351

352

353

354

355

356

357

358

359

360

361

362

363

364

365

366

367

368

369

370

371

372

373

374

375

376

377

378

379

380

381

382

383

DAVID OBEY.

STENY HOYER.

NANCY PELOSI.

NITA M. LOWEY.

ROSA L. DELAURO.

JESSE L. JACKSON, Jr.

Æ